Once again, thanks for your patience. Enjoy!

25. Introducing Edna Mazur

The meeting with our Marketing director went well. She liked my ideas and suggested that I put a proposal together for Ricardo that had projected earnings if we went forward with my idea. She gave me two weeks to put the proposal together, and suggested that Carlos work with me on the presentation. I agreed to her deadline and suggestion that Carlos help. I still had the accounting half of my job, but it was a challenge I could meet.

At 5PM, I waved goodbye to my colleagues and walked out with Carlos. He had offered to accompany me to my dinner with Grandma Mazur, and I sort of waffled over accepting his offer. In the end, I was glad that he chose to join me. Especially since my grandmother could be a little frisky with handsome young men. She never used to be like that, but ever since my grandfather died a few years ago, she has really let loose and lived her life to the fullest.

I had a lot of respect for her desire to enjoy life, but all my mother saw was the embarrassment my grandma caused her. My mother was easily embarrassed by anyone who didn't fit into her idea of the perfect Burg resident. The fact that I chose to get an education instead of marry a drug addict or pervert were of constant embarrassment to my mother, and she never let me forget it.

Grandma Mazur on the other hand openly encouraged me to go to college. She even supported me my first year when my mother refused to help. After returning home for the summer and falling seriously short of funds at the Tasty Pastry that summer, my father caved and helped me pay my tuition, but my mother was still cross with him about that. I doubted he would be able to get away with it this summer, which was why the offer from the FBI was so enticing. If I accepted, I could go to school, buy a car, and even go to graduate school if I wanted.

I was brought out of my internal trip down memory lane when Carlos opened the door of the restaurant. "We're here Babe. Do you see your Grandmother anywhere?"

I looked around the restaurant, but didn't see anyone I recognised. I turned as I heard the door open and saw my grandmother walk in the restaurant and look around. I saw her eyes bug out as they fell on Carlos, and then she saw me standing beside him.

"Stephanie!" She yelled, as she pulled me into a hug that had more force behind it than you would have thought possible for a lady of her size and age.

"Hi Gram," I replied as I smiled down at her.

"Now Steph, please tell me that this hunk of a man beside you is here for me."

"Sorry Gram, this is Carlos and he's here for me. He's my boyfriend."

"Wow Granddaughter of mine, you picked yourself a real good specimen there," she said as she walked around Carlos and checked him out from all angles. I moved between the two of them to make sure that Grandma Mazur didn't do anything to embarrass me or Carlos.

The rest of the evening went well, up until I mentioned that my mother was being a bit of a pain about me staying in college. "Your mother is probably too happy right now to worry about you. That sister of yours called the other day to tell your mom that she's going to have a baby. Helen has been telling anyone that will listen that she's going to be a grandmother. I'm sure you have a few weeks before she remembers that you aren't living your life according to her wishes.

"Besides, there's no reason for you to stop living your life the way you want. If she tries to blackmail you into quitting college by holding back money, I'll gladly help out. I can move in with her and Frank and liven up their lives."

"I couldn't let you do that Gram, you need that money so you aren't stuck living with my parents. They would make your life hell and you know it. I'll be fine. I have something in the works that might make all my financial worries go away."

"What is it? Are you going to marry this hunk and let him bring home the bacon?"

"No Gran, Carlos and I are not getting married, we're far too young. When and if we decide to take the next step in our relationship, we'll let you know."

I smiled at my Gran and looked over at Carlos. He was looking out the window with a funny look on his face, but I chose to ignore him and continued talking with Grandma Mazur while we waited for our bill.

When we said goodbye later that evening, Gran promised to stay in touch more often. She was thinking of getting one of those burner phones that the criminals used in TV and movies, so she could call me more often. I laughed at her methods, but realised that she was lonely, and needed to talk to somebody as often as possible. I made a mental note to do something for my Grandmother as soon as I was able.

Carlos drove me home and came up for a few minutes. He wanted to talk about something, so I put on a pot of coffee and sat beside Carlos on the sofa as I waited for the black liquid to drop into the pot.

"Carlos, what's up? You've been preoccupied all evening. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong, I've just had a few things on my mind. I'm sorry if I seemed distant this evening. You're grandmother is a very spunky old lady, and I liked her a lot."

"What's up then?"

"Every year at this time, my mother plans a big family BBQ to celebrate the end of the school year for those kids that are still in school. The girls are really disappointed that it might not happen this year because Mama is still in Miami and Papa has been so busy lately with work. I offered to help do the planning, but Papa was afraid that Mama might be disappointed to miss it. Now I'm not sure what to do."

I looked at Carlos and thought of a simple answer. "Why don't we invite the girls over here on their last day of school? They get out early, so I'll have to double-check with your father if I can leave early that day too, but I can entertain them in my pool and then you and your dad can join us after work for a BBQ."

"That's perfect Babe. I'll leave you Mama's car that day so you can collect the girls and we can plan the BBQ a few days in advance and get supplies. "

Carlos was looking at me with the same expression he had at the restaurant earlier, and continued.

"You know Babe, you confirmed something for me tonight. I no longer think I love you. After seeing the way you were with your Grandma, I am now sure that I love you."

"What brought that about?" I asked, adding, "By the way, I love you too," a little hastily at the end.

"She offered to pay for your schooling, and even though it would have saved you a lot of trouble with the G-men and you parents, you refused because you realised what kind of sacrifice she was making for you. You are an amazing woman and you don't take the easy road if it will inconvenience or negatively affect another person. But at the same time, you are strong, independent, and do not give in to your Mom.

"When your Grandma asked if we were getting married earlier, my first reaction was to run. After a minute or two, I realised that it wasn't such a horrible idea. I don't mean that I want us to run out and get married, I just mean that of all the people in the world, you're the only one that has made me think it might be a possibility somewhere down the road when we're both ready."

I stared at Carlos for a long while, trying to figure out what to say. Eventually, he leaned in and kissed me, forcing all thoughts from my mind. After pulling back from the kiss, Carlos looked into my eyes and said, "I gotta go Babe. I love you and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Papa and I have worked out a schedule so he starts earlier and is home in time to meet the girls after school and I go later so I can make sure they get to school. It doesn't affect my time at the gym as I start there a little later than the office, so don't panic when I'm late tomorrow morning."

I nodded and kissed Carlos again, whispering "You know Carlos, I've never told anyone this, but I love you too, more than I ever thought was possible."

Carlos took my face in his hands and stared into my eyes for a long time. He leaned in for one last kiss, wished me goodnight, and left. He looked back as he pressed the button for the elevator and smiled. I smiled back, waved, and closed the door after I watched him walk into the lift.

The next morning, Carlos walked into the office shortly after 9. I had been at my desk for almost an hour, trying to get started on the report and presentation Carlos and I were expected to put together, but I didn't mind starting without Carlos. This wasn't like school project where everyone was expected to pull their own weight. This was a professional assignment and everybody involved brought their own strengths and weaknesses.

My strengths were numbers and graphics, while Carlos brought fresh ideas, encouragement, and a spectacular visual package. I smiled at the thoughts of his package, and blushed when he noticed me staring.

"Morning Babe, you've been hard at work I see."

"Yup, I have a busy week ahead of me. I'll be meeting with the FBI at least once as well as the lawyers, and that will leave me little time to work on this presentation and report. I crunched a lot of numbers this morning, so I think a majority of the content of the report is ready to put together, but I've barely thought about the presentation. I'm beginning to regret making this suggestion now that I see how much work is involved in getting it to the light."

"Let's get started then. I'll grab us some coffees and we can brainstorm about some presentation ideas and review the numbers for the report."

"That works for me. I'll take my laptop over to the big table so we have more room."

Carlos fetched us coffee and I got set up over on the table in the corner of the room. Looking around the office, it was clear that if we started talking, we might disturb our colleagues, so I popped open my email to see if the little meeting room down the hall was free. It was, so I quickly booked it and gather my laptop and notebook together. I left a small post-it on the table to let Carlos know where I went and walked down the hall.

Carlos and I worked until lunch time. We came up with several good ideas for the presentation and he reviewed the numbers I had put together. He had a few questions on how I came up with those numbers, and in the end, we did a bit more research to back them up.

While we were out getting a sandwich during our lunch break, Carlos took a phone call and returned looking a bit grim.

"Babe, I need to go and talk to Papa. That was my mother, and it looks like Abuela Rosa isn't doing very well. I'll see you after lunch." He kissed me on the cheek, wrapped up his sandwich and headed back to the office.

When I returned to my desk a little while later, there was an email from Amanda asking me to come up to Ricardo's office. When I arrived, I was swept into the room where both Carlos and Ricardo looked sick.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Ricardo looked up and said, "My mother had a stroke this morning. I need to go down and see her, but I can't leave the girls and they will be disappointed to miss the last week of school. They always have fun parties and activities."

I looked at Carlos and he looked a bit guilty, but said, "I can't stay with them all the time because of my job at the gym. I have evening classes that I can't cancel, and we can't leave the girls alone, they're too young."

I laughed at them, causing them both to look at me with shock.

"This is what we'll do. I can come and stay with the girls while you are away, it's only three nights. I can shift my hours so I can be home when they are finished school and Carlos can make sure they get off to school just like he does now. Come Thursday, when they finish school, they can come and stay with me as planned, or we can put them on a plane down to you and Maria."

Ricardo looked at me and shook his head. "Stephanie, you don't need to do this. We will figure something out. I can't add the inconvenience of you commuting into the city every day."

"If it's the commute that you're worried about, then the girls can stay with me in the city."

Ricardo looked up at me and then at Carlos. "The girl's school is closer to the apartment than the house. Could you stop by Stephanie's early enough to get the girls ready in the morning?"

Carlos looked at his father and grinned. "I think I could handle that."

Ricardo caught on to his meaning and said, "I know you and Stephanie are adults, but your sisters are very young. I don't want you to corrupt them in any way. Just be aware of that please."

I blushed at this statement, but realised that I was grateful for the comment. Carlos and I still hadn't gone to that step in our relationship, and I was sure I didn't want to go down that route with his little sisters so nearby."

We talked for a few more minutes about the plans for the next few days, and Carlos and I were about to retreat back down to our desks when Ricardo said, "Wait!"

"I forgot to tell you that Director Steward is going to be here any moment, as are Robert and John. We wanted to discuss your list and see if you could come up with something that everyone agrees on."

I looked at Carlos, who nodded, kissed me on the side of my head and said, "Papa, I'll go talk to Amanda to see if we can get you a flight down to Miami later this evening. I'll then call Mama with the details. How long do you think this meeting will last?"

Ricardo thought for moment and said, "I'm not sure, but I'm sure we'll be done in time for me to take an early evening flight. If not, the lawyers and Stephanie are capable of continuing in my absence. They only need my signature once the paperwork is finalised, and I'm sure they can get that to me in Miami."

Carlos nodded and left to talk to Amanda.

Ricardo turned and looked at me before saying, "I meant what I said the other day Stephanie, if you do not want to do this, there is no reason you should. I will support you either way. You're an asset to my company, and hiring you full-time for a semester or a year to help with your finances is not a hardship for me."

"I appreciate the support Ricardo. You and your entire family have been so wonderful to me, and I love you all very much."

"Does that love include my knuckle-head of a son?"

"I love him more than I ever thought possible. You've raised a wonderful man who sees people for who they are and treats everyone with respect and dignity. My grandmother was very impressed with him when they met the other night, and she has hated every boy I ever dated. She kept pressing me for details about certain things, and she didn't believe me when I said we were taking things slow and I had no news to tell her."

I blushed when I realised that I had just admitted to the father of the man that I love that I had never been intimate with his son, but Ricardo didn't seem to mind.

"The night I called Carlos to come and stay with the girls so I could take Maria to the airport, I could tell I had interrupted something by the look on his face. I've never seen him so happy and sad at the same time. I trust you both, and I'm confident that you'll both act responsibly when the girls are around." I nodded as we walked to the conference room.

More to come.