I enter the room of my grandmother, hand in hand with Gabrielo. She stares at me from a distance without saying anything. I always hated it when she kept silent like that since I was a child. It was her way of keeping her thoughts to herself without flinching. She seems to be thinking and gets up from her chair.

- Alma, cariño," she says, taking me in her arms. You are bringing me a surprise with you now.

She moves away a little to be able to admire me completely. She gently runs a hand over my belly, smiling. Then, she turns to Gabo who seems to me stiff as a board. She looks him up and down without speaking.

- Can I know who you are? She asks sharply.

I thought we had agreed that she would greet him warmly. Not like he was an intruder in her house.

If that's being warm, I can't imagine what she'd say if she was cold.

- Gabrielo Moretti, your granddaughter's husband," he replies, recovering his composure.

- I don't think I gave you my granddaughter's hand, young man," my grandmother counters without blinking.

- Grandma, please," I pleaded, grabbing her arm.

She moves away from him and goes to take a glass of wine in her hands. She puts it back down without touching it and asks me to sit in the chair where she had been a few moments earlier. Then she turns around and stands in front of Gabrielo.

- I have something to ask you. What will you do if you lose this child? I believe that this is the only thing that brings you together.

- Alma remains my wife no matter what. Our marriage is a promise to keep loving each other even when it's hard, because Alma is worth it. No matter what happens, I will be there to support her.

This touches my heart. I feel tears forming in my eyes. Damn hormones. I wipe my tears away as quietly as I can, keeping myself from sniffling. My grandmother stands in front of me and holds my hands in hers.

- I'm glad you have someone to count on," my grandmother says. Your grandfather would be so relieved.

- Thank you, Grandma," I said, sniffling.

- I'm sure you'll make an amazing mother. Just look up and be proud of everything you've been through to get here.

I hug my grandmother before bursting into tears. She's the only person I have left here with Yuma. She has looked after me and Yuma all these years. I don't know what I would do without her.

- Welcome back to Spain," she murmured in Spanish, rubbing my back. As for you, Gabrielo, welcome into our family. Take care of Alma for me.

- Don't worry, ma'am.

- Call me Nadia. For now, go and rest. Alma will need it, especially with dinner coming up. Dinner will be served soon. I will see you then.

We went back upstairs to my room to rest. I let myself down on the bed and Gabrielo joins me.

- Quite a family, huh?

- You said it," he replies, resting my head on his chest in a hug. I haven't even met your parents yet.

- I'm not looking forward to seeing them at all," I say, returning his hug. My grandmother makes all the decisions around here. She's the boss.

- Well, that's an incredible grandma you have there.

- I know," I said, closing my eyes against his chest. I'm lucky to have her. And I'm lucky to have you too.

I feel lips resting against my forehead and I relax even more. This encounter has been intense. I hear footsteps coming down the stairs and voices heading downstairs.

- It's time for dinner," I say with a sigh.

We get out of bed and I lead us into the dining room. Almost everyone was settled when we entered and eyes turned to us. Amber waved at me from across the table and I came to sit next to her.

- Who is missing? I asked through the hubbub of the room.

- Mila and her fiancée," Amber answered without taking her eyes off the door. Your parents, mine and grandma.

- They should be here soon then.

Speaking of the devil, here he is pointing the end of its tail. Mila, come into the room with James and my parents. I tense up helplessly. Although two years have passed without me seeing her, I really haven't missed her. I would go back to New York if it weren't for Grandma.

Gabrielo takes my hand and intertwines our fingers. He strokes the top of my hand and looks at me with concern. I reassure him before turning my attention back to my parents. They stare at us from across the table. I do my best to ignore them. Grandma enters the room and the meal begins.

Yuma is deep in conversation with Steven and Gabrielo about liquor and anecdotes I've lost track of. They seem to get along great with each other. Amber chats with me throughout the meal and we both try to forget about the presence of our family members.

The rest of the family eventually left the table and only my grandmother, my parents, Gabrielo, Mila, James and I remained. As I left, Amber gave me a little "good luck". I got up to leave the table when my mother called out to me.

- Sit down, we need to talk.

- I'm fine, thanks. I haven't had a real conversation with you in two years and I'm just fine.

- Alma, let's hear what she has to say," my grandmother suggests.

I sit back down in my seat and wait for her to start talking. Gabrielo puts a hand around my waist and pulls me onto his lap. I ask him to let me sit in my chair, but he turns me down. My father looks away as usual and Mila and James give me curious looks.

- So I wanted to ask you who this man was," my mother asks.

- I'm her husband," says Gabo, holding me close. I guess you're her mother.

- Yes, I am. I can't believe my daughter got married without telling us.

- I can't believe you're my mother, but you are," I replied, meeting her eyes.

- Alma, show her more respect. She's our mother after all," Mila said, getting up from her chair.

- She's your mother, not mine. She died for me the day my whole family turned their back on me because of you.

I get up and walk out of the dining room without waiting. This family has a lot of nerve. If it wasn't for Grandma who has always been there for me, I wouldn't be here. I feel tears rolling down my cheeks and I can't help it.

- It's okay, it's over. We can go back if that's what you want.

- No," I stammered against his chest. It's just that I'm so angry and hormones aren't helping. She's my mom, but even when it was tough, she didn't support me.

- You'll be fine. Easy," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. I'm here.

He puts one arm under my legs and the other behind my back before carrying me like a princess. I don't even have the strength to tell him to let me down when he takes us back to my room. The worst thing about this is that tomorrow is the party to announce my sister's wedding.