Page 197 of From Rivals to I Do

“I just…I wanted to tell you that I loved you. That is all.”

He smiled and leaned against the door, closing his eyes and hoping to get some feel of her. The way she smelled of lavender, her sparkling eyes… “You know, I don’t believe in that superstitious stuff, right?”

He heard her giggle. “Well, I don’t either, but after the last bunch of years we’ve had, do you really want to take any chances?”

He laughed. “Fair.”

“Is that Mommy?” asked Charlie. He started walking towards him and Abel waved him off.

“Yeah, yeah. Hey, do me a favor and get rid of that gum, okay? And wash your hands.”

Charlie nodded and ran off to the bathroom.

“Gum? Gum??” Camilla sounded shocked…and a little upset. “Please tell me you didn’t let him have gum.”

“I didn’t let him have gum.”

She sighed. “Abel. He is going to get it all over his suit.”

“I have been watching him the whole time. Besides, you didn’t want him to go out there without gum. The kid’s came in here with dragon breath.”

She laughed, then she paused. He pictured her leaning against the door, looking up at the ceiling, smiling…hoping. “Abel? Are we doing the right thing?”

“Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet.”

“I’m not,” she said. “Really. All I mean is…I guess what I mean is do you really want to marry me?”

Abel smiled and leaned against the door, symbolically touching her through the wood. “I got a whole tuxedo; the church is booked—”

“Yes, but…but have you really thought about it? I mean, I’ve been married before and then there’s Charlie…”

“Camilla, come on. Do you really think I would have gone these three years with you without knowing what I was getting into? I know what I am doing.”

She paused, then said, “What if you get tired of me?”

“I’m not going to get tired of you.”

“What if I get tired of you?”

He sighed, then said, “Then I’ll shave my head and do handstands on the lawn until you’re not tired of me anymore.”

She giggled. “I’m serious.”

“So am I. Listen, whatever we go through, we will have each other. That is all that matters. It’s you, me, and Charlie against the world. Nothing can stop us so long as we remember that.”

She didn’t say anything and for a moment, Abel felt a little bit of panic. Maybe she changed her mind?

She did not, though. After seconds of silence, Camilla replied, “I love you, Abel Delgado.”

“I love you, too, Camilla Nunez. Meet you at the altar.”

She giggled again. “I’ll be the one in white.”

He listened as she walked away and was half tempted to open the door and peek at her dress. She was right, though. They couldn’t afford to taunt the gods on a day like today.

“All set!” Charlie announced as he came out of the bathroom. Abel came out and looked him over carefully. He checked to see if his hands were clean, brushed his thick dark hair out of his face, and straightened his jacket.

“Open your mouth.” Charlie opened his mouth wide, and Abel smiled. “Lift your tongue.” Charlie lifted his tongue. No gum. He pats Charlie on the back.

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