Page 86 of Your Biggest Downfall
“Stop it,” she said. “It’s the truth.” Cecilia paused and then pointed to me. “You need to take care of her. Even when I’m gone, it’s important for me to know she’s taken care of. I don’t mean financially either, I mean with love. She has Luna in her life, but she needs someone steady and solid. You need to be that for her.”
I nodded as tears welled up in my eyes.
“I don’t have much longer here. I want to see her be happy.”
Nova kept nodding, her voice soft as she said, “I’m so happy, Mami.”
I glanced around the room, noticing the tears glistening in everyone’s eyes. The afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow over the room.
I shifted off the couch and knelt in front of Nova, taking her hands in mine. “I promise you, Nova, with everything I have, I’ll take care of you and love you until I no longer can.”
She nodded, squeezing my hands as more tears slid down her cheeks. “Promise me you’ll take care of yourself too? I can’t love you unless you love yourself.”
Her words were clear, even if she didn’t spell it out completely. She was telling me I needed to stay sober, to keep working on myself, because she needed me to be strong, to be on my own journey of self-improvement for us to have a future.
“I promise,” I whispered, knowing this was more than a vow—it was a commitment to her, to us, and to the path I needed to stay on.
I reached up to kiss Nova, but she pulled away and swallowed.
Hesitation lingered in her eyes as she bounced her gaze between her mom, Mae, and me. “Austin?” she asked.
“Yeah, Supernova?”
“Will you marry me?”
36
nova
I had officially lost my ever-loving mind. This was something Austin would do, but when I looked at Mami, tearful satisfaction crossed her face as she watched Austin on one knee. Knowing it would probably be the only time she’d ever see it, I couldn’t stop the words from coming out.
Austin looked at me, blinked once, and got off his knee. I wouldn’t blame him or be upset if he said no, but he gave me a smile, lifted me off the couch, and kissed me. “Are you sure?” he whispered in my ear, and I nodded, eyes still glued on Mami.
“Let’s get married right now.”
“What?” I exclaimed.
This would be a process that took more than a few days. I would have to tell Luna, get a dress?—
“Yeah. It’s only the afternoon, the courthouse is open for a few more hours.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I’ll call them now.”
“Your parents?” Mami managed to say.
“I’ll tell them next week. We haven’t been on the... best terms lately, but it’s no problem.” He gave my mom a smile, but it was obvious it hurt him deep down inside.
Austin excused himself and made a few calls.
Mami grabbed my hand, pulling me onto the couch, and Mae slid over to us.
“Are you sure?” Mae asked me before my mom could. Mami nodded as if asking the same thing.
“Yes,” I said without thinking again. “I’m sure. He’s it for me. There is no one else.” I gave them both a smile. “I want you both to be there for me. I want Mami to be there.”
“Don’t get married because I’m dying, mija,” Mami said earnestly, but I wished she wouldn’t.
It’d be better if I could live in my bubble where my mom wasn’t sick and time didn’t continue to tick.
“I’m not.” I stood up quickly. “I want to marry Austin.”
