Speak To Me

(Tilly)

Okay, I know I felt all confident and fired up to do this when we pulled into the parking lot..but the closer we got to Papa's room..the more hesitant I became.

What if Mama freaks out? What if she ends up throwing such a huge fit that she disowns me and forbids me from ever seeing Papa again? Or what if it's worse than that..what if the news is so shocking that Mama faints..

I mean, I know I'm upset with her right now, but I don't want her to get hurt or anything..

Suddenly Rylan stopped, making me almost go tumbling forward into a lady going by in a wheelchair. Luckily Rylan reached out gripping my waist to stop me.

"I am so sorry..please excuse me." I rushed, feeling embarrassed now as my husband pulled me closer to his side. I could see his brow furrow and knew he was picking up on my weird behavior already. I didn't want him to know I was panicking.. He already said he was proud of me for being so brave. Now he is going to think I'm a coward.

"Tilly-"

"I'm fine, I just wasn't paying attention." I reassured him with the biggest smile I could muster as Rylan looked at me skeptically.

"You know we don't have to do this today.." He added, seeing through my blatant lie.

I just let out a sigh before nodding.

"I know. But I want to. You don't deserve to be kept a secret." I added, making Rylan eyes sparkle as I swear he looked like he was about to cry.

One thing I learned about my guy is that he isn't afraid to show his emotions which I love.

"That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me." He mumbled before yanking my hips towards him as he was about to kiss me.

"Excuse me..old lady trying to get through." An older woman teased while clearing her throat. She had a walker and looked like she might've had some type of surgery on her leg.

I couldn't help but pull from Rylan before mumbling an apology as my husband gave her one of his heart-stopping smiles before dragging me away.

I swear I could hear the woman giggling from here..I guess he has that effect on everyone..

"Did you have to smile at her like that? You probably almost have her a heart attack.." I grumbled.

"Don't worry Angel, I always save the best smiles for you." He winked, making me shake my head in disbelief as I began to feel slightly better.

This is why I need to tell Mama..because I am madly in love with this guy and he feels the same about me. If only she could put the past behind her and see Rylan is nothing like my birth dad. I know she could come to love Rylan too..but if anyone could win Mama over, it's Rylan. We neared Papa's room as I took a deep steadying breath while mentally preparing myself for what was about to happen.

"Listen Angel..we are in this together okay? Just you and me forever.." Rylan stated confidently, his hands sliding up and down my arms as he bent down to give me a kiss.

"Let's do this." Rylan added, seeming to psych himself up now as he kissed me deeply before pulling back and doing it again a few more times. By the end of it, my head was a jumbled mess as Rylan pulled my hand and led me through the door. Why are we here again? Maybe we really should've gone straight to the honeymoon..

"Mija, what are you doing here? Papa said you already came to visit a few hours ago." Mama asked in confusion, looking between me and Rylan as I just stood there.

Has Papa been trying to cover for us? Why does that make me want to cry?

"Mija, you're really here.." Papa interrupted, excitement filling his voice as he sat up straighter.

"Yes..I'm here Papa." I breathed, walking towards the bed as I reached for his hand.

"Didn't you just see her mi Amor? No need to be so dramatic." Mama tisked while shaking her head.

"Maybe those pills are messing with your head." She added, as Papa just ignored her before lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing it.

"It all went well my princesa? Where is Rylan?" Papa asked, as I couldn't help but smile.

"He is here..we wanted to see you before we went home. Everything was amazing Papa." I explained, seeing Mama studying us carefully.

That's when Rylan stepped towards the bed next, reaching for Papa's hand as I let go and watched Rylan bend down to whisper something into Papa's ear. I couldn't catch much but I saw Papa smile softly before nodding once as Rylan pulled back. "What did you say?" I asked curiously, making Rylan shrug before winking at me.

"Mrs. Martinez, there is something I would like to tell you." Rylan stated, surprising me as Rylan turned to face Mama.

Then..what he said next made my jaw practically hit the damn floor.

"Tilly and I have gotten married. I have taken her as my wife and I hope you can come to accept this decision. I love Matila with all of my heart and I plan on being with her for the rest of my life." Rylan stated in perfect Spanish, shocking me as I swear Mama looked like she was about to have a stroke.

"Paula, we have to let them make their own choices. Rylan is not the man that hurt Shaina. We have to move on from the past and support our Tilly. No more of this arguing and fighting..we need to be a family again. Please mi amor.." Papa pleaded, making his voice crack as I couldn't help but rush to his side.

"Oh papa..please don't cry." I whispered, feeling my own tears start to fall as I fell into Papa's chest, hugging him tightly.

"It's okay Mija.." He whispered, stroking my hair as I felt Rylan's hand on my back. I could see he was worried about me and I hated breaking down like this..but I have only seen my Papa cry a few times in my life..

"I know whatever happened in the past hurt all of you..but I am nothing like the man who did this to Tilly's mom. I would never hurt her and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I love Tilly more than I have ever loved anything in this world and I swear to protect her.." Rylan stated, making me peer up as I realized he was talking to Mama. "You run in the same circle..she could be in danger." Mama whispered, worry filling her expression as she locked eyes on me now.

"I won't let that happen. I know you think Bruce Remington is a powerful man but that doesn't scare me. I have powerful connections too..ones that Bruce would never even think about crossing. Tilly is safe with me..you are all safe with me considering we are now family." Rylan said confidently, making me pull from Papa as I slipped my hand down to Rylan's, holding it tightly.

That's when Mama looked down, noting our wedding rings as she let out a shuddering breath.

"Ay Dios Mio..this is really happening. You knew about this didn't you." Mama mumbled before narrowing her eyes at Papa. Even if he couldn't see her, he knew she was talking to him.

Papa just nodded once, making mama place her hand on her head before shaking it back and forth. I could hear her speaking under her breath, questioning how her life had taken this turn before she lifted her eyes and stared at me firmly.

"This is what you really want Mija?" She asked me, making me nod before looking up at Rylan and leaning into him.

"I love him...with all of my heart. I always have mama." I confessed, making her nod in understanding before she walked to Papa's side and took his hand.

"I guess there is nothing I can do to stop you.." She added, and I know it wasn't the warmest thing to say..but for Mama, that was more than I ever thought I would get...this was her way of accepting this.

I pulled from Rylan and threw arms around Mama hugging her tightly.

"Thank you.." I whispered, letting my tears fall as she hugged me back...this felt like the first real hug we have had since everything happened.

This doesn't mean I forgive her for how things happened..or that I'm going to trust her 100% again..it just means I'm willing to try if she is. I want us to be a family..I really do..but it will never be like it was before. I just hope we can grow to be just as close one day again...but this time, Rylan will make it even better.

"Let's just not tell Shaina for a little.." My mom added and I agreed because when Shaina finds out, she is not going to be happy.

"How about we take a family picture?!" Rylan said happily as I couldn't help but laugh. He is always looking for excuses to take pictures..but I love that about him.

I love everything about him..