I think my favorite part of the buffet is the hot cocoa topped with marshmallows and spiked with Bailey's Irish Cream. I clutch my mug like a lifeline, letting the hot, sweet liquid warm my insides as Andrés keeps a strong arm wrapped around my shoulder.
Our guests go all out and dress for cold weather, with snow boots, jackets and knit caps, something Andrés suggested they do to go along with our winter theme. Good thing, too, because Texas is having an unusual cold spell. It even snowed north of Dallas. We all huddle in our seats, leaning into the warmth from the gas lamps and laugh while sipping cocoa. Everyone turns around when we hear a loud dinging sound. Tio is beaming ear-to-ear, standing in front of the buffet table, as he taps his mug with a spoon.
"A toast to the lovely bride and groom," he says and winks at us. "Salud!"
The crowd responds with a "salud" and we all drink.
"Sobrino," Tio says to Andrés as his voice takes on a wistful tone, "those first few months you lived with us, I never thought you'd come out of your shell. Now look at you, an Army hero, married to a lovely young woman, and I know you'll do a terrific job running Arturo's catering business."
Andrés's eyes have a glossy sheen as he tips his mug toward his uncle. I think he wants to answer back, but the look he shares with his Tio is worth more than a thousand words.
I'm so relieved Tio is supporting Andrés's decision to work for his Uncle Arturo. I sat beside Andrés when he broke the news to Tio and Tia last week. They both took it better than we'd expected.
"How could you ever think you'd disappoint me?" Tio had said as he clasped Andrés on the shoulder. "If you spend the rest of your life miserable because you care too much about what I think, then you'd disappoint me. Don't worry about me," he added with a sheepish grin. "I'm not ready to retire yet, anyway."
He told Andrés he'd give him a year to work for his Uncle Arturo, and if things didn't work out, Andrés would have a position waiting for him at Tio's automotive shops. Although, honestly, I hope Andrés never has to go back to Cruz Automotive. He's been so happy this week planning the wedding menu with his uncle and getting the catering business ready for another wedding next weekend.
I look up at my husband and smile as he squeezes me to him. A few relatives step in front of the buffet table and make their toasts. I cringe when Marie taps her glass, but she surprises me by wishing us the best and then apologizing to us both for judging me too harshly.
When my mom walks in front of the table, a hush falls. I lean into Andrés for support, and he braces me by holding tightly around my shoulder.
"My sweet baby girl," she says with a watery voice and red-rimmed eyes. "I held you in my arms for just a moment before they took you away, but I've held you in my heart forever." She pauses to wipe her eyes. "And I always will. I'm so happy that, despite the odds stacked against you, you've grown to become a caring, loving young woman, and you've found a wonderful husband who returns your love."
Unlike Andrés, I'm unable to hold back my tears. Andrés releases me when my mom walks up to me with open arms. We hug while crying onto each other's shoulders.
Then the band strikes up the first tune. I recognize it as the slow song Andrés and I danced to when I met him at Dylan's. They alternate between Tejano and country music after that. Everyone joins in the dancing, and we all make quite a sight when we circle around the floor to the "Cotton-Eyed Joe."
After over an hour of dancing, I fall into a nearby chair, exhausted. These little red shoes sure are pretty, but they're killing my feet. I was worried it would be too cold outside for our guests, but now, despite the fact that I'm wearing Andrés's suit jacket, I'm the only one who's freezing. Though the temperature was in the high forties earlier, it's steadily dropping, and I'm about to ask Grace if we can all move into the house when Andrés pulls my snow boots and heavy pants from beneath the buffet table. I eye him skeptically as he flashes his signature half-smile and tells me I need to go change.
When I come back outside, I can hear deep roaring engines, muffled by the sound of several high-pitched motors. The guests are no longer in the courtyard; they are cheering and laughing beyond the walls.
Andrés is waiting for me by the back gate with an outstretched hand and a devious gleam in his eyes. "Are you ready for your wedding present, mija?"
I smile at my husband, who's also changed into a downy jacket and snow boots. "What did you do?"
Imagine my surprise when I follow him through the gate and see several big trucks unloading fluffy white stuff onto a grassy slope behind Violet's house. A few guys come from behind the trucks and start blowing the snow, until it cascades like a giant slide down the hill.