stomach to turn. Fearing I would throw up, I clamped my hand over my mouth. I almost knocked my chair over as I stumbled out of it before racing into the bedroom off the roof. Glancing wildly around, I searched for the bathroom. Finally, I saw it and raced inside, slamming the door behind me. When I got to the toilet, I heaved just twice before my stomach started to settle. I had just finished gargling some mouthwash I’d dug out from under the sink when a gentle knock came at the door. “Mia?” AJ questioned.
After I spit, I swiped my mouth and then reached over to unlock the door. He ducked his head in, his brow creased with worry. “You okay?”
“My stomach is fine, but I’m mortified that I just did that in front of your family. God, what a nice impression.”
“Aw, amorcito mio, they don’t give a shit about that. You’re pregnant—shit’s gonna bother you more than normal.”
I grinned up at him. “I gotta say that pregnant or not, that tongue woulda freaked the hell outta me.”
AJ laughed. “So you’re telling me you Sicilians don’t eat weird shit?”
“Yeah, I’m sure they do back in the old country, but not in Atlanta.”
When my stomach rumbled between us, AJ grinned. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Would they be really offended if I went to lie down instead of being at the tongue table?”
AJ shook his head. “No, I mean, let’s really get out of here. I’m getting my Baby Mama some American food.”
“But I don’t want—”
AJ silenced me by bringing his lips to mine. When he pulled away, he cupped my cheeks in his hands. “Quit worrying about pissing off my family. They love you just for having my baby.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Your illegitimate baby.”
“Hey, we can always legitimize her while we’re down here.”
“If that’s a proposal, you need to step up your game.”
AJ laughed. “Come on, let’s go.”
When we stepped back onto the roof, everyone’s gaze honed in on me. I tried not to blush and cower behind AJ. He held up a hand. “She’s fine. I’m going to take her for some fresh air.”
His mom nodded and then translated for his relatives. “Sorry,” I said.
She smiled. “Don’t worry about it, honey. It happens to all of us. Just feel better.”
“Thank you.”
I let AJ lead me over to the stairs. Once we were back on the main floor, he grabbed a set of keys off the hook. I followed him out the front door as he popped the lock on one of the cars on the street. After we buckled up, he floored the engine, and we pealed out of the spot.
“Um, are you insane?” I asked as we flew around the narrow streets.
“Sorry, amorcito mio, but this is how we drive down here.”
“And I thought Atlanta was bad,” I muttered as I cringed.
At the sight of the Golden Arches a few minutes down the road, I gasped in pleasure. “You guys have McDonalds?”
AJ chuckled. “Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t some third world country. We even have a Wal- Mart.”
“Everywhere has a Wally World.”
“Whatever,” AJ replied as he eased up to the drive thru.
I longingly eyed the burgers and fries on the menu. Still worried about gaining too much weight and being undesirable to AJ, I knew I shouldn’t get anything really fattening. With regret, I said, “I’ll have the chicken salad.
AJ rolled his eyes and ordered us both double cheeseburger meals and fries. He had them add an apple pie as well. “What was that about?” I demanded as he began to pull forward.
“That’s about you and your neurotic weight shit.” He cut his eyes over to me. “I want you to eat what you want to eat.”
I snorted. “Fine. When I get as big as Shamu—”
“I’ll love every inch of you,” AJ countered, with a determined look in his dark eyes.
My heart melted at his words, even though it was hard to believe him. “Whatever,” I mumbled, but I did lean over and kiss him. After we got the food, he pulled the car into a parking space and left it running. After he handed me my burger, I hurriedly unwrapped it and shoved in a bite. “Augh, this is terrible for me, but so fucking good,” I murmured through my mouthful.
AJ laughed. “I’m just glad to see you’re eating for you and Bella.”
“Hey, as long as you don’t give me tongue, I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll get you some ‘Mia friendly food’ later at the local market.”
After wiping my mouth with my napkin, I planted a kiss on AJ’s cheek. “My hero.”
“You’re welcome.”
When we were finished, AJ tossed the trash bag in the back seat and cranked up the car. “Come on, let me show you my city.”
“But what about your family? Won’t they be mad at me for keeping you gone so long?”
He shook his head. “Once I tell them you wanted nothing more than to learn everything you could about your second home, Guadalajara, you’ll be putty in their hands.”
I laughed. “If you say so.”
“We have two weeks with my family, Mia. Stop worrying.”
“Okay,” I said with a smile.
Once we got to the historic downtown part, we abandoned the car in a parking deck, and AJ began his tour on foot. At the sight of an empty horse drawn carriage on the street corner, a thought popped into my mind. After everything we had been through, we needed a little romance, and what could be more romantic than a carriage ride?
“Can we do this?”
AJ eyed the white and pink carriage with disdain. I guess the fact the overhanging had pink fringe didn’t help matters. “Seriously?”
“Please.”
“I’m going to look like a fucking pansy tourist in that thing.”
I poked my bottom lip out. “Do it for me and Bella.”
He snorted. “Like she gives two shits about a Pepto Bismol covered carriage ride.” But even as he was arguing, he was getting his wallet out. He stepped forward and spoke to the driver. Taking my hand, he helped me inside before hopping in to sit beside me. On the back of the carriage, there were two heart-shaped cut-outs for windows. I nestled closer to him before jerking my head back. “Oh, look. It’s all romantic.”
AJ shifted in his seat. “Let’s not mention romantic shit, okay?”
My anxiety at his comment kicked into overdrive. “But I thought we could use a little romance.”
He grinned. “I’m all for romance, but considering I won’t get to have sex with you as long as we’re at Abuela’s, I think we need to nix anything that might make me even more sexually frustrated.”
Relief flooded me at his real reason for shooting down my romantic vibe. As I gazed out the carriage, I peered at the surroundings. “Then I think we better find a hotel that we can duck into from time to time.”
He arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”
“Mmm, hmm. Pregnancy makes you really horny—or at least it has me.”
He laughed. “Let me guess. You need a stud like me to take care of your needs?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Fuck yeah,” he muttered before kissing me on the lips. Considering we kept making out, I didn’t see much of the ride before AJ called the driver to stop and let us get out in the city center. AJ helped me down, and then proceeded to give me an official tour, including historical information.
As I gazed around at the architecture, I said, “This is really beautiful—it reminds me a little of Italy.”
“A lot of the design is in the similar neoclassic style.”
An imposing cathedral caught my eye. “Wow, that is breathtaking.”
“That’s the Catedral de Guadalajara or Catedral de la Asuncion de Maria Santisima.”
