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“Nina, please. It has to be you.” Penny sounds like she’s begging. “I signed up for it months ago, but now I’m with Johnny. I can’t be in the date auction, and you know your tía Camila will freak out when I drop out.”
The other woman—Nina, apparently—sighs in defeat. “Why not? I already do everything for my sister. And I guess it’s for a good cause.”
Penny, on the other hand, looks ready to bounce out of her skin. “Thank you, Nina. You’re the best cousin ever.”
On the counter between them is a flyer for Valentina’s Charity Date Auction. I’ve heard of it before. All the proceeds go to fund cancer research. I pick it up and show Tess.
Nina shakes her head. “I don’t know if I can—”
Tess interrupts. “The proceeds go to cancer research?”
Both Penny and Nina notice us at the same time, and start to explain.
“My sister has—”
“My cousin Valentina—”
They look at each other and Nina nods. Penny begins again, “My cousin Valentina had cancer. She’s in remission now, but we must do everything we can to help her stay that way.”
I already know Tess wants to help. Since last year, donating to cancer research is kind of our thing. “Rand, can we go?”
“I got an invitation, but I haven’t replied yet.” Mostly because it’s being hosted at Maxmillian’s hotel, The Monolith, and I spend more than enough time with the pretentious ass building his designer home. “But of course we can go. I know this is important to you.”
“It’s important to all of us.” Nina seems to have resigned herself to the fact that she has to go. “I would do anything for my sister.” She glares at Penny. “I’ll do it, but tell your mamá that she owes me one of her famous tres leches cakes.”
At that, Nina huffs and stalks through the front door. Penny quickly draws up the paperwork and ten minutes later, we’re driving home with our new kitten.
We pull into the garage, Tess still cuddling Eva in her arms. I open the door to the house for Eva, since her hands are full and she’s a tiny bit distracted. “Tess, there’s more. Come into the living room.”
She follows me, gasping in surprise as she notices the plethora of cat toys, food, litter, structures, etc. Jesse stands to the side, sweeping his hands in a Vanna White gesture as he presents the goodies. “Surprise, my dear.”
“Oh, my god.” Her eyes fill with tears. “Thank you, Rand. Thank you, Jesse. You’re the best. I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I made sure to get all designer labels. See these cat beds? These are luxury—”
“Jesse, get out of here.” I interrupt his monologue.
He huffs with indignation, but I can see the pleased sparkle in his eyes. “Fine, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He waves goodbye with a wiggle of his fingers.
“I still can’t believe you did all this.”
“Let’s take Eva upstairs to the bedroom. I read that they transition better if they start in a smaller space.” The shock on Tess’ face right now is worth every hour spent researching cats and kittens.
Entering the bedroom, we shut the door and Tess sets Eva down so she can explore her new home. Tess watches her, eyes full of joy and tears.
“Is everything alright, fighter?” I sit on the bed and pull Tess into my lap.
“It’s just, I always wanted a kitten. Not just because they’re cuddly and cute. But because it’s the start of a family of my own.” She sniffles. I grab a tissue from the side table and hand it to her.
Thinking about her words, I consider if the time is right. I’ve been ready for months, but waiting for the perfect moment. Now, I’m pretty sure this is it.
Subtly, I reach for the nightstand again, this time opening the bottom drawer and pulling out a small, velvet box.
I’d get on one knee, but holding her on my lap feels right so I tighten my arms and start. “Tess, since the first moment I saw you, I knew you were special. You work so hard, trying to better yourself and take care of the people you love all at the same time.
“You don’t always get it right. Nobody does. But you never give up. You keep hoping, keep trying, keep putting yourself out there. Every single day I appreciate that you choose to share your life with me.
“Today, we added little Eva to our family. Now, I want to make it official. You are my family, Tess. You are my fighter, my hope, and my everything.
