A/N: This story takes place in the past, when Antonio's about 5. Soon after he and his mom have moved to Pleasantville.

Flowers and Chocolates

Part 11: Gabi & Antonio

St. Valentine's Day.

Such an odd holiday. And it was such a big deal in this country. The stores were filled with pink and red signs, candy boxes in the shape of hearts, cute stuffed animals… This year Ferdinand had bought her a joke sweater as a Valentine's gift. One that had a bee on the front and 'Bee Mine' stitched above in red bubble letters.

A silly gift, but she'd worn it around the house anyway. Antonio had giggled at it when he first saw her this morning and had traced the letters while sitting on her lap, waiting for the bus to pick him up. And she was still wearing it while she and her sister-in-law made heart-shaped cookies and pink-frosted brownies in her new kitchen.

"So, how's Antonio enjoying the new house?"

Gabi glanced up from the cookie she was currently frosting, a little surprised by the question. "Oh, he loves it, I think. Although he definitely misses you. He keeps asking me 'When are tio and tia coming for a visit?' almost every day."

And Isabel laughed and nodded at that. "Such a cutie. Well, we miss him too. The house feels so empty without you two."

She nodded, although she doubted that their house felt nearly as empty as this one did…

Not that she disliked her new home; quite the opposite really. They'd put so much work into the place. She finally felt proud of herself for something. Anytime she walked through the front door that she'd helped paint or looked at the curtains that she'd sewn. She felt proud of herself.

But it was still so empty. Just her and Tonio all alone.

How long had it been since they'd moved in? A week? And she still couldn't sleep. She'd lie awake for hours, tossing and turning, listening to every creak… And when she did sleep, she was haunted by nightmares. Usually about Tonio. Of losing him or letting him get hurt…

She shook her head, forcing those memories away.

"You okay, sweetie?"

"I'm fine." She had to be fine. She was an adult; she had to be strong for her baby.

"If you want, I could spend the night tonight." Isabel was always so sweet. "I know it has to be rough, moving out on your own like this."

"It's fine." She finished frosting the cookie and placed it on the tray with the others. Isabel had come over to bake with her today—that was more than enough. "Besides, I'm not alone. I have Antonio."

And thankfully, Isabel didn't press the matter. She just smiled and nodded before taking another cookie from the plate and beginning to frost it.

St. Valentine's Day…

It was her least favourite American holiday. A painful holiday. Just a reminder of him and the fairytale romance that she'd once believed in. She usually spent the day in her apartment, doing her best to avoid the outside reminders. She'd cuddle with her baby for most of the day. Read him stories from his books and play with his toys, anything to force the thoughts of him to the back of her mind, where they belonged.

This was the first year Antonio had been away. Off at school.

He'd been so excited about Valentine's Day. He'd chattered away to her about it this morning. And she'd helped him make paper valentines for all of his classmates. The biggest one for his little friend Lovina…

And she was brought back to the present by Isabel's voice. "I think I can hear the bus. If you want, I can finish frosting these so you can go meet him."

She immediately nodded, setting her knife down before hurrying to the doorway. Taking her jacket down from the coat-rack and sliding it on over her dress. "I'll be back in just a minute."

Sometimes she worried that she was too stifling with Antonio. That she didn't give him enough space. They spent so much time together, after all. She always wanted to spend her time with him. Snuggling him, holding him, loving him... Maybe she shouldn't hurry outside to meet his bus like this.

But even if that was true, she really couldn't see how she couldn't… She missed him so much when he was away.

And now she walked outside, zipping her jacket up against the chill as she walked. And then froze on the porch. Startled. As Antonio had just jumped out of the bus with someone else…

A little someone, all bundled up in a bright yellow parka with a blue scarf and a blue hat covering his—or her—hair.

"Mamá!" And she was brought back to the present by Antonio's voice. As he ran toward her. "I brought home a friend, Mamá!"

She leaned down, pulling him into a tight embrace and accepting a warm kiss against her cheek… "I see that, querido. Who is your friend?"

The child had followed him at a much slower pace, probably at least slightly hampered by the rather unnecessary layers that he/she was currently wearing. But now she finally reached them and looked up at her.

With red eyes.

"Hi, Tonio's mommy! My name's Gillian!"

Albino?

The little girl was grinning at her, gazing up at her excitedly with ruby red eyes. Gabi just stared back, rather shocked. She'd never seen an albino person before.

But she hurriedly pushed the surprise away in favour of sending the little girl a smile and bending down to her level. "Hola, Gillian. It's nice to meet you."

"Tonio's right! You are really pretty!"

And Gabi could feel her cheeks redden at that. "Ah, gracias…" She definitely hadn't expected that. "Do you want to come inside and play for a while? Tia and I just made cookies and…"

"Yay, cookies!" And she didn't even get to finish her sentence before the little girl was gone, running into the house.

Well…she was glad Antonio was making friends.

A/N: And done. Yay! So far after Valentine's Day…

Gabi needs a new boyfriend. Who will be super sweet and awesome and wonderful and amazing.