Angela had her arms wrapped tightly around Juice as he flew down the highway towards her childhood home in Oakland. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins but not from his speed, it was purely from the ring she had on her left hand and the question that had come with it. He'd asked her to marry him. She couldn't believe it! She was going to marry the boy she'd run into chasing a mugger in Central Park. The one she had countless memories with exploring New York. He'd seen her at her best and at her worst, and he still stood by her. Wanted to stand by her forever. The prison sentence looming over his head scared the shit out of her; she didn't want to let him go. Didn't want to risk losing him. Not when he'd promised her forever.

She held onto him tighter then, setting her chin on his shoulder. He moved a gloved hand to cover hers, squeezing it three times before he put it back on the handlebars. The cool wind whipping at her cheeks was exhilarating. She felt alive, felt free. She was going to marry the love her life, and she felt like she could fly! She let go of him with one arm, throwing it up in the air as she threw her head back and let out a loud, "WOOOOO!"

She could feel the vibrations of his laugh through his body as he shook his head at her. His hand fell to her thigh as if to secure her behind him. She kept cheering, and soon, he was doing the same. They were both hooting and hollering, celebrating in the silliest way possible until Juice traveled off the highway and they hit the residential area of Oakland. He was still laughing as they pulled in front of her Ma and Aunt's house. She spotted Happy's bike and Lino's Escalade in the driveway and grinned. Except for Kozik, it seemed all of her favorite people were in one place.

"Looks like you've got quite the welcome crew," Juice stated as he cut the engine.

Angela got off his bike, waiting for him to do the same. "Do they know already?"

Juice shrugged a shoulder, the cutest mischievous look on his face. "Everyone 'cept Rosa knows I was gonna ask. Never said when," he replied as he took off his riding gloves and tucked them into his saddle bag. She smirked; everyone knew Rosa had a big mouth. He was probably worried she'd spoil the surprise. He held out his hand to her, and she purposefully put her left one in it. He grinned down at the ring, running his thumb over the diamonds. His light brown eyes met hers, a small smile of disbelief on his face. "This is crazy."

"I know," she agreed, leaning in to kiss him softly. He deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue into her mouth as he moved an arm around in, pulling her closer. She melted into him, loving the feel of every inch of him pressed against every inch of her.

"Angela Inez Ruiz!" Rosa's voice shouted from behind them. Angela pulled away with a smirk, glancing over her shoulder where her best friend was marching down the front walk, Lino walking a little slower behind her. Angela kissed Juice one more time before Rosa practically attacked her in a hug. She held tightly to her best friend, feeling her eyes tear up as the familiar spice of her perfume tickled her nose. Another set of arms wrapped around both of them, and Lino's cologne joined with it. The familiar mixture of the two made a lump form in her throat. She was truly home now. Safe.

They pulled away from each other all at the same time. "Missed you guys," Angela said, wiping at her tears.

"Missed you...holy shit!" Rosa exclaimed, grabbing her hand and pulling it hard. "Look at this! Juicy, the fuck is this?"

"That's a ring," Juice shot back with a smirk.

Rosa narrowed her eyes at him. "On her left ring finger, dumbass."

"This mean what I think it means?" Lino asked, looking from the ring to Juice. At Juice's nod, he pumped his fist in the air. "Fucking finally! C'mere!"

Angela watched as Lino pulled Juice into the biggest hug, slapping him on the back. Juice laughed, hugging him back. Meanwhile, Rosa was holding up Angela's hand to get a better look at the ring. "I fuckin' told you!" she said, grinning like a fool. "Damn, this is beautiful! Three diamonds! How many carats?"

Juice paled for a moment, scratching at the back of his neck. "I um..."

"My Mom gave it to him. Was the ring my dad proposed to her with," Angela explained softly. She'd seen the ring on her mother's finger every so often, though Angela knew her mother preferred the one he'd bought her later on with the bigger diamond. Angela had always liked this one. Liked the three diamonds rather than the bigger, gaudy one her mother loved. It was simple and beautiful.

Rosa didn't look impressed, but Angela could see Lino's smile; he knew what it meant for her to have a piece of her father tied into Juice's proposal, into their future. Juice was honoring his memory and making him a part of it all. She'd never be able to express to him how much that meant to her. Rosa seemed to sense what she was feeling, as she usually did. "It's beautiful, sis," she told her. She pushed by her to get to Juice. "C'mere, Juicy."

Angela laughed as Rosa hugged him tightly. Shaking her head, she glanced over at Lino, who was grinning at her with tears in his dark eyes. He enveloped her in his arms squeezing her tightly. "You happy?"

The question was said so quietly, Angela almost didn't catch it. Angela could see Rosa threatening Juice over Lino's shoulder and smiled, kissing Lino's cheek softly. "The happiest," she answered, squeezing him back.

He pulled away, dabbing at his eyes before reaching out to wipe a stray tear from hers. "Good. You deserve it," he said, smiling at her. He grabbed her hand to look at the simple ring. "He did good with this. Can't believe Graci gave it up."

Angela sniffled and nodded. "Me neither, but it feels right."

Lino moved an arm around her shoulders and nodded towards Juice. "He is right for you. Knew from the second I saw those pictures of the two a you in New York that he was the one for you, remember?"

She did. They'd been smoking on the roof in New York on his first visit there. It'd been soon after Juice left, and she'd been missing him. Lino had mentioned seeing the photobooth strips of her and Juice she had in her room, and how he thought she was in love with him. Lino had caught it from just a picture. He'd seen it in her expressions, in just the way she looked at Juice. "You called it," she said with a smirk. "You stayin' for dinner?"

"Nah. We were just on our way out. Nessa's making dinner 'n' she's got a date," he explained on a shrug. "You go inside. Celebrate with your Ma and Aunt. They're gonna go crazy with all the wedding plannin'."

Angela grimaced in response; she hadn't thought of that. "Shit."

"Don't sorry, sister," Rosa said as she approached with Juice. She slung an arm around her shoulders. "I got your back. We'll make this shit perfect. Even Juicy will help, right, dude?"

Juice dipped his head looking a little ashamed. Angela knew what he was thinking; he was going to prison. How could he help from there? "Yeah," he answered on a sad chuckle.

Rosa caught her eye, and she shook her head; she'd explain later. "He's going to do whatever he can, and it'll be perfect. You guys should go 'fore my aunt comes out and makes you stay for dinner," she said, hugging her best friends again. "I want to hear all about that date, Ro."

"Eh, don't get too excited," Rosa replied on a shrug. "Have fun with the celebration, you two."

Angela rolled her eyes, waving at them as they got into Lino's Escalade. Lino drove away, his base pumping as he went. She shook her head at them before turning to Juice. He was looking a little too stoic for her. "What's goin' on between those two tats, Ortiz?"

He smirked, shrugging a shoulder. "Just realized you are gonna have to plan it all alone. I won't have any part in any of it."

She frowned, stepping in front of him to tug on his cut lovingly. "You will. We'll figure it out," she told him, catching his lips in a quick kiss. "With Lena and my mom and I'm guessin' Gemma, it's going to be a hot mess. You won't want any part in it. Plus, you do have a part in it. The biggest part. You're the groom, goofy."

"Think you have the biggest part, my bride to be."

Angela grinned up at him, still in disbelief that they were actually going to get married. "Think the biggest part comes after the wedding," she teased, waggling her eyebrows at him suggestively.

He smirked, his hands settling on her hips as he pulled her in closer to him. "Think we can practice that part tonight," he muttered, leaning in to press a kiss to her neck.

She shivered at the feel of his lips on her skin, bringing up her hand to run her nails over his mohawk. "First we go in, eat, celebrate, and then home for more celebration and practice."

"Like the sound of that," he said, straightening up and moving an arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the front door. He stopped at the threshold, smiling down at her. "Ready for this?"

With the knowledge that he'd gotten the blessing from her Ma and Aunt and Happy, she was actually excited to go in there. To celebrate without worrying about any negativity. "Oh hell yeah. Let's go. Get you some food to fuel you up for one hell of a night."

"Careful what you promise, Ruiz," he shot back, smacking her ass.

She laughed, shaking her head at him. "Almost Ortiz."

His smile was blinding as he nodded, holding open the front door for her as he repeated, "Almost Ortiz."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'

Elena heard the front door open and Angela and Juancito's voices as they yelled out, "It's just us!" in unison. She pushed away from the table where she'd been playing Dominoes with her sister while Happy ate dinner. After having her niece taken away from her, she was eager to see her again. Happy had told her she was fine, but she needed to see for herself. 

The moment she neared, Angela turned and locked eyes with her. "Tia," she exhaled, and just like that she was practically throwing herself at her just as she had done when she was a little girl.

Elena held her tightly, relieved to have her in her arms and safe. She ran a hand over the back of her head, pulling away just slightly to press a kiss to her cheek. "Oh mi vida," she murmured, squeezing her tightly. She stepped away, cupping her face in her hands and scrutinizing her face looking for any kind mark. She looked exhausted but there was a happy glitter in her eyes that reassured Elena that she was okay. "I am so happy to see you, mijita. Are you okay?"

Angela's eyes were glassy with tears as she nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. Just really happy to be home," she said, lifting her hand to wipe at her eyes.

Her left hand. Elena grinned when she saw the engagement ring on her niece's finger. "Mira esto!" she exclaimed, grabbing her hand. She looked over Angela's shoulder at Juan. "You did it! My God, it is beautiful!" (Look at this!)

"It's Papi's ring," Angela said softly.

Elena's heart warmed at the reverence in her tone; Angela loved her father. He'd been taken away from her far too soon, but during the short time they had together, she was Victor's whole world. Graciela had always been unsure if she wanted children, but Victor had convinced her. Once she had graduated nursing school and had a steady job, he promised her that if they had a baby, he'd be the one to take care of them. When Angela was born, he made good on his promise, too. He'd bring Angela everywhere with him. Countless times, Elena would drop Happy off at the garage Victor worked at only to find Vic hand-painting details on a lowrider talking to Angela who was in the stroller or play pen or sitting by his side as she got older. Graciela was stand offish at best then, though she was more affectionate with Angela, mirroring Victor's behavior no doubt. Then Victor got sick and everything went downhill fast. Graciela hadn't been able to handle it. She pushed everyone away. Wouldn't leave Victor's side. And when he died...Graciela refused to talk to anyone including her devastated and confused three year old daughter. Happy and Chico had stepped in then, taking Angela on adventures while Graciela threw herself into work. She could hardly look at Angela without breaking down. Angela was Victor's daughter through and through. A miniature of him except for the eyes. She'd inherited the eyes that every member of Graciela's side of the family had. Dark, dark brown. Beautiful, expressive, soulful eyes. Eyes that conveyed so much pain every time Graciela pushed Angela away. Victor would hate the coldness of the relationship between his daughter and his wife. He would've been so disappointed in Graciela, though he would've been so proud of the woman Angela had become despite everything life has thrown her way. "I know, mi vida. Your Papi would be so happy for you," she told her, squeezing her hand before turning to Juan. "And he would love you, mijo. Congratulations!"

Juan beamed with pride as he hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Ma."

Graciela and Happy must've heard the commotion because they appeared at the entry way. "What's goin' on?" Happy asked looking between them.

Angela held up her left hand, grinning excitedly like she had when she was a kid. "He proposed!"

Elena saw the way Graciela looked away from her daughter's face; Angela had Victor's smile, and Graciela could rarely handle seeing it. Graciela tried to be discreet, but Angela was perceptive, even as a little girl. She caught her mother grimacing and believed it to be because she didn't like her. Elena had held Angela many times while the young girl cried because she thought her mother hated her. Graciela never helped convince her otherwise, either. Still, she was trying now. Elena could see it when she actually smiled at her daughter. "Congratulations," Graciela said, surprising Angela by pulling her into a tight hug. She let her go quickly and grabbed her left hand. "It looks beautiful. Like it was meant to be there."

Angela nodded, shifting awkwardly. "Thanks for giving it to him."

A tear slid down Graciela's face, and she wiped it away quickly. "It's what your Papi wanted. He told me to give it to the man I thought would treat you best, and I know Juancito will. You two are going to have a beautiful life with lots of babies."

Elena saw Juan tense at the same time Angela did. They were both young and about to be married; she doubted either one of them were ready for or wanted children yet. "You two don't worry about that now. Have fun together," she said, looking between them. Graciela rolled her eyes at her. For someone who barely took care of her own daughter, she oddly wanted grandchildren more than anything else. It was almost as if she wanted a redo since she hadn't been the best mother the first time around.

Angela looked relieved as she glanced over at her cousin, seeking his approval as she always had. Happy nodded slowly. "Congrats, kid," he told her, allowing her to hug him and hugging her back. He glared at Juan over her shoulder, the threat unspoken; if Juan did anything to hurt Angela, he'd be dead.

Elena felt tears come to her eyes at the sight of her son and her niece. Their relationship was everything to her. Happy had helped raise her into the strong woman she'd become, and she'd helped give him a softer side. Elena never could've dreamed a better relationship between them. She'd thought as Happy grew older, he'd push the little girl away, but she'd raised her son to be all about family, and he'd never ever pushed Angela away even when she was at her worst. Elena was so grateful Angela had finally chosen a man that Happy approved of, even more thankful that it was someone he considered a brother. Their family was expanding, and she couldn't be happier. "Veni. Come have dinner. You both look too skinny. I made your favorite, Angelita."

Graciela nodded, hugging Juan close and kissing his cheek. She was overly affectionate with Juan in a way that made Angela roll her eyes. "Yes! You come eat and then go home for some rest."

Elena caught the brief look Angela and Juan exchanged and had a feeling that "rest" was not on the menu for when they got home. She let the boys and Graciela head towards the kitchen but grabbed Angela's wrist, pulling her back. "You get pregnant before the wedding y te mato. Don't embarrass me," she told her softly. (And I kill you)

Angela feigned innocence, widening her eyes and blinking at her like she had no idea what she was talking about. "What do you mean, Tia? We had a long flight. We're definitely just going to sleep."

She shook her head at her, chuckling softly. "Uh-huh. I wasn't born yesterday, Angela Inez."

Angela grinned mischievously in response. She moved her arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. "Don't worry about it, Tia. No babies for us right now. One thing at a time."

Elena stood a little taller to kiss her niece's cheek. "That's right, mijita. One thing at a time."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

🥳Happy New Year!! 🎊

This chapter is a bit of a filler, but I couldn't resist writing the family's reaction to the proposal. For the most part, it seems like y'all like reading the side characters so I thought you'd enjoy it!

It was fun to get in Elena's head too, though I couldn't decide whether to refer to Juice as Juan or Juice so I'm sorry if that got confusing 😅

As always please let me know what you think!
🖤