Chapter Forty-three
Mikkel
“A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”
~ Charles Dickens
I woke to an empty bed and made my way downstairs, where I found my love and my mother making breakfast and baking Bizcocho dominicano—a fluffy cake with pineapple filling. My heart warmed at the sight, relieved that everything was falling into place as I had hoped. The thought that she could ever feel unloved pained me; I loved every part of her, even the parts she hated.
The day quickly picked up speed. I had three meetings—two went smoothly, but the last was a challenge, tangled in legal issues that needed to be resolved. Morison and Sapphire’s trips to Miami and Seattle had been successful, and our expansions were progressing steadily.
I also had two virtual interviews—one with The New York Times about Elite Rides’ expansion, which went well, and another with Good Morning America, where Jasmine kept straying off-topic. Frustrated, I wrapped it up, got ready, and told everyone to do the same.
In between, I spent half an hour on the phone with Emilia, trying to convince her to join us. As expected, she found excuse after excuse. I let it go but warned her not to be surprised when Mamá and Papá showed up at her door before they left. She sighed but didn’t argue.
Just as I set my phone down, another notification lit up my screen—this time from the group chat.
Dill: Gentlemen, we need to start with the measurements for your tuxedos.
Alex: no problem. who’s doing the fitting?
Dill: We’re getting them custom-made by Kiton.
Reyes: Why are we getting fitted this early?
Dill: When your pregnant fiancée tells you to get on it, you get on it.
Reyes: Men in love. Who’s next so we can do that fitting too to save time?
Dill: Fuck off.
Reyes: No.
Me: Most likely me, and sure Dillon. Can we do it in about two weeks?
I sent the message without a second thought.
Reyes: As I said, men in love.
Alex: the day Arnoldo Reyes falls hopelessly in love will be a day to put down in history.
Ro: we can have it documented in Dillon’s museum.
Reyes: Shouldn’t you be on my side since you’re just as out of love as I am, Ronan?
Ro: I am in love… She just isn’t in love with me right now.
Alex: baby steps?
Ro: precisely.
Dill: I’ll have the appointment made, then.
Luci: Reyes, go find love. Alex, how’s our godson? Dillon, just let us know the date. Ronan has never been out of love. Mikkel, have a good week.
Reyes: The one time you choose to speak, it’s against me.
Luci: Love you too, sweet face.
The conversation quickly turned into its usual chaos, an ongoing debate about who would make the best man. Lucio and Alex were more than happy to fan the flames, letting Arnoldo and Ronan go at it.
I shook my head, setting my phone aside. Same arguments, different day.
I turned off my phone just as Abigail stepped into the living room, my parents following behind her. The moment I saw her, my breath caught .
She wore a white sundress—simple, elegant, beautiful. The fabric hugged her perfectly, flowing like a sun-drenched painting.
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.
“Wow,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended. “You look incredible.”
Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes bright with amusement. She knew exactly what she was doing to me. “Thank you.”
I felt my parents’ quiet scrutiny, their silent approval passing between them. I wasn’t sure if they were more entertained by my reaction or by the way Abigail had effortlessly settled into our family dynamic.
Clearing my throat, I forced my focus back to the afternoon ahead. “Shall we?”
“Let’s go,” Mamá said, and we headed out toward Midtown Manhattan.
By the time we arrived at the Empire State Building, the sky had settled into an overcast gray, but nothing about the day felt dull. The city hummed with life, and Abigail stood in the middle of it all, her excitement shining through.
“It’s bucket list day, amor , 144 ” I whispered, wrapping my hand around her from behind.
Abigail spun around, her face lighting up before she kissed me quickly. “It feels so surreal to be here.”
I held her close, letting my fingers settle at her hip. “This is just the beginning.”
We moved inside, and I made sure everything was taken care of—the best tickets, the best view, everything. As we navigated through the crowd, my mom pulled Abigail aside for a moment. I watched them exchange a few words, their soft laughs blending with the noise of the bustling floor.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it, querida ? 145 ” I overhead mom ask, her eyes searching Abigail’s as she took in the view.
“Even more than I ever expected,” Abigail replied, smiling back. “I’m just happy to be here with you, Mikkel, and Manuel.”
Mamá’s expression softened, and she reached for Abigail’s hand, squeezing it gently. “We’ll have plenty of moments like this because we’re familia 146 now.”
My heart thumped at her words. I’d never doubted they’d get along, but seeing it unfold before me was a reward in itself.
We stepped out onto the observation deck, and I grinned at the awestruck looks on everyone’s faces. The city stretched out before us, its pulse unmistakable in every corner.
“Now this is what I call a view,” my dad commented as he admired the skyline.
I smiled, brushing a hand against Abigail’s back. “ Es hermoso , Papá 147 .”
As we wandered around the deck, snapping pictures, I noticed my parents busy with their cameras. I took the opportunity and pulled Abigail aside, pressing her lightly against the wall.
“You look amazing,” I murmured, my voice lower than I intended.
Her breath hitched, a familiar reaction that only fueled the hunger building inside me.
“Are you obsessed with me, Mr. Suarez?” she asked, her eyes gleaming.
“That shouldn’t even be a question.” I leaned in, brushing my lips along her jawline. “You’re all I think about, Red. Every damn second.”
Her smile deepened as she kissed me again, slow and deliberate. “I feel it every day I’m with you.”
And that—her knowing it, feeling it—was all I could ever ask for.
Before the moment could escalate, my mother’s voice called out for us to take pictures. I exhaled, forcing myself to pull back. “We should join them.”
We spent the rest of the time capturing moments with the skyline, then had lunch at the restaurant on the ground floor. The conversation was light, filled with laughter, mostly about the neighborhoods we’d seen earlier .
“The views here are almost as good as the food,” Abigail said, smiling across the table at me.
I held her gaze. “The views are incredible.”
She shook her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. “You’re looking at me.”
I leaned in just enough for only her to hear. “And I have no plans to stop.”
Abigail-Ann
The Empire State Building exceeded my expectations, made unforgettable by exploring it with Mikkel and his parents. Valeria insisted on dozens of pictures, and while Mikkel groaned, he indulged her, his smile returning each time she teased, “One day, you’ll be glad I made you do this, hijo . 148 ”
Now, back in the bedroom, I was packing for our trip to San Francisco while Mikkel hadn’t returned from his meeting. A soft knock at the door startled me. I turned to find Valeria standing in the doorway, a small box in her hands and a gentle smile on her face.
“Do you have a moment, carino ? 149 ” she asked, stepping inside.
“Of course,” I said, setting aside the neatly folded shirt in my hands.
She crossed the room, handing me the box.
“I meant to give you this earlier but it slipped my mind,” she said. “It’s something I made for you.”
Surprised, I took the box, untied the ribbon, and revealed a stunning Larimar pendant on a silver chain. Its pale blue stone shimmered like sunlight on water, making my eyes water at the beauty.
“You made this?” I asked, my voice soft with awe.
She nodded, her smile widening. “Jewelry making is a hobby of mine. When Mikkel first mentioned you, I thought of Larimar because he described you as the ocean: calm, strong, and beautiful in ways words can’t capture. After seeing you on that video chat—and every call since—I understood exactly what he meant. Spending this week with you only confirmed it.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I ran my fingers over the pendant. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” I whispered. “This means so much to me.”
“It’s my pleasure,” she said warmly. “Truly.”
She glanced at the open suitcases. “Do you need any help packing?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t—”
“Nonsense,” she said, already reaching for a sweater to fold.
I laughed softly and nodded. “Thank you, Valeria.”
As we worked together to organize my suitcase, I found myself speaking without thinking.
“I was so nervous to meet you in person,” I admitted, keeping my gaze on the neatly folded jeans in my hands.
Valeria paused and looked at me, surprised. “Really? Why?”
“Well…” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I’ve been judged before. People assumed I wasn’t good enough or that I didn’t belong. I thought maybe you’d feel that no one could be good enough for Mikkel.”
Her expression softened, and she set the sweater aside, giving me her full attention. “Oh, Abigail,” she said gently. “I’m so sorry you’ve experienced that. People can be so cruel, and their judgments often say more about them than about you.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Valeria continued, “Mikkel’s love life is none of mine or Manuel’s business. I love my son dearly, but he’s a grown man who makes his own decisions. My only concern is that he’s truly happy and that he treats whoever he’s with kindness, respect, and care.”
Her words felt like rays of sunshine on a warm summer day, easing the knot of nerves in my chest.
“Thank you for saying that,” I murmured. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear it. ”
Valeria smiled, gently running a hand through her hair. “Abigail, you’re a wonderful young woman. I’m so glad he found you because mi hijo 150 has never been happier or more at peace, and I have you to thank for that.”
I hugged her impulsively, and she wrapped her arms around me without hesitation.
As we pulled apart, she rested a hand on mine. “And, querida 151 , if you ever need anything, call me.”
The sincerity in her voice nearly brought tears to my eyes again. “I will,” I said softly. Valeria’s acceptance and kindness were a gift as precious as the beautiful larimar necklace now resting on the dresser, waiting to be worn.