Loving Vicente

XVII

DANIELLA’S POV:

It was the night before I left and I was anxious. Anna and I spent the day walking around town, picking up small souvenirs for my parents. I also grabbed a few more dresses and bought a pair of all-white baby booties.

They were handmade with small flowers stitched by the toe. I wanted to have something for my baby when they come.

I smile at the thought of my child, I was beginning to get excited. My uncle and cousin decorated the patio and set up dinner outside. Anna had made my favorite, enchiladas.

The night was warm and the sun was slowly starting to set. They seemed a bit sad that I was leaving but I promised to visit often.

As I'm laying in bed, my phone lets out a ring. I hit answer as I see Vicente's name. He had kept his distance this last week and I missed him. His face takes a second to load on my screen.

"Hi, Hermosa. How are you doing?" He asks. "I miss you, what's been going on?" I won't lie, a part of me wants to know how things ended with Luis but mostly, I just want to know if he's OK.

"I've been looking through my father's files all week and I can't seem to find anything. I don't know what to do Daniella. I don't think I can leave without answers." He responds. I stay quiet, not knowing what to say.

He lets out a frustrating sigh, "We're so close to getting out of here Vicente. But it's selfish of me to want you to leave without figuring this out."

He doesn't say anything, I lay back on my bed holding my tears back. "Can you read to me?" He asks, his voice coming out quiet. I grab my book and read out my poems.

It felt like it may have been the last time I was going to do this. The thought breaks my heart. When I hear Vicente's gentle snores, I set the book down and try to sleep.

When it was clear I wasn't falling asleep anytime soon, I decided to end my call with Vicente and walk out on the porch. As I stand there, I close my eyes and say a prayer. I pray that God leads me down whatever path he chose.

I pray that I won't lose my family. Walking back inside, I feel better. Like a weight had been lifted off my chest. After staying up a few moments more, I finally fell asleep.

The next morning, my uncle and Anna made a big breakfast. My flight didn't leave for a few hours so I had some time to spare. After we ate, Anna and I decided to take one last horse ride.

I was a bit nervous considering I was pregnant but I wanted to have one last chance to embrace everything. This past summer made me realize a lot. I was going to miss this place and the comfort I felt.

After Anna and I were finished, we loaded up the car and started the drive to the small airport. Vicente texted me saying he'll meet me at our gate. I was excited and nervous, not sure what to expect.

Anna and I cried saying goodbye to each other as we embraced in a tight hug. "Call me all the time OK? I want updates on everything." Anna insinuated. I nodded my head, yes, reassuring her.

Lastly, I hugged my uncle. He held me tight, "Thank you for coming. You've helped my family heal in more ways than you know." My uncle's English came out broken but had improved dramatically.

"Tio! I'm so proud, your English sounded great." He smiled before releasing me. "Well, this is it. Goodbye guys, I love you." I say before turning around with my bags and walking through security.

Once I was finished, I gathered my things and waited near my gate. My leg bobbed up and down anxiously as I awaited Vicente's arrival. There was still about an hour before our flight left, we still had time.

I tried calming myself down but nothing worked. I bit at my nails anxiously as I grabbed out my phone and began calling him.

When he didn't answer, I started to panic. What if something happened? What if he's not coming? He sends a text back to me, "I love you, Daniella. I'm talking to my dad now. If I don't make it, I'm on the next flight out."

His message read. I let out a frustrated sigh, I wanted him here but at the same time, I had to let him find the answers he needed. I watch as the time passes by slowly. Every time somebody would walk by, I would scan their face in search of Vicente.

I felt myself deflate every time I was disappointed. My phone lets out a ring, I look down quickly in hopes of seeing his name. It was my parents.

I hit answer, "Hi Mom! I'm at the airport now!" I hear my father say hello in the background, "Hello sweetie! I hope you have a safe flight.

We won't be in for another few days so you'll have to hold down the fort, but we'll be all together soon!" I let out a small laugh as tears threaten to fall.

I knew once I told them everything, my world was going to take a turn. "I love you guys. See you soon." I quickly end the call before my mom hears the cracking in my voice.

I didn't want to drop the news over the phone and ruin their vacation. There was a small food stand inside the airport, so I decided to grab something to eat.

My flight number gets called out as I'm finishing my food. A feeling of disappointment settles over me as I gather my things and head toward the terminal. Vicente was not here and I had to fly home alone.

They check my boarding pass before I head onto the plane. As I settle into my seat, I can't help but cry. Embarrassing, I know.

But I had hoped we were going to make it out of here. It felt as if everything was slipping away from me and I didn't know how to handle it.

I dial out his number one last time before they tell us to turn off our phones. I receive his voicemail and this disturbing feeling settles in my stomach.

I text Anna and ask her to try and call Vicente to see if he'd answer. At this point, I was desperate to hear from him.

Anna lets me know he didn't answer. When the flight attendant tells me to turn off my phone, I sit back in my seat and shove the phone into my pocket.

The flight wasn't very long, thankfully. When I landed back in my hometown, I call an Uber home. Pulling into my house, I unload all my bags and step inside the empty silence.

A/N

Such a short chapter, I'm sorry! The next one will be a bit more intense and will be the last chapter aside from the epilogue.

I hope you guys have been enjoying the story, don't forget to vote and comment!