Merry Cristela
A post-ep. for 1x09. Josh and Cristela go for a walk and continue talking after their hug on the porch.
A huge thank you to Alexis Dawn for beta reading this story and being so positive about my first fic.
Cristela has been interested in Josh ever since she met him. He has never treated her differently. She has been so thankful for his friendship in an office where Mr. Culpepper and even Maddie often treat her differently for being Mexican. Josh has always treated her as his equal. Cristela appreciates that especially after Alberto said he wouldn't want her to work. Not that she has ever seriously considered dating Alberto, but that certainly made it impossible.
When Cristela was joking around with Josh about coming over for Christmas, there was a part of her that was serious, but she wasn't ready for him to see how crazy her family could be. He had already met Alberto and Felix. Ama, Daniela, and Eddie would probably send him running. She never really seriously considered that Josh felt anything other than friendship for her, but she was sure if he did, her family would quickly scare him off.
Josh felt so awkward when he arrived at Cristela's to find out he had misunderstood her joking; but after Daniela made him stay, he was grateful he had been a little dense. At first he was unsure if Cristela actually wanted him to stay, but he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to spend time with Cristela and get to know her better. He enjoyed getting to know her family as well because it meant he was able to understand Cristela more. He could see how she became the strong, determined, passionate woman she is. He hadn't intended to tell her that he enjoyed seeing her outside of work, but he isn't sorry he said it. When she said it later, he wanted to kiss her right then and there. Unfortunately Eddie and Alberto both interrupted them. Suddenly Josh has another idea. He isn't ready to say goodbye quite yet.
"Cristela, would you like to go for a walk?"
She accepts and they stroll through the neighborhood in comfortable silence. They are just enjoying spending time together and thinking about the day and how things had gone.
Josh breaks the silence first. "You know, it was really nice getting to meet everyone in your family and getting to know them."
Cristela laughs. "Are you sure? My family is kind of crazy. Sometimes even I don't want to get to know them."
"Cristela, no. I really truly enjoyed it. Your mom has been through a lot. She may not spare anyone's feelings, but I can tell that she cares a great deal for her family. Everyone in your family cares, even if they don't always show it in a traditional way.
Cristela is moved that he seems to understand her family so well. "Wow, that's sweet. Most people don't get my family."
Josh reaches for Cristela's hand as they walk. She interlocks her fingers with his. Neither one says anything for a while. They are both excited for where things are going and are just enjoying the moment. She is sure that by the time they arrive back at the house, one of the nosy neighbors will have called Ama to ask about the white man with whom Cristela is walking. She decides quickly that she doesn't care.
Meanwhile, Josh is working up the nerve to ask Cristela out. He finally gets over his nervousness and asks "Would you like to go to dinner sometime?"
"Yes…I would," Cristela answers slowly.
Josh is thrilled and squeezes her hand at her response. "You know, for how this day started, I think has turned out really great! I been wanting to ask you out for a while."
Cristela is surprised yet very happy to hear this. "If we're being open and honest here, I have been hoping you would ask me out. I'm glad that my family hasn't scared you off. They can be overwhelming."
They arrive back at her house shortly and she is thankful that none of her family is around. She half expected to see everyone out on the front porch waiting for them to return. As they walk back to the porch, Cristela feels nervous and excited. She never imagined her day going like this!
They let go of each other's hands as they sit on the porch steps. Cristela leaves a space when they sat down, not wanting to be forward. Josh closes the gap and puts his arm around Cristela's shoulders. She leans into his side and enjoys the closeness. She knows that if them walking around the neighborhood holding hands didn't get Ama a phone call, this surely will.
Josh kisses her temple. Oh yeah. Ama is definitely getting a phone call.
Just then the door opens and Eddie walks out onto the porch. Josh and Cristela stand up and turn around. She braces herself for the teasing that is sure to come.
"Hey you two! What are you up to? I thought Josh was leaving. Juanita Canales called Ama asking about your white boyfriend."
Cristela just wanted the ground to swallow her up. Her family could be so embarrassing. "Uhhh, could you go back inside? I'll talk to Ama in a minute."
"Yeah sure," Eddie agreed. "Josh, make sure you keep your…"
Cristela interrupted, "Shut up, Eddie! I'll be inside in a minute!"
Eddie finally consented, giving Josh a menacing look before closing the door.
"Josh, I better get back inside. Since you already said goodbye, I won't subject to my family anymore. They are crazy and I'm afraid of what Daniela and Ama would do to you if you returned right now.
"Clearly I'm not afraid of your family, but I should let you have some time alone with them. I know you don't get to see your brother often. I'll call you tomorrow and we can make plans to go out soon."
"Okay, that sounds good. Thanks for misunderstanding me and coming today. I had a great time, and you even helped my family work through something. Ama was very impressed by you. She is not easily impressed by anyone."
"You're welcome. I'll try to misunderstand you again." They both chuckle "Tell your family thanks again for everything and Merry Christmas."
Cristela reaches up and kisses Josh on the cheek. "Goodbye, Josh. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Cristela."
Cristela watched Josh walk to his car thinking that this was a pretty great Christmas. Even her family's craziness was not going to get in the way of her happiness today.