“You’ve changed my life in every possible way in the last year. You turned my nightmare into a fairy tale so beautiful I still can’t believe this is my life, that you are my life. I love you more than Priscilla, and you know that’s a very high honor that only you will ever achieve.”
Carmen is laughing even as tears spill down her cheeks.
“I promise to always accommodate your morning crankiness and to fetch the cortadito on the weekends.”
As planned, Juanita comes out of the kitchen bearing a take-out cup of her wonder brew that she hands to Carmen as she leans in to kiss Carmen’s cheek. “You go, amiga!”
“I can’t believe you’re here!” Carmen says, clearly astounded.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
I give Carmen’s left hand a squeeze to remind her of what we’re in the middle of here. “Will you marry me and allow me to spend the rest of my life with you, which is the only place in this world I want to be?”
She’s crying and nodding before I’m even done asking. “Yes. Yes.”
I slide the two-carat stunner I’ve had for months onto her finger and stand to hug and kiss her as the family goes crazy clapping, cheering and whistling.
Nona wipes away tears and gives the waitstaff a signal. They come out carrying trays full of champagne flutes that are distributed to the family.
Vincent and Vivian stand next to us and raise their glasses.
“To our beautiful daughter and future son-in-law, Carmen and Jason. Congratulations.” Vincent’s eyes are bright with unshed tears. “We love you both so very much. May you share a long and happy life together.”
“Hear, hear,” Len says, raising his glass to us in a toast that means everything to Carmen and to me.
The celebration goes on so long we have to scramble to clean up and get the restaurant ready to open to the public at four. Everyone pitches in, and we make it just in time to admit the first customers.
Carmen and I have barely had a second alone since the big moment, but she’s been right by my side as we accepted congratulations and wallowed in the excitement of our loved ones. My mom and Ben left at three to catch a flight home but promised to be back for a longer visit soon.
“Second-best day of my life,” I tell her when we’re finally on our way home in Priscilla, laden with leftovers that make it so we don’t have to grocery shop. We have much better things to do today than squeeze avocados, which has become part of our Sunday ritual.
Her left hand is flat on my leg, the ring sparkling in the late afternoon sun. In another few weeks, it’ll be too hot for the convertible. “What’s the number one best day?”
“A year ago this coming Tuesday.”
“That was better than today?”
“Hell yes. Will we ever forget your two trips to jail in the same day?”
“I would love to forget it. I just need to do something about you.”
“Mmm, I have a few ideas of what you can do about me.”
“Believe me, I know all about your ideas.”
“You’ve only seen the start of them. Wait until we’re married.” I glance over at her. “Today was good?”
She gives my leg a squeeze. “Today was beyond amazing. Thank you for all you did to make it happen.”
“I was hoping it’d be okay to do it there.”
“It was perfect.”
“I wanted it to be perfect for you.”
“You did good.” I feel her gaze on me as I drive. “When Tony died, one of the things that made me the saddest was losing the person who knew me better than anyone else. Today, when you asked me to marry you in front of all the people I love the most, you showed me I’m known that way again, and that means so much to me.”
I bring the car to a stop at a red light and lean across the console to kiss her. “I’m glad to know you in every way.” I waggle my brows playfully, because today is not the day for sadness of any kind. “The ring is okay?”
“The ring is exceptional. I love it.”
“Good,” I say, releasing a deep breath. “I’m glad you love it.”
“I can’t believe you were worried about any of it. You knew I was a sure thing.”
“No way! You’ve made me work for it every step of the way. I was afraid you’d turn me down in front of everyone.”