Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Liliana
It had been a few days since Nick informed me of my father’s crimes against the cartel.
While the news was shocking, I barely grieved.
I’d done that years ago when my parents chose to not support me.
I was over the five stages of grief, or I should say I was at the final stage—acceptance.
Nick showed me what love truly can be. It may have been a lonely road getting to where I was, but it was worth it.
The SUV carrying el Patrón, Emiliano, Isabella, Nick, and I stopped in front of Jasmine and Rei’s home.
The feast of seven fishes was to happen later tonight.
Mia, Jorge, Silas, and Viviana traveled north a day earlier.
As others got out of the vehicle, Nick reached for my hand.
“We can back out. We’ll just stay in the SUV and go back to the airport. ”
I loved how concerned Nick was. “It would be silly to fly from San Diego to change my mind at the last minute.”
My chest expanded as I took a deep breath. Jasmine told me that Rei had done some remodeling, but the exterior front looked very similar to how it had the last time I was here.
“Tesoro, remember my rule,” Nick whispered as we got out of the vehicle.
Shivering in the slightly cooler climate, my eyes went to the cobblestone driveway.
I remembered how difficult it was to walk in high heels on the uneven surface.
Yet that was what was required of me as the lady of the house.
Today, I wore ballet flats. The dichotomy of the past and the present was showcased in everything from my shoes to the man at my side.
“It looks the same,” I said.
Nick peered up at the monstrosity of a house. “We’re going house hunting after the holidays.”
I spun toward him. “Why?”
“Because you used to live in this and now, we’re in an apartment.”
“No.”
His smile quirked up on one side. “You keep saying that.”
“You said I could.” My cheeks rose. “I’ve just not said it when you expected me to.”
He laid his hand in the small of my back. “Who are you?”
“I’m your wife, Senora Nick Ruiz.”
I looked up, seeing Jasmine standing at the door. Her long red hair was pulled back, and her arms were crossed above her growing midsection. “It’s warmer inside,” she called.
Together, Nick and I climbed the steps. Jasmine wrapped me in a hug. “Thank you for joining us.”
“Once I researched the feast of seven fishes, I couldn’t wait to experience it.”
She ushered us inside.
I gasped. The interior was completely different than I recalled.
While the marble floor was the same, the walls were painted a soft gray.
The furnishings no longer resembled a museum but looked elegant and homey.
“The inside…it’s actually homey.” I turned toward the front sitting room.
While it was filled with familiar faces, I noticed that the grand piano was gone. “And the piano is gone.”
“We had it moved to Joséfina’s wing. She plays. Neither Rei nor I do. Do you?”
“No,” I answered with a grin.
“Nick,” Rei called, luring my husband back toward where Gerardo’s office used to be.
“Are you going to be all right?” he asked with concern.
I reached for Jasmine’s arm. “I’ll be good.”
She patted my hand. “Let me show you what Rei had done out back.”
My eyes were taking in all the improvements. “Even the artwork has changed. It used to be so cold in here.”
“Rei did a lot before we married. Since then, he encouraged me to make the house more like us. Joséfina has helped.”
“You’ve done a fabulous job.”
We stopped at the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. “The pool.”
Jasmine smiled. “The long lap pool was impractical for children. Rei had it removed, and this new pool installed. See the large shallow area?”
“With stone sunchairs.”
“Yes,” she said. “I love reading out there. And one day José will be playing in the shallow end.”
“José,” I repeated, thinking of my bodyguard.
“We found out we’re having a boy. If the baby was a girl, I wanted to name her Josie after my sister. José is the masculine version—Joséph.”
“That’s beautiful. I’m sure your sister would be honored.”
“Dario’s mother won’t approve.” She lifted her chin. “And I don’t give a shit.”
“Did she come? Is she here?”
“She’s here. If it wasn’t for Ariadna Gia, she’d be totally miserable.
” Jasmine laughed. “I know you have reason to hate this home, but Rei has made me feel like a queen in a castle. I couldn’t be happier here with him and Joséfina…
and a million guards and staff.” She laughed again.
“Even the wicked Luciano witch can’t refuse my invitation. ”
I took her in, sensing her confidence. It was my turn to laugh. “Good for you.”
“Let’s go join the others,” Jasmine said.
She led me toward the dining room. Never in my memory had the mammoth room looked so inviting. It was always cold when there were only two people dining. Now, a giant table was set. I started to count the chairs.
“Twenty-eight in the main dining room,” Jasmine said, “and more in the back.”
We entered the kitchen that led to a large sunroom, both filled with women.
I saw Isabella with her sisters and cousins.
She’d told me how excited she was to see them.
I recognized Noemi, Marisa, Aria, and Cenzi from Isabella and Em’s wedding.
My smile grew when I saw Sofia in the kitchen standing by Lola, Valentina’s cook.
“Sofia,” I said, going closer.
“Lily. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s a little weird, isn’t it?”
My friend shrugged. “It was weird when you and Dad were here. It hadn’t felt like home after Mom died. I’m glad for the house that Rei and Jasmine have made it a home again.”
Inhaling the delicious aromas, I nodded. “Love makes a home.”
“Did you see what they did to the pool?”
“It will be perfect for their baby next summer.”
“He’ll be a little too small to swim next summer, but in the future…”
A few hours later, I was seated at Nick’s side as el Patrón stood, asking for the blessing. His and Mia’s seats were near the head of the table with Rei, Jasmine, Dario Luciano, Catalina, Dante and Camila. We all quieted.
Jano looked out over the crowd. “Our alliance continues to endure. To another year of prosperity, health, and wealth.”
Dario stood, lifting his glass of wine. “The Luciano famiglia concurs.”
Glasses clinked in agreement around the table. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that even Arianna, Dario and Dante’s mother, lifted her glass. Maybe holiday miracles truly happened.