Warnings: xenophobia, sexual assault, and mentions of pedophilia

A little change, Shani is 15, not 17. She's younger than Nicky in the show, after all.

As soon as Alana scampers in late with Stephanie lagging behind her, the guests watch and listen to Trina, who is standing at a podium and speaking into a microphone, telling all the guests to stay seated. When she finishes, everyone claps and cheers for Blanca to make her entrance.

The music turns slow and sweet as Blanca's closest friends come out in pairs as her Quinceañera court. There's Flaca and Maritza; Alex and Michelle; Daya and Adarsh; Allison and Hassan; Nicky and Lorna; and Karla and Weevil. Diablo's best friend is supporting Karla while her feet are on his the whole time they dance, since her ankle is broken, and they look cute together, even though they'd only just met. She tips her bad foot back a few times as if she's getting her first kiss and he even dips her. Gloria, Aleida, Diane, Fahri, Leon, and Charles exchange grins with Trina and Blanca's Tía Mirna. Last but not least, Blanca glides out from behind the red curtains. She's all smiles and linking arms with Diablo, breathtaking like she was before, in her new black ruffly, sparkle-covered dress with three-quarter length fishnet sleeves. They make such a lovely couple and Gloria is estactic that Diablo is committed to be loyal to Blanca practically forever. She's also surprised, because most sixteen year old boys wouldn't be so ready to settle with their high school girlfriend. She just hopes it all works out in their favor, because a lot can change in a few years' time.

The toast begins with Trina talking in Spanish about how wonderful Blanca is. Chad says the same things in English, but Gloria assumes he's probably just translating for the audience, as he barely knows his own daughter. Then, her padrinos, Mirna and one of her uncles, join in on the appreciative words about Blanca.

The dinner is delicious and buffet style, rice, beans, tortillas, and chilaquieles. Gloria, Leon, Fahri, Charles, Diane, Red, and Pavel each pour themselves a glass of bubbly to go with their meal. The kids and Blanca's family members eat at three other separate tables.

The dance of the last doll is next. Blanca spins around a few times while holding her American Girl doll, Josefina, as everyone gazes at her in wonder. The doll is wearing the same color and style of dress as Blanca, and then the girl of honor waves over Michaela. Fahri gets up from his chair and guides Michaela to where Blanca is dancing in the middle of the room, and then he returns to his seat. Blanca kneels down to Michaela's level and hands her Josefina. They hug and rock back and forth with the doll in between them.

"Aw, so precious," Gloria comments and presses her hand to her heart and then rounds of applause fill the space. "That must've been the last childhood toy she played with."

"I'm not surprised she passed her doll down to Michaela. That little girl thinks of Blanca like a big sister, and the feeling's gotta be mutual," Fahri states.

"Yeah...Daya gave her muñeca to Christina at her quinceañera," Aleida murmurs with a faint smile. "I never had one myself...so I wanted to make sure Daya's was perfect while having lotsa fun myself. I made Cesar do most of the grunt work." She smirks. "I yelled at that motherfucker a lot that day."

"I don't blame ya," Leon tells her. "I hope you and Daya had a great time!"

"We did...except for when I got super drunk and caught my dress on fire," Aleida confesses with a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Stupid candles..."

"What'd you do, fall on the cake while dancing dizzily?" Red asks, trying to conceal a giggle, but she's unsucessful. This causes the rest of them to burst into guffaws, probably because they're all wasted and aren't taking anything seriously at the moment.

"It wasn't funny!" Aleida protests. "I'm lucky I ain't trashed now. I hope y'all don't ruin Blanca's like that! Damn, it sucks being the designated driver because I'm pregnant!"

"I'm sorry, baby." Leon rubs her back in clumsy, slow circles. "We ain't laughing at you, just the situation!"

Aleida glares at him and growls playfully.

"Don't worry, I ain't gonna get up until I'm sober, and if I needa go to the bathroom, I'll ask you and Leon to take me," Gloria lets her know. "I love the feeling of being buzzed!" Her head is pounding, but she enjoys it.

"Oh, hell yeah, me too!" Fahri agrees.

"Absolutely smashed!" Pavel hollers and the adults crack up.

"Now all we need is vodka," Red decides. "What can I say, Pavel and I are Russian!"

Everyone beams at that.

Diane rests her cheek in the palm of her hand. "My sixteenth birthday wasn't all that sweet either. My thirteenth was even worse...that's why I want Alex to have the best parties ever, and not only for her milestone birthdays, but the rest of her birthdays, too. When she was thirteen, she had a slumber party with her friends, and next March when she turns sixteen, I need everything to run just as smoothly."

"I'm sure it will!" Charles assures her. "I wanna make sure you have a great time tomorrow for your birthday brunch."

"Thanks! Um...Alex hasn't really told me what she wants to do for it yet, but it would be cool if Stansie and I got together and planned a surprise joint birthday party for her and Lorna. They're both turning sixteen, one after the other. Hers is on the seventh and Lorna's is the day before."

"That's interesting!" Charles says and the others nod in agreement.

They watch the father-daughter dance to De Niña A Mujer, and it's very sweet. Blanca and her dad, Chad, look satisfied, Gloria is amazed that he actually decided to come and be there for his little girl, and she's extremely happy for Blanca. Then, the Quinceañera Waltz starts with the court.

Another bottle of champagne is shared between the Gen-Xers plus Red and Pavel when suddenly, the men need to use the restroom. The ladies watch them head off and then Diane leans close to Aleida. "So, does Leon have a big black cock?"

"Yeah, does Charles?" Aleida asks her without missing a beat. Gloria and Red just cackle hysterically.

"I don't know, but he seems well endowed," Diane mumbles and chews on her bottom lip, unable to hide her grin. Her face goes completely red and she fans herself with one hand while running her other hand through her curled hair. "I bet it's like...eight inches, at least."

"Ay, somebody's into the big black cock kink!" Gloria teases Diane.

"It's not just black men who have those...it's the Russians too...especially Pavel. I'm so happy he's on Viagra, because our intimacy has been amazing!" Red declares.

"In general, most women do like a huuuuuge diiiiick!" Diane slurs in between her giggles.

Aleida throws her head back and guffaws. Gloria laughs even harder behind her palm. "Oh, the passion, am I right?" Red asks, and the women nod vigorously. "The fire that comes from men like that! Once his clothes are off, Pavel heats up the room!"

"One time, me and my man fucked so hard that it started my period!" Aleida informs them. "We were real hot and heavy then. Mmm, that was damn good sex...and he probably gave me the biggest hickey ever! Chocolate goes excellent with caramel."

"Oh, jeez!" Gloria murmurs and Diane gasps. She claps her hand over her mouth and snickers.

"You're not even drunk, and you're talking like that?" Red asks, appalled.

Aleida points to Diane, whose widened eyes appear to be glazed over. "She's the one who asked about my boyfriend's cock! Besides that, my pregnancy hormones make me too goddamn horny. I gotta get some after the party tonight."

"I love to imagine my Charlie's dicky...what it would feel like, what it does...ladies, lemme tell ya a little secret, okay? I started watching big black cock porn, but only when Alex and Charles aren't home!" Diane confesses.

"Whoa! Girl...yo, I ain't here to kinkshame, but that better not be the only reason you're with Charles!" In her heart, Gloria knows it's not because Diane doesn't use anyone for sex or only date them because they're a certain race, but the alcohol has removed her filter. "Sorry, got no idea why I'd say that..."

"No, I love him with all my heart and soul!" Diane exclaims. She licks her lips. "I just can't wait for the day when we can see each other naked!"

"The dark fingers thrusting into the pink pussy turns you on, though, don't it?" Gloria smirks at Diane, who bows her head while beaming. "Oh, shit!" she murmurs through a chuckle.

"I can't help it!" Diane clutches her chest. "Especially when the white chick with long brown hair is sitting in the African-American dude's lap, her back against his front, and he's rubbin' her clit, and she leans her head back on his shoulder and lets out these series of sultry mooooooohhhhhhhnnnns!" Diane sighs exaggeratedly and humps an invisible Charles while panting a few times. "Or when he's kissing his way up and down her thighs and then giving her oral!"

"Oh my, that gives me butterflies when Leon does it to me for real," Aleida mumbles. She closes her eyes with a broad grin. "Also kisses my stretch marks..."

"Me too, but with Pavel," Red chimes in. "He and I are definitely getting laid tonight. I'll send the girls to one of their friends' houses for a sleepover."

"Sounds like what I want me and Charles to do in five months from now!" Diane announces.

Gloria lets out a belly laugh and the other women join in. "It's probably high time we put our masks on for Blanca's masquerade ball theme!"


At a table, Karla sits alone while most of the couples do the salsa. She's tuckered out already and feels bad that she can't dance too much without being lifted off the ground by Weevil, her dance partner for the evening. The guy is strong and she's pretty tiny at only five feet and one inch, but she doesn't want to make him work his muscles all night long. He's supposed to be having fun. So, she told him to go hang with his friends while she takes a little break. She puts her chin in her hand and beams as she watches him do some moves that she doesn't know the names of, and then grooves in her seat to the thumping beats.

"Hola," a man in a black masquerade eye mask greets her as he sits down beside her. "Mi nombre es Juan."

My name is Juan.

"Hola," Karla responds politely.

"No pude evitar escucharlo a usted y a sus amigos antes...Soy uno de los tíos de Blanca, y también estaba en peligro de ser deportado...Soy de Santo Domingo. Afortunadamente, mi jefe movió algunas cuerdas y me permitieron quedarme en los Estados Unidos."

I couldn't help overhearing you and your friends earlier...I'm one of Blanca's uncles, and I was in danger of being deported too...I'm from San Domingo. Luckily, my boss pulled some strings and I was allowed to stay in the US.

"¡Oh eso es bueno! Tienes suerte."

Oh, that's good! You're lucky.

"Parece que tú también lo eres, Karla. ¿De donde eres originalmente?"

Seems like you are too, Karla. Where are you from originally?

"El Salvador." Karla's a little weirded out by the fact that Juan knows her name, despite them being complete strangers and her never formally introducing herself. She could buy that he'd caught bits of the conversation she'd had with the girls earlier, but nothing more than that. She can't even remember her name being mentioned.

"Estás embarazada, ¿verdad?" She nods and pats her tummy affectionately. "¿Qué te gustaría, un niño o una niña? Preferiría que mi esposa tuviera una niña para no tener que compartirla con otros hombres, pero ya sabes lo que dicen. Ninguna mujer viva puede elegir el sexo de su bebé si no se adopta. Solo Dios puede elegir."

You're pregnant, right? What would you like, a boy or a girl? I would prefer my wife to have a girl so I don't have to share her with other men, but you know what they say. No woman alive can pick the sex of her baby if it's not adopted. Only God can choose.

"No estoy segura...tampoco, supongo." She looks away.

Not sure...either, I guess.

"Vamos, estoy tratando de conectarme contigo porque ambos somos inmigrantes." He touches her shoulder and she flinches sharply, not expecting him to do that. "¿Quieres bailar?"

Come on, I'm trying to connect with you over us both being immigrants. Do you wanna dance?

She shakes her head no and gestures to her injury with one of her crutches. "¿Parece que puedo?"

Does it look like I can?

"Lo hiciste con ese chico toda la noche," he points out.

You did with that boy all night long.

"Exactamente. Estoy cansada," she insists.

Exactly. I'm tired.

"Vamos, solo una canción no te hará daño."

Come on, just one song won't hurt you.

He yanks her up to her feet and she frowns. "¿Qué estás haciendo?" Karla squeaks when a sharp pain shoots into her ankle. She immediately removes her bad foot off the ground and stumbles haphazardly into the table and catches herself as her heart beats frantically inside of her chest. "¡Ay!"

What are you doing? Ow!

Weevil strolls up to them with his arms crossed over his chest. "Sir, I believe the lady declined your offer. She's also a teenager, probably decades younger than you. Leave her be." He gets in between them and helps Karla sit properly in her seat. Juan growls lowly under his breath and slinks off. "You okay?" Weevil asks her.

Karla nods while blinking rapidly and sighs in relief. "Yes. Gracias."

"De nada. Should I stay with you to keep you company?"

"Sure, if you want to. Thanks."

"No prob."

"How can I have much fun at Blanca's party if I can't dance?" she wonders aloud.

"Listen to music, eat great food, meet her friends." He gestures to himself and raises an eyebrow. "The possibilities are endless."

They both look up and away from each other as Blanca squeals because Diablo has just lifted her off the floor and spun her around. "They're cute together, huh? Our best friends..." Karla trails off with a grin.

"Yeah! You know, I thought it was really awesome that they put us together in the court. You seem like an interesting girl. Could I take you out for dinner sometime?"

Karla presses her lips together and stares up at the ceiling in thought. Her eyes then land back on him. "Like, on a date?"

"I mean, if you wanna call it that. Or, um, we could exchange phone numbers, if you're cool with it?"

"You've made it clear that you're a fabulous dancer, and that's one of the qualities I like in a guy. You're handsome and gentle-hearted, too...you kinda remind me of my late husband." She gazes at him sadly and shakes her head as her heart twists in a knot and then tightens. "Sorry...I'm still really broken over his death. They shot Ramón in broad daylight...we were walking by this car and some gang member pulled out his gun, and boom!" Karla bangs her hands on the table. "He died protecting me, too. He got me out of the way just in time."

Weevil nods in grave understanding. "Jesus, I apologize, Karla. If you don't wanna chill, it's fine. I know that nobody could ever replace your husband. I was just wondering if we'd be compatible even as friends, but it's totally your call."

"Thank you. Ummm..." She sniffles, holding back tears. "I appreciate your condolences and your offer and not rushing me into anything, and I will try to be available. We could even hang out with Blanca and Diablo and make it a group thing."

He gazes at her with a fond expression in his brown eyes. "Yeah, of course, whatever you're comfortable with."

Karla sighs. "I need to move on. It's not like he'll ever come back...and sometimes, I get lonely. In fact...can you like, pretend to be my boyfriend at this party in case that creep decides to come back around here? I'll sit on your lap if you don't mind, but we don't need to kiss or anything. It's way too soon for that."

"Definitely!" He picks her up and places her on his lap. They hold each other, slightly swaying to Michael Bublé's voice.

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I go weak

"I'm sorry I can't dance," she mumbles, feeling a blush spreading over her cheeks. "I can when my ankle heals."

"Shh, it's okay," Weevil soothes her. "Just close your eyes, listen to the music...and use your imagination. Let the world fall away. For now, it's just us."

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Karla does so and a pleasant beam stretches across her face as she leans against him and he hums softly. The vibrations coming from his chest combined with him rocking her so calmly, are extremely soothing.

She's reminded of her late husband; he was a sweet and gentle man. She closes her eyes in the reminiscent moment, the two swaying in delicate harmony to the music.

If she didn't know better, Weevil might have been her husband. When Karla and Weevil were standing to their full height, she'd come up to his neck, just like she had on Ramón. She will always remember the good strong feel of Ramón's hand and knowing that everything would be all right in the world. Maybe with her new friends and her children, it can be again. Not completely of course, but almost. Ramón will forever be with her in spirit, watching over her and their kids.


When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

"I'm the poor woman's Justina Machado," Aleida lets Leon know as all the couples start gliding together around the floor to the song Sway with Me.

"Who?" he asks.

Aleida chuckles. "Look her up, you'll see the strong resemblances!"

"Oh, she was in No One Would Tell!" Gloria exclaims as Fahri spins her and then pulls her close. She giggles and turns her gaze to Fahri. "My girl's got a celebrity twin!"

"That's very cool!" Fahri comments. As he continues gently twirling Gloria through the space in a dance like two silvered doves that fly up high, she laughs lovingly, playfully, wholeheartedly with passion and power in her eyes. The melodic sound bursts from her magenta lipstick-coated mouth as the skirt of her dress fans out around her in a shower of silken purple.

Like always, dancing with her is magical. Her hand fits perfectly in his and he feels light on his feet. She's easy to lift and carry too. It's like they're both floating weightlessly, suspended like astronauts lost in the universe, holding each other tight. The sway of their hips are in synch with the music as he stares into her eyes. The fire of her smoldering chocolate irises burns so bright, it's as if he's looking down at an angel. The tips of their toes paint unseen masterpieces on the floor as they drift around the room. Their chests are pressed together and her heartbeat increases as he leans down and brushes his stubbly cheek over her smooth one. "You're so beautiful," he whispers in her ear. "I don't think I've said that enough over the month that we've known each other."

"Thank you," she murmurs with a giddy smile.

When marimba rhythms start to play
Hold me close, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me...

The other couples move effortlessly around them and their feet are firmly planted on the floor. Fahri doesn't want to scare Gloria off by kissing her, but with his hands on her hips, her arms encircling his neck, her elbows resting against his shoulders, and their bodies just inches apart with red hot heat between them, her alluring floral perfume mixed with his spicy cologne, it's very tempting. He doesn't give in, though, because he wants her to make the first move or get over his schoolboy crush on her altogether.

He imagines flower petals swirling around them as they make out, snuggling under the moonlight and stars, or her running through the rain and then diving into the safety and comfort of his embrace as they press their lips together for the first time.

Not only does she look as amazing as her soul, but she's the type of woman he'd always been searching for. That's when he realizes, after slowly falling in love with her, he's completely head over heels for her now.

"Mommy, Mommy!" Julio shouts in his sweet tiny voice as he and Benny run up to them with Christina and Emiliano, who go in the opposite direction towards Aleida and Leon.

"Hi, Mama, hi, Mr. Fahri!" Benny adds. Both boys hug their mother and she bends down to their level.

"Hey, guys!" she greets them and returns the gesture.

"Hey, little men," Fahri adds and holds out his hand, palm up. "Hi-five?"

Benny slaps his palm and then Julio shyly does the same. Gloria stands to her feet and grins. "Whaddya say, boys? Wanna groove with us?" Fahri follows her gaze to Aleida dancing with Christina while Leon sits Emiliano on his shoulders and holds him there as he moves to the music.

"Yeah!" Gloria's children say happily in unison.

Gloria takes her kids by their hands and spins them around. She takes turns with each of them and then holds Benny high in the air as she twirls, making him giggle. She does the same thing with Julio and then sets him on the ground. She's so good with her babies, and Fahri stands back, beaming, enjoying her having fun with the small boys. He wants them to be comfortable around him, so he doesn't intrude in on their time with Gloria. He's just happy that they're all having fun.


"Can ya believe that?" Nicky asks as she hands Shani a bag of Lays potato chips. "Blanca and Diablo getting committed to each other that young?"

"Thanks, Nicky!" Shani opens the package eagerly and starts munching on her snack. "I don't know them well, but they do seem like a nice couple. These are delicious, by the way!"

"I thought it was quite romantic!" Flaca squeals.

"Yeah, I know it's early, but sometimes, you just know that you and your significant other at the moment are meant to be together forever. Or, you can tell if someone is right for a certain person." Maritza gestures to Gloria and Fahri. "Like, me and Flaca did good on those two!"

"So did I!" Lorna jumps in.

"Yeah, I was in on the plan, too," Daya says, and Adarsh beams while sliding his arm around her.

"I really liked hearing about it and how well it worked," Shani tells the group. "Quite interesting...it's like an arranged marriage, but he isn't decades older than her. Great job!"

"Thanks," they murmur.

"I'm glad Pennsatucky found her other half, too," Taystee announces while bumping her glass with yellow drink with Poussey's. The girls gulp it down.

"Yeah, she doesn't seem lonely at all here!" Poussey exclaims and sweeps her hand toward where Pennsatucky and Nathan are having a dance-off with Alex and Michelle, Blanca and Diablo, and Allison and Hassan.

"It's awesome she's having fun," Stephanie agrees.

"Mm-hm...oh, there's another adorable pair," Alana informs them, jerking her chin over to where Weevil is cradling Karla in his arms.

"Aww, so cute!" Lorna exclaims.

"Oh, you noticed that too?" Blanca asks her rhetorically as she and Diablo walk up to them. "Karla just lost her husband, though, so I doubt she's actually in love with Weevil. Besides, they just met. She might simply be wanting support. I know I would, if something happened to Diablo."

"Nothing will, baby," Diablo assures her as he draws her in for a kiss on her lips.

"Well, you can't predict the future," Blanca counters him as they sit down together, their fingers still interlocked. "However, I don't wanna think about that...I'm just not able to imagine it."

"Me neither," Diablo agrees. "I'm enjoying the moment with you, mi amor."

"Yo también."

Me too.

Shani spins Nicky and they hold hands as they dance under the bright sun at a free outdoor concert. Nicky's blue skirt billows out and her golden locks swing over one shoulder as she turns and melts against the tall brunette. Shani wraps her arms around Nicky's waist from behind and pecks her temple softly.

Nicky twists her head slightly and gazes up at Shani just as the wind ruffles through her curly brown hair. She's practically glowing and it doesn't matter that Shani starts talking about some dream she had where a giant was after her, or that Nicky isn't interested in people's dreams that don't involve her doing something sexual with them. Nor is it important that they only have one thing in common so far besides being homeless and that is them both having watched the show Cover Up. They've connected as friends, learning a lot about each other, but now, Nicky's highly attracted to Shani. It seems like Shani feels the same way, because when Nicky leans in for the kiss, Shani doesn't pull away. Their lips mold together and lock in place until the girls are breathless. They're suddenly grabbing each other as they kiss over and over with hunger and passion until Nicky falls into Shani and takes them both down onto the grassy field. Their mixed rounds of hysterical laughter ring through the area and several people are staring at their public display of affection, but they don't have a care in the world.

Fifteen and sixteen, without a place to live or a family who loves them, only surviving on water and food generous people have given them, such as blackberry scones, potato chips, pretzels, and semi-warm hot dogs or pizza that they need to ration, collecting cans and bottles to earn money, but they're still so happy. Nicky's okay on her own since she can make friends easily, but Shani being alone isn't good at all. Nicky's glad she can be here for Shani all the time now. She never wants this to end. She wants to travel the world with Shani forever and grow old with her. The very first compliment Shani had given her, was that she was a combination of sweet and salty.

"Earth to Nicky! Hello?" Nicky jumps out of her pleasant flashback and realizes she'd been staring at Shani munching on her potato chips and licking her fingers free of crumbs for the last two minutes. Alex waves her hand in front of Nicky's face and snaps her fingers a few times. "Are you there?"

"Yes, yes, sorry! Um, what were we talking about? I spaced out for a minute or two," Nicky admits guiltily. She thanks her lucky stars that Lorna isn't around at the moment, or her jealousy would've understandably gone through the roof. Shani presses her lips together, probably trying to hold back a smile. The other girls give Nicky quizzical looks.

"I was asking you if you remembered this song," Shani informs Nicky.

"Mm-hm. I don't know the name, but we had our first kiss during it," Nicky reminisces.

"Oh, how romantic!" Flaca gushes.

"Yeah...it sucks that you're exes now and cheating is wrong," Michelle unnecessarily reminds them.

"We know," Nicky and Shani respond in unison. Sometimes, Nicky really wishes that Lorna was into polygamous relationships, but she isn't.

"It was nice of you to get me the DJ, Maritza," Blanca tells the shorter Latina, most likely trying to dissipate the awkwardness. "Thank you."

"No problem!" Maritza chirps.

"I'm so relieved nobody is getting hurt at this party," Shani murmurs, and Nicky smiles at her sadly.

"Same here," Nicky agrees, and the others nod in concurrence.

"I just talked to Karla and Weevil...they're actually thinking of getting fake married!" Lorna announces. "She's totally using him...typical of immigrants, she just wants to get a green card! What a dishonor to her spouse's memory."

"Lorna, it's not your business," Allison mutters. "She's obviously still grieving over her husband and it's precious how much support he's showing her. She's gonna have kids, too, so that makes sense...she may not want to raise 'em all on her own."

"Yeah, he might be like a dad to her children, but they won't actually be together romantically," Hassan chimes in.

"Later, peeps! We gonna dance, yo!" Poussey states.

"It'll be the Taystee jive!" Taystee puts in with a beam. She and Poussey get up and walk off and Alana and Stephanie go along with them.

Michaela runs up to Blanca and Diablo, takes one of their hands in each of hers, and pulls them into a standing position. She jumps up and down. "I wanna shake my butt with you, too!" Everyone chuckles at her cuteness and then the teenaged couple stroll to the middle of the dance floor with her.

Nicky watches Tricia and Mercy dance together and she suddenly wishes her life could be simple like theirs is. She's sure they don't have any ex-lovers, as they're only eleven, and nothing would come between them because their parents are accepting and neither of them is in danger of being deported.

"Hey...where'd my purse go?" Shani asks frantically as she touches both sides of her chair, only to find that it isn't there. "It was hanging right here..." She checks the floor and gets on her hands and knees while peeking under her chair and the table. "Oh my god, it's missing! I swear I had it!" The worried expression on her face sinks Nicky's heart to her stomach.

"Where's Lorna? She was just..." Alex looks around and everyone appears to be solemn.

"You don't think..." Michelle trails off.

"She stole it? Maybe," Allison grumbles.

"Oh, boy," Hassan and Adarsh mutter at the same time, probably tired of the girl drama.

Daya scoffs. "She did brag about feigning her appendicitis once to avoid going to prison for using the five finger discount and completely got away with it. I was impressed with the story, but she's probably being a sneaky little puta right now."

Nicky's jaw drops and they all get to their feet. "You're just flat-out accusing my girlfriend of doing something so heinous and calling her a whore in Spanish?"

"Mari, Nicky, Shani, follow me. Daya, Adarsh, Allison, Hassan, Alex, Michelle, check around the room and outside, ask people if they've seen a medium-sized black purse with five gold buttons, a single zipper at the top, and black tassels." Flaca directs them as she quickly leads her girlfriend, Nicky, and Shani to the girls' bathroom. "Yo, Lorna was a major shoplifter back in the day, but so was I. She took seven necklaces and hid them in her big hair once, but I got fourteen Bratz dolls from Toys-R-Us and shoved them in my pants...except for that I'd never take anything from an actual person. Lorna's got somethin' against you, Shani, so I'm hella suspicious," Flaca mutters.

Unfortunately, they in fact, do find Lorna digging through Shani's purse, her reddened face contorted in anger. They gasp as she slams Shani's wallet and lipstick down on the counter and then scoops out a fancy camera. "Hey, whoa, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Nicky demands.

"Oh my god!" Flaca and Maritza shout in unison.

"About to break your Arabian queen's camera so I can take the bomb out!" Lorna answers through gritted teeth. She holds it high in the air, but Shani storms over to her and yanks it away from her. "It's real heavy, too!"

"Leave my stuff alone!" Shani snaps at her. She shoves Lorna aside and repacks her purse. She holds it so tightly that her knuckles turn white. "I brought a camera so I could take pictures! I was using it practically all night. I've never been to such a peaceful and fun celebration with a lot of people actually enjoying themselves! How dare you try to take that away from me!" She narrows her eyes at Lorna and shakes her head. "I've had it hard enough without you bullying me. Stay out of my sight and don't touch me or my shit again!" Her eyes glisten with tears as she stomps out of the bathroom, rushing past Nicky, Flaca, and Maritza, who have their arms firmly folded over their chests.

"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Nicky growls. "Lorna, this needs to stop. You're ruining our night. I know you don't like Shani, but I never thought you'd actually stoop this low. I've given you a talk about this, so has Flaca...but you're just refusing to listen. I don't think we're good together anymore. You really did it this time."

"What?!" Lorna asks, shocked and visibly upset now. "Why are you...?"

"Screw you, I'm soooo done!" Nicky tells her strongly as her heart twists in knots. "You are honestly unbelievable." She sniffles and wipes at her wet eyes. "I...I thought you were better than that. Obviously not!" She links arms with Flaca and Maritza and they walk out without sparing Lorna a second glance.

"You gotta tell Blanca so she can kick Lorna out," Flaca advises Nicky.

"Yeah, and call Franny to take her dumb racist ass home," Maritza puts in.

Nicky groans aloud. "Ugh, she's frustrating!"

Flaca purses her lips. "If I were you, I'd kiss Shani right in front of the bitch."

Maritza smirks at her girlfriend. "Not a bad idea!" She and Flaca hi-five and flip their hair.

"I just wanna find Shani and comfort her, alright? You two talk to Blanca," Nicky directs them, and they nod. It's not until Nicky reaches their table, where she sees Shani laying her head down on her folded arms, her body hunched over, hiding herself. She hears small whimpers coming from Shani, and she strokes her dark hair comfortingly. "Hey...it's okay, sweetie. We'll take care of Lorna. I'm so sorry, she's got too many problems upstairs. Even with her pills, she's a bigot and has no filter when someone of a...different background...is directly in front of her and interacting with her people. I had to break up with her."

Shani looks up at Nicky. Tear stains coat her cheeks and her bottom lip quivers as she tries to control her breathing. She manages a small smile. "You didn't have to do that."

"Oh, I did. She really pissed me the fuck off for the last time," Nicky says. "Maybe I can be her friend later when she apologizes or something, but my romantic love for her has fizzled out. I dunno...my brain's all scrambled right now, and I need to really think about this. Dumping somebody takes a lot of thought, and the words came out before I could stop 'em...but what I do know, is that Istillgotfeelingsforyou."

Shock crosses Shani's face. "You...what?"

Nicky skims her fingers over Shani's. "You're just as attractive as you were when we met. You're my true soulmate. I thought Lorna was, but...it's you, Shani. Ever since you came back in my life, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. I love you, baby."

"I love you too, honey. Habibata. That's just my love in Arabic."

They lock eyes and their mouths join together. An excited spark shoots through Nicky and she moans in delight. She's missed Shani and them touching each other way too much.

"You wanna dance?" Nicky asks, breaking herself out of her fantasy.

Shani nods. "Please."

"All right. Hey, not to brag, but I'm gonna sing with my bandmates soon!"

"You have the loveliest voice in the world," Shani compliments her. "You would always serenade me to sleep, especially when I woke up screaming from nightmares."

"Yes, I remember," Nicky murmurs, beaming.


Everyone is seated for the upcoming performance by Flaca, Maritza, Nicky, Pennsatucky, Taystee, Poussey, and Alana. Diablo is their drummer, and they're apparently singing the song Barb made up for them. Lorna thinks it's completely stupid and pointless, since Barb isn't even here to enjoy it. Shani cups her hands over her mouth. "Go, Nicky!" she screams happily, and Lorna just rolls her eyes as Shani blows Nicky a kiss. The worst part of it, is that Nicky pats the pretend kiss onto her chest where her heart is.

Diablo starts out by drumming and Blanca whoops and cheers for him. "You should've gone to Heaven, now we're stuck in Hell...wishing we could get ya...baby, if you couldn't tell… I love you, but I hate you...you never slip my mind...it's so fucked up and I want your whole god damn life to unwind!" Nicky hollers.

The song goes on with Flaca. Lorna can't listen anymore, though, so she's relieved to see a familiar face sitting in the back of the room, although, she's a bit confused. She begins to wave at Juan, but he puts his finger to his lips and slinks away while motioning for her to follow him, so she does.

"What are you doing out here?" she asks. "You also knew where Blanca was this morning..."

"I'm an uncle of Blanca's, but I've just discovered I have other plans and need to leave now, but it's great to see you!" He hugs her and she immediately sinks into his embrace. She thinks nothing of it, because Blanca's family is so huge that even the Latina doesn't know all her relatives.

"I messed up real bad," she blubbers. "Nicky...she don't wanna be with me no more."

"I hate when bitches do that. Get rid of ya for no good reason!"

They break apart from each other. "I...I think there was a reason. It's just...she's always been so understanding before. She knows it's how I grew up. I was worried for her safety and everyone else's. All I was doing was peeking around her ex's purse and seeing if her camera was hiding a bomb since she's a Muslim and all. Now Blanca's decided to make me go h-home...it don't matter, since my friends hate me now...my goodness, I deserve it! I couldn't even eat the cake they're gonna serve in a half hour..."

"No, you belong here with your girlfriend," Juan hisses. "My niece can be awfully selfish. You go back in there with the confidence I know you have and start grinding one of her cousins! Show that blonde cunt who's boss!"

"She ain't mine no more. She told me that clearly. My sister's comin' to pick me up, anyway...thank you for tellin' me where Blanca was this morning, though."

"You don't wanna fight for your love? That's your problem, I guess. If I were you, I'd knock the Arab out cold and introduce her face to the pavement, but I'm not going to involve myself in some silly teenage drama. I'll see you later." He grins at her, squeezes her hands, and disappears.


After Lorna exits the party, he lurks around the room once more, listening to Barb's girls sing their cheerful songs to Diablo's drumming, watching Gloria and Fahri swaying with their friends and whirling the kids around and Daya and her little gang dancing together. It's like a family thing he's not part of and just seeing everyone happier without him gets him into a rage. He had stormed off when that boy made him get away from Karla, but he's going to stay this time. He refuses to be rejected again. Maybe, just maybe, no one will recognize him with his mask. He's just supposed to be one of Blanca's uncles. He enjoyed gawking at her, as teenage girls get him just as aroused as Gloria once did. She still does, in fact. He's wearing the same suit and tie as Fahri on purpose so he can somehow dance with Gloria, but as Fahri.

He stares at Gloria with Fahri and her boys and then he knows what he has to do. He can't just punch Fahri unconscious, as much as he'd love to. It would be too difficult without making a scene. His moment of glory arrives when an idea pops into his head and he whips out his cell.


"Shit, I better get this," Fahri grumbles after his phone has gone off a few times. "I'm sorry...it's the drug lord," he whispers while holding his device up to his ear. "Yes, sir, I'll be there right away!" he answers the call as he strolls away.

Gloria nods in understanding. "It's okay. I'll save you some cake!"

Fahri gives her a thumbs up. She continues enjoying the girls' and Diablo's performance. She dances with her sons and the birthday girl.

"Diablo es bueno, ¿no es así?" Blanca asks her joyfully.

Diablo's good, isn't he?

"¡Demonios si!" Gloria responds with a grin.

Hell yeah!

"Hey, I'm back," Fahri says a few minutes later while jogging towards Gloria.

"That was quick!" she exclaims as he gathers her in his arms and starts doing the salsa with her, just as they had done before.

"Yeah, he didn't need a lot of assistance this time."

"I'm glad you didn't have to leave!"

His grip on her grows stronger and then Gloria realizes that there's something different about his pupils as he stares at her intensely. They're darker than Fahri's kind eyes and much creepier. His beard makes his mouth look angry, too. His face appears to be more square, whereas Fahri's is round. Once he squeezes her butt cheeks and his tongue slithers in between her lips, she knows this stranger is definitely not Fahri. He may not even be a stranger at all, but rather, the devil she knows and fears.

"Get the fuck off me!" she shrieks, wriggling herself out of his tight grasp and practically falling into Diane and Aleida while hyperventilating and on the verge of sobs. Leon punches him to the floor and grabs him up by his neck. The rhythm of her heart speeds up as she rapidly inhales and exhales while sweating profusely. The band stops playing all of a sudden and the animal who was all over her, tries to escape the room. Charles and Leon chase after him, and everyone watches the scene. The cop gets him into a headlock against a table and Leon dials nine-one-one. "Mommy's alright," Gloria tries to reassure her little ones while hugging them to her sides, but she isn't the least bit okay.

"Blanca, is that really your Tío Juan?" Karla asks. "He is disgusting! He introduced himself to me and tried to get me to dance with him, but I said no. He also seemed very invasive and he even knew my name!"

"I don't have a tío named Juan," Blanca snaps, glaring daggers at the intruder. "If I do, I don't know him..."

"Es verdad," her abuela and tía Mirna say together in confirmation. "No hay nadie llamado Juan en nuestra familia," her abuela further explains.

That's true. There is nobody named Juan in our family.

Tricia runs to Red and hides in her arms. The smaller children also appear to be visibly upset and the teens look scared. Blanca winds her arms around Diablo and buries her face in his chest as he holds her protectively against him.

"Yo, you think that's our stalker?" Aleida wonders aloud.

"Ma, it's probably-" Daya begins to say, but Gloria holds up a finger to stop her.

"Don't even say it. His name brings chills to my very soul. I can't dare to think it could be him."

"Who was that?" Shani wants to know. Nicky leads her to their table, telling her something inaudible, and Gloria is thankful for that.

The real Fahri returns and Gloria makes a beeline for him. She lifts his mask off his face, just to be sure it's actually him. "Ay díos mio, Fahri, I...I think our stalker came in here and sexually assaulted me...and he was pretending to be you..."

"God damn it," he mutters and hugs her securely against him. "I apologize. He probably set up that phone call from my boss to distract me! I'm not gonna leave you again tonight, okay?'

She nods and runs her thumb under her moist eyes. "Thank you."

Soon, it's time for the chocolate cake with white frosting to be served, and the party goes back to being fun as Blanca blows out her fifteen candles and cheers along with everyone else. Gloria just hopes the danger is over and he will leave them alone at last.


"I hate him, he's like a dark cloud over our heads," Flaca tells Maritza, Karla, and Weevil solemnly as they eat their dessert.

"Me, too. I thought we threw his ass in jail, and now he decides to rain on our parade?" Maritza shakes her head while scoffing and narrows her eyes at her plate.

"Yeah, mainly Gloria's," Karla says wisely as Daya, Adarsh, Blanca, and Diablo join them. "Blanca's too, since it was her party that he barged in on!"

"Damn right," Blanca mutters. "I feel worse for Gloria, though. It could've been anyone's fiesta where Gloria was at. It just happened to have been mine tonight. We're lucky he got arrested right away."

"Mm-hm," the boys agree. "I was gonna force him out, but the men took care of him!" Diablo informs them.

"I hope he dies a very slow and painful death in prison," Shani comments as she, Nicky, Allison, Hassan, Michelle, Alex, Taystee, and Poussey sit down with the rest of the group.

"Same here," Nicky mumbles.

"Yeah," the rest of them chorus.

"It's what he deserves," Taystee grumbles.

"One hundred percent," Poussey adds.

"My heart broke for her when she was having a bit of a panic attack," Allison states.

"Mine did as well," Hassan chimes in grimly and squeezes Allison's hand in comfort.

"Yeah, it was so sad," Alex pipes up.

Michelle sighs, blowing a strand of black hair off her face. "Extremely depressing."


"You gotta put a regular shirt on, Benny," Gloria tells him exhaustedly on Sunday late morning while rubbing her forehead. She had slept over at Lourdes' apartment and shared the bed with her aunt for the night because she was deathly afraid to sleep alone after what had happened at Blanca's quinceañera. She'd also gone to church with Lourdes and let the boys sleep in, but she's regretting that decision since Benny seems to sleep like the dead and wake up after ten. "It's almost noon! Fahri will be here soon, he's coming to watch yours and Julio's soccer practice, remember? After that, Fahri and I are going to Diane's birthday brunch at two."

"I can't find my red one!" he whines and crosses his arms over his chest with an adorable pout.

Gloria puts her fists on her hips and shakes her head. Jesus, this kid drives me bonkers sometimes, she thinks. "It's in the laundry. You got like, thousands of other tops. Have you even had lunch?"

"Tía Aleida gave us egg and cheese tacos."

"He just woke up and had breakfast," Daya informs Gloria. "I had to get him three times before I finally dragged him outta bed. Leon threatened to sic the tickle monster on him, but Aleida insisted that would waste time. The food was getting cold."

Benny sticks his tongue out at Daya. "Tattletale!"

"Don't test me, kid," Daya retorts and then leaves his room.

Gloria sifts through the children's closet and picks out a top. "What about your blue one?"

"It's not my favorite!"

"It's in the dryer...which won't be finished until after we have to go! Please, just put something on!" Gloria begs her oldest son.

The doorbell rings and Gloria runs to answer it. "Oh, hi, Fahri, Michaela...I'm sorry, but Benny ain't ready yet...he can't decide on which shirt to wear. I told him to just pick anything, but he ain't listening to me...he insists on wearing his favorite red one, which is unavailable, as it's still in the dryer."

Fahri ruffles Michaela's hair and leads her inside the apartment. "That's okay. This little girl is just like him in that way. Very picky."

"Yeah, but Mister Fahri is nice to me," Michaela says. "Do you have Barbies here, Miss Gloria?"

"You could ask Christina, she's got a lot in her room." The children had met Michaela already and warmed up to her pretty quickly, even though they're all slightly younger than her. Blanca and Diablo had taken them to the park the other day and they enjoyed playing together. Gloria takes Michaela to the nursery room where Christina is.

"Okay!"

"Benny?" Gloria picks up his pajama top off the floor and glances at it in confusion and walks out of the room. "You changed already? Where are you, baby?" Suddenly, she sees him in the laundry room, shirtless, and trying to open the dryer door while grunting. "Hey! No thank you!" She yanks him away from there and kneels to his level. "I told you to get on a new shirt! You're not getting the red one right now, do you understand? That machine is dangerous for kids. It could snap right open and hit you in the face. Or you could get yourself burned since it's hot in there...lotsa jeans with metal buttons can really hurt you...or you could get your hand caught trying to grab your shirt that's still spinning, since it's broken and doesn't stop when you open the lid!"

"I want my favorite shirt!" Benny hollers and slams his hands on the side of the dryer impatiently.

"Come with me, young man," Gloria snaps with her heart beating at full speed. She drags him along with her to his room and pulls out a shirt from the closet. "Put this on immediately! Fahri is here now. Hurry!"

"Why-?"

"Do it!" Gloria shrieks and tries to force it on over his head, but he throws it to the side and blows a raspberry at her. "Put it on, ¡por favor! Why are you being so difficult?" she hisses frustratedly. The small girls dive into the closet and hide behind Gloria's dresses. Feeling defeated and horrible because she can't get her son to obey her without having to sound so angry and scare Christina and Michaela, Gloria sinks onto the floor and breaks down crying into her trembling hands. It's bad enough that the two of the teenage girls she considers to be her nieces, had gotten themselves into such awful messes. She doesn't need her son to misbehave, too.

"I hate you!" Benny screams and stomps out of the room.

"No, don't leave with him out there!" Gloria pleads Benny weakly, but he does anyway. "Shit...girls, I'm sorry...I'm not mad at you...Benny, get back here!" She's shaking so hard and she feels clammy.

"I have to give you both a bath and get you two new outfits now because you got all wet and dirty playing in the mud," Gloria tells her kids as she undresses them and plugs the drain in the tub. She tosses their soiled clothes aside, turns on the water, and tests its temperature. When it's perfectly warm, she pours SpiderMan bubble bath soap inside. "Okay, get in, guys." She begins shampooing their hair and washing their bodies. Julio splashes her and she can't help but laugh, even if he's making a mess. She'll have no problem cleaning it up. Benny plops soap on her head. "Hey!" she complains playfully and wipes it off quickly. She runs her hands under the stream of water coming from the faucet. "I can wash myself, tiny dudes."

"Wow..." She hears Arturo wolf-whistle behind her. "Disfruté viéndote despojarlos. Apuesto a que disfrutan de fregar sus partes privadas. Esto es a cambio de que te toquen el trasero, estoy seguro. No los culpo. Lástima que me perdí la fase de alimentación de las tetas, deben haber estado en el cielo cuando probaron por primera vez a una mujer...ahora son hijos de puta, ya lo sabes, ¿verdad? Apuesto a que te gustarán cuando lleguen a la pubertad." He licks his lips and snakes his arms around her belly as she shivers with disgust. "Qué bueno que estés embarazada. Será mejor que me des una chica para que pueda follarlos a ambos..."

I enjoyed watching you strip them. I bet they enjoy you scrubbing their privates. This is in return for them touching your butt, I'm sure. I don't blame 'em. Too bad I missed their tit-feeding phase, they must have been in heaven at their first taste of a woman...they're motherfuckers now, you know that, right? You'll like 'em when they reach puberty I bet. Good thing you're pregnant. You better give me a girl so I can fuck the both of ya...

"No..." Gloria tries shrugging him off of her, but he only tightens his grip. She wants to throw up at his last comment. "¡Sal y danos privacidad!"

Get out and give us privacy!

"Oh, ¿entonces puedes entrar allí con ellos desnudos? De ninguna manera. Te estoy vigilando de cerca."

Oh, so you can get in there with them naked? No way. I'm keeping a close eye on you.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Benny wants to know.

"You 'kay?" Julio asks.

Gloria sniffles and her chin quivers. Her eyes fill with tears, but she wipes them away. "I'm alright." She finishes scrubbing them clean and then rinses them off. She turns off the tub and Arturo takes them out, despite her protests. She groans and rises to her feet and then runs after him. "¡Por favor déjame cambiarlos! Soy su madre, por favor..."

Please let me change them! I'm their mother, please...

"Por supuesto que quieres. Realmente no es una sorpresa allí. Tienes suerte de que no llame a la policía por tu estúpido trasero."

Of course you want to. It's really no surprise there. You're lucky I'm not calling the police on your dumb ass.

"¿De verdad crees que estoy tan enfermo? Mataría a cualquiera que incluso mirara a mis hijos durante demasiado tiempo," Gloria tells him while quickly changing the boys into their jammies.

You really think I'm that sick? I would kill anyone who even stared at my children for too long.

"Por eso te quitaron a tus hijas, ¿no?"

That's why you got your daughters taken from you, isn't it?

Gloria rapidly shakes her head no and scoffs. She can't believe she's having this ridiculous conversation. She gets up on hers and Arturo's bed and cuddles her sons close to her, stroking their hair and rubbing calming circles on their backs. "Era demasiado joven para cuidarlos en ese momento. Te lo dije antes."

I was too young to take care of them at the time. I told you that before.

Arturo just bursts out cackling. "Eres una madre horrible. No deberían estar cerca de tu regazo." He claps suddenly and Gloria jumps. A wicked grin crawls across his face. "Boys, come here right now! Your mother's brain-damaged. She's unsafe to be around."

You're an awful mother. They shouldn't be anywhere near your lap.

They look so confused. "I wanna sleep with Mama," Benny mumbles innocently.

"Me too," Julio adds in his soft little voice.

Gloria chokes up and keeps her arms around them. She gulps and does her best to glare up at Arturo.

"Necesitas salir de mi casa ahora mismo, Arturo. Lo he tenido. No me importa a dónde vayas, pero nunca quiero verte de nuevo. Sal de mi vista antes de llamar a la policía."

You need to leave my house right now, Arturo. I've had it. I don't care where you go, but I never want to see you again. Get the fuck out of my sight before I call the police.

"¿De verdad crees que es así de fácil? Tienes otra cosa por venir, puta. ¡Esta es mi casa también!"

You really think it's that easy? You got another thing coming, whore. This is my house too!

"¡Deja de gritar, los estás asustando!"

Stop yelling, you're scaring them!

Arturo huffs and then his eyes turn more guilty than anything. "Vale, lo siento, Gloria. Dormiré en el sofá, puedes quedarte con ellos por la noche. Será mejor mañana. No debería haber dicho esas cosas. Lo lamento profundamente." He bends down to kiss her mouth, but she flinches and turns away from him, causing his lips to skim across her cheek. He gazes down at her sadly and leaves the room.

Okay, I'm sorry, Gloria. I'll sleep on the couch, you can stay with them for the night. It'll be better tomorrow. I shouldn't have said those things. I deeply regret it.

He had never stopped talking like a pedophile. That very next morning, after she finishes washing her face, he tells her, "Espero que tengas una hija...entonces tendré dos coños en los que puedo hundir mis dientes...realmente deberías haber mantenido a tus chicas. Apuesto a que son sexys y siempre lo han sido."

I hope you get a daughter...then I'll have two cunts I can sink my teeth into...you really should've kept your girls. I bet they're sexy and always have been.

Gloria freezes in her tracks and backs away from him slowly while protectively covering her belly with her hands. "¿De qué mierda estás hablando? ¿Eres como un pedófilo asqueroso? Eso es un desvío total!"

What the fuck are you talking about, are you like a disgusting pedophile? That is a total turnoff!

The moment she calls him out on it for the second time, he slaps her, pushes her down the stairs while bellowing that she has too many kids, and she loses her baby in the process. That's the real start of her being trapped with him. He doesn't even let her have private access to the phone, he smashes her cell phone and her car with a baseball bat, and never lets her drive anywhere again.

"¡No lo toques, por favor!" Gloria shrieks with her eyes shut tightly and then, completely overwhelmed, collapses into anguished sobs. The sound of her own wracked voice breaks her out of her panic attack instantly and she looks around the room in bewilderment. Her breathing is ragged as she gasps in and out and she hugs her knees to her chest as she rocks back and forth. Tears run down her cheeks and she sees Aleida holding her hand. To her pleasant surprise, Benny is wearing a shirt that is very similar to his favorite one and he's all smiles as Leon bounces the little guy on his knees. Daya is entertaining the toddlers and the older girls with toy trucks and plush dolls. On Gloria's other side, is Fahri. He's saying something that she hadn't heard earlier.

Don't touch him, please!

"Gloria, it's okay, it's okay," he repeats. "You're safe, alright? I promise, you're safe. Benny's fine."

Aleida strokes Gloria's hair. "Yeah, he's telling the truth. You're at home. He and Leon convinced Benny to change."

"You...you saw him?" Gloria asks Fahri worriedly. "Um...with no shirt on? I'm sorry...I wasn't doin' nothin' to him, I swear. I wouldn't..."

"Hey, no worries," Fahri soothes her. "Kids are like that, stubborn. I know that you wouldn't hurt him...that's just not in your nature. Luckily, we found him another shirt that he loved. Leon and I talked to him, we told him that you really needed his help and that he needed to wear another shirt just for you, or you'd be sad."

Leon nods. "That's right."

"Thank you," Gloria mumbles and manages a smile. "Thank you so much..." She hugs Aleida and then Fahri. As she and Fahri pull away from each other, he rubs his hands up and down her shoulders, making her relax almost instantly. "Benny, Julio, you guys ready to play some soccer?" she asks as she faces her sons.

"Yeah!" they squeal excitedly and run up to her. Fahri gets up and helps her to her feet. The four of them walk out of the room together, with Gloria holding her boys' hands as they skip along.

She then goes to her car and opens the door to the backseat. She straps Julio into his carseat and Benny into his seatbelt. "All set, dudes?"

"Yeah!" they shout in unison while kicking their tiny legs happily.

"Awesome!" Fahri comments and Gloria smiles. "Hey, I loved dancing with you at Blanca's quinceañera last night," Fahri tells her as he opens her car door for her.

"Me too. It's fun pretending we're Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire!"

"Maybe we're them, but reincarnated as Gloria Mendoza and Fahri Basara," he jokes, and she chuckles, in high spirits again. "We even have the same first letters in our names as them!"

"Yeah, it's a strong possiblity. Though, I hope we don't end like they did," she mutters as he gets into the driver's seat.

"Nah, you're my dance partner for life, Glo!" he assures her, and she beams while blushing.


"Where's Arturo Cazador?" Fahri asks roughly as he stomps into the police station. "I'm gonna have a few words with him for putting his cruel hands on my girl!"

"Hey, calm down, sir, you can't come in ranting like that," Hopper reprimands him.

"I got this." Charles looks up at Fahri in confusion. "Your girl? You mean you and Gloria are a couple already?"

"No, no, I apologize, that just slipped out. I've kinda fallen for her, but I'm fine with waiting until she's ready. I'll respect her if she never is. We'll always be best friends." Fahri sighs and wipes his hand over his face while gritting his teeth. He thinks about how vulnerable Gloria sounded when talking about how Arturo reacted about Dixon following her home and when Arturo had invaded Gloria's space tremendously last night, and fury rises within him. He doesn't know what exactly triggered her panic attack earlier today, but Arturo must have always accused Gloria of abusing Benny if the boy wasn't doing as she said. "I'm so mad at that monster! I hate him for what he did to Gloria. I saw the actual scars and...ugh, I really wanna take him out of his jail cell and beat him up and kill him!"

"The prison is a horrible place...it's dangerous, and he could do something very violent to you. I don't suggest that you visit him, man. Besides, you could get arrested yourself for starting a fight. I won't do it, but someone else could put you in handcuffs."

"Yeah, I could throw you behind bars just for saying shit like that," another bald cop threatens him. His nametag reads Hellman. "You wanna go?" He starts fishing through his drawer and pulls out handcuffs. They dangle from his fingers and he jerks his thumb back over his shoulder.

"Hey, stop that!" Charles defends Fahri. "He's just protective of Gloria."

"Alright, I won't go see Arturo," Fahri mutters. "I don't wanna get myself in trouble. Now let's go to your girlfriend's birthday brunch."

Thank you for reading and reviewing, VeraRose19, Johanna002, and the guest! Also a big round of applause to LepreMarzolina who got me over four hundred reviews! I can't believe I have that many! To the guest, I prefer Nicky with Shani. They're much better suited for each other than Lorna is with Nicky. Shani actually loves Nicky back, they're perfect together, and oh, so cute!