Chapter 16 #2
“Who is this man, Ana?” one of the other guys asked abruptly.
“I told you. He’s my boyfriend. Reuben, this is my oldest brother, Marco. Next to him is his wife, Nora. Next to Nora is my sister, Isla, and her husband, Henry. And across from us are my brother, Cesar, and his wife, Clarisa.”
The children had crept closer. They ranged in age from two to eight years old. Cristiana had already explained their ages and who they belonged to the other day. I’d place their faces with their names after we dealt with the adults.
“It’s great to meet all of you. Tiana has told me so much about you that it feels like we’ve already met.”
“That’s funny, because she hasn’t said a word about you. Ninos, kids, please play in your room. Stay there until we come get you,” Marco instructed all the kids.
Obediently, they left, with the older ones leading the younger ones, though they all looked back a few times. I steeled myself for the grilling about to come. Marco waited until they were out of sight before he hiked up an eyebrow at us.
“You’re right. She hasn’t. However, that doesn’t change the fact that I’m her boyfriend.”
“Not if we say you’re not,” Cesar stated.
“Cesar, I’m an adult. You can’t dictate who I can be with,” Tiana protested.
“Wanna bet?” Marco asked.
It seemed her parents were content to let their sons do the cross-examination and intimidation. I had news for them. They didn’t scare or worry me.
“Yes, I would like to bet. I can appreciate, as a brother, that you want to protect your sister. I’m the same with all three of mine.
But I’ve learned that when it comes to matters of the heart, parents, brothers, or sisters can’t dictate whom one can love.
Henry, did you endure this, too?” I asked.
“No, because they knew me and the man I was. Cesar and I are best friends and have been since we were kids. They knew I would treat Isla right. We want to ensure the same for Cristiana,” Henry answered.
“Ah, so you got off lucky. Well then, let’s hear what all of you have to say or ask.”
I leaned back and put my arm around Cristiana’s shoulders. She was stiff. I placed my hand on the back of her neck and gently massaged it. I made sure to project an air of unconcern and relaxation.
“Let’s start by asking how long the two of you have been together? Ana was home not long ago, and she never mentioned you,” Cesar said tersely.
“What has it been, bebé? It seems like forever to me,” I asked her, smiling.
Cristiana smiled up at me. “It’s been five weeks, but I agree, it feels so much longer.”
“And in five weeks, you never thought to mention him to any of us?” Marco asked.
“No, because it wasn’t something one does over the phone,” my woman replied.
“How long have you two known each other?” This question came from her sister.
“Mmm, just over six weeks,” I replied.
This answer elicited widening eyes and disapproving looks. Marco shook his head.
“No. No damn way can you be novio, boyfriend, and novia, girlfriend, after only knowing each other for six weeks!”
“You may not think it’s possible, but it is. Some people know at first sight if someone will be their special one. Others can take time. I happen to fall into the first category. As soon as I laid eyes on your sister, I knew she was meant to be mine.”
“Bullshit! Ana, what kind of game are you playing? Tell us this is a joke. There’s no way you’re with him for real,” Henry stated.
“It’s no joke,” she replied.
Her answer had the whole lot murmuring and frowning.
They weren’t happy. It seemed it was primarily the men.
The women had worried looks, but I wasn’t sure if it was against me or about how the guys would respond when we wouldn’t back down.
Her parents remained stoic, though I caught her mamá casting a concerned look at Cristiana’s papá.
“Stop it. I know you’re all protective, and I love you, but I’m an adult.
The days of you vetting my boyfriends and finding them unacceptable, thus running them off, are over.
While I want my family to like and accept my man, if you say you won’t, it doesn’t change anything.
Reuben and I are together,” Cristiana forcefully told them.
“You might be an adult in years, but this shows you’re still not mature enough to make decisions of this magnitude. You should allow your family to guide you,” Cesar interjected.
“Look who is calling someone immature. No one told you who you could or couldn’t date, even as a teenager.
And when you brought Clarisa home to meet everyone, no one objected.
We accepted her as your choice and grew to know her, then love her.
We had no idea if she was the one for you or not,” Cristiana countered.
“That’s different.” Cesar huffed, but he didn’t explain how it was different.
“Cesar is right. Our choices aren’t in question. You need to allow the males in your family to guide and protect you,” Marco stated pompously.
I’d heard enough.
“You’re steamrolling over Tiana’s wishes and trying to make her accept yours.
My three brothers and I are protective of our sisters.
And yes, when they were teenagers, there were times we’d run off guys who weren’t strong enough to stand up to us, or protect and care for them as they should. But we never acted this way.
“Let me be clear. I have no intention of leaving Tiana. She’s the woman I love, and I plan to spend my life with her.
And soon, when the time is right, I’ll ask her to be my wife.
You can accept it or not. That’s your choice.
Instead of arguing and harboring hard feelings, why not take the time this weekend to get to know me and let me get to know you?
If you love her, you should want her to be happy, protected, and loved, which she is. ”
Cristiana’s radiant smile was irresistible.
I leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t a wild one, but it was more than a press-and-go one.
When I lifted my head, all eyes were on us.
As expected, her brothers and brother-in-law were upset.
Her parents were still stoic, and the other women were concerned.
“Papá, say something. Tell her she can’t do this, and he has to go,” Marco demanded.
Her papá sat there close to a minute before he said anything.
“All of us want Ana to be loved, protected, and as happy as she can be. It’s what Camile and I have wanted for all our children.
Our boys and our oldest daughter have found that.
It’s harder with Ana since she’s our baby and the last one to settle down.
But no matter how we might want to deny or fight it, she is an adult capable of making her own decisions.
I’m worried that the two of you haven’t known each other long enough to be in love or to make a long-term commitment.
” He directed the last part to us. Before that, he was directing his words to the rest of his family.
“I get being concerned at the swiftness. However, there’s no set amount of time one has to know someone before committing. I have several friends who knew right off their wives were the only ones for them. They’re all extremely happy together,” I countered.
“And it can happen that way. While our boys and Isla took time to grow to the loving stage, for Camile and me, it was love at first sight. One look and we were goners. We faced skepticism, too. Everyone said we were too young, didn’t know what we were talking about, and bets were taken on how long we’d stay together. As you can see, we proved them wrong.
“I sincerely pray that you’re certain of your feelings for my daughter and will be all those things for her.
Despite the abruptness, I’m willing to get to know you and see what happens.
But let me be clear, if you intentionally hurt her, you won’t just face the wrath of these three. ” His tone was stern.
“Sir, I would have it no other way. I thank you.”
Before I was able to stand and shake his hand again, Cristiana’s voice stopped me. What she said, I wasn’t expecting.
“You’re all concerned Reuben won’t love or protect me. I know he does love me and will protect me. How? Because he’s already protected me and is still doing it.”
This revelation stunned the room, even me. Not the way I thought she’d introduce the topic of Fisher Adams. How could it not lead to the confession of her membership in Lustz and her old club? Our visit might end up a shorter one than planned.
“Bebé, are you sure?” I whispered to her.
“Yes, I am. We might as well get everything out,” she responded.
“Everything? What the hell does that mean?” Marco asked.
“Protecting?” Henry muttered.
“What are you hiding?” Cesar asked.
I felt how rigidly Cristiana was holding herself. Telling them this was horrible for her. Wanting to ease her tension and protect her, I was the one to answer them.
“What Tiana means is that she’s been targeted for almost a year by a man who won’t take no for an answer.
He stalked her for months before she moved to Nashville.
While she loves all of you, she moved due to him and her desire to live somewhere new.
About two weeks ago, the guy found and went after her at her apartment when I wasn’t there. ”
Cristiana’s hand landing on my arm stopped me. Her family sat there rigid in disbelief.