Summary:
Bruno confesses his feelings.
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Written in Bruno's POV.
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I feel Gabriela smile against my lips. My mind is processing a million thoughts but coming up empty. I had kissed her in the heat of the moment just a few minutes earlier, and now here she is, kissing me back.
My heart threatens to jump out of my ribcage. I've been imagining this moment since I first realized I've fallen in love with her. Gabriela pulls away too soon before I could even deepen the kiss, and I let out a disappointed whine.
"Hey." She says, trying to keep herself from laughing. I blink at her, staring at her face, wanting to kiss her again. "Oh no. I think I broke you."
"Wha-what just happened?" Smooth, real smooth. Gabriela's unable to keep a straight face and starts laughing, clutching her sides. Everything is moving so slow and so fast at the same time, making no sense and fitting itself into place. It's so ridiculous that I also start laughing along with her. As it dies down I reach over to hold her hand, entwining her fingers with mine.
"Gabriela, querida…mi amor, mi cielo… luz de mis ojos…te quiero," I whisper. Gabriela smiles and snuggles up to me to rest her head on my shoulder. "I remember I did something like this before, holding hands, leaning so close to you." She gives me a light peck on my cheek. "Yo también te amo, Bruno."
We sit like that for a little while longer before she breaks the silence. "So, how long?" I glance over at her, her eyes shining. "What do you mean by 'how long'?"
"How long have you loved me?"
"You can read minds," I tease her. "I'm sure you can figure it out."
Gabriela pouts. "That's too easy. I'd rather hear you say it."
I let go of her hand to cup her cheek. She sighs against my touch, and I fight the urge to lean forward to kiss her again before I even get the words out of my mouth. "I've been in love with you the moment you first smiled at me. You are a wonder, Gabriela Álvarez. You've bewitched me."
"Those are some sweet words, Bruno Madrigal."
"It's the truth. And what about you? I'm not imagining things here that you, the most beautiful woman I've ever met, is in love with me too?"
Gabriela takes my hand that's on her cheek and kisses my palm. "I've fallen in love with you much later, Bruno. I'm sorry it took so long before I realized it. It must've been painful to wait. I've always wondered why you never even thought of being with someone else."
I lean forward and press my lips to hers. I pull her closer, letting my hand rest on the small of her back. Her hands find their way to my hair, tugging on my curls and I suppress a moan. I kiss her with so much burning desire, in the hopes my answer to her question is conveyed.
I've never looked at anyone else because she's the only one I'll ever want.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"We should get back downstairs. I think we've been gone long enough." Gabriela giggles as she tries to fix my hair. It's all tangled from her tugging at it. When my hair is at least presentable, she gets up to leave, but I pull her back down to me. "Ay, Bruno!"
"I don't want to. I'd rather have you all to myself. I don't want to share you with my sisters."
She kisses me on the nose. "Bruno, cariño, I promised Dolores I would get her Tío down from the roof." She holds her hand out to me. "Now come on."
My heart flutters at the nickname. "Ay, alright. But only because you made a promise to my sobrina." I help Gabriela down first until her feet reach the railing safely before I follow after her. As we sneak back downstairs, a cough stops us in our tracks. We turn around to look for the source of the noise and find the whole family staring at us, their faces varying looks of surprise, amusement, and embarrassment. Mierda. Gabriela and I turn to look at each other, then back at them again.
Félix scratches his head. "...we…were wondering what's taking you both so long."
The silence is broken. Julieta and Pepa immediately surround Gabriela and me, screaming and squealing.
"Oh, that's a beautiful ruana! Is that Gabriela's gift for you?"
"Wait, I see lipstick on you, Brunito!"
"Why is your dress crumpled up, Gabriela?"
"Ohohoho…our Brunito's all grown up now! Look, Mamá!"
Gabriela's face turns crimson. I pull her closer and move in front to protect her. "Hey, back up a little bit, you're making Gabriela uncomfortable."
"I'm okay, Bruno." I hear Gabriela squeak behind me. Pepa places her hands on her hips. "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I found it odd that you both were taking so long. Imagine my surprise when Dolores tells me you two are kissing on the roof."
Now it's my turn to be embarrassed. I shoot Dolores a look and she immediately hides behind her Papá, earning chuckles from everyone.
"Ay, don't get mad at her, she got worried." Félix laughs. "So, when's the wedding?"
Gabriela and I sputter. "We-wedding?" I shake my head. "No, too soon for that." Gabriela nods furiously at my words. "I've just…we've just…"
"I'm just messing with you, hermano." Félix grins. Pepa crosses her arms at me. "You better not try anything funny with Gabriela, Brunito! Or else…"
"I'm sure Bruno won't do anything bad to Gabriela. Look at them both," Julieta interjects, opening her arms out. "Bruno, you're okay with me hugging your querida, don't you?"
I groan. "How much have you all heard?"
"Everything important," Agustín pats me on the shoulder. "I lost the bet against Félix." I'm confused. I'm about to ask Agustín and Félix about this bet of theirs and why I'm involved when Mamá walks forward and takes my hand. I gulp. Her face is unreadable and I grow nervous. Gabriela peeks from behind me and Mamá 's face softens. "Ay Brunito, I was already losing hope, but I'm glad you're finally together."
I blink at Mamá. "You're not mad at me?"
"Heavens, no! Why would I be mad at you?" She reaches out her other hand towards Gabriela, who takes it. "I've always thought that Gabriela's a lovely lady who'd be a good match for you, ever since her family first came to Casa Madrigal."
Gabriela lowers her gaze, suddenly shy. "You're too kind, Señora Alma." Mamá tuts at Gabriela. "Mija, I've always considered you part of our family, what with my triplets and even my grandchildren treating you as such. I can never replace your wonderful Mamá, but I'd be happy if you call me Mamá Alma."
"Mamá," I begin, squeezing Gabriela's hand for assurance. She squeezes it back, allowing the question stuck in my throat to come out. "Does that mean you approve of our…relationship?" She nods. "I'm very happy for you two, Brunito. As a mother, all I want is to see my children be happy."
"I am happy, Mamá ." I smile at Gabriela. I see the love in her eyes. "For once, I feel very lucky."
"Tienes buena suerte, Bruno." Gabriela breathes. Pepa coughs to catch our attention. "Well, maybe we can celebrate this…milestone…at the party that's ongoing?"
"Oh, right. Come, Bruno. We haven't blown out our candles yet. I left Isabela and Luisa to guard the cake. I hope they didn't try to get to it…" Julieta grabs our hands from Mamá's and hurries us along to the garden.
The guests stop talking when they see me enter behind Julieta. I almost want to escape again, but Gabriela pulls me forward to stand beside my sisters. "Don't mind them." She sneaks a quick peck on my cheek. "Mi cariño, muy guapo."
"Okay, now you're just teasing me at this point," I chide, but can't help but smile. Pepa smirks. "I saw that."
"Shut up."
Julieta giggles as Isabela, accompanied by Luisa and Agustín, brings out the ponqué. Gabriela starts singing, which in turn leads the rest of my family, and eventually, the guests, to sing.
Cumpleaños Feliz
Te deseamos a tí
Feliz Cumpleaños a trillizas Madrigal
Feliz Cumpleaños a tí
"Make a wish!" Gabriela urges the three of us. I turn to my sisters, and they grin as we close our eyes and blow out the candles. As soon as we finish someone pours cold water on us three. Pepa groans as Félix throws maizena into our faces.
"I thought we would get a nice birthday without this!" Pepa leers at her husband who immediately runs away laughing. Julieta wipes off the flour from her face before someone cracks an egg on her. "Ay, Agustín!"
"It's pure chaos, I tell you!" I duck to avoid getting an egg cracked on me. Pepa starts to rip lightning. "Come back here, Félix! You better wish you didn't make a mess of the headscarf Gabriela just gave me!"
All of the guests are laughing, amused at the sight. In the middle of it all is Gabriela, smiling at me.
Today's the best birthday I've ever had.
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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
Querida - dear
Mi cielo - my sky/my heaven (also meaning hun)
Luz de mis ojos - the light of my eyes
Te quiero - I love you
Yo también te amo - I love you too
Cariño - honey
Tienes buena suerte - you have good luck
Mi cariño, muy guapo - my darling, very handsome
Ponqué - Pound cake
Cumpleaños Feliz - Happy birthday
Te deseamos a tí - We wish you
Feliz Cumpleaños a trillizas Madrigal - Happy birthday, Madrigal triplets
Feliz Cumpleaños a tí - Happy birthday to you
Maizena - cornstarch
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BONUS scene: The "Bet"
Félix: Hey, Agustín, want to make a bet?
Agustín: Sure, hermano. What about?
Félix: I bet you COP$50 Bruno would make a move on Gabriela before the end of the night.
Agustín: Ha! You're on. But that seems too easy. How about I bet you COP$100 that he'll chicken out?
Félix: Ay, are you sure, Agustín? Because I think they're already smooching.
*Dolores suddenly enters*
Dolores: Papá, Mamá, I heardTío Bruno's kissing Tía Gabriela on the roof!
*Félix grins with an "I told you so" look*
Agustín: Miercoles.
Félix: Pay up, ¡hermano! COP$150!
Julieta: Ay, Agustín, why did you agree with another bet again?