When It Begins Again

23

One Week Later

It had been three days since Carlos was home and it felt amazing to be out of the hospital room.

He walked around the new house, still trying to adjust to the changes.

The new house was smaller. They no longer had an upstairs and downstairs. They lived in a flat house and that had been a huge adjustment for Carlos.

He walked into the kitchen and found Jewel with the phone to her ear.

"She doesn't want anything big. Just really short and sweet and intimate. The casket has to remain closed for obvious reasons and she wants to be in and out."

From the moment he heard casket, he knew she was talking about Kim.

He wrapped his arms around his wife's waist as she leaned into him and listened to what the person was saying on the other end of the line.

"Yeah. If he shows, we don't show him any bad face. He gets to sit at the front and stand with Kim and Jomauld. Out of respect for the fact that he's also a grieving father."

He massaged his hands through her hair as her eyes closed.

Jewel was superwoman, how she continued to navigate through life and handle all the lemons that was thrown at her, he'd never know.

But after spending three weeks in a coma, Carlos knew that he wanted to use his time on this earth to make his wife's life easier, never harder than it needed to be.

He'd waken up early this morning and fixed breakfast for everyone.

Jeston was ecstatic about his new Honda Civic and was tasked with the responsibility of dropping Mya to school and picking her up from her dance practices.

Which was a big relief to both Carlos and Jewel.

He was only allowed to skip out on his new responsibilities if he had plans and those plans were only to be once a week because they'd allowed him to spend as much time with his friends and girlfriend on the weekend.

A girlfriend who Carlos realized was quickly becoming a part of their family. Three out of five nights for the week, Ariel joined them for family dinner.

He saw that his wife and the teen got a long really well and that made him smile.

They'd spoken to Jeston about his behavior before the incident occurred and he'd apologized which Carlos would accept for now.

Too much time had passed to punish him.

The Eagles had been booted out of the running for the finals and as much as it sucked, Carlos was grateful because he got the opportunity to spend some extra time at home before he had to return to training six days a week.

"I rented the community centre not too far from the graveyard so everyone can go there after and get served some light refreshments."

Carlos pressed his lips against her neck as she placed her palm on his cheek.

"Okay, I think we're good to go. I'd get back to you later."

She hung up the call as she turned to look at him.

"Mr. Santiago."

"Mrs. Santiago."

He responded as he pressed his lips against hers.

"I have a surprise waiting for you upstairs."

He whispered as he placed his hand under her legs and raised her up bridal style.

Jewel squealed.

"Babe."

He kissed her cheek.

"Listen I was asleep for three weeks and all I wanted to do was be inside of you. Since I've woken up, I've been surrounded by everyone and making up for lost time. But it's time."