Stephanie is busy for the following two months. Mariela comes home as much as possible to help Stephanie with the children. It's challenging to attend school and travel to Miami every third weekend. "Why don't you transfer to Miami?" Stephanie asks Mariela when she complains about her exhaustion.
"I'm not sure I can," Mariela replies. Stephanie shrugs.
She waits until after dinner on Sunday to show Mariela the applications Hector retrieved from the college. Mariela read the paperwork and figured it never hurt to try. She painstakingly enters the information on the forms, including her student number, to transfer her credits to Miami.
Stephanie reads the brochure and instructs Mariela on maximizing her credit transfer. "You can finish your education here but must repeat a few courses," Stephanie explains. "Oh!"
"What?" Mariela queries.
Grinning, Stephanie replies, "Your coop component can be moved to the end of your in-class lessons. I can hire you, with or without pay, to instruct the children in interpretive dance and organize a recital for the college."
"Seriously?" Mariela shouts, her voice going up an octave and piercing Stephanie's ears. "But you're a Manoso. We're not supposed to get help from family."
"The literature says you can, but you need a proctor for the practicum exam, and the department head must watch the recital to issue your final grade," Stephanie says. She passes Mariela the brochure to read for herself.
Mariela's excitement peaked. She danced around the room before pulling Stephanie into a tight hug. "Thank you," Mariela whispers.
"Don't thank me yet," Stephanie warns, "you still have to apply." She picked up the credit transfer form to ensure Mariela didn't neglect a section.
Stephanie laughs when Mariela practically rips the application from Stephanie's hand to record the dance credits she hopes to transfer to the new college. Once everything was signed and deposited into the envelope, Stephanie and Mariela went to bed. Mariela had an early flight to return to New Jersey.
Meanwhile, at Fort Benning in Georgia, Carlos and his friends are mentally preparing for their first mission. They stand at parade rest for the sergeant's instructions. "You have forty-eight hours to visit or call your loved ones before we ship out. Dismissed," Sergeant Mathers orders.
Carlos hopes to visit his wife before leaving. He drives to Miami with his friends to spend time with their families. They arrive in Miami at 0400 hours, which is too late to catch Stephanie at home. She woke up an hour earlier to drive Mariela to the airport. Carlos is unaware of Stephanie's whereabouts. He hopes Stephanie isn't with another man. Insecurity seeps into his mind as he considers every option but the truth. His wife prefers to sleep in. Waking up before the sun rises is too early for Stephanie.
The front door suddenly opens, catching Carlos off guard. "Hi, Carlito. Why are you home?" Rosa asks.
"We ship out in thirty-six hours and wanted to spend time with Stephanie before my deployment. I noticed the car was gone. Where is she?" Carlos demands.
Abuela kisses his cheek. She takes his hand to lead him into the kitchen. He grumpily lets her. "Stephanie is driving your sister to the airport. She should be home in fifteen minutes," Rosa quickly explains. Rosa brews the Cuban coffee for Carlos and waits for him to get his mind healthy.
Precisely fifteen minutes later, Stephanie enters the house. She's wearing yoga pants and one of Carlos' t-shirts. Stephanie's hair is in a messy ponytail. She sees Carlos in the kitchen and grins. Her smile is infectious, eliciting a returning smile from Carlos.
"I wasn't expecting to see you for another four months," Stephanie says while approaching her husband.
"Sergeant Mathers gave us time to visit with family before our deployment."
Rosa smiles as Carlos and Stephanie share a passionate kiss. She leaves the lovebirds to their canoodling as she prepares breakfast.
Stephanie squeaks as Carlos tosses her over his shoulder. Rosa shakes her head as Carlos carries Stephanie upstairs. There isn't a reason to cook breakfast for another thirty minutes. She prays Stephanie and Carlos are creating their first baby.
Rosa hears the shower running in the upstairs washroom. She goes to the fridge to grab the ingredients to make scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausages. While the sausages are cooking, Rosa mixes the batter for pancakes. She smiles as she cracks eggs into another bowl. It doesn't take long for her to have breakfast ready.
Carlos and Stephanie arrive as Rosa is setting the table. "Thanks, Abuela," Carlos says. He kisses his grandmother's cheek and removes the plates from her hand. Carlos finishes setting the table as Stephanie helps Rosa with the food.
"How long is your first deployment?" Rosa asks after everyone serves themselves.
"Nine months," Carlos replies.
Stephanie smiles at Carlos, displaying the pride she feels for him. She knows Carlos is protecting their freedom. His job is essential to keep America safe.
"It's a long time to be away from your wife," Rosa reasons.
"I'll be home for a few months after the initial deployment. Stephanie will be too preoccupied with the studio to notice I'm away," Carlos explains. "Speaking of work, how many students have you recruited?"
Rosa motions for Stephanie to answer. "Abuela mentioned the studio I'm renting used to belong to another company. The estate beneficiaries closed their doors, and the students couldn't find another dance studio. They went to the local community centre. Abuela and I went to the centre and spoke to the parents. I was shocked how many children couldn't find another dance studio," Stephanie says, shaking her head.
"How many of those children signed with your company?" Carlos asks.
"All of them," Stephanie smiles. "Those students told their friends, and I have enough income to keep the business afloat. In another year, I can repay Abuela; in the following year, I can repay you and the others."
"Proud of you, Babe," Carlos replies. Stephanie loves it when Carlos calls her Babe. It makes her feel beautiful, sexy and desirable.
"I'm proud of myself, too," Stephanie adds. Rosa loves watching the interaction between Stephanie and her grandson. Carlos is in love with Stephanie, and she is in love with him. Their strong relationship has been built since they were children. She knows things would have been different if they had never grown up together. Rosa knows her grandson is a private man. Everything Stephanie learned about Carlos is from their shared past.
Carlos and Stephanie handle the dishes after breakfast while Rosa visits her friend who lives next door. Rosa plans to spend the day with her friend, leaving Carlos and Stephanie to compensate for lost time or prepare for a more extended separation.
They're thankful Abuela went to the neighbours so they could have time alone to make love. Stephanie couldn't get enough of Carlos, and he felt the same about her. They remain in bed until Stephanie's stomach grumbles, demanding food. Carlos chuckles and reaches off the bed to grab his shirt off the floor for Stephanie to wear. She pulls it over her head and climbs out of bed.
"Don't you have lessons today?" Carlos asks.
"No. I rescheduled the classes in case you got to come home before your deployment," Stephanie confesses. "We have until tomorrow evening before I have to teach the eight o'clock class."
"Have you hired staff?" Carlos wonders.
"Not yet. I have no time for interviews," Stephanie sighs. "Mariela hopes to transfer to Miami to finish her degree. She can assist outside her classes once they accept her into college. Mariela will be my unofficial employee."
Stephanie and Carlos quickly showered before going to the kitchen to prepare dinner. As Carlos cooks the extra lean beef, Stephanie gets the rice ready. She measures everything and places the pot on the stove to boil. They work together to prepare the meat, rice and vegetable concoction.
Rosa comes home in time to enjoy dinner with Stephanie and Carlos. She sets the table as Stephanie prepares iced tea. They eat in companionable silence as they enjoy the flavours of the food. Rosa offers to do the dishes to give Stephanie and Carlos time alone.
"Carlos should spend some time with you," Stephanie argues. Rosa waves him off.
"We can spend a few hours together tomorrow night when Stephanie teaches her class," Rosa replies. Carlos and Stephanie silently communicate and agree to Rosa's terms. With everything settled, the young married couple returns to their bedroom.
The following day, the previous day's routine repeats until after dinner, when Stephanie teaches the dance class. She's sore from having too much sex with Carlos, but she refuses to complain. It will be nine months before she gets to be with her husband, and she wants to get her fill before he leaves.
Carlos and Rosa accompany Stephanie to the dance studio, where they meet Hector. "What are you doing here?" Carlos asks after they exchange a complicated handshake.
Stephanie replies, "He watches my back. This building is fairly safe, but you never know when undesirable people hang around the parking lot. Hector ensures the children, their parents, and I are safe. He's experimenting with security cameras." Stephanie points to the spot above the door. There's a camera pointing outward to capture the image of anyone approaching the door.
Hector explains how he's researching the various types of cameras to see if he can find less conspicuous designs which can do the job of the older style. Carlos grins and thanks Hector for keeping his family safe. Hector tells Carlos about Ella and Luis Guzman adopting them. "We're officially family," Carlos laughs.
Rosa enters the studio with Stephanie and assists with the lesson after receiving permission from the parents, who are watching the children from the hallway. Stephanie has fun with Rosa as her assistant. The children behave and watch in awe as Rosa completes the dance moves as Stephanie instructs. Their evening is exciting, and the children beg Rosa to help the following week.
As Stephanie cleans the studio after the lesson, one of the mothers, Gabriela, whose twin daughters are in Stephanie's evening class, approaches her. "Excuse me, Stephanie. Are you hiring instructors for the beginner ballet classes?" Gabriela timidly asks. "You have a full schedule from keeping up the diverse styles."
Smiling, Stephanie replies, "I've thought about hiring one or two teachers to assist during the day and dinner hours." It seems too good to be true for Stephanie. She hopes the woman is honest about her intentions.
Gabriela catches Rosa's eye. "Go on," Rosa says. Stephanie raises her brows when Rosa approaches.
"Abuela?" Stephanie queries.
"You mentioned wanting to hire more staff and not having time to interview. Gabriela used to teach for the other owners of this studio. Her husband is stationed overseas," Rosa replies.
"I thank your husband for his service," Stephanie quickly offers without mentioning Carlos is leaving the following morning for his deployment. Stephanie is keeping that intel close to the chest.
"Thanks," Gabriela giggles. She glances into the hallway, where her twins talk to two handsome men.
"The man with the buzz cut is my husband, Carlos, and the other is my cousin, Hector. Both men appear intimidating, but they are really teddy bears," Stephanie laughs.
"My daughters aren't so trusting with strangers. They must be good men if Maria and Talia are talking to them," Gabriela agrees. "About the job?"
"Stop by for the 9 am class so I can see how you interact with the children," Stephanie says.
"Thank you," Gabriela gushes. She rushes into the hallway to collect her children. Hector accompanies them to the parking lot to ensure their safety.
Thinking about children, Stephanie runs to the studio's office to search her purse, where she stores her oral contraceptives. Stephanie's silent upon discovering she missed two days of pills. She pastes on a smile and locks the office and studio.
Carlos knows something isn't right with his wife. She's upset about something and hopes it isn't the woman who approached her after the lesson. "Babe?" Carlos asks when they get into the car.
"We'll talk at home," Stephanie quietly replies. Rosa knows something is amiss but doesn't want to draw attention to what she suspects is the issue.
The ride home is unusually quiet. Stephanie is talkative by nature, and her silence speaks volumes. "Babe, I need you to sign the insurance documents," Carlos says to start a conversation.
"Documents?" Stephanie distractedly asks.
Carlos takes Stephanie's hand and sets it on his lap. Rosa watches from the backseat. She remains silent as Stephanie wars with her thoughts. "Medical forms to get you on the military insurance," Carlos explains.
"Okay," Stephanie whispers. Carlos knows something is wrong with Stephanie. He isn't aware she was afraid to mention the mix-up with her birth control pills. Stephanie thinks Carlos will be angry with her forgetfulness.
Once they arrive home, Carlos tugs Stephanie from the car, and they retreat to their bedroom. Stephanie sits on the bed and removes the oral contraceptives from her purse, passing them to Carlos.
"Babe?" Carlos asks. "You missed two days."
"I have. It slipped my mind while I was helping Mariela with her college transfer application. Then I missed last night for obvious reasons," she whispers. "Are you upset?"
"Never," he replies. "Whatever happens, we'll get through it together."
"What about our plans? What should I do?"
"We adjust them to accommodate a child. I hope you keep the child," he answers.
"Are you sure?" Stephanie asks. She chews on her bottom lip as she waits for Carlos to answer.
He gently tugs the lip free and kisses her. "Positive. I love you, Stephanie and I will love our child when the time comes." Carlos rests his forehead against hers. "Babe, we're in this together. I only ask that you send a letter if we're expecting a baby."
"I can do that," Stephanie replies.