In next few days, Valerio and Lucrecia were busy moving things from Carla's apartment and making their house feel like home. Valerio gave her his card and told her to buy all she wanted for the house. Now she was the lady of the house and he wanted her to have everything she could ever want. Lucrecia didn't need to be told twice before she took the card, gave him a kiss and went out. Valerio got her as a present the red BMW that was the same as his silver one was. It was sort of homage to the ones they had before, before daddy took them. She drove to one of her mom's favorite places to shop for antiques and housewarming gifts. She found few things she could see in the house and told the shop assistant to prepare them for shipping. When she was done with the bill and all the information shop needed to deliver the things tomorrow, she went for the exit. On the way out, she runs into her mother and few other women. Both of them were very surprised to see each other. Older woman looked at her in shock. She whispered her name and covered her mouth.

''Lucrecia…''

''Marta…''

That stung her mother…

''You are back?''

''Yes, I came back few days ago…''

''Where are you staying? How are you?''

''Are you seriously asking me that?''

''Yes, I am… I am your mother Lucrecia… Of course I want to know how you are and what is going on in your life?''

'' It has been almost five years since you showed any interest in me and my wellbeing… Where were you all those years ago? Why are you interested in me now?''

''Lucrecia…''

''No, I am very interested what happened to get you to change your mind and ask how am I?''

She looked at her mother with mix of disgust and anger.

''Let me guess, dad got appointed again and you need to win me back for him to look good. When I was in the US it didn't matter what relationship we had, because I was too far. Now it would be inconvenient for him not to have relationship with his daughter…Or, am I wrong…mother…?''

''Can we have lunch together and talk about everything?''

''I am afraid we have nothing to talk about. Not anymore…''

She noticed how her mother was clutching her phone.

''Call him… I know you want to…''

Before anything else could be said or done, shop assistant came to Lucrecia.

''Mrs. Valdez, your husband told us to give you this to take home today.''

She took the bag and smiled at the girl.

''Thank you miss.''

She left and her mother looked at her ring finger looking for trace of anything that looks like wedding ring… Lucrecia's bare finger confused her. She knew some of the young ones didn't use their wedding rings and she wondered if Lucrecia was one of them.

''You are married?''

''No, I am not… ''

''But she said…''

''I used his card… He must have listed me as a partner or something and she is being polite promoting me into wife…''

''Oh…''

''I have to go… Please excuse me. I have so much to do today.''

With that she left and got into her car. She dialed Valerio's number and he answered right away.

''Did your majesty spend a lot of money today?''

''Not really.''

''You sound sad…''

''I run into Marta.''

''Oh... And how was that?''

''I don't know… She wanted to have lunch with me… I think she wants me to be a perfect daughter for the interviews and all the photoshoots they have to do.''

''And you said no?''

''I said no… And she heard girl from the shop call me Mrs. Valdez and she got very curious who I married.''

''Ah, good old Marta… Always loving good gossip.''

''Somethings don't change.''

''Do you want to meet at the park and have that horrible overpriced ice cream?''

She smiled.

''Yes!''

''Ok… I am leaving now and I'll be seeing you babe.''

Valerio and Lucrecia met by the ice cream shop and got in. She made her order and he took just one scoop of dark chocolate. They went out and went for a walk.

''So, how do we feel about Marta?''

''We are still disappointed.''

''Ok… What else?''

''I think I will have to see her and finally say what I've been keeping inside for so long.''

''If that would make you feel good, do it. Bottling all those feelings would only do you harm.''

''How did you get rid of all the feelings for dad?''

''I changed my name… I distanced myself from him and anything dad related…You are my only connection to him… But that is a secret.''

''What do you mean?''

''Well, you are my sister… And now two of us don't have same last name… And I am not really into shouting from the rooftops that he is my father. And we both know he was always ashamed of me and you were his perfect girl. So, I know not to expect a call… On the other hand… I think he might get Marta to call you and get you somehow to see them and guilt trip you into photoshoots and family activities to make good old dad look good.''

''I am not doing it.''

He smiled at her.

''I am not telling you what to do or do not do… Whatever you want to do about two of them is your thing. I know I don't want him in my life… And if you want him back, I will respect that. Just warn me not to be there if he comes and visits.''

''I get it. He hurt you a lot… He never treated you well…''

''Lu, it's not about me…It's about you and how you feel about Marta and him… Whatever you choose, I am supporting it.''

''I know.''

They continued walking and then they went back to their cars. Lucrecia went straight home and Valerio went to some diner with clients. She loved their new home and felt so good in their little fortress. She unpacked the box Valerio asked girl in the shop to give her and had huge smile on her face. It was small jade statue of Buddha that was smiling. It reminded her of their trip to Indonesia. Their parents were busy and two of them had two weeks to travel and do whatever they wanted. That statue reminded her of one temple and things they saw there. She wanted statue like that and he found it for her. Of course, that one was not as old as the one in the temple, but the gesture mattered. She put it in the room she wanted to turn into meditation room and went to their bedroom. She changed into something more comfortable and went to the kitchen to make some diner for herself. Valerio came around nine and found her watching some TV show and joined her on the sofa.

''Good evening my love.''

''Good evening Val…''

They kissed and she cuddled up to him.

''How was diner?''

''Good… I have few new clients and I will be very busy bee in next few weeks.''

''I am proud of you.''

''Thank you babe. I'm going to take a shower and change and I'll see you soon.''

''I'll be upstairs in a minute… Maybe I can join you in that shower.''

''Maybe you can…''

They kissed one more time and he went upstairs doing a little striptease for her. She laughed hard and followed him to the room. She took off her clothes and got into the shower with him. They were kissing and making love again and she felt so happy and complete. She missed Valerio during her years in the US and she was finally home. They were cuddling in bed and her played with her hair. It was always their thing. He loved her hair and how it felt between his fingers. She noticed how pensive he looked.

''Val, what is going on in your head?''

''Marta… HIM… And everything that happened…''

''Oh…''

She didn't expect that to be the thing on his mind after they made love and enjoyed their bliss of finally being together.

''You know, when I went to Santiago and changed my name…''

''Yes, I remember the story…''

''That is not entire story… I had something else in mind… I wanted to erase him completely.''

She lifted her head from his chest. She was serious and a bit scared.

''I know you are not talking murder here, but how?''

'' I wanted to pay someone to forge my DNA results.''

''What?''

''I wanted to falsify my paternity…''

''Why?''

''I was so angry and so disappointed in him. I wanted to erase him forever from my life…And with that paper, I could have married you…''

''Valerio…''

''If I did that… I could have given you everything for real…''

''No, you already gave me everything. I don't need anything more… You have given me a home and sense of safety and happiness. I am happy to be with you and very proud of the man you've became.''

She made herself more comfortable and gave him one of her magical smiles.

''Val, I don't need a ring or piece of paper to show me you love me and you are devoted to me. I have all I need here. I have you… And we will work things out without any false papers or claims. I don't want you to do something like that just to put a ring on my finger. We both know rings means nothing. We have something that many of the people with rings don't have. We have love and we have freedom of choice…. We choose each other every day… And I want to wake up many mornings and see the man I choose to wake up with…not man I have to wake up with because of the ring on my finger. I love you Val, you are my home and family…And I am ready to be with you until I grow very old and forget myself.''

He kissed her and smiled.

''Me too…''

''Good… Now let's forget about two of them and everyone else. I want to enjoy our home and freedom.''

''Are you ready for Polo's memorial?''

''Yes…and no… I don't think I would ever be ready…''

''I am here for you. ''

''I know.''

''Always Lu…''

''Me too…''

He held her until she fell asleep and he followed soon. He couldn't believe she was back and back in his arms. He was the happiest men alive having his dream girl in his arms. He didn't need anything else in life, but her.

Following morning they woke up and went to get ready for the memorial. Carla called them to ask if they were still going and Valerio said they would be there. They had to give her back the keys of her place and make arrangements with her and Ander and Omar to come to the house for dinner. Valerio and Lucrecia were very color coordinated. He was in navy suit, navy shoes and light blue shirt with navy tie. And his hair was tamed with a lot of hair gel. Lucrecia was in navy tight dress and shoes and she was wearing sapphire earrings and matching ring. Her hair was in a bun and she had very simple makeup. She looked elegant and appropriate for gathering at the cemetery. Lucrecia was a bit nervous. It would be five years since she saw many of the people she will see today. Before they went to Polo's grave, she, Val and Carla just stood together for a moment.

''I feel so strange being here.''

Carla took her hand.

''Me too…''

Valerio gave them encouraging smile.

''Let's go girls… It's show time.''