"The end," Mary Beth finished her story with a smile. She listened to the group of children groan, disappointed that the tale had reached its conclusion. Once the groaning ended, they began to ask for more stories. "I'm sorry but there isn't any time," Mary said, a bit disappointed herself. The children may have gotten in some mischief at their school, but they had good hearts.
She escorted the children out of the museum just in time for the bus to pick them up. Mary debated whether to reveal herself as La Muerte but she became distracted by the sight of three people heading towards her. She waved goodbye to the children in her human form as the three reached her.
It was two males who were holding hands and a female who was walking a rather chubby dog. The canine gave a strange bark that sounded almost like a pig's bey and dashed to Mary. The woman let go of the leash, knowing the dog wouldn't run off into the street. He sniffed at Mary curiously, his tail wagging furiously. Mary laughed and gave him a churro that she did not have a moment before. The dog snatched it out of her hand with a grateful bark.
Mary turned her eyes to the group as the dog scarfed down the treat. Joaquin was wearing his police uniform, not a wrinkle in sight, while Manolo was wearing faded jeans and a simple black t-shirt. Slung on his back was his guitar. The fading light glinted off their matching wedding bands. Maria had on black slacks and a white blouse under a black jacket. And a very happy smile.
"How did your exhibition go, Maria?" Mary asked.
Maria rolled her eyes. "Have any of my exhibitions went terrible?" Mary shook her head with a grin. "I sold five of my paintings and I was asked to come back in a year. What about you?" Maria looked Mary up and down. "I see the kids haven't improved their aim with their spitballs."
"They're good children, Maria. They just need a little guidance." Mary kissed Maria on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you, mi amor. Do you want to celebrate tonight?"
Maria nodded, her eyes glowing. "Yes. I asked Manolo and Joaquin to watch over Chuy tonight." The dog raised his head at his name but soon went back to devouring his churro. "We can go to that lovely Italian place."
"Really?" Everyone knew that Maria preferred the steak house. It was Mary that adored the Italian restaurant. "Are you sure?"
"I am." Maria quieted Mary's misgivings with a quick kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms over Mary's shoulders loosely. "So, how did the children like the 'secret' entrance?"
The question was meant to switch topics and hopefully distract Mary, as both women well knew. But Mary indulged Maria, the younger woman deserved it with how much hard work she put in her latest art exhibit. "They loved it, as usual. I suppose that is one of your better pieces."
"Better?" Maria scoffed in disbelief but there was a happy glimmer in her eyes. "I worked on that for months! I had to get it the stones just right or else anyone could see the entrance."
"And you did so wonderfully," Mary conceded, nuzzling against Maria's chin to show she didn't mean any harm. "They also loved the artwork inside. Especially that bull."
Maria grinned a little smugly. "I did have hundreds of years to work on it." In truth it only took her a decade or two to finish the piece. It was an on and off project for Maria when she didn't work on another art piece. "Did they say anything about my wall of skulls?"
Mary shrugged. "I'm sure they would have if I hadn't started my story."
A delicate eyebrow rose. "And which version of the story did you tell?"
"You know which one." When Mary first talked about the tour, Maria was more than a little peeved that she usually had to end it with Manolo and Maria getting married. Mary had tried to explain that there was simply not enough time and for their story to make sense the first story must be told. She kissed away Maria's frown. "Don't be like that, mi amor."
"You could always tell the condensed version," Maria said, a slight pout on her lips.
"Yes but some parts are not appropriate for children to hear."
"Those are the parts that you leave out. That's why it's the condensed version," Maria said defensively.
Before the discussion could turn into an argument, Manolo cut in. "We're in public you two."
Mary and Maria shared a glance and let the conversation move away from that subject. "So, do you want to start heading towards the Italian place?" Mary asked.
Maria chuckled and grabbed Mary's hand. "Only if I get to pay this time."
"Only if I get to buy you some flowers," Mary countered as they started to walk towards the restaurant.
"Only if they're marigolds."
"Of course," Mary said. "You've always been fonder towards marigolds instead of the traditional roses."
Maria laughed and her eyes shined with love. "Someone very special showed me how magical they are."
"She must have been very wise," Mary said with a playful tone.
"Not really, but I still love you."
"I love you too, my rose."