So, here's the third to last chapter! (Hands out tissues to everyone including myself). :( I started writing this series back in 2020 and writing this fic in particular has been such a source of comfort for me and to many of you who have also told me reading this fic series has for you. It really has touched my heart and I am so flattered and honored to have written this for all of you who have been enjoying this experience with me all this time. Thank you! :) Anyway, let's cut to the chase and have some fun before we get there! :D This chapter begins with Diego going back to Canada to go with Claire to her high school Prom… as well as something else! ;) Hope you all enjoy it!
({No POV})
Despite being a little disappointed about making this trip alone since neither Alejandro or Heather could take off at this point (especially a possibility of 'something else' occurring in Canada in the future), Diego ended up going to Canada on his own to attend Claire's high school Prom with their housekeeper Luz chaperoning since he was still technically underage and wouldn't be 18 for a couple more months.
But, Diego was trying to make the best of it!
Despite his father's latest 'status change' as Prime Minister and Claire's whole school will be under MAJOR security parameters because of Diego's attendance… He was still determined to have a great time with Claire nonetheless!
After all, once they 'talked things through' over Claire's Spring Break visit, things had seemed so much better between them than they had been the few months prior. Sure they were now trying to tackle things as a couple dating in their teens plus being long distance, but they really couldn't complain too much.
Diego got out of the limo that was appointed to him for security transport as well as for the dance, he straightened out the jacket on his tuxedo before walking up to the Watson's front door.
After a few seconds of waiting after ringing the doorbell, the door opened as Shane stepped into view.
Diego smiled slightly and nodded his head as he addressed politely, "Hola señor." Shane eventually smiled slightly as he said, motioning inside, "Here, come in, Aga's just helping Claire finish with getting ready."
Diego stepped inside and started, "Muchas gracias. Also, madre wanted me to remind you about 'pictures'."
Shane smirked before saying, holding up his phone, "Believe me, she wouldn't let me forget it either. But, considering the last time I went to a 'Prom' was with your mother… yeah, I really shouldn't be surprised honestly."
Both of them laughed at that before things settled out into slightly awkward silence.
At first it was so quiet all that could be heard was the pendulum of the grandfather clock in their nearby sitting room. Well until Shane looked over at Diego, realizing they really hadn't talked much since he and Claire officially started dating recently.
Because while Shane had been through a lot (and he mean A LOT) in his life when it came to Diego's parents (especially Heather), it didn't mean Shane ever had anything against Diego.
Despite Shane thinking Diego is 'cut from the same cloth' as his parents in terms of 'arrogance' and 'narcissism'… he still did think that Diego was a decent kid and knew he would never intentionally do something to hurt Claire or upset her after how long they've known each other, which to him as a father was all he could really want for his daughter to be with someone who respected her.
Eventually Shane took some initiative as he readjusted his glasses and expressed, "Hey… just be good to her. I only have one."
Shane held out his hand and was surprised to see Diego immediately give him a sure yet almost determined look as he responded in a matching tone, shaking Shane's hand firmly, "Always am, señor."
Shane just smirked back and shook his hand in return as Aga announced from upstairs, "On our way!"
Aga led the way as Claire followed behind her. Her hair pulled back into a bun and walking into view in a royal blue gown, making Diego freeze up for a second.
Claire caught it immediately as she smirked and did a slight twirl before playfully inquiring, "So… what do you think?" Diego grinned before waggling his brows slightly and remarking, "Muy bella. Well, if I do say so myself anyway."
Claire caught it immediately and smirked as she walked over to Diego and replied, "Well, you're still not short on flattery?" Diego just continued to grin and replied just as playful, "Well… you started it."
The two laughed as Aga and Shane watched on for a moment, just smiling and taking in the moment as parents.
After taking quite a lot of pictures around the house and their property, Diego and Claire eventually made their way out to the limo before going off to Boyd Fines High School for Prom.
While Diego was enjoying himself so far and more just enjoying seeing Claire in person again, he also couldn't deny his excitement for a different reason the following evening.
But, regardless, he had everything he needed for tomorrow and was just looking forward to being a 'normal teenager' for a change this evening by spending time with his girlfriend.
The following day
(Natalie's POV)
Okay, well… I have no idea what the hell is happening right now?
Then again, the past couple days have just been… weird.
Well, Felix has been really weird anyway.
It's like every time I've come here to see him after I'm done at the gym, he just seems like he's… hiding something. Or at the very least he's just being really, REALLY weird.
Especially yesterday was really fucking weird since I walked in as he was talking to his dad and then his dad immediately broke up their conversation as he said 'hi' to me before immediately going back upstairs and just left me with Felix while acting like a very nervous and weirdass version of my boyfriend.
But, whatever, Felix asked me if I was free to come into the city this evening and what else was I gonna say?
Because no matter how weird Felix acts, I'd still rather come here and see him than be at 'home' any more than I have to. Well, these days 'home' for me is nothing more than a 'crash pad' now more than ever.
But, considering I'm graduating high school in 2 weeks, I've already been moving out my clothes and whatever few things I want to take with me bit by bit in boxes to stash in this small closet in Felix's garage.
Because even though I already have an apartment situation figured out, I can't move into my unit until the end of next month and I just plan on staying with Felix and his parents for a week or two before I'm able to move in to my unit.
It's just a small 1 bedroom place, but I don't really need anything more honestly.
Unlike my parents, I can actually take care of myself and don't give a shit about what people think of me and how I live. Honestly, I could live in a box and be homeless in a dirty alley with rats and I'd still see it as a massive improvement than living with my parents.
Fuck, I am so close to being 'free' that I can taste it at this point.
Right as I rounded the corner I stopped and went wide eyed when I saw Felix standing right outside the garage with his hands clasped together as he looked out at the street… but that wasn't what was getting me right now.
Look, I have known Felix for almost 3 years and I have seen him wear the same worn jeans, white T-shirt, and beat up Timberland Boots everyday since I've known him.
So the fact that he was standing outside in his dress pants, white dress shirt, black necktie, and black vest that I usually only see him wear at Quinceañeras, weddings, or other big parties his neighborhood has…
Okay, what the hell is going on?
I kept walking toward him, feeling my face reflexively contorting in confusion the closer I got. But, before I could say anything, Felix saw me and immediately smiled as he said, "Hola chica!"
And pretty much then proceeded to smother me in a hug, pick me up, and spin me around like he usually does when he beats me to getting inside the garage. It's just his usual cute and kinda dorky thing he does with me… and I won't lie to myself how much I like it.
Even when I had a totally shitty day, this never fails to make me smile.
And even now… I couldn't repress a smirk from coming out on my face as he set me back down and kissed me on the forehead.
Dammit… why does he always have to be so damn sweet all the time that it literally kills me in the best way possible?
Eventually he let me go and smiled as I still gave him a slight look with smirk as I motioned to his clothes and said jokingly, "Are one of the neighbors having a party that I didn't know about or something?"
He just grinned at me and shoved his hands in his pockets as he said, "Nah, I just thought I'd dress up today for you."
I smirked, even though I didn't believe that for a second, and decided to mess with him a little as I teased, "Saying you wanted to look 'hot for me' or something?"
He smirked back at me before crossing his arms and saying back in a tone equally as playful as mine, "Well… then do I look 'hot' enough for you?"
Oh… hell yes.
But not like I was going to tell him that, despite the fact that to me he looks great in anything.
But, Felix dressed up?... Damn, he looks so good.
I just smirked and rolled my eyes as I shoved him on the shoulder, making both of us laugh. Eventually we stopped as he said, "But, for real, I kinda wanted to take you out on a real date for change."
I quirked up an eyebrow before remarking with a teasing smirk, "What? So us sitting out on the curb in front of the liquor store sharing a bottle of booze in a bag or hitting around a crushed soda can with some old hockey sticks in the alley next to the garage weren't 'dates' to you?"
He smirked and let out a laugh and rubbed the back of his neck as he said, "C'mon Nat, you know what I'm talkin' about. Dates that aren't me taking you out to do 'hoodrat shit'."
"But, I like doing 'hoodrat shit' with you. I'd much rather sit on the curb with you drinking out of a bottle and feel 'real' than be standing around drinking champagne at a cocktail party with a bunch of 'fake-ass posers'." I expressed honestly, not even caring how corny all that probably sounded in some weird way.
Because it's true.
I spent my whole life being around nothing but 'fake' everything from my parents dragging me to parties just to show-off all the way down to my parents' own fake-ass sham of a marriage, that being with Felix and everything about his life seeming 'real' was like finally having something to make me feel… complete?
I don't know? It's like I realized from being with Felix and spending time in his neighborhood that I never really 'belonged' where I came from anyway.
My parents wouldn't last a day out here, but me… I always felt 'in my element' out here and being around people that actually care about each other and have each other's backs despite not having much money.
Felix went wide eyed for a second until he smiled and said, "Hey, I didn't say I was going to take you out for anything fancy. But… I wanted to just class it up a little more than usual, ya know?"
He held his hand out to me.
After pausing for a moment, I just gave in and smiled a little as I grabbed his hand as we started walking down the street until I got progressively more confused when we got to "Mauricio's", which was pretty much the only sit down restaurant in Felix's neighborhood.
The owner Mauricio was probably the most 'well-off' person in the neighborhood (which isn't much since Felix's neighborhood is pretty 'poor') and he usually uses what little more he has to help out the rest of the neighborhood by helping cater parties and bringing free meals to some of the older people who can't work or get out of the house much.
He's a good guy.
But, when we walked in… I was even more confused than I was before which is kinda saying something at this point.
The whole restaurant was empty and all the tables and chairs were pushed up against the walls.
What the hell?
"Felix, what's…" I tried to get out until my eyes went wide when I heard something distinct out of nowhere in the dead silence of the room.
It was an acoustic guitar, but it was more so what I heard 'playing'. And while it was the acoustic chords rather than an electric guitar, I recognized what was playing anywhere.
"Meant to Be Together" by Ricky Balens.
I looked off to where the music was coming from until my jaw became unhinged when I saw who was sitting there on the chair in a corner with that smirk on his face once he saw me looking at him.
"Diego? What the hell are you doing here?" I thought out loud and also stated the obvious. Considering I thought he was in Toronto right now going with Claire to her school's Prom.
So what was he doing in Ottawa right now?
Seriously, just… What the fuck is happening?!
Diego kept playing but toned it down as he said, "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm just here to provide the ambiance, if you will?"
As I stood there in limbo between confusion and annoyance, I felt Felix grab my hand as he said, "Last time Diego was here, he told me you liked Ricky Balens music."
Then I felt him pull me closer before we just started dancing together in a slow rhythm as Felix just smiled at me.
My face went red and I shook my head and stomped it down before saying, "Look, I know it's really 'old school', but…"
"Babe? What are you talking about. Ricky's cool! I used to listen to this stuff all the time with my abuela growing up. And Diego told me he could play guitar so… he said he'd come up here and play some of your favorites for us." Felix said with a smile as we kept dancing.
I was still trying to 'process' and was about to say 'something' as I heard Diego just chime in, "I can sing as well if you'd like, amigo?"
Immediately I shot a death glare at Diego and snapped in annoyance and frustration at whatever the hell was happening, "Don't you dare."
Diego just smirked and shrugged, but thankfully didn't sing like I wanted him to, as he kept playing.
I mean, not that he can't sing since he can actually sing very well from when I heard him sing at holidays when he'd sing and play the piano in Abuelo and Abuela's drawing room. But I just more wanted him to stay out of this as I was still trying to figure out 'whatever the hell was happening'?!
Felix and I kept dancing as I continued to suffer from verbal constipation until I finally forced out, "But… why? You mean you asked my cousin to come all the way here just to 'play music for us' or something?"
Right then I saw him look down before looking away from me, biting his bottom lip.
Finally I started to get less annoyed and more worried as I started in total confusion and fear, thinking I messed up and upset him or something, "Felix?"
Then I went right back to confusion as he smiled at the floor and let out a laugh as we kept dancing as he said, "Uh, I was kinda hoping for a little more time or somethin' here, but… I guess I should've seen this coming with you. Because… no. I didn't have Diego come here just for this. And… I didn't dress like this, just for a date either."
Right as I felt like throwing myself out a window from how lost and confused I felt right now, my entire being froze as we stopped dancing and I watched as Felix grabbed my left hand before going down on one knee before looking me right in the eye as he said, "Nat, I wanna ask you somethin'. You might think I'm insane and I know it's not much, but…" He paused and I felt like my eyes were going to fall out of my head as I saw him pull a ring out of his pocket as he kept holding onto my left hand from where I was standing.
It was a standard gold band with a small diamond set on it, very simple to most but I was surprised to see Felix even having it.
"Before my Abuela died when I was 15, she gave me this and told me to hold onto it for the right girl someday and only use it when I was ready. And I know my parents still think I'm crazy, but… I don't care. You'll probably think I'm crazy too, but… Nat, I love you… damn, I love you so much. And every day since we met when you had to leave the garage, it made me realize how much I wanted you to stay with me. So, I guess what I'm tryin' to say here is… Nat, babe… will you marry me?"
Then I saw his expression change on a dime to confused and even scared as I saw him look at me and ask, "Oh, shit… Nat, you okay?"
I was almost so focused on him that I didn't realize what I was even doing right now. Diego had even stopped playing his guitar as I realized my right hand somehow went over my mouth and I could feel tears going down my face and now washing over my hand.
Wait, what?
WHY THE HELL AM I CRYING?!
I'm so happy I'm freaking out right now so why the FUCK AM I CRYING RIGHT NOW?!
Then I really felt like kicking my own ass for doing 'whatever the fuck I was doing' when I saw Felix get up off the ground and say, letting go of my hand and running his hand through his hair, "Ay, carajo… Ay, carajo… Oh, fuck! Nat, babe, I'm so sorry! I fucked up! I didn't mean to!…"
Finally, I pushed through and somehow got out despite how much I hated how choked up I sounded, "Yes."
Felix immediately stopped freaking out and just looked back at me wide eyed, almost like he didn't fully hear what I just said. I really tried to force a smile now as I kept looking at him and said, sounding more sure than I ever had about anything in my life, "Yes. Sí. Or… 'whatever the hell' I need to say to you right now for you to get it."
Finally, I held out my left hand to him to really 'bring it home' that I wanted to marry him.
It seemed like it clicked as I saw his eyes go wide before he looked down at the ring still in his other hand before looking back up at me, almost like everything was just now 'hitting him'.
Finally he shook his head a little before I looked down and watched him slowly slide the ring on my finger.
It was a little loose on my finger from being a size or two too big, but I didn't give a crap. I was still just overwhelmed. Almost like I couldn't believe what just happened.
It seems like Felix was there too as we just stared at each other before smiling and immediately going in for an instinctual hug. We stayed that way for a few moments, almost mutually crushing each other as we both were taking 'all this' in.
But, as freaked out as I still am, I don't regret anything.
Yeah, I know Felix just turned 20 and I'll be 19 in June, but… I don't care? Because I have never been more happy or sure about anything in my entire life.
Felix seemed to be there too as I heard him say into my shoulder, sounding the epitome of relieved, "I can't believe you said 'yes'."
I decided to try and calm the situation down as I smirked to myself and joked, "I can't believe you didn't pawn the ring."
He backed away and smirked back at me with a slight laugh as he sheepishly admitted, "For real here… I thought about that as soon as my Abuela gave it to me. Ya know, until she grabbed my wrist and threatened me that if I ever tried to sell it that she'd haunt me until the day I died."
I gave him a slightly freaked out look for a second as I questioned, "Wait, seriously?"
Felix just smirked and shrugged before saying, "Hey, you know how superstitious I am with that stuff. And honestly, knowing my Abuela, I wouldn't put it past her. Lady always lived up to her promises… and I still wouldn't be surprised if she could do that and I'm still not about to chance it to this day. But, whatever, it doesn't matter. Again, I know it's not much, but…"
I cut him off as I put my hands on either side of his face as I looked him right in the eye as I said, hardly keeping myself from smiling that my face was starting to hurt, "How many times do I need to tell you that I don't care about that material crap?"
He didn't say anything, but he was looking me right in the eye and got a small smile on his face.
Eventually I couldn't stop myself and just leaned in and kissed him, still feeling so relieved, satisfied, and just… happy.
As really cliché and stupid as it sounds, it was true.
Other than winning my first boxing championship belt, I have never been this happy in my entire life… and even then.
Before Felix, I just never thought I could feel like this about anyone. Honestly, if someone could have told me when I was 16 that I'd be engaged by the time I was barely 19, I probably would have told them they were full of shit.
But… it happened.
I'm engaged.
Honestly, I was so close to just telling Felix I wanted to just 'run and elope' right now, but… I know I need to cool it and just enjoy this right now. We broke away and I couldn't stop myself from hugging him again.
We stayed that way for a few seconds until I opened my eyes and immediately went wide-eyed when I realized that I totally forgot Diego had been there this whole time.
But, unlike before, he was just leaning against the wall smiling at me… and I couldn't help myself from smiling back, realizing another reason why Felix wanted Diego to be here.
And now... I was glad he was here too.
Well, but not before I just gave Diego a look and smirked over Felix's shoulder before flipping him off, making him smirk back at me and silently laugh to himself.
Hey, he may be more like my brother than my cousin, but that still doesn't mean he's completely 'off the hook' for keeping all this a secret from me.
At least a little bit anyway…
OMG! You all have no idea how much I cried a little as I was writing this chapter. Well, I cry at literally everything anyway so that really shouldn't surprise anyone that knows me. Lol. XD But, I also get VERY into my writing and can even make myself feel things too strongly. I just hope I did justice to the main focus of this chapter being Felix and Natalie's engagement and Felix's heartfelt proposal… even if he thought he messed up BIG TIME for a second. But, I just wanted to give these two crazy kids in love something that was adorable yet fitting for them. :) As well as Diego being in the background the whole time as moral support, even if he also came to show off a little too. Lol. XD But, for real, I wanted to also show the strong bond yet again between Natalie and Diego. Especially since Felix recognized how much Natalie cares about Diego and wanted him to be a part of the proposal since he is one of the few family members who has always been there for her and supported her. :) So, as you all can guess… looks like another wedding on the horizon! Stay tuned for the two part epic finale!... As well as a possible 'bonus chapter' before this is all done. ;) Thank you so much as always for reading and supporting this fic everyone! And, as always, constructive feedback is always very much appreciated if you can spare it. :)
Stay Classy!
Dexter1995