Las Malas Noticias...

[Laeli Rose]

~Vanessa~

Vanessa was running around her personal kitchen making dinner for her daughter and the Governor. She'd accepted her daughter's marriage bitterly, but still refused to think of him as her son-in-law. He would always be Governor Castillo and she would always fix him with the most suspicious of glances her English eyes could muster.

"Estela! Leave that idiot husband of yours alone and come help me!"

After the fiasco all those weeks ago, Diego had offered Estela Valdez a job in Vanessa's bakery. At first she'd been irritated, wondering how in the world she could possibly work with someone who didn't know a word of English. But Estela surprised her - she picked the language up fairly quickly. Now the Valdezes had taken over Elaina's old room, and the Carlone panaderia rarely found a moment's peace.

[Lisette]

-Estela-

Estela stepped out of the room she shared with her husband where she had been waiting on Mateo, bringing him a cup of water and doing whatever else he asked to make him more comfortable. Between working in the bakery and nursing her husband back to full health, she barely had time for a moment's rest yet she tried to enjoy her new life as much as possible. However, sometimes late at night when she thought everyone was asleep, she still cried for the life she once had.

"I'm sorry, Senora, he said he was thirsty," Estela apologized with a blush. Grabbing an apron off the peg on the wall, she walked over to Vanessa and began to help preparing supper. "It will be nice to see Elaina and Arturo tonight. The last time I saw them was two semanas ago." She still had gaps in her English but over all was doing quiet well.

[Laeli Rose]

~Mateo~

Thanks to Estela's care, Mateo was healing rapidly. He thought he would be ready to sit at the table tonight when Elaina and Senor Castillo came for dinner. Of course, he wasn't letting Estela know just how well he'd been feeling. "Mi amor..." he called out weakly, unable to hide his smile while she was in the kitchen. "Do you think you could possibly get me another pillow... I just want to be sure I'm able to sit up tonight... It's been so long since we've had a real dinner together." Now he would have to contain his amusement - she would rush into the room immediately to answer his call. Mateo cleared his throat and imagined what would happen if Estela discovered his little game. It sombered him up rather quickly.

~Vanessa~

She couldn't understand what he was saying, but Captain Valdez's little pleas had become so common that she knew immediately he meant to call Estela away. He's being such a little brat, her mind grumbled. "Don't mind him, Estela, whatever he wants can wait a few moments. And yes, it will be good to see Elaina," she finished with a tolerant smile. It hadn't been the same between them since her daughter's marriage. Vanessa hoped things could begin changing tonight.

[Lisette]

-Estela-

"I'm so sorry, Senora, he needs me. I'll be right back, I promise!" Estela apologized again, quickly undoing her apron and rushing back into the room. This constant running back and forth was going to kill her eventually but she had to put up with it. Mateo was her husband and needed her care, and Vanessa was her boss and their only source of income at that time.

Giving her husband a hurried smile, Estela straightened the pillows he had before finding him another one that had fallen on the floor. "Is there anything else you need, amor? Don't be afraid to ask, whatever I'm doing out there isn't anywhere near as important as you getting better," she told him, sitting down next to him and stroking his face. Vanessa would be furious but she would just have to wait.

[Laeli Rose]

~Mateo~

Mateo smiled and reached up to her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Gracias, I'm fine now." Usually he would have found something else for her to do, but he knew the Senora Carlone would be going absolutely insane with frustration by this point. While he enjoyed playing with his wife, he didn't want to cause any real trouble for her. "Just don't let her boss you around so much."

~Vanessa~

I'm going to learn Spanish if only so I can curse that sailor in a way he understands! "Estela, please, I actually need your help. He's just acting like that so you'll pay attention to him!" She turned to Diego, who sat lazily at their kitchen table. "When do you think they're coming?"

"Soon," he said with that stupid smile on his face. "At least I hope so."

With a groan, Vanessa said, "For our dinner's sake, you better hope otherwise. Estela!"

[Lisette]

-Estela-

Estela leaned down and gave Mateo a quick kiss before shouting back at the kitchen, "I'm coming!" She turned back to her husband and smiled. "Try to get some rest before dinner." It wasn't a suggestion, it was a plea. She didn't want to keep Vanessa waiting any longer, it looked like the poor woman was reaching her breaking point.

Rushing back into the kitchen, Estela put her apron back on and got right back to work. "He says he's fine now," she explained. She didn't dare look at Vanessa as she went to check on the meat in the oven. Perhaps if she kept busy, the Englishwoman would leave her alone.

[Laeli Rose]

~Vanessa~

Once she saw that Estela meant to work, Vanessa relaxed a bit. She knew how stressed the girl was as a result of her husband's idiocy - certainly not because of Vanessa - and tried to remember what a change her life was going through. If she could continue to work through it all, Vanessa respected her. "Just make sure that meat doesn't overcook," she said as softly she could manage through her own stress.

~Elaina~

She knocked once on her parents' door out of courtesy and opened it into her old kitchen. Ever since Arturo had conceded to let her go with him to Spain, she had relaxed considerably and was excited about this dinner. It had been such a long time since she'd seen Estela and her parents!

"Oh Mama it smells wonderful!" she said immediately, wanting to make the effort to repair the damage that had been done. Then Elaina rushed to embrace her friend, saying, "Estela! How's the Captain?"

This post has been edited by Laeli Rose on Mar 15 2007, 08:50 PM

[Lisette]

-Estela-

"Bien, he has rough days but he's getting better. I told him to rest up a bit before dinner, tonight is going to be difficult for him," Estela replied with a smile, showing off her English. "How are things going for you? We hardly hear from you anymore--Arturo!" Estela ran over and embraced her former fiance. She would never forget all the kindness he had showed her--especially when he paid for Mateo's doctor-- and the two would always remain close friends. "You're going to love dinner, Senor, I actually helped! I'm doing a lot of cooking now, can you believe it?"

-Arturo-

Though he smiled when Estela hugged him and tried to be polite to her, Arturo was still in a bad mood from earlier. He was upset that his wife wanted to go against his wishes, yet at the same time happy that she had convinced him to let her go. He didn't know what he would do without her for so long. But the conflict of emotions was starting to wear on his nerves and he hoped he could control it enough to have a nice dinner with her parents.

"Good evening Mister and Missus Carlone" he told Vanessa and Diego, using English to prove to his mother-in-law that he was trying.

[Laeli Rose]

~Diego~

Though his wife simply nodded her head at the Governor and continued fixing dinner, Diego's manners were far more refined. "Senor Castillo, we're so glad you could come. Your English is improving as rapidly as Senora Valdez's! Please, have a seat," he said with a smile. He loved having so many English speaking people around so he could show off his one talent. Then he turned to Elaina and hugged her. He still experienced a wave of glee whenever he thought that his own daughter had married the famous Admiral Castillo. "Elaina, you look beautiful tonight."

~Elaina~

With a blush, Elaina thanked her father and sat down at the table. She felt oddly uncomfortable, like there was some unseen tension in the air. But what could it be... Deciding she was only imagining things, Elaina turned to Estela again. "Estela, how's working in the bakery?" She knew perfectly well how demanding her mother could be, and from the bags under Estela's eyes she worried how she must have been handling it all.

[Lisette]

-Estela-

Estela smiled and took a seat next to her friend. "I like it, I'm learning so much and business has really seemed to pick up. I appreciate how much patience you mother is showing with me. I'm trying to pick up English as quickly as I can but I still stumble over some words. And then there's Mateo, he calls me away a lot and I know it angers her..." There wasn't that much else to say so she focused her attention on smoothing out her apron in her lap. It helped her keep her mind off the beautiful dress Elaina was wearing. Estela had to give up wearing such fine clothing long ago when her favorite outfit was ruined by flour.

-Arturo-

"I pleased to hear that Senora Valdez is doing so well and I thank you again for generously opening your home to her and the Capitan," the governor said to Diego. "Where is he? I would like to congratulate him for surviving another week! He and I have some unfinished business and it would have been terrible if he didn't make it." It seemed his mood had lightened considerably but his voice still had a dark undertone to it.

[Laeli Rose]

~Elaina~

Her father laughed and said, "He's just in the other room. Would you mind if I joined you?" but she didn't pay much attention to him.

Instead Elaina smiled at Estela, saying, "Well, don't let her stop you. She's really not as harsh as she lets on..." Estela's gesture puzzled her - it was something she'd done many times, but had never expected to see it from someone like her friend. Pulling her chair closer, Elaina whispered, "Are you sure you're alright?"

[Lisette]

-Arturo-

"Of course, Senor. Let's leave the girls alone for a minute or so, they haven't seen eachother in a long time," Arturo told Diego with another forced smile. He gave Estela's shoulder a gentle squeeze before standing up and making his way to the Valdezes' room.

"Get up you lazy slug! Stop torturing your poor wife!" he told Mateo with a grin, knocking on the door before entering. He wasn't dumb and was on to the captain's little game from the very beginning. The former Admiral knew his fair share about battle wounds and while Mateo's was serious it wasn't that serious. Still he kept his mouth shut, finding the charade quiet entertaining himself. But now it had been going on long enough and Estela was starting to look very tired. He would need to have a talk with her husband before leaving that night.

"I'm afraid your ship left without you last week. I tried to make them stay in port as long as possible, but they just couldn't wait anymore. Orders are orders after all. Though I still intend to call in the favor I told you about before, when you are feeling better of course."

-Estela-

"Of course I'm alright. It's an adjustment, that's all. I've been working so hard to show my thanks but I can't bare to leave Mateo's side. I'm worried about him, Elaina, the doctor said he should be able to get up and walk around by now but he's barely left bed." Estela gripped her apron tightly to steady her shaking hands. "What if his ship doesn't take him back? What if they leave without him? He constantly tells me not to worry, that the governor owes him something...but if he doesn't get better soon..." She shook her head to force back the tears that were forming in her eyes.Standing up, she gave her friend a bright Estela smile.
"I'm sorry Elaina, I shouldn't worry you. I'm tired, that's all. Senora, I'll help you with those vegetables," she told Vanessa, walking over and taking the knife from the Englishwoman. She needed to keep busy, even if it meant doing something as mundane as chopping carrots.

[Laeli Rose]

~Diego~

Diego followed the Governor into the back room and took a seat near the door. He hardly cared about his business with the Captain - he simply wanted to be sure Senor Castillo could not complain about his hospitality. Besides, Captain Valdez usually confused him. The young man seemed to talk in circles and rarely made much sense.

~Mateo~

"Muchas gracias Senor, that's good to know." In truth, Mateo wasn't too sure how he felt about going back to work. If the Governor really intended to follow through on promoting him, he would surely be reassigned out of el Desierto. He thought Estela might not be up to another relocation, especially if it meant leaving the island all together. We need the money, she deserves better than this. It killed him to know that his own wife, a Spanish lady of noble birth, was slaving away in the Carlone panaderia. Elaina's mother must have been absolutely torturing her. "I'm sure I'll be up and about soon." With a daring smile, he continued, "I don't want you to think I'm backing out on our little competition."

~Elaina~

What has become of you...? Estela's condition upset Elaina. She wished she could do something to help. What does Arturo owe the Captain? Thinking she should ask him about it later and urge him to help their friends, Elaina rose from the table and asked her mother, "What can I do Mama?"

~Vanessa~

Vanessa looked her daughter up and down, scowling at the expensive dress. "Don't worry about it. I wouldn't want you to spoil your new clothes." It was unnecessary and unprovoked, but she couldn't help it. Her daughter didn't belong in that outfit, in that house, and Vanessa refused to let her think differently. Elaina might develop a sense of entitlement, and it would ruin her character.

Her daughter's face fell and she sat back down at the table. It wasn't supposed to be this way tonight... With a sigh, Vanessa turned back to the vegetables and barked, "Unless you think you still know how to chop vegetables. I'll finish with the soup." Elaina simply nodded and took another knife from a drawer, not even making eye contact with her mother.

[Lisette]

-Arturo-

The governor roared in laughter, the first honest emotion he had showed all after noon. "I wouldn't let you get out of it if you tried, Capitan," he said, walking over to the bed and clasping Mateo's hand tightly. "I have it all set up and waiting for when you're ready. Nacho put all his strongest aside just for us, you may have survived a slash to the stomach but I don't think you'll be able to make it through this. Looking down at the captain with a mischevious glint in his eyes, Arturo smirked. "We'd better not let the women find out about this. If the alcohol doesn't kill us, they surely will."

-Estela-

Estela cringed when she heard Vanessa address her daughter with such a tone. It had been weeks since she married the governor, why did her mother continue to treat her so coldly? "Please forgive her, Elaina. She's had a long day..." she said quietly to her friend, knowing they could speak freely in front of the English woman if they used Spanish. "And that is a lovely dress, it would be a pity to ruin such a fine garment. Are you sure you don't want just wait at the table?" With her helping, there would be less work for Estela to do and Estela needed to keep her hands and mind occupied at that moment.

[Laeli Rose]

~Mateo~

Mateo laughed, glad that it no longer sent waves of pain through his stomach. "That's the truest thing I've heard yet. Estela would slaughter me. I'm sure I won't have a problem with dear Nacho's spirits, but I certainly wouldn't make it through another brush with the infamous Perez temper." He motioned to the chair beside the bed where his wife often sat with him, saying, "What about Elaina? After meeting her mother, I think you might have gotten something more than you bargained for when you married her."

~Elaina~

Elaina smiled softly, saying, "No, I haven't known what to do with myself lately. Arturo won't let me lift a finger. I miss this." She couldn't understand why her mother was acting in such a way. It simply wasn't fair - not to her, and not to Arturo. But she knew her mother would never apologize. Elaina would have to make the effort. "I want to help. But you, Estela you look so tired. Why don't you sit down and I'll take care of it?"