One of Those Nights
The Fuentes'
Mila sniggered to herself as she peeped around the hallway. Old photographs of Mike and the rest of the Fuentes clan pursed a sweet smile across her lips. Having now seen Mike in the midst of his youth she wondered what physical genetics their child would inherit from him.
"The peroxide was a good idea at the time, okay?" Mike jested, noticing Mila's eyes fall upon his prom photo.
Mila chuckled. "I didn't say a thing," she defended innocently.
Mike grinned, shaking his head as they continued to make their way throughout the house.
"Ma!" He called out noticing the house was vacant. "They must be out-"
But before Mike could finish his sentence, a short haired blonde emerged from the sliding door that connected the dining room to outside.
"Michael!" the blonde gushed as she approached the two.
She then reached up to grasp Mike's face in her hands, kissing both of his cheeks.
"Hi, Ma," Mike spoke as she let him free from her grasp.
Mike then averted his attention to Mila who stood beside him. "Mils," he said. "This is mama Fuentes, or Vivian. Or Viv. Ma, this is Mila."
“Michael," his mother beamed in delight. "Isn't she just beautiful," she said, embracing Mila.
Mila returned the smile as Vivian freed her from the embrace and dipped her head in a shy manner. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Fuentes."
"It's so wonderful to meet you," Vivian expressed.
"Mila made you this, ma. It's a cake."
Mila's cheeks turned a shade of peach as Mike handed his mother the cake.
"Mike told me you liked red velvet," she added.
"Oh my," she grinned. "You didn't have to Mila. I bet it's marvellous though," she spoke, graciously accepting the cake.
Both Mike and Mila smiled and Mike snaked his free arm around Mila's waist, holding her close to his side.
"I'm going to put this in the refrigerator," Vivian motioned. "You two go and join the rest. They're all outside."
Mike nodded as his mother hurried off towards the kitchen leaving Mila and Mike alone for a moment before joining the rest.
"See?" He said.
Mila couldn't help but radiate with joy. Mama Fuentes really was a lovely lady, much lovelier than what Mila had ever imagined.
"Now, for the rest of the gang," Mike whispered.
Mila could already hear chortles and banters of conversation occurring on the other side of the glass, but she had managed to ignore it until now.
"We're a loud lot when we get together," Mike admitted as Mila took a deep breath.
"It'll be okay," he assured as he used his free hand to slide the door open.
"Michael!" They roared in unison.
And before Mila could completely register what was happening, a small voice belonging to a little girl was heard as she ran free from her mothers embrace and into Mike's arms.
"Tio Mikey!"
"Bella!" Mike beamed as he let go of Mila and scooped the small child up, resting her on his bony hip.
Mila had learnt enough Spanish in High School to understand that ‘Tio' meant uncle. She was almost certain the small child didn't belong to Vic, but before she could think anymore of it, Vivian came up behind her and took her hand.
"And this is the very beautiful Mila," she announced, proceeding to take her around the table of family.
Mila dipped her head as everyone around the table greeted her with warm smiles, ‘hello’s' and kisses on cheeks. She couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the hospitality the Fuentes' radiated. Even Mike's Abuela who could barely speak English made Mila feel at home.
Once introduced, Mila occupied a seat adjacent to Vic.
"Hey Mils," he smiled giving her a quick hug.
"Hey," she smiled back.
"Are you hitting on my girl?" Mike smirked, still holding the infant on his hip as he approached the two.
Vic held up his hands in defense and Mila giggled slightly, pulling the free seat next to her out for Mike.
"Who's this?" She cooed as Mike sat down, Bella adjusting herself in his lap.
"Mila, this is Bella. Bella, this is Mila."
"She's our cousin, Elena's daughter," Vic added motioning his head towards Elena - a woman in her early thirties Mila had previously been introduced to.
Mila smiled, diverting her gaze towards to Elena who was now assisting in setting the table and then leaned forward to talk to Bella.
Bella had brown curly locks that fell just below her shoulders which complimented her olive skin and big brown eyes.
"Hey Bella," Mila began. "You have such a pretty name."
Bella smiled and then whispered something shyly into Mike's ear causing Mike to let out a small laugh.
"What?" asked Mila curiously.
"She thinks you're really pretty," said Mike.
Bella shied away into Mike's chest.
"She's so cute," Mila enthused.
"I would say don't get any ideas, but I think it's a little late for that," Mike's father, who was seated adjacent to Mike, half heartedly joke.
Victor had both Mike, Mila and even Vic laughing. If anything, Mila was relieved he could joke about the situation. After all, it was better than being hostile about it.
As the day wore on, Mila became both relaxed and jubilant amongst the Fuentes’. They were exactly like Mike had described.
His mother was caring and had a beautiful soul, whilst his father was humorous and amicable.
She had spent that day consuming beautiful mexican dishes prepared by both Elena and Vivian, learning that Mexican cuisine was something Vivian had accustomed after marrying Victor as she was of Irish decent. In addition to over-eating, Mila spent her time with the Fuentes' laughing and exchanging stories. Her particular favourites were ones that involved Mike in his youth. She event spent time with Bella, playing games and giggling.
But before Mila knew it, it was nearing 6pm and she had remembered that she hadn't called her mother yet. She had been spending so much time with Mike lately that she felt as though she was pushing her own family aside. Even though she wasn't hungry, she wanted to make an effort to share dinner with them that Sunday evening.
"Vic, have you seen Mike?" She asked.
She was too busy enthralled in a conversation with Vivian that she hadn't noticed him vacate the table.
"Bella dragged him inside earlier," Vic informed, motioning his head towards the door. "Tea party time."
"Wouldn't miss a good tea party for the world."
Vic laughed, shaking his head as he watched the blonde excuse herself from the table, only to make her way back into the house.
The moment Mila entered the house, Bella's giggles were all that filled the conformity of the Fuentes household - a sound she had had the privilege of hearing all day.
She followed the giggles but wasn't quite at the source when she heard a conversation begin.
"Tio Mike?" Bella asked.
"Mm?"
"Is Milly going to be my Tia?"
Mila stopped moving forward as her heart made a thud inside of her chest. She couldn't decide wether or not she wanted to hear the answer to Bella's question. Once again, she was being faced with the topic of marriage and she didn't like it.
She could almost hear Mike swallow.
"Would you like that, Bella?"
"Mhmm. She's pretty and plays hide and seek with me. I like her Tio Mikey. I like her lots!"
Mike let out a small laugh. "Is that so?"
"Uhuh. So are you?," pressed the four year old, all too enthusiastically.
Afraid of what Mike would say, Mila quickly called out his name, breaking the silence in the air.
“Mike?” She bellowed. “Mike? Where are you?"
What took her by surprise wasn’t her abruptness to end the conversation quickly, but her thoughts. Because above all, Mila was afraid of his answer in fear of it being a simple, ‘No'.