“Not if it’s a girl.”
Isabel tilted her head. “And if it’s a boy?”
“How does Romero Romero sound?”
Isabel laughed. “No!”
“Why not? There was a guy in high school named Gaspar Gaspar. It was f**king hilarious.”
She eyed him. “And that’s what you want your son to be? Fucking hilarious?”
“Oh he’s gonna be funny. I guarantee you that.”
Her smile softened. “And if it’s a girl?”
God that scared him more than anything. How would he ever deal with a little girl? A son he wouldn’t have a problem roughing him up and making him tough as nails but a little girl? He’d go f**king nuts if anyone ever messed with her. He glanced back at the shore and watched Alex holding both his girls in his arms now. He supposed if Alex could deal with two at once he could handle one. He’d have to follow Alex’s lead. So far he seemed to be doing a pretty good job with the twins and growing up he’d been damn good about looking out for Sof. Yeah, that’s what he’d do. Follow Alex’s lead.
“Hello?” Isabel said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “I asked you a question. What if it’s a girl?”
“She’s gonna be perfect.” He kissed her softly. “Like her mommy.”
Isabel’s face flushed. After all these years he could still make her blush. God he loved her.
“I meant her name.”
Romero thought about it for a moment. “I like Amanda.”
Her face brightened up suddenly. “I’ve always liked Amanda.”
“Amanda Romero.” Romero said, his mind wandering off to a little girl being fawned over by him and his uncles. Ballerina classes, painted flowers in her bedroom like the ones in the twin’s room.
Isabel dipped her head in the water as Romero continued to day dream about his little girl. He watched as Isabel smoothed her hair back after coming back up smiling, looking as beautiful as only she could. “I like Romeo,” she said.
All his thoughts came to a screeching halt as he took in her words. “Who the f**k is Romeo?”
She laughed. “The name. For a boy. Romeo Romero. Isn’t that cool?”
She’d stepped away from him when she dipped her head in the water and he pulled her to him again. “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about that one.”
Then she smiled wickedly and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’m feeling better now. What do you say we go deeper in?”
Romero kissed her instantly hard, already thinking about just how deep in her he wanted to be. “You really are perfect you know?”
Sal
With his son finally out, Sal could now enjoy a few relaxing minutes in front of the fire with his wife.
Valerie peeked into her tent and smiled. “I think Alex might’ve passed out with them.”
“Wasn’t he supposed to be putting them to sleep not the other way around?” Sal asked.
“He might be just pretending to sleep until he’s sure they’re out before making a move.” Valerie grabbed a stick and stuck a marshmallow on it.
“Grab me another one please?” Grace said.
“You don’t wanna roast marshmallows, Rose?” Sal asked, moving his marshmallow around in the fire.
Rose shook her head, placing her earphones back in her ears as she sat back in her chair. Sal couldn’t help still wonder if she blamed him for how things went down with Vincent. Grace assured him she didn’t.
All Sal knew is he’d stuck his neck out for Vince last summer when he’d come back for another stint at the restaurant and Vince blew it. Grace had caught them making out in the backyard. While they finally fessed up that yes they were a couple now, Vince assured him that he wouldn’t take it past making out. Sal had convinced Grace that it would be okay and they’d just keep a close eye out. Everything was fine all summer. Then just five months later after the summer was over Sal got the call from Vince’s dad and shit hit the fan.
The zipper on the tent where Alex had been putting his twins to sleep opened and Alex emerged. “Damn,” he said, shaking his head. “Savannah was out almost as soon as I laid her down but Sienna fights it tooth and nail every time.”
“Tee hee,” Romero said, taking a swig of his beer as he sat down next to Isabel in front of the fire. “Now we know which one’s gonna give you trouble.”
Alex frowned, taking the seat next to Valerie. “No she’s not. They’re both daddy’s little angels. They’re never gonna give me trouble.”
Sofia laughed, snuggling up against Eric. “Alex, you are so in for it.”
Alex rolled his eyes and kissed Valerie then licked his lips. “What is that?”
“S’mores,” she said, shoving another one in her mouth.
“How many of those have you had?”
She shrugged. “Lost count.”
Angel stood up and walked over to the ice chest and grabbed a beer then started pouring some wine into a cup. “Anyone else want a beer?” Sal, Eric and Alex all lifted their hands. “Sofie looks like you’re the only girl here besides Sarah that can drink. You want one, too?”
“Uh,” Sofia shook her head. “No, I just opened an iced tea.” She lifted it for him to see.
After passing the beer around Angel sat down next to Sarah. “This place is a cool park, Grace. We should do this every year, Sal. Make it a family tradition.”