Epilogue – 2 Years Later #2
“And miss my daughter’s first day in her house? Absolutely not. There are just some things fathers can’t do.” He wrapped his arms around both of his girls. “Besides, Cisco invited me over.”
“He did?” She glanced at Cisco. They hadn’t discussed inviting her father over to help. Hell, she didn’t even realize the two of them spoke.
“I did.” Cisco extended his arm toward her father and shook hands. “Thank you for coming, Travis.”
“And miss this? Not for the world. Camilia showed me how to take pictures on my phone. Pretty slick, huh?” Travis grinned as if he just cracked a secret code for his phone rather than a simple function.
“You should probably let me take the photos, Grandpa,” Camilia suggested. She reached out her hand for his phone.
“Probably for the best. You’re much better at it than me. I always get my thumbs in the photos.” He reached into his pocket and handed Camilia his phone. Of course, she already knew his passcode.
Their interaction only left Marisol more confused. “What are you taking pictures of?” It seemed like everyone was in on a secret she wasn’t privy to. Judging by the knowing smiles on their faces, she didn’t think she was far off. “Okay, someone needs to tell me what is going on.”
“I’m working on it, Princesa,” Cisco said, stepping around the island. He made his way toward her, spinning her chair around so they were face to face. It wasn’t often that she wasn’t in the know when it came to Cisco and her family, but she was drawing a complete blank.
“What’s going on?” she asked, anxiety rising in her stomach.
“Take a video, Camilia. I think that will be better,” her father whispered loudly to her niece.
“You know I love you, Marisol. You have changed my life for the better and have become my best friend. No offense, Tiny,” Cisco teased.
“I’ll allow it. This once,” she said.
“I love you too…” Marisol said slowly. “You’re scaring me, babe.”
“Don’t be scared,” Lola whispered. When Marisol turned to look at her sister, she noticed fresh tears in her eyes. Didn’t do much to alleviate the nerves growing inside her.
“She’s right. No need to be scared. I’m nervous enough for the both of us,” Cisco said. For the first time, she noticed the shy smile and the way he searched her face for everything she was feeling.
“I went back and forth on how to do this. Lola helped me decide it would be best to do this just in front of your family, and I had to agree. I wanted you to be surrounded by people you love.” Cisco reached in his back pocket, pulling out something.
It took her a moment to realize it was a little black box.
Her heart stopped.
Then he lowered himself to one knee.
Oh shit, it’s happening.
Thank god she just had her nails done. Not that getting her nails done was important at this moment, but it was the only thing her mind could focus on with Cisco down on one knee in front of her.
In front of her whole damn family. She never had this before.
With Archie, she didn’t get a proposal. It felt more like a business arrangement at dinner one night.
Cisco opened the velvet box, exposing a 14K rose gold engagement ring with a twisted band that looked like vines. It was beautiful and fantastical, exactly what she would pick for herself. Hot tears pooled in her eyes, staring down at the symbolic ring, itching to get it on her finger .
“Yes,” she said.
“Princesa, I haven’t even asked.” Cisco beamed.
“My answer is yes,” she said, not caring.
Cisco just laughed, shaking his head. “Let me do this,” he said, taking her hand in his. “Marisol, I want to spend the rest of my life with you?—”
“And Snowball,” Marisol cut in, tears flowing freely now.
“And Snowball,” he agreed. “Will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me? Princesa, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she said for the third time, throwing her arms around his neck. She vaguely heard her family clapping, but in that moment, everything faded. It was just her and Cisco. Her boyfriend. Her best friend. And now her future husband.
The man she chose for herself.
Cisco took the beautiful ring out of the box and slid it on her finger.
It was the perfect size, making her wonder if he reached out to Lola about her ring size.
Before she could ask, Cisco’s lips were on hers, giving her the most breathtaking kiss.
She gasped, her body arching toward him.
Even though her brain was slow to process, her body knew what to do.
She kissed him back, putting all the words she could not verbalize in that moment into the kiss. It was perfect.
He was perfect.
All too soon, the kiss broke. She was surprised to see Cisco’s eyes glossy with emotion. She couldn’t remember a time she had ever seen him get emotional, but it touched her deeply knowing he felt strongly about this.
“I love you,” she whispered for only him to hear.
“And I love you, Princesa,” Cisco said.
If someone would have asked Marisol a few years ago how she would react to getting proposed to during a move, surrounded by family who were all eating greasy pizza off napkins, she would have scoffed in their face.
It would seem like the most absurd thing to happen.
But now? She couldn’t think of a better moment for Cisco to pop the question. This was exactly what she wanted.
The moment the two of them broke apart was when their family jumped in, offering their congratulations to the both of them.
She hugged her sister as they cried together.
Not only did she get the man of her dreams, but she was finally able to form a relationship with her sister.
One she had wanted for so long. She had a family that loved her.
A man who wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives.
It wasn’t an easy road to get here. At times, it felt impossible, but she had put in the work. And now she could enjoy it with the people she loved most.
This was the ending she had always wanted.