After the lunch with Alejandro, Diana made her way back home. She planned to tell Stelly and Benjy as soon as she got home. The sooner she told them, the sooner it could sink in.

She still couldn't believe it though. It was almost surreal. The man she had loved her entire life, the man she wanted to give all there was left of her to, was finally going to be her husband. But the circumstances surrounding this marriage weren't really those to be excited about. He made her believe it was pure business, that all his feelings for her had died a long time ago but she just couldn't believe it.

No matter how bad he was hurt, Alejandro had loved her with all his being and that love couldn't just disappear.

Right?

She walked into Stelly's house. She had picked Benjy up from his friends place so at least, she could tell the both of them at once.

"Momma", she was pulled out of her train of thought when Benjy squealed her name.

" Hey little man. Did you have fun at Mikey's place? "

"Yes, so much", he gushed

"We built Legos and watched Spongebob and went to his tree house"

"That's good baby. I'm glad", she looked at Stelly who was giving her the I-know-shit-went-down-tell-me-what-the-fuck-happened look.

" Uh-oh", Benjy said looking between the both of them, "Do you guys need to have grown-up talk?"

"Um no baby, this actually concerns you too. "

"Well what's it about momma?", he questioned

" Come here baby ", she motioned to her lap and he dutifully sat down and looked at her expectantly.

" Sweety you know how Momma and Daddy aren't together anymore right? "

"Yeah cause Daddy was always hurting you", he replied with his head downcast. 'Damn that Michael', she thought, 'He's crushing my baby's heart'

" Well you remember when momma also said that she could get married one day if she found a man who loved her and you, and who could take care of the both of us right? "

He nodded

"And that this man would be your new Daddy, and go to your soccer games and defend you right? "

"Yep"

"Well that day's here kiddo. I'm getting married"

Benjy looked at her for what felt like hours but was only minutes before getting off her lap and walking into his bedroom.

Diana gave Stelly a sad look which was just returned with an intense glare. She followed Benjy into his room.

"Hey baby, I know you're mad at your momma-"

"I'm not mad at you momma. I'm just scared that maybe he might not like me or he'll be just like Daddy"

"Hey Benjy, any normal person would love you ok you're irresistible sweetheart and he's not like your Daddy ok?, he's not gonna hurt you or me OK? "

"I just don't want you to get hurt anymore"

"I know baby, I know", she replied

" Do you love him? "

Diana was almost taken about aback. Benjy had always been a smart kid. Maybe too much for his own good. She didn't what to tell him and even if the wanted to lie what would she say?. She was still over the moon for Alejandro. So she settled for the truth.

"Yes baby. I love him. With all my heart"

"Hey what about me? ", he protested

She chuckled and ruffled his hair and left him to his Legos. She walked into the kitchen to face her fuming best friend.

" Seriously D? ", she yelled

" Please Stells calm down there's-"

"No Diana don't tell me to calm down. You just walked out of a shitty marriage and now you're walking right back into one. "

Diana looked down to thankfully see Benjys bedroom door locked.

"You don't understand Stelly"

"Don't understand what huh?, Jesus D, no matter what your dad has on you this time you can't let him do this to you. I thought you said you wanted freedom for both you and Benjy and now this?. You know what D, honestly you're doing this to yourself. You can walk away and be free but no you decide to be a puppet, be manipulated, be stepped on and all for-"

"He threatened me with Davy", Diana yelled, Stelly looked at her in shock, " He told me if I didn't do it, he would increase Davys jail time. I couldn't let him do that Stells. Davy doesn't even deserve to be there in the first place. I can't let him do that. "

Stelly walked towards her and enveloped her in a tight hug, "I'm sorry D. I didn't know. I really am. But you let your dad keep doing this to you. When are you gonna find your own happiness huh? ", she questioned.

" I know Stells but I can't let Davy pay the price for our dads selfishness"

"Alright. I hear ya. I just hope this little fucker treats you right. Or he's gonna have to deal with me"

"Well, he has dealt with you before", I laughed nervously.

"What do you mean?", she asked

"You um, you know him Stelly"

"Oh my god really?, who is it?"

"It's Alejandro", she looked at Stelly to gauge her reaction, but she just burst out laughing.

" I'm sorry D", she said in between fits of laughter, "It just sounded like you said Alejandro. You know, your first love", she looked at Diana for any signs that she was joking but just found a serious expression, " Oh my freaking God. You're serious. You're really marrying Alejandro ".

Diana nodded as tears fell from her eyes

" Wait hold on a second. If you're dad is giving your hang in marriage in exchange for funding his business, that means Alejandro's gotta have tons of money right? "

Diana nodded again

"Well how the hell did that happen?, cause last I checked he was a mechanic"

"I don't know Stelly. I really don't. But I am happy for him. Maybe he finally achieved all his dreams", Diana said

" Wait, shouldn't you be happy?. You're finally marrying the love of your life even if the situation is pretty awkward"

"Yeah. But I don't think he sees it that way. He doesn't want anything to do with me Stelly. He said so himself"

"That dickwad", Stelly cursed, " How dare he? "

"No Stelly he has a right to be mad I broke his heart"

"All for good reason Diana, if you hadn't been-"

They were interrupted by the faint familiar chiming of a phone. Stelly checked and noticed it wasn't hers. Diana plundered her bag for her phone, only to find there was no caller ID. She put it on loudspeaker in case it was a hardened criminal, she had a witness.

"Hello? "

Stelly mouthed what the fuck by her and urged her to continue the conversation.

"Yes Alejandro"

"Yes, why? "

Diana was surprised. What would Alejandro want with her son?, "Forgive my rudeness Alejandro but what do you want with my son? "

"Really huh? "

Diana pondered on the thought for a minute before saying, "Ok. Just tell me when and where, and he'll be there"

"Bye", and with that she hung up.

" Assistant? Really? ", Stelly squealed, "He must be freaking loaded".

" Well then I guess Benjys meeting his new dad", Diana said. His new dad and her new husband. This was going to be a train wreck.

**************

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