“This is Isabel, at the grill is her husband Manny, and their son Junior. This is their home,” I say.
“Mucho gusto,” Isabel says, and the two exchange greetings.
“And this is Bud’s girlfriend, Socorro,” I say, nodding to the woman sitting next to Bud.
Socorro’s eyes widen, and Isabel bites back a laugh.
“We’re just friends,” Socorro says nervously.
“Aye sure, Ma, whatever you say.” Isabel laughs.
“She’s the love of my life,” Bud says proudly, grabbing Socorro’s hand.
Her face goes red, and we all laugh. Bud had met Socorro at the oncology center during his treatment, where Isabel worked as a nurse. One day, Isabel left her lunch, and her mother came up to bring her something, ran into Bud, andthe rest is history. They were both at a stage in their life where they needed companionship more than anything.
Alma leaves for the bouncy house and returns with Luna and Sol in each arm. Luna is calm, but Sol is kicking and screaming furiously.
“¡Esa chiquilla loca!” Bud laughs, and Patricio turns just in time to see Sol bite her mom and run to me.
“Sol!” Alma yells, but Sol has already wrapped her arms around me.
“Hey, that wasn’t very nice to bite mommy,” I say, lifting her.
“These are the twins— Luna and Sol. You’re granddaughters,” I say, swallowing hard. “Say Hi, Sol.”
“Hola, hermosa,” Patricio says, offering his hand to Sol, who has now stolen the seat between us.
“And this is Luna, she is the nicer one,” Alma says, offering Patricio his granddaughter.
As expected, Luna welcomes his embrace, and his smile widens. Sol climbs over me and finds her new spot with Bud. I smile at Alma, and she looks at both the girls. Maybe family didn’t need to be that complicated.
Grabbing the bottle of tequila, I pour out shots for everyone at the table and stand with mine.
“I’d like to make a toast,” I say, rising. Manny lowers the music, and all eyes turn to me.
“Today marks a year since Bud rang that bell at the oncology center. It was a rough year of treatment, but he fought like hell. Not only are we celebrating his cancerversary, but we are also celebratingFamilia.”My eyes shift to Patricio, who gives me a curt nod.
Alma beams up at me, and I’m not amazed with everything we’ve been through together.She was mine.
“To Familia,” I say, lifting my shot glass.
“Familia.” The crow repeats before taking down the liquor.
The music picks up, and I lift Alma and move to the dance floor. She molds into me, and I hold her tight. We’d both held on to hope for this moment, and it finally came. Out of all the destruction in our past, we were able to build our own version of happily ever after.
Epilogue Two- Alma
SIX YEARS LATER
“And then they lived happily ever after,” Efren says, setting the book down.
“Well, that was stupid.” Sol, our six-year-old daughter, puffs out.
I laugh from the doorway, and Efren looks over his shoulder and smiles. How did he look so handsome, and why did my hormones want him in the worst way every time I was pregnant? My hand stills on my bursting belly. Baby number four.
“Why is it stupid, mi amor?” I ask Sol, who rolls her eyes at me. She’s constantly annoyed with my every word and mere existence.
“If I were a frog, I wouldn’t want some dumb ass princess to kiss me. I’d just stay a frog. Frogs are cooler.” Our four-year-old Xavier says.
