I adored Beck for making me feel wanted and loved. And not some lover to be hidden. We spent the last few weeks in our new routine. Making love all night, waking up together, and hanging out in public as a big happy family when he was off work.

But no matter how much we played house, I was painfully reminded that he wasn’t my husband. Sky wasn’t my daughter. I was still the nanny. And we had avoided any more deep talks about our future.

But we were running out of time. He would be leaving to return to Pensacola this week.

Today was the first airshow to mark the start of the season. Though I had seen the airshow every year of my life, this time it would mean so much more. My man was the pilot. And this was my final farewell to El Centro.

Beck led me, my sisters and Sky to the executive chalet. My nerves rattled. But I wasn’t worried about the safety of his flying.

Today—I would meet his parents. 

Beck glanced around the chalet. “My parents aren’t here yet, but they will find you. They’ve seen a picture of you and of course, will recognize Sky. I have to go get ready.”

“Okay, babe. I can’t wait to see you.”

He kissed me in front of all the friends and families in the chalet. See my mom had been wrong. Beck loved me and accepted me. I wished she could see me now.

I would not end up like her.

The excited crowds filled outside the chalet. I had seen the Angels perform many times, but they had always represented this other type of life that I wasn’t a part of. And now, I could truly appreciate how amazing they were. How amazing Beck was.

The show started, and I enjoyed the other events first—the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs jumped out of their helicopters, wowing the audience.

There were many other planes doing tricks and maneuvers, but I was anxious to finally see Beck fly.

I scanned the chalet but didn’t see anyone who looked like his mom. Where was she? She had to be here? She wouldn’t miss his first show.

The narrator took to the stage. The sounds of Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart” filled the air.

But my own heart stopped. 

Another piece of the puzzle that proved my mom wasn’t lying about my dad. She always used to play that song to me. I felt sick to my stomach, and it wasn’t from the hotdogs I just ate.

What if my father was in this audience? I scanned the crowd but quickly was distracted.

Beck and his fellow pilots walked down the runaway in their matching flight suits. Man, they were so fucking hot. They saluted as they turned and went toward their planes. I couldn’t believe I was his girlfriend.

Then they took off—one by one. I pressed Sky’s earphones tightly on her head. “That’s your daddy.”

“Mama?”

Oh my god. Did she just call me Mama? I wanted to be thrilled, but instead, I was crushed. I wanted to be her mama. But I wasn’t.

I was only the nanny.

I hugged her tighter than I ever hugged her and then I noticed that a woman was watching me with Sky. Was she Beck’s mom? I’d seen pictures of her but couldn’t be certain because she was standing at a distance.

I turned my attention back to the sky. “Ladies and Gentlemen. Please welcome our own Blue Angels.”

Mónica clapped loudly in my ear. The planes were now in the sky, and my heart raced. They were flying close! Wing to wing. I suddenly realized how dangerous this was. One wrong turn and he could crash.

But he didn’t crash. He soared into the sky. Upside down, inverted loops, side by side—Beck did it all. It was so amazing. The music contributed to the adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

Pass after pass, loop after loop, pride filled my soul. I had always known what Beck did every day while I was watching Sky but until now—I had no idea how much precision and focus it took. 

And this amazing man loved me.

He had asked me to move in with him.

And I knew that I couldn’t be without him.

I made my decision. I was going to say yes.

I marveled at this house. At my life. Just ten weeks ago I was jobless, hopeless, hungry, and alone.

And now, I was in love with a brilliant, educated, handsome pilot. He loved me too and wanted me to be in his life. He was moving my sisters and me out to be with him.

Dreams do come true.

They made their final pass, and I cheered louder than anyone.

Then a woman tapped me on the shoulder.

“You must be Paloma. And there is my beautiful granddaughter.”

She pinched her on the cheek, and I did my best to smile. Her face was incredibly tight as if the skin had been pulled and she wore way too much makeup. Her top lip was obviously enhanced, and her blonde hair didn’t have a hint of gray. She wore a huge diamond ring on her left hand—a ring that probably cost more than I would make in my lifetime.

I swallowed my nerves. “Hi, Mrs. Daly. So nice to meet you. I have heard so much about you.”

She gave me a condescending smile, and I felt immediately judged. “I’m sure he did. You know Beck. Always poking his nose where he shouldn’t have. Even when he was a young boy, he would try to save all the homeless cats. I used to have to tell him, now Beckett, you can’t save them all.”

I bit my lip. Was she comparing me to a cat?

I didn’t know what to say, so I remained silent.

“Paloma dear, may I have a word?”

“Sure Mrs. Daly.”

We walked over to the corner of the chalet, and I felt everyone was comparing us. From her designer clothes to her expensive jewelry, there was no doubt that she was high class.

Standing next to her, I was sure people assumed I was her maid.

“Now, darling, you are truly lovely. And I thank you for taking such good care of Sky. And my son.”

“You are welcome. I love them both. You raised a great man.”

“I did, dear. I did. We gave him everything in life. Because we truly believe he can achieve everything. Did you know he wants to be an astronaut?”

“Yes, he mentioned that. I think it’s wonderful. I’d support him in any way I could.”

Mrs. Daly exhaled. “I'm sure you would, sweetie. I’m sure you would. But these programs are very competitive and very political.” 

I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I was one hundred percent sure I wasn’t going to like it. 

I tried to remain calm. “Well, Beck is so accomplished I’m sure they would love him.”

“They would. Did you know they interview the family and friends of each candidate? How would it look to them if they know that Beck had slept with his nanny? That kind of scandal could ruin his chances. You wouldn’t want to ruin his career now, would you Paloma?”

Nausea overcame me. I did not want to do this. I didn’t want to be rude to his mom. “No, I wouldn’t want to ruin his career. I would support him in anything. I may be a poor Mexican girl from a border town, but I’m an American. And I’m a great woman. I love your son. And I love your granddaughter. I would never embarrass him. And frankly, he would be lucky to have me. I treat you son like a king and Sky adores me. I love her like she is my own.” Take that, bitch. A wave a satisfaction rippled through me. I had stood my ground. I knew my worth.

I hoped Beck would be proud of me. 

“Well, aren’t you self-important? Beck may have fun with you now, but he will never marry you. I promise you that.” And she stood up and walked away from me, never even kissing Sky goodbye.

I would not let this change my feelings for Beck. Those were his mother’s beliefs, not his. Beck was an adult. He didn’t need her approval.

Even so, the doubt lingered. I saw the way his buddy Charlie looked at me. The way some of the other officer’s wives stared at me around base.

Did I want to be blamed for every bad thing that happened in his career for the rest of my life?

Did I want people to judge me—think I was using him?

Would one day these comments get to Beck and would he leave me for someone more like Catherine?

And though I hadn’t wanted to pressure marriage, now I was curious if Beck had any intention of ever marrying me.

Both my mom and his claimed he never would.

I had to hear it from him.

I didn’t want to live my life constantly having to prove myself to these pretentious people who cared more about Beck’s image than his happiness.

I wanted to be accepted to be loved to be appreciated. 

I had to know the truth before I moved with him.

What were his intentions toward me?

Would he ever marry me?

Or would I always just be the nanny.