So it's been a while since I uploaded and there might be a long break again or maybe not. But just know your reviews or favs and follows are always appreciated even if it's on a story I had finished a year ago. So thank you and I hope you are all still enjoying this story as well.
Juan was putting both Gina and Alex's bags in the trunk. Luke opened the passenger's side door for Penelope.
Gina got in behind Luke. Juan sat in the middle of the backseat letting Alex take the window. "So we were just wondering exactly what your plan is for when Dad and Mom figure you out." Penelope nodded back at Juan.
"Umm, hopefully everyone is so interested in you two and when you're going to do it that they don't notice us. Plus, everyone will be paying rapt attention to how Git and Gina are acting, so…"
"You two haven't done it?" Gina asked incredulously. "Why in the fuck not? Haven't you known each other for years?" She put her sunglasses on her head to look Penelope in the eye.
Penelope was giving her an evil glare, but Gina was completely unfazed by it and still flabbergasted by the revelation. "Thanks, Juan. Way to be on our side."
"It's on the chart, Rubia. It's not a secret."
"Holy fuck, you still have that fucking chart? Fuck that chart." Gina finally turned away from Penelope as she heard something else shocking.
"Marcos and I just fixed it. It's new and improved," Penelope said. "Although I don't know why I aided in this endeavor now."
"You wanted to bet on whether or not Gina and Git would get their heads out of their asses," Juan said helpfully.
Penelope and Gina turned to glare at him. "What was that name they used to call him?" she asked Gina.
"Chismoso. Because you can't fucking shut your stupid mouth. Even when you were seven and you were about to receive your first communion, you saw the deacon kissing Mrs. Rivera, and you blurted it out when you went up to the priest." Gina rolled her eyes.
Luke and Alex were laughing at their reminiscing. "Right, I forgot that was your nickname because you've grown up so much, and sometimes I forget what a Chatty Cathy you are." Penelope shook her head as she looked out the window.
"You know what? You assholes really are ones to talk. All the two of you used to do was gossip," Juan defended himself.
"No, we didn't. When did we have time to do that?"
"Seriously? I was trying to study and pass AP Chem, and you douches were talking about Santi's stupid girlfriend for like seven years straight. I can't remember shit about chemistry, but I do know that she has a nasal voice and fake hair. I could've been a doctor for all you know."
Both Gina and Penelope spoke at the same time. "You cannot be a doctor."
"Hey!"
"And that girl was the worst. She was so mean, and she stole my eyeliner," Penelope said.
"Remind me to send her a thank you card. I wish I would've known that before. I would've invited her over to take the rest of your makeup too. Shit," Juan said resolutely.
"He has a point. That goth phase was not your best look," Gina agreed.
"Whose side are you on?" Penelope asked her.
"Sorry, Boo, but that was not a good year for you. Between Shane," Gina made a gagging noise, "and the black hair and makeup, nineteen was not your shining moment."
Penelope shrugged. "Why did everyone hate Shane so much?"
"Seriously?" Juan said leaning forward and then sharing a conspiratorial look with Gina.
"He was such a narcissistic asshat. He was convinced he was the smartest person in the room, and he was convinced that his opinion was the most important one as well," Gina informed her.
"He was smart," Penelope said unconvincingly.
"Yeah, he was. He got you to break the law and get caught by the FBI," Juan said.
"I chose to get caught after-after-" She waved her hand towards Gina.
"Right, I know. I know you wouldn't have ever been caught, but Shane made you break the law in the first place, and that's not you," Juan said.
Penelope sat back in her chair. "That's not entirely true. We have to push the boundaries a lot in our job."
"But the goal is ultimately what is good, right? That's not really why you were doing it then," Gina said.
"You're wrong I only did things like hack into databases that were exploiting animals or workers. I would take money from shady people, and magically it landed in a charity fund somewhere," she defended.
"Yeah, you're a real Robin Hood. The point is you knew that wasn't how you should've used your skills. More to the point, Shane was a fucking dick wad, and, if I ever see him again, I will punch him in his throat so that I don't have to hear his stupid voice again," Juan said.
Penelope let out a one syllable laugh. "You know Mom gave me the sex talk the other day, and she asked if I slept with him. Like, yeah, Mom I managed to have sex in college. Granted not a great decision, but she looked like she was going to cry."
"Are you kidding me? I want to cry. Shane was a fucking asshole. I'll punch him in his crotch too just for good measure," Juan added.
"We all hated Shane, and we'd all like to physically maim him," Gina said informatively. "Wait, how did we get onto this topic?" Gina asked.
"You were all discussing what we were going to say to your parents, and then you were discussing the chart," Alex said helpfully, having finally stopped laughing at all of the information being given.
"Fuck that chart," Gina repeated.
"Yeah, so anyway, I think between Gina and Git pretending they're not still in love, and Penelope and Luke pretending they're not sneaking downstairs to fool around, we won't be the main topic of conversation," Juan surmised.
"Seriously?" Luke looked at Juan in the rear view mirror.
"Hey, I've helped a little. Plus I didn't tell on you two, nor did I stop you myself, so honestly, you're welcome." Juan shrugged.
"Chismoso," Gina stated
"Sabes que estos dos se enojan tanto cuando hablas español delante de ellos. Realmente muy enojado." Juan made the other two men laugh.
"Il a juste dit que nous nous énervons quand ils parlent espagnol. J'ai pratiqué les bases," Gina addressed Penelope.
"Et il a apparemment oublié que nous parlons tous les deux français. Connard. Baise-le," Penelope spoke back.
"You're both assholes," Juan said.
"Aww that's what we were saying about you. Family," Penelope sighed wistfully. "We both understand more Spanish than you do French so just keep that in mind."
Juan stuck his tongue out and let his eyes roll up. "So are you and Git going to-" Juan raised his eyebrows at Gina.
"Why are we on me again? And if everyone can remember correctly I'm not the one whose kept away."
"Dad still won't let anyone do it in the house," Penelope informed her.
"Git has his own place," Juan told her. "And these two have been sneaking off to Santi's apartment."
"Wait, you've been out of the house where the rules don't apply, and you still haven't done it? What the fuck?" Gina was back to her original question.
"Oh my God! Why? Just why?" Penelope put her hand over her forehead exasperated.
Both Juan and Gina spoke simultaneously, "Exactly."
"I'm going to be honest with you. That's actually a very good question," Alex chimed in.
"Uh huh. Not you too. I do have control over you, and I will absolutely use it." Luke's voice went low and menacing making Penelope shiver and close her eyes to contain herself.
"Look at her. She wants to do him right now," Gina remarked.
"Oh, believe me. I've seen them trying to eat each other's face off and feel each other up under a blanket. It's just overboard," Juan informed.
"Oh, so you two didn't just meet for the first time and make out in an airport? Good to know," Luke said dryly. Juan had the decency to look contrite.
"God, I forgot how crazy you fucking Garcias are. This is going to be a blast," Gina said.
"Still didn't answer my question." Juan turned to her with a sly smile.
"I definitely didn't want to be the only one not getting laid, but apparently Luke isn't either so… it's anyone's guess." Gina shrugged. Alex and Juan laughed. "But like I said before, I'm not the one holding out."
"I forgot how alike Git and La Reina are. It's all making sense now," Juan added.
"You know that's about enough out of you too. Chismoso is pretty tame for you." Luke shook his head.
Juan held up his hands. "I'm still your favorite right?"
"You know I'm finally seeing what Arturo meant. You are, but honestly where is the competition?" Luke chided, making Penelope and Gina giggle. Juan gasped.
"We're here. Let the chaos ensue," Penelope announced as Luke put the car in park and shut off the engine.
Juan handed Gina's bag to Luke, who strolled arm in arm with Penelope, Luke following close behind.
"Ready for this?" Juan asked Alex.
"I think this is going to be amazing." Alex leaned in to kiss Juan.
"Seriously? You're doing a terrible job of hiding this already," Luke called back to them. Juan grabbed Alex's bag and led the way in.
Flora released Gina from the hug she had her in and let Arturo take over as she made her way to Alex, who was standing next to Juan just inside the doorway. "I'm so happy to meet you," Flora said to Alex as she gave him a hug. "You look like Luke but more of a baby face," she said as she gripped his chin.
"Well, thanks, I think." Alex smiled.
"Am I going to like you as much as your brother?" Arturo asked with his arms crossed.
"I'm not sure. I can give it a good shot though," Alex replied.
"Your full name is Alejandro?" Arturo questioned, and Alex nodded. "What do you do? You're not an F.B.I. Agent, so what is it that would impress me as much as that?"
"Unfortunately, I work in marketing, which isn't impressive at all," Alex replied. "But I can cook way better than him."
Arturo pouted his lips. "Hmm, I'll think about it."
"Hey, there she is!" Santi came down the hall and picked Gina up, wrapping her in a hug.
"Hi, Santiago. Nice to see you too," she said dryly as he put her down.
Marcos wrapped her in a hug too. "Nice to see you, Gina. And who is this?" he said reaching a hand out.
"Alejandro, my brother," Luke introduced him.
"It's going to be quite a full house. Gina, you're with me," Penelope said.
"So Luke can move into Santi's room since there's room to move the futon in there, and Alex can bunk with me," Juan said.
Git came strolling in. Everyone looked at him, as he fixated on Gina. "Hey," he said quietly.
"Hey," she said back.
Marcos rolled his eyes. "Jesus, this is going to be even worse than those two." He gestured to Penelope and Luke, who were holding hands watching everyone.
"You can at least hug each other," Santi told the two who were quietly glancing at each other.
Git and Gina took a few slow steps towards each other and hugged briefly. Penelope cleared her throat. "Git, this is Alex." Git gave him a nod.
"Well, this is a lot of fun," Juan said as he shook his head at Git and Gina.
"Dinner will be ready in a couple hours, and then we can have an early night so everyone can rest," Flora informed them.
Git picked up Gina's bag, and Alex picked up his own, as everyone started moving toward their rooms. "Hold on," Arturo's loud assured voice rang out.
They all paused and turned to look at him. "Luke stays where he is. Gina takes Santi's bed. He can stay with Marcos, and the futon goes in Penelope's room for Alex." Arturo had never un-crossed his arms. He glared at Juan. "Not in my house."
Juan's eyes widened while Alex watched him with wide eyes. Penelope, Luke, and Gina, all started laughing. Santi, Git, and Marcos glanced between Juan and Alex before they joined in the laughter. Flora waved her dish towel at the group. "Go, go. Get everyone settled. Juan, mijo, it was a nice try," she said sweetly.
….
"So, you and my brother, huh?" Alex smirked at Penelope as she helped him put blankets on the futon.
Penelope shyly smiled. "Yeah, me and him."
"You know I love him, but we don't actually talk to each other often. He's always been really good at standing on his own."
Penelope glanced up at him. "Yeah, I sort of noticed that." She averted her eyes as she put new pillowcases on.
"He is loyal, when he- like with Phil. Phil's always been his friend, but he can go a long time without seeing him. He can be okay, for a long time all by himself."
Penelope knew her eyes seemed panicked as she cleared her throat. "I've realized."
Alex laughed. "You have nothing to worry about. He's already been attached for a couple years."
Penelope bit her bottom lip. "Oh." She tried to contain her smile.
Alex smirked at her. "I think you know that he cares about you. You care about him too, right?"
"I do. We've been working together for awhile. We're part of the same team. We're close," she said quietly.
"He's said as much, but, you two, the way you look at each other, you two are just- All I can say is I'm glad he found you. He's never been in love before. It's sort of nice to see." Alex shrugged.
Penelope's eyes shot up to him as he continued to fix the sheets, "We-we-uh-we've only been dating a few-not long," she stammered out as she fluffled the pillows for the third time.
Alex chuckled. "Yeah, I know, in some ways this is new, but in most ways it isn't. He loves you, and he has for awhile. I'm not sure if you feel the same, but I can guarantee this isn't something he takes lightly."
"That's uh-that's, I mean, I know we know more about each other than we would if we had genuinely just met like you and Juan but-" She stopped. She knew that it was entirely possible that they had a deep scope of emotions even if they had only kissed for the first time recently.
Alex nodded. "Don't worry. He's not going to push anything. He still needs time to adjust I'm sure. All I'm saying is you have no reason to doubt him, whatsoever. He does things with intent, and you should have faith in that."
Penelope's sly grin was on her face again. "I will try to remember that."
Alex nodded. "So, dinner seemed like chaos, but good chaos. Is there anything I need to know for tomorrow?" He tossed himself back on the futon.
"You can't run fast enough," she said seriously.
He laughed. "I guess I'll just have to stay and fight then."
Penelope climbed into her bed. "Hey, are you as good of a person as your brother? I'm only asking because Juan is one of my favorite brothers. Top four at least."
"I'm not a hero of any sort. I did well in college. I went into marketing because I'm a little creative but not that creative, and also I wanted to be financially secure. I'm not as intriguing as him, which also means I've never been as intense as him. He's stronger than I am."
"Not everyone has to be the hero," Penelope said placatingly.
"I-yeah, I'm never going to be as impressive as him, but I will never have his demons. I love him, and I wish he could connect a little better, but I understand why he doesn't. You're his connection. I think he needs that, and I'm glad he has it now."
"I'm-I've barely, I'm not his- He has that all on his own," Penelope said.
"No, the past couple years you've made him be more him than he's ever been. My guess is you never let him hide from you."
"That's where you're wrong. I barely let him near me. I pushed him so far away."
"Hmm mmm, and you were apparently really effective," he said sarcastically. "You might've tried to push him away, but I know that you are too good of a person to actually truly not be there for him. You provided him with the realest and most sincere relationship he's ever had, and that's without trying."
"I know. Somehow I sort of know that. I pushed him away, but it only managed to pull him closer. I don't even know how," she said honestly and contemplatively.
"That answers my question. You're in love too."
"You know what? You and Juan will do just fine together. Neither one of you seems to know how to mind your own business." As she flipped the switch on the lamp off, she could still hear his laughter in the darkness.