~20~
"Luis."
Luis's eyes fluttered open at Paloma's faint whisper.
Paloma stood in the doorway to Marty's bedroom, looking impossibly young in her red and green oversized flannel pajamas. Her hair was loose, flowing, and her feet bare. Her brown eyes welled with remorse as she approached him hesitantly, her movements silent in an effort not to wake her sleeping nephew.
Marty sighed and rolled over away from Luis, curling into a protective ball.
Luis reached to tuck the blankets Marty's move had dislodged back around his shoulders, stilling when the boy whimpered in his sleep.
"Mama."
Luis sighed heavily and his shoulders slumped.
Guilt weighed heavily on Paloma's heart at the sight and apologies spilled from her lips as she padded the short distance across the room to wrap her arms around her brother's neck. "I'm sorry, Luis. I'm so sorry. I know you love Marty. I know you're only doing what you think is best for him."
For a brief moment, Luis hugged her back, then he released her, holding her at arm's length. "No," he said, shaking his head. "You were right. You and Papa."
"Luis," Paloma interrupted, confusion making her frown. "I don't understand."
Careful not to disturb Marty, Luis stood up and moved to stand in front of the window, tracing a finger over the glittering crystals etched on the pane. "I'm scared, Paloma."
The quiet admission stunned Paloma. Never had she known her brother to be scared, of anything or anyone. She mirrored Luis's position at the window, touching Luis's arm with a timid hand. "Luis?" His eyes dark and intense, Luis answered her, though Paloma wasn't really sure he was aware of her presence in the room anymore.
"Failure. Not giving Marty the family he deserves. Rejection," he said, his mouth twisted and grim. "Will I be enough? For her to stay?"
"You're enough," Paloma cried, gripping his forearm tightly. "You've always been enough. Can't you see that? She loves you. You both love Marty. That's enough." Paloma knew her words were naïve, but she believed them, fiercely in this case.
Cognizant again of her presence, Luis told her, "Alistair won't make it easy."
"Love isn't easy, Luis," Paloma replied, a little exasperated. "So there'll be obstacles."
"Obstacles?" Luis's brows rose. "Attempted murder is not your average obstacle."
"Well, neither is your stubbornness," Paloma retorted, taking Luis's hands in hers and forcing him to look at her. "Luis, do you still love Sheridan?"
"What kind of question is that?" Luis hedged, looking away uncomfortably. "I can't believe I'm getting advice about love from my little sister."
"Stop avoiding the question," Paloma scolded. "Do…you…still…love…her?"
His answer, when it came, was so soft, Paloma almost didn't hear it. "Yes. Yeah, I still love her. I never stopped. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
Unable to contain her inner joy, Paloma grinned, hugging her brother hard.
"Paloma," Luis forced out with what little air he had left in his lungs.
"Luis, those obstacles don't stand a chance."
He finally admitted it.
:)
Now, he just has to tell Sher and sweep her right back off of her feet, huh?
LOL!
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