Dad shakes his head, his face filled with humor, and love. “Whatever you’re trying to butter your mother up for, it isn’t going to work.” He wraps his arm around Moms waist, keeping her close. His lips brush the top of her head, and I realize that I have exactly what they do—a love that will last through the years.
Blinking the emotion from my eyes, I glance at Rachel and see her eyes already on me. I reach for her hand and tug her back into my arms. “We’re engaged.” From the stunned expressions on their face I think I should have used more tact, but at least Rachel finds it amusing when she giggles against my chest.
“I didn’t mean to just blurt that out.” I loudly exhale. “We’ve loved each other for years, and once Rachel is ready, we’ll get married.”
“And you?” Dad asks.
I look at Rachel while I answer, “I was ready yesterday.”
Mom steps forward and hugs us both, and over her shoulder, I watch as the others grin.
I sigh relieved that’s over with and that they all seem to be happy for us. I do add, “You can’t tell anyone else though, not until we’ve told Paige and Olivia, which we’ll do once we’re back in the states.”
“We want to try and talk to Paige.” Rachel looks between her two Dads. “I need everything right between us.”
Ramon steps forward and wraps his arms around Rachel, while holding my gaze. “Everything will be right between you eventually. Just go easy, okay?”
Frowning, I focus on Rachel and realize my frown matches hers as she asks Ramon, “Have you spoken to her?”
“We have, and she’ll talk to you when you go and see her.” He kisses her on the forehead. “She loves you both, surely you know that?”
“We do. It’s just been difficult accepting her attitude toward us being together, when everyone else is okay with it.”
“Rachel, it was weird for everyone to begin with. You’ve been raised as cousins, so it took a bit of getting used to. But, no one really wants to stand in the way of the people they love, when they fall in love with each other,” Ramon says, glancing at my mom and dad who both nod in agreement.
“Tonight, we’ll celebrate, but now we’re itching to have a look around at the Florentine architecture,” Noah adds.
“And the museums, full of art,” Mom comments.
“We know our way around, so we’ll be your tour guide,” Rachel suggests. “My favorite has to be the narrow streets with houses covered in flowers. It’s so beautiful and something I hope never to forget.”
“Then lead the way, daughter.” Noah urges us from the hotel, taking Rachel from me.
Dad chuckles and wraps his arm over my shoulders while he holds Moms hand on his left. “You do realize that my brother and Noah are going to do their best to keep you both apart today?”
“They can try,” I grumble.
“They will.” Mom shakes her head. “You’ll be able to catch up later.”
Later turned out to be much, much later. Like five hours later when I catch Rachel taking five minutes in the botanical gardens, and what appear to be tears on her face.
Before Noah or Ramon can get to her, I have her face cupped in my hands while I kiss her tears away. “What’s wrong?”
In response she throws herself into my arms and holds on tight while my heart breaks for her sorrow. I feel helpless because I have no clue why she’s so upset. All I can do is rub her back slowly and whisper how much I love her into her ear.
I meet Ramon’s gaze over her shoulder as he approaches, probably to take her from me, but that isn’t going to work this time.
I shake my head in warning, which causes him to pause and frown when he takes a look at his daughter.
“Rachel, please tell me what’s wrong. I hate that you’re so upset, I don’t know how to make it better.”
She sniffles into my shirt and lifts her watery eyes to mine. “Can we go back to our apartment? I don’t want to be here anymore.” Her arms tighten around my neck and she buries her face into the crook of my neck—her comfort place. “I was looking forward to today, and I know my dads were trying to have fun with us, but I hate how they’ve ruined today. I know they didn’t mean to, but they have, and I don’t want to be here with them anymore. I just want it to be us.”
Ramon stands his ground and says gruffly, “I’m sorry Rachel.”
She stills and slowly turns to face him.
“We’d never do anything to upset you, and I’m so sorry we have.” He takes a tentative step toward her. “Forgive us and stay.”