Juliana Barba yawned as she walked out onto her front yard one Saturday morning, only mostly ready for the day; dressed, makeup done, and hair still messy. She was taking out the trash, due to her and Rafael forgetting to do so the night before, seeing as they had been distracted by other 'nighttime activities'. Juliana lifted up the lids to both the trash and recycling, setting down and lifting up each one of the bins that she had brought out one by one, dumping them in. Juliana thought she had succeeded in the mundane weekly task, until she inadvertently knocked over half of the trash can. She sighed irritably, picking the bin back up and squatting down to pick everything up and throw it back in. She was both too preoccupied and too irritated to here the somewhat quiet conversation going on on the front lawn of the house directly across the street. "That's the new neighbor, huh?" a guy asked. "Yeah, yeah," the other nodded. "Damn. She's hot as f**k," he murmured. "Nice ass view." "Well, let's go talk to her, ya dipsh*t!" the other young man reasoned. "Okay, okay, fine!"
He made his way across the street, close behind his friend, who had taken the lead, both watching for a second as Juliana continued bending down and picking up the trash. "Hey, miss. Need some help?" the first guy asked. Juliana turned to face them, having sensed their presence. "Nah, man, I got. 'Preciate it though. Have we met?" she asked, closing both lids. "Oh, no, never had the chance. I'm Elliot, and this is my man Cole," the charming college student smiled. "Hey, what's goin on?" Juliana nodded. "I'd normally shake your hand." "We understand, it's cool," Cole nodded dismissively. "What's your name?" Elliot Lamar asked. "Barba. Juliana Barba," she corrected. "I'm used to introducing myself at work, we always go by last names." "Oh, what do you do?" Cole Jennings asked curiously. "I'm a police detective," Juliana answered. "How bout y'all?" "Students at NYU," Cole replied with a smile. "Yeah, juniors," Elliot clarified. "Nice, good to finally meet y'all. I used to live in an apartment, so, I never really talked to my neighbors much," Juliana nodded. "So you guys live together. Are you—?" "No, no," Cole shook his head awkwardly. "Just old friends." "Our house is like a frat house but with even more booze, parties, and less trouble to get into," Elliot chuckled. "You should come by some time."
Juliana chuckled somewhat awkwardly. They continued with brief, light conversation as Rafael Barba came walking down the driveway, instantly grabbing Juliana by the waist. "There you are, Juliana, mi amor," he smiled, kissing his wife more hard than necessary at eleven in the morning. "Hey, guapo. Just takin out the trash, saw the neighbors while I was out here," she nodded. "Oh, hey, what's goin on?" Rafael smiled. "I'm Rafael, Barba. I see you've met my wife."
Cole tried to hide his embarrassment and disappointment as his friend quickly adapted to the situation. "Hey, man, I'm Elliot, Lamar, and this is my good friend, Cole Jennings. We go to NYU," he smiled. "Nice to meet you," Rafael nodded. "What do you do, Rafael?" Cole asked calmly. "I'm an Assistant District Attorney." "That's mad impressive, man," Elliot nodded. "So you're married?" Cole asked. "Yeah, three years," Rafi nodded as Juliana tried to hide her amusement at the slight lie. "That's real nice. Y'all got kids?" Elliot asked. "Yeah, twins," Juliana nodded. "Daughter and son." "That's really nice, uh, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and we'll see you guys around," Cole smiled as the college boys backed away. "See you," Juliana waved with a smile that was actually meant to be a smirk. "You're hot when you're jealous, you know that?" "So you keep telling me, at my expense," Rafael sighed. "I hate how you can just tell." "That's how relationships work, baby," Juliana chuckled as they headed inside arm in arm.
They headed inside, as did their neighbors. "Man, good thing we found out she was married," Cole sighed. "Well, she didn't look old at all! Total MILF. Neither did he, that asshole. Wait. How did you not see the ring?! That thing is gigantic!" "I wasn't exactly lookin at her ring now, was I?! It's not the only thing she got that's gigantic," Elliot reasoned, then sighed. "She bagged a rich guy. Big shot ADA."
****
"Oh, Juliana," Rafael Barba smiled later towards nighttime as he finished putting the babies to bed. "I've got a surprise for you," he announced into the phone as he quietly shut the door behind him. "I can't wait," Juliana chuckled as she drove home, returning from dropping one of Rafael's suits off at the dry cleaner's.
She was home within minutes, and announced her presence as she walked through the front door into her home. "Hey, mi vida." "What's all this for, Rafi? Not that I'm complaining," Juliana laughed as she looked around at all the candles set up around the living room. "While I was gettin all jealous and sh*t.... I remembered our wedding, how much I loved dancing with you to the slow songs," Rafael explained as he stood in front of her in one of his best suits. "It's silly, but.... I want you to dance with me." Juliana smiled fondly, hugging him and kissing his cheek. "It's not silly at all, babe. It's romantic, and it's fun. Would you like me to play dress up wit you too?" He nodded. "The one from the fancy Christmas party?" he asked both teasingly and hopefully. "Whatever you want, Rafa," Juliana promised as she walked off into the bedroom to change.
She came out moments later, and Rafael Barba was stunned, even after three years knowing the woman that was now his wife.
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"Mesmerizing as ever," Rafael smiled. As did Juliana. "I love you." "I love you too, J," Rafael agreed
He made his way over to his phone, which was connected to a speaker, pressing play. "A proper dance," he nodded.
He held his hand gracefully out to Juliana as they began to dance, hands held together out in front of each of them, moving and spinning together. "I hope you don't feel threatened on any way," Juliana said half seriously. "No, no, you don't have to worry about me at all, mi amor. It's just when.... when other men, and sometimes women, see what a beautiful and extraordinary woman you are.... it reminds me of how lucky I am that I was the one who wifed you up, and that you're mine. It reminds me that I need to treat every single day that we have to spend together like it's your birthday, or our anniversary. You being my wife doesn't make me try less hard with you; it only makes me wanna keep earning you more every day," he promised. "That's one of the many things I love about you," Juliana smiled. "You never really seem to disappoint me. As long as you're around, and as long as you love me, I have everything I could ever ask for." "You know.... I wish I could give you everything. Anything you could possibly want; I wish I could take you to every single place there is.... give you a taste of every single food in existence, give you every single thing that you might ask for...." Rafa trailed off. Juliana Barba sighed contently. "Don't up see, Rafael? You've already given me everything that I wanted; you, and our two beautiful kids. You're my happiness, my everything. Being with you makes me happy." "I know. You're my world, and my anchor, too," Rafael nodded. "Rafi, mi vida.... do you remember that one day, almost three years ago? When you did that amazing candle lit dinner for me, with your delicious chicken parmesan?" Juliana asked teasingly. "Of course," he nodded. "I specifically remember the way that night ended." "Yeah," Juliana smiled. "Remember what I told you? I'm here to stay, Rafi. I knew that If want to be since the minute I met you." He nodded in agreement. "I knew it too. I knew that one day, I'd love you, and our future, more than anything else in the world. You are my world." "Thank you. I love you, so, so much." "I don't know what I'd do without you, Juliana Barba," Rafael sighed as they embraced. "Ion want either of us to have to find out the answer to that question for a long ass time, baby," she promised.
