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It’s Thursday late afternoon when the sound of tires crunching on the gravel driveway floats through the open kitchen window alerting Andrea to the presence of visitors to the ranch. It’s too early for Gabriel to be home yet, and she isn’t expecting anyone else, but it is a welcome surprise to open the front door to Carlos and TK standing on the porch hand in hand.
“Carlitos, TK.”
“Mami. Is Dad home?” Carlos asks abruptly and if it weren’t for the smile on his face and the energy rolling off of his boyfriend she would think they were here to deliver bad news.
She looks between the two young men, taking in the way TK is practically bouncing on his feet and the way Carlos shoulders are relaxed. They both seem at ease and happy in a way she isn't sure she has ever seen.
“No, he should be home in about an hour. Would you boys like to come in, stay for dinner?”
TK and Carlos share a glance and Andrea watches as within the span of a few seconds the conversation that passes between them. It’s reminiscent of the way her and Gabriel communicate; with intimate knowledge of your partner's thoughts and expressions. Andrea sends a quick thanks to the heavens that she is allowed to be witness to these moments. She doesn’t think she’ll ever stop being grateful, both that TK loves Carlos the way she always wanted her son to be loved, and also that Carlos has allowed her and Gabriel to be a part of his life in these ways. It still hurts at times to think that she had missed something from his life all those years due to their misguided attempts at keeping things the same, but she doesn’t dwell.
“We’d love to.” TK answers brightly, pulling Carlos inside with a smile.
Carlos follows easily enough, wrapping Andrea in a warm embrace as he steps into their family home. She returns the gesture, warmed at the easy affection he is willing to give. When they part she notices the way TK and Carlos immediately gravitate back together, hands clasping, smiles shining brightly on their faces. It’s not altogether unusual for them to display affection, but she’s rarely seen them this connected.
These thoughts remind her of the recent events of the building collapse and the news regarding TK’s father.
“TK, mijo, how is your father doing? We heard he was caught in the building collapse.” she asks gently.
TK’s face turns solemn, his thoughts clearly flashing back to what must have been a terrible time for them and Andrea is sorry for having brought up the subject. A second later though his face clears, and his eyes brighten again as he says, “he’s doing well. We actually just left him before coming here and he was already back on his feet.”
She takes TK’s free hand in hers, squeezing it gently, “I’m so glad to hear that.” she says earnestly.
They are quiet for a moment before the dam bursts and energy from before seems to flood back into the room. It strikes her the sheer amount of love and happiness radiating from her boys and that it seems nothing can hold it back in this moment.
“Mami, why don’t we help you finish dinner.” Carlos breaks the silence as he walks towards the kitchen. Andrea smiles fondly at his suggestion. For as long as she can remember, Carlos has always helped her in the kitchen and it is always something she has missed since he moved into his own place years ago.
“Si mijo. That would be wonderful.”
TK takes a seat on a barstool at the countertop, while Carlos immediately immerses himself in helping Andrea finish preparing the food. They pass the time in easy conversation. She catches the boys up on what has been going on around the ranch since it has been a while since they’ve been out to visit. They catch her up on life in the city and the latest gossip amongst the police and firehouse crews. It’s wonderful and comfortable and yet Andrea can’t help but feel like there is something more that brought them out here today than just catching up.
She observes them both and notices that every time TK looks up at Carlos he smiles so brightly she swears she’s looking into the sun. Then again, every time Carlos returns TK's smile with his own fond soft smile, no less full of love and radiating just as warmly. She also notices the way TK taps his fingers on the countertop, and the way Carlos keeps glancing out the window. They’re both as impatient as they are in love.
The realization of why they are so impatient slams into her as she witnesses one particularly candid moment between them. Watching from the kitchen sink, she thinks they've momentarily forgotten her presence in the room when they share a particularly long look that ends with TK grabbing Carlos' left hand and rubbing his thumb over Carlos' ring finger. Carlos kissing TK softly on the lips before shooting her a quick look having clearly remembered where they are. Instead of addressing her Carlos just shakes his head and complains about having to wash his hands again.
But she understands it all now and with new eyes she looks between her two sons, and her heart bursts with the emotion of the news she is now certain they are waiting to share.
Fortunately for her poor heart, her husband chooses almost that exact moment to walk through the door.
“Carlos, TK, what a wonderful surprise.” He exclaims as he walks into the kitchen.
Gabriel moves to greet her with the same soft kiss she has welcomed him with all these years. “Dinner smells amazing as always.” he compliments her with a smile. She laughs at him, grateful for the kind words that he still grants with her despite years of her feeding him.
It doesn’t take long to get the table set and almost as soon as they are seated Carlos is shifting in his seat, clearing his throat and looking questioningly over at TK. The energy in the room changes as TK smiles back encouragingly, reaching to link their hands together on top of the table. Andrea can’t help but smile brightly at them in return.
“Mom, Dad, we can’t thank you enough for all of your support and love.” There is a short pause when Carlos looks away, and she watches as TK squeezes Carlos’ hand, while Carlos takes a deep breath. She worries that he is still nervous to tell them, to share this with them, but as Carlos turns back to them, she realizes he’s just so damn full of emotions that he’s having trouble getting the words out. Through a wet laugh he finishes, “Anyways, we’re getting married!!”
At the confirmation of her previous thoughts Andrea can no longer contain her excitement as she bursts out of her chair with an excited shout. “Oh mijos!! I am so happy for you both.” She exclaims capturing both Carlos and TK in an embrace.
As Gabriel joins them she looks up into her husband's face and is surprised to see the tears shining there. Gabriel’s voice is rough with emotion as he says, “Boys, I couldn’t be happier for you both.” before he echoes all her thoughts as he says, “Thank you for letting us be a part of this.”
Carlos ducks his head shyly, but the smile he gives them is genuine as Gabriel grabs him in a tight hug. Andrea moves around them to wrap TK in an equally tight embrace.
After a few more moments they all settle back into their seats to enjoy dinner. Andrea happily asks the boys about wedding plans and plays the role of embarrassing mother by asking them about if this means she’ll have grandchildren before she’s too old to run around with them. Both men navigate around the issue swiftly, but she’s happy to witness the soft look they share at the mention of the topic.
Dinner passes quickly and Andrea finds herself being kicked out of the kitchen by TK who is adamant that she and Carlos cooked so he and Gabriel can clean. She chuckles at the indignant look on Gabriel’s face. It’s not that he never helps her out in the house, in fact they have a very equal partnership, but his help usually doesn’t revolve around anything in the kitchen, cleaning included.
She’s still laughing at the way she hears her second son directing her husband to grab the dish towel to help dry as she finds Carlos sitting on the porch swing. His face is peaceful and content and she takes a moment to just enjoy the happiness she feels before she goes to join him.
As soon as she sits down he smiles over at her. “Thank you Mami.” She startles a little, not sure what he should have to thank her for. “For loving TK as much as you do.” he clarifies.
“He makes it easy to love him.” She answers back and is surprised at the huff of laughter that gets out of Carlos. “He does,” she argues softly, “because he loves you the way you deserve to be loved.”
“He really does.” Carlos readily agrees, “and you are right he makes it easy to love him. I just…” he pauses again and Andrea waits patiently. “Well, if I’m honest I guess I still never expected it to be easy for you and Dad.”
It stings to hear. Andrea knows that while they are working to heal the hurt they caused, it isn’t always going to be a linear path. They can’t just erase those feelings in a single moment. “I hope you know how sincerely happy we are for you boys to get married. We love you Carlos and we love TK too.”
Carlos nods, reaching out his hand to grasp hers as he turns to give her a watery smile. “I know and I think my heart is learning to accept it as the truth also. I love you too Mom.”
Andrea was determined not to cry today, but those words do it to her. Her son has always been one to readily show his love in various ways, but he’s never been much for saying the words. Hearing them now is almost too much for her to bear, and she pulls him towards her, placing a soft kiss on his cheek before they lean comfortably against one another to watch the sunset.
They’re joined by Gabriel and TK. Both pulling up extra chairs. Her and Gabriel share a smile before turning to watch the boys grasp hands as TK leans over to rest his head on Carlos’ shoulder.
The peace and love that fills this moment is one Andrea wishes they could all live in forever and it’s one she’s grateful Carlos and TK have brought into her life.
It’s a few days later when Andrea finds TK back at the ranch again, alone this time, and sitting on that same porch swing.
She sits down next to him, enjoying the view in silence, as has become their customary routine on these visits.
“There were some moments in my life that I never would have been able to imagine feeling this happy.” TK’s soft words break the silence after several minutes.
She hums softly in response, not quite sure she could find the right words to express her sadness at that sentiment.
“My mom would be so happy for us. She always loved Carlos.” TK continues on, the words coming out slowly, but with purpose. “I know there was a time in my life when she wasn’t sure I’d ever get to this place. I just wish she could see me now.” His voice trembles with sadness and when Andrea glances over at him she sees the tears that run silently down his face.
“Is it weird that I can be so happy and so sad in the same moment?” he asks quietly, turning to look at her.
Andrea pauses, thinking about the best words for this moment.
“I think that such happiness in life can only come from knowing sadness. Joy can only be recognized from knowing pain.” She pauses again. “I think your mother always knew that you were capable of living this happiness and she did everything she could to help you. I also think she knew that you had found it in Carlos. That you had both found it in each other. Honestly anyone who knew you together at any stage, knew that your love was that kind of love.”
TK nods his head, “She told me once that she had never seen me happier than when I settled into my life here in Austin. Then after Carlos and I got back together she told me she loved Carlos and would be happy to call him her son-in-law.” TK laughs wetly, “She was so sure of it.”
“Of course she was, because she knew her son that well.” Andrea tells him. “She knew who you were and had every faith in you.”
“Thank you.” TK whispers, clearing his throat and then turning to her with a soft smile, “would it be okay if I joined you on your afternoon walk?”
Andrea smiles brightly back at him, “Of course mijo, I’d be happy to have you.”
As they walk, the sadness seems to fall off of both of them in waves, but she can still see that TK has a lot on his mind. He’s quiet and contained in the ways she has come to recognize in him when his mind is full of things he wants to say, but isn’t sure how.
“Did Carlos ever tell you how hard I tried to run from him in the beginning?” TK asks.
She’s a bit surprised at the turn the conversation has taken. Aside from some basic questions about how they met and got together, her and Gabriel never pried into their relationship. Instead choosing to know what Carlos wanted to share with them.
“No, I recall him mentioning you not being on the same page in the beginning, but nothing about running.” she answers.
TK laughs, “Always so generous with his descriptions of me. Oh I definitely ran. Like I actually literally ran out of his house the first time we hooked up.” The words clearly spill out of TK a little unbidden and he snaps his lips shut while shooting her an apologetic look. He looks so stricken and so much like a young child embarrassed to have been caught doing something by their parents at that moment that it strikes Andrea that maybe he wants to share this with someone, needs to almost, but isn’t sure he should with her. She can’t lie, it is a little uncomfortable to have this type of conversation with her son’s fiancé, but she honestly considers TK her son just as much as is willing to listen to whatever he is comfortable sharing.
She just raises her eyebrows at him with a small smirk, “I may be old, but I know what it is you young people usually get up to these days.”
He smiles sheepishly back, “Umm anyways, yeah, and then there was the time he made me dinner, and then of course the loft…” TK trails off a little. “But I meant it when I told Carlos that our love was the kind you can’t run from. Not really at least. Even more though. I realized it’s not the kind I ever really wanted to run from. It’s just the kind I was too scared to think I ever deserved.”
“That’s very wise of you to realize that.” She tells him sincerely, “It’s hard to really look at ourselves and understand ourselves in that way.”
“It’s terrifying,” he agrees.
“And liberating,” he confirms after a pause.
Andrea bites her lip, she knows what she wants to say, but she’s unsure if she should. Although she’s never really been one to hold back and the only time she really did she almost ruined her relationship with Carlos, so she decides not to start now.
“Tyler,” she starts, watching the way his eyes whip up to meet hers, “You are deserving of this kind of happiness and this kind of love. We have always loved you and we always will. No matter what.”
She’s overjoyed when her words cause him to laugh and a smile lights up his face. “You Reyes’ picking the perfect moments to use my first name.”
Her face must show her confusion, because he shrugs his shoulders, “Carlos called me Tyler the other night at the perfect moment.”
It’s a vague answer, but the happiness she hears in his voice makes her smile and she won’t press.
They’ve reached the front of the house again and when she asks TK if he wants to stay for dinner he tells her he has a night shift he has to get to. She makes him wait while she grabs some leftovers from the fridge. They laugh together when he tells her it’s enough to feed the whole paramedic team, for which he is sure they will be grateful. She just tells him she is taking care of her family. To which he blushes and thanks her sincerely.
As she watches him drive away she sends her thanks to the woman she knows loved TK with all her heart. She also sends her promise to love him with all her heart through anything that may come their way, because that’s what family does.