Sleeping with the Frenemy (Vega Family Love Stories #3)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Papo Vega stood at the back of the tent watching everyone he loved enjoying themselves and feeling more than a little smug. He was three for three when it came to his matchmaking. His family was celebrating Liam and Kamilah’s wedding right now because of his and Killian’s machinations. Saint and Lola were happily awaiting the arrival of their first biological kid together because of his input. Now Leo and Sofi were together for real all due to the push Papo had given them.

“I don’t know that I like the look on your face right now,” Leo told him as he walked up. “You look the same way Tostón did after his begging got Do?a Fina, Sofi, and Alicia to give him pieces of their filet mignon.”

“Those Santana women are really something,” Papo said, thinking about one in particular.

“Does that mean you’re finally ready to admit that you and Do?a Fina are dating? Or whatever the old person version of it is.”

Papo fussed with the sleeves of his tuxedo jacket. He was nervous to hear what his grandson thought of his budding relationship. He and Fina were truly just friends at the moment, but Papo couldn’t deny that he wanted more. He would never love anyone like he loved his Rosa Luz, but that didn’t mean that he needed to live the rest of his life alone—especially now that Killian, his only other companion, had also passed. Fina felt the same about her own husband. But she too was willing to give this a shot. “What would you say if I am? Would that bother you?”

Leo shook his head. “I think everyone here would agree that you deserve to be happy, Abuelo. If she makes you happy, I can’t see anyone disapproving of your relationship.”

“Gracias, mijo.” Papo’s eyes were glassy as he put a hand on Leo’s shoulder and gave it a rough shake. “That means everything to me.”

Leo wrapped an arm around Papo’s shoulders and gave him a one-armed hug. “I love you, Abuelo. You’re my favorite person.”

“I love you too.”

“This is where you tell me that I’m your favorite too.”

Papo loved all of his grandchildren equally, which is why he busted his butt to make them happy. Not that he was finished with that goal by any means. “Nah uh,” he told Leo with a wag of his finger. “Nice try.”

“Fine, don’t say it out loud, but we both know it’s true.”

Papo ignored his nonsense. “I have an idea for how to close out this party, but I need your help.”

His clone didn’t even hesitate. “Whatever it is, I’m in.”

Within moments Papo was onstage with Leo and the rest of the band Papo had founded in his youth.

“What are we doing?” Leo asked.

“Just follow along,” Papo said before holding the mic to his mouth and addressing the crowd. “Leo and I want to sing one more song tonight. Ya se me está acabando la gasolina.”

“Of course you’re running out of gas,” Leo said into his own mic. “You were dropping it all over the dance floor with Do?a Fina.”

Chuckles arose.

Papo shot him a look that told him to remember his place. Papo was the star here. “Anyway, before we sing. I just wanted to say a few things. I’m so proud of this family. We’ve been through a lot together from losing mi amada, Rosa, to almost losing my mini-me.” He pointed at Leo. “But everything we’ve gone through has only made us stronger, closer, and better. I know that there will be difficult times in our future, but I also know we will be okay because we’ll always have each other to help us through everything. Los amo con todo mi corazón.”

Cheers and calls of “We love you too” thundered through the tent.

Papo smiled widely. “Canten con nosotros.” He signaled to the band.

The band began to play and everyone immediately recognized the song. “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony. It was perfect. It was all about continuing to enjoy life despite the troubles everyone inevitably faces.

Papo began singing the first verse about how those things that seemed negative could actually be something positive. As he sang, Papo searched the crowd. His entire family, including the people he wasn’t actually related to but loved all the same, stood on the dance floor dancing and singing along. When he sang the bridge about the pointlessness of crying over things when everything will eventually pass, he did it with everything in him.

Leo joined him in singing the chorus. Together in perfect harmony they sang about how they were going to laugh, dance, have fun, and live their lives.

Papo put all the emotion he could into his voice. If he had a theme song, this would be it. He knew better than most that life was for laughing, singing, dancing, dreaming, loving, and living. Life was for moving forward with hope and happiness. Thanks to the love of everyone in the crowd, Papo was always able to do so.