Daffodils: An Avengers Romance

We Don't Kidnap Children In This Household

My parents lived in a small, little town right outside of Amity, which was a three hour plane ride from New York. They had no neighbors for miles, but did have a whole ass farm in their backyard. As soon as I parked the car and got out I could hear the chickens and goats. And smell them too.

"Mami!" I called out as I knocked on the door, "Papi, your favorite child is here!"

The door was thrown open and my mother gave a little scream as she hugged me, "Aida Natalia Barons, why did you not tell me you were coming?" Her hands went to grab my face and move it around, inspecting it.

"Surprise," I kinda said, my mouth still squished between her hands. My mother smiled, ushering me into the house and sitting me down at the kitchen table.

"Your father should be back any minute now, he went to milk the cows. Now, are you hungry? I have some sweet potatoes in the oven." I smiled as I watched my mom go around the small kitchen, trying to find what to feed me.

My mother, Roselina Gonzalez-Barons was the definition of a Hispanic grandmother, though she was yet to be a grandma. A small woman with long brown hair and smile lines permanently on her face. She met my father, Joseph Baron during a company party and then they fell in love.

It wasn't all perfect though as dad came from a very religious Black background and my mother had a bad history with religion. He was also only 24 while she was 33, which further upset his family. It was a love story that crossed race, religion and age though and eventually they got married and had me- their only child that was kind of unexpected.

"Here, have some coffee," Mami said as she put down a small glass in front of me and I thanked her. Nothing was said for a while, I just enjoyed the feeling of being near her. There was something so calming and relaxing of just sitting here with her.

"Mi amor, what's wrong?" She finally asked as she looked over at me.

"Nothing, mami. Why would something be wrong?"

"You have that sad look you get. With the frown right here." She said and then pointed right at the center of my forehead softly. I patted her hand away, making sure my forehead was smooth.

"I don't have a sad frown line, mami. You must be getting old." I joked and she gave a little laugh. Then she gave me the mom look that she used to give me everytime I came back home late in high school.

Damn, she was good at that. "So, there's a guy." I gave it a second for the eyebrow raise that I knew would come, "Well, actually there's two guys."

"Ah," She said, "So you go twenty years without a boyfriend and then you bring back two?"

"What?" I gasped, "Mami! No, that's the problem. They're best friends and I'm friends with both of them. We work together and have a good relationship. But, they're both so hot and sweet. And I think they both might like me, but what am I supposed to do? Date one while liking the other?"

My mom held my hand, "Mija, breath. You're gonna knock yourself out."

I took a deep breath and groaned, letting my head fall onto her shoulder, "What do I do, mami?"

"Well, what you're not going to do is let some men give you anxiety. You're much too young to be getting wrinkles over anyone." She ran her fingers through my hair then pushed me away and tucked a curl behind an ear, "And if they truly care about your feelings and opinions then don't worry too much about choosing one over the other. They'll respect whatever choice you make and I know you'll make the right one. Also, if you do end up dating one of them, make sure to bring them home. I need to meet them."

"Who do we need to meet?" The backdoor opened as dad stepped through, wiping off his boots at the entrance mat.

"Dad!" I called out, rising up to hug him and kiss his cheek.