Page 75 of Fixed Up Ever After
“I know, but just let me get this out.” Javi’s stricken face gave her pause and she nodded for him to continue. “I was able to give each of my men bonuses for their hard work on your bookstore. Some of the money went to bills that, regrettably, I was late on, and a good portion was set aside for Camilia when she gets older. However, the rest went into making tonight possible.”
“I…don’t understand. Did you buy out all the bingo cards so we’d win for sure?”
Javi barked out a laugh and reached over to undo her seatbelt. “No, but good idea. I’ll remember that for next time.” He offered her a wink before undoing his belt and slipping out of the car.
Now she was more confused than ever but let Javi help her out of his truck. “So, why are we here then?” She didn’t want to sound ungrateful, she just wanted to know what secret he had up his sleeve.
Javi was practically bouncing with excitement but kept his mouth shut. Instead, he led her inside the front door to the check-in part of the bingo hall. No one was manning the booth which she thought was odd. “How do we…”
Her question died on her lips the moment Javi ushered her through the welcome room and into the main part of the building. Beautiful and colorful decorations still adorned the walls and ceilings, but only this time it was accompanied by a large banner reading, “Congratulations, Lola!” in a beautiful, cursive script.
Balloons in various colors of pink, white, and gray were interspersed with the normal decorations of the room and while it should have clashed, it only added to the beauty. Each table had what looked to be bouquets made entirely out of books.
Yet none of that was the most impressive part of the surprise. Standing in the room were familiar faces beaming and clapping for her. Amongst the sea of faces were Mattea and Mona, wearing something different than they had earlier. They had known this the whole time? And kept it a secret? That was almost more surprising than the actual party.
Ofelia and Maverick were there too, holding their son Arturo who seemed dazed but was clapping along anyway since everyone else was.
Her father’s face caught her attention next. Among everyone in the room, his bellows of joy rang loudest of all. Mostly because her father was naturally loud and used to speaking over people at business meetings. Next to him was Marisol, changed from her coffee-stained blouse.
A few other familiar faces were there as well. Crew members who she had gotten to know during construction and what was probably their family. A swirl of pink and silver came charging straight toward her, colliding with her and Javi’s thighs. A smiling Camilia looked up, a gleeful expression on her face as she yelled, “Surprise!” Then softer, only speaking to her father, “Did I do it right?”
Javi’s laugh echoed around her and he nodded. “Yes, mija, you did good.”
So many emotions fought for dominance inside her. Shock, disbelief, and a growing warmth that could only be described as love.
“Do you, uh, like it?” For the second time today, Lola noticed the nervousness in his posture. The way he slid his hands into his pockets, shoulders curving forward as if bracing for an unfavorable response. “I don’t know if surprises are your thing. Probably should have asked. You must be tired—”
“Javi?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He expelled a deep breath, shoulders sagging in relief. The smile she had come to love so much returned as the anxiousness wore off. “Gladly.”
Brazenly, he took her into his arms and claimed her mouth with his. The hollers and whistles around them didn’t seem to deter Javi. Not only did he privately claim her, but this was him publicly declaring their love in front of family and friends. Her heart threatened to burst at the seams with the outpouring of love she felt in the room.
When they broke apart, happy tears ran down her cheeks. Three weeks ago she had gone through the motions of day-to-day living and part of her was excited for Phoenix to open. But her heart had been broken as she thought of everything she had sacrificed to get to that spot. A life with Javi and contact with her family.
So much had changed in one night. More than she could have anticipated and it would take her some time to come to terms with it all. One thing was for certain. She had a family now. One that she chose for herself. And it started with the man standing next to her and the little girl still holding on to their legs.
This was home.
“Lo-Lo! Get in here, bit—girl,” Mona censored awkwardly, seeing as there were children in the room. “And let’s drink to a successful opening!
“What do you say, preciosa? Ready to revel in your accomplishments?” Javi grinned, leaning down to pick Camilia up. He then offered Lola his hand. A few short seconds later, Camilia offered hers with a toothy smile.
There was still a lot that needed to be done. She had to hire full-time employees for her store. The bond between her and her family only had a Band-Aid on it, and there were still a lot of tough conversations that needed to be had. She also needed to process what it would be like to be a prominent figure in Camilia’s life and how best to go about it.
But all of these things would take time and patience. They didn’t have to be sorted out today and instead, she could enjoy the moment. As Javi said, she deserved to revel in her accomplishments and enjoy the night with the people she loved and admired.
Her people.
With a full heart and a smile stretching wide across her face, Lola took Javi’s hand. “I’ll follow you both.” And she would. Always.
Epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
