T/W: Minor mention of drinking alcohol.

****

"Charley, are you ready?" Pedro calls from the living room. "The cab's here!"

"Coming!" Clutching my bags, I emerge from the bedroom. Pedro springs forward, assisting with my bags. The front door is ajar, so Pedro nudges it open with his foot and we walk out. Pausing, I lock the front door and we head down the stairs, walking outside to the waiting cab.

Pedro loads up our bags, while I crawl in the back seat of the cab. Several minutes later, we're zipping along with the heavy flow of traffic, heading to the airport. Once, I agreed to allow Pedro to take me to Chile, he wasted no time in arranging the trip. While I'm mostly in the majority of thinking this trip is a good idea, there's still a small percentage of me that is screaming at me that is a bad decision.

I push away the negative thoughts and tell myself everything will be fine and that I'll enjoy myself and hopefully Pedro's family will like me. The cab reaches the airport, maneuvering over to the curb. Pedro and I jump out. While Pedro wrangles our luggage, I quickly pay the driver, moving to assist Pedro and we make our way inside, going to check our luggage before heading to our gate.

We find a couple of empty seats together and sit down. Pedro immediately pulls out his phone and scrolls through it, while I nervously tap my right foot.

"Still nervous?" Pedro asks softly. I force a smile.

"Yeah."

"There's no need to be. My family will adore you."

"Hopefully," I say.

"Are you kidding? You're beautiful and have a quick wit about you. You'll be a hit." I chuckle.

"Okay, okay."

"We'll have an amazing time," Pedro adds.

"Right. I hope we'll be doing some sightseeing, too?" Pedro nods.

"Absolutely. I'll show you all my favorite spots."

"As long as I'm not forced to do a ton of hiking," I joke. "Remember, I'm not a nature girl." Pedro laughs, curling his fingers around mine as the plane heads for the runway.

"Don't worry," he murmurs. "If you get too exhausted, I'll carry you."

I grin. "My hero."

***

Several hours later, we're touching down in Santiago, Chile. I peer through the small window in the plane, but all I see is aircraft workers and other planes. Pedro helps me with my carry-on luggage and we quickly head off the plane, walking for a while before reaching the customs line.

We have to wait several minutes until it's our turn. Since Pedro is Chilean, he's not questioned much, but I am. Finally, the man stamps our passports and we're allowed to go through, heading for the baggage claim and eventually out to where his family is waiting for us. I hang back a little, allowing Pedro's family to happily greet him.

Once, they're through, Pedro turns, gesturing me forward and introduces me. I smile politely and say how pleased I am to meet them all. His dad and younger sister, hug me and I tense up, though I try to downplay my discomfort.

After all that, we head for the parking garage, loading up our luggage and climb into the car. I sit quietly, listening to Pedro banter back and forth with his family. While the main language that's spoken is English, occasionally the conversation runs towards Spanish. His sister asks me how much I enjoy working in the industry and if I really like her brother. I smile, saying it's work and I'm crazy about Pedro.

We reach the hotel and Pedro and I get out. He informs, I'm guessing that's what he's saying anyways, his dad that we'll be over later and we go get checked in. Pedro is smiling softly at me.

"What?" I ask, shifting my bags, fatigue setting in from the long flight.

"They love you already," Pedro murmurs as we approach the front desk.

"Great," I reply. "Now let's get checked in so I can crash for a bit."

****

After a short nap, Pedro and I head over his dad's, where there are more people. His aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. My face starts to hurt from smiling so damn much. We only just arrived here and already I'm over all this socializing. I hope it won't be this way every day, otherwise, I'm hopping on the next flight to Los Angeles.

Not to mention, the majority of the conversation is in Spanish and I only pick up a word or two. I excuse myself, stepping outside, clutching a beer bottle in my hand, knowing that inhaling alcohol, probably isn't the smartest move at the moment, but I need something to take the edge off before I start tearing my hair out.

I sip my beer slowly, my mind, a jumble. While I do love Pedro, his family is a bit much. I picture our wedding (should it come to that,) it'd be huge and all these crazy people would be getting drunk and completely ruining our special day.

I hear the back door open and Pedro steps out, a worried frown etched into his face. He closes the door, moving to me. "You okay, Hermòsa?"

I hesitate. If I'm honest, will Pedro be offended? He studies me, waiting a response. "No."

His frown deepens as he reaches out, gently wrapping his hand around my forearm, tugging me closer. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thrust you into this. We should have waited a day or two."

"Pedro, I'm not gonna keep you away from your family. Especially when you probably don't see them as often as you like."

Pedro sighs, looking torn. "I could have seen them on my own, letting you stay at the hotel."

I roll my eyes. "So they can complain that I'm antisocial and you deserve someone who can handle this better?"

Pedro cups my face in his hands, gazing tenderly at me. "My family isn't going to choose whom I love, Charley. That's my decision alone."

I sigh, touching his face. He smiles. "I know how close you are with them and it's important to me that they accept me, if we're gonna be in this, long-term."

Pedro gently kisses me. "They already have, Hermòsa."

****

Finally, we leave. Pedro asks if we can take a little hike, not far away from the hotel. While I'm exhausted, I agree to go. Especially since Pedro assures me that it's not too far or too much of a climb.

While Pedro's family seems like a lot, I'm already in love with Chile. It's beautiful here. The architecture is especially stunning and the people are pretty friendly, too. Several people recognize Pedro and even a few, recognize me. We take some selfies with the fans and a young woman shyly approaches, asking for both our autographs.

Afterwards, we reach the top of a hill. I lean against Pedro, the view is breathtaking. I've never witnessed anything as beautiful as this view before. Pedro's arm slips around me, hugging my body against his.

"I'm so happy you're here, sharing this with me, mi amor. It means so much to me."

I smile up at him, squeezing him back. "Thanks for being willing to share this with me."

****

We return to the hotel for the night, Pedro and I showering and then cuddling up together in bed. Pedro falls asleep fairly quickly, but I can't seem to shut my brain off, despite my earlier extreme exhaustion. Slipping quietly from the bed, I head out to the balcony, sliding open the door, stepping out and sliding it closed again.

I move, leaning against the iron railing, inhaling the warm, fragrant air. I hear a few snatches of conversation drifting in from below. As I gaze into the distance, I can't help but feel, this isn't where I belong. Pedro is wholesome, kind, gentle, funny and damn near perfect. I, on the other hand, have a long list of transgressions that would shock the pope.

Tears slowly form, slipping silently down my cheeks, dripping off, as I realize, I need to walk away before Pedro ends up a social pariah, just from associating with me.