CHAPTER 5

Luis took my bag to their personal apartment on campus. "I thought I would be living in the students residence."

Ella pulled me down on the couch. "That was the original plan, but when Hector found these papers, we changed our minds. Hector says you are a caring, generous, nonjudgmental young woman who found herself in a position she couldn't escape. He saw something in you on that day he found you raped and beaten. You trusted a teardrop tattooed gang member to tend to your wounds. Not once did you flinch or scream at him to leave you alone. You didn't act like a typical victim. Your strength and determination impressed him. He's been following your mother around for weeks. Listening as she complained to everyone about you being a disappointment, a disgrace, and a prostitute. Hector took pictures as he approached the scene of your attack. He wanted to have visual proof he acted in the manner of a Good Samaritan. The blood stains mixed with semen on the pavement was proof of your virginity. He also has clear photos of your assailants if you wish to press charges."

I thought about pressing charges, but that would open my medical records to the public. "As much as I should press charges. I don't want either of those men to discover my pregnancy. This is my baby, and I don't want either of them to claim it."

"We'll respect your wishes. Regarding the adoption papers, will you allow me and Luis to legally adopt you?" she asked hoping I would agree.

I was surprised. "Wouldn't your children get upset with you?"

Ella looked sad as she said, "We are unable to have children. I was pregnant many years ago, but my baby died during the fifth month of pregnancy. The doctor encouraged me to remain pregnant until my body decided to deliver our daughter. It did not go according to plan. Her placenta detached, causing me to develop a severe infection. Within a few days, I had an emergency hysterectomy. If you allow us to adopt you, you would be giving us the daughter we've been praying for."

"I would like that very much." She hugged me before calling Luis into the room. "Luis, Stephanie has agreed to let us adopt her. Call Manuel to witness and file the paperwork." By dinner time the paperwork was in the hands of the courts. We will be updated in a few weeks.

I was the only pregnant teen attending school during the summer. Having my own personal teacher was amazing. I was able to ask my questions and receive quick replies. It's now August 31st, Mom Ella and Dad Luis were throwing a birthday party for their nephew Ricardo. I was in the kitchen helping Mom Ella bake a chocolate cake with fudge icing. "Mama, this cake smells delicious. The fudge icing melts in your mouth."

She pretended to swat my hand away from the fudge icing. "If you keep eating the fudge, there won't be any left for the cake hija."

"Okay... only if you promise to make me an identical cake for my birthday." Ella is an amazing cook. She's been encouraging me since the day we met.

"Deal. Now hija, set the table. Our guests should be arriving soon." I set the table and left to shower and change. I slipped on panties and a bra then rewrapped the towel around me. After trying to pull my jeans over my hips, I realized my clothes no longer fit.

"Papa! Papa! Can you come here?" Mama was busy cooking dinner so I had to ask Papa for assistance.

"Si hija?"

"Papa, did you bring my shopping bags into the house? I can't find any clothes that fit."

"I'll check the car." While he checked the car, I removed the towel to look at the small baby bump I recently detected. My abdomen used to cave in slightly, but now there's a very small bump. I stood in front of my full length mirror and said, "Hey baby, it's your mama. Right now, you're the size of a lime and you have a huge head. It will be another five or six weeks before I know if you're my hija or hijo. I'm not very picky, as long as you're healthy." There was some noise outside of my room, but I continued to ignore it. "Anyways, you've been very good to your mama and haven't made me too sick. All I ask is for you to let me eat that delicious cake and not be sick. Would you do that for your mama?" I patted my belly and said, "Thank you baby."

"Steph, is that you?" I quickly turned around to find Ricky holding my bags of clothes.

"Ricky, what are you doing here?" I was standing in front of him in my underwear. It was kind of like wearing a bikini so I wasn't too embarrassed.

"Tio Luis asked me to bring this bag to you."

"Oh. Thank you." I reached for the bag. His hands grazed mine as I grabbed the bag. An electrical shock passed between us. Realizing my state of undress, I blushed and upended the bag contents onto my bed. Quickly, I grabbed the pale blue stretchy shorts and white tank and dressed while Ricky watched. I noticed him trying to get a better look at my scar. His eyes dilated as he checked out my body. "Do you like what you see Ricky?"

"Mi Dios. You are beautiful Steph."

"And pregnant as you already heard. How long were you standing there?" I asked hoping he only heard the last few words.

"Since you told your baby you weren't picky about it being your hija or hijo. Is the dad hanging around?"

"No. I was raped in June, a few weeks after I met you in Point Pleasant. Does my pregnancy bother you?"

"It wasn't your fault and it doesn't bother me. Are you keeping the baby?" He looked so handsome in his khaki cargo shorts and black shirt. I noticed a bit of muscle definition in his arms. Ricky is more gorgeous than I recalled.

"Yes." He stared at me as he thought through several possibilities. We have a connection I couldn't begin to explain. It was obvious he felt it too. I would be extremely happy if he would be a part of my life.

"Okay. I can live with that as long as you can." I slipped my feet into my flip flops. Grabbing his hand, I pulled him downstairs to the backyard. He entwined his fingers with mine. I tried to loosen his grip, but he held firm. "Querida, please let me hold your hand."

"Sure, but Mama and Papa may not like it."

"Why novia?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"You'll see," I joked. Mama and Papa heard me talk about a boy I met at Point Pleasant in June. They suspected it was their nephew Ricardo. When I mentioned his cousin Lester, they knew for sure it was. Ricky told them about the beautiful girl with bright blue eyes who stole his heart. He told his Tia Ella he was already in love with her.

Mama saw us holding hands as we walked onto the deck. "Hija, I see you found your Ricky?" she teased.

"Si Mama, I have."

"Why are you calling Tia Ella Mama, and Tio Luis Papa?" he asked.

"Papa will tell everyone soon. Patience." I leaned over to kiss his cheek. "It's a surprise."

Papa stood on the deck and yelled, "Attention everyone. Come here hija. I would like everyone to meet mi hija Stephanie Michelle Guzman. Ella and I applied for adopting Stephanie last month. Yesterday, the courts legally granted our adoption. We would also like to announce our grandchild is due on March 22, 2002." He hugged me tight.

I was passed around the Manoso and Santos families, hugged and kissed by everyone. No one judged me for being pregnant. They all welcomed me to the family with open arms. Ella already shared the story with her sisters Maria and Sophia. I felt arms wrap around my waist.

Turning around, I saw Hector. "Amigo. I'm so happy to see you. Why are you here?" Hector was wearing black pants and T-shirt.

"It's mi amigo Ricardo's birthday," he smiled and waited for me to fit the puzzle pieces together.

"My Ricky is your Ricardo?"

"Si amiga." I couldn't believe I never made that connection.

"Ella and Luis are now my Mama and Papa. They legally adopted me."

"I'm happy for you Angel." I could see he was telling the truth.

"Thank you for helping me Hector."

"De nada." He kissed my cheek before pulling Ricky into a hug.

We were catching up with each other when I heard, "Beautiful. Where have you been hiding?"

I rolled my eyes. "Avoiding you," I joked.

"Ha ha. Funny." Ricky pushed him away before he could pull me into another hug.

"Querida, ignore him." He nuzzled into neck. "Babe, you smell heavenly," he whispered into my ear. I melted into his arms.

"It's the new soap Mama bought me. Ricky, our parents are watching us."

"We're not doing anything wrong." I looked at his parents and saw happiness in their faces. Lester however, did not look happy at all. I wonder what ruffled his feathers.

"I think your mama likes what she sees." His mom looked happy to see him wrapped around me. It must give her hope he would settle down.

He glanced over, "You're right. She does."

"Okay birthday boy, time for dinner." I held his hand as we walked to the buffet table.

Mama pulled me aside, pretending to need my help. "Hija, I've never seen Ricky so happy. You're good for him."

"I like him too Mama. But I'm worried about how he feels about the baby. I want him to finish high school and go to college. He shouldn't have to worry about his pregnant girlfriend." My baby wasn't his responsibility, but I suspect he feels it is. A baby would complicate his goals in life.

"It's his choice to make. Don't push him away thinking you know what's best for him. Papa and I are here to help you with the baby." Mama kissed me before leading me back to Ricky.

The Manoso family certainly know how to party. Most of the food we prepared has been eaten. Ricky blew out the candles on his cake. When he was told to make a wish, he looked at me and smiled. He looks so handsome when he smiles. I noticed he grew a few inches since June and it looks like he's been weight training too. His chest also showed a bit of muscle tone. Mama cut the cake and passed slices to everyone.

I sat beside Ricky to eat my cake. Mama stage-whispered, "Maria, Sophia, sit back and watch the show."

"Show? What do you mean?" They looked around to see what was happening.

"My Stephanie is very expressive when she's enjoying her food. Let's see how long it takes for the boys to become uncomfortable and noticeably fix themselves." She held back a laugh, waiting for her sisters to place their bets.

Sophia laughed and said, "I bet Lester will be the first to crack."

Maria added, "If Ricky cracks first, you do the dishes Sophia. If you're correct with Lester, I'll do them." They shook their hands to seal the bet. I cut a small piece of cake of my wedge and lifted the fork to my mouth. It was odd to have Mama, Tia Sophia and Tia Maria watching me. I shrugged it off as I took the first bite.

OMG! "Mmmmm. This is so good," I moaned. Taking smaller pieces to make my cake last longer, I moaned louder with every bite. After hearing the bet, I had to play along and exaggerate my moans. I felt Ricky shifting beside me. He discreetly fixed himself. Lester, who was seated across from me attempted to ignore my moans. He noticeably fixed himself. Hector had a huge smile on his face, not feeling the need to hide his massive erection.

Maria shouted, "I win." Carlos looks a lot like his mom. She has long, dark hair and brown eyes. His skin tone is barely a few shades lighter.

Sophia groaned while Mama laughed. "Don't worry Soph, I'll help you with the dishes."

I finished my cake and noticed Ricky still had half his piece left. "Didn't you like your cake? Mama said it was your favourite."

"I was busy watching you enjoy your piece of cake." I looked at Lester who was also shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Did I make you boys uncomfortable? I'm sorry. I really should have warned you." My face turned red when I realized how much my moans affected them. I went a little overboard with my moans.

Ricky whispered, "Quedira, that was the best birthday gift ever. Would you please join me for a walk?" I wasn't familiar with the area, so I wasn't sure about potential dangers.

"Hija, go for a walk with Ricky. This area is safe." Mama said recognizing my trepidation.

"Thank you Mama." I kissed her cheek as I held Ricky's hand.