#leonormorales

"Um, guys?"

"Why does it look like that trader Austin is here?" Leonor asked. "You know, the guy who was a total jerk to me at Miguel's first birthday party?"

"Um." Nancy shuffled guiltily.

"Nancy?!"

"So yeah, I kind of invited him? For Trevor!" Nancy added quickly. "He won't bother you at all, I promise."

"He's seeing Trevor now?"

"Kind of? I mean, there's definitely something there. They just need a push. I thought maybe today would be a good chance for them to get to know each other better . . ."

"So you're, like, their matchmaker? That's kind of sweet, actually," Leonor said, her penchant for romance overcoming her annoyance. "As long as you're sure he's not going to, like, make a scene or challenge Al to a duel or something--"

"Believe me, Lele," Nancy said. "He's over you."

"Well . . . I guess it's all right. But you didn't invite anyone else without asking, right? Remember, it's supposed to be just family and close friends . . ."

"Well . . . haha, funny thing . . . I might have also kind of invited Carl's new assistant or whatever? You know, Sam?"

Al pushed his way through the throng to the arch that had been set up for the occasion.

And Leonor emerged from the bedroom-slash-makeshift dressing room, floating down the hallway like an angelic vision.

The guests were still shuffling around, vying for position, but Leonor and Al had eyes only for each other.

The sparse decor didn't matter. Neither did the extra guests, or the cold winter day.

"I love it."

"Beautiful," Cintia breathed. "Oh, sweetie. You're going to take everyone's breath away."

"Thanks, Mom."

Cintia dabbed at her eyes. "Ahem, anyway. I should talk over a few things with your sister . . ."

"You really do look great, Leonor," Nancy said.

"Al won't be able to take his eyes off you," Citlali affirmed.

"Aww, guys."

Across the room, Yesenia nodded and m-hm'ed, smiling tightly, while her mother peppered her with a string of logistics.

"--So, most people will want to mingle, but just in case we need more seating we can bring out the chairs from the kitchen. And if it really comes to it, I can always send your father--"

"Someone talking about me?" As if on cue, Domingo appeared in the open doorway. "Am I allowed in here?"

"My girls." Domingo's voice was thick with emotion. "Look at all of you."

"And you, Leonor. Al is a lucky guy."

"Thanks, Dad. I'm so happy."

"It fits you perfectly. Oh, Leonor. You look beautiful."

"Mom. Don't start crying. It's a happy day! I'm getting married!"

"It's just-- my little girl--" Cintia sniffed.

"Aww. Mom."

While Leonor and Cintia shared a moment together, Yesenia took it upon herself to continue chiding Nancy for her attitude about the dress code.

"--but Nance, Mom could have sewn anything for you and this is what you picked--"

"I'm just not a dress person! I don't feel like me."

"Think of it as a favor you're doing for Lele," Citlali said.

"So you have to wear a dress for a few hours. It's really not asking that much," Yesenia huffed.

"I'm wearing it, all right?" Nancy snapped. "Watcher, what's got you so crabby?"

Across the room, with a great effort, Cintia pulled herself together.

It was a bright, chilly day in Panorama.

More importantly, it was Leonor's wedding day.

"It isn't much. Of course, if you'd opted for a spring wedding we could have decorated with more flowers," Cintia was saying apologetically.

"I think it looks pretty good," Nancy said.

"I'd get married to Al anywhere," Leonor said dreamily. "Really, Mom. I know we could have waited, but this is all I wanted. This is perfect."

"That's what I wanted for you. For everything to be perfect."

"It will be," Leonor assured her mother.

"Well. We should all probably start getting dressed, shouldn't we? Guests will be arriving soon."

Nancy groaned. "Do I really have to wear that dress?"

"You picked it out," Yesenia said testily.

"Under duress," Nancy muttered.

"You look adorable in it, though--" Citlali began.

"Listen, it's a special day, we're all dressing up--" Yesenia insisted, more belligerently.

Leonor: "OK, something's up. I could tell you were, like, holding something in all during dinner. So spill."

Citlali: "It's about Carl." In a few sentences she told her sister all there was to tell: the kiss, his departure, her anxiety. It was good to tell someone else. "I know it's silly, but I can't help but worry he's just . . . not going to come back."

Leonor: "So, first. He's obviously obsessed with you, like duh. He's gonna come back. But second. Is this a crush we're talking about? A fling with an older man? Or do you, like, love him?"

Citlali hesitated, her expression becoming almost pained.

Citlali: "I . . . think I do. Love him," she said slowly. "Miguel already practically seems to think of him as a father. Seeing the two of them together, it just feels right. Inevitable, almost. And when we kissed, I felt . . . " she trailed off.

Safe. Wanted.

But is that enough?

Leonor: "Well, if you love him, you have to trust him. Including trusting that he'll came back."

Hannah: "Have a good day at the store. And remember, I'm making dinner."

Leonor: Hmph, what's this jerk doing back in town? I should tell him I'm getting married. Married to someone a million times nicer and cuter than him. . . . Unless that would be too cruel? The realization of, like, all that he's missing could come crashing down on him in a moment--his heart could break! . . . He's probably regretted his jerkitude a thousand times by now. No, I should be kind.

That evening all the Moraleses (plus one soon-to-be member of the family) gathered for a warm home-cooked dinner.

Citlali: "So, are you looking forward to the big day?"

Al: "With all my heart." He beamed at Leonor, his entire face lighting up.

Citlali: "Aww. You two are perfect for each other."

Yesenia was doing her best to ignore the tooth-rottingly sweet love-fest. It was something she'd gotten fairly good at as Leonor and Al's live-in third wheel.

Yesenia: "Psst. Miguel. Bet you can't hit Leonor with some of your stew."

Miguel: "I could, too. Easy."

Yesenia: "Oh yeah? OK, ten points if you nail her right below her freckle."

"Eep!" Leonor squealed.

Miguel giggled uproariously. "I told you!"

"Right on target," Yesenia acknowledged approvingly.

"You totally got me!" Leonor laughed, wiping her face. "Mm. I think your stew is even tastier than mine. Here, gimme!"

Her playful attempts to steal Miguel's bowl sent him into another fit of laughter. "Noooo! You can't have it! It's mine!"

"Ahem," Cintia cleared her throat once everyone had settled down. "I think we should raise a toast. To Al and Leonor."