Fired Up

Valeria's POV

I stared at my phone, rereading Lewis's message for the third time.

Lewis: Come to Madeira with Mateo for a few days. I'd love for you to meet my family properly.

My heart raced as I let his words settle. He wanted us there. He wanted me there—with Mateo. It wasn't just a casual invitation; it was a step forward, one I wasn't sure I was ready to take.

Lewis and I had built something real in the past months, something deep and steady, but the idea of stepping into his family's world made me hesitate. Would they accept me? Would they think this was all moving too fast? I didn't even know if I thought this was too fast.

Mateo sat on the floor nearby, drawing on a piece of paper, his little brows furrowed in concentration. He looked up suddenly, his dark eyes bright with curiosity.

"Mamá, ¿por qué estás triste?" (Mommy, why are you sad?)

I blinked, shaking my head quickly. "No estoy triste, mi amor. Solo estoy pensando." (I'm not sad, my love. I'm just thinking.)

He studied me for a second before returning to his drawing. I sighed, running a hand through my hair before finally typing out a reply.

Me: I don't know, Lewis. It feels like a big step.

A few minutes passed before my phone vibrated.

Lewis: It is. But I want this. I want us. I'm not asking you to rush into anything, but I want you to know I'm serious about you, Valeria.

My chest tightened, warmth spreading through me at his words.

I had spent so much of my life being cautious, holding back, protecting myself from getting too attached, from getting hurt. But Lewis... he made me want to believe in something more.

I looked at Mateo again, watching the way he hummed softly as he colored. He adored Lewis. And Lewis adored him.

Maybe it wasn't too soon. Maybe this was exactly what we needed.

I exhaled deeply and started typing.

Me: Okay. We'll come.

____

A few days later, Mateo and I found ourselves on a plane, heading to Madeira. The thought of meeting Lewis's family made me feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but I kept reminding myself that Lewis was there by my side. He had made it clear this wasn't about rushing or pressure, but rather about us taking the next step together.

The plane landed smoothly, and as we stepped off, the warm breeze of Madeira welcomed us. Lewis was already waiting for us at the airport, his smile wide as he spotted us through the crowd.

"Valeria! Mateo!" he called, his voice full of joy.

Mateo's face lit up, and he broke into a run toward Lewis, his little legs carrying him faster than I expected. Lewis knelt down, lifting him into his arms with ease.

"Hola, campeón," Lewis greeted him, placing a kiss on Mateo's cheek. (Hello, champ.)

I couldn't help but smile as I watched the two of them. There was something so beautiful in how quickly Mateo had grown attached to Lewis, and in the way Lewis embraced him as if he had always been a part of his life.

I walked toward them, taking in a deep breath as I reached Lewis. He stood up, still holding Mateo, and wrapped his free arm around me, pulling me close.

"You look stunning," he murmured, his voice soft.

I blushed, feeling both flattered and a little nervous. "Thank you."

"You ready to meet everyone?" he asked, his eyes shining with genuine excitement.

I nodded, though my stomach fluttered with the thought of what was to come. This was it—the moment when I would meet the people closest to him. His family.

Lewis squeezed my hand, offering me the support I needed. He always knew how to make me feel like I could handle whatever came my way.

We made our way to the car, and as we drove through the beautiful island, I could see how much Lewis loved it here. The winding roads, the cliffs, the lush greenery—it was breathtaking. But what really caught my attention was the warmth in his eyes when he spoke about his family.

When we arrived at the villa, it was even more beautiful than I could have imagined. Set on a hill with views that stretched out to the ocean, it felt like a paradise.

Lewis introduced me to his family one by one. His mom, Carmen, welcomed me with a warm hug, her smile kind and genuine. His stepdad, Raymond, was equally welcoming, cracking jokes that made me feel at ease. Then there was Samantha, his half-sister, who seemed so lively and easy to talk to, and Nicola, his other half-sister, who had a quiet confidence about her.

As we settled in, I couldn't shake the feeling of being overwhelmed. These were his people. I was the outsider.

But then I looked at Lewis, and I saw the reassurance in his eyes. He was with me. We were doing this together.

The night was full of laughter, good food, and heartfelt conversations. Mateo was the center of attention, happily playing with Carmen's grandchildren, while I found myself connecting with the women in Lewis's family. They were warm and kind, asking questions about Mateo and my life in Madrid.

At the end of the evening, when the sky was dark and the stars had come out, Lewis took my hand.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.

I nodded, squeezing his hand. "Yes. It's just... a lot. But I'm glad we're here."

He smiled, pulling me in for a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I'm glad you're here too."

The weight of everything seemed to ease in that moment. I wasn't sure what the future held, but with Lewis by my side, I knew I was ready to face whatever came next. Together.