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She could also watch the performance uninterrupted and it gave her a safe haven from glances at her in the dress she was wearing. Dressing in elegant evening wear on the opening night of the performance had become a staple since Felix suggested it one year. She thought he missed dressing elegantly and it was also his way of putting a little style back into the town mixed with up-and-coming yuppies and artist types hell-bent on self-expression.

Instead of last year’s dress, a nice blue dress with spaghetti straps, Felix convinced her to be daring and go for something new and different. Tonight she wore a strapless, cranberry-red ball gown that made her feel like a princess. And that was a good thing because she’d felt like crap since Antonio left town.

Felix appeared on her doorstep a couple of days ago like a fairy godfather and whisked her away to the city for a makeover. Before she knew it, she was in a salon getting a new haircut, manicure, and pedicure. And at some point in between all the protesting about the money he was spending on her, they stopped at an elegant boutique. Her protests subsided when she spotted the dress. It seemed to call out to her. So did the ruby earrings and matching necklace. She fought back tears as she tried it on, trying to figure out where all this emotion was coming from.

As they perused the menu at the restaurant, trying to decide what to order for lunch, she casually told him that he didn’t have to spend a mint on her to cheer her up because of Antonio. He replied that it was nonsense and that he wanted to do something nice for a good friend.

She followed the play, thankful that Blake finally caved and replaced the lead bombshell with the person who should have originally been cast as the lead: Cheyenne. Cheyenne had a cleaner, more innocent look than the original actress. Her angelic face would, for a moment, have one believe that fairy tales could come true.

“Am I too late?”

Lucy turned around to see Antonio standing near the door. He looked devastatingly handsome in a tuxedo that made him look debonair and hinted at the touch of rogue that lay beneath the surface.

She swallowed hard. “The play started a half hour ago.”

Antonio walked over to her and stood as close as he could get to her without touching her.

“Blake changed the leads? What made him do it?”

“Some men know when to stop thinking with their penises and do the right thing,” she said quietly.

He winced. “Well, it’s never too late to come around. To realize you’ve made a mistake and try and fix it. You look breathtaking, by the way.”

“And sometimes things can’t be fixed,” she said as she bit her lip.

“I missed you, Lucy,” Antonio said in a strained voice.

“I didn’t miss you.”

“I haven’t been the same since I left. I shouldn’t have left.” He sighed.

“You did the right thing. We had no business even looking in each other’s direction.”

Antonio took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “I missed the smell of your hair and the way you smile without showing any of your teeth and that laugh. That hearty laugh of yours.”

Lucy pulled away from him, but Antonio kept a firm grip on her hand.

“Men like you don’t change, Antonio. But women like me change to be with you. And I like myself just fine,” she said sadly.

Antonio turned her to face him and leaned his forehead against hers. “I miss watching you paint those trees. For hours and hours. Painting those trees. I didn’t get it before but now I do.”

“I can’t be with you. I wouldn’t be able to be at peace if I were with you. Always wondering when the day would come when you would leave me for some hot little number that crossed your path. Trying to keep your attention and dying inside a little each day because you didn’t love me the way that I loved you. I don’t know much about love, but I know that I’m not made for that kind of love.”

“Always so sad, looking at those trees,” he replied.

“Antonio. Listen to me,” she said as she closed her eyes. “You and I are too different. I know I insulted you the first day we met. And I apologize for that. You sat on the stool and the first thing you were attracted to was Monica. I was sitting right across from you and you didn’t even glance my way. We got to know each other and then this thing developed. Your eyes, much like your camera lens, catches lovely things. You bonded with me because you wanted comfort and to change your ways. You did not seek out a relationship with me for aesthetic purposes. You wanted deeper meaning in your life. And what am I supposed to do when another Monica catches your eye again? Wait for you to need meaning in your life again?”

“How can I look away from you ever again, Lucy?” Antonio said sincerely. “You’re beautiful.”

Lucy broke away from him. “Just leave me alone.”

Antonio was reliving a moment. It was the moment when Alejandro had to step up and be the man of the family because their father had abandoned them. When his father left, he robbed Alejandro of his childhood and robbed Antonio of having a big brother instead of the stoic warden Alejandro turned into. He resented not having that kind of love anymore. It wasn’t the same kind of love he felt for Lucy but broke his little heart when life shifted and changed. He vowed he’d never let life get the upper hand on him and he would never let anyone be in control of his destiny. But here he was dangling off a precipice hoping he wouldn’t have to feel that kind of rejection again. He had no choice but to let go and hope Lucy caught him.

“I have never felt this way about anyone in my whole life. And I never want to feel this way about anyone again. I am giving you my heart. Do with it what you will, Lucy,” he whispered.

Tears fell from Lucy’s eyes. “If you ever leave me again…”

“It will be the day they bury me, Lucia.”

She fell into his arms like the day he caught her when she fell off the ladder. He had a feeling he’d be doing that often, watching her dangle off ladders and shimmying up some crazy pole trying to make her picturesque visions come to life. He kissed her sweetly trying to imprint the feel of those soft lips onto his brain.

“You promise?” she said as she broke away.

He grinned at her and said, “Promise.”

Epilogue

The title of Antonio’s pictorial for the community theater was “How to Grow an Artistic Garden.” He used an old picture he’d found of Lucy’s mother, father, and her, after a performance, as the cover photo. Lucy was about eight years old and standing in the middle of her parents, her tiny hands in theirs, all of them with bright smiles. Antonio used the story of Lucy’s life and how it was entwined with the community theater to reinforce the importance of it being there. She was a legacy baby because of her parents but it was also the same place that gave her refuge when her parents died suddenly in the car crash. It was the beauty and imagery of that theater that helped keep the spirit of her parents alive.

Everyone was so moved by it that even Ivan, the old set designer, said he was calling a truce because he now understood how important it was that she realize her artistic visions there as her parents did. Felix was so moved, he cried and cited that playing matchmaker for the two of them was his best creative collaboration yet.

It all seemed like a whirlwind to her although they’d lived together for over a year. She had been working on an armoire—her latest hobby was woodworking—and Antonio had been tending to the grill. As luck would have it they were able to buy the loft right across from Felix. She had been sanding a door when she’d looked up and smiled at him, and he’d smiled back as he usually did.

“What time will dinner be ready? I’m starving.”

“Dinner will be ready a half hour after you agree to marry me.” He smiled nervously.

“So I have to marry you in order to get fed?” she said jokingly with a raised eyebrow.

“No, being fed would just be a bonus.”

“I guess my overalls have grown on you the past year.”

He came over and slid his hands around her waist. “I’ve always had a secret thing for rodeo clowns.”

“Weirdo.” She laughed. “Yes. I’ll marry you, crazy man.”

* * *

The feel of Antonio’s hand on her back always made Lucy feel at ease. It was amazing how that hand was always comforting her. Today she was in New Jersey with his family. As Lucy’s gaze swept around the table, she could see how much all of these crazy, loud people loved one another. Antonio’s cousin Yesenia kidnapped her yesterday and spent an afternoon regaling her with stories of him as a child. His mother, Maria, took her to lunch the day they arrived. She was prepared for the worst: to be reprimanded for them going off to Las Vegas to get married instead of a big fancy wedding. Lucy had a lot of explaining to do to her grandmother. Florida was their next stop.

Lucy got a welcome surprise. The twins were each vying for a seat on her lap at the same time. She had to admit she’d fallen in love with the two handsome devils. She got to spend some time with Zaria, whose eyes lit up when she mentioned she was a set designer.

“Boys, you have to let Aunt Lucy eat dinner,” Lauren said as she sat next to Lucy.

“But—” they said in unison.

“She’s not going anywhere. She’ll be at our house for the rest of the week.”

The boys seemed satisfied with that and went in search of their sister.

“It gets easier, I promise.” Lauren laughed.

“It is a big family. Isn’t it?” she breathed.

“Yeah, but they are harmless. Nosy, but harmless. You’re going to fit in just fine.”

“You think so?” Lucy said quietly.

“I have no doubt about that.”

Both women looked up to see what the commotion was at the end of the table. Alejandro and Antonio were smothering Pia, Lauren’s youngest child, with kisses.

“They are going to spoil her rotten.”

“Antonio is so proud to be her godfather.” Lucy beamed.

“Well, that makes you godmother by default.” She laughed.

“He told me what you said about letting us practice on Pia. That was very sweet.”

“I have four test subjects if you ever want to see what a full house is like.” She winked.

“Well.” Lucy laughed. “We’ve talked about a puppy extensively. Antonio seems to be looking for a replica of Yesenia’s dog, Blue.”

“Blue is a special dog,” Lauren said sincerely.

Lucy cleared her throat. “We don’t really talk about it like other couples do, but we are happy, just the two of us.” There were weekends when they didn’t get out of the bed, content to enjoy each other’s company, watching the news or playing a board game. She even traveled with Antonio on his photo shoots.

Lauren put her hand on Lucy’s. “Families are comprised of many numbers Lucy. Two. Six. And only you and Antonio know what number is best for you.”

More people flooded into the house. Lucy noticed one of the women looked like Lauren.

“Those are my sisters Lana and Lilly. And those are Lana’s kids,” she pointed out.

For some reason the house seemed to expand to accommodate all of the people in it. All were in sync with each other and happy and laughing. As she roamed around in her own world, ending up on the deck outside, Lucy felt Antonio embrace her.

“Driving you crazy yet? All these screaming people?”

Lucy caressed his arms. “Quite the opposite. Remember what I said to you a long time ago? About running away from all this love?”

“Yes,” he said sweetly as he nuzzled her ear.

“I think you were just trying to find your place in all of this. And what family meant to you.”

Antonio laughed. “It never ceases to amaze me how well you know me.”

“Go.” She kissed him. “I know you’re dying to get back to Pia and Zaria anyway.”

They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Sometimes it would take them both by surprise that words were not needed to communicate, that conversation flowed between their hearts.

Lauren and Alejandro approached them with a wicked gleam in their eyes. Lauren pulled an envelope from behind her back and handed it to them. “A little wedding present from the two of us.”

Lucy nervously opened the envelope to see a honeymoon vacation for three weeks in Australia. Her heart skipped a beat. “This is too much.”

“Lucy, one word of advice. My husband doesn’t like it when you turn down a gift.”

“I’m not turning it down,” Antonio said confidently.

“But…”

“OK, the next time we want to take a vacation without the crumb snatchers, you and Antonio can come and babysit,” Lauren said thoughtfully.

“Deal.” Lucy beamed, a little taken aback by their generosity.

“That was a good call, wife,” Alejandro said as he kissed his wife.

“Come on. Let’s give these two some privacy.” Lauren winked at Lucy and went back into the house.

Lucy nestled into Antonio’s body. Never had he imagined when he strolled into the Metro that day that he would meet his wife, his soul mate, someone who shared the artistic passion that burned so brightly within him. He was good at capturing a moment, but Lucy was able to give a 5D effect and make the world feel real. She allowed him to let go of so many things in his life that seemed so inconsequential now. He realized he’d had no room for someone to love because of all the baggage he’d kept close to his heart. And now, not only was there enough room for the woman he loved, but a little left over for him to be human again. Thank God for Lucy.

“So, when do you want to head to Australia?” she said enthusiastically.

“How about after the art show in the fall?” he mused.

Thanks to Felix they were the proud owners of the Marceloni-De Soto art gallery. And thanks to Felix and Antonio, Lucy stepped out of her comfort zone and launched her own line of furniture. People packed the Accidental Wonderland so much they had to build an extension onto the store.

“Let’s get a picture out here.” Antonio leaned his camera on the railing and set the timer.

“You and that camera.” She rolled her eyes.

“Do I complain when you crank up the buzz saw at three in the morning?”