Chapter 9: Only You (Tony POV)

*Favorite chapter I've written so far! Please leave reviews and enjoy.

Tony paced back and forth waiting for Maria to arrive. It was already 10:05 and fear started to creep in. She probably changed her mind. Why would a girl like that want the likes of me? I'm a criminal, a nothing. As fate would have it while Tony was in the depths of self-loathing, there was a knock at the back door. Tony ran and opened the door quickly to let Maria in. But once he opened it, he froze. This was not what he was expecting.

This could not be the same Maria. His Maria was extraordinarily beautiful, but this woman was something else. She was captivating in her black dress that hugged her in the right ways. Her dark hair was down and created a curtain around her face. Her smile could light up the night sky. He fought the urge to check and make sure he wasn't drooling.

He struggled to find the right words, but all Tony could manage was, "Wow."

Maria blushed and said, "Thank you. You're quite handsome yourself."

Tony beamed at the compliment and escorted her inside. He held her chair out for her and seated her while he went to serve them dinner. Before he could even tell her what they would be having, Maria uttered, "Carne Guisada! My mother use to make this! How did you do this?"

"Val gave me a little help… okay she helped a lot. But I promise, I did make it. I just thought you might like something from where you grew up.". Tony waited for her to taste it.

"Mmmmm, it's just like my mama use to make."

They ate quietly for the first few minutes. Then, Tony said, "tell me about Puerto Rico. What was your home like?"

Maria looked up and said, "We didn't have much. There were some days when we went without, but my family full of love. We live next to our relatives, so I would play with all my cousins." Maria took a breath. "I never thought us as poor till I came to America. I saw all the shops and tall buildings. I couldn't imagine growing up here."

Tony chuckled, "Well, speaking as an American, I can promise you I never grew up having much either. Only difference is I was constantly reminded I was poor. That's the thing about living in New York, you know where you rank." Tony looked up at Maria, "I wished I could've had family like you. My dad died when I was a baby and my ma died when I was ten. After that, I had no one."

Mara said sorrowfully, "What did you do, then?"

"Lived on the street. I could always snatch something from the grocers or find something in the trash. That's how I meet Riff. We both fought over a half-eaten bagel. We finally settled on half each. After that, we scavenged together."

"Riff is the same one you pulled back at the dance?", Maria questioned.

Tony grimaced, "Yeah, he was. Things between him and me are different now. I'm different, but he doesn't see that."

Maria reached across the table and held his hand, "You still had each other. Nothing can change that." Tony smiled and was grateful for her understanding.

They chatted back and forth about their upbringing. Tony told her about he came to know Valentina and Doc and how they were the closest thing he had to family. Maria told him stories of Puerto Rico and about losing her mother to sickness just like his. Her father wasn't the same after that. He began to give up on everything, and soon Maria oversaw the household. Bernardo had left for America a year before she did so he could become a famous boxer and make money to bring them all to America. Unfortunately, her father died 6 months later. Maria stayed with her cousins until Bernardo had the money for her to come to New York. She had met Anita when she arrived and instantly found a sister in her.

After their dinner was finished, Tony set the dishes aside and went over to the record player. It was the perfect song for them. Once the melody began, he reached for Maria and pulled her to him. They danced slowly, barely moving around the room. Soon, Maria leaned her head next to his, and her chest pressed against his. He was surprised to find her heartbeat beating in time with his.

"What's this called", she asked.

"It's Cheek to Cheek by Irving Berlin", Tony smiled while he closed

Before they knew it, midnight had come and past. Tony walked Maria home and made it to the fire escape.

"I had a wonderful time", Maria said smiling at him.

Tony leaned in close, "Does that mean a second date a possibility?"

"Maybe. I have to work tomorrow night."

"Does that mean your free for lunch tomorrow?"

Maria chuckled, "Yes"

Tony grinned, "2 o'clock in the park?"

"Yes", said Maria. She reached up and grabbed Tony's head and pulled him in for a kiss. This kiss quickly turned passionate. Tony wrapped both arms around her, squeezing her tight. Maria's hands were grasping Tony's hair and tugging on it. This made Tony groan into the kiss, causing Maria to moan as well. Before long, Tony pushed forward silently asking permission. Maria granted it, letting his tongue meet her. This was the most sensuous thing either one had ever felt. Sadly, they both had to come up for breath. Panting heavily, Maria looked up and said, "Goodnight, mi amor."

Tony had no clue what that meant, but from the way she said it, he knew it was good. "Goodnight". Tony watched her climb her fire escape and didn't leave until she was safely inside. As he walked back home, he fought the urge to run into the street dancing from joy. His body was on fire from that kiss, but also felt like he was floating in air. Even once he arrived back at Doc's, he knew he wouldn't sleep. He never wanted this glorious night to end.