Usnavi May 2025
It has been two months since the birth of our little Luis. In that time, mom and Jaime have moved into the apartment across from us. She wants to be close enough to help with the kids. Marisol has moved in with Angelica.
Today, finally, Vanessa gets to come home. Her speech is completely back, with the exception of struggling with a word from time to time, and her brain was not affected much from the lack of oxygen. She is walking with the help of a walker and she gets tired easily, but she is strong enough to come home.
"Amor, are you ready," I ask her as we pull up to our apartment building.
"Yes. I am so excited to finally sleep in my bed tonight. I am excited to eat dinner with all the kids at our own table."
I lean over, kiss her. "It is so great to have you home."
She rest her head on mine. "Thank you. Now, help me upstairs. They are going to be rough."
I laugh and get out to help her. Thankfully we only live on the second floor. It only takes is about 10 minutes. I offered to carry her several times but she wanted to do it on her own. When we get there, Vanessa is exhausted. I help her to the couch and where she quickly falls asleep.
One hour later, I am starting dinner when I hear my kids coming in. I rush outside to meet them so they don't wake Vanessa.
"Hey guys!" I say, greeting mom and little Luis.
"Daddy, is mom home?" Iris ask excitedly.
"Yes princess. She is taking a nap, so let's go in quietly."
"Daniel, are you ready to see Mommy?" Iris asks.
"No!"
"Bud, I promise. Mom is home. She is okay," I tell him. I pick him up and kiss him cheek. "Let's go see her."
We walk in as Vanessa wakes up.
"I hope we didn't wake you Amor."
She stretches and shakes her head. When she sees the kids, her face lights up.
"Mommy!" Iris yells, running to her.
"Hi baby." Vanessa says while sitting up. "I am so happy to see you guys!"
"Are you really home? You don't have to stay at the hospital anymore?"
"Yes honey. I am staying home. I only have to go to the hospital for check ups."
Iris sits beside Vanessa and curls into her. She kisses Iris' head and then hugs Javier and Camilla. She than looks to Daniel and I.
"Daniel, Baby, come here." She says, reaching out to him. He shakes his head. I then take him and sit beside Vanessa.
"Daniel, this is mom. You know your mom."
I rub his back. He clings to me for several moments before looking at Vanessa.
"Hi baby. It's okay. You don't have to be scared."
"Mommy?"
Her eyes begin to glistening at this. This is the first time he has talked to her since before Luis's birth.
"Yeah baby. It's Mommy. Can I hug you, please?"
He allows her to take him from me. When she hugs him, after a moment, he hugs back. He finally seems to recognize her and doesn't let go for almost an hour. She doesn't let to either.
A week later, we are getting ready for a big family dinner. My mom and siblings are here with Vanessa's moms. Angie is also here with Mari. "Gran, what's for dinner," Iris asks Daniella.
"I am making all your mom's favorite foods."
"Please tell me you made your homemade bread," Vanessa says from the table while giving Luis his bottle.
"Of course. I also made my famous potato soup."
"Yes!" Vanessa says and I laugh.
"Amor, is Luis almost finished?"
"He is done. I'm just not ready to let him go right now."
I nod. Since coming home, Vanessa has hardly put Luis down. She has to let go when he needs changing or when she needs to move, but if she is seated, she holds him. I think she is trying to make up for missing most of his first three months. After a while, Luis starts to get fussy. Vanessa checks his diaper and groans.
"Does Luis need a change?" I ask.
She nods and reluctantly hands him to me. When I look her in the eyes, she has tears in her eyes.
"Vanessa, what's wrong Amor?"
"I just want to be able to help him when he needs things like a change or a bath. My arms still are not strong enough to take care of my baby on my own. I'm sick of feeling so weak. I'm sick of not being the mother I should to my children. I miss being in school to finish my doctorate. I only have a year and a half left. I just want things back to normal."
I hand Luis to mom, who goes to change him. I then kneel in-front of Vanessa and have her look at me. "I know Amor and we are getting there. You get stronger every day. I have no doubt you will be back to school in no time. I am just so thankful that we still have you here. I couldn't lose you again."
"Vanessa, I don't think you realize how far you have come," Daniella says. "I was there hours after everything. You looked like a shell of yourself. You were connected to so many tubes and wires. We were all afraid to touch you, worried we would hurt you."
"I know mom."
"I don't think you do! I didn't know why at the time, but I felt a need to take a picture of you that first day. Now, I think it is for you to be reminded of how far you have come."
Daniella hands Vanessa her phone and Vanessa gasps.
"I knew it was bad... but not that bad."
"It was so much worse than the picture shows. I promise Amor, things are getting better. Just give it time."
She nods and touches her head to mine. "I'm so sorry I scared you like that."
I close my eyes and cup her face. "It wasn't your fault. All that matters is that you are still here."
"You two are so cute," Mari says.
Vanessa and I laugh.
Later that night, after dinner, I notice Mari is looking nervous.
"Marisol, what's wrong?" Lilliana asks.
She takes a deep breath and stands up.
"Well, since everyone is here, I want to do this with my family around. Vanessa already said it is okay to do this tonight."
Vanessa and Mari smile at each other. "The last few years have been really tough for our family. First, mom had cancer. Then, dad died suddenly. After, I went through my mental health crisis. Finally, we almost lost my deer sister."
Vanessa smiles at Mari.
"Throughout all of this heartache, I managed to find the one person who can deal with me and all my issues. After seeing my mom lose her soulmate and my brother almost lose his, I realized life is short. I want to spend the rest of my days the the one person who I feel is my soulmate. So Angelica, I want to ask you the hardest and yet easiest question I have ever asked. Angie, would you do me the honor of agreeing to be my wife?"
Angelica has a large grin on her face as Marisol looks at her the same way dad looked at mom. Angie, finally finding her voice, says yes. Mari looks so relieved, she almost drops the ring. Mari slips the ring on Angie's finger and stands up to kiss her. Our family claps and then everyone stands up to hug the couple.
Mom goes over, hugs Angelica first, and then hugs Marisol.
"I'm so happy for you Babygirl."
"Thanks Mommy."
"Your dad would be so happy for you tonight. He always dreamed of your wedding."
Mari wipes her eyes and nods. "I miss him so much."
"Me too Marisol but he is with us. I feel his presence every day."
"Mom, since dad isn't here so walk me down the asile when I get married, will you walk back down the asile."
Mom smiles and kiss her head. "Of course Babygirl."
Marisol then turns to Vanessa.
"Vanessa, would you be my maid of honor. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a sister and you are my closest friend. I want you by my side when I marry my best friend."
Vanessa smiles and nods. "I would be honored. What if I'm still using a walker though?"
"Then we'll cover it with flowers. I just want you there with me."
Vanessa struggles to stand up and Mari helps her. They hug each other.
"Thank you! I am honored to be your maid of honor."
Usnavi November 2025
Today, my baby sister is marrying Angelica. For the ceremony, Mari has a broach with a picture of dad on her pantsuit. She is also wearing dad's ring around her neck. She had a matching one made for her wedding ring. Jaime said, if he ever gets married, he will give the girl mom's ring.
Vanessa, walks out using her cane.
"You look beautiful Amor."
She smiles and walks over to me. We kiss and I help her sit down.
"You have gotten really good with that cane."
"Yeah. I have been working really hard in physical therapy. I am happy to be almost back to normal."
"You start school back next month, Luis and the kids are growing quickly, and my baby sister is getting married today. I love our new normal."
Mari and Angie have a beautiful wedding ceremony. I have never seen my sister so happy. That night, I hold Vanessa and we dance the night away.
