Unexpected Love

Family Gathering

"Serena, get dressed." My mom says as she opens my curtains, letting the bright sunlight into my darkroom. I groan in protest. "Serena!" I hear her yell at me. I suddenly felt cold air kiss my bare legs. I look over to see my mom looking at me angrily.

"I'm up," I say as I literally get up.

"Get changed. We're going to your Padrino's house for a barbeque." She smiles at me as if she didn't do anything. I gave her a quick smile, and as soon as she walked out, I started closing my eyes. "Serena! You better not be falling asleep!" She yells, waking me up completely. It's as if she has eyes on me, or most likely, she has a sensor on her.

Getting out of my comfy bed, I change into a dark blue denim skirt and a white cropped tank top.
Tying my black sneakers, I went to go sit down at my vanity. Before finishing up my makeup, I focus on doing my signature winged liner. I pin the sides of my black hair and pull out some hair to frame my face. From the corner of my eye, I see my mom walk into my bathroom in a red maxi dress.

"Why are you in my bathroom?" I ask her as I apply brown lipliner.

"Cause I can," she replies as she picks up one of my many perfumes. "Can I spray some on me?" She asks.

"Sure," I reply as I put on a nude gloss.

After spraying on some perfume, she walks out, and I follow her. I watch as she packs up the pink owl baby bag with diapers and extra clothing. "Mija, please take this to the car. Your dad is already out there packing up the car." She orders as she shoves the bag into my arms. "I got to change Melody." She walks away without letting me say a single word.

I walk outside to join my dad as he loads the car with food and sodas. He's wearing a white button-up shirt and dark jeans with a whole lot of cologne.

"Pa," I say, gaining his attention.

He turns to face me and smiles, "Serena, you're ready on time. Where's your mom?"

"Getting Melody ready," I reply as I hand him the diaper bag. He puts it in the back seat next to the baby seat.

"It's a perfect day for a barbecue, huh." He says, looking at the sky.

"I'm not doing this with you," I say, looking at him.

"What? You don't like small talk? You'll need it for the future." He says, giving me a mini-lesson. "Get in the car. I see your mom coming down the stairs." I hop into the truck and close the door. I look out the window to see my mom walking out with Melody. Her dark hair is pulled into a tiny top pigtail with a light pink bow on it and a bright pink ruffle dress.

My mother opens the back door and buckles Melody in her grey car seat. She gives me the same mini-lecture on I have to keep an eye on Melody that she gives every single time we're in the car.

"Emilia lets get going." My dad says to her. She finally got in the car, and we drove off to Marisol's house.

Everyone said they would be there except for Dante's and Hector's family.

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We stood outside of Marisol's house as my dad knock on the white door. I had to carry some of the food since my mom had her hands full with Melody. The door sprung open, revealing Marisol's father. His dark eyes looked at my father, and they instantly light up. I noticed he wore a light blue checkered button-up shirt with black dress pants and his signature old cowboy boots. "Compadre!" He loudly says to my father.

"Compadre." My father says, patting my padrino's back. My father is visibly ecstatic to see his buddy. After all, they have been friends since childhood back in Mexico. He greets us all as we walk in.