Chapter Forty-one
Abigail-Ann
“Love brings to life what is dead around us.”
~ Franz Rosenzweig
I stood in the kitchen, fingers brushing the counter as I stared at the bubbling pot. The scent of sancocho filled the air but did little to calm me. My thoughts raced, stomach tight with nerves.
The week had blurred by—late nights at the bookstore, an aching back, pounding headaches, and mounting anxiety. Last night was the worst. I’d spiraled into a breakdown, biting my nails to the quick. When Mikkel came home, he didn’t hesitate. He left and returned with a Sephora bag, determined to fix them. His large hands moved gently as he followed YouTube tutorials like a pro. With every quiet reassurance, he steadied my chaos. I felt ridiculous, helpless to stop my body from shutting down.
Now, the anxiety only deepened. Mikkel’s parents were coming today, and the thought twisted my stomach. Memories of Joshua’s parents’ critiques—about my hair, body, skin tone, and clothes—rushed back. Their judgment had left scars, and those old insecurities resurfaced, suffocating me.
A sharp beep jolted me. The timer. Right. I was cooking.
The stove was a flurry of activity. One pot bubbled with La Bandera , another simmered with pollo guisado , and at the center was the sancocho . A cooling dish of habichuelas con dulce waited for finishing touches. It was ambitious, maybe too ambitious, but I wanted to recreate a taste of home for Mikkel and his family. Or at least something close.
The kitchen was a war zone. Chopped vegetables were scattered across the counter like casualties, and my phone was balanced precariously on a stack of napkins, playing a YouTube video. The bright-eyed woman in the tutorial had made it all look so easy, but I was sweating like I was on an episode of Chopped .
“Add the adobo,” I muttered to myself, grabbing the container. My hands shook as I measured it out, and I ended up spilling some onto the counter. “Oh, crap…” I sighed, brushing it aside and turning back to stir the pot.
Cooking had seemed like such a great idea when I mentioned it to Mikkel earlier this week. But now, standing in the middle of this chaos, I wondered if I’d bitten off more than I could chew.
The scent of plantains frying in the pan beside me was mouthwatering, though. At least the tostones were coming out fine.
My gaze drifted to the clock. They’ll be here any minute.
I quickly finished up and cleaned both the kitchen and myself before setting the table. Once the dishes were laid out, I stepped back, my heart swelling with pride.
Then as if they were timing me, I heard the elevator door open. They’re here.
His mom’s voice echoed through the penthouse before I saw her .
“Hijo! 115 ” she exclaimed. “Your home is gorgeous. It’s so bright and elegant.”
I moved quickly, smoothing my sweater as my hands trembled.
When I finally stepped into the living room, I saw them. His mother was stunning with long dark hair, honey-brown eyes, and a full figure that exuded warmth and elegance. Behind her stood his father, the spitting image of him: tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and those same light eyes.
Mikkel entered last, his eyes locking onto mine. A slow, proud smile spread as he crossed the room. “ Mi reina , 116 ” he murmured, leaning in to kiss my temple.
His mother’s eyes lit up as she turned toward me, her warm smile melting some of the tension I’d been carrying. “And this must be the lovely Abigail.”
“Yes, Mamá,” Mikkel said, his voice filled with pride as he wrapped an arm around my waist. “ Esta es Abigail. 117 ”
I felt my cheeks heat as I nodded, stepping forward. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Suarez.”
His mother clasped my hands, her smile widening. “We’ve heard so much about you, mi querida 118 . Thank you for going through all this trouble for us.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” I said quickly, my voice soft. “I just wanted to make sure you felt at home.”
His father stepped closer, his deep voice warm. “It already feels like home,” he said, his eyes scanning the table filled with food. “We’re grateful, and it’s lovely to finally meet you, nuera . 119 ”
Nuera? Apparently, Duolingo had missed that one.
“Also, call us Valeria and Manuel,” she said gently. “We’re family now, Abigail.”
I nodded, their kindness easing my nerves despite expecting a more formal greeting.
“I’ll let you guys settle in for a bit, and then we can eat,” I suggested as I glanced over at the table.
“That sounds perfect, carino , 120 ” Valeria agreed, her smile never fading as she pulled me into a brief but warm hug. “ Gracias de nuevo. 121 ”
Mikkel nodded, slipping an arm around his mother’s shoulder. “I’ll show them to their room,” he said, glancing back at me. “Be right back, baby.”
When he returned moments later, he grounded me with a gentle touch, cupping my face and brushing his thumbs over my cheekbones. “You’re thinking,” he observed softly.
I sighed. “Well, yeah…”
He shook his head. “I know you feel like the walls are closing in, but I promise you everything will be fine.”
I pouted, unable to hide my unease, and tipped up to kiss him softly. As I pulled away, he whispered, “It’s all in your head, baby.”
I rested my forehead against his, letting his words calm me. “I’ve got you, amor ,” he murmured, and the tension melted away. “ Te tengo. 122 ”
Valeria took a deep breath, her eyes lighting up with approval. “The food smells wonderful.”
Manuel nodded with a soft smile, glancing at me. “ Parece delicioso. 123 ”
I smiled shyly, feeling a bit proud. “I hope you like it,” I replied, trying not to let my nerves show .
Valeria’s smile grew wider. “I’m sure we will.”
As Mikkel took the serving utensils from me with a smile, he said, “Let me take care of this, baby,” plating my food with practiced ease before handing it to me with a reassuring nod.
Manuel leaned forward with a broad smile. “I’m sure I’ve said it before, but we do appreciate you cooking for us, nuera . 124 ”
I really needed to translate that word.
Valeria took a bite, her eyes lighting up with delight. She smiled at me. “I’d be happy to teach you more of our recipes before we leave, Abigail,” she said warmly. “But it looks like you’ve already got the hang of it. Está delicioso . 125 ”
“I’d love that,” I replied sincerely, feeling my nerves ease. “Thank you.”
Just then, the conversation shifted, and I noticed Valeria glance over at Mikkel with a sharp, almost knowing look.
“I remember seeing your graduation pictures, and they were beautiful, by the way. What’s next for you in terms of your career now that you’ve gotten your degree?”
“I’m planning to start my real estate apprenticeship next year,” I explained, “but until then, I’m working in a bookstore.”
The moment I finished speaking, I felt a rush of insecurity. The smile on Valeria’s face seemed genuine, but I couldn’t shake the nagging fear that my answer wasn’t enough.
I could see the slight shift in her expression as she processed my words. It wasn’t a negative reaction, but I scrutinized every subtle nuance of her response, searching for any sign of judgment or disappointment.
What if my responses didn’t meet their expectations?
What if they saw my job as a sign of indecision or lack of ambition?
The questions swirled in my mind, making it hard to focus on the conversation at hand.
Valeria’s smile widened, and she finally responded with genuine interest. “That’s wonderful, Abigail. It sounds like you’re on a great path.”
“Thank you.” My voice steadied as I met her gaze. “I’m excited about the transition and looking forward to what’s next.”
Manuel nodded thoughtfully. “I admire your proactiveness in your decision to work straight out of school. I didn’t have the willpower to do that,” he joked, causing a laugh to ripple through the table. “Why real estate?”
My passion shone through my eyes. “I’ve always been drawn to spaces and how they reflect people’s lives. Real estate felt like the perfect fit, with great potential for growth and investment.”
Manuel smiled. “It’s a noble pursuit, making people feel at home.”
I smiled back, feeling the anxiety fade. “Everyone deserves a place where they feel safe and happy, and one day, I’ll be the one helping them find it.”
Valeria’s eyes brightened. “How’s working at the bookstore been?”
“It’s been a new experience, but I’ve come to appreciate it. I meet all kinds of people and learn new things every day.”
Mikkel squeezed my hand. “That’s an understatement; she’s been amazing.”
I blushed at his praise. “I’ve really come to love it since I’ve moved here.”
Valeria’s gaze softened. “You lived in San Francisco before, ?no?”
“I did, but I moved because I needed a fresh start.”
She placed her hand over mine. “A change of scenery is always beneficial. I wish you all the best, querida . 126 ”
I relaxed into the warmth of his parents’ company. Their genuine curiosity and acceptance made me feel valued, and my earlier anxieties melted away, replaced by a sense of belonging and happiness.
As dinner came to an end, the chatter quieted, and I started cleaning up. But Mikkel quickly stopped me, rolling up his sleeves. “I’ll do it,” he said, and I let him. Grateful for the reprieve, I stepped outside for a breather .
When I came back inside, feeling a bit more settled, I was about to head upstairs, but I paused at the wall, hearing Valeria say my name.
“Well, hijo 127 , this makes me so happy to see you so smitten,” she said, her voice full of affection. I heard Mikkel chuckle softly in response.
Valeria continued, “She’s educated, headstrong, and don’t get me started on how she looks at you, mi hijo . Ella te ama. 128 ”
Mikkel’s voice was tender when he replied, “ Yo también la amo. ” 129
I love her too.
My heart skipped at hearing him say that.
Then Manuel spoke up. “She’s a breath of fresh air,” he said, before continuing in rapid Spanish, words I didn’t fully catch.
Mikkel’s voice came again, teasing but affectionate. “You called her nuera 130 , Papá ?”
Manuel chuckled, his voice warm. “I’m guessing within a year or so, we’ll be getting a call about your proposal. So, she’s my daughter-in-law... it’s inevitable.”
The words hit me like a sudden wave. It was one thing to feel the love, but hearing it aloud made it ten times more real.
I stood there for a moment, my thoughts swirling. When I decided I’d heard enough, I turned and made my way upstairs, my heart still racing.
I showered and slipped into bed, a contented smile on my lips. Meeting his parents had gone better than I expected, and his words still lingered, keeping me on a high. I relaxed into the quiet of the room, waiting for him to join me.
A moment later, he entered, his gaze fixed on mine as he crossed the room. I pulled him onto the bed, our lips meeting passionately. His shirt quickly came undone, and he paused, teasing, “You’re in a really good mood.”
I trailed slow kisses down his stomach, savoring the heat of his skin. Grabbing a scrunchie, I quickly secured my hair without breaking eye contact. Then, sinking to my knees, I met his gaze.
“Sit down,” I murmured, my voice low and sure. “Let me show you just how good a mood I’m in.”
His lips curled into a grin as he threw his head back. “I’m all yours, amor . 131 ”