La Mujer de Lalo (Lalo's Woman)

An ice-cream date

As Ana woke up to the sound of birds chirping, she felt like someone had stuffed her head with gunpowder and blast it. Her sinuses hurt like hell from all that crying. But her heart, it felt lighter. She didn't think that showing him the skeletons she had hid in her closet would actually set her free. A smile drew on her face. It was almost sunset. She dragged a chair and sat near the window from where she could see the birds in their nest, there were few small heads pointing out and a mama bird was feeding her babies.

When Lalo entered the room sometime later, he was glad Ana was feeling better. She seemed to be enjoying something and he stood close behind her and witnessed what she was seeing. He had never known that the trees in his garden were home to birds. Seeing the papa bird bring sticks and feathers into the nest, perhaps to add more comfort for the baby birdies and the mama bird feeding worms to the little ones, he had mentally gone back in time, to when he was with his mother and father.

He laid a hand on her shoulders gently so as not to startle her. She tilted her head and rested it on his hands.

"Mi guapo, I want that. Someday. With you." She told him.

An overjoyed Lalo knealt down next to his woman and replied "Si, mi mujer." He kissed her cheeks and turned her head to face him. "I too want what you want." He placed his forehead on hers and their noses touched each other. They could feel each others breath and they synced. "I'm very sorry querida. For causing you trouble and for making you think about those bad days. Perdóname.(Forgive me)"

She didn't reply with words, but placed her lips on his and kissed him with zeal and passion.

"You have bewitched me, Señor Eduardo Salamanca. I never wanted to be bewitched by someone, but you came and just whisked me away from the ground. And now as I try to fly, I want your hands beside me always, acting as my wings. And knowing that you're here for me, I can never fall down. And even if I do fall down, you'll always be there to catch me." Ana released each word softly in her angelic voice as she got lost inside his eyes.

"Ay, mi amore. But it was you who put a spell on me, on that flight to Albuquerque." He finished.

Once again, the lovers wrapped themselves and lost track of time. Their hug was cut short by a phone call from an unknown number. Ana answered the call.

"Hey it's me, it's been a long time. I was wondering if you'd be able to meet me tonight. Don't worry, it's not a date. It's... let's call it a business meet. Monroe's at 7 p.m. as usual. I need your help please." Marcus Pierce's voice flowed from the other end.

Ana looked up at Lalo, who too had heard the conversation. She looked as though she was waiting for his response. He simply gave a nod.

"Ok. I'll be there." She replied as the cut off the call.

Lalo could see that she had a lot going on her head. "It's just a business meet. Plus, he knows you're mine."

"Yours?" She questioned rhetorically.

"I'll be back by 9." She told.

"Mm hmm. I'll come and drop you."

"What? That's not necessary. "

"But I want to. Plus, I need to show that cop whose in charge, eh. I don't want him getting wrong ideas about mi amore."

"Awww. Sounds like you're jealous." She giggled.

"We still have some time to kill, shall we catch a game?"

"I hate watching sports! A telenovela, I could do."

"Ah mamita. Not that."

"Pretty please!!!"

Lalo laughed at the cute face Ana made. "Chiquita, you know I can't resist that cute face. Come on."