10:45

PART 16

It was January 2000, and the house was filled with the sounds of laughter and joy. Claudine had just finished making a big bowl of salad, Rico's favorite, as they were getting ready to celebrate the New Year with her family at her parents’ house. The table was set with all kinds of delicious food, and everyone was in high spirits.

Her sisters were busy helping in the kitchen, while the kids—Claudine’s nieces and nephews—were running around the living room, playing and giggling. They were all very fond of Rico, and he enjoyed spending time with them as if they were his own family.

Claudine walked into the living room with the salad bowl in hand, spotting Rico sitting on the floor with her nieces and nephews, laughing as they played a board game. He looked so at ease, like he belonged right there in the middle of her family. It made her heart swell with happiness.

"Hey, Rico," Claudine called out with a smile, placing the salad on the table. "I made your favorite salad. Come and try it!"

Rico’s face lit up as he heard her. He quickly excused himself from the game and walked over to Claudine, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You made it again, huh? You really know how to spoil me," he teased, giving her a playful nudge.

Claudine laughed softly, looking up at him. "Of course! Anything for you. Plus, it's New Year, so we have to make it special, right?"

"Special? It already is," Rico said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Every moment with you is special."

Claudine blushed at his words, feeling the warmth spread across her face. "Come on, let’s eat before the kids finish everything," she joked, trying to change the subject before her sisters noticed her blushing.

They sat down with the rest of the family, enjoying the meal together. The conversation was light, filled with stories from the past year, plans for the future, and of course, the constant playful teasing between Claudine’s sisters and Rico.

“So, Rico,” one of Claudine’s sisters asked, “When are you two going to give us some nieces or nephews of your own?”

Rico chuckled, glancing at Claudine. “We’re not in a rush,” he said, smiling warmly. “But who knows, maybe someday soon.”

Claudine blushed again, trying to focus on her plate while everyone else laughed. Rico squeezed her hand under the table, giving her a reassuring smile.

After dinner, the kids tugged at Rico’s shirt, asking him to play with them again. Claudine smiled as she watched him interact with them. He had a natural way with children, and her nieces and nephews adored him. On more than one occasion, Rico would pick them up from school or watch them whenever Claudine had something important to do.

“Uncle Rico, come play with us!” one of her nephews called out, pulling at his hand.

Rico grinned, standing up. “Alright, alright, I’m coming. What are we playing?”

Claudine watched as they ran off to the living room again. She stood up and joined her sisters, who were cleaning up the dishes.

“You’re lucky, you know,” one of her sisters said, nudging her lightly. “Rico’s great with kids. He’s going to be a wonderful dad someday.”

Claudine smiled softly, glancing over at Rico playing with the kids. “I know. He’s amazing.”

Once the dishes were done, Claudine sat down on the couch, watching as Rico continued to play with her nieces and nephews. It made her heart full seeing him like this. He fit so well into her life, and her family loved him just as much as she did.

Later that night, after the kids were tucked into bed and the house quieted down, Rico and Claudine found themselves sitting outside on the porch, wrapped in a blanket, watching the stars.