Broken Rules (25 page)

 “
Mi amor
, I am so sorry. I know this
is everything you didn’t want.” He apologized, looking so pained, it killed
Alex. “I’ll fix this. I’ll find whoever sent that video…”

Alex didn’t let him finish, “Marco, stop it.” She
said sternly, forcing him to focus on her rather than all the assistants who
were sheepishly walking around. “Marco, we knew this would happen eventually.
So it’s out now. So what?”

Marco looked at her with a puzzled expression,
“You’re ok with this?”

 “No, I’m not ok with it. It fucking pisses
me off. But if it weren’t this, then someone else would get a shot of us doing
something else. Now it’s out. Done. Let them say what they’re going to say. Who
cares? Do you remember when you were on tour with Kimberly and you told me not
to believe what I saw, what I read?” she asked and Marco nodded. “So, some
people will just look at this video and make up their own stories. It doesn’t
matter. You and I know what matters.”

A slow smile crept on his face. Then he put his
hand to her forehead. He looked her up and down. Alex furrowed her brows as
Marco’s grin became wider and wider.

 “You don’t have any fever. And, as far as I
can tell, you’re still the Alexandra that I know and love.” He paused for
effect as Alex started getting more and more agitated. “So,
mi amor
,
please explain to me what happened to the woman I fell in love with who was
terrified of the paparazzi, who never wanted to date an actor, who hated that
her life might be put under the microscope. Where did she go?”

Finally, Alex softened now that Marco had relaxed
too. “She realized that putting up with the bullshit was far better than the
thought of trying to imagine her life without you. I already know what that’s
like. And I don’t want to experience it again. So let them post a video of us
making out. So what?”

 “You mean that?” he asked sincerely and Alex
nodded. “You know this is what it will be like, being with me.
Tu sabes
esto, si
?” The pain and sincerity in his voice tugged at Alex’s heart as
she nodded. She knew this is what it would be like. And there still wasn’t any
question in her mind that she’d rather put up with it than be without him.

Marco grinned and exhaled as though the weight of
the world had just been lifted. He kissed Alex’s forehead, leaving his lips
lingering on her skin as he cupped the back of her head and took another deep
breath. “Wait right here,
mi amor
. I’ll be right back.”

Alex wasn’t sure where he was off to, somewhere in
wardrobe, but he seemed both excited and determined, like he couldn’t wait to
get to where he was going. No sooner had he rushed off set than he came right
back, but this time, he walked up to Jesús and said something quietly to him.
Alex saw Jesús’ eyes go wide and then a tiny smile came over his face as he
nodded and they both walked over to Alex. By now, her brows were knit, seeing
these two conspire, wondering what on earth could bring them together.

 “Marco wants to get one last shot with the
two of you.” Jesús said, “like we did when we were on the islands.”

Alex nodded, used to the drill and followed Marco
to the mark on the set. When they got there, Marco faced her to him and his
expression changed completely. The corners of his mouth turned up as his eyes
filled with tears while he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. He
stared into her eyes and took a deep breath before he reached into his pocket
and then knelt down before her. Alex was in a state of shock, as was the rest
of the set who inhaled a collective gasp. Alex was vaguely aware of the camera
clicking away and the strobes firing, but more than anything, it was her heart
pounding that seemed to dominate her senses.

 “Alexandra,
mi amor, mi Corazon, mi vida
,”
Marco started, and hearing those terms of endearment from the man kneeling
before her, coupled with what she knew was to follow them, she felt the tears
start rolling down her face. “
No llores, mi amor
,” he worried.

 “It’s ok, Marco, they’re happy tears.” She
smiled as the tears continued to fall and she saw Marco exhale and then start
again.

 “From the moment I met you, I knew you were
the one. I just knew. Even though you didn’t, I did. And since then, there
hasn’t been a day that goes by that I don’t think about you, wishing you were
there by my side when you’re not. I don’t know what the future holds,
Alexandra, none of us do, but I do know that I want you in mine, with me,
forever, always.”

Alex never thought she would get married. It
wasn’t that she was against it, it was just that, growing up, her focus was on
survival. She had learned early on to be happy with what she had and what she
could accomplish for herself. Fantasizing about sharing a life with someone was
far too scary after knowing how, in an instant, anyone could be snatched from
this world.

But then Marco came along and proved to her that
even after she thought she lost him, he was never truly gone. She also learned
that she had the power to not just face her fears, but to move on from them,
choosing a different path, one that wasn’t defined by fear, but rather by
opportunity.

Their wedding was tiny, by all accounts. There was
no question as to where it would be. Even though Los Angeles was both of their
homes now, they went back to the place that truly brought them together. They
worked very hard to keep the location and date of their wedding a secret from
the prying eyes of the tabloids and paparazzi. Ever since the video from the
shoot was leaked, they were both very, very careful not to let any details
slip. They agreed that they’d have a small party when they got back to LA, but
they both wanted the wedding itself to just be family. As Marco’s fame
continued to rise, they got a quick indoctrination into the beast that was the
tabloid gossip mill and took great pains to keep their private life as private
as it could be for a man whose rise was so quick, that he had already reached
single-name status.

When Alex had asked Jesús if he would walk her
down the aisle, it was the first time she had ever seen him cry tears of joy.
Surprisingly, she had seen him cry one other time. It was when he realized that
Alex was the only one who showed up to see him graduate high school. Not one
member of his family took the time to make it. He had let her see a couple
tears fall before he pulled his mask back on, but she had seen it, and it broke
her heart. These tears however, these were tears of honor. When the moment
finally came, Alex had never seen him more proud, making
her
tear up.
Before he walked her down the aisle, he took the moment to tell her what she
meant to him. He knew the honor she had bestowed upon him by asking him to give
her away, and the implication of that, of what it meant to him, was by no means
lost.

 “Alex, I’ve never said this out loud,” he
paused, the words getting caught in his throat. He took a deep breath before he
was able to continue.  Even as he did, he alternated between looking at
her and the floor. “We, um, we both know that you saved me. I, shit, who knows
where I’d be if you hadn’t come along.” Jesús paused again, looking down,
making sure what he said next came out right. “I don’t want to lose you to
Marco. But you deserve to be loved. Hell, you deserve everything, anything. And
if he makes you happy, then I’m ok with it, you know what I mean?” Alex nodded
and sniffled, but Jesús wasn’t finished. “I love you, Alex. You’re more family
to me than my own blood.”

Now the tears really started flowing. Alex bit the
inside of her lip to try to stop them, but she couldn’t, and once they started,
she just let them fall. Finally, Jesús said, “Come on, we better get you down
that aisle, otherwise I think Marco and I might finally have that fight we’ve
both been waiting for.”

Alex laughed and used the tissue that Jesús
thankfully had on him. Before they took their first step though, she said,
“You’re not losing me, Jesús. You never will. I love you too. And
our
family is forever.” Making Jesús tear up this time.

Jesús took the tissue and wiped under Alex’s eyes,
the tender gesture almost making her cry all over again. Finally Alex tucked
her arm into his, and with his other hand, he patted hers. She was so proud of
the young man on her arm, and if anyone other than her father  or Dan were
going to walk her down the aisle, there was no one else she’d rather it be.

As she and Jesús walked down the makeshift aisle
on the sand, the sea lions took that opportunity to bark their loudest, making
everyone relax and laugh through the tears that were flowing from almost all
the eyes. Once they started again, Alex fixed on Marco’s gaze, his eyes and his
smile seeming to silently communicate just how much he loved her. She just
hoped her expression was as clear back to him. In fact, her cheeks felt like
they were going to burst she was grinning so wide. But the joy she felt simply
couldn’t be contained. She somehow managed to take in the loving looks from his
family. In fact, she wasn’t sure she had ever felt so much love. Even though
she lost her parents at a young age, she felt like she was being given a second
chance at family with Marco’s.  Of all the faces, the one that said the
most was Patricia’s. They had a connection from early on, and when they locked
eyes, the warmth, love, and approval that Alex felt almost melted her. She
simply kept grinning and gave the old woman a slight nod as a way of
recognizing that she knew all that she was being given.

Though it was a short walk, so much played through
Alex’s mind that when she finally got to Marco, it felt like an entire day had
passed.  Before Jesús had the chance to hand Alex to Marco, Marco put out
his hand, and then faked Jesús into a hug, holding him tightly.
“I promise
you that I will love, honor and cherish her as much as you do, Jesús. You have
my word.”
Marco released Jesús from the tight hug and then held out his
hand,
“Welcome to the Flores family.”
Alex could see the emotion on
Jesús’ face. A man who at one point probably wanted to pummel Jesús was showing
him more respect and love than Jesús’ own family had ever shown.

Jesús nodded,
“Thank you, Marco. Take good care
of her. She’s, she’s my everything.”
He swallowed and Marco nodded. 
Alex stood by in awe of the two men. Both so strong, masculine and caring in
their own very different ways.

Finally, Jesús stepped to the side, leaving Alex
facing Marco. They were both grinning from ear to ear as Marco reached up to
stroke Alex’s cheek, her face instinctively leaning into his hand. Then he
leaned in and kissed her, which earned a throat clearing from the minister. “
Have
a little patience, Marco. You can kiss your wife in just a few minutes.”

Marco laughed and shrugged,
“I’m sorry, father.
I just can’t help myself. I love her so much.”

The minister took that as a good segue,
“I have
performed many ceremonies in my lifetime, and if they all had a fraction of the
love that is so evident here, the world would be a better place. But I digress.
Today, we’re not here to talk about anyone but Marco and Alexandra.”
He
grinned at the two of them, the love seeming to be infectious.
“I have known
Marco his entire life. In fact, Lydia, Patricia, I’ve heard his confession for
the better part of a couple decades. And, as I stand here in front of you and
God, I can tell you that a more honorable man I do not know. Of course, I’m
willing to overlook his teenage years…”
A low rumble of chuckles erupted.
“But
as God is my witness, this is true love. You don’t need me to tell you. All you
have to do is look at these two and you can feel it.”
He then looked
earnestly at both Alex and Marco,
“But Alexandra, Marco, love will not
conquer all. You both live in a place where fantasy pretends to be reality. I
don’t know that world, but what I do know is that love, honor, respect and
trust is the foundation. What you do with it is up to you.”
He paused
again, Alex was surprised at how personal this ceremony was becoming.
“There
will be challenges. There will be hurdles. But you are joining together to face
those, and conquer them with each other’s support, and with the support of your
family. You are not alone in this world. You have each other.”

As if on cue to emphasize the point that they
weren’t alone, or perhaps that there would be challenges, the
thwap, thwap,
thwap, thwap
of helicopter blades interrupted their serenity. It was low
enough for them to see the photographer with a long zoom lens pointing straight
at them. Both Marco and Alex tensed. She could see he was about to apologize to
her when she shook her head. “They’re not going to ruin this day for us,
Marco.”

 “
Mi amor
, are you sure you’re ready
for this? This is going to be our life. Every little bit will be exposed, as
much as we try to keep it private.” The pain in Marco’s eyes broke Alex’s
heart. He was giving her an out, he knew she didn’t want this life. And he was
right, she didn’t. But she didn’t want to live without him either. That just
wasn’t an option. So she reached up and tenderly stroked his cheek, then raised
up onto her tip toes and kissed him tenderly. When they broke apart he grinned.
They both turned back to the minister, and with that, the helicopter flew away,
apparently satisfied with what they got.

The rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch.
They held the reception at Ceci’s bar, and the place was packed with every
childhood and family friend that could fit inside. They danced and drank until
the sun came up, and Marco’s good mood only faltered the few times he caught
Jesús and Teresa making out, but those moments were fleeting. Though when Alex
caught him and teased, “You know, Marco, you may not just be gaining a wife,
you might be gaining a brother-in-law soon.” That almost pushed him over the
edge. But Alex’s giggle and subsequent kiss pulled him back to her. He could
worry about Jesús and Teresa another day. This day was still theirs, and if he
had his say, it would go on like this forever.

####

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