Page 104 of To Have and To Hold

“You should answer,” Mia said.

Inhaling, I pushed the green icon. “Papà.”

“We’re here, in San Diego.” His voice was robotic, without emotion.

“You’re here already?”

“We’re staying at Hotel Del Coronado, where we stayed for Mia’s wedding. Where are you?”

“I’m” —I looked at Mia— “I’m having lunch at the Ruizes’ home, Em’s parents.”

“Rafaele will be there in half an hour to pick you up. You’ll spend tonight with your family.”

My heart twisted in my chest. I wanted so badly to see Noemi, Tony, and Mom. “Papà, you know Em and I married last night. Tomorrow is for family.”

“We can discuss that. Have your things ready.” The call disconnected.

I swallowed as I tried not to cry.

“What did he say?” Mia asked.

“He did know that we married, didn’t he?”

Mia nodded. “Dario told him. I know because Aunt Aurora called me.”

“He said he’s sending Rafaele here to pick me up. He wants me to spend tonight with my family and we’lldiscuss” —I emphasized the word— “my marriage.”

Mia’s shoulders slouched and then straightened. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I want to be with Em, but I’ve missed my sister, my brother, and my mother.”

“Your father?” Valentina asked.

“Right now, he scares me.”

She tossed her napkin on the table and walked toward me. When she reached my chair, she spread her arms. “Come here, child.”

I stood. “I’m not a child.”

“You always will be to me. Em is a child in my eyes as are Cat and Camila.”

I nodded and took a step toward her. She wrapped me in her arms and pulled me close. “We are all children sometimes even when you’re as old as I am.” She rubbed my back. “And sometimes we need a parent’s shoulder.”

My tears started.

“Mine will always be here.”

I gasped for air and stood straighter. “Thank you.”

Valentina teased my hair away from my face. “What do you want to do? You’re right. As an adult, where you go and what you do is your choice.”

“I want to see them. I’m afraid he’ll force me back to Missouri.”

“Where are they staying?” Mia asked.

“Hotel Del Coronado.”

Mia stood and walked away.

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