1Finding My Son, Finding Myself
Chapter Eleven
Roberto couldn't stop hugging his father, or smiling. Maria Elena finally convinced him to leave Bobby's embrace so that he could take his first ride on his new bike. Bobby stood behind Maria Elena, his arms wrapped around her, as they happily watched their boy. Rosa and Carlos approached and stood next to the proud parents.
"I've never seen him look so happy," Rosa smiled.
"He looks happier than all his birthdays and Christmases combined," Carlos added.
Robert parked his bike and ran back over to Bobby, his big brown eyes sparkling with happiness. He hugged his mother, as she clutched him to her chest and kissed his head.
"This is the best day of my whole life," the boy beamed.
"Mine, too, sweetheart," she said, smiling and kissing him again.
The family went back inside, Roberto still so excited, he didn't know what to do with himself; he wouldn't leave his father alone, hanging on him, hugging him, sitting on his lap — and Bobby ate up every second of it.
Rosa again offered to fix something to eat and, this time, Bobby felt ravenous and gladly accepted.
"Thanks, Mrs. Vasquez."
"Bobby — you can call me 'Rosa' or 'Mom'," she told him.
Bobby smiled, "Thanks — Mom."
Roberto tapped on Bobby's arm, "Daddy, do you want to see my bedroom?"
"Sure," he answered, smiling at Maria Elena.
The boy tugged on Bobby's hand as he rose from the sofa, "C'mon Dad!" The word sounded strange, but wonderful, to Bobby's ears.
"I have a really neat computer, and a telescope and books...," his voice trailed off as they made their way down the hall.
Maria Elena got up from the sofa with a sigh, "I don't think I'll be able to get him calmed down," she laughed to her father, as she joined her mother in the kitchen to give her hand preparing Bobby's food.
"He looks so happy, Maria. It's nice they're spending some time alone, getting to know each other." Maria and Rosa listened with amusement as Roberto chatted, non-stop, showing his father everything in his room, asking him question after question.
xxxxxxxxxx
"Did you bring your gun, Daddy?" he asked, eyes as wide as saucers.
"No," Bobby shook his head. "I have my badge, though," he offered, removing the leather fold from his pocket and handing it to 'Berto to see.
"Can you walk me to school on Monday, Daddy?"
"Sure," Bobby smiled at the thought of it, "If you want me to."
"And Daddy, next Friday night is the father/son camp out at school, but Grandpa always goes with me, but now that you're here, you can go with me, 'cause Grandpa says he's getting too old to sleep on the floor and..."
"Hold on, 'Berto," Bobby said, amused at how quickly the boy spoke without 'coming up for air' – gladly noticing, also, that he didn't suffer from stuttering. "We'll see, okay?"
A frown quickly replaced the smile on Roberto's lips. "Whenever Mommy says 'we'll see' that means 'no'," he pouted.
Bobby sighed and gave his son a smile. "Okay, we'll talk to your Grandpa. If he really doesn't mind my going instead of him, then I'll go — but we have to be really careful that we don't hurt Grandpa's feelings, okay?"
The smile immediately returned to Roberto's face, lifting Bobby's heart. He laughed to himself, "This could be dangerous," as he realized how quickly his little boy was wrapping him around his little finger.
xxxxxxxxx
The family talked and laughed as they sat around the table, getting reacquainted while Bobby ate his brunch. The remainder of the day was spent with a long walk on the beach, Bobby and 'Berto playing a game of catch and taking a walk around the neighborhood, so 'Berto could show Bobby his school, his church, his favorite playground and, their last stop, the library. Bobby relished every minute he spent with them, walking hand-in-hand with Maria Elena, stealing a kiss every now and again and giving 'Berto piggyback rides.
As they arrived back at the house, Roberto ran to the back yard, where Mr. Vasquez was preparing to bar-b-que. Bobby turned to Maria Elena, "I have to give my friend a call," he said, reaching into his pocket for his phone. "I have to get his car back to him," Bobby explained, as he dialed.
"Darius, it's Bobby...yeah, it went great, man –thanks. Look, I wanna' get your car back to ya...yeah, that's good...I'll be there in a little while." Bobby flipped the phone closed and gave Maria Elena a kiss — probably for the thousandth time that day. "I'm gonna' bring the car back to my friend, Darius and he's gonna' drive me back here, okay? I'll be back in less than and hour."
"Okay, sweetie," she said, kissing him good-bye and heading for the back yard.
As the car started and Bobby began to back out of the driveway, 'Berto came running from the back yard, a look of fear and panic on his face, shouting "Daddy! Don't go!"
Bobby stopped the car and got out, as Maria raced to the front of the house in pursuit of 'Berto. The boy ran to Bobby, throwing himself at him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "Don't go away, Daddy — please don't leave me and Mommy," he began crying.
Maria looked on, feeling terrible for her son — the pained expression on her face didn't escape Bobby.
Bobby held 'Berto's head close to his chest, kissing him while he stroked his hair. "Sshhh, it's okay, Roberto — Daddy's not goin' away." He took the boy by his shoulders and stooped, dipping his head, so that he could look him in the eyes. "I was just gonna' bring my friend's car back to him, then I'll be right back," he said in a soothing voice.
Roberto looked at him – not quite yet believing.
For Bobby, it was like looking in a mirror — except it was a mirror that went thirty-five years back in time. In the eyes looking back at him, he recognized the look of doubt and mistrust. It was the same look he gave his own father upon hearing one of his empty promises — that he wouldn't come home late from work, or that he wouldn't drink anymore, or that he'd get tickets to the ball game — or that he'd never hit him again. It pained Bobby to know that his son was having those same feelings now. He didn't know what to say to make him believe, so he merely told the truth.
He crouched down in front of Roberto and looked up at his face, his eyes still glistening from tears. Maria now stood behind their son and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Roberto," he said calmly, softly, "I want you to listen to Daddy." The boy nodded his head and forced himself to swallow. "I love you and your Mommy and I'm never, ever gonna' leave you. I want you to be happy an-an and I want you to feel safe — you have to believe me, okay?"
'Berto nodded and managed a small smile. "Can I go with you?"
Bobby looked up at Maria Elena, silently seeking her permission before answering the boy.
"Sure you can," he was happy to answer.
She watched as they got back in the car –taking note of how Bobby made sure 'Berto's seatbelt was on – and waved as the car pulled away down the street. She hated herself for a fleeting second when she realized that the thought had crossed her mind to not let him go — her imagination running wild with the scenario of Bobby riding off with 'Berto and never coming back. She dismissed the thought just as quickly, attributing it to her years of having to be an over-protective mother. She checked her watch as she headed back towards the back yard.
xxxxxxxx
'Berto had returned to his usual happy, talkative self during the ride back to the Sanchez' house. He filled Bobby in on his school subjects and his friends, his favorite colors and foods – everything he could think of — all the little things that a father should know about his son.
"Daddy, who is this man we're going to see?"
Bobby sensed a slight bit of apprehension in 'Berto's voice.
"He's my friend from New York. His name is Darius Sanchez –and he's a Policeman, too. His mommy and daddy live in San Juan and he came to visit them."
"Oh," was all 'Berto replied, but Bobby had sensed the boy relax, once he heard the word "Policeman."
They pulled into the Sanchez' driveway and Bobby turned off the ignition. "Do you wanna' wait here while I ring the bell?" Roberto nodded, 'yes.'
As Bobby jogged up the front steps, the barking dog could be heard from the back yard. He laughed to himself at the imagery that Sanchez has placed in his head, "That must be Paco."
The front door opened – apparently it was Darius' mother. "Hello, you must be Darius' friend, Bobby — come in, come in. I'm Inez, Darius' mother. He should be out of the shower in a couple of minutes."
"Yes, Rob– Bobby Goren," Bobby said, offering his hand to the lady. "I, umm, I have my boy in the car — I'll just wait here by the door so I can keep an eye on him."
Mrs. Sanchez returned to her chair.
"On, on second thought," Bobby said, pointing down the hall, finger wagging, "Do you mind...I stayed in your spare bedroom last night — I just wanna' double check that I didn't leave anything behind."
"Oh, go ahead, dear."
Bobby headed down the hallway to the spare bedroom.
xxxxxxxxx
Meanwhile, back in New York...
Alex stood in the doorway to Deakins' office. He looked up from his paperwork, "What's up?"
"It's ten after five and we haven't heard a peep from him all day!"
Deakins double-checked his watch. "No news is good news," he smirked as he reminded her, but he understood her anxiety.
"Why don't we give him a call?" the Captain suggested, already picking up his phone without waiting for her answer.
Alex closed the door and half-sat on the corner of Deakins' desk. She watched as he dialed Bobby's cell number and pressed the 'speaker phone' button. The line began ringing.
xxxxxxxxx
The ringing of the phone startled 'Berto for a moment. He looked down at Bobby's phone laying on the console, unsure whether he should answer it, ignore it or run inside and get Bobby. Curious, as children are, he decided to answer.
"Hello?"
Deakins and Alex exchanged a surprised smile at the sound of the little voice.
"Hello!" the Captain said. "Who's this?" he asked. Alex noticed the twinkle of teasing in his eyes. They knew who it was.
"I'm not allowed to tell my name to strangers," 'Berto firmly answered.
Jimmy and Alex stifled their laughter, both thinking the same thing: "This kid is gonna' turn out to be a piece of work, just like his old man."
Alex interceded, thinking that the sound of a female voice might be less threatening to the boy.
"Hi! My name is Alex," she said with a smile. "I'm your daddy's partner at work."
"Miss Eames?" the little voice said.
"Yes, Alex Eames," she answered, looking at the Captain, smiling.
"Who was that man?"
Deakins and Alex laughed at the skeptical sounding voice. He already sounded like a detective.
"That was my Captain — your daddy's boss, Captain Deakins."
The line was quiet for a moment, while 'Berto absorbed the information. Bobby had told 'Berto all about his partner and Captain earlier in the afternoon, as they walked along the beach.
"Well, you're not strangers, then. Daddy said I can call you 'Aunt Alex' and 'Uncle Jimmy'."
"Hi, it's Uncle Jimmy," Deakins said with a huge grin. "It's nice to talk to you, Roberto. Is your dad there?"
"He's inside Mr. Sanchez' house. He'll be out in a minute, then we're going back to my house 'cause Grandpa's cooking on the bar-b-que and daddy's gonna' play basketball with me, and when it gets dark, we're gonna' bring my telescope to the beach and daddy's gonna' show me and mommy all the constellations he knows."
"Well, that sounds like a lot of fun, Roberto," Alex said with amusement, realizing that the kid was a chatterbox once he got started — just like someone else she knew.
"Can you ask your dad to call me later, Roberto?"
"Yes, ma'am. It was nice talking to you."
xxxxxxxx
The call disconnected. Alex looked at Deakins, "Sounds like everything is going great." She was more than happy for Bobby and loved hearing little Roberto on the phone, but still couldn't wait to hear from Bobby–first hand–later that night with all the juicy details.
"Yeah," Deakins answered pensively, shuffling some papers on his desk. "I can't wait to get home and fill Cathy in on all this."
xxxxxxxxx
The family enjoyed a delicious but casual dinner and Carlos, Bobby and 'Berto played around shooting hoops while the women cleared the table, did the dishes and served dessert. Bobby had offered to help, but Rosa would hear nothing of it. As promised, after dark Bobby and Maria took 'Berto to the beach with his telescope. They brought a couple of blankets; one to sit on and one to keep warm from the cool evening air. They spent almost two hours talking and looking at the stars, 'Berto soaking in all the knowledge that Bobby could impart on him. Somehow, to the couple, it felt as if they had been a family for years. It was hard for either of them to believe that they had all just been reunited earlier that morning. It all just felt so right.
Rosa and Carlos walked over the small sand dune onto the beach. 'Berto immediately beckoned them to come look through his telescope, repeating to them all the information from Bobby that he could remember.
"Berto, it's chilly out here, and it's getting late."
"Awww, grandma," he fussed.
" 'Berto, you know better than to argue with your grandmother. It's past your bedtime already."
"C'mon, honey," Rosa said, "Give mommy and daddy a kiss good-night. Grandma will get you tucked in."
Roberto reluctantly walked towards Bobby and Maria Elena, "All right," he pouted. He kissed both his parents and hugged them. "Good night, Mommy, g'night Daddy."
"Good night, buddy," Bobby said kissing the boy's cheek. "I'll peek in on ya' later."
"But you'll be here in the morning when I wake up, right?"
Bobby smiled, crossing his heart, "I promise."
The coupled watched as 'Berto and his grandparents walked back to the house.
While it was true that it was getting chilly and it was way past Roberto's bed time, Maria Elena also knew that her parents wanted to afford some 'alone time' to Bobby and herself. Bobby took full advantage, wrapping the spare blanket around himself, then wrapping his arms around Maria in a cozy embrace, as he began kissing her and pulling her down to the blanket on the sand.
It was the way he had remembered their kisses of years ago; it was the way he had dreamed of kissing her for the past twelve years. And now, she was here, in his arms. Each lingering kiss, each touch of warm, soft lips and tongue only increased their yearning and passion. The only words exchanged were their breathless, whispered vows of love for one another. The burning desire in his heart –and his loins– quickly displaced all sensible thoughts from his mind, as he realized his hand was now under Maria's shirt, caressing her soft, ample breasts. He pulled his mouth away from hers, gazing into her eyes –looking for an answer: 'Was this okay, or did she want him to stop.' She removed one arm from around his neck, her hand traveling downward, deftly undoing his jeans and caressing his erection, as she kissed him more hungrily than before and he returned her kiss, just as passionately. He had his answer.
They once again consummated their relationship and their love for one another, amidst the sound of crashing waves, under the velvety black starlit sky. It was more perfect than Bobby had ever dreamed.
Afterwards, he held her in his arms, kissing her forehead, their eyes dreamily closed from the satiating pleasure of their release.
"I love you so much," she whispered into the warmth of his chest.
He kissed her head again, "I love you — so much I can't even describe it. I'm...so happy."
Maria giggled, "You know, you told me that once before."
He let out a breathy chuckle. "I know — but it's still true," he said, kissing her head again.
"D'you remember what happened the last time?" she questioned him playfully.
Bobby nodded and pulled her even closer. If he could've squeezed her any tighter, it felt as if he would absorb her right through his skin, into his heart. "Mmmm-mmm...I remember. Your mother just put him to bed."
END Chapter Eleven