When the actual message, the Good News, first came to you, you heard about the hope it offers. So your faith and love are based on what you hope for, which is kept safe for you in heaven.
Colossians 1:5
Isaac walks the halls of Saint Maris Mazzarello Hospital, with a bouquet of multi-colored roses, in a glass vase. This would be the first time that he sees his girlfriend in the hospital. Isaac is extremely nervous and afraid of what he might see. However, he continues his path to see Fabiola. He finally reaches her hospital room. At first, Isaac is hesitant to place his hand on the doorknob, but when he finally gathers the nerve, he slowly turns the doorknob. The door opens very slowly. There is Fabiola, laying in her hospital bed. She is in stable condition, but she is given a sedative, so she can get plenty of rest. She lays peacefully, practically mummified in her bed with tubes and a neck brace. Isaac is heartbroken over the sight of Fabiola. He strolls to her bedside, still in stock. Isaac then gently places the bouquet by her bedside. He looks at her for a moment, as she lays with tubes in her mouth and nose. Then, he gently kisses her on her bandaged head. Isaac stares at her again. He takes a chair for a corner and sits in the chair next to her bedside. He takes a deep and takes Fabiola's hand.
"This seems so unreal," he says to Fabiola as if she can hear him, "I still cannot believe that…you would be laying here this way…but you're still the most beautiful woman I ever saw. You are still beautiful!"
As the tears flow from his eyes, he continues, "They…told me that you're pregnant. I guess that the home pregnancy test was on target."
Isaac gives a half-smile from his little joke.
"Well, …you were pregnant. It's fun. I…wondered if we would have had a boy…or a girl. Who knows? Maybe twins…triplets…or more. That would have been kind of scary," he says, trying to smile from another joke.
"I would have taught him…her…or them how to throw a ball…drive a car. You would have taught the baby your skills with a needle and thread. Eventually, our parents would have been fighting about who babysits the baby? Who will put together the baby's christening? Who will put together the baby's first birthday day party? Could you imagine what the Quinceañera would have been like with my mom and your parents if the baby was a girl…or girls?"
He gives a slight giggle.
"…but we will never get that chance."
More tears flow down Isaac's face.
"I already lost my baby. I cannot lose you. I love you. Please get through this. We have to get through this."
Isaac puts his head down on her bed and begins to sob. Little does Isaac knows, someone else happens to be in the room. All of a sudden, Isaac feels a touch on his back. He is suddenly startled.
"Hey! Take it easy," the person says.
"Oh. Don Carmelo. I…I didn't know you were coming."
"I didn't know you were here, either. I…I am not going to ask you how you are feeling. I already know. Anyway, I'm glad I ran into you."
"Why?"
"I am sorry for the things I said and did the other day, Isaac. When I found out about my Fabiola…I was scared…angry…ashamed…"
"With all due respect, how do I think I feel?"
"I know how you feel. After hearing the things you said, a few seconds ago, you feel exactly how I feel."
"Yeah…"
Carmelo places his bouquet next to Isaac. He looks at his daughter with a sigh.
"We have to be strong for her," Don Carmelo said, "We cannot fall apart from this. She is counting on us."
"Yes, sir. You're right."
All of a sudden, the monitor starts to beep loudly. Isaac and Carmelo are in a panic. Soon the doctors and nurse rush into Fabiola's room to aid her.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen, but you have to leave the room," one of the nurses says.
"What's happening," ask Isaac?
"Is my daughter ok," ask Carmelo?
"We are looking into the problem, but you have to leave."
The two men leave the room. They are very apprehensive of Fabiola's sudden condition. They go into the waiting room where they sit literally at the edge of their seats. Twenty minutes pass. Isaac paces up and down the waiting room.
"Isaac, please stop that pacing. You're making me nervous," advises Carmelo.
"I can't help it. Where are these doctors?"
Suddenly, one of the doctors, who tends to Fabiola, approaches Isaac and Carmelo.
"Mr. Castillo," the doctor calls.
Isaac and Carmelo eagerly approach her.
"I believe the lady said, "Mr. Castillo," not "Mr. Gonzalez," corrects Carmelo.
"Hi. I'm Dr. Winthrop. I was one of the doctors in the room earlier. I take that the two of you are here for Miss Fabiola Castillo."
"Yes! Yes! How is she," Isaac asks eagerly?
"Por favor, Isaac. You have to excuse him. He very anxious."
"S…She's the woman I love."
"¡Ya!"
Isaac finally calms himself.
"What is my daughter's condition, Dr. Winthrop?"
"…well, after thorough observation, Fabiola's concussion has gotten worse."
"H…How worse," Isaac hesitantly asks?
"She has slipped into a coma."
The two men are devastated.
"How long will she be in a coma," Isaac asks?
"It is difficult to say. It could be days, months, even years."
"Years?? No," Isaac cries out, "¿Que vamos hacer?"
Carmelo wraps his arm around him for comfort.
"Isaac, look at me," Carmelo commands, "You have to pull yourself together."
Isaac can calm himself, but the pain is still there.
"I am very sorry. The best thing you can do for Fabiola is to be supportive," advises Dr. Winthrop, "When you visit her, talk to her, read to her. Therefore, she will know who is with her."
"Thank you, Dr. Winthrop," says Carmelo.
"You're welcome. Fabiola is a fortunate young lady to have a family like you."
Then, she walks away.
"Have a seat with me, Isaac," Carmelo suggests.
The two men sit down in the waiting room. He has some tissue in his pocket and gives it to the young man.
"Gracias," Isaac says and proceeds to clean his face.
Carmelo takes a deep breath.
Carmelo says, "I know I should not question God but…why? Why my baby?"
"Maybe this is kind of my fault," Isaac thinks aloud.
"How?"
"I should have never touched her. I wish we waited. That way…she would not have been pregnant and still have children. She would be ok."
"Yes. The two of you should have waited, but…this is not your fault. This was a terrible, unfortunate accident and we are all affected by it, but we must band together. Fabiola is counting on us to be strong for her. No more fighting."
"I agree. Fab's brothers probably want to kick my ass for not protecting their sister."
"Do not worry about the boys. Her sisters…maybe but they are nothing compared to their papi."
"…in that case, thank you for sparing my life."
Carmelo laughs.
Did you hear the doctor earlier," Carmelo says, "The doctor called us "family."
"…I know," Isaac replies with a half-smile.
"Isaac…I know I have been rough on you, but…Fabiola is my daughter. It is hard being a father to girls. However, I must protect my daughters from any kind of danger."
"…pero Don Carmelo, I would never hurt Fabiola."
"Yo se hijo. Fabiola chose a good man that will love her and protect her. I…wish I could have protected her from this one."
"I hate to say this, but the accident was beyond anyone's control. I guess the only thing is to leave it in God's hands."
After receiving words of wisdom from his sister and kind, consoling words from Isaac. Anton has pushed himself farther into his relationship with Nataline Pankar. After hearing the devastating news from his former friend, Jabari Grant, he has finally realized that his time with Zora is over. Sometimes on the weekends or after school, he goes to visit Nataline at her aunt's home. They continue to go on their dates and spend hours on the phone with each other. The more time they spend, the more they become smitten with each other.
On Saturday, the couple with their chaperone, Aunt Tina, takes a walk through the "Papillion Gardens." After a while, they grow weary and sit on one of the benches. Aunt Tina sits on another bench listening to her music on her Walkman, Anton and Nataline sit on another chair.
The couple sit very close to each other; he has his arm around Nataline and gently lays her head on his chest. As Nataline lays her head on Anton's chest, he smoothly runs his fingers on the top of her hair; the strands of her hair are so soft and shined in the sunlight. He happened to catch a whiff of the sweet scent of lavender from the dark tresses of her hair.
'My love,' he thinks, 'this must be a slice of heaven.'
Anton basks in the company of his future bride, Nataline listens to the rhythmic sound of her lover's heartbeats.
"Nata," Anton says.
"Yeah," Nataline answers.
"What are you thinking?"
"…I…I am thinking about the day and this beautiful weather."
Anton is a bit shocked.
"Is that all you are thinking about, my flower," he asks.
"…No. I am thinking about us. The fact that I love you so much. It's unbelievable."
"Why is it unbelievable?"
Nataline lifts her head to gaze into Anton's eyes.
"Well," she starts, "I…never thought I feel this way about you or any other bloke. When my parents told me I was…arranged to marry, I was petrified."
"Why?"
"I have never been married in my life! Dating is one thing, but marriage…marriage is a huge step. I was frightened to marry a bloke that I may not love. Worst of all, I may not like it."
"You were that scared?"
"I knew it was going to be my turn after my sister, Mari, married her husband."
Knowing that Nataline is apprehensive of getting married gives Anton some peace of mind. He thinks it is fitting to be honest with her, too.
"I…I know how you feel. I…I was with another girl before meeting you."
"You were?"
"Yes, but it is over between us now. Zora has moved on with her life. She is now married to another man."
"Oh, dear. So, shortly after the breakup?"
"…yeah."
"Oh, dear…"
"The other man was my best friend."
Nataline gasps.
"…and they are having their first child together."
"Anton…I…I am so sorry you had to endure this horrid ordeal."
"It's ok. I wish Zora and Jabari well. Now that you are in my life, I cannot imagine being with another. I am glad our families arranged for us to be married."
"Me too, Mr. Anton Braganza."
They kiss each other on the lips. The couple continues to snuggle on the bench, enjoying the beautiful ambiance of the park. Suddenly, the song, which plays at their pre-engagement party, plays in the distance.
"Hey. Do you hear that" Nataline says, lifting her head once more?
"Hear what?"
"Listen…"
Anton listens carefully; he can hear the song too.
"Yes…yes…I can hear it too."
"Perfect timing, yeah?"
Anton rises from the bench, turns to Nataline, and puts out his hand to her.
"May I have this dance, Nataline Pankar," Anton asks.
Nataline gives him a coy smile.
He says, "Please? Don't make me beg."
She replies, "You are already begging."
"Ok. Don't make me beg again."
Nataline shakes her head and laughs.
"You are a silly man."
She can no longer resist his advances.
"Oh, alright," she agrees, as she places her hand in his hand and pulls her close to him.
Nataline falls into Anton's arms. Anton and Nataline both laugh. After their laughter slowly fades, they look at each other adoringly in each other arms. The couple begins to slow dance to "their song." Unlike their first dance with each other, this is far less awkward. They are in love...with each other. Most of all, they love each other. After the song fades into the distance, they continue to slow dance in each other's arms.
"Nata…"
"Yes, love."
"Promise me that you will never leave my side."
"Never. Do you promise to do the same for me?"
"Of course. I love you, Nata."
"I love you, too."
Anton and Nataline continue to snuggle in each other's arms; it is a perfect moment. The ideal song plays in an ideal setting for an ideal combination.
The next day, Isham strolls into Newkirk's to start the day as if he does not have a care in the world.
"Chris…Chris…Christopher Newkirk…," he calls, "Hey Chris! I'm here!"
Christopher comes to greet Isham, but Christopher is not happy to see him.
"Hey Ish," starts Christopher, "Where the hell were you yesterday? I had to be the bartender and run Newkirk's."
"Man, I am so sorry," Isham begins to explain, "I lost track of time. I promise it won't happen again."
"You had an hour lunch! An hour!"
Isham feels offended by Christopher's tone.
"I said that I was sorry, ok," Isham replies, getting on the defensive.
"What's going on with you? You weren't always like this."
"Like what?"
"Like…THIS! Disrespectful! I want answers, man," Christopher demands.
Isham rolls his eyes with disgust.
"It's nothing, ok? Get off my back and leave me alone," Isham snaps at Christopher as he proceeds to set the bottles, but Christopher grabs the bottles from his hands.
Isham gives him a stern look.
"Quit pulling my chain, Chris," Isham demands, "I have to get the bar set up for the day."
Christopher is in shock. This is the same man who is always so lackadaisical in his job, but suddenly, he wants to be diligent at his job.
With Isham's back facing him, Christopher continues, "Unbelievable. We use to be tight, Ish. You've changed and not for the better."
Isham sucks his teeth with disgust and dismisses him by walking away from Christopher, but Christopher persists.
Christopher continues, "Isham…you are family, and no matter the situation might be, we can get through it. Is this about Nevin?"
"No," Isham replies sharply.
"It's not about Orchid…right?"
There is no reply.
"Dude, are you for real," Christopher assumes, "Ish, I'm sorry, but…she is a teenager. She is a little girl, man. It was not meant to be. Maybe in another time and place---"
"----It's not about Orchid," Isham shouts!!!
"Then tell me!!!! What is it?????"
Isham is beside himself. He wants to tell Christopher the truth; it is killing his soul. This is his best friend; they are like brothers. However, Christopher is also a family man. There is no way he can tell a family man the horrible sin he commits.
"….I told you, I'm fine. Everything is fine," Isham lies, facing Christopher.
The two locked eyes on each other.
"Look...I'm going to leave because I don't appreciate you coming at me like this. Hopefully, when we both chill out from this, we can talk," Isham concludes.
Isham leaves the bottles on the counter. He grabs his things and proceeds to leave. This is it for Christopher. He is not going to allow Isham to take advantage of him anymore. Christopher finally reaches his breaking point.
As Isham starts his way to the door, Christopher adds, "Don't bother coming back here. You're fired."
Isham stops dead in his tracks; he cannot believe his ears. Is his best friend firing him? He turns around to face the bar owner with fire in his eyes.
"What did you say to me," Isham ask?
"You heard me. You're fired! By the way, you've been replaced," Christopher replies, "I am the boss, this is my establishment, and I will NOT have ANYONE ruin my hard work."
"Oh, really? Who is my replacement…BOSS???"
" "L.C." "
" "L.C." ?"
"Yes. You are being replaced by "Lacey-Crystal."
"Are you out of your damn mind? I'm being replaced by a "chick"? That's bull, man."
"No, man! Your behavior is bull, especially now. Do me and everyone else a favor and get out of here."
Isham gives him a sly smile.
"Some friend you are," Isham starts, "First, you ruined Nevin's life by having him dress like a woman. Now, you're tossing me out for a woman."
"Hold on for a second," Christopher interjects, "I am replacing "L.C." because she earned her stripes at this bar. While you were gone doing…who knows what, she has done an outstanding job as a bartender and manager. I know I can count on her…I wish I could say the same for you but can't do that. By the way, what do you mean I ruined Nevin's life? I did the best that I could for Nevin."
"Sure you did, bro," Isham replies sarcastically.
"You're mad at the fact that he became so popular, he made much more money than he did as a bust-boy and more money than you. For the first time in Nevin's life, he never had to struggle again, and he enjoyed doing something that he loved. So you see? I did my part to help my brother. That way, he won't end up in the gutter…like you."
That statement strikes a nerve in Isham.
"You want to take it there, buddy? Ok. Let's take it there," Isham starts, "Due to your hair-brained, "drag-queen" idea, Sabine was rewarded PRIMARY custody of the triplets, and believe me, she uses those triplets as a weapon to control him."
Christopher is shocked at the news.
"Yeah…that's right, man. It drove him crazy," Isham continues, "Sometimes, she arranged visits and then canceled the visits at the last minute. Sabine made his life a living hell, but that's not all. The icing on the cake was that he blamed himself for "Sunsette's" death. That's the reason Nevin went into a depression. That's the reason he started drinking…and eventually, DIED…with a bottle in his hand. He died holding a damn liquor bottle …Like …it was the only friend he had."
"So, why didn't you help him?"
"In the beginning, we kept in contact with each other, but after a while, he went MIA on me. I tried calling him. I went to his house. NOTHING! I guess he felt the world turned against him, including me."
"So, you decide to tell me this information now? I could have done something to help him. He was like a brother to me too."
"Please, Chris. This last thing he needed was your help."
"Oh no," Christopher growls, "You are not dumping all this garbage on me, Isham Mejia. YOU were in this too. YOU were more excited than ME about Nevin performing in drag!"
"Yeah," Isham admits calmly, "I was…but I'm not the one who had him sign a legal contract. I'm not the one who held the venue in MY bar for his performances and shared the profit. Yeah…I went along with your crazy plan, but I didn't orchestrate it. You did. Now, you have to live with that. Good luck with your little bar,"
Then, Isham leaves infuriated out of the bar.
After the wedding, Jabari and Zora live in wedded bliss with the new baby, Amisha Sohniye Grant-Montague. The newlyweds live the Montague brownstone with Hyacinth and the triplets. It is a full house, but it is full of love. Hyacinth's grandchildren, Argentina Nereid, Mandela Nereid, and Corinthian Nereid, love having the new baby in the house; it feels like having an extra playmate. Sometimes, the triplets do their part in helping out with the baby. Amisha receives lots of love from not only Zora's family but Jabari's family, Isaac and his mother, and Fabiola's parents.
Although they are married, the truth is that marriage is a business arrangement. Zora agrees to marry Jabari to complete her education at Holy Chalice College; Isaac and Fabiola are the only people who know the truth about the marriage. Unfortunately, the college does not allow single parents or people of divorce to attend because it is considered blasphemy. They almost did not get approval from their parents. However, Jabari and Zora can present a convincing argument to persuade their parents to approve and support the marriage. Therefore, the newlyweds sometimes have to pretend they are more than be friends, such as the occasional hand-holding to keep up with appearance for their families who believe they are marrying for love.
As far as feelings are concerned, marriage is complicated. The "married couple" act brings out emotions that make Zora and Jabari somewhat conflicted within themselves. Jabari has strong feelings for Zora, yet he is well aware that Zora still loves Anton. Even though he and Anton are no longer friends, Jabari is upset with Zora for not telling Anton the truth about Amisha. However, Jabari is a noble, young man. Jabari married Zora so that she and Amisha can have a bright future after Zora completes her education.
Meanwhile, Zora's feelings for Anton are conflicted; she is still feels scorned by Anton, yet her heart still harbors feelings for him. He is her first love and the biological father of her daughter. However, she is married to Jabari. As time passed, she realizes that romantic feelings are beginning to bloom for her new husband. She begins to reflect on the series of events with Jabari. First, he came to comfort her on the day of her and Anton's breakup. Second, Jabari accompanied her to her pre-natal exams. Then, the dream she had about Jabari. Finally, she and Jabari get married.
'Could this be a sign,' Zora thinks to herself, 'Am I…am I meant to be with Jabari?'
It is a beautiful day in the big city. The sun illuminates the clear blue sky, and the wind dances gracefully throughout the atmosphere. Zora scrolls through the "Papillion Gardens" with her baby, Amisha. Amisha was bundled in her carriage, enjoying the carriage ride. As she pushed the baby in her carriage, Zora basked in the greenery and the blooming flowers.
Meanwhile, a young man happens to walk in the opposite direction; he crosses paths with Zora and the baby. As he continues with his way, he stumbles upon a toy on the ground. He picks up the toy and assumes it belongs to the young lady. The young man turns around a sees the young woman with the baby carriage is far. So he runs after her. The young man finally catches up to Zora. He softly taps her on her shoulder, but Zora is so startled, she almost attacks the "Good Samaritan."
"Whoa," the young man exclaims, defending himself, "I did not mean to scare you. I thought you dropped this."
She looks at the toy and realizes it is, in fact, Amisha's toy.
"Oh…thank you," Zora replies, feeling incredibly embarrassed, "I'm sorry. I guess I was caught in my little world to notice my surroundings."
"In that case, you should be more alert. I know it's beautiful in the park, but you are a pretty young lady with a carriage. People might look at you as an easy target."
"Yeah. You're right. Are you on the force?"
"Oh, no. I'm not a cop, but I'm well aware of my surroundings."
"I'm usually alert. I guess I got sidetracked."
There is a pause between the two of them until the baby begins to cry. Zora goes in front of the carriage to tend to Amisha. She picks up her baby and coddles her in her arms.
"Well, I better be going now. Take care of yourself and your baby," he tells Zora and walks away.
"Wait," Zora exclaimed!
The young man turns to Zora.
"I didn't get your name," Zora says.
"Miss, I am trying to be a "Good Samaritan," not a "friend."
"Oh, …ok."
"Anyway, I have to run. Have a blessed and safe day."
Zora watches this mystery man walk away from her. Zora shakes her head. Amisha stops crying, but she is still a little fussy. Her mother figures she is hungry. She places the baby back in the carriage and parks the carriage by the first bench she sees. Zora goes for a bottle in the diaper bag; it is the right temperature. Zora picks the baby up from the carriage and proceeds to feed her on the bench. As Amisha feasts on her bottle, Zora gazes at her child. She is beautiful. Moments like this, she cannot believe she is someone's mother.
"Every time I look at you, I see your daddy, but it's not your fault that we are not together. You should not have to be punished for your father's sins. I am going to take good care of you…MiMi," Zora says to her baby.
She thinks about the man she loves who is getting married to another woman and then the man is her husband but who she does not like.
"It doesn't matter who comes into my life," Zora continues, "We will always have each other."
Yes, Zora does not love Jabari the way she loved Anton. However, who else would marry their friend so that she and her baby can have a bright future?
Zora sighs and thinks, "Jabari is an amazing guy. I should be so blessed to have a friend like him. No, I should be so blessed to have a husband like him."
Zora continues to gaze at her daughter and gives her a faint smile. She takes a deep breath and looks up at the bright blue sky, reflecting on her life and her future. Zora is still reasonably young, but she has reached the threshold of making simple decisions for making adult decisions. She is a new mom and a new wife. She prays with the Lord's guidance and wisdom, she will be able to make the right decision for her and her family.
After a while, Amisha drifts off to dreamland. Zora gently places a kiss on her daughter's forehead and lays her daughter back into the carriage. Then she puts the bottle back into the diaper bag. She then gathered the rest of her things and continued to walk through the park.