The Chilean summer sun cast long shadows across the courtyard of the Pascal family home as laughter and the aroma of traditional cooking wafted through the air. Casandra Lee stood in the kitchen alongside Javiera Balmaceda, her skilled hands expertly folding empanadas while conversing in fluid Spanish about their shared love of South American cuisine.
Pedro Pascal leaned against the doorframe, watching the two most important women in his life working together. His heart swelled as Casandra threw her head back in laughter at one of Javiera’s notorious family stories, her dark hair catching the afternoon light.
“Mi amor,” Casandra called out, noticing him. “Instead of standing there looking handsome, come help us with these nacos.”
“I wouldn’t dare interfere with your culinary masterpiece,” Pedro teased, but moved to join them anyway. As he passed Casandra, he planted a soft kiss on her temple, earning an eye roll from his sister.
“You two are still in the honeymoon phase after two years,” Javiera commented, shaking her head with a smile. “It’s disgusting.”
From the living room, Pedro’s grandfather’s voice boomed, “¡Pedro! When are you going to make an honest woman of our Casandra?”
Pedro’s cheeks flushed as Casandra bit back a smile, pretending to be very focused on her cooking. The family had been not-so-subtly hinting at marriage since Casandra had first charmed them all at a similar gathering two years ago.
“Abuelo, please,” Pedro groaned, but his grandmother chimed in from her favorite armchair.
“He’s right, mijito. You’re not getting any younger, and Casandra isn’t going to wait forever!”
Casandra switched to German, murmuring something under her breath that made Pedro laugh – one of their private moments in her mother tongue that she’d been teaching him gradually.
“What did she say?” Pedro’s aunt María called out curiously.
“She said she loves how subtle this family is,” Pedro translated, earning more laughter from the gathered relatives.
Later that evening, as the family settled into their traditional post-dinner storytelling, Casandra sat on the floor between Pedro’s legs as he occupied the couch, her head resting against his knee. She listened intently as his uncle recounted tales of Pedro’s childhood mischief, occasionally adding commentary in perfect Spanish that delighted the family.
“You see how she fits?” Javiera whispered to Pedro while Casandra was engaged in conversation with their younger cousins. “Like she was always meant to be here.”
Pedro watched as Casandra demonstrated a Korean tongue twister to the children, their giggles filling the room as they attempted to repeat it. “I know,” he replied softly. “Sometimes I think the universe made a mistake – she’s too perfect for me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Javiera swatted his arm. “But you should put a ring on it before the universe realizes its mistake.”
As the night wound down and family members began to depart, Pedro and Casandra found themselves in the garden, enjoying the peaceful Chilean night. She was wearing his jacket despite the mild temperature, a habit he found endearing.
“Your family is not very subtle about wanting grandchildren,” Casandra commented, her fingers intertwined with his.
“They’re worse every time,” Pedro agreed, pulling her closer. “Does it bother you?”
“No,” she smiled, switching to Korean – another language she’d been teaching him. “I love that they care so much. That they’ve accepted me so completely.”
“How could they not?” Pedro replied in careful Korean, making her beam with pride at his pronunciation. “You’re extraordinary, Casandra Lee.”
She turned to face him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You know, your family might be right about one thing – you are getting rather old.”
“Ah, now you wound me,” he clutched his chest dramatically, earning another of her musical laughs.
“Perhaps,” she continued, her tone becoming more serious, “we shouldn’t wait too long for those children they keep mentioning.”
Pedro’s heart skipped a beat as he looked into her eyes, seeing all his hopes reflected there. Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box he’d been carrying for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment.
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said softly, dropping to one knee as Casandra’s hands flew to her mouth in surprise.
Behind them, through the window, the entire Pascal family watched in delighted silence as their beloved son proposed to the woman who had brought such joy to their lives, their collective breath held until they saw Casandra pull Pedro to his feet and into a passionate kiss.
“¡Gracias a Dios!” his grandmother’s voice broke the silence, and suddenly the garden was filled with celebrating family members, all rushing to embrace the newly engaged couple.
Casandra, tears of joy streaming down her face, looked at Pedro and whispered in all five of her languages, “I love you.”
Pedro, understanding every word, pulled her close and whispered back, “I love you more.”