Ending

Ending.

Lorenzo

I have thought of the perfect plan to propose to Valeria. I thought about asking her out tomorrow and then take her to my childhood river. There was a park in the past, but it closed and I am glad it did. The river was always dirty from the people's trash. It is empty now and barely anyone goes there because there is nothing but water that you are not allowed to swim in.

I stand in front of Valeria's room at twelve in the morning. I do not know if she is asleep or not, but I am willing to wake her up to tell her about the date tomorrow. I knock on the door and wait for her to open. When she does not open, I take the liberty myself and open the door slowly, not wanting to startle her. I find her sleeping peacefully on the best on her side. I walk in and close the door behind me. I walk toward her and wake her up.

"Val..."

"Val..."

"Mhmm." She hums.

"Wake up."

She opens her eyes and they land on me. "What? Is something wrong?" she panics.

"No, no, calm down. Nothing is wrong," I reply.

"Then, why did you wake me up?"

"I am just excited and I couldn't wait till tomorrow to tell you."

"About what, Enzo?" she asks in her sleepy voice.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to go out on a date with me."

I could see her grin in the dark room. "Okay."

"Great! Tomorrow at 7 PM, okay?"

"Okay, now get out and let me sleep."

"No goodnight kiss for me?" I ask with a pout, even though she could not see it.

"No. You woke me up, the only thing you deserve is the cold shoulder and a slap. Now, go."

I chuckle and shake my head. I love when she gets angry with me because it means that she can be herself with me and does not agree on everything I say.

"Fine," I say and leave the room.

I woke to mine and Max joins me. We lie on the bed and I sleep with a smile on my face, looking forward for tomorrow's date with the love of my life.

*^*

The next morning, we go down for breakfast. My mother finally hired a cook. His name is Santiago and he is 45 years old. We tasted his food yesterday and it was delicious, but of course, not as delicious as Valeria's cooking.

We sit around the dining room and we say our prayers before diving in. Everyone was present beside Sam and Sophia, who according to my mother, went on a short vacation to Madrid for five days.

I did not like the idea when my mother told me, but I had no say in anything.

When we finished eating, I went to the warehouse to take care of some work while Valeria and my mother went shopping, probably for buying something to wear for tonight because I know my mother very well. If Valeria told her about the date, she would have taken Valeria to the shopping mall to get something to wear because she knows I will propose tonight.

I get more excited every time I think about it.

"Who is putting that awful smile on your face?" Fin, one of my close friends and the mechanic of the mafia.

"My future wife," I reply with a grin.

"Wow, I did not think I would be alive to see this day. Lorenzo Gonzalez likes a girl and wants to marry her?" Fin teases, making me playfully roll my eyes.

"Shut up. I did not think this day would even come too, but here we are, deeply in love and proposing to the girl tonight."

"Oh my god, that is a fantastic man. I am happy for you."

"Thanks, Fin. How is the wife?"

"She is good. A little depressed after giving birth, but it is normal, right?"

"I don't know, why are you asking me?"

"Well, it is a real thing, you know. It is called postpartum depression," he explains.

"Oh, I hope she will get through it soon."

"Thanks, man," he replies. "I will see ya later, okay? I have some work to do on Johnny's new car."

"Johnny bought a new car?" I ask.

"Yup...said it is a gift to his wife."

"Girl friend."

"Well, I would not be surprised if he told us he will be marrying her any time soon. That son of a bitch talks too much about her like she is the first girl he ever dated."

"Trust me, I know how he feels because I do the same."

He laughs before leaving.

When I got back home, I took a shower and started getting ready for the date. I wanted to dress a little bit casual since we are going to the river. I also texted Valeria to dress casual so she does not get uncomfortable with whatever she was going to wear.

When I finished, I waited for her downstairs along with my parents. I was so nervous and I didn't know what to do. My mother gave me a ring yesterday to give to Valeria. She said that it is my grandmother's ring and my mom wanted Valeria to have it.

I quickly agreed because not only it was my grandmother's ring, it was beautiful and my mother wanted her to wear it. I am sure Valeria will love the ring when she sees it.

Valeria walks into the living room looking amazing. She is wearing a simple dress that reached her knees, along with knee-length dark red boots. Her hair is down and she has a little bit of makeup.

"You look beautiful, my love."

"Thank you, you too," she replies with a shy smile.

I take her hand in mine and say goodbye to my parents.

I opened the door for her and she steps inside. Once I am seated, I start my car and drive to the location.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere you will definitely like."

"Wow, that helps," she replies.

"Just be patient and don't worry, it is somewhere beautiful."

"Okay, I trust you."

When we arrived, I parked the car and we stepped out.

I glanced at her to see her reaction only to find her mouth agape as she looked around the place.

"Lorenzo, this is beautiful!"

"This is my childhood place. My grandparents used to bring me here during the spring when my parents had work. I haven't visited this place since they passed away."

"Oh...thank you for sharing it with me." She smiles, intertwining our hands.

"Of course, mi amor."

We walk further until we reached the table I have requested to be. Two men brought the food to the table while I take the chair out for Valeria to sit on. I sit across from her and we start eating.

"This is amazing, Enzo. Thank you for the best date."

"You have not seen anything, yet," I reply with a smirk.

"There is more?"

"Yes, there is, but you have to eat everything on that plate for you to know," I tease, making her giggle.

"Fine!"

She starts eating fast, making me get worried because I do not want her to choke on the food. She finishes in merely 6 minutes while I am still in my third bite.

"Tell me."

I laugh.

"You have no patience, mi amor," I say.

"It is your fault, Enzo. You get me all worked up and excited."

I stop eating and smile at her. Her cheeks turn to the color of red while a little bit of red tint adored her small nose. She is suddenly shy as if she knew what is about to happen.

I stand from my seat and walk to her. I grab her hand and pull her gently with me as I walk along the river.

"You know...I have never thought that one day I would bring a girl to this place."

"Really?" she asks with curiosity.

"Yeah. I did not even think that I would come back here one day."

"Well, here you are. I am so proud of you, Lorenzo."

"Gracias, my flower," I reply, kissing her cheek. After a short pose, I continue. "I truly felt that I will never meet my other half, Valeria. I thought I was a lost case and that I would never find happiness. Maybe because of what happened in the past with my uncle and his family, or maybe because I shut my own feelings off because I never believed in love, even though I did not have even one reason to think that way. But when I saw you, everything changed. You are the light to my dark heart, Val."

"Lorenzo, you are making me cry!" she scolds, ruining the beautiful moment, but I still laugh because I loved how she ruined it.

We stop walking as she wipes off the tears that landed on her cheeks. I take both of her hands in mine and tell her to look at me. Once she does, I smile at her before kneeling on my knees and saying, "So, Valeria Ruiz, will you marry me?"

She looks at me with tears in her eyes as if she never expected me to ever propose to her. I wait for her response and when she nods, I sigh in relief and my heart flutters. "Yes, Enzo, yes!"

I stand back up on my feet and kiss her lips after placing the ring on her ring finger. This kiss is so gentle and full of emotions and love.

"I love you, Lorenzo."

"I love you too, Valeria."

*^*

When we went back home that evening, my parents were thrilled for us. My mother was the happiest because she is finally marrying off her only son while my father was happy because he never thought I would ever get married, just like everyone else. Apparently, it was only my mother who thought that one day I would get married to a nice girl she would be approved of. But again, I feel like all mothers are like that.

When the rest heard about our engagement, Sam was the most jealous. He wanted to propose to Sophia so bad, but he knew that it was too soon for them, especially when my father said so. If it weren't for my father, he would have done it from a long time ago and my sister would have agreed as well. I have always known deep down that Samuel likes my sister, but I never acknowledged it, just because I did not want to. But deep down, I am glad he and my sister are together because I know he is a good guy and I wish happiness for them because I know they are good for each other.

Johnny on the other hand, is also jealous but Cassie is a very strong headed girl and she won't say yes immediately. She hated Johnny at first, but now she seems fond of him.

Anyways, Valeria and I decided that we would have the wedding next month. We had to plan since it is very soon, but I am glad that my mother is going to help us, as well as my sisters. Cassie is going to help and I think it would help her because she might put the idea of marrying Johnny in her head, which will help Johnny because he is dying to wife her up.

*^*^*^

Valeria

I can't believe what just happened. Lorenzo and I are engaged and I still cannot believe it. I felt that he was going to propose soon, but I did not think it would be this soon. I have always dreamed to get married to the love of my life, but I did not think it would happen. Mainly because I had that sick of a mother in my life and she controlled it. But when she died, everything seemed to change. I do not miss her at all. I only miss my father and I do wish he is here with me to witness this moment. I wish I protected him better or took him with me to work. But I knew it was bound to happen and it was fate.

2 months later

"Mi amor, taste this, it is delicious," Lorenzo said, handing me the coconut he just got from the tree.

I took it from him and took a sip. "Mmm, it is delicious."

"Right?!" he grins.

We are on our honeymoon. We travelled to Ibiza, which is one of the most beautiful islands here in Spain.

The wedding happened super fast. As soon as we married, we took off and we have been here in Ibiza for a month. It is one of the best decisions we took so far and we are so happy. We are going back in a few days, but I am not sad about that because I really miss the rest.

"Val."

"Yeah?"

"How about we make a baby?"

"Like, right now?!"

"Yes."

"Let us."