Page 21 of The Love of Secrets

I take it and gingerly pat my face to ensure I don’t mess up my makeup. “I’m sorry I’m such a basket case. It’s just no one has ever done anything like this for me, let alone my son too.”

His face softens with my words. “Haven’t you figured out I’ll do anything for you two?”

I shudder out a breath and nod at his words. “You might have to remind me often.”

“I’ll remind you as much as you need me to.” He grabs the diaper bag from my feet. “Now, let’s go.”

Mateo, Oliver, and I walk out of my apartment, heading to meet his family, along with our future.

One thing I love about living in Rose Valley is that anywhere you would want to go to is within ten to fifteen minutes away. In Texas, even though we were in a small town, everything was still so spread out.

Before I know it, we’re pulling up to a mid-size two-story house. There’s a porch that wraps around with a bench swing in the most perfect place to watch the sunset. I can picture myself sitting in the swing with Mateo wrapped around me as Oliver, and possibly other children, run through the yard.

“We’re here.” Mateo breaks through my fantasy.

I turn to him with wide eyes. “Whose house is this?”

“It’s mine. I bought it last year. It just felt right, and now I know why.” He glances between Oliver and me. “Let’s go inside.”

We both get out and gather Oliver along with his things and walk through the front door. “This is home sweet home.”

I smile as I look around at the neutral color palette. Everything in his house has a purpose, no extra art or pictures. It’s so perfectly Mateo. No frills.

Shortly after we set Oliver up in the living room, two men and a woman walk through the front door, laughing and picking on each other. I know immediately they are Mateo’s family. These people are important to him and he’s important to me. The need to make a good impression fills me. I stand up straight and plaster a smile on my face.

“Hey, guys.” Mateo greets them as he puts his hand on my lower back, a gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed. They all smile at the both of us.

“Stop grinning like idiots. I want you to meet Cecilia.” He then turns to me. “Cecilia, these are my younger brothers, Alex and Dexter.” He says, pointing to each one of them, before he moves over to the blonde woman standing beside them. “And this is Hazel. She’s with Dex for some weird reason.”

She chuckles and steps toward me, putting her hand out for a shake. I take it. “It’s nice to meet you, Cecilia. If you need to know anything about these oafs, just ask.” She squats down in front of me, coming face to face with Oliver. “And who is this little guy?”

I bend down and pick him up in my arms. We both stand up as I straighten his shirt. “This is Oliver. He’s my son. Say hi.”

“Hi,” he squawks as he waves.

“Oh, he’s so cute,” she gushes.

The doorbell rings and we all look at Mateo. “It’s dinner. Why doesn’t everyone go into the dining room and get seated while I grab that.” His fingers trail along my lower back as he heads toward the door.

The rest of us make our way into the dining room and I smile inwardly when I see that Mateo even bought a highchair. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to how generous he is. When he comes in, he places dinner on the table, and I lean over to kiss him on the cheek. He looks at me with a smirk. “What was that for?”

“For being you,” I say, grinning like a loon as I make a plate for Oliver and sit down to eat.

Dinner was everything I had never expected. It’s been a while since I’ve had a family dinner. When we were younger, Bear and I would eat dinner together, but rarely with our parents, as they liked to ignore our existence. As we got older, even our dinners together were less and less often. When I was with Michael, dinner usually consisted of me serving him and eating once he was done.

No, this meal is not like that. There is laughter, stories and catching up on everyone’s lives. I can tell how close Mateo is with his brothers and Hazel fits right in with them.

“Cecilia. You’re new, right?” Hazel leans over and draws my attention from the group.

“Yes. I just moved here a few weeks ago,” I respond.

“Perfect. After dinner, why don’t you come with me? I want to introduce you to some ladies.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I have Oliver.”

Mateo places his hand on my leg, giving me strength, when he leans over and whispers, “If you want to go, I’ll watch Oliver, or maybe we can even ask your brother Bear.”

I pull back and look deep into his eyes. I can tell he means every word. “Are you sure?”

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