(Untitled)

[aveb_feline]

A lot of Hispanic countries begin celebrating well before Christmas Day actually arrives. For this reason, the streets of Spanish Harlem are louder - and smell better - than usual this week, and the Marquez household is no exception.

Isabel Marquez is making coquito, homemade coconut eggnog, a traditional beverage in Puerto Rico

Comments

[moreofaman]

"Honey, relax. Mama will love you." Angel's voice is patient and his hand does not leave Collins while they walk up the sidewalk to the kitchen door.

He knocks before opening it, as is customary in the family. "Mama?"

[aveb_feline]

"Angelito!"

Isabel looks up from beating the egg yolks, beaming.

"Back to see me again so soon, how lovely...and who is this handsome young man, hm?"

Collins is being Appraised.

[moreofaman]

"Si, I am back and I did promise to show you things I had made." He does have the skirt with him in a bag.

He smiles at Collins. "This is Collins. Tom Collins, Mama."

For his part, Collins smiles warmly at her. "I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Marquez."

[aveb_feline]

Isabel raises her eyebrows and smiles back. "I am pleased to meet you as well. A friend, Angelito?"

[moreofaman]

"The man I love," he says quietly.

[aveb_feline]

Isabel beams.

"Oh, Angelito. This is good, this is very good..." She looks at Collins, sternly. "And you, do you love my Angelito?"

[to_anarchy]

"More than I ever thought I could love anyone," he says, meeting her eyes steadily. "He is a true blessing and I don't understand why he looks twice at me, though I am forever thankful for it."

[aveb_feline]

Isabel Eyes Him Appraisingly for a second, and then beams some more.

"Good. Very, very good," she says, and hugs him. "You will take care of my Angelito. I approve."

[to_anarchy]

"For the rest of my life and as much as he'll let me." He hugs her back, feeling an acute sense of relief.

[aveb_feline]

"He is stubborn about these things. You will have to out-stubborn him. My Mimi will help, she is stubborn too."

[moreofaman]

"Mama!" Angel's blushing and smiling at the same time.

[aveb_feline]

"You notice he does not argue the point with me." Isabel releases Collins and beams at him amicably. "He knows that I am right. I am almost always right. Have you met my Mimi?"

[to_anarchy]

He grins over at Angel. "I'd noticed. And yes, I have met Mimi. She is a lovely young woman."

[aveb_feline]

Isabel beams some more. "Yes, she is. I am glad to meet another of her friends. I worry about my Mimi. You will look after her, for me? Like Angelito does."

[to_anarchy]

"I will do that." His nod is firm and his gaze steady. "I know what Benny did to her--I've known him a long time and sadly, she is not the first he has hurt. I will protect her like my own sister."

Angel leans against him comfortably. "We will both look after her, Mama."

[aveb_feline]

"Good." Isabel nods firmly. "Mimi has many brothers. It is good. You will make sure that her next young man is good for her."

She turns back to the eggs, picking up the bowl and moving to the table. "I am making coquito, Angelito. Will you and your young man stay?"