I never thought I’d find love like this, especially not at my age. Yet here I am, watching Cassandra move through my family’s home in Chile as if she’s always belonged here. Her dark hair catches the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows as she helps my sister Javiera prepare nachos in the kitchen, their laughter mixing with the sounds of Christmas music playing softly in the background.
“Pedro, mi hijo,” my mother calls, pulling me from my thoughts. “Stop staring at your girlfriend like a lovesick teenager and help us with these decorations.”
I chuckle, running a hand through my hair as I join them. “Sorry, Mamá. It’s just…” I trail off, watching Cassandra effortlessly switch between Spanish and Korean as she video calls her mother to wish her Merry Christmas.
“Just what?” my uncle José teases, elbowing me in the ribs. “That you can’t believe a beautiful genius thirteen years younger than you actually puts up with you?”
“Something like that,” I admit, hanging ornaments on the tree.
My grandmother shuffles over, patting my cheek affectionately. “Mijito, when are you going to make her officially part of the family? You’re not getting any younger, you know.”
“Abuela,” I groan, but there’s no real protest in my voice. She’s right, after all. At forty-eight, I’ve spent most of my life focused on my career, playing fathers on screen while my own dreams of fatherhood remained just that – dreams.
Cassandra appears beside me, reaching up to adjust an ornament I’ve just hung. “Your grandmother’s right, you know,” she whispers in perfect Spanish, making my heart skip. “But don’t worry, I’m patient.”
Later, as the family gathers around the dining table, I watch Cassandra engage with everyone, switching effortlessly between languages to make sure no one feels left out. She’s teaching my young cousin German phrases, making him giggle with exaggerated pronunciations, and I’m struck again by how naturally she fits into this chaos.
“Earth to Pedro,” my sister Javiera says, snapping her fingers in front of my face. “When are you going to stop being an idiot and propose to this woman?”
I glance at Cassandra, who’s now deep in conversation with my aunt about traditional Korean recipes. “Soon,” I murmur. “Very soon.”
As the evening winds down, we find ourselves on the back porch, away from the family’s knowing looks and gentle teasing. The Chilean night is warm, stars twinkling above us as Cassandra leans into my side.
“They’re not very subtle, are they?” she laughs, referring to my family’s constant hints about marriage and children.
“About as subtle as a Mandalorian in a library,” I joke, earning one of her melodious laughs that never fails to make me smile.
“You know,” she says, turning to face me, “I’ve been thinking about what your grandmother said.”
My heart races. “Oh?”
“Mm-hmm. About making me officially part of the family.” She traces patterns on my palm with her finger. “I wouldn’t mind, you know. Being part of this wonderful, crazy family of yours. Having our own little ones running around, speaking a mix of Spanish, Korean, and German…”
I take her hand, bringing it to my lips. “I’ve been carrying something around for weeks now, waiting for the perfect moment.” I reach into my pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. “I had this whole elaborate plan, but being here, watching you with my family, I realize there’s no moment more perfect than this.”
Her eyes widen as I drop to one knee. “Cassandra Lee, you’re everything I never knew I was looking for. Will you marry me?”
“¡Sí!” she exclaims, then adds in Korean, “네!” and finally in English, “Yes!”
As I slip the ring onto her finger, cheers erupt from inside the house. We turn to see my entire family pressed against the windows, not even pretending they weren’t watching.
Cassandra laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Mr. Pascal,” she teases.
“I do,” I reply, pulling her close. “And I can’t wait for every minute of it.”
As we kiss, I hear my grandmother declaring something about great-grandchildren, my uncles arguing over who gets to be the godfather, and my sister already planning the wedding. But all I can focus on is Cassandra in my arms, the woman who crossed continents and cultures to become my perfect match, my future, my everything.