“Probably a big one, and don’t worry, Mom. I won’t wear them at the wedding,” Allison told her.
Sadness reflected in her mother’s brief smile. “I never worry about you, Allison. You have a good head on your shoulders.”
Rafe exchanged knowing glances with Allison and squeezed her hand in reassurance. “Let’s go.”
They went inside the ballroom, where everyone in his family had gathered to welcome them. Balloons and streamers adorned the room, and long tables filled with food were set against the windows, along with a big banner announcing CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON AND RAFAEL.
“They’re here,” Ronnie shrieked, nearly dropping a bowl of potato salad.
She ran forward and hugged Allison, who laughed and hugged her back. Then everyone was surrounding them, as he struggled to make introductions that suddenly weren’t necessary.
His mother’s eyes filled with tears. “I couldn’t be happier, Rafey. You finally fell in love.”
“When’s the wedding?” Sofia demanded. “Can I be a bridesmaid? Can I help you pick out a dress? Oh, this will be so much fun!”
“Hush, Sofie, let the poor girl speak.” Elena took Allison’s hands. “Thank you for saving our Rafey. I knew you were perfect for him.”
Rafe drew Allison forward. His family swarmed around her, exclaiming in Spanish and English. How pretty she was. How thankful they were she was joining their family. He watched Allison’s parents and Diana chat with his mother and grandmother.
They moved over to the buffet. In addition to the croquetas de jamónandmariquitas de plátano,lechón asado, frijoles negrosand boiled yucca, there were platters of American hamburgers and fried chicken.
He selected two plates and filled them with Cuban food and brought them over to their table. His bride should get to know the cuisine his family enjoyed.
Hell, the food he enjoyed as well, he realized.
Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he turned to see his cousin Luis with an ear-splitting grin. “Congratulations. The way your face lit up when you talked about her, I knew she was the one. Look how much everyone adores her, Rafe. The fam only wanted you to be happy.”
He had to agree.
Luis sipped his drink. “Heard through the grapevine you were offered a promotion after the big drug bust. Moving up to DC. Career advancing move.”
Hearing the uncertainty in his cousin’s voice, Rafe shrugged. “I turned it down.”
Luis nearly spit out his soda. “Wow. You, career FBI agent, turning down a promotion?”
Funny how Lincoln, Rafe’s supervisor and the assistant agent in charge of the Miami office, had said the same thing. Lincoln had been instrumental in securing the promotion for Rafe.
Gazing at Allison and his family, he shook his head. “Some things are more important than career, Luis.”
Never had he felt such pride, nor such joy. He was home at last, and with a woman at his side whose passion for life and love equaled his own.
When his family finally gave her space, he escorted her to the bar and asked for champagne for them both.
“To my beautiful bride-to-be.” Rafe smiled.
“To my big, handsome sex stud.” She winked.
He laughed as they clinked glasses.
Allison’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. “So this is your fam, huh? They’re terrific. Big, noisy, loving. You’re blessed, you know, Rodriguez? And you don’t identify with them?”
Rafe studied his beaming family as they chattered and settled around the platters of good food. He slid his arms around his partner for life, his love. The woman in the world he loved the most and would die to protect and cherish.
It was a good day to be alive and live simply for the joy of the moment. The joy of love and family.
“But I do,mi angel. I am an American andsoy Cubano.”
I am Cuban.
* * * * *
