Chapter 25:

(Camilo POV)

We walked down into the dinning room and I could tell that Liv wasn't sure what to say, especially to my parents. We both found out that her Papa dated my Mama in the past and I know that Papa has issues with him as well. Still I knew that neither of them would take that out on Liv, at least I hope they wouldn't. She took a seat next to me and I think she was relieved that my siblings and cousins were there.

"Hello Señor and Señora Madrigal, Señor and Señora Madrigal, Seńor Madrigal and Señora Madrigal," Liv said as she went through my parents, Tío Augustin and Tía Julieta, Tío Bruno and Abuela. Tía smiled at her, "To lesson the confusion that we will all experience all night you can call us Julieta and Augustin." Tío Bruno nodded his head, "Yeah everyone in town calls me Bruno anyway." I looked over to Mama and Papa but they just offered smiles. Liv smiled though at all of them, "Would you like some sour cream Señorita Santiago?" Tío Bruno asked. She smiled, "If you insist I call you Bruno the least you can do is call me Olivia and I would love some. Thank you."

I looked around the table and Liv was getting along with everyone and was slowly talking more with everyone. Everyone except my parents who were being awfully quiet. Still Liv seemed to be having a good time. I'm glad she was getting along with my family. I know that she was worried about my relationship with them.


(Olivia POV)

I was trying really hard to keep up in the conversation with everyone. They were all being really nice and I was starting to think that most of them were liking me. All except for Camilo's parents. The people who probably counted the most. Camilo always talked about how much they loved each other and how his Papa and Mama were always there for one another to take care of each other. Even though they weren't talking much at the table I could see how much they loved each other.

"Well Olivia how has it been with the Sanchez's?" Dolores asked. I noticed that all the adults eyes darted to Augustin. Mateo Sanchez had mentioned that he was their younger brother but that it was complicated. I didn't want to add to that so I just smiled, "It has been good. Padre Sanchez and Mateo Sanchez have been really helpful with catching up on what I have missed." Augustin nodded his head and it seemed to satisfy the others.

I felt the need to add something else, something to lighten the mood, "Honestly Señor Sanchez's children, Cecilia and Miguel are the ones correcting my social skills. I'm not sure if it is sad that I need to be corrected by a 7 and 5 year old. Sometimes I feel like they are always teaming up with Camilo to prove me wrong." Camilo turned to face me, "You should have waited for me to knock." "I saw you coming from the window. I knew you were coming over. Why does it matter that I opened the door? Why did you need to knock? Can someone please explain it to me?" The people around the table started laughing and it made me smile. But as I looked at Camilo's faces they seemed to be focusing on their food.

I bit my bottom lip and then saw Camilo was looking at me. I just smiled and went back to my food. I was already worried about this, he didn't need to be worried too. It was time to clear the plates and I stood up, "Here let me help." I said as Augustin stood up. He nodded his head, "Thank you Olivia." We brought the plates into the kitchen and the house started washing them. I smiled, "Camilo wasn't exaggerating about the magic of this house." He nodded his head, "Yeah it is a great home." I noticed the smile on his face when he said 'home.'

I looked over at him, "Um Mateo asked me to tell you... if I ever saw you that Luca moved out a few years ago. He lives over the butcher shop now and that he and Padre Sanchez would love to have you over again if you want to come." He nodded his head, "I had a feeling they would tell you about me." I nodded my head and he let out a breath, "I love my brothers. I do. I just get worried about coming back into their lives or inviting them back into mine. Mateo and I are able to see each other in town and exchange pleasantries, I can listen to Juan at church every Sunday and I'm never the one to go to the butcher." I nodded my head, "Yeah. I'm not trying to make you do anything I just wanted to extend the invitation."

I took a breath, "So how am I doing out there?" He smiled, "You are doing fine." I looked at him, "Really because I have a hard time telling. Lack of social exposure and all that." I started playing with my fingers. "I just don't want to ruin Camilo's relationship with all of you." "Why would you be worried about that?" He asked. I looked up at Augustin, "Everyone told him to break up with me once. I mean I am the daughter of Hernando Santiago which I don't think really helps my case. Camilo and I promised each other that we wouldn't break up with each other for the other's own good but, I don't want to destroy his relationship with his family here." I sighed, "I just want to make them like me enough that they don't want to get rid of me again." I watched his shoulders sag, "Olivia." "Please don't tell them this. I don't want them to feel sorry for me or anything. I don't even know why I'm telling you..." I started going off on a tangent. He nodded his head, "What is spoken in the kitchen stays in the kitchen. You don't need to worry about me or Julieta for that matter. Thats both his godparents" "Thank you," I said. "We better get back out there before Camilo eats all our dessert." I laughed a little and we walked back.


(Camilo POV)

I watched as Liv and Tío Augustin left for the kitchen. When they were out of earshot Tía Julieta smiled at me, "She is really sweet Milo." Dolores, Isabella, Luisa and Mirabel nodded in agreement. I turned to Mama and Papa trying to gauge their reaction, "Mama? Papa?" Mama gave a really forced smile, "She seems nice Camilo." I could see the rainbow forming and I frowned at Mama. I looked to Papa who was usually really happy and supportive and even he seemed to be forcing the reaction.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, "Can you tell me what is wrong? Please? You two have barely been talking all night." Mama sighed, "Camilo we are happy that you are happy..." "But?" I asked knowing that wasn't the end of it. Papa sighed, "It is just taking us a minute. You did not know Hernando Santiago the way we did and he has been the only one raising her since she was 5. Sorry but we need some time to get used to this." I looked over at Mama and she nodded her head.

I let out a long breath, "Look I know that this is hard for both of you. Maybe if I had told you earlier or given you more time to prepare it would be easier for all of us, but the fact of the matter is Liv is nothing like her Papa. He treated her and her Mama terribly, some of which you saw yourselves that day at the church. I hope you guys weren't so quick to forget about that. So take the time you need to figure this out. You deserve to have that time. But you do need to figure this out. Because I'm not breaking up with her and I'm hoping she isn't going to break up with me."

Mama and Papa exchanged a look, "We are trying Camilo." "I know, I'm not saying you aren't. But I want to make sure you guys realize something. She is not Hernando. She is Olivia. The only things they share is some DNA and a last name" I said and they nodded their head, "We know." I nodded my head. The table was awkwardly quiet as dessert was coming out.

Liv and Tío Augustin came out, "Well Olivia it looks like our desserts are safe for now." She smiled, "Well I would hope that Camilo wouldn't steal mine." I smiled, "Why would I be the one who stole dessert?" Everyone looked at me and I started laughing, "Ok, ok, ok even I can admit to that." They started laughing as well. Liv took a seat next to me. "You ok?" I asked. She nodded her head, "Yeah. Your family is great. I guess you were right I didn't have anything to worry about." I nodded my head as I continued to hold her hand under the table.

Casita soon brought a clock across the table and Liv nodded her head, "That is my cue to leave. I promised I wouldn't stay out too late." "I'll walk you," I said but she just smiled at me, "I'll be fine. Enjoy the rest of your family dinner." I frowned at her, "When have I ever had you walk home alone?" She sighed, "Never." "So what makes you think I am going to start now?" I asked. She looked at me, "Is this another social thing that I don't understand?" I laughed, "Yeah Liv it kind of is." She stood up, "Well alright then. I'm not going to try to fight it in front of your family. It was nice to see you all again. Thank you for having me." They all nodded their heads and were drowned out in a muffle of goodbyes as we made our way back into town.


(Olivia POV)

I walked hand-in-hand with Camilo. "Ok be honest with me. What does your family think of me?" He looked over at me, "Well my sister and brother love you. Isabella and Luisa both said that you were incredibly sweet. Mirabel definitely likes you so does Tío Bruno and Abuela." I looked at him I knew he was leaving out. He knew I knew who he was leaving out but still I said, "And your parents?" He sighed, "Need a little bit more time." I nodded my head, "I can live with that for now."

I looked up at him. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you never came into that church?" He looked down at me, "No. Why do you?" I nodded my head, "Sometimes. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I didn't play with you that day? If my Mama didn't die?" He looked at me, "Liv?" I just smiled at him, "I'm fine Camilo. I promise." He leaned over and whispered into my ear, "In every lifetime I would have figured out a way to be with you." I smiled and gave him a kiss.

We were walking through town and we still got a few glances here and there from people in town but, it was becoming less and less my focus. We reached the door and I saw Cecilia and Miguel leaning up against the window, "I should probably go in. Little eyes are watching." He smiled at me, "Yeah well I think I need a Goodbye before I let you go." I laughed as he wrapped his arm around my waist, "Thank you for coming tonight. It meant a lot." I leaned up and kissed him, "I had a good time. I love you." He smiled down at me stars speckled behind him, "I love you too." "Eh, one more kiss?" He nodded his head, "I'll never say no to that."

I backed away taking two steps back, "Ok no I need to go inside. See you soon." He nodded his head, "Yeah I'll see you soon." I went inside, "Why do you always have to kiss him?" Cecilia asked. "You will understand when you are older," I said. Miguel crossed his arms, "I thought we were the ones helping you with social skills." I looked back and forth between the two of them, "I don't have to explain myself to you. I will see you in the morning. I'm making tostadas." They gave me a look, "Fine Padre Sanchez is helping me make tostadas. You guys don't give an inch." They laughed and I went upstairs and sat up on my bed.

I pulled out the book I was practicing with, "The g-girl w-walked down the path." I said out loud before taking a breath, "The girl walked down the path." I continued reading and practicing until I fell asleep. I woke up the next morning as the sun rose with the book on my chest. I never got use to sunlight waking me up. Everyone else in the house was able to sleep through it but, I never could. I heard a knock on the door and went to see who it was, "Oh hello." "Hello Olivia, do you mind if we talk?" I nodded my head, "Of course. Let's go outside though I don't want to wake up the Sanchez's."