⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ | time to go face | ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
the wolves
real life | cartagena, colombia
some airport in cartagena
- july 11th, 2022
"SHE'S TOTALLY freaking out." Minnie whispered to Andrew and Laila as they three of them stood behind Sophia in the aisle of the airplane. The plane had just landed in Cartagena, Colombia on Monday, July 11th. There was six days until Sergio's wedding, but they had arrived in advance (At Sergio's request) for all the pre-wedding festivities.
"Totally." Laila agreed with a nod and Andrew glanced before the two girls before his eyes landed on Sophia, who was trying to pull her suitcase off from the upper compartment. Andrew reached over her, pulling her carry-on suitcase out and placing it by her side.
He grabbed Sophia's hand, pulling her towards him before she could walk away. Turning her head, Sophia met eyes with her boyfriend. Andrew's heart fell when Sophia's sage eyes were drowning in terror and anxiety. He placed a hand on her face, whispering, "Breathe with me?"
"I don't know if I can do that." Sophia mumbled back, shaking her head as the group made their way out of the plane. Laila and Minnie exchanged a worried look and Andrew caught Sophia's hand once more.
"Sophia, breathe with me." Andrew said in a more stern tone once the four of them were in the baggage claim part of the Cartagena airport. Sophia turned around, reluctantly meeting her boyfriend's eyes. She held her breath as he stepped closer to her, holding both of her hands. Andrew took a deep breath, giving her a look to follow his actions.
Looking away from the two, Laila and Minnie met eyes. They exchanged a look and Minnie whispered, "He's good with her."
"Obviously." Laila replied in a whisper as well. "That's good."
"Do you think he's asking for our blessing soon?" Minnie asked softly.
"Are you fucking insane? They've been dating for seven months!" Laila reminded the redhead in a harsh whisper.
"My parents got married after three." Minnie defended.
"Your parents were drugged-up all the time." Laila replied.
"At least mine actually loved each other." Minnie fired back before the two cracked smiled, laughing. Laila linked an arm through Minnie's before turning to Sophia and Andrew again.
"It's all going to be fine, I promise." Andrew told Sophia softly, his thumbs rubbing the tops of her hands. Sophia let out a shaky breath, her heart slowing down as she relaxed.
"I haven't spoken to my mother in eight months— Or my dad. I've barely spoken to Gabriel. We're in Colombia, where my mother was born, which means all of her family is here and going to be at the wedding. And I know my mother has definitely shit-talked me to them," Sophia rambled as Andrew tried to calm her down, noticing her breathes were picking up pace. "I can't do this, Drew."
"My love, there won't be a moment where Minnie, Laila, and I won't be by your side. You brought me, your boyfriend who rather die then see anyone disrespect the love of my life, and you brought the peacemaker and your guard-dog." Andrew explained to her and Sophia couldn't help but smile. 'The love of my life.' She glanced to the peacemaker and the guard-dog in question, grinning at the sight of her two best friends. "I promise you, you won't be alone, and you especially won't be alone with your mother at any point. I won't let them disrespect you, darling, not on my watch."
"Just make sure I don't cry in front of her please. I can't give her that power." Sophia mumbled.
"I won't let anything happen to you." Andrew promised, kissing the top of her head.
"We ready?" Laila called the couple as she stood next to Minnie, their suitcases in hand.
"It's okay Pia, we still have the two hour and a half car ride to Santa Marta." Minnie reminded the group as they exited the airport into the pick-up area. Sophia turned her head at the honk of a horn and a large smile grew when she saw Xavier and Kruz in a rental car.
"There!" Sophia pointed with a grin as they ran over. The blonde hugged her cousins tightly, whispering, "Thank fuck you all flew in from Spain."
"One: like we were going to miss this wedding, two: like I was going to let Tia Angelica roast your ass without us here to defend you." Kruz reminded her, pointing between him and Xavier.
"We got your back, prima." Xavier patted Sophia's shoulder with a nod and Sophia smiled gratefully.
•••
real life | santa marta, colombia
the rivera rental house
- july 11th, 2022
IF ONE GOOD thing came out of this reluctant wedding, it was that Sophia would finally get to her grandma. After a long two hour ride in a tight-squeezed car, the car parked outside a nice-looking rental house in Santa Marta, Colombia. Abuela Luna, some of Sophia's Spanish cousins, and Sophia & Co. all agreed to share a rental house for the week.
As soon as the car was in park, Sophia jumped out of the car, running to hug her grandma, who was sitting on the patio. Tears filled Sophia's green eyes as she was finally hugged by Luna. Smiling, Luna hugged her grand-daughter tightly, whispering, "Ya, don't cry. Finalmente estamos juntas." (We are finally together.)
"Thank god." Sophia giggled as she wiped her tears and pulled away from the hug to look at Luna. She glanced at her boyfriend, gesturing for him to come up. Andrew took his place at Sophia's side and Sophia smiled, "Abuela, this is Andrew, mi novio. Drew, this is my grand-daughter, Señora Luna."
"Qué agradable conocerte finalmente en persona, Señora." Andrew replied with a smile, giving the older woman a quick hug. (How nice to finally meet you in person.)
"Sí, tú también," Luna grinned, turning to Sophia. "Es más alto de lo que parece." (He is taller then he looks.)
Andrew tried not seen confused, evidently not understand what the woman was saying to his girlfriend. Laila called from behind him, "She said you're taller than you look, Garfield!"
"Ah, mis hijas," Luna called and Laila and Minnie ran to hug the woman. "You two are too skinny!"
"Here we go." Minnie grinned playfully.
"You need to eat!" Luna exclaimed, pointing at her grandsons. "Kruz, Xavier, get the suitcases inside so we can all have dinner! Ahora!"
"Ready for some real food, gringo?" Sophia asked her boyfriend as she reached for his hand and Andrew laughed, nodding his head.
•••
real life | santa marta, colombia
the rivera rental house
- july 11th, 2022
"THERE ARE NOT enough outlets in this stupid house!" Brisa Rivera screamed as she ran through the house, trying to find somewhere to plug in her curling iron. Sophia smiled at the girl's yelling, being able to hear her from the bathroom that was connected to a bedroom.
The blonde sat on the bathroom counter, staring into the mirror as she finished her makeup. Meanwhile Minnie sat on a stool while Laila curled her hair from behind her. Andrew sat on the bed in the room that was connected to the bathroom, reading a book. Of course, he hasn't even started getting ready yet.
"What are you two wearing again?" Laila made curiously.
"Floral dress, decently modest," Sophia replied. "I don't want to get called a whore on the first day."
Andrew looked up from his book at her words and Sophia reluctantly met his eyes. She gave him a shrug and Andrew sighed, shaking his head at the girl. Everyone in the house was getting ready for a somewhat 'welcome dinner' tonight at a nice restaurant with everyone tonight. Everyone meaning, yes, Sophia's parents and brothers.
"Okay, I'm done with makeup!" Sophia announced as she applied her lip gloss carefully. She turned around to the bedroom, pointing at her boyfriend, "Which means you start getting ready."
"Alright," Andrew reluctantly stood up and opened his suitcase, shuffling through it. "Baby, did I pack my hair gel?"
"You did, it's in the front pocket because you didn't want to lose it!" Sophia replied as she messed around with her hair in the bathroom. Andrew walked up behind her, the bottle of hair gel in his hand while his other hand found her waist. "Found it?"
"Thank you, darling." Andrew smiled at her, kissing the top of her head as she left the bathroom.
"And done! Alright tap out, Minnie. I have like ten minutes to straighten my hair." Laila sighed as she plugged in the straightening iron.
•••
real life | santa marta, colombia
fancy-ass restaurant
- july 11th, 2022
HE COULD NOT be nervous. Andrew could not be nervous, he knew that. He could not be nervous because Sophia was bloody terrified. So he had to be calm, because Andrew would rather die than not be the one to ensure that Sophia was calm. He had to make her feel safe.
So he could not be nervous. But fuck, he was.
Letting out a shaky breath, Sophia opened her eyes as she and Andrew sat in the back of a rental car with Minnie and Laila. Xavier and Brisa were in the drivers and passenger seat, while Sophia sat on Andrew's lap to make more room in the back seats for Laila and Minnie. (This was normal in Colombia, believe me)
She glanced at Andrew, who was staring at the window. Sophia's hands fidgeted with themselves before she placed a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder. Immediately, Andrew met his girlfriend's eyes and placed a hand on her back, rubbing it softly. He whispered, his other hand brushing a golden lock of hair out of the blonde's face, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Sophia whispered back, looking into Andrew's brown eyes. One of her hands cupped his face, her thumb rubbing against the stubble growing on his cheeks. (Andrew had declared he was growing out a beard for the Emmy's in September) "How are you?"
"Fine," Andrew repeated and Sophia shook her head, not believing him for a moment. "What?"
"Truth now." Sophia demanded softly.
"You first." Andrew fired back with a small smirk as he resisted the urge to kiss her then and there.
"I am terrified." She admitted.
"Me too." Andrew whispered back.
"Tell me you still believe in us," Sophia mumbled, her eyes filling with anxiety as she ran a hand through her hair. "Tell me they won't ruin us—"
"Hey, hey," Andrew shook his head as his eyes softened. He wrapped an arm around her, knowing they both wanted each other closer. "Listen to me, and know that I mean whatever I'm saying: I believe in us. Do you?"
"Yes, of course, but that doesn't mean I'm still not scared." Sophia sighed.
"I know, darling," Andrew told her. "Just breathe, okay? I will hold your hand the entire time if you want. You're not going to be alone, and I am going to protect you. Okay?"
"Okay." Sophia nodded as Xavier parked the car in the restaurant parking lot and everyone began to get out of the car.
"Honestly, Soph, I doubt that your mom say any out of pocket shit this week," Laila said as she jumped out of the car. "It's your brother's wedding. She has to be civil."
"We all do." Minnie gave Laila a pointed look and the brunette rolled her eyes.
•••
real life | santa marta, colombia
fancy-ass restaurant
- july 11th, 2022
"MAMI, POR FAVOR remember how important this weekend is to Anna and I," Sergio Rivera reminded his mother as the two of them, his fiancé, his brothers, his father, and plenty of his Colombian family sat down at the table. They were in the restaurant where the unofficial welcome dinner was taking place, and guests were beginning to arrive soon— Including Sophia and Co. 'Co' including her boyfriend. "Please be nice to Sophia."
"When am I not nice?" Angelica asked back to her second son, giving him a look.
"Last time you talked to her, your only daughter, was eight months ago, when you called her a disappointment." Matias glared at the woman.
"Matias, ya!" Angelica raised her voice, rolling her eyes at her son.
"So much for being nice." Matias scoffed and Sergio gave his brother a pleading look, begging for him to behave.
"Don't worry Sergio, as long as your disrespectful hermana apologizes and acts as she should this week, there will be no problems." Angelica shrugged, taking a sip of her wine.
"Yeah, like that's gonna happen." Matias mumbled and Yolanda grinned from beside him.
"Dios mío," Anna sighed softly, running her hands over her face before turning to her fiancée. Sergio held back a sigh as well, sending her an apologetic look.
"Kruz just texted me, they're here." Matias told the table as he stood up, evidently going to receive his sister. Yolanda gave him an encouraging nod before he left the table. A smile grew on Matias's lips when his dark eyes landed on his little sister, who walked into the restaurant hand-in with— Holy shit, is that Spider-Man?
"Hermana." Matias called and Sophia turned around at the sound of her brother's voice. She gave him a careful smile, obviously afraid how he would react to the man beside her. Matias grinned softly, "God, it's so good to see you."
"You too," Sophia whispered back, letting out a sigh of relief as her brother hugged her tightly. She pulled away, glancing at Andrew. He came to her side, giving Matias a nod before Sophia spoke, "Matt, this is Andrew, my boyfriend. Drew, this is Matias, one of my brothers. Where are the other two?"
"At the table, sitting down already. I just wanted to meet up with you and see how you were feeling." Matias explained before shaking hands with Andrew, nodding his head. "It's nice to meet you, hermano. I'm a big fan."
"He's the reason I know all the lines to both of your Spider-Man movies." Sophia grinned playfully, trying to break the ice slightly. "It's all Matias would let us watch."
"She's not wrong," Matias shrugged, holding in a sigh. "So, how long have you two been together?"
"Just a little over seven months, right, love?" Andrew glanced at his girlfriend and Sophia nodded with a smile.
"So it's serious?" Matias questioned.
"Very," Sophia nodded before giving her brother a pointed look. "So be okay with it or be quiet."
"Same old Soph," Matias shook his head with a laugh, looking at his sister. "I'm okay with it, hermana. As long as he treats you, which he does? Right?"
Glancing at Andrew, a lovesick smile appeared on Sophia's lips, which made Matias grin too. The blonde nodded, her eyes on the Brit, "Andrew treats me very well."
"She's my priority, trust me," Andrew replied, smiling at Sophia's words before he met eyes with Matias. "I care for your sister more then anyone."
"Well, it seems like you will be around for a while." Matias raised a brow, smirking at his sister.
"¡Matias! ¡Deja de molestar a tu hermana por su increíble novio y ven a darle un abrazo a tu abuela que no has visto en más de un año!" Luna scolded her grandson. (Stop bothering your sister about her amazing boyfriend and come give your grandma who you haven't seen in over a year a hug!)
"Hola Abuela," Matias grinned, hugging the older woman tightly before hugging all of his Spanish cousins. Turning around, Matias gave Laila and Minnie a look, "You two must be Girl Talk."
"Yes, I'm Minnie, this is Laila," Minnie introduced herself, sending Laila a quick look to 'be nice.' "It's nice to meet you."
"We'll see about that." Laila added, raising a brow and Minnie glared at her.
"I understand if you two are suspicious about me, the three of you," Matias explained, pointing at Andrew. "My family isn't the kindest to Sophia, and I should've defended her back in November."
Turning to his sister, Matias squeezed her hand for a moment, "But trust me when I say I will defend you now. I'm on your side."
"Matt." Sophia whispered with a small smile, hugging him tightly. "Thank you."
"Now," Matias gave his sister a look as he smirked. "Time to go face the wolves."