Tristan's Redemption (21 page)

When all of this started, David asked Ehron about Tristan’s parents.

“
What should I do about Tristan’s family?”

“
You have to reintroduce yourself to them, after you’ve won Abby over.”

“
That’s all? Just reintroduce myself?”

“
Yes. But unfortunately, that is going to be harder than you think.”

Fully aware of how the old Tristan
had treated his family, he knew that Ehron was correct. There were years of minimal contact, the briefest of conversations on the phone and letters from Spain that went unanswered. It was time to change that,
if
his parents would welcome him back.

Tristan explained that
Alcalá de Guadaira, his parent’s hometown, was closer to Seville. But Abby had never been to Europe and was very excited to be in Spain. Tristan white-knuckled the steering wheel as they drew closer to the modest home where he’d grown up.

Abby t
ook pictures as they traveled. “I can’t believe you grew up near a castle! You must have loved that when you were little.”

Tristan didn
’t respond for a few moments. That castle had provided inspiration and, in many ways, that hadn’t been good. As he’d grown older and realized his family wasn’t wealthy, Tristan had become resentful. He remembered the questions he’d asked his parents, not realizing that his father was working three jobs to save money for his children’s education.

Why don
’t we have a better house? Why do I have to wear someone else’s clothes? Why does Papa take the time to go to church? If he would work more, maybe we could save more.

He finally answered Abby.
“The castle was an inspiration.”

She didn
’t question that explanation and instead went back to taking pictures. Alexander was three months old, and sleeping well enough through the night that they’d arranged for an overnight flight on his private jet. Abby and Tristan spent the time talking, and he’d explained his hesitation to return. What he didn’t explain, however, was how much guilt he was plagued with. Tristan had taunted his parent’s faith, yet it was an angel who made it possible for him to be with Abby. And all of those hours his father had worked? He’d saved enough to fund his son’s Harvard education. Sure, Tristan had received grants but that still left a considerable amount his parents had paid without asking anything in return, and their son spent the better part of his adolescence resenting them.

“
Do you ever miss this place?”

“
I’ve been gone for a long time, Abby and I’ve spent almost as long in the US as I did here. I feel more at home there.”

Memories came back of the day Tristan had become a US citizen. He
’d felt a connection with his new country and knew that he was meant to be there. Now, he felt certain that Abby was the reason for that feeling. He turned down the dirt road that led to his parents’ home. Abby put the camera in her bag and turned to face Tristan.

She was so lovely today. Her hair was in something she called a fishtail braid, and she wore a navy blue sweater with jeans. She had on boots which came up to her knees. There was nothing sophisticated about her clothing. She wanted it simple, so as not to offend Tristan
’s parents, who lived meagerly. Tristan had followed suit and wore jeans, a sweater, and a pair of boots.

Alexander was oblivious to everything. Back at the villa in Seville, Abby had dressed
the baby in a sweater, pants and shoes that looked like miniature versions of Tristan’s. She’d spoken in an even voice and told him they were meeting some very important people today so he had to look cute. Alex had drooled in response and touched his mother’s arm. Abby was excited to meet Tristan’s parents, and Alexander was happy. It appeared the only one scared was Tristan.

“
We’re here.” He put the rental car in park and looked at his father’s car. Still the same vehicle he’d driven when he’d taken Tristan to the airport all those years ago, the 1975 Volkswagen Rabbit evidently worked just fine. Although, if it didn’t, his father would fix whatever was wrong, with his calloused, capable hands, and make it work. That’s what he did. And then he thanked God for the ability.

“
Are you ready?” Tristan looked down at Abby’s hands as she rubbed his forearm reassuringly. He mustered up the courage to paste on a smile.

“
Sure.”

“
Tristan, take a minute, and gather your thoughts. We won’t move until you do.” Abby inclined her head to the backseat where Alexander gurgled contentedly. “No matter what he said or did to me, I would still want him in my life. There may be healing necessary, but it will happen.”

“
Do you really think so?”

Abby smiled reassuringly.
“I do. I thank God every day that I have you in my life. Surely your parents must have prayed just as hard for your return.”

He took a deep breath and felt the strength of Abby
’s presence. Somehow, her reassurance rubbed off on him. “Let’s go meet my parents.”

Abby got the diaper bag and Tristan resisted the urge to tell her to leave it. His parents might turn them away at the door. He unbuckled Alexander, cuddling the baby close to him. That was the very picture of irony. Tristan employed thousands of people. Controlled companies. People feared him. Yet he clutched this tiny baby for strength.

They approached the door, the pebble walkway crunching under their feet. The door opened, and Tristan’s steps slowed. His father stepped into the doorway, watching his son with a wary gaze.

“
Hola, padre.”

“
Mi hijo. Ha vuelto.”

Tristan didn
’t need to translate. Abby spoke Spanish fluently, so she understood as the older man said, “My son. You have returned.”

“
Si—”
Tristan was interrupted by a feminine voice asking who was at the door. His nervousness increased as his mother stepped into the doorway. She clasped her hands over her mouth and tears flowed freely from her eyes.

“
Hola, mama
.”

His mother wept but motioned him over. Her appearance had changed. She
’d worked nonstop before he left, and Tristan knew that wouldn’t have changed after. In her work clothes, with her hair still fastened in a bun, she opened her arms and wrapped them around her son.

“
Te amo, mama.”

His mother
’s body wracked with sobs at Tristan’s words. She held on to her son, as if she was afraid he would slip away. His father stayed by her side, the joy of welcoming a long lost son evident on his weathered face.

Alexander squirmed and protested, and only then did Tristan
’s mother notice Abby or the baby in his arms. She pulled away from her son, though she kept a hand clasped to his arm, and looked up at him in question.

Tristan beckoned Abby over to join his reunited family on their humble doorstep and said the words in Spanish that would guarantee Abby a place in their family.

“Mother, Father, I want you to meet my wife, Abby. And this is our son, Alexander.”

“
Abby, wake up.”

“
Mmmph.”

Tristan didn
’t laugh, only because he knew that was the quickest way to make Abby’s early morning surliness worse.

“
Come on, Abby. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes.”

“
No. Sleep.”

She pulled the pillow over her head in response, which caused Tristan to release the laugh he
’d been holding in.

Abby tossed the pillow away and glared at her husband. Her brown hair was going in fifteen different directions, which only made her mood more adorable.
“The sun isn’t even up and it’s the only day all week both of us can sleep in. What’s going on?”

Tristan tugged Abby to her feet and pulled her to the window.
“That’s exactly the point. I want to watch the sun come up with you in my arms.”

“
We could do that better from the bed.”

“
But that wouldn’t be as romantic. I’ll tuck you back into bed myself, sleepyhead,
after
we watch the sunrise.”

Abby frowned and sank back into Tristan
’s waiting embrace. “Your romance is poorly timed, Mr. Ramirez. I only got to sleep at three.”

“
Need I remind you who slept outside in a tent last weekend while you were resting comfortably in the cool house? We agreed. I do boy things. You do girl things.”

Her soft laughter made his body react, and it wasn
’t the time for that. Tristan had plans.

“
But the
boy things
involved a state of the art tent. Don’t even try to make me believe there was no air flow through there. I know better than that. Besides, I checked outside at midnight and everybody was asleep.”

He bent and kissed the area behind her ear, the place that always drove Abby wild.
“You should have woken me up. We could’ve had a quickie behind the gardenia bushes.”

Tristan loved hearing Abby laugh. She playfully smacked his arm.
“That is totally misleading. You’re
never
quick.”

“
Only because I have remarkable self-control.” Which wouldn’t last long, not with Abby rubbing herself against his groin like that.

“
Right. That’s just...” Abby paused as the sky lightened suddenly. “Oh, Tristan, that’s beautiful.”

“
I couldn’t think of a better way to begin today than this.”

“
I can’t believe it’s been ten years.”

“
My ten favorite years, ever, Mrs. Ramirez. My life changed the day I saw you for the first time.”

~

Abby looked up at her husband. A handful of gray strands peppered his black hair. Fine lines creased the skin around his eyes. But that was okay. Aging was part of living, and Abby was perfectly happy with that. Besides, Tristan was still one of the most breathtakingly-handsome men on the planet. At forty-four, he turned more women’s heads than he had at thirty-four. Ironically, Alexander looked a lot like Tristan. His hair was a dark brown, not black like Tristan’s, but not the lighter color of David’s hair either. His eyes were nearly-black, just like Tristan’s. No one ever questioned that, thankfully. If Abby ever had five minutes alone with Ehron again, she would definitely ask him. But he hadn’t made another appearance after that night in the hospital.

Tristan held her like she was precious, just as he had for the past ten years. Being in his arms was incredibly wonderful and Abby was so very glad that he had woken her up for this.

~

He kissed her cheek.
“Look. This is my favorite part.”

The sun crested over the tree line and the beams of early morning light shone through the window. Even with her sleep-mussed hair and streaked makeup left over from their daughter
’s slumber party last night, Abby was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. In the past decade, three more children had joined Alexander—two boys and a girl—and Abby loved their children with a fierceness that humbled Tristan.

The past ten years hadn
’t been all easy. Abby had a malignant lump removed from her left breast two years ago, though thankfully everything had been perfectly normal since. That was when Tristan started turning gray—watching Abby go through precautionary radiation treatments was a special kind of torture. He’d learned a deeper level of patience and developed a more powerful respect for prayer.

Abby didn
’t go back to work in the classroom after Alexander was born. But she loved teaching and working with the kids too much to walk away altogether. Through her fundraising and years of knowledge, she started an after school tutorial program. Many inner city kids received help that would otherwise not be available to them. Some kept in touch, and a few of the first kids who entered the program were graduating this year from college. Abby cried every time she got an update.

She smiled as she watched the rising sun, whereas fifteen minutes ago she was a bit put off with him for missing out on sleep. He kissed her again, savoring the feel of his lips on her skin. She was his heart. Abby made it possible for him to beat death and come out better on the other side.

“I take back what I said earlier. Holding you is my favorite part.”

“
Tristan, if you don’t stop, I’m not going to get downstairs to have breakfast ready for Emma and her friends.”

He kissed her cheek and stood, walking over to their chest of drawers.
“Don’t worry,
mi corazon
, Emma and her friends will sleep a while longer, as will Alexander. We don’t have to worry about Ryan and Michael, since they are with your parents.” Tristan turned on the music and a love song played low. He extended his hand. “Dance with me, Abby.”

She smiled brightly as he pulled her into his arms.
“I thought you’d never ask.”

Moments like these were precious and Tristan truly appreciated how very damned lucky he was to be here at all. His family was happy, healthy. He loved his work. And he held his life in his arms.

All because he’d caught the attention of an angel.

Thank you, Ehron.

Somewhere, in the back of his mind, Tristan heard a faint
you’re welcome,
and smiled.

“
When we’re old and at the end of our lives, do you think we’ll still love each other this much?” Abby smiled, her blue eyes shining in the early morning light.

“
I think when there are no more tomorrows left, and our names are a distant memory, I’ll still love you.”

Abby stood on tip toe so she could reach him lips.
“Forever.”

Tristan nodded, just before kissing her.
“Forever.”

The End