Page 139 of Through You
“Congratulations, lovely.”
“Thank you, you idiot.”
Ares keeps teasing and congratulating Artemis. Apolo also gives me a hug.
“It’s always been him, huh?” Apolo jokes as he pulls away.
My mother opens her arms to me. “My baby,” she whispers.
“I know it’s unexpected. But it’s a great relief to know that I’ll be around to meet my grandson or granddaughter, and that you are no longer alone.”
Tears spring to my eyes because I understand the true meaning of those words. Her doctors are not optimistic about the progression of my mother’s illness. I can still remember my heart breaking the moment we were told that she had one year left, maybe two at best. Her relief pierces my soul, yet I’m glad that this, although unexpected, brings her some peace.
I suppose sometimes there are positive outcomes to what’s unexpected.
That thought takes up residence in my head as I watch them smiling, looking overjoyed and showering us with congratulations. This was not the reaction I expected. The excitement in their expressions makes me feel like I’m a part of something; it makes me feel like I belong to a family. The tears that my mother’s words brought to my eyes are swelling in size because I never thought I could have this. I never imagined I would have the support of people who care about me; people who are this happy for my son or daughter. I blame the pregnancy hormones for the tears that I shed, and quickly wipe them away.
“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?” Apolo asks me, and they wait for my response with bated breath.
“Not yet, it’s too early.”
“I bet he’s a boy,” Grandpa adds. “No Hidalgo has had a girl for many generations.” It almost sounds as if he would prefer one instead.
“Maybe Clau will break that tradition,” Ares says encouragingly.
“A Hidalgo girl,” Mr. Juan mumbles. “That’ll be interesting.”
“Have you thought about names?” Apolo asks.
Ares grabs him by the shoulder. “Don’t be so intense.”
“Well, forgive me if I want to learn more about my future niece or nephew.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll still be their favorite uncle,” Ares replies arrogantly.
Apolo snorts, then turns to me. “Who do you think will be the favorite uncle, Claudia?”
I play dumb and simply shrug.
I find myself surrounded by Ares and Apolo’s childish quarrel, my mother’s words of encouragement, Grandfather’s joy, Mr. Juan’s acceptance, and Artemis’s look of pure love. And I smile like I have never smiled in my life because I realize that I’m not on my own, and I won’t ever be alone.
The small girl in me, the one who grew up on the streets, is smiling back at me because now she has the one thing she longed for with all her heart: a family.
The Final Chapter
CLAUDIA
Artemis and I had our first fight as a couple in the third month of my pregnancy.
“Claudia.”
“No.”
“You haven’t paid attention to what I’m trying to say,” he remarks in agitation while waving his hands in the air. The morning sun is streaming through the blinds in his bedroom. I’m almost finished getting ready to go to work.
“I have heard you and the answer is still no.”
Artemis wants me to leave the internship with the company and stay at home all day. The fact that I’m pregnant doesn’t make me less capable at my job. Also, my contract is for six months, and I only have two months left. I’m pretty sure I can handle two more months. I’m not even showing yet. The Hidalgos have already hired a girl to do the housekeeping. Artemis would not consider letting me continue to look after the housework, for obvious reasons.
