Elsewhere,
In Gabriela's office,
Antonio and Gabriela are having lunch together. She says that there was something that he said when they were talking to Hernan that she wanted to ask him more about. Antonio asks Gabriela what it is about. Gabriela says that when he was talking about how close Claudia has become to Aranza and Marianna, he said that his grandmother finally got what she wanted, which was granddaughters.
Antonio shrugs. He says that sometimes as a child he felt that his grandmother was disappointed with him because she would have preferred a granddaughter. He adds that he felt that she would have preferred to have daughters and granddaughters. Gabriela says that despite the problems, his grandmother loves him. Antonio smiles and says that he does love and appreciate her as well.
Back in Hernan's office,
Aranza looks at her cousin. Adrianna sighs and says that she was a little hurt when she chose Marianna instead of her to help with the wedding dress. Adrianna then adds that given that she seems to be growing closer to Marianna since they all moved to Claudia's house, she felt like she was being replaced by Marianna. Aranza moves near her cousin. She hugs her. Aranza tells Adrianna that she loves her very much and that no one will ever take her spot. She adds that she has become closer to Marianna, since moving into Claudia's house, but that doesn't mean that Marianna will replace her. Aranza then asks that who else will overreact and become paranoid. Adrianna shakes her head and hugs her cousin.
Days pass during which Marianna and Martin's engagement is made official. Martin also officially asks Marianna's grandfather for her hand in marriage.
On a Saturday, morning,
Martin and Marianna, are standing, a few houses down from where Claudia's house is. Claudia had asked to meet them there. No matter, how much they asked her to tell them what she wanted to talk to them about, she wouldn't say a word. Their children, Dianna and Diego, were visiting their aunt Renata and were away for the weekend. Marianna looks around, then looks at Martin. She says that she still can't understand why Claudia wants them to meet near that house. Martin says that he doesn't either.
He says that the only certain thing is that she will drop a bombshell on them.
Just then, they hear someone approach them. It is Claudia and she is walking. Marianna asks her if she is fine. Claudia waves her way. She says that she may be old but a little walking won't kill her. She then looks at Martin and Marianna who are both confused by what is going on. She smiles and tells them to calm down. She says that she isn't an ogre. She removes a key from a handbag and hands it over to Martin. He looks at her confused and asks her what the key is for. Claudia smiles and says that the key is for the house (points to the house behind them).
Claudia looks from Martin to Marianna and says that it's theirs. Naturally, they are both shocked. Marianna says that they appreciate everything, she has done for them, but the house is too much. Claudia shrugs and smiles. She says that it's her wedding present to them. Martin says that he wouldn't want it to seem like they are taking advantage of her kindness. Claudia says that they aren't. She adds that the current arrangement, works for the moment but eventually they will need their own space, just as Aranza and Aurelio will. Martin says that they aren't sure what to say.
Claudia looks at them both and says that she loves them both. She tells Marianna that she is like the granddaughter, she always wanted. Marianna smiles. She then goes and hugs Claudia and thanks her. Claudia says now, they will have their own space but still be near Aranza and Aurelio, so they can maintain closeness and their children can grow up together. Claudia then frowns at Martin and tells him to come as well. Martin smiles then joins the embrace. He then thanks Claudia for everything, she has done for them.
Five weeks pass by and the day of Aurelio and Aranza and Martin and Marianna's joint wedding reaches. The church is full of their family and friends, there to witness their big day. The wedding march starts and everyone stands and looks at the back. The brides have arrived. Aurelio and Martin stand nervously at the front. First Aranza walks in with her father, Gabriel. Next is Marianna. She is being walked down the aisle, by her grandfather, Santiago. He looks at her and smiles. Marianna smiles back at him. Santiago couldn't be happier. The fact that he is alive and healthy and is walking his youngest grandchild down the aisle is a miracle. Gabriel smiles at his daughter and she smiles back. He says to himself that he is blessed to be able to attend all his children's weddings.
During the wedding reception, Martin and Aurelio do something unexpected. First they call Gabriel, Santiago, Marianna and Aranza ( who are all surprised as they had no idea what was happening) to the side. Martin walks over to Santiago ( Marianna's grandfather) and tells him that he deserves to have the first dance with his granddaughter on her wedding since he missed most of her life. Aurelio tells Gabriel the same thing about Aranza. Clara and Ramon look at each other and smile. Ramon says that they raised gentlemen. Clara looks at her grandsons and says that they truly did. Both Santiago and Gabriel are touched at the gesture. Gabriel hugs Aranza and Santiago hugs Marianna. There is then a flashback of Aurelio telling Martin about the plan to surprise the girls on the day of the wedding. Martin loves the idea and is immediately for it. It is a beautiful wedding and everyone is happy.
One year later,
Aranza and Aurelio are in a hospital examination room. This is her first check-up, since learning that she was pregnant. Aranza and Aurelio both watch quietly, as the procedure is carried out. Aranza then asks the doctor how her pregnancy is going on. The doctor looks at Aranza and Aurelio and says that both children are fine. They both look at the doctor in surprise. What is she talking about?
Aurelio asks the doctor what she means by both children. The doctor points towards the machine's screen and says that they are expecting twins. Aurelio and Aranza stare at each other shocked. They were expecting twins? Aranza asks the doctor if she is sure. The doctor nods. She then tells Aranza that given that her older siblings are twins, the gene of having twins seems to be present from her father's side of the family.
Over the next few days, they tell their family and friends. Everyone is genuinely happy for them. Gabriel seems a little worried though.
Aranza goes to the mansion to speak to her father.
In his study,
Aranza asks her father why he doesn't seem excited by the news that she is expecting twins. Gabriel says that he is excited and can't wait to meet his two new grandchildren. Aranza looks at her father doubtfully. Gabriel smiles. He then gets serious. He says that because Rebecca died after giving birth to the twins, he is scared of her developing complications as well. He adds that he is afraid of losing her. Aranza says oh and smiles.
She then goes and hugs him. She then tells him that the best she can do is take care of herself and pray. She adds that the rest is upto God. Gabriel tells her that he loves her. Aranza hugs him and says that she loves him too.
As time passes, Aranza's pregnancy progresses smoothly and all her family and friends are there for her. Seven months later, she gives birth to two lovely girls whom she and Aurelio name after their grandmothers (Belen and Clara). Clara naturally is thrilled to have someone named after her.
Epilogue
After Marianna completes her sentence, Hernan asks her what her plans are. She talks with Martin about it. Marianna eventually goes back to work at Montes De Alba inc.
Several years later,
Hernan and Gabriela are now seventy years old. They are walking through, the forest where, sixty-two years earlier, Helena abandoned them as children. It was a tradition, they began soon after they turned thirty-five. Every year after that, to commemorate the one event that changed the course of their lives forever, they went together to the forest, around the same time. Their lives begin flashing before their eyes in quick succession. Gabriela holds on more tightly to her walking stick.
She tells her brother that despite everything, they have been blessed and they have lived fulfilling lives. Hernan says that indeed they have been blessed. He adds that they survived and got their lives back together. Gabriela says that the fact that they are alive to spend time with their children and grandchildren is a miracle. Hernan agrees that it is. He then smiles and says that he is still the cleverer and more successful twin. Gabriela folds her hands and glares at her brother.
She tells him that unlike most people he hasn't matured. She says that he is old but still annoying. They then hear movement behind them and turn. It is their father, Aranza and Ramona. Gabriel asks Hernan and Gabriela if they have been fighting again. Gabriela glares at her brother. She then tells her father that Hernan started it. Hernan frowns at her. He says that she is a pain as usual. Aranza and Ramona look at each other and smile.
Ramona says that she and Aranza are the most mature in the family.
Hernan says that he can see whose bad example she has been following. Aranza moves forward and pinches Hernan and he winces. Gabriel shakes his head. He smiles and says to himself that it is a gift to be alive at ninety-five. He remembers all the times they have had together and with the wider family. He then looks at his children, who are still arguing. Gabriel then says that after everything he went through, he enjoys every part of the miracle of being alive, even his children's squabbles.
************************THE END*****************
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