Page 172 of Now and Forever

“You know what, darling?”

“What, big boy?”

“Today, when I saw baby Lucía, it made me think ...”

“No ... Don’t even think about it!”

Shit! I just remembered what my sister went through. Horrible! Eric smiles, then hugs me even closer against him.

“Wouldn’t you like to have a little girl to teach motocross to?”

I laugh.

“No.”

“Or a little boy to teach how to skateboard?”

“No.”

We keep dancing.

“We’ve never talked about it, baby. But don’t you want us to have kids?”

God Almighty! What are we doing talking about this?

“Oh God, Eric!” I whisper. “If you’d seen what I’ve seen, you would understand why I don’t want to have any. It gets so ... huge ... huuuuuuuuuge, and it has to hurt like hell. No. I don’t want to have kids. If you want to call off the wedding, I’ll understand. But don’t ask me to think about having kids right now, because I don’t want to even imagine it.”

Eric gives me a kiss on the forehead.

“You’re going to be an amazing mother. You just have to see how you treat Luz, Flyn, Susto, and Calamar, and how you look at little Lucía.”

I don’t answer. I can’t. Eric keeps me dancing.

“I’m not canceling any wedding. Now close your eyes, relax, and dance with me to our song.”

I close my eyes. I relax, and I dance with him. I enjoy it.

Four days later, they let my sister out of the hospital, and two days after that, baby Lucía is out too. Even though she was born prematurely, the little girl is as strong as an oak and absolutely darling. My father won’t stop saying she looks just like me, and, it’s true, she has dark hair, my mouth, and my nose. She’s cute as can be. Every time Eric picks up the baby, he looks at me with eyes as sweet as honey. I shake my head no, and he bursts out laughing. I don’t think it’s funny.

Days pass, and it’s time for the wedding.

On the morning of the big day, I’m freaking out. What am I doing dressed up as a bride? My sister’s a nuisance, and my niece is a troublemaker, so finally it’s my father who has to keep order between us. I’m so nervous about the wedding, I even think about running away. When I tell him, my father calms me. But when, wearing my beautiful off-the-shoulder wedding dress, I walk into the crowded San Cayetano church on the arm of my excited father and I see my Iceman waiting for me, more handsome than ever in that morning coat, I know I’m not going to have one kid; I’m going to have a bazillion.

The ceremony is short; Eric and I wanted it that way. When we exit, our friends and family cover us in rice and white rose petals.

We hold the reception in a beautiful room in Munich. The food, half of it German, the other half Spanish, is delicious, and everyone seems to like it.

Eric has spared no expense. He doesn’t want my father, my sister, and me to feel lonely, and he’s brought my good friend Nacho; Bicharrón and Lucena with her girls from Jerez; Lola; Pepi from the grocery store; Pachuca; and Fernando with his Valencian girlfriend. According to them, the Frankfurter got in touch and invited them all, all expenses paid. Eric even invited the Maxwell Warriors. How crazy is that!

It’s wonderful, and I could eat my husband up with kisses.

From Müller, he invited Miguel with his hurricane of a girlfriend, Gerardo and his wife, and Raúl and Paco who, when they see me, clap with excitement.

We toast with pink Moët & Chandon. Eric and I intertwine our glasses and drink happily in front of the crowd. The cake is chocolate truffle and strawberry, on express request of the groom, and when I see it, I can’t tell you how much I blush.

When the dancing starts, my husband surprises me again. Eric has hired Malú herself, and she sings our song, “Black and White,” live and in person. What a moment! In his arms, I enjoy the song while we gaze at each other. God, I love him so much!

After that, a band livens up the place. Sonia, my father, and my sister seem to be bursting with happiness. Marta and Arthur applaud. Flyn and Luz, having fun, run around the room, and Simona and Norbert can’t stop smiling. Everything is romantic. Everything is wonderful, and we enjoy our special day.

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