"Today is a great day to take photos." Lexi gushes, shifting her gaze outside the window. "These are so beautiful."

"I know, look at all the cherry blossoms," I point at the tree across the street.

Marveling out the window, I smile, appreciating the downtown DC with blossoming beautiful, light pink cherry blossoms in full bloom. It's so different from the pictures you see online. It almost reminds me of a beginning open scene of a romance movie, the way every now and then, a light breeze flutters a few pink petals downward.

I glance back at my plate of the yummy gourmet breakfast choice and smile, feeling the serenity around us. The sun is completely shining, warming the area where Lexi and I are currently sitting. We could see the Tidal Basin across the street where tourists are taking photos more for the cherry blossoms and not history around them.

I can't believe it's almost time to see Jaylan. I feel like time has flown so quickly from being nose-deep into my nursing school books and working on the project. I lost track of time and days. I think yesterday, I studied so much I found four grey hairs all on the side of my forehead. Two are named Jaylan and the other two Nursing School.

I miss him so much, despite the increased pranks lately. I think he just knows our time is coming and I can't be anymore excited about that. Just when I thought he couldn't outdo himself, he does.

Like Tuesday on National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, now the thought counts when he ordered chocolates for me at this bakery downtown, but my heart sank when I found chocolate covered blueberries. It's not even April Fools' Day and he's getting out of hand.

Twisting my lips, scooping my ice cream again, my eyebrows draw thinking about last night on National Scribble Day, we had a date night and made quick, hand drawn pictures to share. He drew naked stick figures of us and scribbled out our private parts. He even hung it over his bed at the hotel because he was so proud of his 'artwork.' At least I got to introduce him to Amor En La Calle 33 but he fell asleep at the part where Valentina tries to tell him she loves Juan. Figured that would happen. But of course he woke up when they start kissing loudly and Jaylan kept making loud kissing noises puckering up his soft plump lips I miss.

It was sweet but Jaylan has to learn how to celebrate days with integrity and not be naughty.

Lucky for him, I found a new behavior system, a reward for good behavior. I have got some rolls of tickets at the dollar tree. Every good deed he earns a ticket into the ticket box and if earns a certain amount he can win prizes if he wants to cash them in . For example, five tickets he earns dinner of his choosing or ten tickets and gets a kiss anywhere he wants, or if he saves three hundred tickets then he gets to pick my next jammie set, which he has to be very good for.

Smiling, I take a bite of my yummy, chocolate dipped crepe, letting the sweet, rich taste fill my mouth.

"Lizzie, this was a good choice in celebrating National Bavarian Crepes Day." Lexi hums while eating a scoop of her vanilla ice cream.

"It sure was." I beam, scooping my double scoop chocolate ice cream.

I had convinced Lexi that ice cream for breakfast is not as harmful as Maxine believes, plus we did need much needed girl time with everything going on between her and Stephen.

"You would do anything to have dessert for breakfast." She giggles, dabbing her chin with her napkin.

"It's the most important meal of the day Lexi." I throw my spoon up in the air.

We both giggle, leaning in as we continue to eat our yummy crepes at Twisted Crepes.

Ahhh, it's spring. I feel it in the air and also in my sinuses. Something about spring gets in my spirits of newness, renewal, and change. Monday was definitely a spontaneous act for me to drive to Baltimore to see Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve but I wanted to do something special for Jaylan's mom's birthday.

I have to admit I was a bit scared to act on something so sensitive, going as far as taking an extra step to plant flowers at his mom's sight without him present, so I thought I could ask his Aunt and Uncle to join me and they said yes with no hesitation. We also did a small clean up at Jordy's brother's site.

Uncle Steve shared so much about Miss Evelyn, how she would celebrate her birthday with chocolate cupcakes, planting flowers at their parents' house, and big family dinners, her favorite is Red Lobster so we ate there afterwards. It would be nice to have Jaylan there but we can always do something special for mothers day, I really have a couple things planned.

Uncle Steve said he always tried to keep the tradition after she passed but Jaylan had a hard time celebrating it, which I completely understand. Uncle Steve said it's hard in general for Jaylan to celebrate any holiday rather because it's just too painful and he doesn't want to push.

I completely understand where Jaylan is coming from because his mom was all he had. When the one person you spend time with for so long isn't there, there isn't a sense of celebrating anything. I know it was hard for him to go up to his mom's grave in February. Aunt Lisa said it took him almost five years to come back to just do that, so she knows something is pushing him to do it.

I sigh quietly thinking about his bravery and how he encourages me daily to take another step in just embracing the changes in my family. Jaylan shared last night about how he met Miss Evelyn's almost fiance Nathan. Jaylan was so surprised about that and I really hope he finds answers.

I just wanted Jaylan to have the freedom to feel like it's okay to do these things, especially when he may have felt it might have been silly or even useless, but the look on his face with those honey brown maple syrup eyes shining as brightly as the candles we lit as he sang with us to his mom showed me how much he really truly misses her.

I'm proud of mi novio.

Smiling down at my half-empty plate, I pick around the strawberries because I wish I would have told Jaylan I loved him right there and then that I love him but it would have been awkward to say it first around his Aunt and Uncle.

After a gust of wind blew out her candles, I whispered it to his mom though. I told her that I loved her son.

I guess telling him when I get to see him next weekend will be more beneficial than saying it over the phone.

"You are doing it again." Lexi laughs, touching my arm gently.

I look up at her with her lips pressing at me as she pushes her straightened hair over her shoulder. This is the fifth hairstyle she has tried this week and I think this one might stay. I like the braids she has and how the pattern of hair curls at the bottom. She calls them mermaid locs. It's super pretty, how they curl with gold ribbon intertwines and the gold clips.

"Doing what?" I try to relax my smile.

"The look like you are in love." Lexi grins wider.

Is that possible? Do I give it away?

"I... How do you know?" I draw my eyebrows together.

Lexi leans forward on her elbows and draws her eyebrows together playfully. "It's that little twinkle in your eye every time you go off to lala land."

I glance up at her and back down at my plate poking the strawberry remembering how Jaylan forced me to eat this. Ah what the heck. Chewing on the strawberry Lexi sips her mimosa and keeping her suspicious gaze on me. I hate when she does that. I crack too easily.

I sip my mimosa to avoid her eyes. "I'm just thinking about what to say to Wilmer Valderrama when I see him," I lie, twisting my lips, forcing them not to smile. "I have to let him down gently."

"Right, well keep telling yourself that." She takes a sip of her mimosa, smirking with her red lips with her glass.

"How do you know?" I whisper, almost like Jaylan has a wiretap in here and is about to press a button for confetti that I admit I love him... which I do.

"Well... How do you feel?" Lexi arches her brow with a smirk.

"I feel like every time I get to know Jaylan more I feel like it's right..."

I feel like we here meant to know each other at a time like this. It's almost like we were meant to meet each other at the right time, especially with him working through grief with his mom and me grieving over the divorce of my parents. We both long for family and I guess what pulled us together is to seek that out in each other.

"In what way?" Lexi asks another open-ended question.

"Just.." I dip my chin down and use my fork, spinning the residue of chocolate on my plate. "Just it seems like we met at the right time, for each of us. Like together we have what we individually need... if that makes any sense."

Lexi nods silently and pushes her hair, exposing her shoulder from her floral dress. "I think you are right. I mean, you both have been through a lot and despite the hiccups along the way, you both manage to work through them... which is love, Lizzie." She smiles at the end.

Warmth spreads across my cheeks and I sink my teeth in my lower lip. "You think so?"

"I know so. I mean, granted, I'm not one to ask for advice about it, but from the outside, it truly looks genuine. And knowing you, Lizzie, and your heart and motives, it's nothing but pure love.. Just how you love Maxine and I, just we don't have a penis," Lexi teases, crinkling her nose.

I grunt and she lets out a soft smile. "Did... did you love Stephen?"

She sighs, combs some of her hair through her fingers, and sits back in her seat. "I do... I still do...So much that it hurts. I think we just met at the wrong time. We both have issues we need to work on ourselves and we both screwed up because we were mad at each other... We have a lot to learn." She takes another sip of her wine. "I have a lot to learn."

I reach for her hand and she lets out a half smile. I know Lexi has been dealing with the decision she made but nothing stops Lexi from doing what she wants to do. Whether Stephen is the one for her or not, Lexi is going to pursue her dreams.

"It was nice to have the glitz and glam but I think it was too soon," she admits sadly.

I shake my head a few times. "I don't think it was too soon."

Lexi draws her eyebrows together. "Why do you think that?"

"Just you both put each other first," I start because, honestly, they did have those moments.

She shakes her head no and softens her eyes at me. "I didn't and I see that now."

From the outside, you would think they put each other first and would do anything for each other but we don't know what exactly happened behind closed doors. It saddens me that they drifted apart so quickly and I hope one day they can restore that.

"It's not too late." I pat her hand gently.

"I know... Ugh, you are such a hopeless romantic." Lexi smirks and takes another sip.

"Because you deserve love, Lexi." I remind.

She sighs, shuffles, and places her purse on the table. "Come on. Let's go take photos before all the blossoms fall off," she deflects and I frown a bit.

"You know it's true."

"Lizzie, can we not talk about him please... It's girl time." She pokes her lower lip out and soft brown eyes pool with a silent plea.

"But part of girl time is talking about what's going on." I cover my hand over my mouth and Lexi slumps her shoulders.

"I know I deserve love but I have to love myself first, Lizzie. And if I don't know how to love myself, then how will I know how to love Stephen?" She takes a deep breath.

On the outside, no one would ever guess Lexi struggles with not loving herself, by her high fashion, beautiful brown skin, and projected high confidence and strength, but on the inside... Lexi struggles to believe she is actually worthy of love because Derek stripped that from her by constantly criticizing what she wears or even her hair, which is Lexi's crown and glory.

I will never forget before winter break Derek had a football dinner and Lexi spent hours on her hair and make up. It was pretty curly, full, and vibrant, only for Derek to complain about it being a bit much and that the red gown she bought with her mom in Philadelphia at a customized boutique specifically for the evening didn't match his tie which was a lie! They end up not going and we all went on a spontaneous trip to a winery in Boston for the weekend and had the time of our lives.

Those were good times.

I can see why she feels like she is not good enough because of the imprint Derek left on her heart.

I feel like he still has some kind of control over her. It's really going to have to take a hard truth she has to learn about herself and Stephen, despite his mistakes recently that she told me about.

"I'm really sorry Lexi," I softly say.

"I would say it's okay but you live and you learn." She sighs heavily looking away for a second.

"What did you learn about Stephen?" I bite my tongue and she clears her throat. "With him I learned what it truly meant to be loved and treated with respect and I shouldn't run away from that when things get tough. I mean he wanted more of me and I couldn't give that to him." She sighs wearily as her eyes water "We are just in college Lizzie, we have so much of the world to know about before settling down and Stephen had things he needs to grow in before we even get to that part. We are young you know"

"Do you think you would ever give him a chance again in the future?"

Lexi nibbles her lower lip and takes a deep breath "I think we both screwed up and if there was a chance for us in the future maybe but right now I don't think that's possible." Her voice strains.

My heart breaks as Lexi's eyes soften. She takes a napkin and dabs the corner of her wet eye and sniffles. I never have been an expert on love but deep in me I feel like this isn't the end for them.

"You just have to give it time." I reach my hand out for hers and she connects her hand to mine.

"True, but I think for now I just need to let it go and move on." She rubs my hands softly.

"You are going to have a Hallmark movie moment, just you watch," I joke softly.

"I hope it's a rich heir from England who I serve a cocktail to on my flight," she jokes back.

I softly laugh but my heart tugs while thinking her dream job is right around the corner. I have to make our moments last and have more fun times like this because May will be here as soon as we know it.

"Oh, you are definitely going to have that! Actually, we should watch Once Upon A Prince again," I mention. "Before Max gets back."

We mirror each other's smiles and she stands up from the table, as she hears my case about how the movie just makes me so fuzzy inside. I push my chair and grab my purse and dig through it to grab my phone. A smile pulls across my face because it's my novio, of course. It's probably his daily hand photo. Tucking my phone back in, I grab my purse and Lexi and I walk out the store.

The spring air feels much better than it does inside. The warmth spreads on my bare arms, putting a glow on my skin and making my chest warm from the happiness that arises in me.

The busy streets of DC, businessmen and women talking on the phones, with briefcases or Starbucks in hand and white tennis shoes on their feet. Everyone is just in their own world and the hustle and bustle of life passes us in both directions.

A shadow of a plane clouds the skies and Lexi lets out a big dreamily sigh.

"I can't wait to be up there." She beams.

"Isn't it scary up there?" I voice with concern.

"No, just being up in the air is alive and freeing. Just the thrill of taking off and going to the destination of all the possibilities is exciting," she confesses.

"I haven't been on a plane in three years." My eyes spread wide at the realization.

"Wellll, when get up in there are and you get that fancy nurse paycheck, you'll get a buddy pass from mwuah." She proudly touches her hair space and beams.

Giggling, I sink my teeth in my lower lip thinking about how the first time I did ride on the plane. It was actually scary, considering the plane shaked from turbulence and English was still new to me. My ears were ringing so bad and I was shaking so much the flight attendants let me sit with them and gave me ginger ale and crackers for my tummy.

"Where do you think your first trip will be?" I ask with a smile.

She dips her chin down and bites her lip. "I would love for it to be Switzerland or Norway, probably Norway."

"What's there?" I crinkle my nose.

"Good question. That's the best part of a travel adventure, Lizzie, to find what's there. I feel like that's the thrill of traveling." She dreamily sighs.

Warmth spreads across my chest as Lexi continues to talk about her adventures going overseas. It makes me wonder about where I would like to go with Jaylan. I really have thought more about him coming to Mexico to see all of my family, the food and culture. I can see Jaylan, looking like a complete freak show from how tall and big he is, walking into my home, rough housing with my stuffed animals, and teaching Abuelo how to play Sudoku.

I would really love to show Jaylan to the beach, relax with us laying on the sand, cuddling up, watching the turquoise waves, and eating fish tacos freshly made by Papá. Listening to Papá's adventurous fisherman stories and them creating a bond would be special to see.

I really need to tell Papá about Jaylan.

I know Papá will be happy for me but he will also be sad because Jaylan really didn't ask Papá first for permission. I know it seems silly to some on the outside but, in my culture, asking the father permission to date their daughter is a big deal... at least in my family.

"Ugh, Lizzie you're doing it again." Lexi snickers as we walk across the street.

"Doing what?" I snap out of my daze.

"Going off to yonder." She snickers as we begin to walk by the Tidal Basin.

"Sorry, just thinking," I admit as we pass under light-pink bursts of blossoms overhead. They almost remind me of cotton candy.

"Aboutttt?" She drags, playfully pushing into me.

"Just my Papá meeting Jaylan."

"Oh my gosh, how do you think it will go?" Her voice gets lower at the end, wiggling her eyebrows.

Knowing Papá he would take Jaylan to the boyfriend river with his fishing boat and rock it but I don't think Jaylan could fit it so Papá would probably take him on the rough part of town giving him the you hurt my daughter speech and I send the Cartel. Then once Jaylan sweats a bit Papá would probably take him to get a cigar or a beer at the local bar but I rather them just cook together or something without any substance abuse to hurt Papa.

"Honestly, knowing Papà he will give the 'if you hurt my daughter then you'll go right into the river' speech but then.. He gets sweet after." I shrug my shoulders up.

"You think you'll bring Jaylan down to see your family?" she asks, bumping my shoulder as we walk along the waterside sidewalk path. The reflected cherry blossoms are just as pretty as the actual ones.

"How did you read my brain?" I slant my eyes at her looking up.

"I have superpowers." She tips her head back and giggles.

"I've thought about it...."

I thought about it alot actually the more we have been apart. I want to show Jaylan where I grew up as he did with me. I definitely want to show him my beanie baby collection but I have to make sure he doesn't hurt them because they are pretty fragile and his big paws could pop the beads out. Mateo and he would cause chaos with their pranks on Isabela and I.

I even want to have him try a Mexican ghost paper too at Abuelo's farm.

I want to have him experience a true fiesta and stay up 'till three am and then collapse and we squish into my twin size bed.

But it all comes with a price. The reality is the family I have now is not going to be the family I remember.

"Thought about it?" Lexi recites

"I don't know, I well... Just bringing him around my family might be hard because... My family is, well, different now."

I always imagined when I introduced the love of my life to my family, they would be together and not apart. It's embarrassing to me and I don't know if anyone will understand that. I didn't think I would have to introduce Papá at Papá's house or have holidays with him at his house or with Mamá and Señor Ricardo at our house.

I just hope Jaylan would be comfortable because I'm still trying to deal with it. I still haven't texted Señor Ricardo about Mamá, I guess because I need to prepare my heart for what he will ask me. He actually sent me money, to just enjoy spring break, but I haven't used it. His money just feels too weird to me so I sent it back.

Dipping my chin down, Lexi places her hand on my shoulder. "But you can show him how your family used to be. And by bringing that to when he visits with you someday, he will see why you care about family so much. Plus you already show him family and that's what Jaylan needs. You are home to him."

My eyes widen. "You think so?"

"I know so." Lexi smirks, handing her phone to me and walks over to two trees.

She poses with a bunch of cherry blossoms in her fingers. I focus the camera on portrait mode when a familiar name pops down in her messages.

Derek: Uh sure when this weekend? I'm kind of busy getting ready for the NFL combine in April but I'm free in the evening. What did you want to talk about?

I wish I could have burned my eyes from seeing the message. Clearing my throat, I smile looking at Lexi posing like she is in Vogue with her cream color Tory Burch bag. In the photo, she looks like she is happy, free, and content but on the inside she is hiding the most painful things in her heart.

"Okay, your turn, Lizzie." Lexi comes over with a smile.

I dig in my purse and grab my phone, noticing a missed call from my novio and a text message from Papá. Warmth fills my heart while reading my text message from Papá but it fizzles out at the end.

Papá💪🏽💗: Hola Elizabeth, I miss you very much! I hope you are doing okay... I'm sorry to ask but may I borrow twenty dollars? I'm running low and I'll pay you back as soon as I can, okay?

I gulp and twist my lips, handing the phone to Lexi and force a smile at her. I walk over to the bench, looking back over my shoulder, and she hoots.

"Ah I love it, I love it!" Lexi gets close.

I look over to the still water by the Martin Luther King Memorial. I don't understand how Papá already doesn't have money, considering he's been fishing and working down south for, what, ten days? It really disappoints me that he's asking again. I really don't want to give it to him but I don't know if he needs it for his medication or food.

"Okay this, needs to be posted! Look at youuu." Lexi coming over and showing me my photo interrupts my thoughts.

My cheeks warm up at the photo of me looking from afar. "Can you send it to Jaylan?"

He'll probably add it to his collection of photos of me he has on his phone.

"Done, oh your Dad is calling." Lexi hands my phone to me.

"Que onda, Papá ," I say softly as he connects a video call.

"Hola Elzabeth, how are you doing?" He beams

"I'm good, I'm at the park right now with Lexi." I glance over at Lexi, who is taking selfies and I stick out my tongue when she focuses on us.

"Are you sliding down slides?" he teases.

Although going to the park does sound like fun.

I miss going to the park with Papá .

I dip my chin down because Papá knows I love going to the park. He always brought Mateo, Isabela and I to the park after school and it was also a place where he could smoke... but besides that he would slide down the slides and push us so high on the swings.

Those were good times.

Faintly smiling at the faded memory. I softly say, "No Papà, we are walking at the Tidal Basin where the Martin Luther King Memorial is." I giggle.

"I would love to be there when I come visit you for graduation," he reveals.

My pupils expand. "You are coming?"

My heart explodes out my chest when I hear Papá laugh and says yes. " Papá, when did you buy your ticket?" I say, my voice squeaking high and looking at Lexi, who's smiling at me and mouthing 'I told you.'

"I actually bought it last week,when I spoke to Mamá," he says with confidence.

"Y-y...you spoke to her?" I stammer.

I didn't even think they talked anymore after the divorce but I guess they have to since they have three children.

"Of course, you are our daughter, Elizabeth." He nods a few times "This is a big deal coming up. There is alot coming up this year. You are graduating college, Mateo graduating High school and Isabela going into our junior year of high school. " Papá clears his throat, getting emotional.

My eyes flicker back and forth at the screen as his eyes water a bit. My heart tugs as much as I want Papá to go. He is always low on funds. "Oh Papa, I didn't want you to spend all that money," I fret because... well, he just asked me for money. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. You come first" He flashes me his yellowy smile.

Paying for a plane ticket is a lot of money so now I can see why he is asking for twenty dollars. I just hope he uses it for groceries until he gets paid. I know eating fish can get old fast.

"I...I can still give you the twenty dollars," I offer, biting my lip.

"That's if you have it, baby." He smiles faintly. "Don't worry if you don't."

"No, no, no..." I shake my head a few times. "I want to. It's the least I can do since you bought the ticket."

His smile widens and forehead relaxes. "Don't look at it that way, Elizabeth."

Biting the inside of my cheek, he gives me a tender look. "But I still want to help," I offer

He sighs, looks away from the camera, and back at me. "Thank you but you don't have to,." he assures me.

"You're welcome, Papá."

Stillness wraps around as Lexi is up far ahead, texting on her phone, and I hear the familiar flick sound which sinks my heart. I clear my throat as I look back at my phone again as I see a cancer stick in his mouth.

"You know I'm proud of you right, Elizabeth?" He blows out a stream of smoke

My vision blurs as I look down and stand silent for a few moments. "Thank you, Papá ."

"I'm so proud of you for pursuing your dreams and also sticking with it... I know you will be a great nurse," he exclaims, hitting the bottom of the cigarette.

"Papá," my voice husks.

"You know it's true and I want you to always remember that every time you put on your scrubs." He blows another ring.

My throat tightens up, so I swallow and nod. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He smiles and shifts his eyes off-camera somewhere. "Well, I have to go back to work and I'll talk to you soon."

"I'll talk to you soon," I promise, sniffling quietly.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I wipe my eyes and breathe through my nostrils, clearing the stuffed up feeling. Glancing at my phone, I twist my lips, and go to the cash app. With a press of my thumb, I send Papá forty dollars and take a deep breath.

I know I'm making the wrong decision before I hit send, and I'm reminded of why my family is broken in the first place due of circumstances like this.

And I resent him for it.

Edited and spiced by still_just_me

---

Hints of Alexis and Stephen's book :D

I'm super excited about their book everybody deserves a second chance of romance and rekindled love.

But uh Lexi why is Derek texting you hunnie? Whats going on?