Wow! What a lovely day for America! The orange dumpster fire is out and we got our first WOC Vice President! Yaaaaaay! I'm posting in honor of that and also, because today is my and my man's tenth year anniversary!

Thank you for beta'ing, MsSchneeheide!

It turns out that both Blanca and Maritza have made enough money to rent a new and cheap apartment, hopefully for longer than three weeks this time. Blanca had slept over at Karla's last night and joined her best friend in the bed Karla shares with Ramón, while Ramón had taken the couch. Gloria and her boys had stayed in the guest room. Prior to noon on Black Friday, she, Karla, Gloria, Theresa, Aleida, Lila, Red, Diane, Layla, and Lillian go shopping. Waking up so early was hard, but they want the best deals. Blanca figures that Maritza and her friends will go later today or try to shop online.

"So your face is still flushed, as much as it was when we drove to Karla and Ramón's house," Gloria points out and Blanca's cheeks get even warmer at her friend's statement.

"Yeah, care to explain that?" Theresa wants to know.

Karla beams, for she knows exactly what went down. Blanca had told her everything in confidence, being careful to wait until Gloria was fast asleep before squealing about how great her makeout session with Diablo was. Blanca touches her lips and smiles. Her insides are tingling just thinking of her new boyfriend.

"Ay dios mío, you're blushing!" Aleida teases her. "You gonna tell us why, or we gotta take some wild guesses? I bet it's about a man. One in particular..."

"Chicas, she don't have to say shit!" Karla cuts in. She turns to Blanca. "¿Quieres decirselo?"

You wanna tell 'em?

"I don't care. I was gonna let you ladies know sooner or later, ¡pero anoche, Diablo y yo nos besamos!" Blanca giggles and then Karla chimes in. Gloria, Theresa, and Aleida shriek happily and put their arms around Blanca.

"Last night, Blanca and Diablo kissed!" Gloria translates for Diane, Lila, Lillian, Layla, and Red, and they, too, start cheering and join the group hug.

"Aww, I'm so happy for you!" Diane gushes.

"How wonderful that you and Diablo have come together again and turned into a couple!" Red puts in.

"Yes, you go, girl!" Gloria adds and high-fives Blanca.

"I fuckin' knew it would happen eventually!" Aleida continues.

"Oh, I was just counting down the days," Theresa goes on.

"Me too, I'm ecstatic that you're so happy and in love!" Karla agrees. She turns to Blanca with a grin. "Now you can go on double dates with me and Ramón, if you want!"

"Sure, that sounds amazing!" Blanca exclaims. "I'd love to."

Lila squeezes Blanca's hands with a satisfied expression on her face. "Also, James and I!"

"Yes, and Lucas and myself, too, if I can get him out of the house for a fun night," Lillian says.

"Bartholomew and me would also be interested," Layla puts in.

"So we can do a quadruple date!" Blanca gestures to Red and Diane. "Unless you two wanna come with your husbands and make it a sextuple date?"

"We'd be glad to!" Diane tells her jovially.

"That'd be fun!" Red says pleasantly.

"Oh, Glo, Theresa, we're the only three single bitches here," Aleida mutters.

"Yeah, unless you actually pick who you like better," Theresa informs her. "Por favor don't, though, I don't wanna be the only mujer who doesn't have a special someone..." She subtly points to Red while facing Aleida. "No se lo digas, pero su hijo mayor y yo intercambiamos números de teléfono anoche."

Don't tell her, but her oldest son and I exchanged phone numbers last night.

Aleida gasps happily and winks at her. "Ese secreto está a salvo conmigo."

That secret is safe with me.

"Gracias."

"Lástima que tu sabes quién no se está deshaciendo de Tetas Brilliantes," Gloria points out and the Hispanic women laugh together. The non-Spanish speakers, however, appear to be confused.

Too bad you know who isn't getting rid of Sparkle Tits.

"What?" Lila asks.

"Yeah, we're not translating that here, lo siento," Karla murmurs.

"It's just a surprise for Red!" Blanca explains quickly. "Um, for getting my attacker thrown in prison. We'll tell the rest of y'all later."

Red looks pleased. "Oh, thank you! Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it!"

"Hell yeah, you will!" Aleida assures her. She turns to Blanca. "So, did you and Diablo fuck, or?" Blanca cracks up and hides her face with her hand while stomping her foot a few times. "Qué, everybody here knows you want to do the nasty with him!"

"Shut up!" Karla hisses lightly hitting Aleida's shoulder with the back of her hand. "Mind your own damn business, Lei..."

"It's okay, está bien," Blanca mumbles through peals of giggles. "No, no...we didn't. Solo nos besamos for a hella long time! It felt so nice..." She sighs and continues snickering.

we just kissed

Gloria smirks. "I bet."

"Hey, where's my baby?" Blanca asks as soon as Alison opens the door with Farah in her arms. As soon as she'd gotten the call from Alison that Raiza wouldn't stop throwing up, she'd come right away to pick up her youngest daughter.

"She just got up from her nap, I gave her some water and a puke bowl and made sure she rested until you arrived." At Alison's words, Blanca sends her a grateful smile.

"Your mommy's here, c'mon!" Christina exclaims and Blanca can see the slightly older child pulling along a tiny, weak, and pale Raiza. Blanca's heart breaks at the sight of her little girl looking so sick, and she practically rushes to her. Raiza has her thumb in her mouth and drags a blankie and her lovey behind her with her free hand.

"Oh, nena, lo siento," Blanca murmurs as she wraps Raiza in the blanket, scoops her up, and brushes her short hair out of her red, teary eyes.

"Mama, I don't feel good," Raiza mumbles into Blanca's shoulder. "I got sick in the potty."

"I know, I'll take you home and get you all better," Blanca promises her.

"I'm sorry, Blanca," Alison says apologetically. She touches Raiza's cheek fondly. "Get well soon, honey."

"Gracias for taking care of her!"

"Oh, you're welcome. See you both later!"

"Bye-bye!" Christina calls out.

"¡Adiós!" Blanca waves goodbye at them and they return the gesture. She carries Raiza to Karla's car and sets her up in the backseat with the throw-up bowl she'd brought with her. "Oh, Karla, lo siento, pero we gotta stay at your place another day porque mi niña está enferma. I don't have time to pack up and move all our things out and I don't want to make any of you or Maritza do all the work..."

my little girl is sick.

"¡Aww, pobrecita! Hey, no problem. We'll help you whenever you're good and ready!" Karla assures her. "Good thing Ramón made those bunk beds for Gloria's sons this morning and Diablo and Leon helped him out!"

poor little one

"Muchas gracias," Blanca mumbles and leans over and brushes her lips against Raiza's temple. Her daughter tips her head up and gives a barely-there kiss to Blanca's cheek. "Damn, I just missed him though, huh? Quería verlo trabajar sus músculos so bad!"

I wanted to watch him work his muscles

"Yep...lo siento. Perhaps you will later!"

"Maybe!"

They go back to the Córdova home. Raiza can barely stand and it takes someone holding her hand for her to walk. So Blanca makes it easier for her and just brings her inside.

"Oh no, ¿no se siente bien?" Gloria asks in concern. Blanca shakes her head no as she lays Raiza on the couch and places the throw-up bowl beside her. She feels Raiza's forehead, which is at a normal temperature.

she doesn't feel well?

"What's wrong with her, Miss B?" Benny wonders aloud.

"Maybe we can give her soup and crackers, that's what Mommy does for us when we're sick," Julio adds while sitting next to her.

"Gracias, chicos, I was going to. She needs to rest, though."

The tiny girl rolls over as Blanca puts a soft purple blanket on her. She sticks her thumb in her mouth and closes her eyes. Blanca strokes her hair softly while humming and stays beside her. Everyone else gives them their privacy.

Maritza gets home about an hour later. "Oh my god, I had the best time at the slumber party!" she announces. "Ceci drove me here and it was wonderful, she was givin' everyone rides! We all chipped in a little for gas!" Her excited eyes travel to where Raiza is sleeping on the couch. "Aw, tired bebé..." She makes her way over to Blanca and sits down next to her while reaching over Blanca's lap to gently pat her baby sister's feet.

"Yeah, she's got sort of a stomach bug, but no fever...she threw up a few times at Alison's, but not here yet."

Maritza pouts. "Aww..."

Blanca puts her arm around her oldest girl. "Yeah, I'm hoping it's passed...if she still feels bad by six, I can't go out with Diablo and our couple friends." She braces herself for Maritza yelling or hissing at her once again about how much she dislikes Diablo, but it never comes. She's pleasantly shocked. Maybe it's just because they won't be alone together.

"You know, I can take care of her."

"Sí, pero you've done so much..."

"Are you sure?"

Blanca nods. "They'll understand if I gotta cancel." She pauses. "Hold on...you didn't protest my posible salida con Diablo. ¿Por qué no?"

me possibly going out with Diablo. Why not?

Maritza lifts her shoulders up and down. "What can I do, right? It's clear you got eyes for each other, and who am I to deny mi mami happiness? He treats us well, too, so there's that. Yo quiero darle una oportunidad, like Alex said I should do. She also mentioned that about Fahri to Elena and Ceci, and she oughta know, she'd lived through it...having a man date and then marry her mom and thus, becoming her stepdad! I've never seen you so much in love. You even talk about Diablo in your sleep!"

I wanna give him a chance

"Oh, nena, estoy tan contenta de escucharte decir eso!" Blanca beams at Maritza and then giggles. "Lo siento si dije algo sucio sobre él mientras dormía."

Oh baby, I'm so glad to hear you say that! Sorry if I said anything dirty about him in my sleep.

Maritza winces. "I've heard everything, even that weird fantasía de sprite y unicornio."

sprite and unicorn fantasy

"Lo siento, lo siento..." Blanca and Maritza laugh together under their breaths while holding hands.

Ay dios mío, was it really that easy? Blanca thinks to herself.

Maritza draws back from her. "Did you say something, Mami?"

"Hm, just now?"

"I heard you mumble under your breath, but your mouth wasn't moving...like it was a sentence, but fast-forwarded."

"I didn't speak."

"Then who did? Is the television on in another room or whatever?"

"Nope." Blanca feels Maritza's forehead, gazing at her daughter worriedly. "You goin' loca on me, my girl?"

"Probably just another daydream...I been havin' a lot of those. Um...back to you and Diablo!"

"So, I'm happy you're cool with us dating, since we-we kissed last night. Like, a while after you girls left..."

Maritza gasps. "¿Qué?"

"It wasn't entirely my idea...he told me he had feelings for me and was fine with waiting if I needed time, but I said I had a thing for him too, and he asked my permission antes de besarnos."

before we kissed

"No puedo creer esto! You two are an item now?" Maritza whispers, and Blanca nods slightly. "I'm so tellin' the squad. Oh em gee, Mami, get it!" Blanca does a little dance while she's seated.

I can't believe this!

"Hey, enough about me...I know you had a great time with your girls, but what'd y'all do?"

"We saw Diane and Charles dancing romantically around the kitchen since Alex was trying to show me that genuine amor after heartbreak can actually happen, then we played Two Truths and a Lie, and Flaca and I sang that song from Rent, 'Light My Candle'! It's showing at our school and we're both trying out for the part of Mimi, but Flaca's gonna intentar que dejen que Roger sea no binario para que Flaca pueda interpretar el interés amoroso de mi personaje. I think Berdie Rogers, the stage manager and director of the play, would really go for it!"

try getting them to let Roger be nonbinary so Flaca can play my character's love interest!

"That would be muy interesante...so it's en la primavera, right?" Blanca winces at this, as they may not even still be here, if Dean were to find them and chase them out of New York. She hopes it never happens.

in the spring

Maritza nods. "Is that bad?"

"No, sweetie, no...not at all." She smiles and pats her daughter's cheek lovingly. "I think it'll be fun for you. I'll definitely enjoy watching you up there, it'll be like when we go to Raiza's Thanksgiving play next weekend." Blanca gazes fondly down at her sleeping baby girl and smoothes Raiza's hair back from her forehead. "She'll be so cute as a little Indian..."

"Sí, lo será," Maritza agrees.

Yes, she will

Blanca smirks. "Sabes, si tú y Flaca obtuvieron las partes, tendrías que practicar besos."

You know, if you and Flaca got the parts, you'd have to practice kissing.

Maritza's cheeks grow pink. "Sí, lo sé. I never done it before...with a chick."

Yeah, I know.

"That's why practice makes perfect, my girl."

"What if I suck?"

"I'm sure you won't," Blanca assures her. "It's just acting, after all."

Maritza shrugs. "Las chicas said we had serious chemistry while singing."

They share a grin, but then Raiza breaks the silence with her small hiccups, one after the other. Quickly, Blanca assists her into a sitting position and holds the bowl under her chin so she can throw up.

As he's getting ready for the group date, Diablo gets a phone call. It's from Blanca and he answers it right away, holding his cell between his ear and shoulder as he straightens his tie in the mirror. "¡Hola, mi amor!"

"Hola..."

He can hear the sadness in his sweetheart's voice. "What's wrong, ¿estás bien?"

you okay?

"No, no...es Raiza...poor thing, she's been sick all day. Tengo que quedarme en casa y cuidarla. I'd ask Maritza, but I don't want to put so much responsibility on her again. Lo siento mucho, mi Diablo..." Her voice cracks slightly and his heart aches. "Estoy tan cansada..."

I have to stay home and take care of her. I'm so sorry, my Diablo. I'm so tired...

"Blanca, yo entiendo. I have an idea...if it's cool with you, I can go over there and help you cuidar de ella."

care for her

"¿No estas enojado?"

You're not mad?

"¿Por qué tendría que serlo? No puedes evitar que tu hija esté enferma."

Why would I be? You can't help that your daughter is sick.

Blanca sniffles on the other end. "Gracias por ser el hombre maravilloso que siempre supe que eras."

Thank you for being the wonderful man I always knew you were.

"De nada. I'll come very soon, baby."

"Okay...adiós!"

"¡Adiós, Blanca!"

He hangs up and turns to his son, who's drawing some comic book character. "Okay, buddy, change of plans. I'm cancelling the babysitter and we're going to Karla and Ramón's house since Blanca has to care for Raiza there tonight, and I'm helping her out!"

Laronne groans. "Man, but Franny lets me stay up late and have ice cream with cake! Why not just have me stay here? She's probably on her way..."

"You're right, okay...I'll just leave when she gets here!"

"Yesss!" He does a fist pump.

The first thing Diablo does when he gets to his destination, is sweetly kiss Blanca hello and say a pleasant hola to the others, of course. They hug Karla, Ramón, Gloria, and her boys goodbye. Apparently, the Mendozas are going to visit Lourdes tonight.

Then, Diablo makes Olla soup and cheese enchiladas with red sauce and rice for dinner, but Raiza is going to get a tiny bowl of chicken broth, which he'll make sure is not too hot, and a few saltine crackers. In the meantime, Blanca sits with the children on the couch and they all watch George Lopez. When dinner is finished, he, Blanca, and Maritza serve themselves and Benji. Raiza seems to enjoy her special meal just as much as the rest of them love their enchiladas.

"¡Esto es realmente bueno!" Maritza exclaims. "Gracias por la cena."

This is really good! Thank you for dinner.

"¡Mmm, sí, me encanta tu cocina, Diablo!" Blanca adds.

I love your cooking, Diablo!

"¡Gracias, estaba feliz de hacerlo!"

Thank you, I was happy to make it!

Blanca and Diablo exchange a smile and then she turns to Raiza and Benji. "¿Os gusta vuestra comida?"

Do you like your food?

"Sí..." the children murmur in unison.

"Let's hope she can keep it down," Maritza whispers, and Blanca and Diablo nod in agreement.

After a few episodes of the show and dinner, Diablo goes upstairs with Blanca to tuck the little ones in bed while Maritza stays parked in front of the television, watching MTV's music videos on a low volume and texting on her phone. The good news is that Raiza's constant puking has slowed way down and Blanca's just had to bring her to the sink once in the last half an hour.

"Well, my little girls are both in showbiz now," Blanca announces as they rest on the bottom bunk in the guest room where Raiza is sleeping with her thumb in her mouth. Benji is in his parents' bed and Blanca and Diablo are right nearby in case he needs anything.

Diablo grins. "¡Oh eso es genial! ¿Cuándo son sus actuaciones?"

Oh, that's great! When are their performances?

"La obra de Raiza es la próxima semana, y Maritza aspira a estar en la producción de primavera Rent, y with her talented singing and acting, I know she can do it!"

Raiza's play is next week, and Maritza is aspiring to be in the spring production Rent

"Excellent, I'll for sure be your date to las dos!"

both of those

Blanca smiles. "Solo desearía tener el mismo talento que mis hijas. Uno o los dos padres de Maritza deben haber sido una estrella, y el padre de Raiza podría actuar bastante." She lets her tangled locks fall in front of her face and chuckles weakly as she hugs herself.

I just wish I was as talented as my daughters. One or both of Maritza's parents must have been a star, and Raiza's father could put on quite an act.

The brokenness in Blanca's voice tears his heart to shreds and he lifts a few strands of her hair and tucks them behind her ear. "Por favor, don't put yourself down, mi corazón." He keeps his hand on her cheek and rubs it a few times with his thumb. Her gaze rises to his slowly and uncertainly.

"Eres mi hermosa paloma. Eres un gran bailarina y un ser humano maravilloso en general. Eres fuerte, inteligente, poderosa y una madre fantástica para tus hijas." Diablo cups Blanca's chin in his hand and leans down to press his lips to hers ever so gently.

You're my beautiful dove. You're such a great dancer and a wonderful human being in general. You're strong, smart, powerful, and a fantastic mother to your children.

"Gracias," she murmurs, grinning. "I kinda needed to hear that."

"De nada. I know you did."

Diablo is just staring at her until she giggles. "¿Qué?"

"You look so much like Rosario Dawson, but prettier. She was my celebrity crush when I was twenty-four. Probably the third woman onscreen I ever jacked off to," he whispers when he knows Raiza is dead to the world. "The first was JLo when I was thirteen...she resembles you both a little bit, too!"

"Oh, really?" Blanca props her elbow on his lap as she leans into him, cradling her cheek in her palm.

"¡Sí!"

"So," she says with a smile, "I guess you got a type."

He smirks and winks at her. "Yeah, I do."

One week later, Raiza is completely better, much to Blanca's relief. They've also moved into their new place with lots of help and are settling in quite nicely. Diablo and Ramón had done the heavy lifting and moving furniture, while Karla, Gloria, Blanca, Maritza, and even the kids assisted with packing boxes and wrapping delicates such as dishes and glassware-though that last part wasn't done by the children.

On Friday, Blanca, Maritza, and Raiza go to Diablo's house for a movie night, straight from Raiza's Thanksgiving play, which she'd done a splendid job in. She and her fellow mini classmates had received a standing ovation. While Blanca makes Sancocho with Diablo and Maritza plays video games with Laronne, Raiza paints what looks like the sun, sky, grass, and flowers. Blanca and Diablo take turns watching her and cooking. She holds up her art project for them to see. "Look, Mama! Look, Mister D!"

"Lo veo, bebé, se ve so pretty!" Blanca exclaims while glancing over her shoulder and she beams with pride. It really is a beautiful picture.

I see it, baby, it looks

Diablo, nods in agreement and gives her two thumbs up. "Wow! ¡Excelente trabajo!" He and Blanca switch places at the stove.

Excellent job!

"¡Gracias!" The tiny girl rushes over to Diablo and hugs him around his waist. It's only then that Blanca realizes that her youngest has paint on her hands. Raiza's left purple and pink handprints on the bottom of Diablo's burgundy shirt. He doesn't seem to notice as he ruffles her hair with a smile and goes back to cooking.

However, Blanca's so triggered by Raiza's mistake that she dives straight into panic mode. She remembers how Dean would react if the kids messed up any of his things. He would be beyond angry and use her as his punching bag for not teaching Maritza and Raiza to be more careful. Her heart is hammering in her chest and her hands are shaking, even though she's aware that Diablo would probably just laugh it off and take care of it himself. "Raiza, no! ¡Tienes maldita pintura en su camisa!" She starts gasping heavily and grabs Raiza by her wrists, but her hold isn't too tight, as to not frighten her child. "¿Por qué? ¿Por qué?"

You got fucking paint on his shirt!

"Lo siento, Mami..." Raiza gazes up at her with wide, tearful eyes. "Lo siento..."

"Blanca, está bien," Diablo assures her. "Shh, shh...ella es solo una niña, las niñas son desordenadas..." His words, paired with Raiza's innocent and scared face, causes Blanca to release the girl immediately while hyperventilating and clutching her own chest as she sits back down. She feels so guilty for behaving like Dean. Her man turns off the stove and puts calming hands on her shoulders as he takes a spot beside her. "Por eso me puse una camisa oscura y tengo pintura lavable. Puedo sacar esto fácilmente con detergente para platos y agua caliente."

She's just a kid, kids are messy...that's why I wore a dark shirt and own washable paint. I can get this out easily with dish detergent and hot water.

Maritza runs in. "Hey, she's four years old, Mami, calm down!"

"Lo sé," Blanca tells them all. She's on the verge of crying and she can barely look back at Diablo through her embarrassment. "Lamento mucho haberte gritado, sweet girl," she mumbles, touching Raiza's nose and then her cheek. "I'm not mad at you, I promise. Let's get you cleaned up."

I'm so sorry for yelling at you

"Okay, Mama..." Raiza goes to wipe her eyes, but Blanca stops her right away.

"¡Cuidado con tus ojos!"

Careful of your eyes!

Maritza rolls her eyes. "I'll take her," she volunteers. "¿Dónde está el baño?" she asks Diablo.

Where is the bathroom?

"Al final del pasillo, y a la izquierda," he directs her.

Down the hall and to the left.

"Gracias."

"Lo siento, I'm such a bad mom," Blanca mumbles while wrapping her arms around her waist and then burying her face in her hands. "Ay dios mío..." She breaks off into trembling whimpers and Diablo scoots his chair closer to hers. He gathers her in his burly arms and she closes her eyes and grips his shirt firmly, needing his strength. "I'm even holding up la cena...¿y no deberías fregar esa pintura antes de que se fije para siempre?" The lump grows bigger in Blanca's throat and she begins sobbing quietly, letting her tears soak his shirt.

the dinner...and shouldn't you be scrubbing that paint out before it sets for good?

"No te preocupes por la cena o mi camisa, ¿de acuerdo? Eres más importante. No eres una mala madre. Estás haciendo tu mejor esfuerzo todos los días, puedo ver eso. ¡Los padres se irritan con sus hijos todo el tiempo! Nadie es perfecto."

Don't worry about dinner or my shirt, okay? You're more important. You're not a bad mom. You're doing your best every day, I can see that. Parents get irritated with their kids all the time! Nobody is perfect.

"Apuesto a que tu esposa lo era. Probablemente mucho mejor que yo..." Blanca murmurs before dissolving into more tears of anguish. He presses his lips into her hair and lets them stay there.

I bet your wife was. Probably much better than me...

He skims his thumbs under her eyes and brushes her tears off her cheeks, then holds her face in his warm, strong, calloused hands. "Baby, baby, tienes su alma. You're an amazing woman, just like she was."

you have her soul

"Gracias..." Sniffling and running her hand across her nose, Blanca stares up at Diablo. She allows herself a sigh while wrapped in his embrace. "¿Es por eso que te casaste con ella? ¿Porque ella te recordó a mí?" She blinks a few times and wonders if the late Señora Zuniga was also in an abusive marriage prior to meeting Diablo.

Is that why you married her? Because she reminded you of me?

"Sí. Ella pasó por algo bastante duro y quería ayudarla, así que lo hice, pero aparentemente mi amor no fue suficiente. Murió joven, como sabes, de cáncer de seno." Hearing him say this about his deceased wife rips her heart in half. She's so upset for him and she knows the feeling of losing someone she loves. Within twenty-four hours at the age of fifteen and a half, she'd lost her son and her mother. She doesn't like thinking about the incidents, so she'd pushed them way into the back of her memory bank.

She went through something pretty rough and I wanted to help her, so I did, but apparently, my love wasn't enough. She died young, as you know, from breast cancer.

"Oh, lo siento mucho...pero, estoy segura de que la amabas lo suficiente. Eres un caballero y cualquier mujer sería afortunada de tenerte a su lado. Estoy super feliz de ser tu novia." Blanca's so grateful to know Diablo always has her, that she can always lean into him for support.

I'm sure you did love her enough. You're such a gentleman and any woman would be lucky to have you by her side. I'm super happy to be your girlfriend.

He grins down at her and hands her a few tissues. "Gracias, Blanca."

She returns the smile and blows her nose. "De nada." She throws her Kleenex in the garbage as she goes to the sink and he follows her while removing his shirt. He pumps the detergent dispenser over where the paint is and begins scrubbing with his large hands.

All the depression in the room melts away as she gazes at him working his muscles to get the stain out of the clothing. Biting her bottom lip and beaming, she ambles over to him, wraps her arms around him from behind, and hooks her fingers through his front belt loops on his blue jeans. He's cuddly and warm and handsome and she gets butterflies from just touching him and combing through his short chest hairs with her fingers. He turns around and leans down to peck her lips and then they mold together as one, leaving the top in a heap with water running over it. She moans softly and he grunts while hoisting her up on the sink's edge. Her legs are straddling his hips and he holds her there securely. She knows he won't let her fall in the sink and hit her back on the faucet. She hears the water shut off almost at once.

"Espera..." she breathes out against his mouth. "¿Y tu camisa?"

Wait...what about your shirt?

"Ya se ha ido, ¡no te preocupes por eso!"

The stain's out already, don't worry about it!

She smirks. "Okay."

They continue making out until they really have to finish dinner. They don't want to make themselves or the kids starve, of course. Besides, she doesn't want her girls catching her in the act of being hot and heavy with her boyfriend, or Laronne to see his father passionately kissing a woman who isn't the boy's mother. Even though Maritza knows, this could be too much for her to witness, and Raiza has no idea yet. Blanca needs to tell her soon, and she will, in due time.

"You gonna tell Laronne about us?" Blanca asks in a hushed tone as Diablo helps her down. She straightens her neon pink and yellow floral patterned shirt. "I don't want him to feel like I'm replacing su mamá."

his mom

"He barely remembers her...I doubt he'll think that. Se lo diré pronto...¿tal vez esta noche? ¿Tus hijas lo saben?"

I'll tell him soon...maybe tonight? Do your daughters know?

"Maritza sí, pero Raiza no. No estoy segura de cuándo decirselo."

Maritza does, but not Raiza. I'm not positive of when to tell her.

"Por favor, Raiza, no!" Maritza practically begs her little sister as she chases her into the kitchen. Laronne follows them with curiosity etched onto his features. The soup bubbles in the pan behind Blanca and Diablo. Maritza pushes them out of the kitchen, but Raiza comes back, pulling away from her older sister.

"Mama has a boyfriend?" Raiza points to Diablo. "Or are you my mommy's special friend?"

Blanca gapes at her. She peers over at Maritza. "Did you kids, um, did you see us?"

"You were glued to each other, Daddy!" Laronne states.

Raiza wrinkles her nose. "Gaaa-roooss!"

"Lo siento," both Blanca and Diablo apologize while trying not to laugh out loud. She's blushing and she can see he is, too.

"Nah, lo siento," Maritza tells them. "They were too fast for me!" She sighs as she pulls the smaller children out of the kitchen. Then, she eyes them. "Qué, are you from one of Tasha's steamy romance novels? Make sure you guys watch the fire on the stove, instead of the one raging between ustedes dos." The teenager's tone is scolding, but light, and Blanca is on Cloud Nine. Maritza's attitude about her being with Diablo has improved greatly.

you two

Thank you for reading and reviewing, MsSchneeheide and Juliette45!