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Carmen followed Shane into the kitchen. Shane always looked so cute when she was trying to figure out what to make for dinner. She blatantly stared on as Shane bent over to look for vegetables in the fridge. Before she could comment how Shane’s little butt look so cute when it was sticking out, she was interrupted by the phone.

While she kept her eyes trained on Shane busying herself at the stove, she absentmindedly answered the phone. Only when she realized who was on the line, did her eyes shot wide open.

“Momma?”

“Yes, my baby, how are you?”

“I…,” Carmen choked, she forgot how much she missed her mother’s voice and her family, ever since she snapped out of her depression, “I’m fine, momma… me haces falta” She felt like crying, when she said I miss you, because deep down, she would always be Mama’s girl.

“También me has hecho falta mi hija.” As soon as she heard those words, her face scrunched up into a sob, and she was feeling all the emotions that she didn’t realize that her mother sounded different.

She didn’t know when it was, but Shane was already by her side, holding her and giving her support before she even asked for any.

“Hija?”

“Ya, momma, I’m still here.” Carmen said after she felt courage return to her.

“Erm, I talked to your papito about your situation.” Mercedes started.

 “Was he… Did he… was he upset?” Carmen had to ask.

 “Of course that pig would be upset, he is a very traditional man.” Mercedes raised her voice, then she realized how Carmen must be feeling, because she continued quickly, “But my dearest baby, he would never remain angry with you, I talked to him long and hard.”

“What… what about Carla, and hermano, and… the others?”

“They… are taking it pretty well.” Mercedes said, somewhat confidently.

“Oh.”

“That’s what I was calling about baby, your papito would like to meet Shane. Sooo, you and Shane are coming to dinner, this Friday.”

“Really, momma? I mean, I…” Carmen stared at Shane, unsure of how to react to the information, she was even more apprehensive about how Shane would react. Would Shane go with her, would she back out, and mostly, would she want to subject Shane to that kind of treatment? But ultimately, she wanted so badly for Shane to be accepted into her family, for her and Shane to be accepted into the Morales family as an entity, as a couple.