Put Me in a Movie

Fourteen

"Miguel O'Hara and the leading lady in his new film have been spotted entering a new restaurant earlier this week." The news reporter said your name with a hint of jealousy. Everyone wanted Miguel and was disappointed that he was taken away from them so soon. You scoffed like any of them actually had a chance.

Pictures of you and Miguel flashed onto the screen of your fifty-inch flat-screen television. You were sitting crisscross applesauce on your couch while Fern sat next to you. Today was supposed to be a lazy day until you received a call from Stella.

"You're needed at the TCL Chinese Theater in the next two hours. Wear that Chanel dress that I bought you for your birthday," Stella said without elaborating further.

"The hell? Why am I needed at the TCL Chinese Theater?"

"Well, you may or may not have been invited to an A24 premier that I forgot to tell you about. You're allowed to bring a guest so if you want, you can bring that fine ass boyfriend of yours."

"Stella!" Your head hit the back of your couch. "If you keep doing this then I don't know if I can trust you. Did you not grasp onto anything during our conversation?"
Stella's sigh was heard on your end of the phone, "I know and I'm sorry. I've just been having a hard time with Jack and all." Jack is Stella's new deadbeat boyfriend. He has no job and zero ambition. You don't approve of him and wish that Stella would break up with him.

"Stella, you need to break up with him. He's not good for you.

"This isn't about me!" Stella huffed and then composed herself. "Look, honey, you need to call Miguel and tell him to get ready, pick you up, and head over. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner, but maybe this could be good for you and Miguel. Practice before the premiere of your own movie. I need to go." Stella hung up and you sat there for a second before you dialed Miguel's phone number.

Miguel picked up the phone after two rings, "Hello?"

"Miguel, I'm sorry for the short notice, but Stella just told me that I need to go to an A24 movie premiere. She said I could bring a plus one and I was wondering if you want to go."

It was silent for a moment before he spoke, "To be honest, I don't think I can go. Jessica isn't available to take care of Gabby and her usual babysitter is on vacation."

Your heart sank. Of course, he couldn't come. He was a father first before your boyfriend. He had a daughter to love and take care of. You would always come second and you needed to get used to that.

You were about to respond before a light bulb appeared in your head. "Well, I can tell Stella that something came up. Then, if you're up for it, you and Gabby can come over for a pool day. It's the perfect weather."

"Mi amor, that sounds perfect, but I can't let you skip a premiere for us."

"I don't want to go to premier in the first place. Please, Fern misses Gabby and I miss you." Fern tilted her head at the mention of Gabriella's name. If you and Miguel ever broke up, it would hurt Fern and Gabby more than it would hurt you.

"Fine. When do you want us to come over," Miguel chuckled at the sound of you celebrating.

You told Miguel to come over in about an hour or two. Then, you texted Stella that something came up and that you couldn't attend the premier. She was disappointed but ultimately understood how last minute this was.

You uncovered your pool and made sure that there were no bugs or stray leaves inside of it. Your pool overlooked the beautiful city that you lived in. Every day you thanked the Universe and your own hard work for letting you live this life that you've dreamed of since you were little. Words cannot describe how blessed you felt every time you woke up to this incredible view.

You sent a text to Peter asking him if he, MJ, and May would like to join the party. He accepted the invite and expressed his utmost excitement. You missed the banter between you and Peter. He was quirky and funny in the best way possible and you were glad he was your friend.

You were wearing a red one-piece bathing suit that cinched at the waist. You looked like Pamela Anderson in Baywatch. Fern was wearing a pink doggy life jacket and you nearly cried at the fact that just a few months ago she was living on the streets of LA. Luckily, Fern was roaming around in the right place at the right time.

A knock at your door took you out of your head. Miguel and Gabriella were the first ones to arrive at your home. Fern happily jumped around when she saw Miguel's daughter in a matching pink swimsuit.

Miguel greeted you with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It looked friendly enough to the untrained eye, but if they looked a bit closer, they would see his hand rest on the globe of your ass for a quick second before returning to a modest place on your body.

Gabriella doesn't know that you and her father are dating. He doesn't want her to get too attached just in case it doesn't work out, but as he watched his daughter smile while playing with Fern, he knew there was no going back.

"What are we eating for lunch? I'm hungry and my dad wouldn't take me to McDonalds," Gabriella looked at Miguel and then at you.

You let out a little laugh at her comment. Then, you got another idea. "You know, McDonalds does sound good. I'll order some when Peter and his family get here."

"Peter's coming?" Miguel asked. He wasn't mad, just surprised.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. I invited him over because I miss him and his wife and his sweet little baby."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. There was a knock at your front door and when you opened it, Peter and his small family were revealed all in their swim attire.

Everyone made their way over to the pool. MJ and May were sitting on the stairs of the pool while Peter and Gabriella had a competition to see who did the better underwater handstands. Gabriella won every time and Peter took the losses like a champ. You and Miguel were sitting on the edge of the pool while your feet were submerged in the water. Miguel watched as his daughter interacted with the leading man of his latest film.

"I think we should tell her."

You gave Miguel a questioning look, "Tell who what?"

"Gabriella. We should tell her that we're together," Miguel threaded his hands through his perfectly styled hair. "I didn't want her to get too attached just in case the worst happened, but she really liked you and your dog and to be honest, I think she already knows."

"When do you want to tell her?" This was a very serious moment in your relationship with Miguel. He was so secure in this that he was about to tell his daughter about your relationship.

Miguel called Gabriella over with a simple motion of his hand. She doggy paddled her way over to where you and her father were sitting. Miguel was nervous. You could tell by the way he shifted uncomfortably in his spot.

"Gabriella, you know I love you and I'll never keep a secret from you." Gabriella nodded her head as she floated in the water. Miguel continued, "Well, I have been keeping a secret from you. We're dating." Miguel took your hand in his and braced himself for whatever his daughter would say next.

"I know," Gabriella shrugged.

"You know? How long have you known? Who told you?" Miguel's brows furrowed in confusion.

"If I tell you, will I get in trouble?" Gabriella was weary. She knew that there was a fifty percent chance that she would be grounded if her father knew the truth. Miguel shook his head, eager to know how his daughter knew such a big secret. "Well, when she came over for dinner I was kind of listening to the two of you from the stairs. Also, when I use your phone to play Minecraft I'm not actually playing Minecraft."

Miguel huffed and shook his head. Of course, his daughter was sneaky like his ex-wife. Like mother like daughter. The rest of the day was spent lounging and playing in the pool.

Well, the cat's out of the bag. With Gabriella in the know, you felt better about your relationship. You felt secure and ready for whatever the future held.