Hot & Enchanting (De La Cruz Saga) (25 page)

Ricky and Jacki barely complete
signing the purchase contract in time to get to la familia Sunday dinner. There’s a lot of people talking and laughing in the patio.

As they draw closer, they can hear all the excited voices of la familia.  They’re all enjoying each other’s company.  In the background you can hear playing the romantic Mexican love songs.  The night is beautiful. The sky looks like navy blue velvet with sparkling diamonds. 

Mis tios casa is the first casa that was built by la familia’s company. La casa is built with the thought of accommodating the entire familia. As everybody knows about Mexicans, we love to party. The entire familia’s occasions—dinners, parties, gatherings, celebrations, you name it—are held at mis tio’s casa. La casa is a large typical Mexican-influenced casa with lots of windows, arched pillars, and marbled floors.

The patio is where we hold our parties. It was built larger than your normal patio. The pillars are arched with flower planters built around it, which also have a seating area. The patio floor is a traditional Mexican tile that has a very colorful pattern of blue, yellow, and purple.

The patio also has a stove, a refrigerator, a sink, and a BBQ grille. No, my tios and papa didn’t forget the bar. Si, the bar is always full of Coronas and El Patron tequila, la familia favorites.

Inside la familia room is a pool table. Los primos and I have enjoyed lots of hours playing pool. Outside in the patio we enjoyed our summers swimming and playing cards. The swimming pool has a beautiful waterfall that goes into the swimming pool that appears like a natural beach. There is a large Jacuzzi a few feet away.

Then there is Tia Mama who will always see los primos as niños, sus niños. She walks back to the cocina to tell her comadres Queta and Maria that “Todos los niños are here for la familia’s Sunday dinner.” in an excited feliz tone.

Mi mama and mis Tias assisted my padre and tios in whatever they could when the familia’s company was getting started. Each one of our padres had a huge role in making la familia’s company a success. Mi Tia, Enriqueta De La Cruz, called Queta by the loving familia, was always answering the phones and ordering the supplies at la familia’s company.

Mi mama, Guadalupe De La Cruz, known as Tia Lupe always made sure that we were well fed. Mi mama also was in charge of todos los birthdays and any special events.

Mi Tia Maria De La Cruz always made sure that we were picked up from school, completed our homework, and would take us to practice in the sports that we were participating in.

La familia has been and will always be a united familia. The familia De La Cruz has Sunday dinners at my tio’s casa. Mi mama and mis Tias are the cooks. They cook up la entire familia’s favorite comida. We all hold this Sunday dinner as special familia day, and every person in la familia always makes sure to make it. No excuses.

La familia Sunday dinner is an instance to catch up and to share our life’s heartaches, achievements, and dreams. La familia’s individual successes can be attributed to the familia support, encouragement, and amor.

The entire De La Cruz familia are relaxing and enjoying their gathering.  Todos have comments and suggestions for las bodas. It has been a while since there was any type of special events in la familia. 

La familia is going to have tres bodas this summer. Los padres are overjoyed. They have been waiting for a long time for their niño’s to marry and have bebe’s. Nick and Danni are the only ones of los hijos that are married and have Angel Nicolas. Of course, this is not enough. They want a nieto from all of their hijos.  Los hermanos, los padres of la familia’s are happily chatting, playing pool and drinking their Coronas. 

Las comadres are happily finishing cooking the dinner meal and describing the brides wedding gowns and beautiful rings.

Ricky and Jacki enter the patio. Toda la familia starts to call out. “Primo congratulations!” says Alex grinning.

“Gracias primo,” replies Ricky taking Jacki to sit at a mesa. “Baby lets go and get something to eat, I’m hungry.”

“Si Baby,” agrees Jacki smiling at him. 
Okay I know most of everybody here. I will survive this. I know that Claudia and Vero will be coming over to get the scope,
thinks Jacki.

“Baby do you want some tamales or tacos?” asks Ricky taking a plate and handing it to her. “We also have some chili verde.”

“Si that sounds really good, because I’m real hungry,” replies Jacki nodding, serving herself some food.
Hmmm this all smells delicious
.

“Let me get you something to drink. Do you want some soda or juice?” asks Ricky setting down his plate looking at her with todo his amor.

“Si baby, I will love an orange Fanta,” says Jacki smiling, leaning in to give him a beso.
Si es mio and I love him
.

Los primos are teasing Ricky.  It’s exciting and romantic that he eloped.  Los primos just wouldn’t let it go. They continued to torment him for a while.

This weekend has had a lot of exciting events. Everyone wants to learn every detail of the elopement. Erica is also engaged and la familia is meeting her fiancé Gabriel Corona.  Gabriel Corona is a Navy SEAL. He’s Erica’s hermano Christian, SEAL BUDS. Both couples decided to have a double wedding. Los primos think it is awesome and exciting. 

Jose Enrique and Jessy immediately greet las mamas with a hug and a beso. Jose Enrique takes Jessy to the tables, sits down next to Ricky and Jacki.  Ricky is holding Jacki on his lap. Ricky just can’t let Jacki go, not for a minute. 

“Primo you’re late.  You missed the abuse that los primos were dishing out to me.  I can’t believe that they really viewed me as a
playboy, even my reina thought I was a playboy and muy wicked,” says Ricky leaning in to give Jacki a beso, embracing her small waist.

“Primo it was a big surprise to everyone.  We never expected you to do that. We all thought you were having too much fun with all of las mujeres that were always after you,” says Jose Enrique grinning, ducking the spoon that Ricky throws at him.  He then adjusts his chair pulling Jessy closer to him on his side. 

Erica walks over to them so she can introduce her fiancé Gabriel.  She has introduced him to the familia. Jose Enrique and Jessy are the last ones to arrive. 

Erica stops and Gabriel stands right behind her, embracing her around her waist.  Erica smiles and flashes her cute dimples.  Her eyes sparkle with felicidad. “Primo, Jessy I want to introduce my novio, my baby Gabriel Corona,” says Erica smiling.

Gabriel releases Erica, leans to her side to greet Jose Enrique and Jessy, extending his mano to greet them. “Hola, nice to meet you,” says Gabriel shaking their manos. “Erica has told me that you’re getting married in July, congratulations,” says Gabriel grinning.

“Thanks, you too, we heard earlier in the day that Erica is also getting marrying,” replies Jose Enrique nodding at Gabriel.

“Gabriel is also a Navy SEAL like Christian. He’s Chris’s SEAL BUDS,” says Erica contenta gazing at Gabriel.

“Really, we all thought that you didn’t want to meet a SEAL Erica,” replies Jose Enrique with curiosity observing his prima.

“Primo, let me make this clear, I didn’t want to meet a SEAL because I didn’t like them. I just didn’t want to always be anxious and scared for el hombre that I love,” replies Erica gazing at Gabriel. “Gabriel’s duty will be terminating in six months. He has promise me that he will not re-enlist again.” 

“Really, that’s interesting, what are you planning on doing Gabriel once you’re out?” asks Jose Enrique.
I wonder if he has the experience in explosives for demolishing that I think he has. I recall Christian mentioning it to me. I need someone that can take charge of our demolishing contracts,
contemplates Jose Enrique looking over at Ricky with a raised eyebrow.

“Why don’t you two seat down with us,” says Ricky knowing what direction Jose Enrique is heading
. Si this will be awesome
, thinks Ricky nodding.

“Yeah, good idea,” says Gabriel sitting down, pulling Erica onto his lap, there is only one seat available.

Erica sighs with contentment, embracing his shoulder,
I just love my baby and he’s so yummy,
thinks Erica smiling flashing her cute dimples with felicidad. She listens to the conversation
.

Los primos have never seen Erica smile so much or talk so much.  They’re muy contentos for Erica.

“I was thinking of applying at the FBI or police Departments. I know that with my knowledge and skills I can get a good job. I also have my Bachelor of Science in Business.  I still have a few months to think about where to apply,” says Gabriel nodding, turning to look at Erica.

“I know you have to have experience in explosives and demolishing,” says Jose Enrique turning to smile at Jessy. 

“Explosives and demolishing is my expertise,” replies Gabriel looking at his angel and smiles into her eyes.

“You know Gabriel we have been looking for someone with your qualifications, knowledge and experience in explosives and demolishing.  We often have contracts that need to have an existing building demolish and you know how dangerous it can be if not done professionally. It’s hard to get a person that has that skill,” says Jose Enrique looking at Gabriel with interest.

“Are you going to be here in town manana?  We can meet and discuss the possibility of you joining our company as a demolishing department manager. How does that sound?” asks Jose Enrique.

“Jose Enrique you rouse my interest and it sounds promising.  I need to get back to training this week. I can get in touch and let you know
when I’m off on leave again.  I was planning on taking some time off to assist Erica with la boda,” says Gabriel, smiling.

“That sounds good. What do you think Ricky?” asks Jose Enrique turning to look at Ricky to get his thoughts.

“It sounds like he’s the person that we’ve been seeking. Gabriel let us know, as soon as possible, we’re very interested.  This is very good,” says Ricky giving his reina another beso.

“Gabriel here’s my business card so you can contact me directly on my cell phone. I want you to contact me and advice when we can meet.  This is a relief off our shoulders. You know that it’s very hard to find a responsible individual with the knowledge and skills to do demolishing,” says Jose Enrique looking at Gabriel.

“We need to have you in contract as soon as possible. All three of our bodas will be this summer and we will be away on our
luna
de miel. I will like this resolved before then,” says Ricky nodding.

“Sounds great,” says Gabriel looking at Jose Enrique and Ricky.

“What about our reception for our double wedding?” asks
Erica.
She smiles looking at Ricky and Jacki.  

“We’re planning to have ours at mis padre’s casa,” says Ricky “It’s as big as it’s here and I think we can fit both our wedding parties there. Don’t you?” asks Ricky looking at Erica.

“Si, we only want to invite our padres and familia,” replies Erica nodding.

“What about you Ricky, Jacki are you having a large wedding party?” asks Erica turning to look at them.

“Mi reina, we haven’t discussed la boda details. What do you want?” asks Ricky contemplating Jacki with curiosity.

“Baby I want a small wedding also, just like Erica. I want Jessy to be my maid of honor. What about you?” asks Jacki looking into Ricky’s eyes with all of her amor?

“Mi reina I want whatever you want, always, remember. I want my hermano Tony to be my best man,” replies Ricky nodding.

Ricky is giving his reina another beso. Everybody looks on in amusement. Ricky really doesn’t want to let Jacki go.

“I think that we should go get some dessert,” says Ricky shifting Jacki of his lap, pulling her to his side, walking away.

“That sounds like a good idea,” says Erica, standing, taking Gabriel’s mano to follow them to get their plates. Gabriel pulls Erica into his side.

Jose Enrique turns to Jessy grinning. “Let’s get something to eat mi amor, but first I need a beso,” he says pulling Jessy into his
brazos
for a beso.

Paty and Bella approach Ricky
and Jacki. “Well congratulations primo, Jacki.  Jacki la familia is really pleased that Ricky selected you.  We’re all surprise on his marriage, but we could understand as soon as we found out it was you.  Welcome to la familia,” says Paty. Bella and Paty hug Jacki with felicidad.