“Come in. Come in.”
“I hope we didn’t interrupt anything,” Papi said as he walked inside and took off his hat before smoothing out his hair.
“No. We were just relaxing,” I lied and caught a glimpse of Izzy walking slowly down the stairs.
“Hey,” she said in a cheerful tone like I hadn’t just been balls deep in her. She was good. She had been all worked up, but it didn’t show except for her lips being slightly swollen and redder than usual. “You came.” She smiled softly, padding across the hardwood floor to wrap my mother in an embrace.
My mother glanced at me over Izzy’s shoulder and winked. “James told us about your mother, and I thought I’d come spend a few days with you until I know you’re all right,hija.”
Izzy hugged her tighter, and I waited for her to turn around and smack me in the stomach. Instead, she whispered, “Thank you,” in my mother’s ear.
“Son.”
“Papi.” I motioned toward their suite with the suitcases still in my hands. “Let’s get you squared away while the girls talk.”
My father followed me down the hallway, stopping every few feet to take in the photos of the kids that Izzy had hung along the walls. “They’re getting so big.”
“They are. They’re going to be so excited to see you both.”
“Do they have school tomorrow?”
“No, it’s spring break, so they’re home all week.”
“Your mother will be happy.” My father smiled and tossed his hat on the bed before sitting down. “That drive is a pain in the ass.”
I placed the suitcases next to the dresser at the foot of their bed and turned to face him. “I know. Thank you for coming all this way for Izzy.”
“You know how much we love Isabella.”
They did too. When I texted my mother earlier this afternoon after Izzy told me about her mother, I’d never expected them to get in the car and head straight here. They must not have even hesitated since I sent my text a little over six hours ago, and even going at breakneck speed, it took over five and half hours without stopping from door-to-door.
“I know she appreciates it. I appreciate it.”
“We’ll spend time with the kids this week until you two are sick of us.”
I laughed, but usually after five days, I’d had my fill of my space being invaded and needed alone time with my wife. “Stay as long as you want. Do you want a drink?”
“Ahh,” he said before licking his lips. “I could go for a nightcap.”
“Let’s go out on the lanai and talk for a while.”
When we made our way back into the main part of the house, Izzy and my mother were already outside with two bottles of wine, the Jack Daniel’s, and Dad’s favorite brandy.
The sticky spring air blasted me in the face as soon as I opened the sliding door and stepped outside. My mother and Izzy glanced up before going back to their conversation as my father and I took the empty seats on the other side of the table.
Mama placed her hand over Izzy’s on the table. “Don’t be worried, dear Izzy. I remember when I had mine done. I thought the worst, but everything turned out okay. I’m sure it’ll be the same for your ma.”
Izzy smiled sweetly at my mother. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I’ll always be here for you. You’re every bit as much my daughter as he’s my son.”
They shared a moment, and my father and I sat silently, watching them in silence. Something my father rarely did because the man loved to talk.
“How long are you staying, Mom?” Izzy asked.
“As long as you’ll have us. We’re going to look at condos while we’re here.”
“I want you closer, and I know the kids do too.”
