Six months later

 

I found my something old and something blue in an old jewelry box that belonged to my mother. It emerged only after I moved to New Mexico permanently. I remember seeing this necklace when I was younger, but I had forgotten all about it.

It’s a silver Zia necklace. A necklace with the sun symbol of New Mexico paired with my most favorite turquoise stone, inherited from one of the people I love the most.

Signs are everywhere. Ever since Henry Tyler stopped me and Lily on Venice Beach, I’ve altogether stopped trying to find a rational explanation for things.

As I think of Henry, I look around to spot him, and I find him sitting at a table, having an intense conversation with Cyrus, while Lily is listening, fascinated.

This might have not been my first wedding, but as I got ready to go to church for the ceremony, everything felt…different, sacred, like I was stepping into virgin territory. Brad’s family wasn’t religious, and we’d only gotten married with an ordained minister. In the end, it was for the best. Both Esteban and I were raised Catholic, and this allowed us to get married at San Felipe de Neri, the church in my favorite square.

This morning, I opened the window of the hotel suite, and I glanced at the quaint square I had seen so many times before, surrounded by old adobe- and Spanish-style buildings lined with rows of chile ristras. This place had stolen my heart, and now it was going to be my home for good.

It had been a hot, long summer day, but it was perfect from the beginning, and I wasn’t ready for it to end.

My husband and I have been dancing for hours, and it’s making my sister-in-law impatient. We’ve been ignoring her requests to say goodbye to everyone for a good thirty minutes. Patsy Cline sings about the man who made her love him, and I lock eyes with Esteban, stifling a smile.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?” he whispers in my ear. He pulls back to look at me again, as if he hasn’t gotten his fill yet.

“Many times. But don’t stop. Flattery will get you everywhere, especially tonight,” I whisper, and he arches a brow, making me smile. I’ve been smiling so much today that my cheeks hurt. And my heart has been beating so fast, it feels as if it could leap out of my chest. It’s been like this between the two of us the whole day. Today is the first day of a much happier part of my life. I can’t wait to be alone with him later, but I’m enjoying dancing with him too much to stop. When else am I going to get to do this?

Esteban’s hand rests at my waist, his fingers running across the fabric. My dress is a simple, princess A-line with a deep enough V in the bodice to be sexy without being too much for church. The New Mexico necklace sits right at my collarbone, and I’m wearing a white gold bracelet borrowed from my sister-in-law.

My groom is wearing the hell out of a cobalt blue tailored suit, but it’s his glorious smile that makes him look…simply breathtaking.

The “Snowfall Cha-Cha” by George Shearing takes over for Patsy, and I’m living the final scene of my very own romantic comedy. I’m transported back to the weekend when Esteban asked me to marry him in the picture-perfect winter wonderland that is Taos during ski season. Even though I knew he had a proposal in the works, it wasn’t any less special. He still managed to surprise me, placing my ring in the middle of a modified Magic 8-Ball. I love that he appreciates my silly humor.

“The band left over an hour ago, and the guests are only sticking around because you two haven’t left yet! It’s protocol. You have to be on your way!” Lupe insists.

I lift my head from Esteban’s chest.

“Our flight to Spain doesn’t leave until tomorrow,” I complain.

“And this is my restaurant. Why should we leave?” Esteban asks.

It made sense to have the party at Vida Dulce. It’s the perfect place for a small, intimate soiree like our wedding. We put a big sign outside that says Closed For Private Event. The painting I gave Esteban when the restaurant opened is hanging on the wall behind the host desk. It was the first of many. Since I came back to Albuquerque six months ago, I have been painting steadily. So much so that painting has become one of my side gigs.

From time to time, I’m commissioned to paint murals around town.

Esteban and Cyrus were the first to ask me for something vibrant and cool that would reflect the atmosphere and concept of the restaurant. The once white wall at the front of the building is now covered with a multitude of colors and Vida Dulce spelled out with a cool, retro font.

Vida Dulce was voted “Best of Burque” this year by the readers of a local gazette, and Esteban and Cyrus couldn’t have been more excited. 

Tomorrow, we’ll fly to Spain for our honeymoon…and then we’ll visit my parents’ hometown. I have been going through my mother’s notes and address books and with a few searches on social media, I have been able to find some of her and my father’s relatives. I can’t wait to find out more about their life there. I’m so excited to get to do this with Esteban.

Today was glorious. If only Lupe didn’t try her damndest to put an end to it.

“You guys are impossible. People will feel they need to stick around if you don’t leave.”

“Who put her in charge?” Esteban whispers in my ear playfully and I snicker. We did when she offered to help us with the wedding. Initially, we were thrilled to have her help us with everything we didn’t have time for or could think of…at least until now.

Esteban’s breath tickles my ear, and I laugh. “I don’t know, but we will never ask for her services again, that’s for sure,” I joke, while Lupe shoots me a glare. Then she rolls her eyes and raises her hands up in the air, frustrated. She’s about to walk away, but Esteban grabs her hand and pulls her closer to us.

“Lupe, thank you for everything. I mean it. But I don’t care what we are supposed to or not supposed to do. I’ll dance with my wife until dawn if that’s what she wants to do.”

Warmth spreads in my chest as my husband and his sister lock eyes. Lupe smiles, nodding, her eyes filling with tears. She caresses her brother’s face and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Esteban’s sweet words echo in my ears, and I tear up as well. Damn him.

Lupe and I look at each other wiping the smudged makeup under our eyes and end up laughing.

“What did I say?” Esteban asks, looking dumbfounded.

“I can’t believe he’s such a smart businessman, but then he’s as dumb as a sack of potatoes when it comes to other things,” she tells me. “You’ll explain it to him, won’t you?”

“I will.” I let go of Esteban and wrap my arms around Lupe. “Thank you for today. Thank you for everything. I love you.”

“I love you, too. If I don’t see you before you leave tomorrow, please be safe.”

We both nod and she finally leaves us alone.

Most of the guests are gone, including Esteban’s parents. There are only a few people still hanging out in the courtyard of the restaurant, the same place we had our first date.

I look up at my groom with a dreamy look in my eyes.

“What was that about? Why the tears? Both of you!”

“This might be news to you, but everyone cries at weddings.”

“What did I say?”

“You’re usually much more observant than this.”

“Hmm, it might be because my senses are impaired. By you.”

I sigh, and he looks at me with a quizzical expression.

“You have no idea how charming you are, do you?”

Esteban smiles uneasily, changing things up and twirling me around, making the A-line skirt of my dress spin along with me.

“I guess I don’t. Why don't you tell me?” He pulls me closer.

“You’re enchanting, Esteban Eduardo Gabriel Garcia. I believe that, prophecy or not, I was destined to fall in love with you. I’ve been enchanted by you since the very first time I saw you. You’ve been my knight in shining armor when I needed you. You’ve been my friend and my lover. You’ve championed me and reminded me what I was capable of. And best of all, you’ve given me your heart. That’s not even everything,” I say, pursing my lips. “I’m positive you’ll make a fantastic husband,” I declare, placing my hands on his strong chest. My cheeks redden thinking about what will happen shortly, and he stares at me, eyes full of love, wonder, lust, and a million other things. His adoration makes my heart race and ache to be with him as soon as possible.

I press myself closer to him, and he kisses my forehead, and my lips next, chastely at first, and then his kiss deepens, stirring my desire for him.

“I love you, Ines Sanchez-Garcia,” he whispers against my lips.

“I love you too, Esteban. Let’s get started with that honeymoon.”