*I just made a few changes! Danny-jdb-Brooks pointed out to me that there needs to be a mi in front of hijo and hija. Thank you so much. I am not Hispanic or Mexican. I don't really know the first thing about Spanish. Let me know if I make any other mistakes like that. I'll try to fix them.*
Okay, so I have to tell you that most of these characters belong to Meg Cabot. I own Catarina de Silva entirely. I gave names to two of Jesse's sisters (Carmen and Rosaria), as well as his parents (if I ever need to use their names). I also entirely own Benedict Harrison and Reece Harrison (you'll find out who they are later).
Jesse's POV
August
I unbuckled my beautiful daughter from her booster seat. It was selfish of me, I knew, but I was somewhat glad that Catarina looked more like me than her late mother. Maria brought too many difficult memories for me. I had resolved most of my issues with my dead wife when I spoke with her ghost after the funeral, but I could not deny that I was glad that my daughter did not bring a constant reminder of Maria. Generally only when she had a sneer on her young face.
As she did now.
"Daddy, I don't want to go," she informed me. "I want to play with Eddie, Papa."
"I know, princesa. But Eddie is visiting sick grandfather today, you know that, and your abuela is very excited to see you. She told me that she made a special treat for us to enjoy after dinner."
Catarina's brown eyes lit up at the mention of a special treat. "Her yummy brownies? With the sprinkles?"
I smiled lovingly. "I believe so, mi hija. Come, let's go inside and see."
With the idea of brownies in her head, she scrambled out of the SUV. She ran to the front door, yelling for her abuela. My father opened the door just as she reached it, and lifted her into a brief hug. I followed at a slower pace.
"Who has arrived already?" I asked.
"Marta and Benedict are in the kitchen, helping your madre with a few last things for the meal. Rosaria is, unwillingly, helping them. Mercedes and Christian are feeding the horses. Josefina was doing something in the attic, I believe. Carmen has not arrived yet."
"That doesn't surprise me. How is Marta?"
My padre struggled not to grin. "You can't hear her? She is quite vocal about the miseries of pregnancy. Benedict is feeling very…overwhelmed at the moment."
"I understand that feeling. Maria was the same way, when she was pregnant with Catarina." As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to take them back. Our good humor disappeared at the mention of Maria. It was still a sore subject among our family. I looked down at my daughter. "Catarina, let's go find some of your aunts and uncles, shall we?"
Excited, she ran into the house, her black curls flowing behind her.
"Hector –"
"The pain will ease with time, Papa. It's already easier than it used to be. Don't worry."
He clasped my shoulder briefly before going inside the ranch house where I'd been born and raised. I followed slowly, making my way into the kitchen. My brother-in-law, Benedict Harrison, was the first to see me. He nodded. "Hello, Jesse," he said, his British accent thick. Only my father called me by my first name, Hector. To everyone else, I went by my middle name, Jesse.
"It's nice to see you, Benedict. Marta, how are you?"
My younger sister scowled, her left hand resting on her lower back. "How do you think I am?" she snapped. "I am five months pregnant. And I am miserable. My back hurts, my ankles are swollen, I can't sleep well, I -"
"Have you decided on a name for my nephew?" I interrupted her. If I allowed her to, she could complain for hours.
"Reece Emmett Harrison."
"Jesse, dear, have you forgotten your own mother?"
I grinned at my madre, pulling her into a loving embrace. "I could never forget you, Mama. I was simply saving the best for last."
From another room, I heard a shriek. Catarina must have found her Aunt Josefina. She loved to play with her silliest aunt.
"Oh, Jesse," my mother began in a voice that was trying too hard to sound casual. "A friend of mine has a daughter who I think would just love to meet you. Her name is –"
"Mother, I am not ready for that. I'll get back into dating when I feel like I'm ready. Kindly please do not attempt to set me up again."
"Oh, Jesse. I just want to see you happy."
I took her hand and gazed into her deep brown eyes. "I know, Mama. And I am happy. I have a loving family to support me. And I have my beautiful mi hija. What more could a man wish for?"
She gave me a sad smile. "You're not as happy as you could be, if you had a good woman at your side."
I made Jesse a mediator. I figured, since he becomes one at the end of the sixth book, it would make sense for me to make him one in this story as well.
