"Thank you," Samuel said, quietly, and then, without caring about everyone there he put a hand on Roman's cheek and pulled him in for a short but sweet kiss. No one responded negatively.
After another car ride, now in two cars and Samuel seated next to Roman in the back seat of his Tío and Tía's car instead so they could be together, they arrived at Antonia Ortega's house. This unlike María and Javier's was on the larger side, it still looked nice and homely though, and if memories served Samuel right the inside of his father's childhood home looked about himself. It wasn't only his abuela living there though, it was also his aunt, her husband and their two kids.
When they walked up the little gravel road up to the door Samuel allowed him and Roman to fall back a little, and he pulled Roman down to his level by the hand he was holding so he could say something without anyone overhearing.
"I love you, just say the word and we'll leave okay, I love you so much," Samuel couldn't stress that enough. This wasn't just a small thing he was asking of his husband, it was a lot and Samuel knew that. Hell, it might have even been a lot to just ask him to come see Marco. But Manuel had hurt Samuel too, for years, mentally scarred him for life, and disowned him, basically told him he wasn't his son, and this was going to be rough for him too, and he really needed Roman. He needed him to just be there, someone to fall back on in case something happened, someone to hold hands with when someone said or did something unpleasant. Because Samuel could not really believe this day would go by without at least a little hurt.
"Abuela! We're here," María shouted the moment they walked through the door.
Samuel gave Roman one last look of concern before stepping in, he hated that he felt that way, but a small part of him just kind of wished Roman had chosen to not wear any makeup that day, or not have chosen a pink shirt, even though he loved him in pink and that highlighter made his cheekbones sparkle beautifully. But it was just the scared part of him thinking, and it would be okay. Maybe.
The person to come into the hallway first, wasn't Antonia, no, instead it was Carmen. Manuel's younger sister by one year. Her hair was a couple of shades lighter than the others, a pretty golden-brown colour, but it was still curly, and her skin was just as tan as everyone else's. She stopped dead in the doorway, gave Samuel, Roman and their intertwined hands one look and then, "No," the word was the same as in English, Roman would understand it.
"Carmen, please, they are invited, Samuel wants to see his grandmother," Marco insisted.
She threw her hand's up in a mixture of defeat and protest, "I didn't agree to this," she said tone sharp, Samuel would be glad Roman didn't understand if he hadn't been able to pick up the tone.
Samuel wasn't sure what to do, Carmen stayed leaning on the doorframe, expression anything but happy. Marco sighed and started to take off his shoes, his wife did the same. Maria and Javier stood without moving, next to Samuel and Roman, with their son close, waiting in case any of them wanted to leave after that. They didn't have a chance to really react though, because that was the moment Antonia came walking out. She was a tiny slightly round lady. Her short curls, grey, her tan face wrinkly. She certainly looked ten years older than when Samuel had last seen her, she moved like she was ten years older too, slowly, but did not need aid walking it seemed.
She seemed to take note of Samuel before Roman. She smiled. That was something at least. Samuel would have walked up to her, but he didn't want to let go of Roman's hand, so he didn't and Antonia walked up to him instead. She held her arms out for a hug. Samuel hugged her, then she kissed each one of his cheeks, "God Samuel, I cannot believe that is you. You're all grown up, and so very handsome as well,"
"Thank you, grandma," Samuel managed a chuckle, "I've missed you," that was true, he had missed his family in Spain, he used to spend at least a couple of weeks there every other summer when he still lived with his parents. But cutting ties with his dad had also meant cutting ties with his family here without even realizing. He pulled away from the hug and looked at her for a moment, and then, "I have someone I want to introduce you too."
With that Antonia finally looked at Roman, then she glanced over at her oldest, and only present son, Marco gave her a look Samuel found hard to read. But it seemed clear that the family had discussed this before. After that look though, Antonia turned back to her grandson and nodded.
"Roman this is mi abuela, Antonia" Samuel took a deep breath and looked at his grandmother, there was a frown present on her wrinkly face, her face that Samuel had always seen as kind growing up but that Samuel now desperately had to look for any approval in, "Grandma, this is my husband, Roman, he doesn't know Spanish but I'll translate for you, okay?"
Now all Samuel could do was squeeze Roman's hand a little, hoping things were okay. Hoping he'd be able to greet the mother of the man who had put him in the hospital all those years ago, and look past the fact that there was doubt about the fact that this woman was a homophobe, no matter if she had given up on making a fuss about it.
