My mom laughed. “Celeste is sweet.”
“Isn’t she? She’s so curious and funny.”
“And she doesn’t bite her tongue.” My mother took a sip from her mug.
“No she has no filter, which I think makes me like her more.”
“She is also a huge responsibility. If you’re going to date Belen, Celeste will be a big part of that relationship.”
“I know it. Trust me, Belen has made it perfectly clear she will pick her sister over me any day of the week.”
“And you’re alright with that?”
“I expect nothing less. I’m just hoping over time she’ll trust me enough to help her with Celeste.”
“Help her how?”
“Celeste is interested in living on her own. And Belen is concerned about that prospect for a multitude of reasons. Maybe I can help to find a solution that would give Celeste the freedom she craves while still providing Belen with peace of mind.”
“How would you do that?”
I hopped my shoulders. “I mean I have an entire empty apartment next door. Maybe I could renovate it, create a space for Celeste with separate access.”
My mother pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“You’re ready to have Belen and her sister move in with you?”
“I’m just throwing out ideas.”
“What does Belen think about that?”
“I haven’t told her.”
“You are just like your father. When he sets his mind to something, there is no talking him out of it. We just have to go through it.”
“It worked. He ended up marrying you.”
“I know you care for her, baby. But I just want you to be mindful. And respect Belen’s boundaries. You have all these plans in your head but maybe she won’t be on board.”
“Why wouldn’t she want to move in together? I’m not talking about next week but in a few months. It’s a smart solution.”
“Not everyone needs or wants to be saved.”
My mother’s words gave me pause. I’d thought this through. I wasn’t one hundred percent decided, but living together was a viable option and the natural progression of any relationship. I didn’t care about being hurt or moving too fast because all I wanted was to love her.
“How did Belen take the news about California?”
My face turned sour. It was Christmas morning and the last thing I wanted to talk about was LA.
“Kristoff, you haven’t told her?”
“I plan to.”
“Kristoff, you leave in three weeks.” My mother’s tone was like an alarm.
“I know. I know. I have every intention on telling her. But it’s Christmas and it doesn’t feel like the right time. And truthfully, I don’t want her ending things before they really start because of the distance.”
