Finally

“BREAKING NEWS, THIS JUST IN: SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE DISCOVERED IN MAIL TRUCK NEAR CITY CENTER. WE’VE RECEIVED WORD THAT THERE ARE POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVES WITHIN THE BROWN PAPER BOX. DRIVER IS STILL ON SITE AND YET TO BE EVACUATED. BOMB SQUAD IS ON THE WAY, STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION. THIS IS MAXINE WALKER REPORTING LIVE FOR CHANNEL 8 NEWS.” The television blares in the background.

There’s always something going on in this city, if I stopped to pay attention to each one I’d never have time to do anything. *ding* Ah, lasagna’s ready. I can’t wait for Malcolm to come home, lasagna is his favorite and it’ll make it easier to tell him the news. I’m 16 weeks pregnant! I mean, I noticed I’d been gaining weight and that my periods are practically non-existent but pregnant?! This wasn’t in the plans, though, the fluttery feeling in my stomach tells me that’s okay, after all, I love surprises. But…Malcolm’s been working really hard lately, what if this isn’t something he wants? It’s been nine years and we’re finally in a good place, mentally, emotionally and we’re well on our way to financial freedom, but, a baby? A baby may jeopardize that. We’ve been through so much already; would we survive a disagreement over this?

“WE’RE BACK, LIVE AT CITY CENTER. I’M MAXINE WALKER AND THIS IS BOMB WATCH WITH CHANNEL 8 NEWS. WE’VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE BOMB SQUAD IS ON SITE AND CAREFULLY ASSESSING THE SITUATION, THE UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER IS STILL IN THE TRUCK – WAIT, WE’VE MANAGED TO IDENTIFY THE MAN IN THE TRUCK, MALCOLM RIVERS IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION. IT SEEMS THAT HE HAD ALREADY LIFTED THE PACKAGE AND TRIPPED THE TIMER INSIDE, ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENT MAY SET OFF THE EXPLOSIVES. BOMB SQUAD IS APPROACHING THE SCENE, WE HAVE A COPTER CAM ABOVE THE AREA, MURRAY, CUT TO LIVE FOOTAGE.” The T.V. must be on the fritz, I could’ve sworn the news anchor just said Malcolm’s name, let me turn up the volume.

“AGAIN, BOMB SQUAD IS ON THE SCENE WITH DRIVER MALCOLM RIVERS, THEY ARE CURRENTLY OPENING THE BROWN PAPER BOX, IT LOOKS LIKE MR. RIVERS IS TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING, CAN WE GET IN CLOSER AND TURN ON THE MIC?” No, this can’t be happening. I hear something shatter and the wine glasses I was washing for tonight’s dinner are in pieces all over the kitchen floor. I can’t make myself move to clean it up. Am I breathing, is this real? Malcolm…and a …bomb. How is this even happening. Through my panic I hear a voice that brings me back, the only voice that could snap me out of this stupor.

“Rosy, please her name is Rosario Gonzalez, she’s my girl, please tell her to come see me. If these are my last moments, before you open the package and risk all three of our lives, let me see her.” That’s Malcom, calling for me. He can’t die, I’m pregnant and we’re finally good, things were going to be better from now on. I need to find my car keys; no, the traffic will be brutal. Think Ro, think. How do we get to Malcolm? I look all over the house for a way, I have the will so there must be a way. Walking past the dining hall closet, I see it, Malcolm’s bike. It’s been a few years but I don’t have time to question myself.

Clutching my stomach, I send a prayer out that my baby gets to meet their father. “Please, diosito, let me make it in time. Wipe your hand across my fears and give me the strength.” I give the T.V. one last glance before heading over to the bike, dragging it out the door and bracing myself for the ride of our lives. I have to make it.

Riding a bike really is like, well, riding a bike. Or maybe it’s the sheer adrenaline coursing through me. Part of me notices that there are no cars on the road. The traffic I imagined there would be, isn’t there. I can’t stop to think about it, every minute that passes brings me closer to what may very well be my last moments with Malcolm. I have to make it.

There! I see a mail truck up ahead in the mall’s parking lot. That must be his, but where are the crowds? Where is the helicopter? The reporters? Am I in the wrong place? There are no police barricades, but I’m sure this is the place I saw on the news. I slow to a stop a few meters away from the truck, unsure if I should approach it. The desire to make sure Malcolm is okay wins out and I lean the bike against one of the empty cars on the lot. I walk up to the truck slowly, circling it until I can see the half open hatch in the back. Where is Malcolm? I keep walking until I see the shadow of a man, taking a deep breath and thinking of our child and our future I steel myself and yell, “Malcolm, is that you? Are you alright?” I wait for a response. I see the shadow move and out from behind the truck, walks Malcolm. Unharmed, clean shaven, and dressed in a button down and slacks? I look at him from head to toe, scanning for injuries, slowly reeling from the image in front of me.

“You came, I knew you’d come!” He says as he closes the distance between us and scoops me up in a hug. I hug him back fiercely, pushing the confusion aside for a moment and letting the relief of having him in my arms wash over me. I pull away, grab his face and devour his lips with my own. After allowing myself the moment to sink into him, I pull away, step out of his arms and slap him straight across the face, leaving the red imprint of my hand on his brown skin.

“WHAT THE FUDGE CRACKERS WAS THAT? I THOUGHT YOU WERE DYING? WHERE’S THE BOMB?! THE POLICE?! ANSWER ME, AND I BETTER LIKE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, IDIOTA!” I can’t help this sudden wave of rage that comes on. To top it off, this man hasn’t stopped smiling, even while he holds his now swollen cheek.

He grabs me by the hand and pulls me to his chest, “Baby, relax, let me explain. What you saw at home was a video I made, cool huh? Maxi, Pete and Sam helped. I set it up on auto-play for around the time I knew you’d be in the kitchen. You’re a hell of a cook, Rosy, but you don’t pay enough attention to your surroundings when you’re busy. In this case, it worked out for me.” He tightens his hold on me slightly, taking on a soft but serious tone, he says, “I’d been waiting for the right time and I needed to get you here.” He’s explains, trying to pacify me. All it does is rattle me even more. He sees this, takes a step back and holds out his hand, “Come on, follow me, I’ll show you the package.” He waggles his eyebrows, I take his hand and lightly slap his chest; I can’t help the slight smile that sits on my face. Walking behind him I see the suspicious package from the news on the ground, I stop abruptly. “It’s okay, mami, there was no bomb, I’m sorry. I mean there is a bomb, cause I’m about to drop one, but not a real one…”

“Mal! Stop, you’re rambling. Just show me what’s in the box.” I say, stopping his words with a finger on his lips. He smiles, kisses the tip of my finger and walks to pick up the box. I can’t help the nerves, five minutes ago I thought he was going to be blown to smithereens, now he’s standing here looking fine as ever and acting strangely. I see him tear into the box with a small knife, brown paper falls to the ground, followed by the larger box around it. I jump a little at the sound, but what happens next takes my breath away. While I was distracted by the supposed bomb package, I missed Mal bending down on one knee with a small black velvet box holding the most beautiful ring.

“Rosy, you mean the world to me. I know that over the years I haven’t been the best partner, but you loved and accepted me until I could feel that way about myself. Until I could show you the respect, admiration and love that you deserve. You are the shining star in all of my happiest moments, and you are my anchor when my sorrows want to blow me away. I can’t imagine life without you by my side, so I guess what I wanna say is –”

“I’M PREGNANT!” I yell out, interrupting him before the sobs wracking my body take my voice away. “I’m pregnant, and I’m sorry this might ruin things but I love you, and I want it and I want us to be a family.” I sink to my knees in front of him, unable to face him I stare at the concrete beneath me through the tears streaming down my cheeks. I feel a hand reach out tilting my chin up to face him.

“I know” he says with a smile on face and tears in his eyes. “Rosy I know, baby. You’re not good at hiding things, and the doctor called to confirm your sonogram for next month. I know, and I can’t wait to be a family. Rosy. Rosario Mercedes Gonzalez, will you marry me?” Mal asks me, but I can’t speak, he knew, he knew and he wants it and me and us, forever.

Mustering up as much as my voice as I can through the sobs, I feel him slide the ring on my finger. Through the tears I see that it’s everything I always wanted, he knew, a gold band with a large ruby surrounded by diamonds, princess cut because I’m his Contessa. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I manage to squeak out before his lips are on mine, pouring out all of his love for me like a lifeline. And I accept it, all of it, grasping onto this life I’ve been blessed with. Suspicious package indeed, it held the contents to blow my life up forever, however, what was actually held within was even better. Finally, a happy ending.