*Andrea*
We were all seated in the sitting room. Alison and Lucas sat on a couch; Lucas had his hands entwined in hers.
Austin was seated close to him and scouted closer to me. He noticed that the mood was a bit heavy.
“I didn’t know you were both in a relationship,” Alejandro said. “I planned on telling you today; I never knew you would bring me here.”
The Lucas I know would have jumped from his seat to establish his discomfort in my son and me.
“I’m sorry I kept this a secret, Dad. But you kept an even bigger secret,” Lucas said.
Last night, I had told Austin that Alejandro was his father.
After reading him a book for the night, I asked him, “What do you think of your new friend?” I asked.
At first, he was puzzled. It wasn’t until I mentioned his name that the realization hit him, and he sat straight, “he is super cool, Mom.” I smiled; he did have a good view of his dad, and that was good.
“I wonder if he is single. Do you think he is married?” I froze at his question.
“Why are you suddenly asking that, Austin?” I tried to keep my calm demeanor. “I don’t know. I just think you two will make a good couple. Have you ever thought of getting married?”
Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be seated here having this conversation with my son.
“Well, I don’t know…” I said.
“Wanna know a secret?” I asked.
His eyes glinted mischievous and he leaned into me, “he is your dad,” I tried hard so my voice would not shake.
He chucked and quickly covered his mouth. “I already know I have two dads,” he raised two fingers.
I love seeing him like this; when he is like this, I am reminded that he is a child.
I leaned closer to him, saying, “He is your dad. You are his son and his blood. ” His smile never left his face.
“I have a cool dad then.” He said. “I’m happy mom. I can take care of you with Dad.” He said, throwing his arms around my neck.
“When you are getting married?” His question caught me off guard again.
.
.
“It’s not his fault. He didn’t know about Austin until recently.” He moved his gaze to me. “I know you must be angry, but don’t direct all your anger at Alejandro; direct it at me.” I am the one to be blamed. It was I who kept this secret away from Alejandro.
I watched him trail Alison’s fingers; he opened his mouth to speak but closed it.
Alejandro knew I had told Austin about him. “I think you are right. Why did you hide the fact that you were pregnant? You should have told him. You should have said it then,”
His voice broke, “Then the marriage between them would not have happened, then he would not have spent his childhood without a dad.” Alison patted his back.
“I know I am to blame, and I am sorry for all I have done, but you shouldn’t have left with my brother; you have no right to.”
A wave of various emotions hit me.
He wasn’t mad that I gave birth to a child who may one day compete with him for his inheritance? He was angry that I made his brother live without his complete family.
“And you kept it a secret from me, too,” he said to Alison. He released her hand, and I was scared he would get mad at her.
“I had no right to tell you,” Alison defended. “We are in a relationship; we promised that there would be no secret,” “It wasn’t my secret to share.” She held his hand again.
“Andrea had her reasons for not telling me, and so did Alison,” Alejandro said in a firm voice.
“I have never kept any secrets about me from you. You know.” She held his face together with both hands. “I know.” She gave him a quick peck on his lips.
When she released his face, Alison said, “So what will you do? Will you accept him as your brother?” She paused and continued, “Or…”
He stood before she could complete her words; he whipped his eyes and walked to Austin, “I’m Lucas. You look so handsome,”
“You do, too.” “Well, it runs in the family,” that was one weird way to begin a conversation. Austin moved away from me, slowly moving into the arms of his brother. ” You Want to see some cool toys?” Austin asked, and when Lucas nodded, Austin led him to his room.
I had thought I’d have more than I should on my plate.
I feared Lucas may not accept him. “See, I told you, you had nothing to worry about,” Alison said.
I was relieved, “thank you, Alison.” She smiled acknowledging my thanks.
Now she faced Alejandro, “about Lucas, hmm…” she struggled, thinking of the right words to say.
“Treat him well,” Alejandro said, and that was it. He had blessed their relationship.
They look so in love; how could anyone stop them?
When I asked Alison why she had been cold to Alejandro despite knowing that he was Luca’s dad, “What if he doesn’t give you his blessing?”
“When it’s about you or Austin, I placed my relationship with Lucas aside. Alejandro becomes just like any other man to me. Besides, it’s not like Lucas and I are getting married.”
“I will. Well, I think I have something to pick up outside.” She left. I knew it was just her giving us privacy.
Alejandro walked to the couch I was seated on and sat beside me. “Good riddance, they are finally away,” he said. I looked around nervously as Alejandro wrapped his hand around me and pulled me closer to him.
“What do you think you are doing?”
“I missed you,” he said.
“That’s on you.” I pulled away. I stood, “I told you yesterday. I can’t have anything to do with you,” I said.
“You are married, Alejandro,” I know he didn’t love her, but that doesn’t change the fact that they were married.
I do not want to be the woman.
“I won’t be for long. I’m divorcing Nora.” A sparkle of joy Rab through me.
‘He is divorcing Nora. That means you can have him,’ I kicked myself internally. I shouldn’t be overjoyed in this situation.
“Okay,” I tried to feign nonchalance. But he seems through my mask.
Alejandro pulled me closer to himself; I didn’t try to fight him off this time. I was tired of fighting my feelings for him, and I wanted to show him that I loved him as much as he loved me.
“Andrea, don’t push me away because even if you do, I’ll keep coming back to you. I love you, and I never want to let you go,” my entire resolve to stay away from him dissolved immediately.
“I feel the same way too. I…” I paused.
Those years that I have been away from him were torture. I cried most nights. I couldn’t go out with anyone. I couldn’t fall in love with anyone.
I craved him, and that was why I kept wearing that stupid necklace. I wanted to tell him all this. How I have truly been feeling.
But the only thing I could say was, “I want you too.”
“Then you can have me since you are uncomfortable about me being married to Nora; you won’t be for long. I promise I’ll remove her from my life. I have given her the divorce papers already. She should have signed it by now.” He said.
I moved closer to him.
I want you to be whole with me.
“Fine.”
“Then we can come back together immediately? Once I confirm she has signed it, we can be together again,” I nodded, tears rolling from my eyes.
So this was what it felt like to have a happy ending.
Everything was falling into place once again.
Alejandro and Austin would be in my life together. We will live as a family. Lucas holds nothing against Austin, and he is in a healthy relationship with Alison.
Everyone was doing fine. What more do I want?
Nothing!
“I want to celebrate; let’s have dinner together.” We have a reason to celebrate, so why hold back?
Alejandro brushed some strands of hair off my face.
“Let’s do whatever you want, amor.”
We sat in that position for a long time. I didn’t say a word, and neither did Alejandro. But we have never been so loud.
We said nothing anymore, and at the same time, we said everything.
It wasn’t until Austin came running into the sitting room that we pulled away from each other, “momma you won’t believe this.”
Lucas was behind him. Austin showed us a toy, “Lucas is a genius; he knows about this. He is the best at making this…” I stopped hearing him at that point.
My heart was filled with so much happiness.
Lucas stepped closer to them.
Alejandro, Lucas and Austin, all spoke about toys, and soon the topic progressed into cars.
Lucas promised to take Austin to a place where cars were made.
I stood a few distance away from them. I wanted to watch them from afar.
They were my new life.
“Things are finally falling into place.” Alison came to stand close to me
“And I can’t tell you how happy that has made me.”
“I heard Alejandro and Nora are going their separate ways,”
1
“How did you know?” she smiled and moved her eyes to Lucas before returning her gaze to me.
“Alejandro told him.”
“How does he feel about it?” Lucas must be sad. What if he doesn’t want it?
“He likes it. He is glad Alejandro is finally choosing to be happy.” Alison said.
“So you’d take him back if he divorces her?”
“Yes!” There was no hint of hesitation in my voice.
I don’t want to wait again or deny myself what I truly want.
“Austin would be so happy to see you both together.”
“How about we eat out today? A fancy restaurant to celebrate.”
Alison and I thought the same way. “I had the same idea, too.”
“We should have dinner outside.” She placed a hand over my shoulders and pulled me closer.
After Alejandro and Lucas left, Austin couldn’t stop talking about Lucas.
“I can’t believe I have a brother too. Where has he been all this whole time?” He asked.
I was applying makeup on my face, seated in front of the mirror.
“He lives far from here,” I replied without thinking much. It was natural for him to be curious about them.
He doesn’t need to know everything right now. It was okay that they were here. Soon, he would stop asking and would not even care.
“Didn’t Lucas miss you? I can’t imagine staying without you, Mom. And why didn’t he stay over?” He asked.
I smiled, “Austin, I know you have many questions; why not ask them to your dad and your brother?”
From the mirror, I could see him leaning his head to the side in thought. “No, it’s better he stays far away. I don’t want to share you with anyone.” Austin said.
Alison was dressed in a white gown, which had a slight. She wore a jacket over it.
“Your dress is beautiful.” I complimented.
“Yours too. You look breathtaking.” I wore a black gown with a slight at the back and a fur jacket over it.
A car was waiting for us at the entrance.
The drive to the restaurant was a bit too short, and I guessed it was because we were chatting.
We stepped out of the car.
“I want to use the restroom,” Alison said, excusing herself.
“But you just got here,” I laughed as I watched her leave. A waiter walked towards me; we had made a reservation earlier.
“I’ll wait for my friend to join me here,” I said. I didn’t want to go to our seats without Alison.
“Momma, I want to use the restroom too,” Austin said.
I was about to walk with him when he stopped me.
“Aunt Alison will take me.” He left before I could say another word.
She has just left, he will meet up with her.
A few minutes later, Alison walked back. A smile glued on her lips. She was looking exceptionally pretty.
But she came alone.
I looked behind her, “where’s Austin?” I asked her, raising a brow, “I left him with you.”
“Didn’t he meet up with you?” I asked.
“No.”