You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel. It is of this gospel that I, Paul, became a servant----this gospel which has been preached to everybody in the world.
Colossians 1:23
That evening, Loisaida and Isaac sit at the dinner table in silence. She looks at her son helplessly, as he plays with his food.
"Chulo," Loisaida starts in an upbeat tone, "I made your favorite meal, and you are playing with it as if you hate it."
Isaac says nothing; he continues to pick at his food.
"¿…me odies, no?"
There is still no answer.
She continues, "…You know…when I was pregnant with you, tu abuelita made stewed beef with rice and beans almost every day for me because I craved it…well…you craved it. After you were born, you still craved it," she says with an awkward laugh.
Isaac continues to ignore her. Then, Loisaida becomes frustrated with Isaac's "silent treatment."
She explodes, "…if, you are expecting an apology, olvídalo, ok? You can forget it. Isaac, I do NOT appreciate this "silent treatment" you are giving me. Giving the baby to the orphanage was the best thing we've done."
Isaac's anger begins to ignite from his mother's words.
She continues, "Eventually, a loving couple who cannot have their children to adopting her and love her as their own."
"….that couple is going to be Fabiola and me," he replies with his face practically buried in his plate.
"Angel of Mercy! Get this notion of adopting that baby out of your head, Isaac Luis Gonzalez. As long as you live under my roof and am paying for your college career, it will NOT happen. ¿Está claro?"
Before Isaac can answer his mother, the phone rings from the kitchen. Loisaida gets up from the table to answer the phone. Meanwhile, Isaac is feeling angry, heartbroken, and confused. He is angry and sad at his mother for forcing him to give up a baby he instantly loves. He is confused about not understanding his mother's reason for not allowing him to be a father to the little girl. Isaac tries to finish his dinner, but his emotions cloud his appetite. Therefore, he pushes his plate away from him and sat back in his chair.
Isaac feels he reaches a low point in his life. First, Fabiola gets into a horrible car accident, which places her in a coma. Second, it has been discovered that she was pregnant but lost the baby due to the accident. Therefore, Fabiola may never have children. Out of nowhere, Isaac finds an abandoned yet beautiful baby with whom he unexpectedly falls in love at first sight only to give her up for adoption.
'Could my life get any worse,' he thinks to himself.
He then leaves the dinner table and goes into his room. He swings the door behind him and throws himself on his bed.
When his mother finishes her phone conversation, she returns to the dining room. To her surprise, Isaac is no longer there, but she automatically knows where he may be. Loisaida goes to his son's bedroom door and knocks on the door.
"Yeah," he calls.
Loisaida opens the door and finds Isaac lying on his bed. He is staring straight at the ceiling with his hands folded on his chest.
"I have good news….," his mother announces.
There is still no answer from Isaac.
Loisaida continues, "Fabiola is out of her coma."
Isaac swiftly looks at his mother with wide eyes.
"What did you say," he asks?
"Fabiola is awake!"
Isaac leaps from his bed and asks, "¿Que dices, mami?"
"Fabiola is awake. ¡Está viva!"
"Is she ok? Did she ask about me? Where is she now?"
"Relax. Relax. That was Doña Fiorella on the phone. She told me she went to visit Fabiola, and miraculously, she awakened."
"How did it happen?"
"She was reading to her and..."
"…and what? Dime."
"She awakens."
"Is she coming home? Can she come home?"
"I don't know. The nurse told Doña Fiorella to go home so that they could run some tests on Fabiola."
"Test? What test? What's wrong with her now?"
"¡Isaac, ya! I know you're excited…and happy…and anxious…but you have to relax."
Isaac takes a deep breath.
"…Ok…I'm sorry, mami."
"It's ok, baby."
"…Did her mother say that Fab mentioned me?"
"No. Fabiola was still a little disorientated from her coma."
"Oh…," he said, plopping the side of his bed.
Loisaida says with optimism, "Don't be sad. Its good news is that Fabiola is alive. Hopefully, the doctors and nurses will keep her in stable condition."
"Yeah…yeah! Now that Fab is ok, we can get back to our lives," he says with a hopeful expression.
Then he sees the look on his mother's face, and he soon realizes that things are going to be different between him and the love of life. She tries to be hopeful, but the truth will not allow it.
"…who am I kidding? Everything is different," Isaac realizes, "Things will never be the same, especially not being able to have children of our own. What am I going to do? How will we get through this?"
That's when it occurs to him.
"Belen. That's it! Belen," he exclaims, leaping off the bed again!
"…the baby?"
"Yeah!"
"…the baby who is now at the orphanage."
"Belen will be out of the orphanage by her first birthday. I will take the steps in getting her adopted and…"
"…and what about your education, Isaac Luis?"
"I can balance my education and the adoption process."
"What about Fabiola? Do you honestly think she will love Belen, as well?"
"Why wouldn't she? Belen is a beautiful baby. Belen is my angel from heaven, and soon Fabiola will fall in love with her too. I thought my life came to an end. Fabiola was in a coma…Belen is in an orphanage…I honestly thought that…things were never going to get any better…then…Fab is awake from her coma. I prayed so hard for my love to come back to me, and she has! Now, I must complete my family with Belen. Mami, don't you see? Belen is…our "miracle" baby."
Loisaida sees she is in a "no-win" situation. Isaac is determined to get Belen back from the orphanage and makes her his daughter.
"…I still do know about this, Isaac…ojala, hijo," she says with a sigh, "However, I do know she is going to be devastated when Fabiola finds out that she could no longer have children. Most of all, she can no longer bear you a child. The idea of a woman not being able to bear children, especially for her significant other, can emotionally destroy her. It takes part of her womanhood."
"…but mami, I will bear her a child through adoption."
"That's fine, Isaac…but; what if adopting a new baby does not fill that void of a biological child?"
"No mami. Love is love. I love that baby for her, not as something to fill my void. Besides, I'm going to be the man, papi wasn't for you and me."
"Aye mi chico bello. You show great love and determination. You know, I feel horrible about giving that ba…Belen to the orphanage but if you love her, I love her too."
"Mami?"
"Si, mi amor. Besides, I am going to be her abuelita, soon, right?"
Isaac gives Loisaida a great big hug; she wraps her arms around her son tightly.
"I promise I will help you with the adoption process…and if by chance Fabiola is no longer in the picture, I will help you raise Belenita."
"Thank you, mami. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Business at "Newkirk's" carries on after Isham's departure. Although the staff misses him, "L.C." has no problem filling his shoes. She is magic. Not only she is a hands-on manager with the staff, but she is also a fun-loving and hard-working bartender with the clientele. Thanks to "L.C.," business is booming again. Christopher is very impressed with her performance.
When the bar closes for the night, "Lacey-Crystal" cleans the counters and place the empty bottles and cans in the boxes for trash pickup. Johan, the busboy, and the other staff help clean the bar for the night. They sweep the floor, mop the floor, clean the furniture, and collect the leftover bottles, cans, cups, glasses, etc. Suddenly, Christopher emerges from his office and walks to the "Lacey-Crystal."
"Hey, "L.C.," Christopher greets.
"Hey, Chris. What can I do for you," she asks?
"When you are done taking out the trash, can you please help me with the books? It is taking longer than I thought."
"Sure. No problem. I'll be done in a minute."
"Great," he says and proceeds to walk away, but before he did, he turns around and sees his newly hired manager/bartender having trouble of her own. However, that is the second thing he notices. The first thing he notices was the curves of "Lacey-Crystal's" body. He thinks she was a sight for sore eyes.
"Hey! Let me help you with that," he volunteers.
"Chris, you don't have to do that. I have everything under control," "Lacey-Crystal" insists.
"I know, but if the two of us took the trash out to the alley, we could get those pesky books done in no time. Besides, I want to help."
"…Thanks."
As they carry the boxes of empty cans and bottles to the alley, they carry on with random conversation to pass the time. Before they know it, the work is all done.
"Are there any more to take to the alley," "Lacey-Crystal," ask?
Christopher looks around and says, "…no…it looks like every box is in the alley."
"Wow. That was quick."
"I told you we were going to finish in no time. Now, let's go tackle those books."
They throw the bottles and cans for trash pick-up. The owner and his colleague go into his office to finish the books. He opens the door and allows the young woman to walk in first; then, he walks behind her.
"Well, here it is," he says, putting out his hand, showing her the office.
"Lacey Crystal" cannot believe her eyes.
"Chris…your desk…"
"I know it is a mess."
"A mess? It is messier than usual. This time, it looks like a hurricane hit it. There are so many papers, I…I don't know where to start."
"I apologize for the mess."
"I don't know where to start," she says, bewildered by the pile of papers on the desk, "I'm sorry, but I cannot work like this. We have to clean this desk before we do anything."
It is a difficult task at first. Christopher and "Lacey-Crystal" have to place the papers in order. Eventually, Christopher and "Lacey-Crystal" put all of the documents in their rightful place. Finally, they can start on the books.
"Ok. Let's get started," Christopher interjects!
"Let's get started!"
Approximately an hour and a half later, the books are finally completed.
"Whew! We are finally done," Christopher says with relief.
"Teamwork gets the done," "Lacey-Crystal" replies.
Christopher smiles and says, "Yeah. It sure does. Well, we better get going home. It's getting late."
"Yeah," she replies, looking at her watch, "My brother is probably waiting for me."
"Oh, …ok."
As Christopher proceeds to lock the bar for the night, "Lacey-Crystal" looks around for her brother.
"Where is he," she asks aloud, "He should have been here by now."
"Try calling him," Christopher suggests.
"Ok."
There is a payphone at the end of the street. "Lacey-Crystal" dials the number and waits for her brother to answer the phone. Instead, his answering machine answers the calls. After the beep she leaves a message:
"Hey, bro, it's…Myrtle. I left work a little late to help my boss with the books. I thought you would be here too, but…I guess you're running late as well. Anyway, I hope you are on your way…I love you. Bye"
"Lacey-Crystal" hangs up the phone with disappointment. I hope that her brother picks up the phone. So she goes back to Newkirk's to wait for him. When she returns to the bar, she is surprised to see Christopher still standing there."
"You're still here," she surprisingly says.
"Sure. Besides, this place gets creepy at night, especially for a pretty, young lady, like yourself."
"Thanks, Chris, but I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."
"I know, but I would not be much of a friend if I did not stay and knew for a fact that you were safe," Christopher replies with a warm smile.
She smiles back and says, "Ok. Ok. I guess you're right."
As they wait in front of the bar, Christopher and "Lacey-Crystal" hold a casual conversation. They talk about this and that. They laugh and joke around a bit.
Then, "Lacey-Crystal," asks Christopher, "So…what made you want to own a bar? No offense, but…I would have thought that a guy as intelligent and charismatic as you would have higher aspirations."
"Well, first of all, thanks for the compliment. Second, I see a bar as somewhat therapeutic than getting charged to lay on some "quack's" couch. A person can take off their coat…maybe grab a snack and drink…or only a drink and relax. They are so relaxed, they spill their guts to the bartender or each other."
"Oh yeah! I can agree with that part. I never knew people could be so relaxed and trusting to tell their troubles to a total stranger."
"To them, you are not a total stranger, and you are more than a person who serves alcoholic drinks. We, as bartenders, are the keeper of secrets…a priest who is not confined to the church. That is something I take seriously, and so should you."
"I do. I don't blab to people's secrets. Besides, I have short-term memory."
They both laugh.
"Of course, coming from a Catholic family, my parents were completely against it," he continues, "I was working a part-time job at a corner store in my old neighborhood and going to school at the same time. I worked hard. There were times when it became so hard that…I felt like throwing in the towel, but I had to keep my faith to keep my dream alive. When I told my parents about my dream of owning a bar, they said that alcohol was the "devil's nectar," and the notion of owning an establishment the served the "devil's nectar" was an issue they did not want to disgust. They told me to get that "evil notion" out of my head. They wanted me to do something more beneficial with my money. So I told them I would forget about owning a bar…but I lied. I felt guilty about deceiving my parents, but I had to follow my dream."
"…but they eventually came around, right?"
"Eventually, …but, it was a slow process. When my parents found out about my plans with my earnings, we were in a huge fight. It was so ugly, I left home and stayed with my aunt and uncle. They were very supportive. My aunt and uncle wanted my parents and me to make peace, but…we were all too proud and too stubborn. My parents went to great lengths to ex-communicated from my parish."
"Wow. I'm so sorry."
"Even though I had the support of my aunt and uncle, I felt alone. I need my parents."
"I can relate to that. My brother, Robert Jason, and I come from a very religious and conservative family. My brother is older than me, so he had to set an example. He was a good son and a good student. He made my parents very proud. However, when the cage door opened, my brother made no hesitation to fly away, but I had to stay. My parents felt I was still too young to be on my own, even though I was eighteen."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but…I have a little girl myself, and when I come to my daughter, I am like a guard dog."
"Yeah, but…they were suffocating me. Thank goodness, R.J. came to my rescue. After having a long talk with them, they were convinced to allow me to live with them. They also felt that R.J. would be a perfect role model for me."
"Is he still religious and conservative?"
"He is still religious but…somewhat conservative. Now that we are no longer under our parents' thumb, we have more independence. We are both happy. It feels wonderful."
Christopher gazes at the profile "Lacey-Crystal" under the moonlight. The bangs from her shiny mushroom hair cover her eyes but reveal her full, glossy lips. He is intrigued.
"Um…Do your parents know about this…new found freedom you and your brother found?"
"…Not really. Our parents know that we have jobs and we can support ourselves. That's all."
"I see. Out of curiosity, what does Robert Jason do for a living?"
"Well…he...is a makeup artist."
"Oh, cool! Has he done makeup for celebrities?"
"I don't know. I don't pry into my brother's business."
"Do you want to know?"
"Well…"
"It's ok if you don't want to know."
"Well...if he wanted me to know, he would have told me. He makes a good living. That's for sure. I had my skepticism about working here."
"Why?"
"Well, …half of our clientele is gay."
"It sounds like you have a few of your parents in you."
"Please don't say that. I am trying very hard to break away from my parents…deconstructive, close-minded criticism. I am learning to be a little open-minded and not so judgmental, even though I don't understand it."
"I don't understand it, but I respect them, and as long they are not violent to each other or themselves, I don't care. I know my parents, as well as your parents, have the best intentions for their children. They only want the best things for us. However, it gets to the point that the only ones that know the best things for us are ourselves. It feels good to be free and follow your heart," he says, slowly slipping into the sight of her beauty.
"If we deny the gifts in our hearts, then we deny our gifts from God."
Christopher laughs and says, "Man, that's deep."
"…but it's true. Any gift to the heart is precious," "Lacey Crystal," says, facing Christopher, "…whether it is fulfilling a dream…freedom of expression…freedom itself…"
"You sound very wise beyond your years, "L.C.," Christopher says.
"Thanks. My mother always said that I had an old soul."
They both laugh.
"…so what's your name?"
"L.C." is shocked and surprised over Christopher's question.
"Are you for real," she asks?
"Yes, I'm for real. What's your name?"
"Chris, you know my name. Why would you ask me a question like that?"
"Well, considering the way you spoke about your parents seconds ago. Plus, the fact that they are so religious and have high expectations of you and your brother, I don't think they are the type to give you a name like… "Lacey Crystal," unless they were "flower children." "
"Lacey-Crystal" giggles.
"No, they were not "flower children," she says, "In fact, they consider chocolate drinks too edgy."
"Ok…so let's have it?"
"…have what?"
"Your name!"
"Oh! That," "Lacey-Crystal" replies, taking a deep breath, "…ok, if I tell you to promise you won't laugh."
"You have my word as a good Catholic."
"Ok, …it's Myrtle."
"Myrtle?"
"Yes, Myrtle."
"Oh…Myrtle," he replies with a smile.
"I was named after my great-grandmother on my father's side."
"Oh…ok…cool."
"See? I should have never told you."
"What? I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to say anything. It was your reaction."
"What was my reaction? You told me your real name, and I am now satisfied."
"Ok…I guess."
"I like your name because it is the real you. Knowing that a…pretty woman, like yourself, has a common name, it's kind of nice."
"My name is ordinary?"
"No! I didn't mean "ordinary." I meant…you are a pretty woman...who made a common name…beautiful," Christopher says with a warm smile.
His reply and warm smile make her feel more at ease. So at ease that she smiles.
Then "Lacey-Crystal," says, "Do you promise you will not tell anyone about my name."
"Sure. Again, you have my word as a good Catholic," he says.
"Lacey-Crystal" is happy to know that Christopher will keep her secret, but she has a friend who does not judge her and likes the real her. Suddenly, they lock their eyes on each other. At that moment, there is somewhat of an attraction between them. They forget about their professional relationship. Most of all, they forget that Christopher is a married man with children. One thing is about to lead into another…until someone called out "Lacey-Crystal." She turns around a sees her brother, running up to her and Christopher. So much for magic yet forbidden moments.
"Hey! L.C.," he exclaims again, as he runs up to Christopher and his sister, "Lacey-Crystal."
"Hey! What took you so long," "Lacey-Crystal," asks with her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry, sis," R.J. apologizes, "I was held up at work."
"Well, anyway, this is my boss, Christopher Newkirk."
The two gentlemen greet each other with a handshake.
"Thanks for looking after my sister for me," Robert-Jason thanks, Christopher.
"It's no big deal," Christopher replies, "Here at Newkirk's, we're like family. Besides…L.C. has been an answer to my prayers."
"Oh, really?"
"You bet!"
"Chris, stop," L.C. says, feeling embarrassed by the compliment.
"Aw, quit being so modest," Christopher says, "You know you're magic."
"Magic. That's the first time I heard that word used as a compliment," R.J. says.
"Well, it's true."
"That's great to hear. I'm glad that Lacey-Crystal is getting along fine."
"L.C." interrupts, "Yes, and Lacy-Crystal and her brother should head home because it's getting late."
"Yeah, the wife is probably worried about me," Christopher suggests.
The three parties' parts ways. Christopher goes one way; the brother and sister go the other way.
"He seems like a nice guy," R.J. says, as they walked towards the home.
"Yeah, he's great, "Lacey-Crystal" agrees.
Meanwhile, as Christopher walks home, he cannot get the new manager out of his mind. She is beautiful, smart, and friendly; she is the total package, to Christopher. He thinks about their relationship, which is strictly business. However, as time passes, their relationship grows from co-workers to friends. As of tonight, perhaps it may have become to…close friends. This makes Christopher very nervous and apprehensive about the future of their friendship. He has to snap himself out of it.
"Wait," Christopher thinks to himself, "What is wrong with me? I am a married man! I love my wife; Val is my soulmate. We have a family together…so why can't I get Myrtle out of my head?"
Before saying, "I DO," Anton feels that he needs to go to a higher spiritual power. He thinks that this is the perfect time to go to confession. Before Anton gets married, he wants to be sure that his past is past, and his future is his future. Although he has been there many times in the past, Anton takes a deep exhale, standing at the steps of Holy Chalice Catholic Church. His life is not in shambles, but he is confused about a lot of life events. How can his first love find another love so quickly?
To make matters worse, why is it Jabari Montague, his former best friend? The final stab is Zora and Jabari getting married and expecting a child. Even though he broke up with Zora, he broke up with her due to an obligated arranged marriage to Nataline Pankar.
In the beginning, Anton did not want to have anything to do with his soon-to-be bride; he still harbored feelings for Zora Grant. However, after a few dates and talks on the phone, his sympathies begin to bloom for Nataline. Now, he feels guilty for loving two women, Zora, his first love, and Nataline, his future wife. There can only be one ruler of his heart, but who is it? Zora? Nataline?
Anton climbs the stone steps and opens one of the giant, wooden double doors. Once the door opens, he is immediately greeted by the scent of incense sticks and red wine in the foyer. As he walks through the foyer and into the church hall, the smell continues to linger. The seats are empty, but there are a few people. They are sitting in the back of the church, waiting to confess their sins to the priest.
Anton feels like he is waiting in the waiting room of a doctor's office. He is a little nervous; he is about to open his soul to another human being. Yes, this is a man of the cloth, but at the end of the day, a priest is still a man, made of flesh and bone. He sits in one of the pews until it is his turn. He sits at the pew for a long time and gives him time to contemplate his dilemma, which consumes his guilt.
When his turn finally comes, he takes a deep breath and rises from his seat. He goes into the little confessional and closes the think curtain. On the other side of the confessional is the priest. Anton kneels on the pew and opens the sliding door, revealing an opaque screen with holes.
"Bless me, father, for I've had sinned, my last confession was…months ago," Anton starts, making the sign of the cross.
"Hello, my child," the priest replies, "What is your confession?"
Anton took a deep breath and says, "…I…I'm going to marry a lovely young woman…whom I've grown to love…but my heart is still attached to my…my first love. I feel as if I am already cheating on my future wife before she becomes my wife…and I feel terrible about it."
"Do you love your fiancé?"
"Yes. It took a while but…but…I grew to love Nataline. She is simply wonderful, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with her."
"Ok. What about first love? Does your first love have mutual feelings towards you?"
"…she is very angry with me. I broke Zora's heart to be with my future bride…but it was an obligation…it was tradition. My marriage to my future bride is arranged."
"I see. So you had to choose between love and tradition. In the end, you chose tradition. Do you regret choosing tradition over love?"
"Wow, I never thought of that," Anton thinks to himself.
Then Anton says to the priest, "Not really…I love Nata. I'm happy that she will be my wife, but…I don't know why I cannot let go of Zora."
"My child, first love is a powerful, wonderful experience. It is the first time you love someone who is not a relative; it loves someone who is your soulmate. Do you still want to be with…Zora?"
"Zora?"
"Yes, Zora. Do you still desire to be with Zora?"
"Not really. I love Zora, but…I don't think my family will accept her as my wife. It's heartbreaking, but…I guess it is a reality."
"My child, sometimes first love last, they don't last. In your case, it did not. However, the best thing about first love is that it is the first of many. Never feel guilty about still loving a past love. Never feel any to a first love that is no longer there because the spirit will live on forever, like our Heavenly Lord. Although His human died, His spirit is eternal. As far as your future wife is concerned, focus on your new life with her. You both love each other to where you wish to pledge that love to God. In time, your love for each other will become so great that you and your future bride would want to share it with a child, a child that the two of you created out of love."
A wave of warmth and comfort crashes against Anton's heart.
"Wow. It is so clear now. The memory of my love for Zora will live in spirit. Now…a new love has walked into my life, Nata; and Nata will be my wife and the mother of my children."
"Exactly. Now for your penance, I would like for you to say five, "Our Father," and ten "Hail Mary."
"Yes, Father. Thank you."
"Go with God, my child."
The following weekend, Doña Fiorella and Isaac goes to the hospital to visit Fabiola. Now that Fabiola comes out of her coma, everyone is anxious and excited to see her. However, due to everyone's schedule, Fabiola's friends and family can only see her whenever they can.
"I hope my nena is still awake," Fiorella says, walking rapidly down the hall, with a bouquet.
"Doña Fiorella, wait! You're walking too fast."
"¡Rápido, niño," Fiorella exclaims, still walking rapidly, "She is probably waiting to see us."
Isaac is so out of breath; he has to walk at a slower pace.
"Dona…Fiorella…espérame…I'm out of breath."
Fabiola's mother eventually stops and turns to Isaac, who sits in one of the many waiting room chairs to catch his breath.
"Niños," Dona Fiorella starts, walking towards one of the seats next to Isaac, "These days, you have no energy to do anything…Oh, wait. I take that back."
"I'm so nervous," he says.
"Why?"
"What if…what if the coma changed her?"
She asks, "What do you mean by that?"
"Well…stuff like this can…change people."
"No. No, she is the same Fabiola we all know and love. We are going pick up where we left off and live happy lives."
"Yeah. I…I know about Fabiola not being able to have children…but think I have a solution to that."
"A solution?"
"Si."
"Well, what is it?"
"…The other evening, after visiting Fab, I found a baby on the park bench."
"Goodness! Did someone abandon an innocent child in the park? Who would do such a horrible thing?"
"No se pero, I took the baby home with me."
"You what?"
"It could have been worse. Someone could have thrown the baby in the garbage."
"Why didn't you go to the police? Do you still have the baby?"
"…no."
"Ok."
"My mami and I took the baby to the orphanage."
Isaac sucks his teeth and continues, "I still feel bad for leaving her. I am as bad as the person who left her on that bench."
"You are nothing like that person who abandoned that baby. You did the right thing in taking that baby to the orphanage."
"You sound like my mom…but I going to get my baby back."
"Your baby? What do you mean your baby?"
"I have accepted the fact that your daughter and I can't have our children. Now, I've fallen in love with that baby. I named her Belen after Belinda Carlyle of the "Go-Gos."
"You are already claiming a baby who is not your baby."
"Belen will be mine. No. Belen will be ours."
"Oh. Ok, …but how are you going to get…Belen…out the orphanage? Kidnapping?"
"No. Of course not. I'll take parenting classes, go through the adoption process, and before the baby's first birthday, she will be our daughter."
Doña Fiorella is not sure of the plan, but the thinks of a grandchild begin to warm her heart.
"Ay Isaac," says Doña Fiorella, "A grandchild. Sounds wonderful. Carmelo and I would shower her with love and gifts."
"I guess that is la abuelita's job, no?"
Then a thought occurs to Fiorella.
"Wait," she says, releasing her grip from Isaac, "You and Fabiola have to get married first."
"Of course. That's a given."
"…and as soon as the baby is adopted, we can all work on the christening for the baby…and the baby's baptism and…"
"Wait! Wait! You sound as anxious as me. One step at a time. Remember, she doesn't know that she can no longer have children."
"…That's right," Doña Fiorella says with a sigh, "…now, I'm feeling worried. I pray she will agree to it…no…no. I know my baby. She has a big heart. Yes, she will be sad to know that she cannot have children, but when we tell her about adopting a baby, she will welcome the idea of adopting a baby."
"Yeah. Fabiola will. There are lots of children who need a new home with a loving family."
"Yes. Fabiola will welcome the idea. ¡Vamanos!"
Isaac and Fiorella proceed to go to Fabiola's room. Luckily, Fabiola is awake, watching television. When she sees the door open, she is surprised to see her mother and boyfriend.
"Mami! Isaac," Fabiola exclaims, opening her arms.
"Fabiola!!!!!"
They all embrace each other with tears of happiness.
"I'm so happy to see you. I'm sorry I scared everyone."
"Don't be sorry," Doña Fiorella, says placing the flowers on the nightstand, "You are still with us, and we are going to take good care of you."
"Yes, my lovely," Isaac says, sitting by her bedside, "The important thing is you are still with us, and you are still with me."
"I love you, Isaac Luis…I love you all…pero, I have bad news."
"¿Que pasa, mi amor," her mother asks?
Tears begin to roll down Fabiola's face when she explains the news the doctor tells her about her injuries.
"We know," Doña Fiorella says, after taking a deep breath, "but we are going to get through it."
"How," Fabiola asked???
"The doctor told us while you were in a coma, but don't you worry, Fabi. The Lord will see us through this. We have conquered many challenges, and this is no different from the rest."
"So I can still have a baby with the help of God? The doctors told me…the doctors told me I can no longer have children."
Fabiola covers her face cries.
"Sweetheart, it is going to be ok," Isaac assures her.
"How, Isaac," Fabiola asks, "Besides, my hand in marriage, the one thing I wanted to give you was a baby, my eternal love to you. Now…I can no longer give you that."
Fabiola continues to cry.
"….but I can."
"You what? You can't have a baby, silly."
"I'm not talking about getting pregnant."
"You want to get someone else to carry our baby."
"No, Fab."
"So, what are you saying???"
"Adoption."
"Adoption?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Doña Fabiola adds, "lots of children are waiting to get adopted by a loving family, and you and Isaac would be great parents."
"…and that's not all. A beautiful baby girl was abandoned in the park the other day. I took her home, at first, but…my mother insisted she stay at the orphanage…for the time being. Hopefully, before she reaches a year…she will be our baby. So you see? I will be the one to give you a gift of a child…because I love you."
"You love me? Do you love me??? You want to replace our dead child with some damn thrown-away baby you found on the street," Fabiola replies angrily with tears in her eyes.
"She is not a thrown-away baby. Belen is a gift from God."
"You mean punishment from God. What have I done to have my baby taken away from me?"
"The baby was mine too, Fabi. I was hurting too."
"Oh, really? You have a weird way of showing it."
"Fabiola, please give our new family a try. Once you see Belen---"
"Who?"
"Belen. That's the baby's name. I…I named her."
"Wow! Isn't that neat? You figured out everything, while I was close to death, right?"
"Fabiola," Doña Fiorella adds, "Maybe the baby you've lost was not meant for this word."
Fabiola looks at her mother in disbelief.
"Mami, I can't believe you said that? My baby has a right to be here, like everyone else on this planet. I don't know my crime but anything but my baby. I wish I was dead."
"Take that back, Fabiola. Ahora mismo."
"No!! If he was a loving God, he would have spared the beautiful life Isaac and I created. So what if we were not ready to be parents. We could have made it."
"We can still make it."
"No. We can't make it. We will never make it."
Fabiola begins to wail loudly and uncontrollably over the news of never having children.
"I WANT MY BABY!!!! I WANT MY BABY," Fabiola repeatedly wails, "I WANT MY BABY!!!!!!"
Isaac and Fiorella try to calm the young woman, but it is no use. Fabiola carries on wails continuously until the nurse comes into the room to sedate her.
"We…we…better go, Isaac," Doña Fiorella insists.
"I…I didn't mean—"
"Yo sé pero ella necesita más tiempo."
Isaac cries out to her, "Te quiero, mami. I love you, Fabi. I only want you to be happy."