Gabe laughed, low and sexy as he let her slide down his body. “I believe you,
cara
. I’ve never seen you look so … scary and sexy at the same time. The way you kicked Celia out like that without ever lifting a finger or raising your voice was a huge turn on. I had to have you right now. And you have nothing to worry about. I’ll always be faithful to you not only because I love you and know you’re the only woman for me, but after seeing you tonight, I’m a little afraid of what you’d do to me otherwise.”
“Be afraid, Gabriel. Be very, very afraid.” She laughed with him as he pulled her into his arms and held her closely. “I’ve got to freshen up, and we both need to get down to the party. I hope you didn’t ruin my hair.”
“That’s why I didn’t throw you on the bed,
mi amor
. There was no way I was going to wait until the party was over before I had you, but I did try to be considerate, especially when, despite the temptation, I avoided ripping your dress off of you. Your hair is fine, but you definitely need some lipstick.” He smiled down at her with mischief in his eyes.
“Pretty proud of yourself, are you? Everyone will probably guess what we’ve been doing, as long as we’ve spent up here. As if your ego or your reputation for being a red hot Latin lover needed a boost.”
“Ah, but when the lights are turned out and everyone leaves, it’s you and only you who will experience my expert Latin lovemaking. Every man down there will envy me.”
“As every woman down there envies me. Too bad for them. As I stated clearly before, I don’t share. What’s mine I keep. You’re mine. I’m keeping you.”
“Forever.”
“Forever.”
Epilogue
Two years later, Argentina
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,
muchas gracias
. As you know, it’s been over a year since I’ve toured, and I’m sure many of you are wondering, what has Gabriel Rodrigo been doing all this time, right? Well, I could tell you, but I think I’d rather show you. However, I could use a little help, so I’m going to bring out my daughter. Please help me welcome Marisol Rodrigo.”
Applause.
Six year old Marisol walked out on the stage in a beautiful floral print chiffon dress with a full skirt. She walked straight to her father who lifted her up on the second of three chairs center stage. There was no hesitancy, no shyness, just a bright smile showing a missing front tooth.
“
Hola, mijita
. How are you?”
“Papá, we shouldn’t mix our Spanish and our English.” The crowd laughed and clapped.
“You’re right, Marisol, I’m sorry. Mamá doesn’t like it when we do that, does she?”
“No, Papá.”
“So, what do you think, Marisol? How do you like being out here on the stage?”
“I like it, Papá. Can I help you sing a song?” More applause.
“Are you after my job
, niñita
?” Laughter.
“Maybe.” The crowd roared with approval.
“First, I’d like your help explaining to these nice people what we’ve been doing since they saw me last. Would you like to tell them about it?”
“Sure.” Marisol turned to the audience and smiled again. “We’ve been very busy. First, we got married. I have a mother that I love a lot, and she loves me, too. She’s very beautiful, and she makes our family very happy.” The crowd broke out into another loud applause, and when they quieted again, Marisol continued. “That’s not all. First, our family went from just the two of us to three with my mom, but we are still growing. Now we have a new baby sister, too.” Another round of applause.
“Thank you, Marisol. Good job,
mija
. Ladies and gentlemen, would you please welcome my wife and Marisol’s mamá, Summer Alvarez Rodrigo and our newest addition, my daughter and Marisol’s sister, Sunny Araceli Rodrigo.” Summer and three month old Sunny joined the rest of the family on stage and took the third seat on stage, while Gabe moved over to the first seat. Summer and baby Sunny wore matching floral dresses to Marisol’s. Sunny’s hair was darker than her mother’s but lighter than her father’s and sister’s. She was sound asleep in her mother’s arms and didn’t open her eyes even when the audience welcomed them with even louder applause than they’d given earlier.
“How are you,
mi amor
?” Gabe bent to kiss her briefly, and then kissed the baby’s forehead.
“Truthfully, I’m a little nervous, Gabe. I’m still getting complaint letters from women who are upset that you’re a married man now.” Laughter followed.
“Well, Summer, let me just clear that up right now. Although I think my wife exaggerates, let me state for the record that I have never been happier than I am right now. I thank God for the blessings of my wife and children, and I put them first in all things, which is why I’ve been away from the stage for awhile. Rather than travel all the time, I will give a few concerts a year and spend the rest of the time with my family. Summer is very demanding and makes me take out the trash and barbecue during the summer …"
“Gabe!”
“Well, you do!”
“You know you like it.” She smiled at him, nearly forgetting the crowd until they laughed at her comment.
“Yes, I do. Thank you for marrying me, and thank you for being such a wonderful mother and for giving me another daughter to go with the beautiful daughter I already had. I’m a very lucky man.” He bent and kissed her again, and they smiled into each other’s eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d also like to recognize some very special guests tonight. Please help me welcome Marisol’s and Sunny’s grandparents, my parents, Araceli and Joachim Rodrigo, and my wife’s family, Diego Alvarez, his wife, Isela, their daughters, Nicole and Natasha, and Diego’s mother, Teresa Alvarez.” As they all stood, the crowd opened up yet again with a big round of applause.
“So, now that nearly the whole family is present, I’d like to sing a new song, the first time it’s ever been performed live. I wrote it recently, right after Sunny was born, and it’s entitled,
Mis Mujeres, My Women
.”
Gabe sang the song beautifully in Spanish. The first verse was a tribute to his mother and her support, wisdom, and matchmaking skills, the second to his daughters and their laughter, trust, and playful antics, and the last was to his wife and her beauty, and the love and strength she brought to his family and how she’d completed his life. None of the women in his life had heard it before, and as his mother and wife shed tears his older daughter smiled up at him with her mother’s arm around her, and his younger daughter continued to sleep peacefully.
As the song ended, Gabe put down the microphone, so he could embrace his family with both arms free. While the crowd went wild with applause, they exchanged kisses and ‘I love you’s’. Just before he pulled away, Summer whispered in his ear.
“Your parents asked if the girls could stay with them tonight. They should both be asleep by the time the show’s over. I’ll be waiting in bed for you. Naked.” The warmth in her eyes was mirrored in his own, and both their hearts raced.
Gabe smiled at her and kissed her once more. “No encores tonight.” They both laughed, and Summer and Marisol waved, as they left the stage, so Gabe could finish the concert. As they left, Gabe continued to watch until they were out of sight, knowing without a doubt that he was the luckiest man alive.
About the Author
Elaine Dyer was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She is or has been a model, beauty contestant, teacher, Literacy Coach, supervisor, professor, mother, wife, sister, daughter, Auntie, friend, and most recently, author. She enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends over good food, wine, and margaritas. She continues to live in El Paso with her husband, son, and daughter, and thoroughly enjoys living vicariously through her many heroines.