"How is the food?" Judith glanced up as an older man approached the table and she nodded. The food was excellent, and she told the man such. Her favorite wasn't Mexican food, but she never had dishes like what was presented to her, so her opinion was slowly changing.
"Feliz," Angel said, standing up to shake the man's hand. "Let me introduce Judith Queen, writer extraordinaire."
"Oh, stop Angel," she waved off the compliments but the blush on her cheeks told everyone how she was pleased with his words.
"Ah, the lovely woman who wrote the book, I see. Angel talked nonstop about it, I hope you know," Feliz told her. "He convinced my wife to go out and buy it, and she couldn't put it down. And believe me, my wife is not a romance reader."
"Well, I'm truly honored she enjoyed it. It makes my day if I can convert someone," she replied, causing them to all laugh. It was the truth though. Romance was a hard genre for many reasons. When you told people that's what you wrote, their minds went to smut, and though sex was in her stories, it flowed, it helped the story, it didn't hinder it. It was also a hard balance to try and find a good amount by not going overboard. Her love though was the fight, the obstacles always leading up to those scenes. She never added anything 'just because'.
"I do hope you keep this man in his place too, Ms. Queen. Angel can be a bit reckless if you let him."
"Oh what nonsense, don't go spreading lies when it's not true," Angel said, taking his seat once more. Feliz laughed and then slapped Angel on the back.
"He's like a second son to me. His father and I go way back. I knew this little boy when he was running around the house in diapers, although he always took them off, so he was more naked than clothed." Judith covered her mouth as she laughed at the image. She almost claimed he would probably enjoy it now just as much if she wasn't around.
"Feliz!" Angel hissed, but the damage was done. Judith just looked at him and shrugged. These were the stories she longed to hear from his mom, his dad, hell, and anyone in his family that was willing to share.
"What?" Feliz waved him off. "Don't be crazy, she's going to hear it sooner or later. Now, you two finish and find me before you leave." Angel watched the man walk off and shook his head.
"I'm really debating now if I want you to meet the rest of my family, I'm slightly worried about what they might tell you."
"Would it make you feel better that my family would be just as open and when you talk to them, you'll find that out?" Judith paused with the glass halfway to her mouth. Now, why would she say that? She had no intention of sharing phone calls back home, not with him. But, yet again, things were happening, and she had no means to stop it. In fact, looking at it, she kind of enjoyed the thought, and once more, she didn't want to question it. She might be WANTING to move things slowly, but fate was sure dealing her a different hand. And fate, and her heart, it seemed, were working together.
-----
"Are you all right?" Judith turned her gaze from the starry sky to look at Angel. She was okay, but she was lost in her thoughts. They didn't get a chance to say goodbye to his mom, and she couldn't explain why that disappointed her so much, other than the fact she rather liked talking to his mom. But before she could answer, someone rang the doorbell. Angel frowned as he stood up from the deck chair and walked inside the house. Judith turned her gaze upward again, smiling at the simple joy of looking at the stars and hearing the waves crash.
"Ah, enjoying the view." Judith snapped her head around and smiled at his mom who was walking over to hug her. "I'm sorry I didn't get to say bye, Feliz needed me to do some stuff and I got lost in there. He finally had to kick me out and I realized you had left."
"No worries, I get it. I'm just glad you stopped by; I had such a pleasure talking to you." The other woman smiled and took the seat Angel had left.
"You just want stories," she said, causing Judith to laugh. Well, couldn't deny that truth. "I know you're busy and that you guys have to leave soon, I hope the water recharged you. But I would love it if you could come over for dinner tomorrow night. The rest of the family would love to meet you." Judith swallowed hard, wanting to deny going. Not because she didn't want to, she did, but again, it seemed like fate was wanting to push things forward.
She started to shake her head, but her mouth opened, and 'yes' came out, causing her to blink. God, was fate really doing this to her? "I'd love to, thank you."
"Good. Because not only would I have stories, but I also have pictures, and Feliz already told you that my child hated his diaper."
"Mom, no, you aren't showing her anything," Angel said, walking over with a glass of wine for Judith and some water for his mom.
"Why, she'll love it. Don't be a party pooper, Angel. Let me show her all the good stuff." Angel rolled his eyes as he leaned back on the railing, causing Judith to laugh even more. "It's not like I meet a lot of ladies, though I know they're around."
"This could be why, you know." His mom waved off the comment before sipping her water.
"Too late anyway, she agreed to come. Now, we don't need anything so just bring yourselves," she said, leaning back in the chair which caused Angel to raise a brow. "What?" she questioned.
"Are you going to really stay and dish out more stories?" She glanced between the two and slowly smirked.
"Should I leave you alone, is that the case?"
"Mom!" Angel groaned, running his hand over his face. Judith hid her smile behind her wine glass although her face was once more on fire. "So not the case nor the time. Geez. I can't even believe you would suggest that."
"Please, Angel! I know you already, mijo, and this is a woman you like and admire, right? So, you mean to tell me....," she looked between the two and slowly trailed off. "Oh, you haven't, I'm sorry!"
"It's fine, Mrs. Morales, it's a slower road. When he said he was working for it earlier, he really is." The older woman smiled all the more at Judith and then slowly rose.
"Angel, I really do like this one, make sure you don't screw it up." Angel looked at his mom and then at Judith, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Trust me, I'm trying very hard not to screw it up. I like her a lot more than she thinks, and every time it gets mentioned, she pulls back, so let's not say anything." Judith shook her head at the pair, jumping as her phone vibrated next to her.
"Oh, excuse me, I got to go." She hugged the other woman. "I can't wait for dinner tomorrow, thank you for the invite."
"My pleasure." With that, Judith walked back into the house and answered the Facetime call from her brother, smiling at the people that were all pushing to get into the camera.
"Well, hello long lost sister of mine," her older brother said, making it a point to shove everyone back. "I'm trying to talk, go away!" Judith laughed at them and waved.
"Don't be such a hard ass, Justin, they're just all curious," Judith told them, her heart melting at the sight of her family. She had been meaning to call them, but the days were long so all she could manage was a quick message. They understood it, though they didn't like it. They had a million and one questions, and she barely gave any information, other than things were chaotic, but a good kind.
"Well, they can be curious when I'm not on the phone, or when I'm done." He tried his best to scan the background behind her. "So, where are you? That doesn't look like a boring old apartment to me."
"Uh," she licked her lips and then glanced at her background. She hadn't mentioned to them she was leaving. Not that she left the city, technically she didn't. She also hadn't mentioned much about Angel. In her eyes, what could she tell them? 'Hi, so there's this guy, his younger, and the main actor'. Yeah, that would have gone over like a lead balloon.
"What is it, Judith? Cat got your tongue?"
"Funny, Justin."
"You're always talking. At least before you went to California. I'm not sure I like this state on you."
"Justin," she started, rubbing her forehead, "don't start, okay? Look, I know you want to talk...."
"Who is that?" her brother asked, and she shot a look behind her, almost groaning as Angel walked up behind her, waving at the camera.
"Hello," he said, causing multiple faces to fill the screen at the sound of a guy's voice.
"Oh, who is that?" Judith glanced at all the faces, zooming in on her mom who had such a big grin on her face. "Who is it, Judith?"
"I'm Angel," Angel said, smiling as he rested his hands on her hips. God, could he press any closer to her? This was not how she wanted this to happen! Why was fate doing this to her?
"Hi, Angel," her mom said. "Judith, who is he?" 'Lord, save me, make me melt,' she thought, her eyes glancing back at the man behind her.