Mamáwent saucer-eyed at the unexpected revelation. “What?”
“I was afraid of your reaction before so I kept this to myself. But I’m not afraid anymore and I feel healed enough to talk about what happened,” I said. “Will you hear me out,mamá?”
She appeared on the verge of fainting, but still nodded.
I went on to tell her the whole dreadful tale from the summer. How I found out about my pregnancy, how I was excited at the prospect of becoming a new mom, how I baked cupcakes for Cade, and how Emilio was the one to find me when I lost the baby. I also added why I broke up with Cade…and how I found out twelve hours ago that he never actually cheated on me.
When I finished my monologue,mamácrushed me to her chest and wept, mourning for me, my unborn baby, and all my suffering. She planted kisses on my face, whispering words of comfort in a teary voice. Feeling her visceral reaction made me weep alongside her. A mother’s love was eternal and this was the comfort I had needed months ago. I should have known that regardless of my actions,mamáandpapáwould never stop loving or being there for me.
“You shouldn’t have gone through that alone,mija,”mamáwhispered. “I wish you’d told me the truth sooner.”
“I wish I had too.”
“What will you do now?” She wiped my damp cheeks.
Sighing, I rested my head on her shoulder. “After visiting Shaun at the hospital, I’m going to drive over to the Hills and retrieve my phone from Darla.”
“I meant what will you do now withCade?”
Oh.
Straightening, I brushed my hands down my old Batman logo T-shirt, the one I stole from Cade when we were sixteen. Then I glanced at my palm lines—my love one, in particular. There was only one person meant for me.
“We will find our way back to each other. He’s the only man I want to be with,mamá. The only one who understands me, protects me, loves me beyond measure. And I love him, too. I never stopped,” I said with conviction. “I know he wasn’t yours andpapá’sfirst choice for me, but he is mine. In every way that matters.”
My words were firm, leaving no room for argument. Cade would be their future son-in-law. They just needed to accept it.
I once said that the universe was pulling my strings and having a laugh. But I didn’t realize it was for my own benefit. After everything that unfolded on Initiation Night, one thing was crystal clear to me.
Cade and I were written in the stars.
He was my destiny.
And I’d follow him until the ends of the earth.
“I want to apologize on behalf of myself and yourpapá,”mamábegan with a remorseful tone. “It’s no secret that we preferred Josh, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that we never gave Cade a fair chance when you both started dating. Yes, we were disappointed that you chose him, but over the years, it became clear to us why. He’s kind, polite, smart, and most of all, treats you like aprincesa. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see how much that boy loves you, Ella. Although we didn’t outright give our blessings the first time, you have them now. I know he’llcontinue to make you the happiest girl in the world.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I wanted them to accept him for so long that it felt a weight was finally lifted off my shoulders.
Mamácupped my face and smiled. “Now go to your room. There’s a surprise waiting for you. It was delivered an hour ago.”
Autumn sunlight filtered through my sheer curtains, casting a warm glow in my room. I padded over to my bed. There sat an enormous white box with…a bouquet of orange lollipops wrapped in a blue ribbon.
The same bouquet Cade used to send me every month until we broke up.
My heart soared in my chest like a flock of birds. I set the bouquet on my bedside table and gingerly opened the mysterious box.
I gasped when I saw the stunning, blue silk gown inside.
An envelope tucked in the wrapping fluttered to the floor. My name was written on the front in a familiar masculine scrawl. I dove for it, nearly ripping the letter open in my haste.
And when I read the contents, I swooned, overcome by so much love for Cade.
Ella,
I hope you slept well and are not too tired from last night’s shenanigans (although if you ask me, getting sent to jail is not only a rite of passage but an accomplishment for heathens like us). I also hope your ankle doesn’t hurt too much. Put some ice on it. When I see you, I’ll kiss it better.
