Page 120 of Yours, Finally

"Take your time." Tía Sonia's smile was encouraging. "No need to rush."

I took a deep breath and tried again.

One, two, three…

"I came here alone because I thought you deserved the gesture. Me with my courage, and you with the generosity of heart I should have respected more."

My words concerned them; I could see it in the way Tía Sonia squirmed in her place, and in Tío Raul's knotted brow. But they let me continue, showing me yet again the even-temperedness that had become a haven to me.

Four, five, six…

I pressed my lips together. "I don't know what would have been of me, if it weren't for the both of you. The way you opened your arms to me, and made me feel welcome and safe. When you first paid for therapy for me as soon as I turned eighteen, or how you helped me out with college."

I clenched my fists on my lap, where they wouldn't see it. Not out of anger, but in the hope it would help me hold back the tears building in my throat.

With my gaze on the table between us, I made myself continue, despite my tight vocal cords. "I've made decisions recently that I regret. I'm afraid it will hurt you both. But I'm here to tell you the truth. I will doanythingto make it better. Well, almost anything. Violeta might have a say on a thing or two."

One, two, three.

I closed my eyes and dug my nails into the palms of my hands. "I am in love with your daughter. I have been for years. A few weeks ago we started a relationship, but we messed up. We hidit from everyone. I hope you will forgive me for keeping my love for her a secret, as well as the fact that we are dating."

Four, five, six.

Without noticing, I had slouched on my chair. I took a deep breath and straightened my back, opening my chest to them.

I sighed. "I plan to stay with Vi for as long as it's good between us, and believe me— it's good. So good, we want to love one another in the open. Be free to take this as far as we can. You took me in like another son, and I will forever owe you everything for the family you've given me. And I hope you will accept me as Vi's partner, too."

I allowed a small chuckle. "It might be a lot to ask, but then again… you've always been incredibly generous."

I took a few more breaths, using them to keep the buzz in my limbs from going haywire. A few seconds went by, before I could make myself lift my eyes at Tío Raúl and Tía Sonia.

The tears running down her face broke my heart.

"I'm sorry." My voice cracked. "I'm sorry for messing up. You deserved better from me, and I failed you. I apologize."

"Thank you for telling us, Jake." Tío Raúl's voice came out rough. He put an arm around his wife's shoulders. "I can see how difficult this was for you to talk about."

I nodded, but said nothing. They shared a long gaze, communicating without words. Finally, Tío Raúl nodded, but it was Tía Sonia who spoke.

She didn't bother drying her tears; she let them run freely. "It pains us to know you didn't trust our love enough to tell us before, but we love you anyway. That won't go away, even if we are disappointed right now."

My heart and its hundred shattered pieces pulsed fast, each shred a different beat.

"Being disappointed and hurt is no reason to take away our love, or to punish you." Tío Raúl turned serious eyes my way. "Especially on the wings of you telling us you're in love with Vi."

Like he had summoned his daughter, Vi scrambled into the kitchen through the side door.

"Jake?!" she exclaimed. Her eyes studied the scene before her with worried eyes. "Mom? You're crying?"

Vi approached us with slow, measured steps. She put a hand on my shoulder, and I covered it with my own.

"I think I understand why neither of you mentioned having feelings for each other." Tía Sonia studied her daughter's face. "It would be hard to reveal your heart like that if you didn't know if the other felt the same."

"And knowing you'd have to see each other, even if things went wrong," Tío Raúl said.

Vi's fingers dug into my shoulder. "It was my idea to keep the relationship secret. I'm so sorry. I know you're going to think it's because we didn't trust you— that was not it, I promise. Don't blame Jake, he was trying to make it easier on me."

"It's okay, Vi." I gazed up at her, standing beside me. "You don't need to defend me. I agreed to it. I can take it."