I am yours FOREVER (A Zac and Tom story)

Her big family

*Zac*
I walk up to the small house, feeling rather nervous for some reason as I knock. I just hope this is going to go well and not be too stiff and uncomfortable. I mean they seem like nice people, I just feel awkward Being treated like some kinda hero.

The door is opened by a kid that seems to be 9 or 10, he just stares at me then he turns on his heels. "Mom, it is really Shazam".

Seconds later a small and still very pretty Mexican woman in her late 40's shows up, smiling brightly at me. "Welcome, welcome.. Come on in,  Zac. Thank you for saving my daughter".

"It was nothing really ma'am, anyone would have done the same". I send her a friendly smile. I mean to me it was the only thing to do, so I don't feel I should be treated like something special for it.

"Please call me Paloma". She says waving me inside. "And according to both Sofia and my husband you were a real hero".

I follow her inside, the house is cosy and filled with bright colours. And apparently they have prepared what looks like a small party. There is Paloma and her husband Jose, Paloma's old mother, whom everyone just calls Abuela, and Jose's sister with her husband. Then there is Sofia and her 3 younger brothers Alejandro, Matteo and Diego, who is the youngest, it was him who opened the door.

At first I feel a little weird, as everyone insists on shaking my hand and telling me that I am a real life hero. But soon I start to relax as everyone is talking happily and effortlessly. I feel very welcome and almost as part of the family.

"This food is amazing Paloma, like seriously good. I mean I shouldn't be eating half of it, but damn it's just too good". I lick some guacamole off my finger, before taking a big bite of the taco.

"Oh aren't you an encanto.. it's not really anything special". Paloma says, looking very happy. "Just everyday food".

I chuckle. "Oh believe me, to me this is something special. I can't cook at all".

"You poor thing and living out there all alone". She sends me a sweet smile.

"Boy needs to get himself a good Mexican wife". Abuela says as a matter of factly. "Our little Sofia here is an excellent cook".

Everyone is looking at me, and I chuckle trying to brush it off. "Oh I would just end up getting fat if I was fed like this every day".

"Nothing wrong with a bit of extra meat on the bones". The old woman says. "So, she is pretty our little Sofia right ?"

"Abuela !"

"Abuela !"

Sofia and her mother say it at the same time. Sofia is blushing quite badly. "Abuela, he has a girlfriend. A very beautiful one".

"Oh, you have a girlfriend ? Why didn't you say sweetie, you could have brought her". Paloma says, smiling friendly.

"I do, her name is Lumi. Unfortunately she lives in London". I say, suddenly feeling lonely even with all these friendly people around.

Abuela huffs. "She should be with her man, not on the other side of the planet".

"She is studying and she has just been really sick, so she has to stay for now to be near her medical team". I tell her. She definitely doesn't beat around the bush this one.

Sofia rolls her eyes and places her hand on mine on top of the table. "Don't listen to her, she has a very old fashioned way of seeing things. I think you and Lumi look like such a good couple.. she is so stunning".

"Thank you". I smile at her. "And it's okay. I am not easily offended".

"I hope your girlfriend is okay now and that she can come live with you soon". Paloma says softly.

I smile at her. "She is okay, so hopefully.. when she is done with school".

"School, did he say School". Abuela is pulling Paloma's sleeve. "Isn't he a bit too .. old to be dating School girls''

I try not to laugh. "She is in college Abuela, don't worry I am not some dangerous pervert".

"So.. a career woman I take it". The old woman says, sounding like it's a very bad thing. "No .. you need a woman to care for you and feed you, a good woman".

Sofia groans, rubbing her hands over her face and everyone else is laughing, clearly not taking the old woman very seriously.

*Sofia*
I walk Zac out on the porch. "Again, I am so sorry about those things Abuela said.. she.. Well she is getting old and kind of missing that filter".

He gently takes my hand squeezing it, making butterflies erupt in my stomach. "It's okay Sofia, I wasn't offended. I know she didn't mean it badly".

"Are you always so understanding and gracious ?" I look up at him. He is so very handsome that it takes my breath away.

"I try to be, I guess.. I see no reason to be negative or rude". He says, looking up at the stars. "Funny how the stars are so much brighter here than they ever were in New York".

I smile, I love looking at the stars. "I guess it has to do with less light pollution and such. I always thought the stars were so pretty. They kind of give me.. hope".

"Well that's just beautiful darling, hope is one of the most important things to have". He is actually still holding onto my hand, but I am not sure he realises.

"Yeah, sometimes hope is all we have". I look down, seeing how my hand looks in his. To me it fit perfectly.

I slowly pull my hand from his. I mean he has a girlfriend, he should not be holding my hand and I should not be dreaming. "Thank you again for coming Zac and for helping".

"My pleasure darling, all my pleasure". He leans down to press a kiss to my cheek. "See you around".

I watch him walk to his car, feeling a full pain in my chest as he drives off. Then I hurry inside, hoping I don't have to listen to any comments from my family.

"He was a really nice young man". My mother says, smiling at me.

I almost roll my eyes, but stop myself at the last minute. "He is hardly a Young man mom, he is almost your age".

"Still nice and a real gentleman.. don't you think so, Abuela ?" My mom is still smiling like an idiot.

"A very handsome boy that one, he needs a good Mexican girl.. not some Independent career woman. You should ask him out, Sofia". The old woman says, looking at me.

This time I do roll my eyes. "I can't ask him out, he has a girlfriend.. she is so much more beautiful than me".

"But you like him, didn't you say that". My father says looking at me confused.

I shake my head, feeling the tears threatening to spill. "Just leave me alone". Then I run to my room, slamming the door, before I throw myself on the bed crying.