8For those who have followed this story, or any of my other stories, yes, I changed my pen name. Sorry if that threw anyone off.
Enjoy :)
"I didn't know you were that good of a cook!" I say.
"That's cause you're never around when I make Junior meals." Carlos says. I laugh and smack his arm.
"You only make Mac n' cheese for him."
"That's not true. I made him peanut butter and jelly yesterday."
I just had my first date with Carlos and dare I say it was perfect. He made an authentic Mexican dish that was to die for. After eating so much we decided to take a walk. Ever since I arrived in Mexico this has been my way of relieving stress.
"I have an idea!" I say suddenly releasing his hand from my grip and turning to him.
"What?" He asks grinning at me.
"You could be a chef at the restaurant! You're an amazing cook and my dad could teach you the dishes he makes. He's been talking about handing it over soon anyway and I sure as hell can't cook. I can manage and waitress and do all the business crap and you can cook!" I smile triumphantly.
"That sounds really, really good." Carlos says.
Since being out of high school Carlos has had a job at a soccer shop but I know he has been looking for a better one.
"Everything is falling into place." I say softly.
"It is." Carlos says stopping and turning my chin to him.
"After everything that happened, were gonna make it." I say.
He kisses me softly and pulls back. He smiles and kisses me again this time deeper.
I can't think of a more perfect moment. To bad perfect moments don't ever last long for me.
"Junior do you want an apple or an orange?" Carlos is asking the baby as I walk in the kitchen. Junior's cute pudgy hands are in his curly black hair. He got his hair from Jose, but his eyes and facial features from me.
"Mommy!" He squeals when he sees me.
"Hey baby." I say picking him up. I give him a kiss on the cheek.
His birthday was a few days ago. He turned two. I know all parents say they have the cutest son or daughter but I really do. He has the most adorable way of talking and the cutest dimples when he giggles.
"Apple or orange?" I ask him in English. I decided after he was born that I wanted to teach him both languages at a young age like my parents did for me.
"Apple." He says clearly.
"What color is an apple Carlos?" I ask.
He looks at me blankly.
"Its red mijo." I say smiling at him. He's just so adorable.
I look over to Carlos who is trying to understand my English. Since Carlos was born I had been teaching him a little English. He said he wanted to learn the language I used. I explain about the red apple in Spanish.
"Oh. I'm not very good with English." He says.
"English is hard. My dad told me that when I was little I preferred to speak Spanish because it was easier for me. It confused my friends though. I thought they all spoke both." Carlos smiles.
"What do you plan on doing today?" He asks. It's my last day of spring break before I have to go back to school. Nico wanders into the kitchen.
"Watch Junior. I don't have anything else to do anyway." Nico frowns at me.
"Go out and have some fun, Tati. You haven't done anything since Carlos was born." Nico says.
"That's not true. I went out with big Carlos a couple days ago." I say.
"And can you think of another time you went out with out the baby." Nico says. I struggle to think of something.
"I went to the store for groceries last week!" I say.
"That doesn't count." Nico and Carlos say at the same time.
"Tell you what. I don't have anything to do today either. I have the day off so why don't you and big Carlos go out tonight. I'll watch squirt here." He says. The nickname got passed on to the baby after I got pregnant. I guess it's hard to call a pregnant lady squirt. I think for a moment.
"Okay. But only because I have to go back to school tomorrow." I say.
Although I've only been on one date with big Carlos it feels like we've been together since I moved here. From the moment I tried out for soccer Carlos was on my side. When I got pregnant he never left me. He took me to the doctor, helped me up when I couldn't stand by myself, and cared for me emotionally, filling the space Jose left.
Now were walking to the mall, it's not too far from our house. In fact nothing is too far from our house. That would explain why I lost most of the weight I gained from the pregnancy. I walk everywhere. Of course I didn't loose it all. I grew a cup size and Carlos definitely likes that, although he won't admit it, and I have a curvier waist line.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Carlos asks suddenly. I stop on the sidewalk and look up at him seriously.
"Well, I'd have to think about that." I say pretending to ponder his question. He grins.
"I guess so." I say as if it's a burden.
"You guess what." He's gonna make me say it.
"I would love to be your girlfriend." I say throwing my arms around him. I pull back slightly to kiss him.
It's all so crazy. When I first got pregnant I was terrified because I didn't know where my life was going but now I know what I want and I know that it will be possible to get it. I want to marry Carlos. Not now, because were not quite ready for that but definitely in the future. I can picture a future with him. I want to own my family's restaurant. Also not now, but as soon as I graduate. And I know Carlos pictures the same future too because we've talked about it.
I smile up at Carlos as we start walking again.
"Look." Carlos says pointing at some baby clothes in a window.
"We should get something for Junior." I say.
As I am turning with Carlos's hand in mine to walk into the store I run into someone. If it was anyone else I would have apologized and continued into the store. But I would recognize that curly hair and those hazel eyes anywhere.
Cliffhanger! Sorry but I had to do it. I feel like this story is back on track.
Reading back on my old chapters I want to hit myself. I feel as if my writing has improved greatly but hey this was my first story on fictionpress and my baby so after this is finished I will probably start a rewrite. Don't count on it too soon though. I have way too many other stories going right now.
Reviews are appreciated and will be answered :)