Home Is Where The Heart Is

I Do

Today is the day. I thought to myself. I have been helping my mom plan her wedding for almost four years and finally today is the day! I am so happy for her. Most seventeen year old's would dread the thought of getting another parental unit, but I couldn't wait. My father was murdered when I was four, I missed having a dad so I am extremely happy to be getting one now. As I am walking my mom down the aisle I see my father to be crying and I smile.
"Maria Cortez do you take Robert Chance to be your lawfully wedded husband in sickness and in health till death do you part?" My mother smiled brightly at me.
"I do! Of course I do!" My mother laughed as she held on to Robert's hands for dear life. The priest then recited the same words to Robert and we awaited his response.
"Yes...I mean I do, Yes I do." He chuckled as did the crowd of family members.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride." The entire room erupted in applause as they kissed. After the ceremony we decided against having a huge reception with all of our families, instead it was just the three of us in our large, new, living room.

"Gosh Robert, it's been five years and I still can't believe your house is this massive." I exclaimed as I sat on the living room floor wearing fleece shorts and a tank top.
"Oh stop it, this is your house too Santana." I smiled as I scarfed down the three pieces of pizza I had on my plate. Moments later Robert's house phone rang and my mother jumped up to get it.
"Hello?.....Yes, he's right here....Okay, just a second." My mom was silent for a moment, then she turned to Robert. "Robert honey it's for you." Her eyes widened and she mouthed something to him. Robert kissed her on the cheek then left the room.
"I wonder what that was about." I said to my mom questionably. She sighed and returned to her spot next to me before speaking.
"You will find out soon enough, mi amor." I decided to stay out of it and continued to eat my food, until Robert came back into the room.
"Well ladies, I have some news." He had a smile on his face and I turned to look at my mother who also had a smile on her face.
"Did she?"My mother asked. He nodded and let out a chuckle.
"Yeah she did."He responded. My mother squealed and jumped up into his arms.
"Did who, do what?" I asked excitedly. My parents stood hand in hand in front of me with huge grins on their faces before Robert blurted.
"My ex-wife discussed it with my son and he is coming to live with us!" I gasped and jumped up. I knew that Robert had a son, I had never met him but I was excited to, I've always wanted a brother.
"Oh my god, Robert no way, that's so crazy!" I stood and hugged him.
"We have less than a week to get the guest room ready for him, he'll be arriving from Australia on Sunday!" Wow, only four days? I would think since he was coming from Australia he would take his time packing and saying goodbye to his friends. We are going to be busy.
On Saturday night I had finally finished his room. Robert had made a list of things that his son was interested in and I had incorporated all of that into his room and added a painting that I had done to one of his walls.

It was four a.m Sunday morning when I finally passed out in my room wearing a white t-shirt and shorts ripped to hell, both covered in massive amounts of paint. I woke up at noon to the sound of my mother squealing I laughed then forced myself to walk to the bathroom which separated my room from my step-brother's. I took a look in the mirror and began to laugh. My entire face was covered in paint as well as my arms, legs, hands, feet, chest, and my hair which I had thrown into a messy bun the night before.

I heard my mother laugh again but this time it felt closer, like she was in the next room. I left the bathroom and walked next door into my masterpiece where my mom, Robert, and a younger looking guy were all admiring my painting. I stood in the doorway staring at it, like it had been my first time seeing it.

I stood and stared at the amazing piece I had spent four days working on, day and night.
"This is gorgeous." My mom gasped. I smiled, prepared to thank her, when another voice entered.
"Who painted this?" The young looking guy asked as he turned to me. I blushed furiously trying not to look into his eyes when I responded.
"I did." My mom and Robert hadn't realized that I had been standing there, they both smiled.
"Baby girl this is amazing!" My mom carried on as she walked over and hugged me.
"Thank's mom." I blushed and stared at my feet.
"I've seen better." The young guy spoke, completely ruining my moment.
"Kieran!" Robert blurted before I stopped him.
"It's fine Robert, I had no right painting his room without his permission." I said finally realizing that the 'young guy' was my stepbrother.
"I can paint over it for you if you'd like?" He rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"No, I can deal with it." I smirked and turned to leave the room.
"Uh- I never got your name." He stuttered. I turned back to look at him and smiled.
"My name is Santana." I continued out of the room and ran to mine, trying to calm my breathing. I grabbed a handful of clean clothes and headed toward the bathroom to shower. Half way through my warm, calming, shower loud and angry music filled the entire house shocking me out of my daze. I began to get angry, and I hopped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my body, too upset to get dressed. I followed the annoying noise and barged right into Kieran's room where he was sitting on his bed smoking a cigarette. "What the hell are you doing?!" I screamed at him, he turned to look at me, smoke pouring out of his mouth.

"I'm listening to music, what the hell are you doing?" He asked gesturing toward my lack of clothes. I rolled my eyes and placed my hands on my hips.
"I was trying to take a peaceful, warm, shower but I couldn't because the house is filled with this noise!" I screamed at him. He chuckled and ran a hand through his hair then turned down his stereo.
"What would you like me to do sweetheart?" My heart rate tripled and I stared at him in awe.
"I would appreciate it if you kept your music down while I showered." He smiled and made eye contact with me. I then turned and began to leave when he spoke again.
"Your wish is my command, love." Oh, god. My body immediately reacted when those words passed his lips. I stopped in the doorway and turned to look at him.

"And don't call me 'love'." His smile grew and he nodded in my direction. I smiled and left his room returning to the bathroom to finish my shower, only now it was a peaceful, cold, shower.