Finally! I apologize, profusely, for the delay in updating. This has been such an experience! I'm so happy that so many of you have come along for the ride! I want to make this as much fun as it is in my head!

Chapter 35

It was absolute chaos downstairs as we entered the kitchen from our apartment. Mama was chattering non-stop in Spanish to no one in particular while pulling large dishes from the double ovens. She had put dish towels down on the island so the hot pans could be set there.

I inhaled deeply. Everything smelled amazing! It was like a Mexican restaurant had exploded in the kitchen. Someone had set up an MP3 player and salsa music was blasting through outdoor speakers. It was festive to say the least. I grinned as I thought about embarking on my new life in this household and neighborhood. This was soooooo different from the 'Burg. If I had known this existed years ago, I would have moved in a heartbeat.

Hector ducked to the side, kissed my forehead and quickly slipped out the back door where Tony was setting up tables. It looked like those two would be occupied for a while especially when I saw Tony pop the tops off a couple of beers. Asses. I rolled my eyes and turned to a commotion coming from the living room.

"Miguel! Come back here!" shouted Marlena.

A naked little Miguel came streaking through the kitchen followed closely by his mother. Miguel was shrieking with glee as his little bare feet pitter-pattered across the floor. Marlena scooped him up in her arms and he wiggled like a squirrel on caffeine.

"You little monkey!" Marlena laughed and kissed his face. She turned to me and said, "I'm sorry. He does this sometimes after his bath. He just takes off and runs through the house. It's becoming a game with us."

I laughed with her and tickled his tummy. "He's precious. I love my nieces but this little guy is something else!" Miguel giggled and kicked his feet.

Marlena grinned and said, "Thank you! You look great, Steph! Your nap must have been a good one! I'm going to go get him dressed and turn him loose in the back yard. The guys can keep an eye on him while I get ready."

After Marlena left the kitchen, I turned to mama and asked her, "What do you want me to do, mama?"

"Ah, Estephania!" Mama gave me a hug and smiled at me. "You look so pretty, mi hija!" She cupped my face in her hand. "Are you getting settled in?"

"Yes, mama. The apartment is wonderful. I feel so at home here. Thank you for everything you have done for me." I blinked back happy tears and shoved thoughts of my family way back in my head. I know we had to face them, but the later, the better.

Just then two Hispanic women came bustling into the kitchen bearing several covered pans. I recognized them as neighbors of mama. I stood and stared as the three women all talked at the same time. They set their dishes on the counter and between hand gestures, they were systematically taking dishes from mama and covering them with foil as they set them down on the counter. There had to be enough food for an army.

"Estephania!" The woman I knew from next door pulled me into her arms for an embrace. I had no clue what she was saying but I just nodded my head and wished to God I had paid attention in Spanish class. She caressed my head and spoke some to me and to mama. The other woman smiled and crossed herself before turning back to the stove.

"This is Angela Rivera, Estephania. She lives next door. She is so happy to finally meet you. Sophia is by the stove. She is a little shy to meet new people." Mama rolled her eyes and rescued me from Angela and prodded me toward the back door. She opened a drawer in the island and pulled out a stack of table cloths and thrust them into my arms.

"Go outside and help your Hector and Tony get the tables put together," she said.

I nodded and made a hasty exit out the back door to where I hoped sanity reigned. There were two tables set up together along one side of the patio. I assumed this would be the buffet and laid out table cloths over the tables. I methodically plopped a table cloth on each of the other tables and then went back to flip them open to cover the tables. At the last table I flipped the table cloth but lost control of it. It flew a couple of feet away from the table. I rolled my eyes and went to retrieve it. I unconsciously bent over to pick it up when I heard a growl behind me and the next thing I knew, I was locked in Hector's arms. Crap. I forgot what the bend over does to him! I giggled as he turned me to face him and his arms closed even tighter around me.

"You do not know what that does to me, querida!" He cupped my face with one hand and his lips crashed onto mine. I inhaled his scent deeply and let my tongue travel across his lips and beg entrance.

"I do know what that does to you, mi amor. That's why I do it!" I gave him my best naughty smirk.

Hector groaned, "Dios!"

We were interrupted by cat calls and whistles. Jeez. I rolled my eyes again and saw Lester and Bobby come into the back yard followed by Bridget and Gina. Why was I the only one that got teased?!

Lester pulled me away from Hector and gave me a bear hug. He whispered in my ear, "We do it because we love you, Beautiful! And because you're so cute when you blush!"

I smacked him on the shoulder and stuck my tongue out at him. "You are worse than any big brother I could have ever imagined!"

"But you love me anyway!" Lester shot back and wagged his eyebrows.

Bobby slapped Hector on the back and asked where to put the beer. I shook my head as the guys went to join Tony who was setting up Tiki torches around the yard.

"Steph, can we do anything to help get ready?" Gina asked. Both girls were dressed in comfortable sun dresses like myself. I grinned at them and said, "Well, I'm sure there are pitchers of margaritas that need to be set out!"

Bridget giggled. "Point me in the right direction!"

We managed to set up the rest of the tables and set out plates and plastic silverware as Mama and the other women brought out the food. Lots of food! Holy cow!

Tank, Lula and Connie arrived next, along with Woody and Caroline. I have no idea what Lula was wearing but it practically glowed in the dark. I shook my head and greeted them with hugs all around.

"Hey, little girl. You doing OK?" Tank asked. I grinned and kissed his cheek. "Yeah, big guy. I'm doing alright. Thank you for everything." Our eyes met and words were no longer necessary.

A couple of Hispanic guys came into the yard and embraced Hector. They were accompanied by very attractive Hispanic women. Hector immediately gestured for me to come over to them.

"Querida, these are my friends. This is Gilbert Rivera and his wife Juanita. This is his brother Javier and his girlfriend Linda. Their mother lives next door." Ah ha!

Hector slid his arm around my waist and placed a kiss on my forehead. I smiled and said hello to them. Both men eyed me darkly but then flashed brilliant smiles at me.

Javier was the first to speak. "Estephania, Hector has told us of his love for you. At first I did not believe him when he spoke of your beauty. But now I can see he told no lies. I am honored to meet you."

I know I turned ten shades of red. "Javier, thank you. I don't know what Hector has told you but I am just a girl from the 'Burg. You are his friends and I am so happy to finally meet you."

Gilbert nodded and I could tell he and Hector shared a bond. I hoped before the night was over that I would be able to share in whatever had made them so close. Before I could say anything, I saw Vince come up behind Mama and pull her into his arms and kiss her. I shot Hector a side glace and saw his face darken. Damn.

"Please don't kill him," I whispered to Hector. "Mama would be very upset."