Chapter 21

Marco sat in the barber shop waiting for the barber to finish Julian's hair cut. He heard the ringtone saying a text had come in. He opened it and found a text from Buffy.

Ma & I heading to Church. Need to get shit ready.

"Amen!" Marco exclaimed.

Julian gave him a strange look.

"Your Mom is finally awake and heading to Church."

"About time she got up."

"You aren't kidding. Nothing like waiting till the last minute."

He pulled up Twitter.

Bride finally awake! Headed to church. #sleepingbeautyawakens#CongratulationsBuffy&Antonio

"Ok, Julian, you're done. Give your Mom congratulations for me," the barber said as he gave Julian's hair a final comb through.

"Thank you, Mr. James. I will."

Marco rose and handed the barber some cash. "Thanks for fitting us in."

"Not a problem. I'm happy for Buffy. She deserves to be happy."

At the Church, Buffy munched a club sandwich while she wrapped a curling iron around a strand of hair. She looked at the time and started to panic again.

"Here," Carmen offered. "Finish your breakfast."

She took the curling iron and fixed Buffy's hair. She reached for pins and pinned Buffy's hair into a bun. She curled the sides and made tendrils.

Buffy finished her sandwich, and brushed the crumbs off of her yoga pants. "Looks great, Ma."

"Good, now finish your makeup so we can get you in your dress."

There was a knock on the door. Carmen made her way over to it and opened it slightly.

"Eva, come in. You look beautiful! "

Buffy turned her head to greet Eva. Her eyes widened when she saw her stepdaughter to be dressed in her blue gown. She rose and walked over to Eva, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You are absolutely beautiful!"

Eva blushed. "Thank you," she said shyly as she hugged Buffy back.

"Do you want to wear a mantilla?" Buffy asked.

"I didn't bring mine," she admitted.

"Not to worry, Eva. Between Mom and I, we have enough mantillas to take care of the whole city of Chicago.

"I'd love to wear one," she admitted.

Carmen opened a bag and pulled out one. She held it up to Buffy for her approval. Buffy nodded and wiped tears from her eyes. Carmen settled the veil at the back of Eva's head and pinned it in place. Eva looked at Buffy questioningly.

"It was my First Communion mantilla," Buffy explained.

Eva's eyes widened. "I can't wear your First Communion mantilla, Buffy."

"Yes you can," Buffy insisted. "You're family. I want you to wear it."

"Why are you so good to me? I know I was a brat when you and Dad started dating. I don't deserve you to be nice to me."

Buffy looked at her and her heart broke. The teenage years sucked badly enough without having to go through your parents divorcing, your father dating and remarrying.

"Because you're Antonio's daughter and I love him. It's only natural for me to love his children too. You're a good daughter, Eva. You've just been through a hell of a lot on top of being a teenager. Being a teenager is crazy enough without having to go through what you've been through. I know this has been hard on you. I'm not going to replace your Mother. Your Mother will always will be your Mother. I'm not your Mother and I get that. But I can be your friend and help guide you through this road called life."

Eva gave her another hug. "You'd do that?"

"Of course."

Carmen hated to break up this moment, but they had a schedule to keep. "Ok, girls, we need to get made up and dressed here…"