Chapter Forty-four

The bright sunlight enters through the window. The warm heat traps me underneath the comforter, allowing no room to leave the comfort of this bed. Looking out the window, a wide smile forms on my face as I watch it snow.

Even though snow is already on the ground, there's something about watching little snowflakes fall from the sky adding extra inches on the already powdery snow that spreads out like a blanket.

Stretching my arms out on the bed like a cat, an unfamiliar obnoxious ringtone resonates throughout the room. Glancing over to the nightstand, I notice the latest candy apple red iPhone with Tia's face flashing on the screen.

"What the…" Accepting the call, Tia's face fills the screen.

"?Buenos días Chiqui!" Tia waves at me.

"Oh my God. What the hell is this?" I'm completely dumbfounded by the new shiny phone in my hands.

"It's Facetime! Now I get to see your pretty face whenever I want." She blows me a kiss.

"Yeah, I get that, but ho—" The knock on the door interrupts me halfway.

"Someone's at the door."

"You better hide your nips, girl." Snickering, she points at my chest.

"Crap." I move the sheet over my chest. "Come in!" I call out.

Ash peeks around the door.

"Hey." His eyes gaze at the phone in my hand. "I see you got my present. Can I come in?"

"This was you?" I wave the phone at him in annoyance.

He smiles big when he sees Tia on the screen. "Uh, hello! Stop shaking the phone. You're giving me whiplash."

"Oh, shut up. You're fine," I snap at Tia coming in and out of focus.

What the hell is she doing?

"What? You don't like it?" He furrows his brow as he walks into the room and sits on the edge of the bed.

"I already have a phone."

"Pft. An ancient one." Narrowing my eyes, but she just laughs at me.

"D told me you had a burner phone. I wanted you to have the latest model. You need to keep up with the latest technology, Curly Sue." He crawls in bed and lays beside me with his hands behind his head.

Why does he always think it's ok to invade my personal space? I guess nothing has changed since we were kids.

"Everything is set up on the phone. I added all our contact information, , and you have unlimited text and data. I added you to our plan, so you won't have to worry about paying the bill."

"Ash," I groan, "I can't accept this. I really appreciate it, but it's too much. And I can pay my own phone bill." I look away, embarrassed and a bit annoyed.

"Who are you talking to?" There's a loud clattering sound in the background.

"It's Ash."

"Ooh! Turn the phone so I can see him." Adjusting the phone toward Ash, his smile widens with a gleam of lust in his eyes.

"Hey, Mami." Ash sits up on his elbows, trying to get a good look.

"Hey, chulo," she coos.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

"Ok. Go away now so I can talk to my girl." Tia shoos him away.

"Fine," Ash mutters, leans over, and places a kiss on my cheek. "See you down for breakfast." He turns to face Tia. "Later, sweetness." She blows him a kiss.

He jumps off the bed and walks toward the door. I call out to him, "Thank you for my gift." With his hand on the doorknob, he turns to face me. "Merry Christmas, Shorty." He winks and closes the door behind him, not waiting for my reply.

"God, he is so fucking sexy." Tia licks her fingers when the sound of a blender causes me to jump.

"Tia, what the hell are you doing?" I sound snappy.

She laughs.

"Sorry, girl." She turns the blender off.

"I'm making sofrito for tonight. Titi's working until three, sooo… I wanted to help her out before we visit Abuelita and the rest of the family tonight." Tia comes from a big family which is why she's celebrating Christmas with her family this weekend, and with us next week.

Sighing in frustration, I lean back as my head hits the pillow, holding the phone in front of my face.

"That's really sweet he got you a phone. They are so good to you. You deserve it and more,."

"I'm more than grateful, but, Tia, it's just…"

"Hey," she says in a gentle tone. "It's ok to feel loved and wanted. It's ok to accept gifts without feeling guilty. It's not like you're asking for these things. They do it because they want to. Because they love you. There's no shame in that."

"I know, but—"

"No. No buts. Don't overthink this. I know you feel like you don't deserve anything good in your life, but you do. You have to start living your life the way you want to. Accept and embrace it."

"I love you, Tia." I hold back the tears.

"I love you more. Go eat and I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" She kisses two of her fingers, placing them against the screen.

I mimic her movement and end the call. Admiring the shiny red phone, my favorite color, a notification of a text message pops on the screen. I smile when I see the name.

Doni: Come down for breakfast.

Me: Bossy much.

Doni: Get your cute ass down here. ??