TBOL one shots

by Aceboogie

Summary:

one shots

Notes:

uh well this is my first fic for any fandom, well the first fic Im sharing because most of it is in my Google docs and never saw the light of day :) oh well hope you enjoy this mini series Also i had a heart attack when I found out its canon that Maria and Manolo have twin girls and a son

Chapter 1: a simple flower

"Mira Ana just like this" Maria drew a simple flower for her 5-year-old daughter to try and draw she nodded and tried her best her focus only on the paper and pencil.

"I DID IT!" Ana leaped out her bed jumping around proud of the simple flower she drew her giant smile making Maria laugh she looked so much like Manolo when she smiled like that 

"Yes, you did it lets go show your papa and Hermana" Maria smiled as she got up from the bed walking out the room as Ana bolted out heading downstairs and into the kitchen where her dad and sister were 

"Not so loud Mija your brother is sleeping" Maria tried to shush her but she was ignored by her daughter

PAPA, SEL MIRA!!" Ana yelled making her way towards him and shoving the paper in his face and Selenas so he could see it making Manolo and Selena look at the paper. Her Twin Selena was very confused at what she was looking at it looked like a few weird lines trying to make the form of a flower And Manolo well being a supportive parent went with it 

"Orale Thats a neat flower Mija" He looked over at Maria who smiled 

"Oh is that what it is?" Selena  tilted her head as she asked her sister who gasped 

"What do you mean Mama and papa said it looks perfect!" Ana huffed crossing her arms still holding the paper she glared her best 'I would knock you down if mama and papa weren't here' 

"Hey its okay Ana we all see differently Like I see a flower and your sister well...she sees lines" Manolo chuckled as her got up form his seat to ruffle Anas hair. 

"well ninas its past your bedtime" Maria spoke up walking over to her husband with a smile as she heard the girls groan 

"Welp I cant argue with Mama on that im tired" Manolo yawned as he slung his arm onto Marias shoulder "Buenas Noches ninas" 

"but you promised to tell us a story today!" Selena protested as she dragged her feet on the floor heading to her room with her sister following her in 

Manolo rose a brow and smiled "If I tell you a story will you promise to go to bed right after?" Manolo questioned as he sat on Selena's bed and Maria tucked Ana into bed

"We promise" Ana said as she looked at her mother and looked over to her Dad with that big bright tired smile of Her's.

Notes:

Hello

Chapter 2: Feliz cumpleanos (happy brithday)

Summary:

Lucas's birthday

Notes:

ay wey Lo siento guys I didnt forget I just had no idea what to do but here it is lmao also I have a small question for the end. ok but now these characters are aged up the twins are 9 and Lucas is 7. Also I will be taking requests for these if you have any ideas shoot em at me!

BANG 

It was so loud Lucas woke up all of a sudden form his door being kicked and his mother's voice scolding his father he quickly rubbed his eyes and sat up seeing his it play out as he smiled it was his birthday

"Ay gordo did you really have to do that?" Maria gestured her hand to the door that was clearly unlocked snice it had no lock

"No but I wanted to" Manolo waved her off walking in and started playing for his son that was soon joined by Maria and the twins singing in Spanish

Lucas sat and waited for them to finish as he was embraced by his sisters he was sure they wanted nothing more than to give him birthday punches. and soon his dad and mom joined in to hug him as well.

"Feliz cumpleanos Nino" Manolo ruffled Lucas's dark brown hair making Lucas giggle his mother giving his forehead a kiss 

eventually after the events they moved on into the Living room where they laughed played and Lucas's friends came over and so did Joaquin giving Lucas a small wooden sword because why not.

The general came as well to wish his grandson a happy birthday and give him a solider outfit making Maria scold her father for this.

eventually it was time for the Pinata and as always birthday boy first and Manolo thought it was time for the dirtiest trick played when it came to the Pinata, Blindfolding the person and spinning them based on their age but Maria said no.

The pinata broke and war broke out amongst the kids who hurried and stuffed as much candy into their arms as they could. 

"Well Hermanito your 7 now but don't forget you'll always be younger" Selena playfully punched him and he laughed 

"Hey kids its time for cake" Joaquin grinned and waved over the young Sanchez and the other kids to come to the table outside they had Lucas sit with the cake Infront of him as they sang. and ooh boy why were the twins both smirking as Maria gave them a nod of approval, Both girls sneaking up behind waiting for the moment to strike. 

and then the chant OH BOY. Lucas was clueless and defenseless he had no idea what was about to happen in that moment when he would never and forever be traumatized of sitting Infront of the cake and never trust anyone near him while in this state.  

"Que la muerda! Que la muerda! (Bite it Bite it!)" His family chanted as he slowly leaned his head down to the cake to take a small bite form it but nope his head was pushed down fast by his sisters who laughed and quickly ran to Manolo who was wheezing as Joaquin grimaced but smiled remembering times when he would get his face pushed down by Manolo. 

Half of Lucas face was covered in cake frosting and some of the frosting was in his nose for the time being he laughed but deep down he knew he would have his revenge. Maria cleaned his face off and cut the cake and later people left finally leaving the Sanchez home the family stayed up a while longer to clean up. The twins laughed at Lucas for the whole cake thing never once apologizing 

"I'll get my revenge on the both you one day" Lucas pointed to his sisters who laughed at him

"in your dreams boy" Ana scoffed ruffling her brothers hair sticking her tounge out  at him. Selena did the same but pulled her siblings into an embrace 

"what Ana means to say is we love ya to lil guy happy birthday" eventually the twins went to bed and Manolo and Maria gave their son two gifts a black and brown haired puppy and the gift of a memory 

 

Notes:

Ah being Mexican is fun and yet traumatizing becuase at any moment you could get your face pushed into a cake oh the memories. ok but the question is would you read my Mafia AU that I wrote with the TBOL characters i mean either way I would write it I'm just curious if anyone has that interest as well. Welp anyways Thank you for reading have a great day!!

Chapter 3: and then they were 5

Notes:

the birth of Lucas requested by Astheworldcaves4
ok side note here how do you get rid of the old ending note that keeps showing up or can you guys not see that?

When Maria discovered she would be having another baby with Manolo she was more than happy and so was Manolo they spent nights talking about who they would look like the most, whether it would be a girl or boy they would talk about names only two names stood out Samantha and Lucas just in case of a girl or boy.

So now here they were Maria had Manolo wake up and get the midwife in the other room as she started feeling the contractions almost back-to-back.

Manolo quickly hurried back with the midwife who was ready to deliver this baby. Joaquin was awake and stayed in the nursery with the twins in the case that either were to wake up.

And then it began Manolo sat next to Maria offered his hand to her that was immediately squished by her grip, it hurt his hand, but he said nothing and smiled at her 

"You can do this mi amor you did it twice you can do it again" Manolo smiled kissing her knuckles she smiled back but she immediately shut her eyes because of the pain

"Ok Maria, we need you to start pushing now" the young midwife Gaberial said as she looked at Maria and back down 

Maria did as she was told she pushed as hard as she could screaming in pain her grip on Manolo's hand only tightened probably to the point where she was sure she could break his hand.  Manolo winced but he never let on that his hand hurt.

 

"Just one more push Maria" Gaberial said as she focused on Maria's lower region 

"Hear that just one more Mi amor one more" Manolo was trying his best to help her with words of encouragement 

Maria only nodded as she pushed and sat up letting out a scream of pain as she threw her head back into the pillows. the screams were replaced by cry's. she did ir. Crys form a baby a newborn.

"Well congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez here's your boy" Gaberial quickly yet gently wrapped the boy in a blanket and Gave the baby to Maria who gasped it was a boy Manolo laughed shaking of the hand that had been in torture form the night to the early morning. 

"I'll be back for the name in a bit" The midwife walked out the room leaving them with the newest member of their family 

Maria held the small baby in her arms and once in her arms it quieted down into small sniffles and then back to sleep. the boy had Carmel skin like his dad his little curls of hair wasn't enough to see what color it was his eyes were shut hiding whatever eye color he had. 

"Hey mijo, you gave your mom a hard time" Manolo chuckled as Maria handed the baby over to Lucas "Just letting you know I won our bet" Manolo leaned over to kiss Maria who laughed and pushed him away. Manolo looked down at the newest Sanchez baby who cried a bit but stopped when he heard his fathers voice.

the door opened revealing a shocked Joaquin on the other side who ran over to Manolo's side to start fawning over the baby 

"Hey lil buddy I'm your Tio Joaquin!"  Joaquin smiled putting a hand on Manolo's shoulder laughing "Congratulations you two"

"The girls did they wake up?" Maria asked and Joaquin only shook his head 

"Nope im surprised they didn't you were very very loud...how are you doing now?" Joaquin said noticing how she was still very clearly in pain

"Well slightly better I guess" Maria smiled at her friends concern but her eyes went back to her son

"Im very proud of you Mi Hermosa Amor" Manolo leaned over again to kiss his wife she sighed happily and smiled she laughed with tears of joy coming form her

Gaberial the midwife came back in "All right have you decided the name yet?" Gaberial asked and Maria nodded

"Lucas. Lucas Sanchez" 

Chapter 4: Eat your what?

Summary:

The kids decide to wake up parents for no reason

Notes:

requested by astheworldcaves4 but I was working on it before requested lmao so uh here it is
ALSO the first chapter for my other work is coming out tomorrow!
Im really trying my best here

"Lucas just jump!" Selena shouted at her brother playfully shoving him off the couch and onto a small pillow on the ground  

"Ay no captain Sanchez La mala she's close!" Lucas cried for help, as Ana laughed like a maniac running up onto the couch next to Selena 

"HAHA no one can stop me now any last words captain Sanchez?" Ana sneered pointing a wooden sword at her sister and a gasp came from Lucas

"Yea EAT MY SWORD" Selena pulled her wooden sword out and smacking Anas sword out her hands who raised a brow at her 

"Really eat my sword? That doesn't make sense" Ana laughed at her

"It doesn't need to make sense Ana" Selena scoffed crossing her arms 

"Yea it does Selena" Ana rolled her eyes sitting down and Selena sat down shaking her head

"No it doesn't" Selena said 

"Yes it does" Ana turned to face her and Lucas well he braced himself for when they turned to him

"Que no" 

"Que Si"  

"Que no"

"Que Si!" Ana raised her voice a bit 

"Que No!" Selena raised hers to sounding a bit louder

"Que Si!" Ana tried to sound louder

"Que NO!" Selena shouted

"QUE SI!" Ana shouted back Lucas quietly crawled away but not sneaky enough as this caught both girls attention 

"WHAT DO YOU THINK LUCAS?" Both twins shouted at him in unison 

'well crap' Lucas thought to himself "I uhhhhhh I think,,," Lucas paused for a moment looking at Ana who was Clearly glaring at him and threating him with possible chance of a broken arm, he looked at Selena who glared at him her eyes threating to break more than just an arm or that's how he saw it. "I think we should ask papa and mama they're old they know what does and doesn't make sense right?" Lucas nervously chuckled when he saw the twins get up and he slightly worried but they both whizzed right pass him and bolted up the stairs. Lucas followed after them and into their parents room

"MAMAAAAAAAAA!" Selena shouted as loud she could. she jumped into the bed crawling into the small space between her dad and mom making Maria groan and stir awake a bit, Maria tiredly rubbed her eyes as she felt her daughter shake her

While Lucas had gotten a cup of water for Ana unsure why she wanted one in the first place but he hurried back and handed to Ana who thanked him.

Maria sighed opening her eyes to see Selenas messy brown curls and looking into her dark brown eyes, something that made her different form Ana who had Hazel eyes. Maria wasn't sure why she was waking her up "Que pas-" Maria was cut off by Manolo's gasp

"AYY QUE CHINGA-" Manolo stopped as he noticed Selena in between him and Maria's shocked face yet demanding look to not finish the words that almost came out. Manolo heard Lucas gasp and Ana's giggle He quickly turned his head to Ana and saw the know empty glass in her hand 

"Nina porque" Manolo wiped off the water with the blanket as he heard Maria try and suppress her giggles which was going terribly for her

"what you cant blame me entirely it was Lucas idea he gave me the water" Ana defended herself as Lucas was shocked 

"It was all you mentirosa!" Lucas defended himself pointing an accusing finger at Ana "She told me to grab water and she used it on you!" Lucas pressed as Manolo's gaze flickered between the both of them before stopping on Ana the known liar of the three

"Well Ana your grounded a week you get to wash dishes now i don't have a problem with all of you here but what are you doing here?" Manolo questioned as Ana and Lucas sat on his side of bed while Selena remained in the middle. 

"Well Ana and I were arguing and Lucas thought it be a good idea to ask you if what I said made sense" Selena paused as she sat up and glared at Ana who glared back 

"What did you say?" Maria asked noticing the looks going between Selena and Ana as she held back her laugh while Manolo also smiled at the scene 

"I said 'eat my sword' but we were playing pirates, so it doesn't need to make sense because pirates made no sense right Mama that's what you said" Selena stopped looking at Ana and turned her head to look at her mom who laughed at Selena.

"Mija I don't think 'eat my sword' makes any sense" Maria shook her head with a smile looking at Her until she heard Ana laugh 

"HAHA SEEEE it doesn't make sense" Ana grinned Selena scoffed at her and Manolo chuckled at Ana and ruffled her hair 

"Wait papa what do you think?" Lucas asked, Manolo turned his attention to the brown-haired boy with Dark brown eyes, Manolo smirked turning his attention to Maria they were woken up for no real reason and Manolo was going to take advantage of this. Maria shook her head 

"No don't you dare say the opposite Amor" Maria warned against it and he completely ignored it

"I think it makes sense Selena" Manolo grinned, As Maria groaned into her pillow 

both girls fighting over some silly question each defending the one parent who supported their fact and only one vote could break the tie Lucas vote could break the question on whether 'eat my sword made' sense 

Chapter 5: Pesadillas

Summary:

Manolo has nightmares and trauma cus who I wouldn’t after dying and coming back?

Notes:

A request by astheworldcaves4 for nightmares and comfort cus that is what was asked for👍🏽

”you’ll be forgotten forever you’ve lost the bet boy” Xibalba laugh's

”NO!” Manolo shouts as he’s sent away into the land of the forgotten his bones are now grey his markings now green as he dust away to be forgotten forever never will anyone remember the young Sánchez  his hands start dusting away as he cries but no one here’s his pleas of help or his pleas for a second chance. he dust away

only to now the scene is different he’s in the land of the living he sees chakal bomb the whole town killing everyone with him once again Manolo is dead being forgotten and dusting away.

now Manolo is at the tree but it’s different Maria’s not there just a snake a giant two headed snake that stands taller than the tree it’s two heads looking down at Manolo it’s teeth are bared. One of the heads move straight down towards him Manolo is unable to run paralyzed by fear as the snake swallows him whole. He’s in the la d of the forgotten again only this time he’s not dusting away he’s mocked by Maria’s skeleton insulting him asking why she didn’t protect him “Maria I’m sorry”

“no Manolo your not you let me die!”
“ no I didnt i tried to save you” he feels tears go down his cheeks 

“you let me die and then you killed yourself? That’s not saving you let a whole town die you let your daughters die you let your son die” Maria’s skeleton laughs darkly as she shows him the image of a dead famliy 

 

“NOOO!” Manolo sat fast breathing fast and gasping for air. He swallowed a lump In his throat He looks to his right and sees Maria’s skeleton the dark one he saw in his dream, He quickly got of the bed and rubbed his eyes hard and quick he stopped when he looked at her again she was very much alive 

“Manolo hey, hey it’s okay” Maria whispered he notices a candle lit on the side her side of the bed. Manolo knows he most have been talking again that’s why it’s on.

Maria opens up her arms to offer a hug for comfort she’s aware of his nightmares what they’re usually about. Manolo crawls back into bed allowing himself to be hugged by Maria. As he lets only one tear out but wipes it away quickly. 
“what happened this time?” Maria asks as she starts running a band through his hair 

“I was forgotten I lost….the whole town died” he starts to shake as tears start forming on his eye lids and the top of his eyes blurring his vision he remembers the last image of his dream the image of a dead Family of his Dead family “I was eaten by a snake…And then there was you but different evil dark…it showed me…the kids they were dead” he stops and Maria sighs

”Manolo were all here you know that right? You know your the reason we’re all still here you are the reason the town is still here and the reason I’m still here” Maria hugs him tighter 

“No I’m the reason we all almost died” Manolo frowns 

“but we didn’t” Maria let’s go to hold Manolo’s face seeing his watery eyes and the look of a miserable man his eyes fail to meet hers as he stares at the wall behind her

”but we almost-“ Manolo was cut off by Maria who put a hand over his mouth his gaze finally on Maria 

”Manolo Sánchez you are the reason we are here and alive sure you almost killed us but that doesn’t matter because we’re all still here and breathing living on this earth and I won’t let you think anything less than that I’ll see to it myself” Maria removes her hand and returns her hand to his cheeks and she sees his small smile 

“I have no way to argue do I?” Manolo says as he chuckles a tear falls and Maria wipes it away

”nope no way at all because I love you I’d never be like whatever you dreamed me to be” Maria presses a kiss to his forehead making Manolo frown

”what was that?” Manolo quirks a brow suddenly Feeling a little lighter

”a kiss” Maria hums proudly 

“that was no kiss, this is” Manolo leans in kissing her lips making Maria smile.

”thank you mi amor for dealing with my dreams, and however I woke you up tonight I’m sorry” Manolo sees Maria’s smile

“hey I have to I married you” Maria laughs as Manolo playfully rolls his eyes “yo te amo Manolo mas que lo que tú sabes, I’ll always be here for you because I love you” 

Manolo knows that he whatever comes his way,  whatever any god throws at him Maria will always be there for him 

 

 

 

Notes:

Spanish vocab
“Yo te amo mas de lo que tu sabes”- i love you i love you more than you could ever know
Pesadillas- Nightmares
 

I did not forget just getting ready to put my a$$ back in the school mode so I might slow down on updates even more not sure welp till next time nos vemos!!👋🙂

Chapter 6: Feliz Navidad!

Summary:

its Christmas! and the kids get into mischief on accident (modern au)
TW (i think) unintentional underage drinking
twins 14
Lucas 12
this is one of those i wrote this instead of sleeping

Notes:

well i meant it when i said id write soon but i ended up in Mexico whoops! but fr now I'm back with a Christmas special! because i most likely will not write any time after Christmas considering the fact that after Christmas my family party's until after new year's anyways Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano a todos!
slightly based on a Christmas of mine years ago

Morning 7am

Lucas never had a reason to fear his mom until now

his mother's eyes almost black her brows raised and her face hard 'well that's where Selena gets it from' it's exactly like Selena's face when she angry

"Clean your room and the living room I'm not asking" Maria growled and Lucas nodded 'im never asking why again' he thought to himself he bolted up the stairs 

Maria sighed and turned her attention to Selena "Mija i need you to go to the plaza see if Don Jose is there if he is get two full bags of pan any kind" Selena nodded and headed for the kitchen searching for her mothers purse 

Luckly the only task Ana was given was setting the tables

 

8pm

 

all 5 tables were set a white cloth for each and a strip of green cloth or red on every one and 4 chairs on each side of a table

all was well and their Primos had just arrived and her favorites Grace and Oscar 

they headed outside seating on a bench catching up with each other and sharing stories 

"if it weren't for Lucas i would've kissed him" Ana rolled her eyes at her brother honestly he could've almost been very much dead that day

but she was thankful he did stop the kiss she'll never tell him that though

ana continued braiding graces hair talking about whatever inconveniences in their life after running out of things to say Oscar suggested they play a game

and Anas least favorite

"lets play 'que es la problidad de que hagas' the punishment for not taking on the dare is drinking a cup of rompope!" Oscar declared spreading his arms wide with a giant grin on his face (game name what's the probability of... basically truth or dare but without the truth part just dares rompope is basically eggnog)

"rompope? why rompope?" Selena asked her brow quirked obviously wanting to know why the thing they used for jello

"Cause we all hate it our punishment should be something we hate" Oscar's grin only got wider when Lucas joined in

"Yeah and the prize for the one with the most completed dares get 80 pesos!" Lucas saw Selena smile he knew just what to do to rope Selena in Grace had already agreed to play now it was just Ana reluctantly she agreed and the game began 

"Alright just in case you guys forgot the rules I'll say em real quick; after you get your dare you count till 3 and pick a number between 1-3 if we both say the same number then you do the dare if we say the opposite number like 2 and 3 then you are safe from your dare, if you don't want to do the dare given to you if we say the same number then you'll drink a cup of rompope" Oscar smiled his eyes twinkling with determination to give the most embarrassing dares

everyone nodded and the game began all of them oblivious to the one small print on the bottle of rompope

"5 PERCENT Alcohol"

"Alright Prima what's the probability that you would spill jumex on Tio Juans pants?" Grace grinned

"2" they both said in unison and Grace laughed "now you have to unless you want rompope" 

Selena growled she lost already well she thought to herself 'at least its not like last year' so she headed back inside she took her dare and her uncles scolding 

 

10pm

Joaquin slung his arm over Manolo happily singing whatever Manolo was singing unable to keep up with the lyrics he mumbled the words he loved karaoking with his buddy the guest laughed at the two slightly drunk men well one more than the other 

Manolo slurred out the words his beer in one hand and the mic in his other while he tried to focus on the phone that was being swung around by Joaquin 

"hey stop moving the phone!" Manolo hissed knowing his request was in vain he didn't even notice when or who tied both of his shoe laces together making him trip when he was done singing

he groaned into the floor hearing Joaquin and Maria laugh 

"Alright Amor I think that's enough beer for you" Maria helped him up and he scoffed waving his hand dismissively at her

"it's only 10! and someone tied my shoes to each other!' he protested as he let his empty beer can roll away from him to untie his shoes and honestly he wasnt even drunk he could his alcohol pretty well sometimes

so far everything was great the kids were in the bouncy house tipping it over like they normally do no one had turned off or unplugged the bouncy house so far it was a success the only thing left to do was cutting the pan of los reyes majos

"okay everybody kitchen off limits till further notice!" tia Patricia announced taking Maria with her to put baby figures in the oval shaped bread 

"spread em out so everyone has a chance" Patricia paused and smiled "Mostly so Joaquin gets one he makes the best pozole!' Maria laughed at her cousin in law but she couldn't agree with her more

as soon as they were done with their task they took the pan to the mesa and everyone gathered around 

"Alrighht whoever gets the baby jesus has to make food on new years!" Patricia grinned and off everyone went cutting a slice each hoping that they wouldn't get the baby because boy cooking for everyone was a lot!

So far only 4 of the six had been found and in waltzed Selena looking very much out of it with Oscar "Selena?" Maria made her way over to her daughter 

her daughter looked at her confused at first but then her eyes started to water "Mama...I love you so much!" Selena threw herself at her mother and wrapped her arms around her a little to tight

"i love you to what's wrong mija?" Maria was still confused but put her hand on her daughters head and her hand other around her 

"nada mama i just love you so much! no quero que te vayas!" she sobbed she was probably ruining her dress but that didn't matter to Maria why was her daughter so....moody out she was just fine 

"Mija what are you talking about? I'm not leaving" Maria was in plain shock when she stopped her crying so suddenly 

"Your not?" she paused again and again so suddenly started sobbing "But Papa is!" and it clicked in Maria's head  she was drunk and so was Oscar 

"Selena are you drunk!?" Maria asked and more sobs came form her 

"NO MAMA NO ID NEVER" her sobs got louder but Maria held her daughter by the hand and led them upstairs to Selenas room

---------------------------------

Manolo walked over to Maria very confused at first seeing that Selena was crying, and Maria went upstairs with a very emotional teenager so he followed them

up into her room he creaked the door open to see Maria comforting her which was more confusing

"hey you girls okay?" he knocked softly on the door as he walked in he immediately noticed how his daughters face went from shock to sadness

"Papa im so sorry!" she cried out and Manolo quickly went by her side wrapping his arms around her 

"What sorry for what? you have nothing to be sorry for" Manolo soothed her and her sobs were quiet only her sniffles could be heard

"Te Quero Mucho papa" 

"Yo Tambien te Amo okay" he kissed her forehead, and she relaxed more in his arms and she snored softly 

"what was that about?" Manolo asked looking up at maria as he set Selena down on her bed 

"shes drunk" Maria stared at her daughter she'd never thought she would drink at this age 

"WHAT?!" 

 

the next day early morning

'Uggggggh' Selena woke up with the worst headache in her life she groaned, and she learned her lesson 'never drink 4 cups of rompope' and to be honest she didn't even remember a thing from last night much less how she got in bed 

later that day 

"we were playing 'what's the probability of' and we drank rompope if we didn't do our dare" Selena explained and her mother and fathers anger lowered not that they were really angry they were more worried then they were angry

"didn't you guys know that Rompope had alcohol?" Manolo asked running a hand through his hair 

"It has alcohol?" both Selena and Oscar asked the shock in their voice was enough to confirm that she and Oscar had no idea

"yeah why do you think we only use a little bit in our jello" Manolo chuckled "so how was the hangover" Maria rolled her eyes but laughed 

while Selena and Oscar were still in shock 

well lesson learned never drink 4 cups of rompope (in my case 6 or more)

 

Notes:

well that's it folks true story i was playing the game what's the probability basically its like truth or dare but only the dare part anyways i was playing it with my cousins in Mexico on Christmas and our punishment was to drink Rompope which is our form of eggnog except we put it in our jello cuz it just taste better and like eggnog (i assume) it had alcohol but we didn't know so I was drunk on eggnog and if my parents are to be believed i cried and told them that i loved them so much and then just passed out
also let me know if i should keep doing the lil Spanish vocab thing! also sorry of i make anyone mad with drinking minors i just wrote this for humor and the inspiration from my life
So with that FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO ANO
Anyway spanish vocab!
te quero mucho papa-I love you so much papa
pan-Bread
tio-Uncle Tia- Aunt
Primo-male cousin Prima- Female cousin
no quero que te vayas- i don't want you to leave
yo tambien te amo- I love you to

Chapter 7: Inferma

Summary:

Selena is sick cuz she’s been walking around the house shoeless and sockless

Notes:

requested by Astheworldcaves4
Twins are now 13 Lucas is 11
I forgot I had this😅 sorry I’ve been gone for a while but now I’m a graduate of 23 class so yay anyways here ya go sorry I took so long buddy hope you enjoy

“I think you should break that terrible habit of not wearing socks on a cold floor” Maria chuckled and set a cup of hot garlic tea
Selena stared at the yellowish brownish tea in disgust.
“Do we have lemon? Or honey?” Selena carfully sipped on the nearly boiling hot tea and set it back down
“No we used them all yesterday and your dad is out getting some now besides, this tea works alot better” Maria moved to sit next to her daughter on the couch and Selena let herself fall onto her mom “How are you feeling now?”
“The same I was an hour ago” she groaned and shut her eyes “I just want this to go away, all of my body hurts all the time” they stayed in comfortable silence as Maria threaded through her daughters hair humming almost lulling her daughter to sleep until the door was abruptly shot wide open by Lucas
His brown hair was messy and his white shirt was even messier he was puffing and gasping for air a slight tired smile was on his lips he stood at the doorway and catcher his breath.

“ hey mama, papa wants to know if he should grab limon or the yellow limon” he breathed again he to spoke fast and urgent. he looked at his sister and looked back at his mom for answer
“Are you serious? Your dad sent you halfway across town to ask about limón?” Maria quriked her brow and he nodded
“Yeah Ana said papa told her to tell me to ask you about it” selena snickered quietly as always her brother was easy to manipulate almost to easy
“Really? And you trusted her?” Maria laughed “well since your here you might as well stay” Lucas stood there frozen at the doorway realizing once again he’d been played a fool he grumbled things as he trudged towards the kitchen.
“Ay your sister is always messing with him pobrecito” Maria tsked and she continued running fingers through her daughters hair.
“Well can you blame her he’s super easy to mess with” Selena laughed but it soon turned into a wheezing cough she groaned and got up to take another sip of tea

Around noon Manolo and Ana had returned he’d apologized about his long absence but made up for it with a ‘Magic’ remedy Vaporub
“So the doctor said to place it under your nose and chest area and you’ll be good come tomorrow morning” Manolo grinned as he patted his daughters back making her cough a little
“Thanks papa” Selena smiled and he nodded
“Well I’ll let you get to it, you’ll be better tomorrow morning I know it, buenas noches i love you” he kissed his daughters forehead “oh and if you need anything you can wake me up okey?” Manolo stuck his head through the door before closing it.
“I’m hate this magic remedy stuff? Is it even safe?” Maria she looked at her husband skeptically

“Of course it is the ingredients are fancy words I can’t even pronounce” he chuckled “but seriously for the hundredth time the Senor Peñia said it’s been tested so it’s fine” he moved behind her holding her by her waist “you worry to much Amor” he kissed her cheek and rested his head on her shoulder
She started at the mirror infront of them and laughed.

Life is a a funny thing and so is time it can really change a person he worry’s less and she worry’s more

During that night he made two teas and as it turns out vaporub really is a magic remedy

Chapter 8: Meeting you

Summary:

Selena meets her brother

Notes:

I really should have wrote this after the birth chapter but oh well also I realized that I never really said where the twins were so let’s say Joaquin put the to sleep or they were already asleep so they meet him the next day

Crying was the first thing she heard that morning it was a squeaky high-pitched whine that was something new. Selena sat up on her bed, wiggled her tiny body to the edge to get off, and struggled to open the door, but once she did, the crying stopped. She walked over to her parent's room and pushed the door open what was in front of her was weird, her mama and papa were both wide awake her mom was holding a small baby and then papa noticed her.

“Buenos dias lene” Manolo smiled and waved her over to him “We have a bit of a surprise for you your hermanito is here” She walked over to their bed and let her papa pick her up and put her on the bed. She saw a big change in her papa his hair was wild and his eyes had little bags under them he looked tired and so did her mama her hair was even messier and her brown eyes almost looked black but the biggest change was what Mama had in her arms. A baby it was small and currently sucking on Mama how dare it do such a thing? Does it not know how to eat? She looked at her mama and she smiled at her.

“Say hi Lucas” she did as told said hi but it was strange he didn't even say hi back the audacity of this baby. Mama carefully lifted the small baby's hand and made a waving motion with it. What in the world? Could this baby do nothing? Well, he is small but still.
She looked at the baby a little while longer and looked back to Mama whose smile seemed to be bigger and for a small moment she saw the slightest similarity between her mother and her now newborn brother maybe he won't be so bad? Maybe She’ll help him do stuff? Teach him new things? Maybe they can play together with Chuy?
“What do you think? He's really cute huh?” Papa said tiredly and patted her head. What do I think? ‘This Baby Cant Do Anything At All…So I’ll help him

She smiled for the first time since she saw him “Me Gusta baby” She settled herself on the bed between her parents sat down and held out her arms motioning to her Mama to let her hold Lucas. Maria nodded and smiled while Manolo fixed her arms and posture a bit once he was done Maria set Lucas in Selena's arms at first he wanted to cry but then he stopped when Maria touched his cheek, that was a bit weird but she probably has some superpower.
As Selena held her brother for the first time she noticed other things about his face he had papas nose and Mama's mouth his head was like papas the only thing left to see was his eyes so she did what any curious child would do she took her hand from under and almost poked at babys eye. Manolo gasped quickly stopping her hand “Asi no you’ll hurt him, he’ll open his eyes soon”
Oh well I guess she’d have to wait either way he was the most precious little small tiny human she had seen. After a peaceful silence Selena gave baby a kiss and motioned to Maria to take him
“He’s heavy isnt he?” She smiled before she took him back Selena placed a kiss on his forehead making the baby do a small smile causing Manolo and Maria to do a big aw
“Mirala she’ll be a great big sister!” Manolo cooed and faced his daughter “Youll be the greatest sister ever”
“She’ll be the greatest big sister ever” Maria leaned to kiss Selenas head and continued talking to Manolo
She could only decipher one word the word ‘Great’ she knew that meant good so yes whatever the rest of what papa had said was irrelevant but she knew should would be the greatest whatever Papa and Mama had said.
Eventually Ana had woken up and she too was in pure amazement maybe this little baby would be like the both of them some day but for now this helpless baby was in the protection of big sister or sisters and they would never let anybody hurt their Hermanito.
The time came to start the day so before leaving the room Selena stopped by Lucas crib and smiled fondly at his sleepy little face and whispered the words “Te Amo”

Chapter 9: If I had charged that damn phone

Summary:

An incident occurs that makes Manolo a bit ashamed and Maria confused
(Modern setting)

Notes:

Sorry for being gone for so long I’ve been busy and I just didn’t feel like writing but I’m back now and I will continue my story’s!

“It's a disaster in the bedroom I don't know what to do” she pauses And I stop right at Lucas’s door. Suddenly my toothpaste stain isn't important. Was she talking about me? 

 

“It's like he doesn't remember where things go and I do it myself” Maria adds frustratingly I hear her toss a toy to the toy box and sigh. She pauses letting her Tia speak, “Spanking? Well, I guess we could try that…” My interest has peaked now did she think we were lacking in our sex life? “Now that you mention it….It could be just what we need” She pauses again before adding, “Your right it could be a game changer for us!”  I feel my face starting to get Hot. I look back down at my T-shirt and walk away to our room. 

 

Spanking? Good God Id never thought we were lacking in that part of our life. I always assumed we were good with that part I sallow the lump toss my stained shirt in the laundry basket and lay down in bed. I hum trying to ease my nerves maybe tonight we could try it? If she was up for it that is. She walks in the room grinning she changes into one of my shirts and puts on some shorts, I let out a shaky breath looking at her smiling I try and compose myself but fail, “So uh how's your Tia?” I prop myself up on my elbows as she lies next to me. 

 

“Oh not much she's doing good” I nod and she continues, “She got a divorce now, her husband never gave her what she needed” I nod again could that happen to us? 

 

“Oh…Did she tell him?” I look at her and she shakes her head. 

 

“No, but sometimes it's more exciting to be with someone who already knows what you want without telling them” She sighs and reaches over to the nightstand to turn off the lamp. 

 

I worry again was this something she wanted? If so maybe I shouldn't ask she thought it was exciting to be with someone who knows what you want. I swallow the lump in my throat and reach over and give her what she wants….I spanked her the moment the lights go out.

 

“Owww! What the Hell!? Manolo!?” She shouts turns the lights back on and turns to glare at me, “What the hell was that?”

 

My face gets even hotter, I know that she can see that, and Im beyond embarrassed I need to find an excuse and quick, “Uh You know what I think I forgot to lock the front door!” Within a second I'm out of bed and rush down the stairs. Why the hell didn't I ask? Married for 10 years and still nervous.

 

The next day 

Marias pov

 

Im not sure what to do Manolo left home early for work, his phone is off and I don't know how he feels about last night. I hum in thought who could I ask about this? Well, there's only one person to ask. I rush over to Selena's room waking her up. 

 

“Mom?” She asks a bit drowsy and a certain edge to her voice.  

 

“Mhm Buenos Dias I have to go to Joaquin's house real quick, I need you to watch your siblings for a bit okay?” I shake her a bit more and she gives out a little ugh I glare at her and I know she can tell. She gets up I give her a quick kiss on her forehead and leave. On my way over I call Joaquin but he doesn't answer, no matter though he’ll wake up when Im banging on his door. 

 

When I arrive I knock gently but he doesn't answer so I bang on his door. After a few moments, I hear the locks on the door click. And he stands before me, in his white t-shirt brown hair messed up, and sticking out his shorts hanging a little low he has little eyebags and most definitely was hungover as he reeks of alcohol, “Buenos Dias” He yawns stepping out of the way to let me in, “What brings you here at 10 A.M?” he leads me to his kitchen and I sigh. 

 

“Well you know Manolo almost as well as I do” I stop and choose the next words carefully but it doesn't matter he will laugh right in my face either way. I sit at the table and he sits next to me rubbing his eyes and then folding his arms on the table leans toward me, “Manolo spanked me last night” I blurt out there was no other proper way. He gives me a blank stare then his eyes go wide in realization, I brace for his laughter and it comes out very loud he snorts a couple of times and slams a hand on the table while the other hand points a finger at her. 

 

“He spanked you?” He wheezes out laughing a little harder and louder I let him have his fun before snapping him back to the problem. He settles down still laughing a bit, “Well I guess he is full of surprises huh?” I let out a sigh but nod “What did you do” He asks I can see the curious face and I frown a bit. 

 

“Well I screamed he ran away right after it he was embarrassed, he even went as far as to leave for work early” he stands up to go to the fridge and pours two cups of juice for them,  He comes back and gives me a cup but he shakes his head still laughing a bit. “And now I don’t know what to do so I came to you” he smiles appreciating his role in Manolo’s life (and mine). 

 

 Joaquin sits back down smiling, “Well usually people do things that they want done back to them” he shrugs, and even though I know him it could be possible that he wants to change things in their sex life. We’re we lacking in that part of our life?

 

“So you think he wants me to spank him back?” I ask and he gives a little shrug, “Well I guess I could ask him right?” 

 

Joaquin leans back shaking his head “No, no, no he's already embarrassed just act casual act like it never happened” 

 

“I can do that” I pause and get up to leave, “I haven't even said anything about your hangover” I hear him gasp I laugh a little giving him a quick hug goodbye as he wishes me luck. 

 

Later that day 

 

He didn't answer a single phone call he was embarrassed about last night's incident. But the idea of getting him back was running wild in My mind I was almost counting down every minute until he came home so I could try it out. 

When he did he looked at me sheepishly giving me a quick kiss and smiling nervously “Look about last night I-” he stopped and looked down at the ground with one hand rubbing the back of his neck and the other behind him. 

 

I could tell he didn't know what to say so I did the most reasonable thing I could think of in that moment. I did what he wanted to be done to him. His eyes went wide his face was red his mouth hung open in shock. 

 

“OH, MY GOD!” I hear Lucas shout I quickly look at him and now my face is red, he runs away to his room and I follow after him leaving Manolo alone and flabbergasted ‘Great now it looks like I am avoiding it

Manolos Pov 

 

As I sit on the couch fixing a guitar that needs no repair of any sort, I think about what just happened. She spanked me back was this the sign that she wanted that to happen again? I fiddle around with the guitar as I pull off a string to replace it. Of course, of all the things that could happen, Lucas saw it and that was worse they didn't need to let their kids catch them in the act. I hear her come towards me and I sigh I set the guitar aside and try and compose myself, she sits next to me and I can hear her let out an exhausted sigh. I don't know where to start but I try, “How's Lucas?”  I ask turning to face her Im still embarrassed and I know she can tell Maria has always been able to read me like a book. 

 

“He's alright I explained to him what happened” She pauses before continuing, “Just bits and pieces” She pauses again to look at me she looks confused and a bit concerned, “But why did you do that? Last night?” That catches me off guard, I thought she wanted this? That's what she told her Tia.

 

“What do you mean you said that's what you wanted last night on the phone” Now she looked lost.

 

“When did I say I wanted you to…” She stops and smiles a bit, “ Last night when I was on the phone with my Tia we were talking about Lucas” And now Im lost and embarrassed and ashamed. “She told me that maybe spanking him would help motivate him to clean his room”

 

“So it was just a misunderstanding?” I ask looking down at the floor instead of her I was such an idiot why didn't I just ask? “You weren't talking about our bed life?” she laughs and takes my chin into her hand making me look at her. 

 

“God no why would I ever tell my tia about that?” Maria asks smiling gently but still holding back her laugh.

 

“I'm sorry I should've asked but I just thought because of what you said…you just wanted it to be done” I feel ashamed and when she laughs again I can't help but ask, “Why are you laughing?” she stops and looks dead at me.

 

“Because I spent all morning thinking about it, went to Joaquin's house to ask what to do, and he told me to do it back instead of asking then thinking about doing it all day, and all because you heard me talk without context” She gives me a quick reassuring kiss and continues, “Its okay Manolo for what it's worth It was kind of” she pauses ad her face grows a little red, “hot? In a weird way and nice?”  she looks a little confused herself but I can tell she did like it which was a little weird to think and I couldn't help but laugh. “It was! Sure I was a little weirded out by it but I liked it” She defends herself and with her free hand pushes me back freeing me from her grasp, But I can't help but let out little snorts. All I could think about at work was last night and how awkward it was to not be able to call her, If I had my damn phone charged we wouldn't have had to be so awkward about it. I stop laughing and I move closer to her her arms are crossed and she looks at me with a fake poting face.

 

“I can't believe you liked that” I smile at her and her face is the deepest shade of red I've seen, “here I was ashamed all day thinking you didn't like what I did, and come to find out you did” I laugh a little again but she looks at me sheepishly smiling and I can't help but wrap my arms around her kissing her neck to the corner of her mouth while she laughs and attempts to half-heartedly push me away. “I can't believe you liked that” I stop and now she's smirking I can tell she has some idea in her head. 

 

“I know what we both thought, that we were lacking in our sex life” I look at her bewildered but I nod she frowns but continues, “And there will never be a time when that happens…at least for me I'm happy with how you do in bed” I look at her bashfully but agree.

 

“And there will never be a time when that happens with me either, I will always be happy with what we do, Always” I kiss her again but this time she pulls back eyeing the stairs and I know what she's thinking now. I'm glad the girls are away is the look in her eyes, “Is he asleep?” I ask and she nods. I grin standing up to pick Maria up and carry her up to our room bridal style, “Do you want to try out your newfound liking?” 

 

She laughs as I toss her onto the bed and I move to hover above her, “I love you so much” 

 

I kiss her again and grin, “And I love you to much”

 

Notes:

This chapter was inspired by a episode of modern Family if you haven’t seen it I ask that you give the show a try. Until next time✌🏽

Chapter 10: The things that go unsaid

Summary:

The general and Manolo share a moment

Notes:

Okay okay I know I hate the general to but I would like to believe that at some point he would warm up to Manolo

The General Grumbled poking at a map, “Tell me again why you need every soldier we have?” 

 

Joaquin sighed the general could be difficult, “Well I need them so I can train them what we're doing here isn't working” his demanding tone made the general lean back a little, “I believe training them under harsh conditions will help them just like it did to me” 

“Well that's because you were a son of a great soldier” he doesn't say ‘ you had a medal that made him semi-immortal’. 

 

“Am” Joaquin folds his arms knowing what the general meant. Ever since it was revealed that he used a magic medal no one would look at him the same…and sometimes it hurt. Now the townspeople looked at him as if he were a fraud, not a hero. 

 

“Yes….fine take them” As the general stands up to leave he casts Joaquin a glare, “But bring them back the moment you are done, we don't have anyone to protect us” ‘We do not have a hero anymore’ he doesn't say.  

 

“Si Mi general” Joaquin stands and follows him out, he goes home packs his few things, and leaves to grab the soldiers. Hopefully, he’d come back to the general to prove he was still the hero of the town.

 

The next day

 

“Joaquin said he should be back in about two weeks” Maria sets done the note Joaquin left behind and moves over to the kitchen where Manolo is. “So we have his whole house to ourselves” She grins hugging Manolo from behind. 

 

“Mhmm Amor you're going to make me burn the eggs again” he wiggles out of her hold making her pout, “Could you pass me the chiles?” 

 

“Or we could skip breakfast and do something else~” as he turns off the stove Maria moves in front of him she smiles seductively making Manolo chuckle.

 

“Or we could eat and do it afterward?” he suggests giving her a quick peck and moving over to put the eggs on another plate. Maria groans again, “Oh come on you and I both know you like it when I make you wait” He grins and mashes up the chiles that Maria failed to hand him.

 Maria sighs but nods, “Fine later then?” 

 

“Definitely Lat-” There's a knock at the door making both of them confused they hadn't planned to have anyone over today.  Then just as Maria was making it to the door there was banging from the kitchen Manolo glances over at Maria panic in his eyes. They both knew who it was. 

 

“Hey Papa” Maria forces a smile as she opens the door, “What are you doing here? This early?”  and just like that his sexually frustrated wife was gone. 

 

“Buenos dias Mija” He leans in for a hug and eyes Manolos, “I came for Manolo” Manolo's blood has gone cold ‘ he came for me’. 

 

“Oh really? What for?” Maria asks moving to let her father in, there's a small smile on her face and Manolo forces himself to smile. 

 

“Well since Joaquin took all the soldiers there's no one to patrol the town other than myself and very few skilled swords men” he huffs sitting down at the table, watching Manolo carefully, “Then I thought how about Manolo, he's good with swords aren't you?” 

 

Manolo looks at the general nodding, “I guess so” Manolo sets down the chile next to the eggs “But you want me to watch the outskirts of town? Alone?” 

 

“Not alone. With me” Manolo can't help but glance at Maria she too is in as much shock as Manolo. “I'm not as agile as I used to be so I need you to help” 

 

Manolo moves over to Maria whispering, “Your dad isn't trying to kill me is he?” he receives a blow to his ribs making him double over. The answer was no and go with him, “I guess I could go” At this the general smiled. 

 

“When your ready come to the bridge” Without another word he leaves there wasn't even a good morning greeting for Manolo, he supposed it never was with his father-in-law.  

 

“Wow after this my dad might like you!” Maria grinned giving Manolo a tight hug he laughs nervously but hugs her back. He doubts the general will ever like him there was always a noticeable tension between the two even Joaquin joked about it. 

 

“Yea he might but what are the chances he kills me at the bridge?” He jokes but receives a stern look from her, “I'm being serious you know your dad, he doesn't like me at all!” Manolo frowns.

 

“But maybe after this, he will see you the way I see you” Maria gives him a gentle smile cupping his cheek, “I know how difficult he can be with you but he's my dad and your my husband, It would be nice to see you guys at least spend one time together without you thinking he’ll kill you” Maria kisses him and pats his chest she moves back smiling up at him, “Please?”  

 

Manolo sighs and gives in he would keep trying even if the general wanted nothing more than to get rid of him. He ate quickly and left for his old home to pick up his sword. It was sad stepping in there again it was merely a memory of what once was. The halls were empty, rooms were empty, and only his old room had things in it. each step was an echo. He headed to the kitchen where he remembers his father's talks about how to move around a bull and avoid it. But there were also talks about family recipes and laughter from his great grandma when he said the wrong ingredients, looking back he realizes he did it for her and Manolo to fill the hole Carmen had left. Carmen was the woman who made everyone in that house laugh, after her death there was nothing but silence until Carlos decided to bring life to the home again. 

 

There at the kitchen was the connection between the house and the arena with a small area with swords and capes lined on walls and on the other end was the entrance to another room and a bigger hall with pictures of the Sanchez clan and the second entrance to the arena. He grabs one and heads out the door fast not looking back it still hurt to go in. he heads to the bridge and sees the general waiting for him. 

 

“I almost thought you wouldn't come” he sneers, “What took you so long?” he turns his back and walks to the other side Manolo hurries to follow him. 

 

“I couldn't find my sword,” He says sheepishly and shrinks when hears the general scoff. 

 

“You have thousands of swords don't you?” he asks and moves over to a tree setting down a few things.

 

“Yes but some of them are special” Manolo keeps his eyes on the empty desert ahead of him. “Some are specifically for bulls”

 

The general scoffs, “Swords can't be that different” Manolo smiles a bit taking the general aback. 

 

“Well the swords I used were shorter, and only meant for thrusting” Manolo looks to the general and he can see he looks a bit interested making him a bit proud. “These are longer and you can move them around a lot nicer than the other ones when fighting of course”  he adds making sure to get this moment right. 

 

The general gives him a small smile and Manolo can't help but feel a sense of pride. 

“I always thought they were different” he looks back out to the dessert a thoughtful look on his face. 

 

Manolo traces figures down on the sand, all though he's never said it and wouldn't admit it to the general, he wanted the general to like him to see him as someone who was worthy of being his son-in-law, to see him as someone worthy of marrying his daughter even if his opinion didn't matter in the first place. Though he never say it he wanted the general to be proud of him. There was no better feeling than having a father-in-laws approval to his son-in-law, even if it would never be possible. He wonders how to get that sort of approval and figures it out quite too easily, he's a general with stories that he wants to share. “So uh General what was your first battle like?” at this, the General turns to face him he looked confused as if he didn't hear what Manolo said right? 

 

Was he really asking? “Well admittedly it was scary” he tests the waters Manolo looks honest and has a genuine curiosity, “I didn't know if I would go back home to see my father and mother” he pauses and looks down to the ground, “I was scared of losing my friends, my first battle was terrible we lost we were ambushed by the apache during the night. I was lucky my friends not so much” the general smiles wistfully looking up to Manolo, “In some ways you remind me of one of them, he didn't want to kill someone, just like you didn't want to kill a bull. He talked to me about it just like you talked to Joaquin about it. He was a good man” ‘Like you’ he doesn't say but it's implied.

 

 this makes Manolo smile a bit more and feel a bit more proud, “What happened to him?” 

 

“He was killed in the end we both made a promise if one of us came out we would take a toast whenever we were at a certain time and day” The general shook his head laughing, “He was a sentimental guy like you a big softie always writing letters to his love like you and my daughter” he sighs this was nice he had never told anyone about his glory days without making it a lesson. “Anyways the second time they tried to ambush us we were ready but I was almost killed” Manolo gasps making the general smile “But my sergeant saved me telling me to keep my guard up, he gave me a stern talk that day” his sergeant never liked him but the feeling was mutual. “After that, we got back to positions and that battle was the first of many victories.”

 

“Wow you must have war stories that last a lifetime” Manolo smiles and sits down on the ground he’ll admit it was nice hearing him talk about war as he went on about other wars and battles he can't help but like the feeling of being around the general, hours ago he wanted to be nowhere near him but now he enjoys his company. 

 

Eventually the general stops and asks Manolo a question, “And how about you? What was your first bull like?” The general looks at him curiously, he had probably gone hours without end talking about battles. It was his turn to learn something about Manolo.

 

“It was scary, my first bull was huge I was afraid of getting hit and getting stomped by the bull. Or having it stab my stomach” Manolo laughed at all the times his father would roll his eyes when he told him this. “I was grazed more than once when I practiced alone for the first time, my dad made me stay in until I couldn't move fast enough anymore” As harsh as it was looking back on it he almost missed that moment. He heard the general laugh and Manolo was glad to know he was the cause of it. “Then he lectured me while I wrapped myself up, that's how I learned how to do stitches and other wound stuff” 

 

As Manolo went on with his bullfighting life and even reenacted a few of his stunts. for the first time in the months that his daughter and Manolo had married he actually enjoyed Manolos presence where once he had seen Manolo as the annoyance in his life he now saw it as something….nice. The general noticed it was starting to get dark out and even though he wouldn't admit it he didn't want this moment to end but all good things come to an end. “Well Manolo it's getting dark out we should head back to town” 

 

Manolo looked at the general a bit stunned, “But shouldn't we stay? In case they come at night?” 

 

“Yes, but I don't think we will get any visitors tonight” The general smiled and turned to walk away.  He found talking to someone inexperienced about war was much better than talking to someone with experience because someone without experience was much more fascinated by his war tales. He also learned a few things about Manolo things that would stay between the two of them. 

 

Manolo followed after him had he done it? And he made General Ramiro proud of him? He hoped. before he could enter Joaquins home the general stopped him, “I look forward to this tomorrow good night” ‘I enjoyed this’ he didn't say. he smiled at him and left Manolo was left with a feeling of pride that was a good sign. 

 

Maria opened the door her husband looking very happy and in one piece “Im assuming it went well?” she was a bit caught off guard when he moved to hug her tightly it felt different than the other hugs he had ever given her. 

 

“It went great” He felt worthy, accepted, and above all the feeling of a father-in-law approving his son-in-law. If only for a moment.

 

Notes:

Let me know what you guys think about Manolo and the general do you think they would ever get along? I might do another chapter like this idk until then see ya ✌🏽

Chapter 11: This is what I wanted. Right?

Summary:

Maria wants Manolo home she wonders is the married life what she wanted?

 “Selena let your sister go!” Maria rushed over to pull her daughters apart while glaring at Manolo, “See this is what I'm talking about Manolo!” 

 

“I just got here!” He yells back defensively and takes his daughters to the couch. 

 

“That's my point your not here!” Maria yells scoffing and throwing the knife into the sink, “You're always at the bars!” 

 

he scoffs but laughs dryly, “Always? I'm here right now!” 

 

“Yeah, but you are leaving again aren't you?” Maria laughs in disbelief when he looks down at his feet, “Answer me Manolo” she hisses and he nods. Was this the life she wanted? Years ago if you told her she would be married with three kids she would laugh right in your face. As she glares at her husband she wonders what changed. 

 

Years ago

“What about you Maria? Are you getting married?” her friend Claudia teased her nudging her shoulder

 

“God no I'm going all around the world before I ever Marry” Maria rolls her eyes making all the girls giggle and some go in shock.

 

“What about kids?” one girl asks making Maria laugh.

 

“Nope wouldn't have the time if I'm traveling” Another girl laughs but nods in agreement.

 

“See I'm not the only one who doesn't want kids” The girls laugh but Claudia smirks.

 

“Really no kids or marriage?” Claudia asks slyly, Maria shakes her head “Huh that's too bad because I think Mateo wants what you don't want” Maria spits out her drink and falls into a coughing fit. While a girl tried to help out Maria the others were shocked. The girl who would never marry had a love interest in someone who did? it's almost laughable.

 

Maria regains control and thanks the girl and shoots a glare at her friend “Me and Mateo are only friends” 

 

“Really?” Claudia’s sly smile grows, “So what I saw yesterday was just an accident?” Maria blushes but dares not to show her face to her friends and instead attempts to hide it with her cup. 

 

“I don't know what you saw but whatever it was isn't what you think” Maria clears her throat to avoid the squeak she does when she lies, but her friend knows better than that. 

 

“Really? Then why did you clear your throat?” she presses on smirking when Maria squirms under her gaze. “So you did kiss him” The others gasp and look at Maria in disbelief. 

 

“No way!” 

“You kissed him?”

“What'd he say?” 

“What did you do afterward!” 

“She's seventeen!” 

“So? You did it!” all the girls are talking over each other making Maria lose her mind 

 

“We just kissed once it wasn't anything special or anything” Maria shrugs and stuffs down all her feelings. “Marriage or love isn't on my agenda and it never will be” but her friend Claudia gives her a gentle smile. 

 

“People who say never always end up doing it” After a while everyone decides to sleep. Everyone except Maria. She opens up one of the letters from Joaquin he had received another Medal for another courageous act. She then opens one from Manolo, he had been in Spain for a while to see bullfights with his dad. She wonders if he was anywhere near her when he was here. She sighs and stuffs the letters back into her drawer. She stares up at the moon wondering if what Claudia said was true. 

 

The next day she saw Mateo again while her group was busy they snuck away into town. His red hair is messy and slicked back green eyes shining under the sun and for a moment she wonders what life would be with someone like him, someone as goofy and outgoing as he is. 

 

“So then Antonio swung around the sword, missed the dummy, and hit the teacher” he laughs leaning a little closer to her. “He got a suspension but it wasn't his fault” he sighs and takes another bite from his flan the creamy soft deliciousness she had never known about until two weeks ago.

 

“Was he aiming for the dummy?” she asks and throws her trash into a bin.

 

“If you mean the instructor then yes” he smiles and throws his trash away as well and lets Maria rest her head on his shoulder. 

 

“Then he deserved the suspension” She smiles as he puts his arm on her shoulder.

He laughs again but agrees. For a moment she wonders what life in Spain with him could be like. What would being married to him be like?

 

“Your thinking,” He says out loud making her look at him through her lashes, “are you thinking about home?” he asks a hint of sadness is in there and she frowns. 

 

“No, I'm thinking about here” he gives a soft Oh and he seems a bit happier now. 

 

“What if you stayed?” he asks looking down at their intertwined hands, “here in Spain, and visit your hometown?” he sounds hopeful and she hates it. 

 

“I can't, I feel like something is pulling me back” he frowns but sighs he knows he's known for a while now.

 

“Is it him?” 

 

“I don't know” She closes her eyes and tries to picture herself with Mateo but when she does it's replaced with someone else. “But I’ll come back” 

 

“Right” ‘No you won't’ is what he says “I’ll wait then” he frowns he knows he lost.

 

She showed her how to love someone they never went to the next step but something she took from her first lover was, it's nice to love someone, to have someone in your ups and downs, to have someone who will always be there for you, to have someone to love and to be loved back. To love someone even when they have imperfections. To love someone without any strings attached. 

Her glare softens, then she cries Manolo is confused now just a moment ago she was angry and now here she was breaking down was it something he said? He hadn't said much, “Maria?” he asks softly while holding up a finger to keep the kids quiet. 

 

“Is mami sad?” Selena asks, “I don't want mami to be sad” She tugs at her father's coat and he nods.  

 

He puts a hand on her shoulder the moment he does she crashes into his chest hugging him tightly he hugs her back just as tight. She says something but it's muffled by his chest but he doesn't dare pull away. He rubs her back soothingly and sits them both down on the couch without breaking the hug. “Are you okay?” she shakes her head and he holds her tighter, “I'm sorry I'm gone so much I don't mean to” She sniffles and he takes it as his cue to continue, “Truth be told I'm used to being a dad yet” he pauses and he's ashamed of himself, “as much as I love the girls and you I'm not used to it yet” he sighs, “I'm sorry I just needed time to get used to this” he kisses her head and he hears her sniffle again she pulls back and looks up to him. She looks at him softly, her eyes are red and puffy her cheeks are stained with tears and her nose is runny, he frowns and puts a hand under her chin, “I'm sorry I'm gone so much, I promise you I’ll fix it” 

 

“I'm sorry for yelling” Manolo sighs and shakes his head. 

“Don't be I deserved it” he frowns, “I've been gone so much lately and I shouldn't be, I should be here with you. I'm not leaving for a good while now” he pauses and gives her a small smile, “Ill never be gone so much. Not anymore” Maria smiles and wipes her tears away. “You had and have every right to be mad at me, I'm sorry for being such a lousy dad and husband”

 

“You're, not a lousy dad or husband” she reassures him before continuing, “I just need you to be here more” 

 

“And I will be from now on I will be” Manolo nods and kisses her forehead while wiping her tears away and wiping off her snot with his jacket sleeve. She remembers now, why things changed, it was the letter he sent so many years ago. 

 

Tu favorito guitarrista, 

 

So…I like someone, and I'm not sure what to tell her could you check this song Im making? 

Pídeme el silencio que no me hace falta

Lo único que quiero es que nunca te vayas

(Ask me for silence I won’t disappoint you

The only thing I want is for you to never go away)

 

Pídeme la luna para ir por ella

O tal vez prefieras la rosa más bella

(Ill go for the moon if you ask,

Or maybe you want the prettiest rose)

 

Pide lo que quieras, pero no me pidas

Que yo me olvide de ti

(Ask me for whatever you want but never

 ask me To forget you)

 

What do you think do you think? will she like it? God, I hope so because Joaquin's poems for me aren't helping. Let me know as soon as you get this!

Hope to see you soon

Tu Favorito Musico

 

It was the first time she had felt any jealousy towards another woman. Why hadn't he written it for her? Thats why things changed she realized she loved him and it was stupid when she found out because she wrote it in her letter to him in her own words she had said ‘I think I love you’ and for a month or two received no letter back and once she did he didn't mention that part but she knew that they were both changed in an instant. That's why she changed she saw a future with Manolo a future with ups and downs, she saw her future unfold in silver and gold. 

 

“Promise me you won't be gone for so long?” she whispered looking deep into his eyes “You’ll be here from now on?”

 

“I promise” Manolo nods, “from now on I’ll be here” he smiles, “I would hate to lose the only thing I have left” he motions for the girls to join in on the hug they run over squeezing their mother and Manolo wraps his arms around the the three of them, “I’ll be here always”

And now she is certain this is what she wanted. A life with him was all she ever wanted. Even if he want perfect. 

Notes:

Hope u enjoyed this until next time ✌🏽

Chapter 12: All we’re getting is fiction

Summary:

Maria and Manolo get walked in on
As requested by Astheworldcaves4

Notes:

This was fun to write also collage sucks 😪

“Oh god,” she whines when Manolo makes his way down slower she covers her face with her hands knowing anything she does will make him go slower. He loved making her wait. 

 

“Hm?” He makes his way back up grinning, “Did you say something?” Maria pushes him down eagerly, but he resists a deep throaty laugh comes from him sending her over the edge of sanity. 

 

“So help me Manolo if you don't get down there-” he shuts her up with a quick kiss and gets back to work. 

 

“Okay fine fine” He continues kissing his way down and just as he is about to kiss the holy grail the door swings open. 

 

“Happy Birthday Mann-” Joaquin stops and looks at them in shock in horror,  Maria tries to cover herself with the blanket but it won't budge, Manolo hides his face in a less than decent area, and the plate of flan almost fell to the ground but he pulled the plate back up before shouting, “OH My God!” He turns away covering his eyes with one hand and quickly closes the door with the other without another word the door is shut. 

 

They are both bright red, both equally embarrassed and horrified. “No mames” Manolo groans, he picks his head up from between her legs looking as red as a tomato. “Did that really just happen?” he moves up next to Maria and lets her lean against him. 

 

“It sure was” she groans pulling the blanket up to hide herself, “We are never going to hear the end of it” She turns to him frowning, “Things are going to be so weird now” he nods the moment is gone now.  They look at each other equally horrified. 

 

He sighs leaning his head up against the wall, “We are never going to hear the end of it from him, it's gonna be so awkward” Manolo lets out a heavy sigh as Maria stokes his arm. “And we can't not talk about it we live with him” 

 

“Let's just think about what our next move is, How do we you know” Maria looks up at him and he stares ahead looking confused.

 

“How do we What?” 

 

“You know” 

 

“No, I don’t” 

 

“You know like” she trails off and he is more confused but he realizes what she means they were both still a little high on love

 

“Oh you mean apologize to him?”  

 

She snaps her fingers nodding, “Yeah that sorry my mind is still a little fuzzy” 

He chuckles but shrugs, “I am not sure, but we can find a way” 

Joaquin sat at the kitchen table he had long since tried putting holy water in his eyes. He sat there staring down the flan as if staring at it would erase the memory of walking in on his best friends for he had seen everything…Everything Joaquin groaned rubbing his eyes in frustration, shame, and embarrassment. He wished they were louder like they were during the night. To keep him away from the door or anywhere near not that he hated it but it wasn't the best thing to listen to, it's weird hearing them.  Just then he heard footsteps upstairs and other sets of footsteps coming down the stairs. 

 

He took in a deep breath as the steps got closer It was Manolo smiling sheepishly face flushed and ashamed, “Good morning” Joaquin decided to move past the incident and let Manolo bring it up when he felt comfortable.

 

“Thank you, um good morning” he cleared his throat and served himself some juice.

 

“I'm guessing you are hungry?” Joaquin asks stupidly Of course Manolo was hungry he’d just done the deed. 

 

“Yeah,” he squeaks out and sits across from Joaquin.

 

“Thought so after you know” In his head, Joaquin had beat himself up twice, “takes energy from you” Manolo nodded and held his juice close. He wondered how people did it so early in the morning. How do they have that much energy?  So much for letting Manolo bring it up. To be completely honest neither of them was the best in awkward situations, “well Happy birthday” he pauses and stupidly adds, “Looks like you're having a pretty good one so far” 

 

“Thank you” he smiles embarrassingly adding “I've had a good one so far” In his own mind the bull has killed him twice. He stuffs the flan in his mouth so quickly that he doesn't even taste it. After he finishes both men are staring at each other in complete awkward silence. 

 

She coughs into her hand catching both of the men's attention the silence is still there but now it's louder. She sits right next to Manolo and awkwardly eyes the ground before entering She had everything thought out now her mind has gone blank. 

 

The silence grows louder the tension is as thick as iron they stare in awkward uncomfortable silence. Before Manolo can say anything they hear the door open and the queit giggling of Lucas. 

 

“Jesus you are so awkward about it” Selena slapped her sister’s back snorting, “You were like ‘Yeah sure’” Selena put on a fake shy face mocking her sister 

 

“Okay I didn't sound that dumb” Ana protested but before she could continue she saw her father raising a brow “Um Buenos dias” she smiled but neither of them picked up on the tension. 

 

“Buenos dias,” the three amigos say in unison The three of them look at each other in a weird way, something happened while they were away. 

 

Selena puts away her snacks smacking away Lucas’s hand when he reaches to grab her chips, “You guys okay?” she gasps, “Are you regretting your marriage?” Lucas shoots his sister a confused look. To say the question caught the three amigos off graud was an understatement, considering what just happened. 

 

“What No” Maria whispers out Selena tilts her head confused, Maria clears her throat and shakes her head, “No we were talking about adult stuff” She pauses and looks to the two men, “Like adults do we handle this like adults” she adds sternly, “could you three give us a moment?” Selena nods but before she can walk out Maria grabs her by the hand, “And don't think we won't talk about how you girls snuck out last night” 

 

Selena looks back at her sister both equally terrified she turns back to her mother smiling innocently, “Sneaking out? Mama, we would never do-” Maria narrows her eyes on her making her shrink She lets go of her and they walk out.

 

“They snuck out?” Joaquin asks but quickly gets snapped back to reality

“Yes but that's not what we are going to talk about” Maria snapped, “Look we are sorry you walked in on us” 

 

“Are we? Cause he could have knocked”

 

“Hush you, look we are sorry for whatever you saw but yes Manolo is right you could have knocked I know you had good intentions but still knock” Joaquin sighed and rubbed his eyes nodding. 

 

“I know I'm sorry too I should have knocked first instead of just walking in….but in all fairness, It was supposed to be a surprise, maybe to help me out a little…” he pauses again searching for the right way to say it but there's no easy or appropriate way to say it, “Louder? But not too loud? But loud enough to hear and steer clear? You know?”  Manolo makes a face and can't help but let out a little laugh but he nods.

 

“Yeah, I know what you mean, sorry Joaquin” Manolo sighed but still smiled a bit, “Thanks for the surprise though, it's the thought that counts so thank you even if it backfried for you and me” Maria kicks his foot, “and Maria” he adds shrugging. 

 

“Thank you, though I can’t say I'm not scarred for life” Joaquin loosens up he smiles even his mustache perks up. 

 

Manolo's face is flushed once again he rubs the back of his neck a nervous smile creeps onto his face, “Out of curiosity how much did you see?” 

 

Joaquin makes a disgusted face and shudders, “Too much, we are to never speak of this again” Manolo and Maria nod, never again will they be caught. 

Later that day 

 

“So where does mom want these again?” Lucas looks around having forgotten his mother's instructions he receives a blank stare from Selena. 

 

“On the floor” 

 

“Really?” 

 

“No como cres? She wants them on the table menso” Selena rolls her eyes in annoyance. While Lucas scoffs and sets the arrangement on the table. 

“Why can't you be nice?” Lucas walks outside and heads over to Joaquin. 

 

Selena shrugs and walks over to Ana throwing an elbow onto the counter smiling, “Hey so what did mom say?” 

 

“She said no, not in a million years” Ana lifts her brows in mock surprise, “I wonder way she would say no ” 

 

“All because you hit Lucas with the rope” Selena shakes her head in disappointment, “If only you listened to me” 

 

Ana laughs, “Right because you said that window was your window” 

 

“No I said I think Its m-” Ana quickly silenced her sister by covering her mouth with her hand making Selena look down at her sister, the audacity of this girl. Selena quickly removed her sister's hand “Don't you dare shush me again” Ana wasn't looking at her but looking at the door to the cellar. 

 

“Shush you, do you hear that?” Ana pressed a finger to her lips looking back at her sister the look of offense was priceless but right now she was focused on something else. Selena nodded together they walked over to the door quietly opened it and headed down the stairs, the noise was getting louder. 

 

“What is that?” Selena whispered to Ana who was right behind her going down cautiously and soundlessly. She simply shrugged, the sounds were louder now. 

As they stepped onto the cold hard ground they looked around seeing nothing At first they decided to look around and locate where the sound was coming from. As they walked quietly they turned a corner and walked along scared when the sounds were getting louder. “Do you think it's a rat?” Ana shook her head and just as they were about to turn the corner again, they heard something they would never like to hear again. 

 

“Ay Mi Amor” their mother gasped out Selena and Ana looked at each other petrified and shocked.

 

“Mama?” Selena asked loudly Suddenly the sounds ceased the strange gasps and giggles were gone everything was quiet. “Mama? Is that you?” suddenly there were hushed whispers and zips. Then Maria stood before them hair disheveled, her dress crumpled up and wrinkled her neck had little marks around it Maria smiled she looked drunk. 

“Hey girls what are you doing down here?” her voice was an octave higher her hands hidden behind her back, “Shouldn't you be upstairs?” Selena and Ana look at each other They both know what happened they knew and now it was locked in and tucked away into their memory. 

 

“What are you doing down here?” Selena asked She saw her mother fiddle with her dress something Selena did when she was prepared to Lie. “And don't lie” The irony in that. Just a few moments ago Maria had said the same thing to her. 

 

“I came down here for a drink and-” her eyes shifted upwards moving side to side as if signaling something. Ana looked behind her and saw her father, his hair messy and shirt unbuttoned and wrinkled his neck decorated in purple and red marks much like their mothers. Maria quickly laughed a little too loudly, “Your dad was here helping me we didn't find what we wanted though” she shrugged moving past them and joining Manolo she threw an arm over his shoulder, “so we're heading to the Tienditas want anything?” she asked a little too quick confirming what the twins had thought was going own just moments before.  

 

“No, we're okay right Ana?” Selena raised her brows looking at her sister and Ana nodded. 

 

“We're fine thank you” Ana adds smiling 

 

“Are you girls sure?” Manolo asked his voice groggy and thick, “Anything at all?” 

 

“Nope” The moment they were gone both girls looked at each other disgusted, “You know what they were doing right?” Ana shudders but nods. 

 

“We will never bring this up” Ana adds staring down at the ground, “never we take this to our graves” 

 

“To the graves” Selena adds together they head upstairs. 

 

Lucas picks up on their sudden change of mood not that it is unusual they were girls and Dad said they were complicated teenage girl things. but still, something felt different, “You okay?” he asks Ana she simply shakes her head and walks away.

He walks over to Selena, “Hey what's up with Ana? Is she okay?”  

 

“I hope you never have to hear it” Selena says and with that walks away. 

Lucas looks at them confused, Teenage girl things are weird. 

Notes:

Maybe a part 2 to this 👀 idk until next time ✌🏽

Chapter 13: Tres veces

Summary:

(In this it’s 1945) It’s Mexico’s 124th aniversario de la independencia Lucas decides to sign up for the play to catch his crushes attention. But things don’t go as planned during the play
Lucas is 14
Selena and Ana are 16

Notes:

Originally this was supposed to be out yesterday because yesterday was the grito and all that but I was really tired and forgot. Then I was trying to figure out how to put a picture in here and I did but couldn’t get the text 😅 thus I had to remove this and try again. I will warn you the drawing isn’t all that great but I tried 🤷🏽♀️ But anyways enjoy and VIVA MEXICO CABRONES 🇲🇽🥳

 

As the days drew closer to September and to that one day of the year Lucas tried everything to avoid embarrassment. But of course, no such thing could happen when you have sisters who never let anything go especially one, and this year they were ruthless. You mess up once and they eat you alive. Lucas sighs and sits on a bench near the town's fountain waiting for his friend. It doesn't take very long for his friend Francisco to show his black hair was swept to the side his hazel eyes showed nothing but mischief.

 

“Hey, Lucas!” He grins and dashes over to him panting he has something in his hands and Lucas can't tell if it's good or not.  But this was Francisco, most likely nothing good.

 

“Hey, Pancho whatcha got there?” He asks eyeing his hands suspiciously Lucas tilts his head trying to get a better look but Francisco's widening smile worries him.

 

“Nothing much I just wanted to show you something - I know you'd love to do” Francisco holds out the piece of paper for Lucas to see. It's a poster about a play for Mexico's independence they were holding auditions and needed more participants mainly kids. “I know how much you'd love to do this, so I signed you up!” Lucas’s anger rose Francisco knew how much he hated it.

 

“You signed me up!?” he lashed out but seeing his friend was unfazed angered him more, “you know how much I hate it!” he quickly snatched the poster from his hands ripped it, and crumpled it up tossing it at his friends face. 

 

Francisco smiles picking up the poster from the ground, “Yes I know but the only way to recover from what you did is to redo it and do it better” 

 

“I was literally the town's biggest joke! Do you have any Idea how much I dreaded coming out of my room?” Lucas runs his hands down his face groaning, “Not only that my sisters have never not made fun of it! They have only ever brought it up over and over and over again!” Lucas grabs his friend by the shoulders shaking him, “Why the heck would you do this?” Francisco's smile never leaves his lips. 

 

“Oh come on don't exaggerate! It wasn't that bad!”  Francisco chuckles but seeing the anger in his friend's eye was a bit scary. “Come on tell me how bad it was” Lucas lets go of his shoulders and sits down on the bench nearby frowning.

 

“It was terrible-”

 

1 year ago 

 

The town was throwing another play for Mexico's 125th year of independence. Ana and Selena had already signed up only one left to sign up was Lucas. 

“Oh come on why won't you?” Ana frowns pushing her brother lightly, “It'll be fun!” 

 

“I'm sure it will but I'm not doing it” he continues ignoring his sister as she list all the possible reason to sign up. None of which catch his attention. He has no intention of joining or trying out. 

 

“Come on Lucas!” Ana nudges his shoulder, “and you know who's gonna be there?” she asks smirking when it catches his attention, “Martha Solis” Lucas stops and covers his face to avoid his sister's triumphant smile. “She playing the lead role, if you get Lucky you could play the second lead role and - sort of talk to her” 

 

With this information, Lucas can’t help the growing love-struck smile on his face and he hates it. Hates that his sister knows how to get him. “When are tryouts?” he asks still hiding his face he can feel his sister looking up at him with the most victorious smug smile he can imagine. 

 

“Tomorrow at eight in the morning, I'll take you” 

 

“I think I can manage” 

 

“You will do anything for that girl won't you?” Ana laughs and he hates it and loves it at the same time. 

 

“No I wouldn’t” Lucas keeps his face hidden, and Ana shoves him playfully making him smile a bit. 

 

The next day

 

The early bird catches the worm, what a weird saying. Odd worms only come out during the rain not in the morning for no reason, his train of thought is stopped abruptly when he sees Lucas walking to the door. “Y tu? Ni dices buenos dias? Ni dices a donde vas? (and you? You don't even say good morning, not even where you are going?” Manolo furrows his brows, and Lucas looks over at him like a boy who was just caught stealing. Manolo however is confused it’s Seven in the morning his son never woke up this early. He always wakes up late and even his appearance is different his brown hair was slicked back not a single strand out of place, and his clothes were nice to nice he was dressed to impress. He didn't have a date, did he? Did he need to give the talk ? No, he was only fourteen….then again he did some stupid things when he was fourteen. 

 

“Oh did I forget to tell you?” Lucas asks, “I'm going to try out for the play” Lucas looks at his father his shoulders relaxed and for a moment he wonders what his father is thinking but he has no time for such things. “Anyways I want to be there early so I’ll see you later!” he quickly leaves the house leaving Manolo a bit dumbfounded. 

 

It brings him comfort that he isn't meeting with a girl mainly because he didn't want to give a weird talk so early. But since when did Lucas show interest in signing up? Lucas was anything but someone who put himself in the spotlight. Why would he sign up was he doing it against his will? No probably not he looked too eager, happy, and willing to go. He wonders if he should follow him to see where he really goes yet at the same time he feels he shouldn’t, he remembers what it was like to be fourteen and stupid, but Lucas was better than him he knew better right? God being a parent to a teen is hard he briefly says sorry to his father, Manolo was definitely difficult for his father. 

 

Lucas runs down the scenarios each and every one of them he is there in the lead role with Martha and it makes him run faster he is by no means late heck he is way too early. there is no line at the home of the recruiter's home which leaves him time to practice his facial expressions and different voices and actions. He wonders if he should knock and get his audition done and over with but decides against it. Instead, he waits and decides what roles he would want if he did not get the lead role. After what seems like hours he hears the door unlock without waiting a second. he heads in and closes the door the Woman who was walking away stops and turns and looks down at him she looks concerned, shocked, and amused but mostly concerned. 

 

“How long have you been out there for?” she asks

 

“Um, an hour maybe? Oh and Buenos Dias” He flashes her a quick smile and quickly gets to the point if he wants the lead role, “My name is Lucas I'm here to audition for the play” he stands nice and tall trying to make a good impression on the woman. She hums in thought and after a few awkward seconds nods. 

 

“Go out to the patio I will meet you there” Lucas looks around until she finally points at a door that leads outside. He nods and watches her leave.

 

He stands out in the patio waiting for her to arrive when she does she has a cup of coffee and a booklet. She tosses the booklet to him and sits down in a chair not too far from him. “I want you to pick a person to play with and act it out” 

 

“Which one is the second lead role? Or first?” 

 

She gives him a small smile and shrugs, “Miguel Hidalgo”

 

“Doesn't he die super early?”  

 

“Okay then Agustin de Iturbide, you are the sixth kid to ask for this part” She sips her coffee and looks down at her chart, “You've got competition, I suggest you try your hardest- I don't give out lead roles” 

 

Lucas tries to shake away his nerves but they persist he needs it he simply nods. He looks for a line says it and moves on. Says another and without hesitation improvises he acts out some lines and yells when it says to he moves around pretending to talk to various people. He doesn't cast a single glance at the lady. He lets his imagination take over and forgets he's on the patio until he bumps into the table almost falling over. She catches his body laughing it makes him feel good, she likes his performance he has a chance.

“Aguas nino,” she writes more stuff down on her little chart her smile now faded, “You almost cracked your head open”  

 

Lucas smiles shyly and rubs the back of his neck, “Sorry senora I got a bit carried away there” 

 

She waves him off still writing down things, “Don't be, acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances, You actually felt the part” She smiles again and gets up, “Now we are done here come back in a week to see what part I give you” 

 

“Gracias senora” he walks towards the door and heads out feeling confident he’s got that part in the bag. As he heads out of the home and closes the door behind him he sees his father poking his head out from a corner. What the heck was he doing here? “Papa?” he walks over to the corner brows furrowed and eyes as sharp as an eagle, “Papa if you are hiding behind this corner then what the heck are you doing here?”  he doesn't hear anything and he turns the corner his stance relaxes. He sees no one there he is still imagining things. He heads home and sees his father and tio Joaquin talking on the couch. His father looks tense and drenched his hair is flat and resting on his forehead his small ponytail is clinging to his neck and is half undone Lucas wonders what they were up to since his tio looks fine.

 

“Hey there big guy how did your audition go?” Joaquin asks having noticed him and trying to save his friend from questioning, if he knew anything about Lucas it is that his questioning was so much like Marias. Lucas doesn't even look his way as he eyes his father suspiciously.

 

“I think it went pretty well,” he says and carefully sits across Manolo his eyes never leaving his father. 

 

“Oh well, that's good you feeling confident?” He is studying him and Manolo is doing horribly he is shifting his weight around and fidgeting, you'd think being a bullfighter would make you more relaxed under pressure.

 

“Yeah, I'm feeling confident” Lucas nods and sits back noticing his father's fingers moving as if he were playing his guitar that's something he does when he is hiding something. Then Manolo stuffs his hands in his pocket that's something else he also does. 

 

“Oh, who is the lead role?” Joaquin tries his hardest but Lucas is just like his mother. Too much if asked for Joaquin's opinion. 

 

“Miguel-” Lucas shakes his head a small smile forming on his lips, “Hmm Apa do you remember his name?” 

 

Manolo's eyes go wide god why couldn't Lucas be like him? “Um, I don't know” Manolo's voice is an octave higher he looks at Joaquin trying to get his help “I think-”

“Hidalgo right?” Joaquin butts in he knows Manolo doesn’t answer things as well under pressure. Lucas doesn’t look at him but nods. 

 

“Yeah Miguel Hidalgo, he's the lead role but I got the second one Agustin de crap I forgot his name” Once again he asks his father and makes sure to exclude his uncle, “You remember dad? Let's see if Dad knows his history Tio” 

 

Manolo chuckles nervously he considers giving in and admitting he followed him, but he can't. And just in the nick of time, he feels his wife's hand on his shoulder. “Buenos Dias” she bends down and kisses his cheek and frowns when her lips taste like salt, “Why are you sweating?” 

 

‘Oh god strike me down’ he thinks he has two choices he either confesses to following him or gets interrogated by two born detectives.  He gives in it's better this way he thinks, “All alright I admit it I followed you around Lucas” he sighs and lowers his head,  he doesn't see Lucas’s proud-looking smile,“It's just when you were up so early and looking so happy I panicked and thought you were going to do something you'd regret or something that would get you into trouble or danger-”  he looks back up at Lucas sighing, “I remembered what it was like being fourteen and getting into all sorts of trouble with ‘friends’ so I just wanted to look out for you make sure you made good decisions, I thought you were making up the audition thing because I used that more than once, I was just a bit afraid of losing your trust if you found out so I didn't want to tell you” He frowns and feels disappointment in himself, “Anyways I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have followed you” he sits up and sees Lucas's small smile. 

 

“Well you didn't lose my trust, and Thanks for looking out for me” Lucas chuckles stands up, and pats his dad on the back, “Just trust me next time okay?” Manolo nods he feels proud now maybe he didn't do anything wrong. Once Lucas is out of the living room Joaquin is glaring daggers into his friend.

 

“What about me Manny? You used me as a human shield, do you have any idea how nerve-wracking it was He is just like your wife!” Joaquin points a finger at Maria, “no offense or anything but seriously he is exactly like you!” 

 

“No offense taken, if anything it's great that means no one will be able to hide anything from him” Maria shrugs and takes a seat next to Manolo. “You did the right thing mi amor, you were looking out for him even if it risked losing his trust” Manolo sighs and gives her a small smile and looks over to Joaquin.

 

“Thanks for being my shield” 

 

“Anytime” 

7 weeks later

Lucas looks through the curtain seeing most of the town is here, he looks over to his sisters both look so confident and ready and here he is a sweating fumbling mess. He had gotten the lead role so now all he had to do was perform well enough that Martha might notice him. 

But now he isn't so sure he sits on a stool next to his sisters, Ana is too busy trying to fix her makeup and Selena is as cool as a cucumber messing with her gloves. 

 

Selena noticed her brother swaying around on the stool his forehead was covered in sweat his sombrero his propped up the wrong way, he was nervous and she couldn't help but feel a bit bad for him, most of the time she would bully him when he is nervous but now more then ever he needed to feel confident. She pushed away her ruthless thoughts and tried to comfort him, “Hey you doing alright?” 

 

Lucas looks up at her and shakes his head “Not now Selena” he frowns but he notices the sincerity in her voice, was she being genuine?

 

She looks at him offended but doesn't blame him she sort of expected that, “I'm being serious are you okay?” now Lucas looks shocked and he shakes his head again. “What's wrong then? Tell me I'm serious right now I want to know I won't laugh at you for it”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Promise”

 

Lucas sighs and takes his sombrero off, “I'm nervous, what if I mess up and embarrass myself? What if I trip and fall off the stage? What if I don't Impress her? What of-” she stops him right there frowning.

 

“First off it is normal to feel nervous and to mess up it happens to everyone, secondly If you trip and fall it would be funny and completely normal then you would have to improvise and act like it's part of the play, lastly who are you trying to impress? Is it Mart-” Her mouth is quickly covered by Lucas’s hand she gasps and looks down at him menacingly and offended? Here she was trying to reassure him and he shuts her up? 

 

“Say it louder for the whole world to hear why don’t you?” he notices the glare she’s giving him but doesn't regret it not yet at least. 

 

She pinches his hand making him jerk back and remove his hand, “You are an ungrateful brother” she huffs and Lucas smiles he leans in for a hug which she accepts but soon pushes him off.

 

“Thanks for your little pep talk,” he says smiling what would he do without his meaner older sister?

 

“Anytime ingrato” she ruffles his hair grinning. The play was about to start the director clapped and yelled out for everyone to get to their stations and do last-minute preparations. 

 

So much for being nervous Lucas was more than ready and behind the scenes, Selena would pat his back proudly. As the end neared Lucas stood next to Martha Solis so close he could reach out and grab her hand but he didn't. The light shone onto him and he stepped forward ready to deliver the last line.

 

Had his brain not gone foggy he stood there trying to remember the line he looked down at Selena she was mouthing something, what was it though?  She whispers it now, “Tienes que dicer, Viva Mexico Tres veces”

He nods that was the line, “Viva Mexcio tres veces!” he yells out proudly yet, It didn't sound right why didn't it sound right? He looks down at Selena her eyes wide did he say it wrong? He looks out the crowd his father and Joaquin have a hand over their mouth his mother is glaring daggers into his Tio and his father, despite her trying to hold back her smile and laughter. His grandfather looks disappointed the rest of the crowd is trying not to laugh he hears chuckles and giggles. He looks around at the cast they look like they are trying to hold back laughter and his sisters have a face that screams ‘What the actual fuck’

 

And he has it figured out, he was supposed to say ‘Viva Mexico’ three times not ‘Viva Mexico tres veces’ he does it again the right way the currents close. Selena smacks him up the head and Ana is yelling bloody murder at him. 

 

The walk home isn't so great either, “You really tried to save your breath there huh?” his father jokes pushing him playfully Joaquin laughs.

 

“he Was -weren't you?” Manolo and Joaquin laugh while Maria tries to cheer up Lucas.

 

“Ay don't listen to those two”

 

“It's hard not to when they laugh so loud” he grumbles and moves closer to his mother

 

Maria nods, “Yes but everyone makes mistakes it is only natural we are all human-” She looks down at him and sees him kicking rocks “And the mistake you made? No one will remember it by next week” That's a lie but trying to console him from this big of an embarrassment is hard to do. “You know what the good thing is that it is done and over with and now you are less nervous”

 

“And more embarrassed” She frowns but nods.

 

“It happens to the best of us Lucas even your papa has dealt with this level of embarrassment, so I don't know why he is laughing, even I have” Maria admits and he looks up at her.

 

“Really?” 

 

“Of course, everyone has moments where they are forced to face embarrassment” Maria nods “It will and has happened to everyone, you will have more of these embarrassing moments in your life, and each time you do you’ll have to face it and move on, this is your first real big time embarrassing moment and you know what?” 

 

“What?”

 

“I'd say you are handling it okay” Maria gives him half a hug but he goes in for a full one. 

 

Selena side eyes Ana and they grin, “We're never gonna let him live this down are we?” Selena asks deviously for once Ana agrees.

 

“Never” Ana nods as they plot how to use this to their advantage and entertainment. As much as they cared about him they would never miss an opportunity to mess with him.

 

For weeks the town would look at him and laugh and for some time there was a saying ‘Be careful not to pull a Lucas’ and his sisters? Tormented him with it, yet threatened harm to anyone who dared make fun of their brother's mishap, those rights were reserved for them. 

 

Present time 

 

“I still haven't heard the end of it” Lucas sighs when he looks at Francisco he chuckles

 

“Wow rough times huh? Too bad I didn't sign you up would have loved to see it” Francisco smiles when Lucas looks at him shocked and thankful. “You didn't think I would sign you up did you?” he shakes his head disappointed that his friend would think so little of him.

 

“Well, you were so serious about it!” Lucas yells punching Francisco’s arm, Francisco laughs and rubs his arm.

 

“can't believe you think so little of me”

 

Lucas scoffs but apologizes for punching his so hard, “Can't blame me you were so serious and I believed you” but thank god Francisco didn't. As he heads home after a long day his sisters are at it again whispering things and making fun of him but he wouldn't have it any other way, because one day he’ll have dirt on them too.

 

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed ✌🏽 and Viva Mexico 🇲🇽🥳