Forever Summer (26 page)

Gabe had called her to tell her when he’d be in that evening and arranged for her to meet him at the airport.  Alone.  Summer wondered if that was a hint that they’d have a quickie on his plane or even in the limo with the shield put up.  Either idea was fine with her.  Both, in fact.  She hoped he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him.

Summer had spent a great deal of time while Gabe was gone sorting through her tumultuous feelings.  She remembered and cherished the love of her mother and her father.  She was still unclear about her feelings for her father now, but he was still her father, after all, and she loved him as such.  She was still hurt and angry that he hadn’t been there when she’d needed him most, and that he’d allowed Isela to come between them, but after finding Gabe, she could at least fathom the great loss he must’ve felt when he’d lost his wife.  If anything ever happened to Gabe, Summer knew she would be devastated.  Plus, some of the revelations she’d received from Luisa had helped fill in the blanks as well as put things in perspective.  She had at last analyzed her feelings as a mixture of sadness, hurt, bewilderment, and at last, a healthy dose of anger.  However, there was still love mixed up in there somewhere, and even the first seeds of forgiveness, perhaps. 

After giving it a lot of thought, she decided to treat the letter as an attempt to reach out to her from her father, and now that she had Gabe’s love, she wasn’t so afraid to take the risk of reaching out to him again, too.  She was beginning a new chapter in her life, and it would be nice if her father could be part of it.  The jury was still out where his wife was concerned.  The idea of getting to know her half sisters was appealing, since they barely knew each other, but she had no idea if they would be interested, much less how she’d go about it.  One step at a time.

By now, the reporters who’d been camped out at the gate had left, knowing that they’d have an opportunity to enter the estate and take pictures the day of the party, so it hadn’t been a problem taking the limo to the airport.  It was really something how doors opened for Gabriel Rodrigo’s fiancé.  The driver was able to pull right up to Gabe’s plane, where he was waiting for her on the tarmac.  She’d picked a black pencil skirt, a light cashmere sweater, and high heeled black suede boots to wear to the airport.  She wanted to look nice for him and wore her hair down, like he liked it.  She was all smiles as she climbed out of the back of the limo, not waiting for the driver to open her door, so she could run to meet this man who would be her husband soon.

He also smiled and met her half way, lifting her off her feet as he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her passionately. 

“
Diós
, I missed you, Summer.  I’m never going anywhere without you again.  From now on, we travel together.  Always.”

“I missed you too, babe.  It’s so good to have you home.  How was your trip?”  She turned to go back to the limo, but he stopped her.

“I’d like to talk to you about my trip, Summer.”  Gone was the smile, and in its place was a look of intense concern and, unless she was mistaken, worry.

“What’s wrong, Gabe?”

“Nothing, I hope.  I told you I had business in South America,
mi amor
, and I did.  I had to meet with the promoters to discuss the tour coming up.  Summer, while I was there, I contacted your father.”

Summer’s eyes were huge as she looked at Gabe, but she didn’t say anything, was afraid to ask any questions or for any details.

“Summer, I didn’t want to tell you in advance, because I wasn’t sure what would happen, and I didn’t want to upset you, especially if nothing came of it.  After you received his letter, you were so torn and upset, I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how.  I’m still not sure if this was the way, but I had to do something.”

“What happened when you called him?”

“Baby, I invited him to the party, after I asked for his permission to marry you.  If you don’t want him to come, I’ll tell him, and we’ll forget all about it.  I’ve got the jet on standby.”

Summer was trying hard to keep up with the conversation, but she had trouble assembling the information.  “What did he say when you invited him?  Does he want to come?  I’m sure he has a plane at his disposal if he wants to come, Gabe.  You don’t have to turn around and go get him.”

“Summer, he’s already here.  He’s in the plane waiting to see if you want him to come, if you want to see him.  If you don’t, it’s okay.”  Summer’s eyes got even bigger, and she looked up at the plane.  She looked back at Gabe, covering her mouth with one hand and froze for a minute.  Then she tentatively took a step towards the ladder that would take her inside.  Where her father waited.  She paused at the bottom step and looked back at her future husband.

“I’m afraid.  And I don’t know what to say to him.”

“He’s not sure what to say to you, either,
mi amor
, but he said he had to come if there was a chance that you would consent to see him.  Shall I go with you?”  She nodded silently, and he guided her up the ladder and onto the plane.  When they got inside, she stood at the entrance, frozen, looking at the man at the end of the aisle, who was also still.  Finally, he cleared his throat and started toward her, opening his arms, but obviously afraid of her response.  Gabe stood behind her, preparing to support Summer in whatever way she needed.  She took a tentative step forward, then another, until the two came together, and father pulled daughter into his arms in a hard embrace which was returned full measure. 

No longer worried that he’d made a mistake, Gabe stepped aside to give the two some privacy for their reunion.

Two days later, Summer was putting the finishing touches to her hair and make-up and preparing for the press conference that was to take place shortly downstairs.  She’d spent the last couple of days getting reacquainted with her father and, although they weren’t completely comfortable around each other yet, they were headed in the right direction.  He’d apologized profusely for failing her and for allowing time and circumstances to come between them.  They’d spoken about her mother and about the profound grief he still felt at her loss. 

He and Isela had a relatively calm existence and had made a life together based on the long standing friendship they’d always shared.  She hadn’t been particularly pleased that he’d come to Mexico without her, but she’d backed off when he’d told her that she would never come between father and daughter again if she wished to continue in the marriage.  Although she was still jealous of the love he still felt for his first wife, she’d realized long ago that it would never die and had learned to make the most of the love they had together, knowing she would never replace Sunny in his affections, but willing to stay with him and try to find their own kind of happiness.

He had given Gabe his blessing on their upcoming marriage and was convinced that his daughter was in good hands.  For his own part, he would be forever grateful to Gabe for the integral part he’d played in their reunion and had been pleased to stay for their engagement party.  He was staying at their house and found his new granddaughter enchanting.  For Marisol’s part, she was thrilled to have yet another grandparent to spoil her.

Having just applied her lipstick, Summer smiled as Gabe stepped behind her and bent down to kiss her neck.  He looked so incredible in his tuxedo that she almost considered being late to the press conference in order to take it off of him.  Quickly.

“You look beautiful tonight,
mi vida
.  I’m very proud to introduce you as my future wife.  I have an engagement present for you.”  He pulled out a long slender box from his inside pocket and handed it to her.  She opened it slowly to find a diamond and ruby necklace that complimented her engagement ring and outfit perfectly.

“Oh, Gabe, it’s beautiful.  Thank you.  Will you put it on me?”  He bent and fastened it around her neck, letting his fingers linger along her skin, making her shiver in reaction.

“It suits you, but the necklace is nowhere nearly as beautiful as the woman wearing it.  I love you, Summer.  Thank you for agreeing to marry me.”

“I love you, Gabe.  Thank you for loving me and for making me yours.”

“Damn it, Summer, I would rather just stay in here with you.  If it wasn’t for the fact that everyone is coming here tonight to meet you and to wish us well, I’d lock the door and spend the night with you here, privately.”

“As tempting as your offer is, lover, there’s a four year old down the hall who would never forgive us if we didn’t join her.  She’s expecting to dance with her father, too.  Just so you know, she and your mother are the only women I don’t mind sharing you with.  Oh, and
Abuelita
, Luisa, and Yolanda.  They all seem to have crushes on you.  Shall we go?”

“Are you nervous,
mi amor
?”

“Not in the least.  I know that sounds unlikely, but you have made me feel so secure in your love, that I’m not at all worried to face the press, your friends, or your relatives.  As long as I have you in my life, loving me so well, I’ll be happy.”

“Then you will always be happy, Summer, because I will always love you.  Let’s go and get this over with, so we can hurry up and go to bed.  As beautiful as that dress is, I can’t wait to get it off of you.”

The first people they encountered upstairs were Gabe’s parents.  Summer hugged and kissed them both, and they did the same.

“
Mija
, we have a little something for you.  An engagement present.”  They handed her a small, square box the same color as the one Gabe had given her earlier.  She opened it up and found the matching diamond and ruby earrings to the necklace and ring Gabe had given her.

“They’re so beautiful.  Thank you both.”  They all proceeded to Marisol’s room and opened the door to find her dressed in all of her finery.  She looked precious in her fancy red dress and shoes. 

Summer smiled at the little girl.  “
Mijita
, you look very beautiful tonight.”

“We both look beautiful, Mamá.  I’m so excited, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.  We’ll come and get you right after the press conference, okay?” 

“Okay, but hurry, Mamá.  I can’t wait to dance like we practiced. 
Abuelito
Diego asked me to save a dance for him tonight, and I promised.”  Just then, Grandpa Diego entered the room.

“My goodness, don’t you ladies look beautiful.  However, I think something is missing.  He brought his hands from behind his back and held out twin jewelry boxes and handed one to Summer and one to Marisol.  Each opened their gifts to find identical ruby and diamond bracelets sized to fit.

“Papá, they are beautiful, thank you.  Now I have a complete matching set, and Marisol and I are twins with our bracelets, aren’t we, baby?”

“Yes.  When I get older, maybe Papá will get me a twin necklace and earrings, too.  It wouldn’t be good manners to ask for them, you know.”

Everyone laughed at the little girl and her obvious hint for equality.   

Diego reached into his pocket and produced one more small jewelry box.  “For you, Gabe.”

Surprised, Gabe took the box and opened it to find ruby cuff links that complimented the jewelry his girls were now wearing.

“Thank you, Diego.  I will of course wear them tonight.  Will you change them out for me,
querida
?”

“Of course.”

While Marisol waited impatiently upstairs with the nanny, all of the adults went downstairs to where the press awaited them.  Summer’s and Gabe’s parents all took their seats in front, while Gabe and Summer stood at the microphone set up.  Gabe kept his hand at Summer’s waist and addressed the crowd of about fifty.