Chapter 3
To have a child born out of wedlock is considered a sin by many people who are devoutly religious. If you commit this act, you are shunned by your community completely. My mother always told me that marriage was a material institution, which was the reason she and my father hadn't exchanged vows until after I was born. I was the last child they had together before my father's death. to this day, I am indifferent about the fact that I was the only child that was born when my parents were married. I believe my daughter---or any child, for that matter---shouldn't have to be unloved just because the parents weren't married by the time of birth.
I had a stepfather who loved me very much when I was growing up. Minerva, even though she was only my stepsister, grew closest to me and we never liked being apart. The seven-year difference in our ages never mattered. Sure, I loved all my brothers and sisters, but Minnie and I understood each other. I guess it just stemmed from the time she was born. We just kind of clicked instantly, no matter how strange that sounds.
I told Edge that I had wanted to go back home and see my family again, and he was shocked. I couldn't blame him. It was utter torment and turmoil in that house, but nothing is perfect. My stepfather left because he simply couldn't live with my mother's violently inebriated presence. She was too much of a fright to the family, and she burdened us all with her dependecy on alcohol. This unfortunately took a toll on the delicate balance in our lives. Edge told me that despite all this, at least I had a family.
That statement alone hurt me more than it hurt him.
When Blanca and Vega, me older sisters, realized that I was in love, they couldn't believe it. they wanted to tell our mother, but I knew she would hear none of it. She'd go insane at the thought of marriage. And to think that only fathers did that to their daughters.
There was no doubt they were curious, for they kept asking me questions about my lover. "Who is he?" "When will he visit our family?" "Will Mother like him?" "Aren't you too young to be involved with a man his age?"
It was not until some time ago---after the birth of Rio---did I see them. They were walking along the path I took in the storm and were holding hands, laughing and talking with each other. Suddenly I felt so left out in the cold. They couldn't see me. I thought they would simply ignore me and walk on, but then I felt brave enough to call their names. Their own eyes met mine and the sunlight seemed to shine on us all, giving the moment the warmth it needed. It was almost a wound that needed healing after the skin ached without treatment, and I had been away from home for such a long time.
"Rory?" Blanca yelled out to me. "Is that you?"
"Yes," I answered happily, "it's me! It's me! I'm all right!"
I was seventeen now. They missed my birthday, and I had missed theirs. I ran with my child in my arms and then we were all finally connected once again. We held each other and cried tears of joy at the sight of each other, and when I stepped back, the reaction on their faces were of complete surprise.
"Aurora Christina Diamonte," Vega gasped. "You're.... You're a mother?"
"Yes," I replied proudly, holding my bundle in my arms. "Rio Magnolia is my daughter's name. Rio, these are two of your aunts, Blanca and Vega."
"Oh, she is so precious," Vega sighed.
"Would either one of you like to hold her?" I offered.
"May I?" Blanca asked, smiling from ear to ear.
I handed her the child and I saw her eyes light up with exhilaration. She cradled and cooed, and I clasped my hands together in bliss and felt the tears sting my eyes. I knew that she didn't want to let go when she was handing the child to Vega.
"She's so beautiful, Rory," Blanca whispered, her voice cracking. "She looks like you....just like you."
"That's what Edge told me," I confessed, "but I think she has more of him in her than me."
"Edge?"
"Her father," I said.
Vega gasped and inquired, "Is he here?"
"Aurora, where are you?" I heard his voice call.
"Darling, I'm right here!"
He walked up to my side and wrapped his arms around me, his grip tightening as he held me close. Through the sunlight, I saw my sisters' sun-kissed faces grow porcelain white at the vision of my lover, their fear truly apparent. He kissed my face gently and I swooned with delight.
"This is Edge," I replied, almost nonchalant to the fright they felt.
"Good day, ladies," he sweetly greeted.
"Good day," my sisters reciprocated, trembling slightly.
"There's nothing to fear," he laughed, grinning as he held out his hand. "I won't bite you!"
"Y-You're a very nice man....Mr. Edge," Blanca stammered, shaking his hand.
"Oh, there's no 'Mr.' in my name," he gently corrected. "Just call me Edge. And thank you for the compliment."
"How do you do, Edge?" Vega greeted, a bit calmer. "Are you and Aurora planning on marriage?"
"We did discuss it," he admitted, "and we've decided to get married, but we haven't set a date."
"Would you like to come in for some tea?" I asked them. "We could just have a talk. I have missed you all a lot since I've been away."
The sheer delight in their faces told me all I needed to know, and we all walked along the grass together, entering the large house to chat over some tea. I swear, that reunion was one of the best and most magical times that I had ever experienced in my life.
Chapter 4
Chapter 2