Page 77 of Fixed Up Ever After
She was still getting used to that. It had shocked the hell out of her when she said it the first time a day after Lola got engaged to Javi. They had only one conversation prior where Lola sat with Camilia and talked to her about how she was allowed to call Lola whatever she was comfortable with. In no way would Lola ever pressure her. She understood and they hadn’t talked about it since until she called her mamá for the first time.
“I think it is.” She grinned and Camilia squealed. The little girl was bouncing out of her chair. “Remember what to do?” she whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.
Camilia nodded before running off. Javi raised his brow in confusion and Lola waved him off. He would see soon enough. A few minutes later Camilia came back with a small square-shaped box and a zipped-up jacket.
“You cold, Cam? I can go turn the air up,” Maverick offered, but Camilia shook her head adamantly.
“I’m okay!” She plopped back onto her seat, keeping the present in front of her. “You can’t open yours until last, papá.”
“Then I will start.” Travis grinned, looking between Marisol and Lola. “C’mon. What did you get your old man, don’t be shy.”
The sisters rolled their eyes simultaneously but laughed. If there was one thing that their father loved—other than Ofelia’s cooking—was presents.
Marisol had been in charge of the present this year and handed him a neatly wrapped box. He tore into it like an over-excited toddler on Christmas. Seconds later he pulled out what appeared to be a scrapbook.
“I felt like it was time you needed some updated pictures. The grandkids are in it too,” Marisol explained. Though Arturo and Violeta weren’t technically his grandkids, Travis spoiled them like they were. The adoring smile on their father’s face told them he appreciated the gift.
They went around the table, letting each dad open his gifts. Ruben got a new BBQ set from Javi and Ofelia. Camilia made him a cute card with a picture of both of them on it. Then it was Maverick’s turn. Ofelia had gotten him new running shoes for training days and the kids—with Ofelia’s help—made him a mini book for all the reasons they loved him.
It was all very sweet, but the closer they got to Javi opening his present, the more Lola grew nervous. Which was a crazy thing to feel, but her nerves had been all over the place for weeks. Her heart beat so loud in her chest that she was certain everyone heard it.
“It’s your turn, papá.” Besides Lola, Camilia was the only other person who knew. Lola had made an appointment at the doctor's after two days of what she thought was a stomach bug. Camilia had gone along with her since Javi was working and had heard the news with her.
They both cried. And laughed. Then promised to keep it a secret until today.
Javi unwrapped the present and it felt like the world slowed down. Lola was certain she was shaking. There was only so much longer she could keep it together.
Javi tore off the remaining paper and opened the lid to the box. Folded neatly inside was a gray shirt with the words “World’s Best Dad” in red across the chest. He leaned down and pressed a sweet kiss to the top of Camilia’s forehead.
“Thank you, mija. I love it.”
“There’s more!” Lola blurted out, far too loudly. The room, who had been talking among each other, all stopped and looked over toward them. The blush crawled up the back of her neck, coloring her cheeks.
Javi looked back at the seemingly empty box. She watched as he went from smiling, to complete confusion. Her heart beat faster as he picked up the box, bringing it closer to his face so he could make sense of the taped photos Lola had placed at the bottom. She saw the moment the realization hit and his head snapped to her so quickly, she was surprised he didn’t get whiplash.
“Lola. Are you serious?” His words did not indicate how he felt. Was he mad? Fuck, should she have done this in private when their whole damn family wasn’t watching?
Before she could say anything, Camilia stood up on her chair and unzipped the jacket she wore to expose her shirt that read “Big Sister.”
“Mamá Lola is having a baby!”
Chaos. The whole room exploded with excitement and she was rushed by Ofelia. “I knew it! I had this feeling.”
“My baby is having a baby!” She heard her father exclaim, his deep laughter filling the room. Even Marisol came and hugged her and wished her congratulations.
Javi had not moved from his spot, looking down at the sonograms she taped to the bottom of the box. “Please say something,” Lola whispered, the tightness in her belly growing by the second. She didn’t think anyone noticed his lack of response yet, they were all too busy trying to guess when the baby would be due.
“Javi…” she said his name again, reaching for his hand to try and stir any response out of him. Her eyes flooded with unshed tears and she was seconds from losing it until she saw his first teardrop.
Javi was crying.
She had never seen him cry ever. She lost the battle with her emotions and couldn’t keep back her tears. “Please tell me you're happy. Or mad. Or…something!” she demanded.
The shrillness of her voice snapped Javi out of whatever trance he had been in and back toward Lola. His eyes were red rimmed, but she let out a breath of relief when a smile began to form.
“Preciosa, you’re pregnant?” he asked again, still in a state of disbelief. He turned toward Camilia. “And you knew?”
“Yup, and I kept it secret. I told you I can keep secrets,” she said proudly.
