32. Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Vicente Godoy
A week has passed since we arrived at Alamo Peaks, and the adjustment has been easier than I thought. The first thing we did was have my brother draw up plans for our dream house.
My parents offered to move to one of the guest houses at the hacienda, but Camila and I want our own place. We’re hoping the construction will be done within the year. In the meantime, we’re staying in one of the guest houses.
Camila was adamant about not taking my parents out of their home. She said there were many memories in there that she was sure my parents would appreciate relishing in as they embarked on their retirement.
“Daddy, Daddy,” Ava calls as I enter the kitchen where she’s having breakfast in the nook.
A wave of pride and joy swells in my chest.
“Hey, duckling. Good morning,” I say, scooping her up in my arms. “Where are you off to today?”
“I’m going to my horse riding class, then I need to have lunch, then I’ll rest by the pond and play with Abuela Carla and the duckies, and then I need to rest because we’re having dinner at Tía Karina’s house,” she says in one breath.
I chuckle at how fast she’s talking. Her transition to speaking Spanish full-time has been smoother than I expected.
Camila did a great job speaking to her in Spanish from the time she was a baby, so Ava has picked it up with ease.
We found her a bilingual school in Santiago that’s worth the thirty-minute drive. The school has been a perfect fit for her.
We also found an excellent pediatrician in the city and arranged for nurse visits to handle her blood transfusions at home. Having her procedures done here has been a game changer.
So far, we’ve had one at home, and Ava was so much more comfortable in her own space. She’s adjusted beautifully to our new life here.
I’ve mentioned to Camila we can explore gene therapy once Ava turns twelve—the minimum age for that kind of treatment. I’m excited to see how her life can improve with that sort of treatment, but if it’s not a good fit, I’m quite pleased with the team of doctors we’ve found to provide everything she needs.
“That’s right—we’re going to see baby Enzo,” I say.
My nephew is a year old and has the entire family wrapped around his little finger.
I can’t wait to see Camila’s belly swollen with our baby, but I know she wants to get her chocolate business going before we try for another child.
“Yes, baby Enzo,” Ava shouts excitedly as she breaks from my hold and rushes to meet Vivian, her horse riding teacher.
“Bye, Daddy. I’ll be back soon.”
I chuckle, but wave and blow her a kiss. “Bye sweetheart, I love you.”
“Thank you,” she replies.
I shake my head as a smile spreads across my lips—my daughter has officially placed me in the “thank you” zone.
“Hey, handsome. Are you ready?” I hear my favorite female voice calling from somewhere behind me.
I turn to face her with a grin. “I was born ready for you.”
She laughs as she gives me a quick kiss, and we make our way to the oldest vines at the hacienda. That’s where our work starts.
I’ve settled into a routine: checking on the workers and helping where needed in the mornings, having lunch with Camila, picking up Ava from school, and working until dinner.
Lunch dates with my wife are the best.
After greeting everyone, we get to work, making sure the vines look healthy and ready for another season. Once we have pruned them all and cut any dead or diseased vines, we’ll light a fire—a symbolic end to winter and the start of a new vine season.
“How’s the interviewing process going?” I ask Camila as I check one of the vines for possible mold or fungi.
“It’s going,” she says with a sigh.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, turning to face her. She’s been very excited about this project, I want to know if there’s something I can do to help.
“Nothing,” she says with a chuckle. “It’s just I wish I could just hire Sara as my marketing director, but she’s plenty busy with the vineyard.”
It’s my turn to chuckle. Sara has become close with Camila. They have similar personalities, and it helps that Sara is Colombian, so I think Camila feels an extra connection with her.
“Nuh-uh. I can’t let you take my employees away from me. But perhaps you can ask Sara to help you train whoever you hire? You’ll have to pay her for her extra hours, of course,” I say, wrapping an arm around her waist.
“You’re so good at this, mi cielo ,” Camila says against my lips.
I immediately kiss her. “I’m good at many other things. I’ll be happy to show you. Any time, any place,” I say, kissing her again.
A deep chuckle bubbles out of her chest. “You’re so silly. Good thing I love you.”
With one last peck on her lips, we get back to work as we continue to chat.
I’m dying to ask her to marry me again, but with our employees as witnesses in the middle of the field, now is not the best time. I want to do it right—give her the best memories.
Checking that I still have the ring in my pocket, I get back to my task.
“ Hijo , do you have a minute?” my father asks the moment Camila and I walk inside their home.
We usually have dinner with my parents once a week, but since we’re all going to Karina’s for dinner, we’re meeting them for the afternoon snack.
“Yes, of course,” I reply as I look at Camila, making sure she doesn’t need me to stay with her.
She gets along very well with my mother, but I want to make sure she doesn’t feel uncomfortable. She gives me one of her blinding smiles, so I nod and follow my father to his office.
“Is everything alright?” I ask as soon as I close the door.
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to know how you are feeling now that you’re living full-time in Alamo Peaks?”
He pours a glass of seltzer from his mini fridge and offers me one, but I wave him off.
“That’s a good question. I think the answer would be completely different if Camila and Ava weren’t here with me.”
We both chuckle as he settles into his chair, and I take the seat across from his desk.
“The truth is, I feel great. Being hands-on in the vineyard is a completely different experience than managing it from afar. Not that I actually managed it while in London, but you get my point.”
He nods and takes a sip of his drink, so I continue. “Being in charge of only one big task has been surprisingly fulfilling. In London, I had several investments going on at the same time, and the thrill of closing deals and making money—while always a good thing—lost its appeal.”
“So, what you’re trying to say is that you’re happy here,” my father says, his eyes on me.
“Yes, Father. I’m very happy to be here.” I release a breath after I say the words.
“Good, good. You seem happy. I just wanted to confirm it.”
I frown at him, but he smiles.
“Well, as you said, it would be another story if you didn’t have your wife and child here. I’m not saying you would be miserable, but you would be alone. And son, that’s not a way to live.”
I nod because, yes, he’s right. There might be people who are happy on their own, but after meeting Camila and Ava, I can’t imagine my life without them.
“With that being said,” he begins and my eyes widen, anticipating what he’ll say next.
“I would like to formally step down as the head of Hacienda Carmen at the end of the month. Your mother and I have been talking about how we want to spend our time, and we’d like to travel three months each year, stay here in Chile during the summer, visit Gabo and Isabella for a month, and use the rest of our time to either stay home or travel some more. The point is, I don’t want to have any obligations tying me here.”
He eyes me warily. Perhaps in the past, the thought of taking over Hacienda Carmen would have sent me into a panic, but now I know I’m ready.
“That’s good, Father. I’m glad you have a plan. You both deserve to rest and enjoy yourselves,” I say sincerely.
For as long as I can remember, my father has worked very hard to keep our legacy afloat and thriving.
“Thank you, hijo . That means a lot.”
He gets up from his chair and makes his way to me. I stand as well, giving him a hug.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the man you have grown up to be. I’m thankful you’re my son.”
His voice breaks, and I can’t help the emotion that fills my eyes. I don’t think we’ve ever been this open with each other. He has always believed in tough love, but I’m glad he opened his heart to me.
“I love you. Thank you for pushing me to be a better man.”
“I love you too, son.”
He pats me twice on the back, breaking the hug and turning away to wipe his eyes. I smile but do the same.
“Okay, that’s enough feelings for today. Let’s go see what Ava is doing. I’m teaching her to play Ludo,” he says excitedly.
We make our way out of his office and into the living room, looking for our girls.
When we get there, Mother and Camila are laughing at something Camila is showing her on her phone, while Ava is coloring.
“What’s so funny?” I ask, settling on the arm of the sofa where Camila sits.
“Oh, I was just showing your mom this video,” Camila says as she wipes tears from her eyes.
When she passes her phone to me, I see two people trying to stop an umbrella from flying off a table in the middle of a rainstorm. Heavy wind and rain lash around, making the scene even more chaotic.
The kicker? Celine Dion’s Titanic song plays in the background, adding a dramatic touch.
I smile but shake my head as I return her the phone.
“Are you ready to freshen up?” I ask her as I stand and offer my hand.
“Yeah, sure.” She stands and intertwines her fingers with mine. “Ava, are you ready?”
Our duckling frowns as she looks at us with pleading eyes.
“Can I please stay here? I don’t need to change.”
Before we can reply, my father says, “Oh, please. Just go. Ava and I have a game of Ludo to catch.”
He takes the board game out of a cabinet as my mother and Ava settle around the coffee table. Ludo is a very popular game in Chile, similar to Parcheesi.
Camila and I both kiss Ava goodbye, but she’s already focused on the game. I chuckle at her concentration but mouth “thanks” to my parents as we make our way to our home.
“Hey, hey. Welcome. Long time no see,” Luca says with a chuckle as he opens the door to his house.
One by one, we greet him and exchange hugs—even though we see each other weekly.
Camila heads straight for Karina, eager to take Enzo from her arms, and I chuckle. Sometimes I wonder if she’s really going to be able to wait until after her business has taken off for us to have a baby.
“ Quién es el consentido de la tía? Quién ?” Camila coos at Enzo, and he rewards her with a toothy smile. He has two teeth, and his grin is adorable.
“Everyone, I have an announcement,” I say as soon as everyone has a drink in hand, relaxing around the living room.
Camila gives me a puzzled look, but I simply wink at her.
“As you all know, the reason we moved here is because Father has decided to step down as the head of Hacienda Carmen.”
Everyone nods, and I can see the anticipation in their faces. Father holds Mother’s hand and places a kiss on the back of her palm.
“Well, today he has set an official date to retire, and I would like for us to plan a party in his honor.”
Cheers and applause boom around the living room. When I look at my parents, my mother is grinning from ear to ear, and my father’s eyes are shining with emotion.
“I love the idea, Vic. We need to let Gabo and Isa know so they can come too,” Karina adds, and everyone agrees. It’d be a great family gathering.
“I would also like to take this time to right the last of my wrongs.”
Everyone stops in their tracks as my voice fills the space.
“What are you talking about?” Camila whisper-shouts.
Karina looks at me knowingly as she takes Enzo from her.
“When I married my wife, even though I was in love with her, I married her in a hurry. I didn’t give her the wedding she deserved.”
Camila’s eyes widen as she catches on.
“Yes, we weren’t invited. The nerve,” Luca pouts.
I chuckle. “Yes, Luca, because you’re the most important person in this family.”
I throw him the bait, and sure enough, he takes it.
“Of course I am. Who else could be the VIP of the Godoy-Bianchi clan?” he says proudly.
My father clears his throat.
“Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Gonzalo,” Luca says with a wince.
I bark out a laugh. “You’re so easy to goad,” I say, shaking my head.
He gives me a murderous look, which only makes me laugh harder.
“As I was saying. I need to right the last of my wrongs, so I would like to ask my wife—the love of my life—Camila Godoy, would you do me the honor of marrying me again? This time, in front of our entire family, renewing the vows we made to each other in a town hall in London?”
I kneel and take the ring out of my pocket. It’s a replica of the engagement ring I got her at Tiffany’s.
“I don’t need a fancy wedding, mi cielo . We’re already married. I’m not going anywhere,” Camila says as a tear runs free down her cheek.
“Ohhh, the bride says no. Attention, everyone—the bride says no,” Luca announces pulling out his phone, I’m assuming to record.
Karina smacks his hand down, effectively blocking him.
“Of course, I didn’t say no. I would never say no to this man,” Camila says, glaring at Luca.
She kneels on the floor, mimicking me. “I just didn’t think we needed another wedding. But if that’s what you want, my answer is yes. A million times yes, Vicente Godoy.”
Everyone claps as I put the ring on Camila’s left hand, and I notice how badly I’m shaking.
“Are you nervous ? ” she asks with a soft, nervous chuckle.
I release a heavy breath. “Yes, I thought you were going to say no.”
She cradles my face in her hands, and we melt in a deep, long kiss.
“I’m sorry. I love you,” she says against my lips as we come back up for air.
“I love you too.” I kiss her some more, just for good measure.
When I help her stand, Ava rushes over to hug us, and I lift her up in my arms.
“Yay, Mummy and Daddy are getting married again,” she cheers as she embraces us both.
“Why did you get me another ring?” Camila asks, looking at the new ring on her left hand.
“So there’s no doubt that you are taken. Now you have the same ring on both hands.”
Camila laughs as she gets on her tippy toes and gives me a quick kiss.
“Mark your calendars, everybody. The wedding will be March 26th next year.”
Everyone looks at me curiously, so I explain. “That’s the day I met Camila in person. That’s when I knew she was the one in my heart—even if my brain hadn’t caught up yet.”
Camila hugs me hard as a collective aww fills the room.
And here, with our family, with the love of my life and my daughter, is when I can finally admit that being resolute to fulfill my destiny has been the best decision of my life.