One Month Later
Thanksgiving dawned bright and beautiful. It was pleasantly warm, and I had an excuse to spend the entire day at Jane's. I flew through my work out and shower, got my work requirements out of the way in an hour, and was knocking on their door by 9am.
I was greeted by a flour dusted Jane, who handed me Mateo and wordlessly retreated back into the kitchen. There was enough food being prepared for thirty people at least.
"Hi, Mateo! Daddy's here!" I exclaimed, before whispering conspiratorially "Let's go do some tummy time on your activity mat so Daddy has an excuse to look at Mommy." He smiled at me, patting my nose.
We played on the mat for a while, ate some impossibly tiny apple cubes, back to the play mat, back to the food. We played peek a boo, read a book about animal noises, ate more apple pieces. I couldn't get enough time with my son. He was perfect in every way, I couldn't imagine loving him any more. I couldn't wait until we could all be together. I had to enjoy today, because eventually it would be time for me to leave him. Again.
Mateo, almost as if he noticed my sadness, offered me a chubby hand of apple cubes. I smiled at him, said thank you, and gobbled up his whole hand, sucking the apple pieces out of his fist. He screamed with laughter, and it was infectious. Soon I was laughing. I looked over my shoulder and caught Jane watching us. There was a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Look, Mateo." I whispered. "Mommy is looking at us. I think she likes us." Mateo gurgled, then yawned.
"He's probably hungry and ready for his nap." Jane said, appearing behind me. Our fingers brushed as she handed me his bottle. The sparks, the magnetism was still there. Not that I was surprised.
I pretended not to notice them. "Thanks." I said, smiling at her. I picked up Mateo, cleaned off his hands and face, and brought him to Jane's room for his nap. We sat down in the rocker, and I quietly sang him Rogelio's ridiculous if very endearing song as he drank his bottle. He smiled a little as if to say "Silly grandpa" and his eyes fluttered shut. I kissed his sweet little forehead. "I love you." I told him. "You're the best surprise I've ever had. You and your mother are the best things ever to happen to me."
I heard a small squeak by the door, and looked up to see Jane scurrying away. I smiled to myself. Maybe today was the day. Something to be thankful for.
While Mateo napped, I joined the ladies in the kitchen. "What can I help with?" I asked. First they all stopped. Then they laughed. Then they laughed harder.
Finally, Jane managed to subdue her giggling. "Sorry, sorry." She said, fanning herself. "Have you cooked before? What can you do?"
"Of course I can cook!" I said with a false wounded expression. "Abs are made in the kitchen."
Alva muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Puedo ver eso"-"I can see that", sending the women back into a fit of laughter.
Xiomara handed me a bowl, a knife, some lettuce, and some vegetables. "Newbies start with salad. If you do well, you get promoted to making mashed potatoes."
I raised an eyebrow and smiled, taking the items. "And if I don't do well?"
"Entonces vamos a reír de ti cada Thanksgiving por el resto de nuestras vidas." Then we'll make fun of you every Thanksgiving for the rest of our lives, Alba said brightly.
"So no pressure, then." I winked at her. Jane rolled her eyes, and everyone went to work.
As I carefully washed and cut veggies, I reflected that no one had disagreed with her. They all planned on my being here forever. It was very heartwarming. Even if it was just for Mateo's sake, even if everything went wrong, I'd have a family.
I finished the salad, and put it on the table for inspection. "Very nice." Jane said, patting my arm and smiling. "Looks like you earned yourself some mashed potatoes."
"I aim to please." I murmured, smiling back at her. Her cheeks flushed slightly. She bit her bottom lip. Just then, a small, reedy cry came from Jane's room. "Mateo's up. Should I get him?"
She blinked a few times, stumbled back a step. "No, I've got him. You make those potatoes." She grabbed a bottle from the fridge and left.
I grabbed the pre cooked potatoes from the stove and put them in the mixer. As I was adding the butter and milk, Alba came beside me and began chopping some apples.
"Hay un complot tan triste en Passion Juana esta semana. Marcello amaba Juana, pero Juana recogió Miguel. Miguel resultó ser un villano, y Juana tuvo que reparar su corazón roto." There is a sad plot on Passion Juana this week. Marcello loved Juana, but Juana picked Miguel. Miguel turned out to be a villain, and Juana had to repair her broken heart.
She looked at me conspiratorially, made sure I was following, then continued. "Sabes lo que pienso? Creo que Juana tiene sentimientos por Marcello." Do you know what I think? I think Juana has feelings for Marcello.
I smiled, continuing to watch the mashed potatoes as I prepared them. "I must have missed that show, I don't seem to remember that title." I replied. Alba smiled, then I continued. "I hope Juana has feelings for Marcello. I'm sure Marcello never stopped loving her. I'm sure he has a huge plan to get her back and to marry her. But don't tell anyone, I'm sure it's a secret."
Alba rubbed my arm, then picked up her plate of neatly sliced apples and left. I fished mashing the potatoes, and set the bowl with the other finished food. Just then Jane came by with Mateo in his stroller.
"Want to go for a walk?" She asked. "We have some time."
"Yeah, of course." I replied. "Let's go." We began our leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, quietly. Pointing out birds and dogs, looking at the houses.
Finally, Jane broke the silence. "My grandma says the neighborhood isn't what it used to be."
I tried my hardest to keep a straight face. "Oh?"
"Yeah." She replied, fixing Mateo's hat. "Ever since most of the houses switched over to rentals. I mean, when I was younger we rode our bikes a few miles in any direction. Now? I'm not sure I want Mateo learning to ride a bike on this street. There's always someone speeding!"
I nodded, thinking about 'our' neighborhood. Soon. "Yeah. So what was it like when you grew up here? What were the best parts?"
Jane smiled as warm memories washed over her. "We played foursquare and hopscotch in the street, we'd bike to the nearest playground and be home by dusk. You know, normal stuff."
I shook my head. "I don't know, remember? I grew up in hotels and vacationed in real houses. It's hard to make friends when everyone leaves after a week or two. And let's face it, my father's hotels weren't exactly Disney World."
Jane stopped for a second and looked at me sadly. "I can't imagine."
"I mean, I had Luisa." I quickly added. "And I had plenty of friends at the schools I attended."
Jane brought out a teasing smile. "The lady doth protest to much, me thinks." I loved just talking with her. Watching her shake her head and laugh. She was so genuine, always open. "We should head back." She said. "It's almost time to eat!"
On the walk back we kept it light. "So," I started. "What's your favorite Thanksgiving food."
"Stuffing." She responded immediately. "Followed by Abuela's apple pie. They're so good she used to sell them when money was really tight."
"I'll be sure to save room, then." I smiled. "And I'll also be sure not to bring up money at the table again."
Jane groaned, leaning her head on the stroller. "Don't remind me." She paused, her forehead wrinkling. "Actually, speaking of Ma," My heart tripled in speed. Had she told Jane about our talk? "She said she saw you and Abuela whispering together in the kitchen. Is something going on?"
"Uh, she was just telling me about a telenovela she thought I might be interested in."
Jane looked seriously suspicious, but we were mercifully at the door. The smells from the kitchen were incredible. Xo ushered us in, handing me a stack of dishes.
"We're only twenty minutes from dinner! Jane, get the baby ready. Rafael, set the table."
I took them, then went to work. Moments after I finished, platter after heaping platter of food was brought to the table. I got Mateo's portion ready, and Jane handed him over so she could help bring even more food to the table. Just as Alba nodded at the laden table with approval, I saw Jane send a quick text. I raised my eyebrows in question, and she shook her head. Everyone sat down and food was passed.
Finally, it was time to say our thanks. Unwillingly, my eyes got a little misty. How could I articulate everything I was thankful for? The beautiful woman by my side, our gorgeous son, this warm, incredible home where everyone was always welcome, finally having a family I felt secure with.
Everyone was staring at me expectantly. "I'm thankful for this. All of it. So much." Was all I could get out. Jane caught my glance. She looked touched. I wanted to take her aside and keep talking. I'm thankful for you. I'm thankful for how you've changed my life. I'm thankful for your thoughtfulness, for your smile, your laugh, your everything. You are my everything. I love you. I've loved you for so long, I'll love you so long as we both shall live if you'll let me.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Jane hopped up. "It's probably Petra. We forgot Mateo's lovey."
I raised an eyebrow at her. I knew there were three loveys in the house. A moment later Jane returned with my ex wife, grabbing her a plate. I stood, giving Petra my chair. She looked a little flustered, but pleased. Abuela immediately started filling her plate, speaking rapid fire about feeding the babies.
Petra blushed. "Thank you, but I can only really keep down bread and butter."
Alba continued to talk about feeding the babies, and I went to grab Jane's computer chair. As I turned around to bring the chair back out to the table, I was surprised by Jane in the door way.
"I hope you don't mind I invited her in. She just seemed so sad and alone when I saw her this week, and-" She stopped as my smile grew. "What?"
"Thank you. Despite being my seriously crazy ex wife, she's apparently going to be the mother of two of my children. So thank you for making her feel welcome. Especially after what her mother did to Alba."
"I couldn't imagine being alone on Thanksgiving." Jane said simply. "And we're all doing this parenting thing together. And I think she could really use a friend."
I paused for a second. "I'm so thankful for you, Jane. I couldn't imagine what this year would have been like without you. So thank you."
Jane nodded, and was about to respond when we heard Rogelio call to her from the other room. "Jane! Jane! Come back, I must regale you with a story from my recent travels!"
"We better hurry." I teased her, picking up the chair. We went back out to the dining room, and enjoyed the rest of dinner, then seconds, then thirds, then dessert, then second dessert.
By the end I nearly felt ill. I couldn't believe how fast the hours had passed. Jane returned from putting Mateo to bed, and we were all given instructions.
"Okay, Jane and Rafael, you're on dishes. Ma, you and I will clear the table and put the food away. Rogelio-"
"I will entertain Petra and distract her from her morning sickness!" He finished for her, with a wild hand gesture.
"Oh, I can help!" Petra volunteered. She smiled what looked like a real smile to me. Not honeyed or cloying.
"No, usted se sienta y descansa." No, you sit and rest, Alba confirmed.
"Thank you." Petra replied politely, moving towards the couch. Rogelio followed her, telling her all about Los Hombres Locos. She seemed genuinely interested. Jane looked at me, confused. I shrugged, and as we stood up to start the dishes, I whispered "Your guess is as good as mine" in her ear. She giggled.
"I'll wash, you dry. How did you like your first Villenueva Thanksgiving?" Jane asked, filling the sink with water.
"Amazing, honestly. I didn't know Thanksgiving could be so enjoyable."
"If you liked this, wait until Christmas." Jane replied, a twinkle in her eye. "Or better yet, Easter!" Guilt squeezed at me. It was my fault we hadn't been at Easter last year. Seeing my dark expression, Jane backpedaled. "Last year doesn't count, Rogelio's mom was here. Abuela and Mom talked for days about how awkward it was. This year it's going to be amazing!"
I caught her eye and smiled with her. "Yeah. I'm really looking forward to it."
"So, what ended up being your favorite dish?" I paused drying the dish I was holding to think. "Don't stop! We'll be here all night!"
I laughed with her. "Definitely the mashed potatoes. They were inspired." I said with a straight face. She flicked soapy water at me. "Hey! Hey! Okay. Apple pie. Hands down. I think I ate almost half the pie myself!" She handed me another dish. "Though the mashed potatoes were very good."
Jane looked over at the full dish rack, then bit her lip. "Okay, enough dishes for now. Can I ask you a question?"
"Uh, sure." I responded, surprised by her sudden change in direction.
"What ever happened with you and Jill?"
My heart quickened, but on the outside I gave her a smooth smile. "We fizzled out."
She clearly didn't believe me. "No way. I ran into her at the grocery store, and it was super awkward. Definitely not 'fizzled out' awkward."
Here it was. Now. Finally. I turned fully to her. "Do you remember the night I realized you are actually a very mean person?"
"Oh my God, seriously?" She looked a little incredulous.
"Anyway, as cranky and stinky and mean as you were-"
"I hope this story has a point!" Jane exclaimed.
"-I realized that I would rather still be with you at your worst. So Jill wasn't the person."
Jane fanned herself slightly, and opened the window. "It's getting hot in here, huh?"
She looked back at me. Her eyes bored into mine, her breath was coming in little gasps. "Go on a date with me. Just one. Say yes."
She paused, just long enough to terrify me. "Yes." She said quietly, and a slow smile caressed her lips.
My heart went through the roof. I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I wanted to cheer, to thank whoever was listening for this chance to make my family whole.
"I'm willing to go as slow as you want. I won't even kiss you until you okay it. Where should we go for our first date?"
She thought for a second. "Next Friday is my grad school holiday party, and I need to impress this amazing author I want to be my advisor. You should come."
"Done." I agreed. "And if it goes well, which it will, I'd like to take you and Mateo on a Saturday morning brunch date."
Jane laughed. "I'm sure Abuela won't mind you crashing on the couch. Especially after that mysterious talk you two had earlier."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." I insisted with a smirk.
"I'm sure." She teased.
Things had changed. Our conversation was light and fun. It felt so easy, so effortless. There would be hard times ahead, but for right now everything was perfect, and the future was full of promise.
And for that, I gave thanks.
A/n: Next chapter, the date! Drop me a comment if you like what you're reading, or if you have any ideas. Or if you hate it and have some constructive criticism. I welcome all feedback.
Merry Christmas! -K