Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

about this. If you assumed the baby's paternity, I will provide anything financial."
    Diego pulled Carly to his side and hugging her said, "Sure, I will be the baby's father, but I have a question."
    Raul narrowed his eyes before inviting him. "Go ahead."
    "Will you be part of the baby's life?"
    Apparently, the other expected another question, because he said, "I don't know yet."
    Diego insisted. "I need to know."
    While he talked Diego held Carly from behind and she leaned against him, they both were about the same height, so her head could easily rest on Diego's right shoulder. They looked good together, and when he caressed her belly and nudged her nape, Javier thought he knew what they found in one another. Comfort.
    Raul pressed his full lips together and stared at them, before explaining.
    "Well, I have four boys, if he is a boy, you might want him to meet and play with his brothers, if the baby is a girl, I still want them to meet her, just in case, so they know who their sister is."
    As soon as Raul gave his response, he started walking toward the door as if he couldn't wait to escape. Diego followed him.
    "What about you, Raul?"
    He whirled from the very door and said, "Listen, Diego, you wanted a child, right? Yes, I know, you did. Now you got it thanks to me and I'll never take it away from you. So, stop pushing me, we cross that bridge when we get there."
    "If you don't burn it first."
    Raul scowled and left without looking back.
    Javier didn't know what to think about the whole drama, but Carly was extra happy for some reason only she knew, while Diego seemed worried. Javier patted him on the shoulder before going to his room. "Everything will be all right, and if Raul doesn't behave, Esteban will make sure he does."
    It had been then when Diego suggested Javier perform his music for the Hidalgo family, in particular, Doña Elvira, who as a benefactor for a few symphony orchestras in the Tri-state area, could recommend him as an orchestral musician, even if Javier only wanted the position part time. The woman was also Esteban's father's mother, and the bane of Doña Vibi's existence. The mother-in-law from hell, as Esteban's mother declared constantly.
    "You're talented, I can't let that talent go to waste," had been Diego's motto until Javier accepted to do a mini concerto for the family. For Javier, knowing Esteban was going to attend was his only real motivation. Diego and he put together two musical pieces from the Baroque period. Diego played the oboe while Javier performed his violin.
    Diego had said that Doña Elvira was like a queen, indeed, her family was part of the Spanish aristocracy. She came to America as one of those Spanish brides the Hidalgos imported. The house was pretty, and she sat on a high chair with all the dignity of a lady. All the members of the family Javier knew were there, and some new faces he hadn't seen before. Apparently, every Sunday after church the huge family met at the matriarchal home.
    Doña Vibi sat next to Sergio and smiled at Javier, her presence was a welcoming one.
    Together with Doña Camila, Esteban's aunt, Doña Vibi had been the friendliest person he met so far. And the only woman in that room dressed in bright colors, all the others wore black, gray or white. Diego explained that since the family was so big, they were always mourning for someone, so the older women never wore colored dresses.
    He noticed Esteban taking a seat next to his aunt and smiled briefly at him. He seemed nervous and Javier didn't blame him, there was something in Doña Elvira that would intimidate anybody. Javier thanked his ruthless upbringing, because she didn't scare him at all. His father trained him to interact with the rich and powerful without hesitation.
    Diego had mentioned that if he got on her good side, he didn't need to worry about the rest of the family, she would protect him. She had done it with him. And the woman confirmed it herself when she told Camila before the concert started, "With Diego I always knew what to expect, he never wore any disguise. So, I never had any false expectation with him, and he never deceived me."
    Javier knew that she was targeting Esteban, who remained calm as if she wasn't referring to him. And that was only for leaving the Church, what if she ever learned about Esteban's homosexuality; Javier rather didn't imagine that. He knew of people who accepted gays as long as they didn't belong to their own family. As weird as it sounded, he