Final Choices

"Would you stop cara mia, you look beautiful," Ramon told her as she pulled down the visor in his car and checked her make-up and hair once again. "Mom does not care about looks, just so long as you are nice." Jeanette knew she was but she had also seen other members of Ramon's family and they were all good-looking. In fact, she wasn't even sure why she was trying to look pretty, it wasn't like she was dating Ramon or that there was a chance of that, no matter how amazing the sex was. And as much as it pained her, she needed to remember that right now and for the rest of the night. And to be truthfully honest, she needed to remember that for the rest of the trip.

 "Well, I don't think I'm a bitch so I should be okay." Jeanette took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Why am I going to dinner with your family again?"

 "Because my mom invited you and refusing is like saying no to the Queen, you just do not do it."

 "Right." Jeanette sighed and Ramon reached over for her hand and linked their fingers together. "And you never bring anyone home?"

 "Do you think I would make a habit of prancing any type of lovers in front of my mom like that? I do not bring anyone to meet my family." It was on the verge of her tongue to ask why her again. What was making her special? Why was she getting the treatment that no else ever had? Especially when she was leaving in a few days anyway?

 "No, something tells me that your mom would probably smack you senseless if you did."

 "She would. But she knows of you and has wanted to meet you; so it was just all perfect timing to have you come." Jeanette glanced over at him. Even if she didn't have all the answers, she didn't buy that. His mother could have asked her for lunch or something and even Ramon could have done that. But a big ol' family dinner was something else entirely. It really was something you did when you were dating someone.

 But she was done questioning; she was just going to let it go. Maybe his mom would shed some light on everything, and maybe she wouldn't. Maybe she was just like Ramon and only liked to give off little details and nothing ever big. She let out a soft sigh. She needed to stop thinking like that or she would really put her mind into a whirlwind of thoughts and none of it would be good.

 "Are you not going to tell me anything about your family?" Ramon glanced at her before he turned down a side street and pulled up to a gorgeous two-story classic Roman house.

 "Why would I ruin the fun that is my family by telling you when you will be meeting them in just moments?" She eyed the house again, feeling she had really underdressed. "You are okay cara mia, you really must stop fussing." 

 "Easy for you to say, you know your family." She gave him a mock glare as he chuckled and held her door open for her and then helped her out.

 "You will be fine; they will all love you." They walked to the front door and she couldn't help but wonder why it was so important to her for them to like her. Again, there was no future with Ramon so she really did need to stop worrying. Maybe that's why he told her not to because he knew this was nothing and he could really care less what they thought?

 Ramon opened the door and walked in, his hand on the small of her back. Her eyes scanned the entryway and her jaw dropped. Just this part of the house was beautiful and looked to be about three times more than her apartment. And again, that was just a few steps inside the place.

 "Glad you could finally make it home for a meal Ramon."

 "Yeah, well, seemed mom sent enough people to tell me. Dad, meet Jeanette Washington; Jeanette my father Roberto."

 "Ah, you must be the beauty that has everyone in this family in an uproar." She held out her hand and he took it, placing a brief kiss on the back of it. "Your picture on your book does not do you justice. It is a pleasure to meet you and welcome to my home."

 "The pleasure is mine and you have quite a lovely home."

 "Non stare lì, togliti di mezzo (don't just stand there, get out of my way), I want to finally meet this woman." Roberto stepped aside and Jeanette was shocked to see a plump woman that stood about 5'4 walk over to her. She cupped Jeanette's cheeks and kissed each one. "I am glad to finally meet you, Jeanette. I have heard so much about you and I did not think it was fair that everyone got to meet you while I had to wait." The woman shot a glare at Ramon and Jeanette laughed.

 "Jeanette, Cece Capilini, my mother," he said, smiling as well.

 "How do you do Mrs. Capilini? You have a lovely home, as…" She stopped as Cece waved her hand.

 "No, nessun formale (no, no formal). I do not like formal, too stuffy. Please call me Cece and that is it. And thank you, about the home, but it's a pain in the ass to clean." Jeanette's eyes popped open. This little woman was a spitfire so it really shouldn't surprise her that she might be as naughty as one too. "But, Roberto will not let us move, uomo testardo (stubborn man). Come, Jeanette, join us in the kitchen." Jeanette nodded, not sure she could even speak. Cece Capilini was nothing like she thought the woman would be. And she was actually grateful for that because she really liked this woman.

 "I brought some flowers for you Cece, and some wine, though Ramon did help me pick it out."

 "That is so sweet of you." Cece took them and looked at the other four ladies who were in the kitchen. "Why don't any of you bring me flowers? I'm going to go put these on the table." Jeanette smiled and then turned to the other ladies. Ramon sure looked like his brother, but he looked like all his siblings too, that was something she picked up on when she meet his sister.

 "Oh my God, you are Jeanette," the youngest woman squealed and ran over to Jeanette and gave her a hug. "I have all your books; please tell me you can sign at least one for me?" Jeanette laughed; this one clearly took after her mom quite a bit. "Oh, how rude of me, I'm Adrianna and a huge fan."

 "So I keep hearing and yes, it would be an honor and a pleasure to sign them. I hadn't known I had an international fan base until Ramon told me."

 "About that, I wasn't able to ask you but how did you meet Ramon?" Esmi was as sly as the day Jeanette met her.

 "I ran into him at the airport, literally. I think he recognized me right away. Afterward, he offered to take me back to the hotel I was staying at; didn't know he owned that though." Cece walked in and shared a look with her daughters that Jeanette could not interpret.

 "And he has spent all this time with you and showing you around?"

 "Britannia, stop," Cece scolded but Ramon's sister shook her head.

 "No mama, not in a bad way. I find it fascinating that Ramon is actually spending his time with a real woman and not some one-time deal."

 "I do thank you, but I do fly home in a couple of days. I think this time with him has been wonderful but it's not like there is any type of future for us. Not that Ramon would ever be looking into that."

 "Honey, I'm sure that you have gathered we all love Ramon, but my son is a player. He does not take women out and does not show them any type of sights. He does not fly them to places nor bring any home. I do not know what is special about you, dear, but there is something. And Ramon will figure it out later."

 "There is something special about you Jeanette, I saw it the day I meet you." Jeanette blushed, not sure what to make of their comments. She wanted to believe them, like how they went along with her thoughts but she also could see the lifestyle that Ramon had and once she was gone, she could see him going back to that.

 "Come, Jeanette, take this platter, it's time to eat." Jeanette took the tray and walked out of the kitchen, seeing the dining table. She missed nights like this, even if her family didn't talk. It got lonely at her place more times than she liked to admit.

 She turned to grab something else when everyone came out, carrying a dish. Ramon walked over to her, led her to a chair and held it out for her, much to his mother's delight. And once the food was passed around and Roberto said grace did everyone started talking again.

 "Oh, Esmi or Britannia, do you think you could help Jeanette tomorrow? She needs a dress for Rico's gala and I thought you might have something?" Everyone stopped talking and looked at the two of them. Ramon did not take anyone to this gala because he was always finding a woman to take home, so his asking was highly unusual.