The Girl Next Door

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Waking up the next morning, I am in bed alone and the bed is cold. I sit up and wipe the sleep from my eyes. I look to the nightstand to see if there's a note, finding none, I get up and head to the kitchen for coffee and see Angel sitting on the back deck. I pour two cups of coffee and carry them outside and take a seat on the steps next to him. Handing him one of the cups, he kisses me softly and says "Thanks babe." I look at him and ask "You okay mi dulce?" He smiles at me softly and says "Yeah. Just thinking." he says. "Having second thoughts?" I ask. His head snaps to mine and says "Hell no." I start laughing and ask "What are you thinking about?" He puts his hand on my thigh and says "My last conversation with Ma." I look at him confused and he says "We talked about you." he says and I smile. "I loved your mom." I tell him. "She loved you. The last conversation we had, a couple of days before she died, she told me that she knew you would find your way home to me and when you did, I better make an honest woman of you and give her some grandbabies." he tells me with a sad smile on his face. "She won't be there to see me keep those promises." he tells me. "She sees us. She's up there right now, smiling down at us knowing we are where we belong." I tell him. He looks at me and says "Even after all these years, you still know what to say." I kiss his lips softly and know everything will be okay.

A little later, we are still sitting out on the steps when the gate to the backyard opens and Zeek walks in. "What's up little brother?" Angel asks. "Knocked on the front door and no one answered. Figured you were out here." he says. He takes a seat on one of the steps below us and asks "What are you two doing out here?" Angel looks at him and says "We were talking about my last conversation with Ma." Zeek smiles and says "She told me that you promised to marry Marla and give her grandbabies. He told me that when Marla came back to make sure you kept that promise." he says. Angel pulls me close and says "Ain't gotta worry about that." he says and I can't help but smile. "What would you say to going to the courthouse tomorrow and getting married?" he asks. "Are you sure?" I ask. "Yeah. Will give Pop time to get close up the shop and we can give the club a heads up that I won't be available." he tells me and I kiss him softly and say "I can't wait for tomorrow then." and see Angel and Zeek both smiling.

That evening, we head to Pop's house and when we walk in, Pop walks over and hugs us. "We need to talk to you Pop." Angel says and I see Filipe look at us concerned. "You need to take some time off tomorrow. We need you with us at the courthouse." I tell him. "Why? What's going on?" Filipe asks. "Someone has to give me away. No one better than the man I call Papa." I tell him and his eyes go wide before he pulls me into a hug and then Angel. "Looks like you're keeping your promise." Filipe says. "You knew too?" Angel asks. "Follow me." he says and we follow him in his bedroom. Getting into a box in the top drawer of his dresser, he pulls out a small bag. He takes Angel's hand and pours the contents into Angel's hand and our eyes go wide. We all knew what it was. "Are you sure?" I ask. He cups my face and says "She always knew you would come back and you and Angel would get married. She knew from day one that you would be the only one that would make Angel whole. You're the only one. Always have been." he tells me and my eyes well up with tears. I look at Angel and he gets on one knee and says "Marla, will you be my wife?" I nod my head yes and he puts the engagement ring on my finger and stands to hug me. He kisses me deeply and we hear Zeek behind us say "About fucking time." and we all start laughing. I hug Filipe and say "Thank you Papa." He kisses my cheek and says "Tomorrow you will officially be a Reyes." Zeek speaks up and says "Who are you kidding? She's always been a Reyes." I look at him and pull him into a hug and say "Now it will be legal."

We say goodnight to Zeek and Papa and head home for the night. When we get home he calls Bishop and says "I won't be available tomorrow...yeah, heading to the courthouse...keeping my promise to my mom brother...marrying my girl...thank brother...we'll come by for a bit...later." he says before ending the call. "You good?" I ask. "Yeah. Bishop wants us to come by to celebrate after just for a bit." he tells me. "That's fine." I say. "You're good with that? It's our wedding day." he says. "And they are our familia. As long as I get my husband all night, we can hang for a bit." I tell him and he says "How about have your fiance now?" he asks and I say "Carry me to bed mi dulce." He smirks and says "As you wish mi amor."