Stephanie's POV

I am still reeling from my mother's surprise visit two days ago. I was on such a high from my soccer match, then was immediately cut down by my mother. I don't understand why she doesn't love me. She never has time for me, never has anything nice to say. I don't know what I ever did to her. I'm just glad that Abuela still wants me here, that she thinks of me as part of her family. I'm also grateful that Miguel was the cop who responded. Miguel is a family friend, so he knows Abuela and me well. I was shocked when my mother left without a fight. I only hope that she won't come back again.

Today, when I woke up, I went downstairs to the kitchen to find balloons everywhere, with a beautiful bouquet of blue flowers from Carlos. Abuela and Lester made me pancakes. Then, Lester gave me my gift, a beautiful locket. Abuela gave me a blue hand-made blanket for my bed. However, my favorite gift was from Carlos. He gave me a year-long contract to his karate dojo. I know that it cost him all the money he earned as an assistant coach to the elementary school soccer team. I am forever indebted to the Manoso family for their acceptance of me into their lives.

Since today is Saturday, we are spending the day at my favorite place, the beach. I have a new bikini, a violet one with a push-up bra top, and a conservative bottom. I know that I look good in it. I put on a lilac sundress over my bikini, and grab my beach bag, filled with sunblock, a couple of towels, a cover-up, and emergency hair ties. Carlos has his backpack packed. Lester, unfortunately, has soccer practice before he needs to report for work at the local computer store. He helps fix computers and other electronics. He's studying computer science, so this fits right into his plans for college.

We meet the group at the beach, and though I'm glad to have so many people celebrating my birthday with me, I wish I was alone with Carlos. He has become my rock, my anchor, the only one who keeps me sane. My therapist has been encouraging me to pursue Carlos, especially since our relationship has developed out of friendship. I trust him as much as I trust Lester. Carlos and Lester are the only two guys that I truly trust. Though I know that Carlos's friends are cool and won't hurt me, I will never allow myself to be alone with them, but I am often alone with Carlos. After a day in the ocean and on the beach, we head home for dinner. Abuela made my favorite, chicken and rice, and a wonderful flan for dessert. Carlos and I went back to the beach after, with our blanket ready. We found a secluded section of the beach, where Carlos put the blanket down. This section was separated from the rest of the beach by large rocks and boulders. No one ever wandered this way. In fact, I'm not even sure most of our crew know of this place. During high tide, this area is covered in water. So I guess we're fortunate it's low tide right now. We were able to watch the fireworks from the beach. However, I didn't want to watch them tonight.

Once we were settled, I turned to Carlos and initiated a kiss, something I rarely did. Of course, Carlos didn't take long to get my hint. I started to put my hands under his shirt and pulled it over his head. His hand roamed over my torso when he slipped the straps of my sundress down my arms. He brought his mouth down my body, kissing my breast through my bikini top. I felt a sensation journey through my body that felt like fire, like the way the morphine felt moving through my system, igniting my nerve endings on fire.

I moved my hands down, pushing his board shorts aside to release his manhood. I looked at it, panicking at its size, but then I decide to move down and take it into my mouth. As I start my assault, Carlos pulls me off him.

"Babe, are you sure? I don't want to hurt you."

"Carlos, I'm sure. I want this, I want you. I trust you. I know you won't hurt me. I want to experience how good it could be."

"Babe,"

"Please," I begged before Carlos laid me down on the blanket. He kissed my body, sending shockwaves through me. Finally, his head was between my thighs, spreading my legs.

"I would prefer to be on a bed, but considering…this will have to do. I promise the next time will be better, Babe because you deserve so much better. Te quiero."

Suddenly, I felt his tongue lapping my center. I started to move my hips up, trying to entice him to do more. I felt a wave start in my head and go all the way down while I said his name. As I was calming down, Carlos continued to kiss my body, back up to my mouth. When his tongue enters my mouth, and I tasted myself on him, I was even more ready for him.

"As much as I want to make love to you, I don't have a condom."

"In my bag, the outside pocket, I have a few."

He reaches into the pocket, pulling out the strip. He tears off one, opening it. I watch as he places it on his length. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Carlos, I'm sure."

"I'm going to go slow. I don't want to hurt you." I nod my head as Carlos lines himself up to my center. He slowly pushes himself inside. Stopping frequently to allow my body to adjust. When he's finally fully sheathed inside me, I know, without a doubt, that he's bigger than Joe, but it didn't hurt me. His thrusts are slow and gentle, building me up once again, as he continues to kiss my body. I kiss his body, as well. We are lost in the sensations. I feel myself on the precipice of another orgasm, when Carlos reaches between us, gently pinching my clit. I feel myself explode once again before I feel Carlos follow me over.

He collapses next to me and pulls me to his side. "Happy Birthday, Steph."

"Thanks. That was amazing. God, I didn't know I could feel so good."

"I'm glad that I was able to make it good for you. I love you, Babe."

"I love you too, Carlos."

"I think we need to go for a quick swim. Abuela is pretty perceptive, and I don't want her figuring it out so soon."

"I think you're right. Let's go."

I fix my bikini, jumping up before Carlos has his bathing suit back on. I race to the water and run in. I don't go too deep since it is dark, but I go deep enough to mask our activities. Carlos joins me a few seconds later, kissing me deeply.

After I don't know how many minutes, Carlos glances at his watch.

"Shit, Babe, we need to be home in fifteen minutes. Come on. We need to dry off a little."

We head back to our blanket and grab our towels, drying each other off. I put my sundress back on, as Carlos pulls on his t-shirt. We start to walk back and bump into Lester, a block away. He takes one look at me, then at Carlos, before he shakes his head.

"You better not let Abuela find out. You better be careful and know what you are doing." Lester says to us. I go to reply, but he stops me, "it's obvious, at least to me. Don't deny it. Just don't make it a habit."

Feeling admonished, we both walk back to the house. We slip inside, and fortunately, Abuela doesn't say anything to us. We all head to our separate bedrooms. As I lay on my bed, I can't help but think that this was the best birthday ever.