After an afternoon brimming with heartfelt surprises, Marco took Alexa home; at that moment, Lucio was also arriving.
The three of them converged at the grand entrance door, exchanging glances until Alexa approached Lucio and embraced him warmly while Marco nodded in agreement. Following the embrace, Marco asked her to summon Mariana, as there was an urgent matter requiring the attention of all four, and it couldn't wait.
Lucio found the request odd but didn't overthink it, inviting them inside instead.
Once in the living room, Lucio went to his bedroom and called Mariana.
"Darling, I've just put the twins to sleep; please be quiet."
Lucio smiled at how tender his wife looked and decided to approach her and whisper into her ear.
"Marco and Alexa are waiting downstairs, and it appears they have something important to tell us."
Upon hearing this, Mariana, for some inexplicable reason, recalled the earlier incident in the office, but she quickly dismissed the thought, convincing herself, "It can’t be – no, it just can't," as she repeated it to herself. Meanwhile, Lucio noticed the shift in her demeanor and took her hand so they could descend together, assuring her of his support for whatever news awaited.
Marco stood as he saw them approach, while Alexa was consumed with nerves, wondering, "How will mom react?"
When Mariana noticed the concern on her daughter’s face, she guessed that her fears might have come true. She looked at them both and prompted, "Tell me - what do you need to say?"
"Mom, it's just that... I don’t know how to say this... I don't want you to think I've been deceitful,” Alexa stumbled over her words, uncertain how to break the news to her mother. Just as she was about to speak again, Marco interjected;
"Mariana, we’ve known each other for a long time, so I'll be direct. I'm here today to ask for your blessing for Alexa to marry me."
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Lucio shouted, enraged, hardly believing what he was hearing.
Mariana simply looked into her daughter's eyes and saw her struggle to hold back tears, stirring a deep sorrow within her. She knew Alexa was still hurting from her father’s death and had therefore withdrawn. Still, Mariana was aware of her daughter's feelings for Marco - she wasn’t indifferent, she wasn’t a fool; she had seen Alexa wait and sigh for him on the news. But she feared Marco was merely using her to get over Monique. Everyone knew his divorce was fresh after so many years, so how could Mariana trust him with her daughter's heart? Hence, she decided to speak up and set her terms.
"Sweetheart, look at me. Tell me what happened and why you’ve made this decision."
Alexa hung her head and after a silence, lifted her eyes and said, “Mom, I’m pregnant with Marco’s child. I know it's so soon, but the baby is coming.”
The news hit Mariana like a shock, her mind echoing the word 'baby'. But Lucio’s reaction was immediate, and he grabbed Marco by the shirt, delivering a punch that split his lip and drew blood.
Alexa, witnessing Lucio's intent to continue, grabbed his arm and implored, "Stop! Don’t hurt him – I love him. It was me, I did this. He didn't know until recently, please, Dad, stop."
Hearing her call Lucio 'Dad,' he had no choice but to relent.
Lucio acknowledged Alexa's plea but glared at Marco, thinking, "How could he do this, impregnate our best friend's daughter - doesn't this scoundrel have any principles?" As if reading his mind, Marco returned the look with disdain and resentment, thinking that if not for him, it could have been Alexander doling out the punishment, yet he remained silent, thinking he deserved at least that for Mariana's sake.
Mariana looked at her daughter and sighed. With a baby on the way, she had no grounds to object but wanted to make one thing clear to Marco.
He nodded, ready to hear her condition.
"I will ask only one thing, and if you fail to abide by it, I'll remove Alexa and the baby from your life, do you understand? I repeat, if my daughter cries even once because of you, I will make you pay dearly for her tears."
"I understand," Marco responded, "you have every reason to doubt that Alexa will be happy with me. But I will prove through actions, I can make her happy; I promise to care for her and our baby, to bring them joy. Mariana, I would never hurt someone Alexander and I treasured so much."
Hearing Alexander's name prompted tears from Mariana, though she loved Lucio, he was not her beloved Alexander, her true love. She nodded and then inquired about the wedding plans.
"Tomorrow," came the immediate reply.
Lucio looked on disapprovingly while Mariana simply consented, understanding that with a baby due, her daughter had made a wise decision for their well-being. Should it not work out how Alexa hoped, Mariana would always be there to protect and care for her.
They continued discussing plans for the following day and a small celebration, which Mariana felt was sufficient for now. During the conversation, Marco felt a gentle pressure on his arm. Turning to see Alexa, who had dozed off with her head resting on him, a small smile graced his face. Mariana nodded, seeing that smile, understanding Alexa's feelings were requited. Marco then carefully lifted Alexa in his arms and carried her to her room. He watched the young one who made him and his friend smile. "What have you done to me, little one?" he wondered to himself.
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