— Kiss me? I ask, my eyes wide with surprise at his sudden question.
— Yes. Your brothers are likely watching, and it would look strange if they didn't see at least one kiss—especially right after a dinner where I said I wanted to marry you, Eduardo says, and I have to admit he's right.
— You're right. I was just… caught off guard. Should… should I come to you, or are you coming to me? I ask, making him chuckle.
— Relax, he says, cupping my face with his hand and pulling me closer.
I watch as his gaze drops to my lips before meeting my eyes again. We stare at each other for a heartbeat, until he slowly leans in and gently presses his lips to mine. He's soft as the kiss deepens—it's sweet, calm, and lingering. We stay like that until we finally pull apart to breathe.
— Are you okay? he asks, checking if I'm uncomfortable.
Far from it.
— I am, I whisper, and he smiles.
— We should probably head inside then, he says. I glance around; the yard is empty now.
We get out of the car, and I gather Sofia into my arms. She slept the entire way. Inside, I find my brothers talking at the patio table with my parents.
— Hey, sis, Breno says, wearing a look that clearly shows he knows exactly what we were doing.
— Your father and I are going to bed. We're getting old, so we sleep early, my mother says, making the boys laugh.
— Yeah, sure. We believe you. Go "snuggle," just like Malia, Breno teases, and my mother glares at him.
— I know you don't think a stork brought you, so be quiet, she says, pulling my father toward the bedroom.
— You're disgusting, Breno. I'd rather think they're actually sleeping, I say, making a face, and he laughs.
— Forgive me, oh pure one, he says, crossing his legs and pouting. Sometimes his flamboyant side shows.
We've known for years that Breno is gay. He never had to come out, and we never had to ask. We just know, he knows we know, and that's it. We treat it naturally.
Breno understands better than anyone how the world sees him. Our parents raised us well. They didn't teach us how to have sex, obviously, but they taught us about protection and respect. They never said "girls do this" and "boys do that," and I know they did that because of Breno.
He's not overly feminine, but sometimes he acts a little dramatic. It's not intentional—it's just part of who he is. And honestly, it only makes him more charming. It makes his jokes even funnier.
— I'm not even going to respond to that. I'm going to give Sofia a bath and go to bed too, I say, turning to Eduardo. — Are you coming?
— Go ahead. I'll stay out here with your brothers for a bit… and check how things are at home, he says, and I nod.
In the bedroom, I set Sofia on the bed.
— Ready for a bath, love? Mommy's going to shower with you, I say, taking off her little dress.
I undress her completely, grab comfortable pajamas for her and mine, and carry her to the bathroom along with our clothes and her baby soap.
I take off my clothes and step into the shower with her. She's all giggles and smiles.
— Time for a bath so you can sleep well, I murmur, kissing her. I love the smell of baby soap.
Since I already showered earlier, I just let the warm water relax me. I stay there with Sofia for a bit, and since I didn't wet her hair, I take her out before she gets too excited.
I wrap both of us in towels and sit her on the closed toilet lid while I get dressed.
I put on my underwear and a simple pajama set—shorts and a tank top. For Sofia, I picked pink pajamas with pants and a shirt with a cute little koala and a bow.
I dress her, tidy up the bathroom, and carry her back to bed.
I lie down with her and play until she yawns. Taking advantage of her sleepiness, I turn off the light and settle in.
I lay her on my arm, and she snuggles against me.
That does something to me… and before I realize it, tears are already falling.
How am I supposed to give my little girl back to Henrique after this weekend?
— Malia, are you okay? Eduardo asks as he steps into the dark room.
— I am, I answer.
— I'm going to take a quick shower and then come to bed, he says, and I nod. Only then do I realize we're going to sleep in the same bed.
It would be strange for him to sleep in the guest room.
I trust he won't try anything, and Sofia will sleep between us… but it still feels strange.
Soon, Eduardo comes out of the bathroom wearing pajama pants and no shirt.
— Why were you crying? he asks softly after turning off the bathroom light and lying down.
— I don't know how I'm going to give her back to Henrique later, I whisper.
— I know. It'll be hard. But I promise that as soon as we're married, you'll have her at home. I'll try to make everything happen as quickly as possible, he says softly.
— Can we get married tomorrow then? I ask, and I hear his quiet laugh.
— Let's take it slow, or your father will kill me, he says, still smiling. — You'll be busy with the wedding preparations, choosing a house, and getting everything ready for Sofia. Before you know it, we'll be married. Time will fly.
— Do you want a big wedding? I ask, a little nervous.
— I'm a very public person. Whether it's big or not, it will get a lot of attention. The problem is that many people would… how can I say… make a scene if they weren't invited. The point of getting married is to avoid too much drama. There will still be some, but the less, the better. Unless you prefer something simpler and more intimate—just family and close friends.
— No, it's fine. We can do it your way. I just don't know how I'll handle everyone looking at me.
— You don't need to care about anyone else, he says. — Just about me waiting for you at the altar.
I smile.
— You're being surprisingly sweet. When we get back, I'll need to find a job.
— A job?
— Yes. I have to pay rent and bills until the wedding. That's two months.
— Just focus on the wedding. I have an apartment downtown—you can stay there until we choose a house. I'm thinking about buying one in the same condominium where I live. It's peaceful, and I grew up there with my sister. It's a great place for Sofia.
— Okay… I don't mind where we stay. But are you sure about the apartment?
— Yes. I lived there before my sister died. When I got custody of my niece, I moved back home with her. I'm not very good with kids.
— I don't think that's true. Sofia likes you, I say, looking at him even in the dark.
— Sofia is a princess. She's calm. Amanda has been a handful since she was little—fiery, never stayed still. She was always breaking something or getting into trouble, he says, his tone full of fond memories. — She's just like my sister.
— You miss your sister, don't you? I ask softly.
— Yes. She was the one who brought joy into the house. Even after she settled down and got married, she was still the one making everyone laugh.
— I don't know what it feels like to lose a sibling… and I truly hope I never find out.
— It's a pain that never goes away. I hope you never have to feel it either, he says.
Silence settles between us for a moment.
— Good night, Malia.
— Good night, Eduardo.