Loco, Razer 8 (17 page)

They walk into the casa. They walk down the hall into the
kitchen.

“Hola, Mama, Papa,” says Veronica, grinning. “Hola, hermana,
it’s so awesome to see you home all the time.” She gives them a hug.

“Hola, Padrinos (god parents), Claudia,” says Christopher.
He gives them a hug. “We came to pick up some bags.”

“Hola, mi hijo, would you like a torta?” asks Mama Lupe.

“No, Madrina (godmother), Veronica and I just had some
lunch,” replies Christopher.

“Why are you all so serious?” asks Veronica. She looks at
them.

“I’m pregnant,” replies Claudia. She looks at Veronica and
Christopher.

“Who’s the Padre?” asks Veronica. “You never told me about
any man.”

“Geeze, Claudia, I never saw you with anyone,” says
Christopher. He observes her closely.
I wonder who it is. She never flirted
with anyone at the agency
, he muses.

“Yes, mi hijo, Claudia was going to tell us,” replies Mama
Lupe.

“I will tell you in a few. I’ll be right back,” says
Claudia. She stands quickly before they stop her.

I have to get away. I don’t want to talk about Roberto
right now. I only wanted to tell my Padres. I’m not ready to tell my familia. I
wanted to talk about my feelings and tell them all about Roberto. I wanted to
talk to my Padres because I’m so lonely. I know that Roberto will come for me
,
muses Claudia. She strides quickly to her room.

Her Padres, Veronica, and Christopher watch her leave the
sunroom in a hurry.

“Well, I have to hurry up. The store is going to close soon.
You can give me the details later,” says Christopher.

“Si, Baby, we need the invitations,” says Veronica, nodding.

“I’ll be back in a while, Padrinos,” says Christopher.

“Si, mi hijo,” replies Papa Jorge, looking out the window.
I
wonder why Claudia stopped telling us about the bebe’s Padre?
he wonders.

“Si, mi hijo,” replies Mama Lupe.
Why
is mi hija acting so strange? She was talking to us about the bebe’s Padre
,
muses Mama Lupe.

“I’ll go with you, Baby,” says Veronica, grinning.

They walk down the hall and into the living room.
Christopher stops and pulls her into his arms. “Baby, I’ll be back real quick.
I want to take your bags home and then I want to go to that concert you wanted
to go to,” says Christopher, grinning.

“Oh, si, Baby, you’re awesome!!” says Veronica.

She throws her arms up his neck and pulls him down for a
hungry beso.

Christopher pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her.

Roberto is exiting the SUV slowly.
Wow, I’m going to be
seeing my Baby in a few. I’m so anxious and scared. What if I imagined our
amor, our pasión (passion), and that we’re alma gemelas?
he thinks
.

He clinches his jaw when the sharp pain shoots around his
stomach. He slowly walks up the long walkway. He looks at the garden.

Hmmm, my Baby lives in a huge casa. I hope she’s home
,
he thinks.

Loco reaches the front door and rings the bell.
Oh wow,
that’s loud. I think it has to be loud for such a huge casa,
he thinks.

Slowly, he turns to admire the casa. He looks to the side of
the casa. He glances inside the window and almost yells out in rage.

Hell, no, fucking hell, no! This is happening again to
me? What the fuck! My Claudia is with another hombre
, rages Roberto.

Loco pounds on the door with frustration and anger. He pulls
his stomach and feels it stretch. The pain shoots through to his back.

Damn this hurts
.
I need to tell her that this is
it, to forget it,
thinks Loco.

Veronica and Christopher pull apart. They look at the door
and out the window.

“I’ll get it, baby,” says Veronica.

“I’ll go with you,” says Christopher, following her to the
front door. “I wonder who he is.”

“Don’t know, Baby,” replies Veronica. “It looks like he’s in
a hurry.”

Veronica opens the door and looks right into Loco’s furious
glare.

“I wanted to tell you that I’m gone,” says Loco. “I never
expected this from you, Claudia!”

“Excuse me,” says Veronica, confused and amused. “Please
wait, I need to tell you...”

Loco starts to walk down the long walkway as quick as he
can. “I don’t want to hear any lies! I believed in you,” says Loco.

He clenches his jaw, trying to control his emotions. He
stands straight and proud.
I can’t allow her to see my pain
, he thinks.

Oh damn! My alma, my stomach, and corazon ache
, he
thinks.
I never imaged that I would be betrayed again. That’s it! I’m never,
ever going to believe in amor.

Wow, what’s going on? What’s all that commotion here in
my casa
, thinks Claudia.

She runs out of her room and down the hall. She meets her
Padres.

“What’s going on?” asks Claudia.

“We don’t know,” replies Papa Jorge.

Claudia urgently strides to the front door. She sees
Veronica and Christopher walking after Loco.

Oh dios mio that’s my Roberto!
“Roberto, wait!” yells
Claudia. She runs out the door after him. “Baby!”

“I don’t want to hear you lie!” yells Loco. He attempts to
hurry to the SUV.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” asks Claudia, passing Veronica and
Christopher.

“Hermana, he saw Christopher and me kissing. I think that he
thought I was you,” says Veronica, walking behind Claudia.

“Hey, amigo, wait up!” says Christopher, sprinting after Loco.
“You have it all wrong.”

Loco hears Claudia and the other voices.
Hmm, that’s
three voices and not two. One is Claudia,
he thinks. He turns around,
furious and curious.

“Baby,” yells Claudia, running to Loco. “Please, listen to
me.”

Loco stands stupefied.
Oh, dios mio! What a fucking fool
I am. I forgot about her twin. I saw her in his arms and thought it was my
Baby. The rage and frustration that I felt ten years ago, came rushing back. It
was worse this time, because Claudia is my woman
, ponders Loco. He’s in a
daze.

Loco stares at Veronica, feeling Claudia run into his arms.
Damn,
she’s identical to my Claudia, but she’s different
. He gazes down into
Claudia’s beautiful eyes.

“Baby, te amo!” says Claudia. She gazes into his confused,
pained beautiful brown eyes. “That’s my hermana, Veronica.”

Loco closes his eyes tight.
Wow, damn it! I made a huge
mistake. I almost walked away from my amor, my alma gemela, and my world.

He opens his eyes and gazes into Claudia’s beautiful face.
He pulls her close, burying his face into her neck.
Yes, this is my Claudia.
I feel her, she’s mia, only mia
, he thinks.

“Amor, your mia, only mia!” he growls into her ear. He
ignores the pain at his side. He holds her tight.

Claudia moves her head and gives him a hungry beso. She
wraps her arms around his neck.

Oh, damn yes. This is my Baby, my amor
, thinks Loco.
He hungrily returns her beso. He holds her tight.
I’ve been dreaming of this
moment for a long time.

They stand on the walkway, kissing. Loco pulls her closer.
He runs his hands up her back, devouring her mouth.

Claudia’s familia stare at them, content and surprised.
“Claudia, we will wait for you in the casa,” says Mama Lupe, nodding.

“Mama, he thought I was Claudia,” says Veronica. She grins,
looks at Christopher laughing.

“No baby, we can tell the difference. I know that he did
when he looked at you,” says Christopher. “Just the way I can when I look at
Claudia.”

“Really, Baby? You see a difference?” asks Veronica. She
takes his hand and holds him back.

“Baby, the store already closed. Let’s stay and meet
Claudia’s novio,” says Veronica. 

“Hell, yes, I need to meet the guey that caught your
hermana. She didn’t like anyone,” says Christopher, grinning.

Claudia pulls back, smiles at Loco. “Baby, I’m so happy.
Finally you came for me,” says Claudia.

“Amor, I was released from the hospital today. I came
directly over here. I was recovering all this time. I had a small gunshot wound
to the stomach. I also had two other gunshot wounds to my right thigh and left
shoulder. The doctors performed laparoscopic exploration and were able to
repair several injuries to my small bowel. The thigh and shoulder injuries were
superficial wounds. I’m still not hundred percent well,” says Loco.

“Oh, dios mio, Roberto, I could have lost you. The agencies
refused to give me any information about you! I’ve been dying to locate you, to
see for myself that you’re ok,” says Claudia. Tears gather in her eyes from
strong emotions encircling her heart, with the thought of losing him.

“Amor, I’m going to be ok. I only need some time to heal,”
says Loco.

He takes her face in his hands. He gazes into her eyes,
tenderly kissing the tears. “Amor, I was afraid that our amor was a dream,”
whispers Loco.

“Te amo,” says Claudia.

Loco pulls her back into his arms, closing his eyes.
Oh
dios mio, Claudia is mia, only mia
, muses Loco. “Amor, I feel you. You’re
mia, only mia. Te amo.”

“Roberto, I’m pregnant,” says Claudia. She pulls back to
gaze into his beautiful brown eyes.

“Amor, I know,” croaks Loco. His throat closes up from
emotion. He looks into her eyes, into her alma.

“Baby, how do you know?” asks Claudia. She’s confused,
searching his face for answers.

“Baby, when the doctors were attending to me, I died for a
few minutes,” says Roberto.

He observes her reaction. Her eyes widen with anxiety. “I
walked towards the tunnel. I wanted to reach the light. When I reached the
entrance, I saw my Mama.”

Loco closes his eyes.
I
can see it clearly, I can
see my Mama telling me
, he thinks. He opens his eyes.

“My Mama told me it’s not my time and that you needed me.
She told me that you’re pregnant,” says Loco.

“Wow, oh dios mio,” says Claudia. “That’s amazing, I’ve
heard about the tunnel and the light. That’s incredible.”

“I’ve been anxious to leave the hospital. Every day I’ve
dreamed of you. Claudia, we need to get married now. I can’t live without you.
I need to have you close to me,” says Loco.

“Roberto, I want a wedding. I want one after the bebe is
born,” replies Claudia. She observes his frustration. “We can live together. I
will go to live with you.”

“Wow, you will live with me before we marry? I need you near
me,” say Loco. He pulls her urgently back into his arms and gives her hot
hungry besos.

Oh yeah, I love his besos
, thinks Claudia. She wraps
her arms around his neck. She feels his hand go under her shirt.

Damn yes, I love touching her silky skin
, thinks Loco.
He moves down her jaw, nibbling to her ear. He then goes down her neck.
Oh
yeah, mia, only mia. I’m marking my Amor
.

“Baby, I need you,” whispers Loco. He trembles from the
intense emotions he feels.

“Roberto, I need you. Let’s hurry, I want to introduce you
to my Padres, my hermana, and her novio,” says Claudia.

She gazes into his eyes, burning with pasión (passion). She
bites her lower lip. “Yes, it’s been a long time since we’ve been together.”

Loco grins, hugging her close so she can feel his aching
need
. Damn yes, I can’t wait to have her in my arms. I need to love her all
day
, he thinks.

“Roberto, you think it wouldn’t hurt?” asks Claudia. She
pulls back to look at Loco. He’s grinning wickedly.

“Amor, this is not going to stop me from loving you,” says Loco.
“Take me to meet your familia.”

“Roberto, I was telling them that I was pregnant. They were
asking me about the Padre of my bebe. I didn’t want to tell them. I wanted to
wait for you to show up,” says Claudia.

“Wow, they know that you’re pregnant. Right, let’s meet
them. I want to ask for your mano. I also want tell them that I want you with
me,” says Loco.

“I want to tell them that I’m going to live with you,” says
Claudia. “I know it will be okay since my sister Veronica is living with her
novio.”

“Oh yeah, she does look identical to you! But Amor, I can
see a difference. I don’t feel the same when I look at her,” says Loco.

“That’s great, because I don’t want any mistakes,” says
Claudia.

Loco grins wickedly. He pulls her back into his arms. “Amor,
we need to hurry. I want to spend all day loving you!” says Loco.

“Okay, lets go in,” says Claudia. She wraps her arm around
his waist.

Loco keeps her close to him on his right side. They walk up
to the house.

“Roberto, do you want me to make you something to eat? Are
you hungry?” asks Claudia.

“That would be great, I’m starving,” replies Loco, nodding.

They walk into the casa and towards the kitchen. Papa Jorge
and Christopher are having a Corona.

Veronica sees them enter the kitchen. She rushes over to
Claudia and Roberto. “Oh dios mio, I’m so happy that everything is clear. It’s
a great pleasure to meet you! I’m Veronica, her twin!” says Veronica. She
extends her hand and smiles.

“Wow, nice to meet you. You really look like my Amor,” says Loco.
He takes her hand in greeting.

Claudia’s Padre and Christopher follow Veronica. They’re
standing behind her waiting for the introductions.

“Mi hija, wait for me,” says Mama Lupe. She walks over to
the group.
“Hola, I’m Guadalupe De La Cruz. You can call me
Lupe.”

She takes his hand and pulls him down. She reaches up to
give him a beso on his face. “Welcome to the familia, mi hijo,” says Mama Lupe.

Loco is taken by surprise and returns her hug. He glances
over at Papa Jorge standing behind his wife.

He stands straight and walks over to him. “Senior De La
Cruz, nice to meet you. I’m Roberto Daniel De Leon,” says Roberto.

“Hola, Roberto, it a pleasure to meet you,” says Papa Jorge,
extending his hand. “Would you care for a Corona?

“No, Senior, thank you. I’m taking medication,” says Loco.

He gazes into Papa Jorge eyes.
Hmmm, I see that he’s
sincere in accepting me into the familia as Claudia’s esposo
. “Señor,
Señora, I want to marry Claudia. I want to take her with me. I’m aware that you
know about my bebe.”

“That’s wonderful news,” says Mama Lupe, grinning.

“Roberto, this is fantastic news. We’re thrilled with the
news of the bebe. I want this marriage to take place immediately,” says Papa
Jorge. He stares at Loco
. I need to know if he’s serious about my Claudia
,
thinks Papa Jorge.

“Papa, Mama, I want to wait until I have my bebe,” says
Claudia. “I also plan on living with Roberto now.”

“Mi hija, you’re not following our customs,” says Papa
Jorge. He glares at Claudia. “I don’t see why you want to wait.”

“Papa, Mama, I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman. I have to
live with Roberto. He wants to marry now, but I told him that I wanted to wait
until we have our bebe,” replies Claudia.

“Mi hija, Roberto and you can stay here in your room,” says
Mama Lupe. “I would love you to have your bebe when you’re living at home.”

“Mama, I don’t think that is what we want to do. I know that
Roberto has somewhere to live,” says Claudia. She looks at Loco’s nod.

“Mi hija, I want you and Roberto to think about it. It will
give us joy to have you stay with us until you get your own casa,” says Mama
Lupe.

“I need to discuss it with Roberto,” says Claudia. She walks
over to him, slides her arm around his waist.

“Come in and have a seat,” says Papa Jorge. He returns to
the sunroom table.

“Roberto, please seat down while I make you something to
eat,” says Claudia.

“Hola, I’m Christopher Reyes. I’m Veronica’s novio,” says
Christopher, grinning. “Welcome to the familia.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Christopher. Wow, thank you
for your warm welcome,” says Loco, taking a seat. He glances at the familia.

“Mi hijo, would you like a drink of water, juice, or a
soda?” asks Mama Lupe.

She looks at him.
Oh dios mio, Roberto is huge. He’s todo
hombre. I can see why my Claudia finally fell in love. He looks like a
fantastic hombre
, ponders Mama Lupe. She smiles at him.

“Señora, I would love to have some lemonade,” replies Loco.

He looks over at Papa Jorge take a drink of his Corona.
I
know he still has lots of questions. I’m okay with that. I understand that I’m
taking his treasures. I know that the twins are the bebes,
ponders Roberto.
He waits for him to start asking him questions.

“Roberto, where did you and Claudia meet,” asks Christopher.
He grins with pleasure.
Yeah, I can’t wait to hear where and what he does.
For sure he’s a huge guey
, muses Christopher.

Loco turns to look at Christopher grin. He immediately
breaks into a smile.
Yeah, he’s amused with my interrogation. Well, he seems
like a great guey
, muses Loco.

“I resigned from my position as a delta force operative. I
met Claudia when I rescued her from the cartel,” replies Loco, solemnly.

He leans back into his chair to observe Papa Jorge and
Christopher’s reaction. “I want to spend my life with Claudia and my bebe. I’m
thinking of looking for a job or starting my own company. I haven’t decided.”

“That’s incredible,” says Christopher. He looks at him with
admiration. “Wow, that’s incredible hard work to be a delta force. No wonder
Claudia paid you any attention. She never wanted to date anyone.”

“Mi hijo, I’m grateful that you were able to rescue Claudia
from the cartel. Gracias,” says Papa Jorge.

He looks at Loco with gratitude.
I can see that he’s an
honorable hombre. He will marry my niña. I also know that he does love her
,
thinks Papa Jorge.
I don’t have a reason to be concerned. I can see that
Claudia is the one that wants to wait for this marriage to take place
.

“Senor, you’re welcome. It was my greatest pleasure to
extract Claudia,” replies Loco solemnly. “Claudia is my amor, my alma gemela,
and my world.”

He looks confidently into Papa Jorge’s eyes.
I need him
to know that I’m serious about my Claudia and bebe
.

I can see that he’s confident and is not afraid to state
his intent or feelings. I like him. He’s todo hombre. That’s what I always
wanted. I wanted my niñas to marry true hombres
, ponders Papa Jorge. He
takes a drink of his Corona.
I need to hear why he resigned his position as
a delta force. I need to know how he plans to support my niña and nieto
,
ponders Papa Jorge.

“Why did you resign?” asks Christopher. He takes a drink of
his Corona.

“I resigned because I want to spend my life with Claudia and
my bebe. I was going to apply for the CIA Special Operative, but when I met
Claudia, I realized that she’s my world,” says Loco.

“Mi hijo, here’s your drink,” says Mama Lupe. She places the
lemonade in front of Loco. She takes a seat next to Papa Jorge. She smiles at
him with pleasure.