Page 03
"So tell me, how did the two of you meet?" Amber asked, her eyes darted between Catalina and me.
We looked at one another, our eyes asking each other that silent question on who would tell that story. In the end, I thought Catalina telling it would be a bit funnier than if I told it.
"Well, we have to go back to when your father first arrived here. At the time, I was engaged to someone else, but he wasn't faithful." I saw David nod in understanding as Catalina's hand never left my thigh. "Yet I always saw your father walking around the building with this face that sort of looked like someone shoved a pine cone up his keister," Catalina said, getting a giggle out of Amber and a light chuckle from David. "I mean, he is a handsome man, yet I was engaged, and I don't stray." I noted how Amber dropped her head at that. "So anyway, as time went on, that face never left him for the two years he was here. So when I walked into his office that day, I had been single for a few months. I told your father to pull whatever was up his ass out of it, and who knew the man could laugh," she teased me, which I deserve. I was an asshole during those years. "Then we built a friendship, I know he wanted more, but he was patient with me. Then after three months, we had our first date, and it went from there, and I never looked back," Catalina said with love-filled eyes as she looked at me.
"So, I thought if you two aren't too tired, we'd explore the city for the day, get you two used to the lay of the land, then come back, and I'll cook us a nice big dinner," Catalina said; I heard the eagerness in her voice to make the both of them feel welcome.
"Oh, you've never been to the beach," I said, noting how my daughter's eyes widened. "Seeing how we have this week off, how about we head down to Roberto's place, if he'll let us use it for a few days?" I spoke, looking over at my wife. Knowing the place was large enough to hold the lot of us.
"You sure, honey?"
"They're here, and it's easier to go to the beach here than it is in Kansas City," I stated factually.
"You know I'm fine with it; I know Alondra will be ecstatic to go, but you'll have to talk to Roberto," Catalina said, looking at me.
"I know," I nodded. Seeing how it was my idea Roberto was the type of man that respected you more if the one who thought of the idea was the one to ask, or that's what I picked up from the man over the years of knowing him. "I'll go make the call," I said, rising from my seat. The sounds of the city below us faded to nothing as I slid the glass sliding door closed. "You enjoying your show, munchkin?"
"Mmmhmm," Alondra hummed her attention squarely on the TV like it always was on a Saturday morning.
Walking out of Catalina's and my bedroom with my phone after it had charged. My thumb scrolled up the screen as the names of people who've I've met and grown close to since coming to live in Charlotte flew past as I neared Roberto's contact info.
"Buenos días, Nathan." Roberto's thick, accented voice came over the line.
"Good morning, Roberto," I greeted. He didn't mind if I spoke English instead of Spanish since he knew I could do both. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
"Oh?" The left corner of my lip lifted when he switched to English. All of Catalina's family could speak English; they only pretended they didn't know when someone was making an ass out of themselves in front of their family. I watched it a few times when some passing salesman tried to pawn off his wares while not outright insulting their intelligence, but you knew what the man was doing. It was always fucking hilarious when the ladies joined in then the teenagers would only to watch as the person would scurry back to their car.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if Catalina and I used your place at Canadian Hole," I said, seeing my daughter instantly whipping around in her seat, knowing what that meant. I tried to pretend I couldn't see that glee on her face when I said that.
"Of course, you can, amigo. What's the special occasion?" He had a reason to ask, given we normally went to the mountains for vacations a lot cheaper on the wallet and fewer people around. We usually only went to the beach when the whole family went to Canadian Hole.
"My eldest daughter flew in with her fiancée, and she's never seen the ocean," I said truthfully. The whole family knew about how we were estranged but understood why I walked out like I did.
"¡Es una gran noticia! ¿Los traerás el próximo fin de semana?"
"Si," I answered when he asked if I was bringing them over next weekend. I heard my sister-in-law's voice in the background asking what had him so excited. That was when I heard that excited voice of hers I knew well when he told her. Then I heard her speaking rapidly in Spanish before her voice faded away, knowing that in less than ten minutes, the whole family would know.
"Do you want me to bring the keys over?"
"Nah, we'll pick them up when we show them around the city, say around one?" I spoke, still ignoring my daughter's antics on the couch as she bounced on it.
"Ciro has a game today, but I'll leave them..." I nodded along as he told me of the secret hiding spot he usually kept a spare house key in.
"You tell Ciro I'll be rooting for him. I expect five home runs," I heard my brother-in-law chuckle over the line. I knew Ciro could go pro, he was just that good, and I wish him all the luck in the world.
"I will; I hope she enjoys the beach."
"As do I," I said before we ended the call.
"Papi, are we going to the beach?!" Alondra asked with bated breath.
"We are," I said, pocketing my phone, smiling at my daughter's antics as she bounced on her knees.
"When?!"
"I was thinking we go on Monday and enjoy the beach till Thursday. Is that okay with you, Princess?" I mused; I couldn't keep my smile from touching my lips at Alondra's vehement nod. "Now behave while you continue to enjoy your show," I said before stepping back out onto the balcony. Feeling Catalina's hand on my back as I sank back down into my seat.
Hours later found us cruising through the streets of Charlotte; Alondra sat between David and Amber on the back seat as she pointed out places she loved to go to -- namely the Discovery Place. It was a little expensive, but worth it, it was a very informative place, especially for a four-year-old's mind. When lunch rolled around, we stopped at a popular downtown sit-down restaurant. Where I watched as my two daughters just chatted away. I noted how my wife had this rather happy, content look on her face as she watched my two children from across the table. David and I had a pleasant conversation about his 401K. While I wasn't a stock trader I did know my way around them. So I gave him some tips about who and what I put my money into with my own 401K. I noted how he was listening intently to every word. It told me he was planning ahead, and I hoped the two of them didn't go the way the Bitch and I did. I have to admit, David was a pleasant man, just don't tell him I said that. I do have to keep my father-in-law vibe going. Yet, I was happy that Amber found herself a man that appeared to be a genuinely good guy.
After lunch, we headed over to Roberto's place. I could see David's and Amber's confused looks when we pulled up to their house in Derita. I told them to wait in the car before quickly hopping out of it and heading off towards the spot Roberto had told me he would leave his house keys for his place in Canadian Hole. It didn't take me long to find it. The keys jingled in my hand; a warmth spread through my heart when I read Roberto's and Catalina's sister's note they had left with them. I could speak Spanish not read it, so they wrote in English. I was very touched by their words. Ever since I started dating Catalina, her sister did size me up and told me not to hurt her sister, or I'd have to deal with her and Roberto; however, over the months of our whirlwind romance, I grew on her and my brother-in-law. They were the first ones to help out if Catalina got overwhelmed with caring for Alondra when she was first born. Not that I blame Catalina; having your first child is fucking nerve-racking. I know Catalina went to bed every so often with worry on her mind if she would be a good mother and whatnot. So I called in the troops and took my wife out when those days happened. To show her that she was indeed a very good mother.
And so, as night descended on Charlotte, my little family clustered in the living room to spend family time simply watching a movie. It doesn't really matter what you do, as long as you do it together. It was Alondra's bedtime when I noted Amber and David nodding off. I couldn't blame them; they have been up since the wee hours of the morning to catch their flight. Catalina gave me this look that I interpreted as 'Go do your dad thing.' I can't deny I was watching that ass of hers as she carried Alondra to her room.
"Amber," I whispered, lightly shaking her.
"Dad?" My mind flashed back to when she was just a little girl when she would mutter in that sleepy tone of hers.
"Let's get you two to bed," I said, seeing her eyes peering at me through the slit of her lids.
"Sorry, I did...." I waved David off when he roused in his seat.
"It happens, don't worry about it," I said lightly. The moment Amber got to her feet, her arms slid around me.
"I've missed this for seven years," Amber whispered into my chest. "Good night, Dad," she said before placing a kiss on my left cheek and slipping her arm around David's waist.
I was laying in bed waiting for Catalina to come sauntering in which she did after fifteen minutes had passed. Which was quick for Alondra; it told me Alondra was worn out. I felt myself hardening when I saw that sultry smile on my wife's lips as she walked along the bedside towards our bathroom. My cock thumped against the covers at the sight of my wife's gorgeous body as she strode out of our bathroom in nothing but her underwear. Those eyes of hers noted the movement of the sheets, which only intensified that sultry smile of hers. How that soft body of hers felt so divine beside mine once she had slid beneath the sheets. I bit my lip when her fingers wrapped around my rod.
"My Amor shouldn't be going to bed with a hard-on," Catalina cooed to me in that sinful tone of hers. "Does the handsome Papi like my hand stroking this hard cock of mine?" she purred, which I nodded like a fool. Who wouldn't?! "Does my sweet, caring husband want his hot wife to drink it all down?" Again, my head nodded very, and I mean very vigorously. "Good, that's where it belongs."
"Oh God!" I moaned lightly as Catalina wasted no time in taking me into her mouth. I slept like a baby after that, wouldn't you? Yet all too soon, strange how that is, five o'clock came around, and our alarm went off. Which meant I had to get Alondra up so we could be on the road for the three-hour drive to Ashville.
Catalina was like a paparazzi with the number of pictures she took that day, of me, me with Alondra, Alondra with her sister, Amber with David, and so on. I was pleasantly pleased Amber and Catalina got along as they talked about their wedding plans and venues. David was very attentive to Alondra, always heading off with her when Alondra wanted to show him something she really liked. As always, I was the watchful Dad, as was David, which I appreciated. You never know these days, and there are some sick fucks out in the world. We had lunch there at the zoo. Then we wandered the grounds some more before we were all worn out and had very sore legs. By the end of it, I was carrying Alondra on my shoulders. Not that I minded, I knew soon, far too soon, she wouldn't need me as much. As sad as that was, that is life. Nothing stays the same forever. Halfway home, I noticed how Alondra was napping in Amber's lap. I noted how Amber shot me this smile in the rear view mirror.
"Honey, would you mind if we order in tonight?" Catalina asked in a tired voice.
"No, you two up for pizza?" I inquired, looking over at Amber and David.
"I don't mind a slice, you?" David spoke, peering over at Amber, who shook her head.
"Supreme alright with you all?" I queried, knowing Alondra wouldn't eat anything else. Catalina liked it as well, I don't, but I normally got overruled on the subject.
"No, David is allergic to olives," Amber said, laying her right hand on David's chest.
"Then how about this, a small supreme for them, and a small meat lovers for us guys," I uttered with a smile.
"I can go with that," David nodded along. Earning us both an eye roll from Catalina.
"You get the pizzas ordered; I'll get Alondra packed for tomorrow," Catalina said, flashing me that dazzling smile of hers as she and Alondra walked hand in hand to her bedroom.
"Dad, you know we...."
"Do you know what would happen to me if I reneged on the beach?" I asked with a pointed look once I had placed our order. "Are you trying to get your father killed?" I joked. But Alondra would put up a fit for weeks about it.
"I just don't want you all to go to too much trouble for us."
"It's fine, Amber, plus I did tell you I would take you to it a long time ago, when you were little, and I like to keep my word," I said, seeing that Amber too remembered that conversation as I did when she was ten.
"So, Nathan, when were you planning on heading out?" David asked, following me into the living room.
"Say seven in the morning; it's a six-hour drive to Roberto's place at Canadian Hole; yes, that is the name of the beach," I stated, seeing their disbelieving looks. "We'll stay till Thursday so you two can enjoy yourselves there. It's really a lovely place."
"Honey, what time is it?" Catalina called out to me from Alondra's room.
"Seven-twenty," I hollered back.
"Something going on?" Amber asked, confused.
"A football game is on," I said, which was true a game did start soon. I saw David racking his brain trying to determine if there was a football game on, given it was late spring. "Soccer," I clarified, seeing how David wanted to smack his forehead for not thinking that.
"I didn't know you liked soccer," Amber said, pulling her legs beneath her as she snuggled against David on the loveseat.
"I could take it or leave it; Catalina and Alondra love the games. I just grew accustomed to them," I said offhandedly. "Her family are big fans of the sport. They have this big party when the world cup is being played which I attend. As they hold one for the super bowl for me when it's on. Because that's what family does, compromise with one another."
"I know, we're about to sit down to it." My eyes flickered over to Catalina when she and Alondra walked in talking on her phone. Before switching to Spanish, which I knew she only did if it was private. Smiling as Alondra raced into the living room and climbed onto the sofa, getting into her spot waiting for the game to start. Turning the TV on and switching the channel to ESPN-3 for the game between Mexico and Brazil. Don't tell Catalina this, but I was rooting for Brazil; she takes football (soccer) as seriously as Americans take football.
I patted Catalina's leg when a knock came on our condo door, knowing it had to be the pizzas. Her attention was squarely focused on the game as Mexico was in the lead during the first half of the first period. Personally, I found soccer boring as I know she thought the same about football. Still, being a good man and wife, we put that aside and just enjoyed the time we shared together. Paying the teenage boy and giving him a very good tip before taking the pizzas from him.
"Pizzas here?!" I called out to them as I carried them into the kitchen and got enough plates out. Amber and David ambled into the kitchen, yet Alondra and Catalina were glued to their seats. I knew Alondra did so because she wanted to be like her mother. "Make yourselves a plate," I gestured, carrying their plates to them.
"Thank you, honey. Can you get me a beer?" Catalina asked, placing a kiss on my cheek.
"Sure babe, Kool-Aid for you, though," I teased my daughter.
"Aren't they going to join us?" Amber asked low after I sat down with my plate.
"Nah, not with Mexico in the lead; they won't move from that spot," I said before taking my bite. God. I missed meat lovers pizza.
"Oh, this is good," David said before inhaling his slice.
"I know best pizza joint in town," I stated, savoring the meaty toppings knowing it would be some time before I had another meat lovers pizza.
"¡Sí! ¡Ir! ¡Ir! ¡Patea la pelota!" Catalina shouted as she surged from her seat with her plate in one hand and her beer in the other, with Alondra mimicking her mother. "¡No?!Pendejo. Como puedes dejar que te quiten la pelota," she bemoaned as one of Brazil's forwards stole the ball before Mexico could score.
"Alondra! Language," I chided when Alondra took her mimicry a little too far for a four-year-old. Casting my wife a glance, she looked away in embarrassment, knowing she let her mouth lead her mind a little too often when a game was on.
With our stomachs full of good pizza, and a few beers for us, I carted Alondra off to bed at her normal time. I was surprised to find that David was into the game by the end of it. Saying our good nights to one another, we four parted for our own rooms. Catalina was up at half-past five the next morning, making breakfast for us all. I knew she was excited at the prospect. I knew if Carson was here, she wouldn't know what to do. Wrapping my arms around her and kissed her neck as she flipped the pancakes that were cooking on the flat skillet. Feeling her lean back against me as we just enjoyed that moment of silence.
"Nat!" Catalina gasped, causing me to chuckle as I pinched her nipple as I went to get the kids up.
"What? Did you think I wasn't going to? You must be crazy to think I'd keep my hands to myself when I have my sexy wife in my arms," I retorted, seeing Catalina blushing madly.
"You better not." I heard her bashful whisper. Got to say that did put a smile on my face; why wouldn't it? After all, I have a gorgeous wife, a hyper daughter, and a grown one about to start her own adventure into married life. Life was good at that point.
"Wake up, munchkin, pancakes are nearly ready," I said, rousing my daughter from her slumber. "We don't want to miss the beach, do we?" I whispered when Alondra rolled over to go back to sleep. Biting my lip when that seemed to jolt her awake. Knocking on the guest bedroom door and opening it slightly.
"We're awake; just give us a few to get dressed." I heard David's voice through the gap.
"Okay, just checking; breakfast should be done soon," I said before easing the door closed.
"Thanks, Dad," Amber said as I handed her and David their cup of morning java.
"Honey, pull the orange juice out and set it on the table," Catalina directed as she placed the last of the flapjacks on the stack she had built.
Setting the juice and Alondra's morning cup of chocolate milk on the table, I went back to help set the table and aid my wife in carrying the food... I couldn't stop smiling as Amber was in the kitchen helping out Catalina like I was about to do with David lending a hand.
"Don't just stand there gawking, Dad, get the plates," Amber teased as she carried the plate of flapjacks to the table as David handled the two plates of sausage. One for breakfast sausage and one of a more spicier blend.
I caught my wife's content smile as she got the syrup from the cabinet as I got the plates for us all. I watched as I walked back to the table at how Catalina moved around it, acting like Amber and David were her own kids, and I saw how Amber latched onto that. It made me wonder what truly happened to my children while in their mother's care. As much as I don't want to hear a damn thing about that woman, I think I'm going to have to bite that down to find out the reason. We were out of the condo by quarter till seven with the dishes done, the car packed, we headed out to the sandy shores of Canadian Hole.
"Mamá?" My head peered over the trunk of my car as that word did not come from Alondra but from Amber. I saw Catalina was a little surprised, too, by it, but that surprise quickly turned to happiness that flooded her eyes. "Would you show me around?" I had no idea why Amber was all nervous for.
"Certainly," Catalina said, holding out her right arm to Amber. "You boys don't mind unloading the car, do you?"
"We can handle it, can't we?" I asked, looking over at David, who nodded along.
"Come, Alondra, let's show your sister the ocean," Catalina said in that sweet, caring voice of hers with Alondra's cheerful 'Kay!' filling the air.
"Did something happen between Amber and... her mother?" I caught myself from saying what I normally call that woman. I could see something brewing in his eyes as David thought on the matter as we unloaded the bags.
"I think Amber should be the one to tell you...." I noted how he looked down when I took hold of his left arm.
"Did that witch hurt my little girl?" I asked in a firm tone.
"Emotional, nothing physical, at least that's what she told me. Still does to this day, not when I'm around, though. She knows I won't put up with it in my house. Kicked her ass out a few times when I heard it."
"I think you'll do," I said, releasing my hold on his arm. "I won't say a word to Amber." With that, I showed him where he and Amber could stay on the other side of the house so they could have some privacy to do what engaged couples do without worrying about having Alondra overhear. With the bags stowed in their proper rooms, the two of us headed out to join the girls. "I told you I'd get you here someday, didn't I?" I spoke from behind them as Catalina and Amber just stood there looking out at the white-capped waves while Alondra ran along the beach looking for shells like she normally does. I was not expecting my daughter to throw her arms around me like she did.
"Thank you, it's so beautiful." Her whisper was hot on my neck as I just held her and gently rubbed her back.
"You and I need to have a talk, later, just us," I whispered low into her ear. Feeling her nodding against my shoulder before slipping out of my arms and into David's. "You ever been to the beach?" I asked the man in my daughter's life.
"No. This is the first time for me as well. My folks were poor, not saying they didn't work, just poor, so something like this; always just a fantasy for us growing up," David said, yet his eyes weren't on me; no, they were out on that vast expanse of blue before us.
"I can understand that, when Amber was growing up, money was tight. I was like you, worked my way up while going to night school so my family could have a better life," I said, feeling Catalina slipping her hand into mine as she came to my side. Then Amber's hand took hold of my free one like she had done so many times as a child.
Later that night, after putting Alondra to bed and Catalina keeping David entertained. I led Amber out the back onto the back deck of Roberto's beach home. I knew I would hate what I was about to hear; what parent likes to hear that their child was abused? Yet I had to do it, I had to know what she had done to my children?!
"Okay, Amber, I know I told your brother I didn't want to hear about what happened after I left. But I think I need to hear it," I said as the sound of the waves breaking on the shore filled the air.
"You sure?" Dropping her gaze, this wasn't like my daughter, not the daughter I knew. I placed my hand on her right arm, which brought up her gaze to me.
"Very sure." I'm sure Amber saw the seriousness of my words as she looked into my eyes.
By the end of her tale, I wanted to kill the Bitch! Yet, I couldn't right then, so I just hugged my daughter as tightly as I could as she cried into my chest. The cunt couldn't take responsibility for her own damn actions that destroyed our marriage, so she had to blame our kids?! Children who she wrangled into her fucking scheme to guilt me into staying with that fucking slut. If that wasn't worse, she tried to get her to entertain one of her male friends she had on the side when she was married to that prick! I wondered why my parents didn't tell me this unless they didn't know. I knew my old man would have gone ballistic, and my mother would probably have beaten that cunt with a rolling pin.
"Oh, baby, I'm so, so sorry," I whispered into her hair. "I'm sorry about..."
"No, Dad, you were hurt; you had every right to think we didn't want you. I don't blame you. You're here now; that's what matters." I knew one thing; my children were not going to be dealing with that woman again. Not if I had a damn thing to say about it!
"Is everything al..." Catalina huffed as Amber hugged her quite unexpectedly. Her eyes glanced at me when I knew she could feel the same trembling as I could. I think Catalina knew something had happened with their mother for Amber to take such a liking to her. Not that she ever voiced it to me. Well, at least not at that point in time. "Shh, it's going to be alright," Catalina cooed in that motherly voice of hers as she comforted Amber. "Come, let's get you cleaned up and something to calm your nerves," she said, guiding Amber into the house and giving me that look that she wanted to know everything.
I was beating an old two-by-four against a post to vent my anger out on. So I didn't take it out on anyone else, seeing how I couldn't wrap my hands around that bitch's neck at the moment. So, beating the hell out of that post would just have to do.
"I take it, Amber told you?" David's voice filled the air as my chest heaved from my excursion of beating the daylights out of that pole.
"Yeah," I said, tossing the plank into the sand.
"I want you to know I would never ever treat Amber like that," David said, walking down the steps that led to the beach.
"You best not; I don't think my wife would enjoy visiting me in prison," I joked.
"Dully noted," David said with a friendly smile.
"She isn't helping to pay for the wedding, is she?" I asked, looking over at him when David joined my side.
"God no, she thinks us getting married is a mistake. She wants Amber to be single, so she can use her to lure men in." I was really starting to like this man as he spat in anger.
"Good. If you need help, you contact us, and we'll help out any way we can," I said firmly.
"You really mean that?" David asked with this quizzical look on his face.
"I do," I nodded. "I know what a wedding costs having been through two myself," I said, taking a jab at myself. "I know venues, and whatnot isn't cheap, and I know how it is starting out in life when you're just now laying the foundations of your adult life. So I know money might be tight for you and Amber planning this all out. If we can lend a hand, don't hesitate to call us. We'll set something up," I spoke in a fatherly voice as I turned to the man and held my hand out to him.
"I will; you have my word, Nathan," David said with that firm handshake of his.
"Did your father teach you that handshake?" I asked, seeing him nod. "Good. A father should teach that to his son."
"What are the two of you doing out here?" Catalina asked from the top of the steps.
"Oh, you know, guy things," I said, smiling up at her. I didn't need to see it; I knew there was an eye roll at that.
"Well, it's getting late; you two should come in for the night," Catalina said, yet I knew from the way she stood she wanted to talk.
Saying good night to David before he walked back up those steps. Hearing him utter those same words to Catalina as he passed her. Catalina knew me well enough to know while I might not show it on the outside, I was royally pissed at my ex-wife.
"Shh, Amor, this anger isn't good for you. She's not under her mother's thumb anymore," Catalina cooed in a soft tone as she ran her hands up my chest.
"She told you?" To this, Catalina only nodded.
"I can't blame you for leaving that woman, although I do wish you would have had brought the kids with you. Then I could be a mother of three," Catalina teased.
"Three? But not four?" I mused, wiggling my eyebrows.
"I don't know. Do you think you have it in you to knock me up again?" Catalina asked in a challenging voice.
"Oh, you damn right I do," I stated firmly.
"Then I best stop taking my pills," Catalina said in a sultry smile.
The next three days were a whirlwind of fun as we took Amber and David all over that island. Ate some good seafood. Met some very nice people, although I did have to hold Catalina back when this person, the same age as Amber, came up and called me racist and whatnot. I didn't take it seriously; who would when some multi-color haired, nose pierced, wack job comes up to you screaming you were stealing Latinx culture. I knew if the kid came looking for a job at my corporate office, she wouldn't make it through the door. Her appearance was not professional, and in my line of work, you have to appear professional. Otherwise, no one is going to trust you with their money. I don't think the woman saw the punch coming until it was too late, and the woman was on her ass staring confusedly at Catalina as she cursed in Spanish. I won't go into what she said; let's just say I learned far more curse words that day than I did on the days Alondra was at her grandparents' place. I was thankful that David had the wherewithal to cover Alondra's ears.
"Maybe next time you shouldn't accost people you don't know and get in their faces about shit you don't fucking know. Then you wouldn't be on your bony ass when you can't even understand what my wife said to you. Now, I suggest a new dye job and a new outlook on life if you want to get anywhere in this world," I said before leading my family off. It kind of made me wonder what the fate of the world would be with people like that running around. I just hope I'm long dead by then.
Even that little blip on our radar couldn't spoil our time there, but all too soon, it was time to leave after washing the sheets and placing them back in the closet. Roberto never wanted sheets on the beds if the house was going to sit unused for a while. I knew it would since the family didn't come down here until two weeks before the start of the new school year. So the kids would have something fond to look back on when they start a new class with brand new people. Amber and David helped ensure the house was tidy like we had found it before I locked up the house. Knowing we wouldn't be back in Charlotte until late that night.
"Thanks, Dad, the beach was just perfect?!" Amber said in a happy voice as she hugged me as we entered my condo.
"You're welcome, honey," I said, rubbing her back. "It might have taken a while, but I do keep my word."
"I'm going to put Alondra to bed," Catalina whispered before placing a kiss on my right cheek and carrying our dozing daughter to her room.
It wasn't long before Amber and David retired for the night as well. Like I was about to do as I carried Catalina's and my bags into our bedroom. The moment she slid that body next to me, everything in the world seemed right as I turned off the light.
The monthly family get-together was a hoot. Amber and David were welcomed with open arms. Catalina's mother and father took a keen interest in Amber. Not that it was surprising; after all, Amber was their step-grandchild, and they were very family orientated. I kept my ears open for anything that might have been said about the two of them. I know Catalina did the same; I even saw her lay into one of the teenagers when he said lewd things about my daughter. If I had heard it, it wouldn't have been just a tongue lashing. The boy was eighteen; if he could say that, he could take the beating that followed, and the boy knew it too. Although I did have to jump in and save David before he burnt his tongue to a cinder when he was about to eat chili, I know it had ghost peppers in it. David might like the heat, but he wasn't that suicidal. Which got a round of good-natured chuckles from the others before they handed him a bowl of chili with the heat he could handle. Like all good things, it came to an end far sooner than I would have liked. I hadn't talked to my boy all week due to him doing some type of training he couldn't tell me about. I did hope Carson was doing well in whatever the Army had him doing.
As we stood there in the airport saying our goodbyes. Amber held onto Catalina like she was really going to miss her stepmother. Then again, Catalina was probably the only motherly figure Amber had had, other than her grandmothers, in seven years. I watched how Alondra held back her tears as my two children hugged for just as long.
"You two have a safe flight; call us the moment you land," I said, bringing David into a one-arm hug. Which I could tell surprised him. What can I say? The man grew on me.
"We will," David answered, with Amber nodding along.
"Don't forget what I told you; if you need help with the wedding, we're just a phone call away," I stated, with Catalina nodding along.
"Does that mean you'll walk me down the aisle?" Amber asked with hope in her eyes.
"Most definitely, wouldn't miss it," I said with a fatherly smile which caused my daughter to crush me in a hug.
"And you call any time you need to talk. I'm always here to listen," Catalina said in a motherly, caring voice.
"I will, thank you." I heard Amber whisper as she hugged Catalina again.
"No need for thanks. I'm your stepmother, I want you to be comfortable in talking with me about anything that's troubling you, and I know Alondra is going to want to talk to her big sister." I watched as Catalina rocked Amber like she did with Alondra when she knew Alondra was troubled by something.
Picking Alondra up so she could wave bye to her sister over the throng of bodies. I had to fight back my tears as my daughter's form disappeared within that group. Yet, I knew at least now we were talking again. Making up for the lost time that I foolishly squandered in my sorrow. That there would be a next time and a next, there wouldn't be a damn thing anyone could do to stop me from seeing my daughter.
The months passed, and the re-founding of my and my children's relationship grew stronger as the days passed. Amber and I spoke almost every day; David even called to get advice on banking and whatnot, which I was glad to offer. Carson called as much as he could when he wasn't on duty or out training somewhere. I know the two of them talked to Catalina a lot. Something I know thrilled her to death. I know the wedding planning was stressing Amber out, and I knew there were a few times Catalina had to calm her down. When summer was over, Alondra started her kindergarten class; I was both proud and saddened at the same time. Knowing my little girl was growing up so fast. Catalina stayed on her birth control, stating she didn't want to be pregnant when it was time to fly out for their wedding. Which I could understand; by then, I knew she and Amber had formed a very tight bond. Something I know she didn't have with her mother. If I was truthful it was a blessing, and I knew it irked the shit out of the Bitch.
As Thanksgiving approached, I knew Carson couldn't fly back to Kansas City, which saddened me. Still, he promised to fly to Charlotte for Christmas. He wanted to save up enough leave time to attend Amber's wedding before he would be discharged that summer. Not to knock anyone in the service, I was damn happy to hear. I'm not demeaning anyone who takes that oath. I'd never do that. That would be dishonorable, and I like to think of myself as an honorable man. It's just some nights when Carson was off training on whatever it was had me laying in my bed in worry about my son's safety. I think a lot of service personnel can understand that because some of them have their own kids in whichever branch they join.
"Hey, Mom," I spoke into my phone as we walked through the airport to catch our flight to Kansas City to join my parents and David and Amber, along with his parents for Thanksgiving. "No, we haven't boarded yet; the flight doesn't leave for another two hours. I was calling you to let you know we're at the airport and should be on our way soon." Handing Alondra my phone when she was so eager to talk to her grandmother. They try to get out as often as they can to see us, not that they would ever have to buy a plane ticket. I handled that. They just didn't travel a lot, given their age.
As we sat waiting for our flight. I noted how Alondra was texting like mad to Amber. Telling Amber everything she needed to know with her vast experience as a five-year-old. I noticed that Amber was playing right along. Then I heard the ding of the text that I set for Carson should he have free time to text us. It would seem my daughter was chatting away with the both of them and happy as a clam too. Rising from my seat and taking my phone from Alondra as our flight was ready to board.
"Mom! Dad!" I noted how Catalina's cheeks got rosy when Amber called out to us as she and David had come to drive us to my parent's home. I know she and Amber hugged for a very long time. I never interrupted when she and Amber would talk. I could tell from the look on Catalina's face that Amber needed a woman she could talk to that wasn't trying to manipulate her. I know Alondra loved the praise from David. After all, he was about to become her brother-in-law.
"David," I greeted, holding out my hand to him. Which he took then pulled me into that manly one-arm hug.
"These all your bags?" They asked, which I nodded in response.
"The car is this way," Amber said, holding Alondra's hand, which she was happy to do. After all, Alondra hasn't seen her big sister for some time.
"Wait, isn't that Mom's car?" I asked as I noted the Buick.
"Yes, they've been letting us use it since ours has been giving us problems as of late," Amber said embarrassment coloring her face.
"What's wrong with it?" I asked in that fatherly tone of mine.
"Other than being older than I am, the engine went out on us a few days back," David said in a sad voice.
I looked to my wife; she knew already what I was thinking. Giving me the nod of approval to spend that kind of money which we could afford. I wasn't about to let them drive around with an unreliable means of transportation. What father wants their daughter stuck in the bad part of town in a broken-down car with no means of getting home?
As we drove towards my parent's home, I noted the Volvo dealership knowing just where I would be going in the morning, seeing how Thanksgiving wasn't for another three days. Pulling out my phone, looking up the dealership to see what stock they had on their lot. Listening to the chatter as they talked as I came upon the car, I knew I would be getting for them. It was a 2018 Volvo S60 with a little over fifteen thousand miles on it. While it wasn't brand new, it was damn near close to it. So I knew they wouldn't be having car troubles for a while.
My parents were standing outside of their home as Amber pulled my mother's car into their driveway. Smiling as Alondra squealed out in joy as she raced towards her grandparents, who were just as happy to see her as she was to see them. Catalina and I had a little chat as the opened trunk hid us from my daughter's and David's eyes. Seeing her going through the list of what the car offered before handing my phone back to me.
"See, I knew you cared," Catalina teased when she handed my phone back. "Go, make the call; I'll see to the bags."
I noted my parent's odd looks as I waved to them before walking down the block so Amber or David wouldn't hear the conversation. Dialing the number for the dealership, my eyes looked around my old neighborhood seeing the changes that had taken place since I was a boy as the line rang.
