It was the first snowfall Tenerife had seen in years, it was an absolute miracle.
There he stood, in front of the white colonial home that he grew up in.
He makes adjustments to his crimson scarf, pulling it up over his face to hide his already intensely flushed cheeks from the cold. Hands tucked inside his long, brown trench coat, he stood along the snow covered streets.
He’d begun to think back at all those years, those times he’d spent with the Corleone’s & his beloved Cordy. Oh, how he missed her.
Suddenly— the door opens abruptly, and Mr. Corleone appears, looking almost astonished before breaking into a broad smile.
The man Pedro might consider his second father reached out to the young man he had practically raised and gave him an embrace, which Pedro gladly welcomed.
"It's nice to see you again, Mr. Corleone."
Remaining somewhat taken aback by his surprise at seeing the man, Pedro smiles.
"Please, come in, come in." the older man welcomes,
Pedro enters the house through the wider door that the man has opened, and as he does so, he looks around, recalling all the memories that have been made here.
At the doorstep, Pedro dusts the snow off of himself and his shoes on the rug.
In an attempt to make the young man feel comfortable, Mr. Corleone removes his jacket and hangs it up.
"How long has it been since we've last seen you?" The man asks, leading Pedro through the living room and asking him to please take a seat on the coach, to which Pedro accepts.
"I've have to say about, two years? After that trip me and—" he pauses, not being able to say her name,
"Cordelia.. came to visit." he finishes and looks up at her father to see almost a frown on his face.
"Speaking of Cordelia.. have you've guys spoken since?” Mr. Corleone inquires, unsure of whether or not he ought to have done so initially.
Pedro almost laughs, finding it funny that he somehow ended up at her parents doorstep without a reason, or anything to say, only the fact that he needed to see her, and to talk to her.
"Actually.. I, uh, I don't even know why l'm here— I don't think l'm no longer invited back here anymore."
Mr. Corleone almost instantly gives a shake of his head.
"Nonsense, of course you are, Pedro. No matter what happens between you and my daughter you'll always be welcomed in to our home. All these years we've spent raising the two of you, nothing could ever change that."
Pedro looks up at the older man, and smiles a weak smile.
It's silent between the two men, only the sound of the wood burning in the fireplace cackling.
"How is she?" Pedro suddenly asks, in a whisper as if he's hesitant.
Mr. Corleone sighs, "She's good, she's doing great." giving him a comforting smile.
The front door opens, and Mrs. Corleone steps into the house with a smile on her face— then it drops.
"Pedro," the woman whispers, and then looks back out the front door.
Cordelia walks into the house, and with a smile on her lips, finding her mother’s sudden shocked expression funny, she turns to look at what her mother seems so surprised by.
She wore a dark brown coat, and a beige scarf and matching gloves, and brown boots. Her once dark brown hair a few shades lighter, and it was curled.
She lets the smile fall from her lips, and she stares him— him, the guy she had so much history with, it hurt her.
She collects herself, smiling once more.
She was always good at putting a smile on her face.
She approached her father and kissed his cheek, saying, "We have found you many more presents, daddy."
"Great. I can't wait." The older man joked, sharing a subtle laugh with his wife.
Cordelia approached Pedro, and he embraced her without saying anything.
He felt the way her breathing subsided, and her hands that lightly grazed him.
He'd once longed to feel her touch, to hold her in her arms just one more time for what seemed like years that separated them.
He was well aware that things between them were far from normal, with unspoken words still to be exchanged. He knew, however, that she had never liked to put their troubles between her parents and had always made an effort to ensure that they were aware that nothing was wrong between the two.
She once told him that she hoped her parents would have been disappointed if they had known about everything that had happened over the past ten years between their cherished daughter and the man who had been in her life for so long. Of course, not in them, but in the circumstance.
Though time never appeared to be on their side, they had always hoped that the two would end up together.
She drew away from his embrace and looked up at him.
She fixed the collar of his shirt, letting her hands rest at his chest for a moment.
In that moment, he felt as though his heart would completely stop beating altogether.
"It's nice to see you, Pedro." she spoke softly, "I hope you'll be staying for dinner. I'm making rigatoni, she says with the ever so sweetest smile.
Pedro nods, " If you'd like," taking the time to admire her.
She lets out a breath, making her way to the kitchen and tying an apron around her waist.
Pedro watched her from across the room,
She stood under the crimson light, with a concentrated look on her face as she diced some onions for her famous rigatoni.
She made it for him the very first night they spent together in their home.
Of course, the Barcelona villa the two had formerly called home was no longer theirs.
Pedro became buried in his own lingering thoughts as he gazed at her attentively.
He recalled the night she had left him, and it seemed as if he was experiencing the same emotion in his heart at that precise time.
During those months, he spent his time closed away in that house that once held so many memories of her.
Naturally, he didn't toss away his entire life because he still had his career, which he had fought so hard to get, but a part of him felt that it all wouldn't be worth it if he couldn't enjoy it with her any more.
Pedro’s Barcelona teammates were very supportive and always made an effort to bring him out of the house. Frankly, It never seemed to work, but one day Pedro just so happened to agree to spend the night out in a bar in Barcelona.
It'd only been an hour and a half and Pedro left the bar, not being able to bear the loud music and the crowd.
He strolled alone through the streets of Barcelona.
His attention is drawn to the adjoining restaurants brilliant decorations, music, and delicious aroma of cuisine.
The bell from the restaurant door rings, and a pair emerges laughing, walking out hand in hand.
Pedro exhales, walking into the restaurant.
He stood upon the entrance, looking around into the busy restaurant.
His heart stopped entirely, and he felt his eyes narrow and his brows furrow almost as if he were attempting to imagine what he was seeing.
She wore a beige silk dress, with her once-dark brown hair now slightly lighter, resting upon her slender shoulders.
She formally thanks the woman who appears and places a glass in front of her. A man sat in front of her, saying something that must've made her smile even more.
With his heart in his hands, Pedro approached the table where she sat.
It was so sudden, he didn't even realize what he was doing.
Slowly, Cordelia turned her attention away from the man seated in front of her and toward the man whom she once loved standing right in front of her.
"Pedro," she pauses for a moment, trying to find the right words, not sure what to say.
Pedro took in every nuance of her,
She looked incredibly beautiful sitting there in that dress.
"What are you doing here?" she finally spoke, her voice soft & delicate. God, how he missed the sound of her sweet voice.
Pedro smiles that charming smile of his, saying, "Just wanted to grab a bite to eat."
Cordelia softly smiles, noticing the sudden shift in mood from her date's half.
"Pedro, l'd like you to meet Matthew," she tells him, introducing the two.
The man named Matthew reached out to shake Pedro’s hand to which Pedro is reluctant.
"Pedro," Cordelia says, taken aback at his bluntness.
"Cordy, can I talk to you?" Pedro interrupts, with a sedate look on his face.
Cordelia looks at him, perplexed for words at his impoliteness.
She turns to her date, ushering him an apology.
"If you'll excuse me, this'll only take a moment."
The man only nods, understandingly.
Pedro gently takes Cordelia by the hand, leading her out of the restaurant.
"Pedro, you're being incredibly rude. What is it with you?" Cordelia asks him.
It was the first time that night that she took a good look at him. His brown hair that she once buzzed for him was overgrown and his beard stubble looked as thought it hadn't been shaved in months. But most of all, he had this look in his eyes, that held a variety of emotions in them. It almost seems as like he is attempting to express his thoughts to her at that precise time.
"Come home," Pedro simply stated, through the stiffness of the night.
Cordelia intently stares at him, taken aback at his words.
Pedro stood there, hoping for a response from her that only he dreamt about at night.
Cordelia gazes at him with an amorous glance, pressing a delicate kiss to his cheek.
"It isn't my home anymore." she tells him with a gentle smile. It was as a way of stillness, to close this chapter of her life.
Pedro intently watched her walk away from him.
He felt a pain in his heart, feeling as if his complete world had ended.
That was the night that they'd last seen each other. It was almost two years ago now.
"Pedro," a voice calls out,
Pedro slowly comes back to reality, seeing Mrs. Corleone waving her hand in front of his face to catch his attention.
"Pedro, dear, are you alright?" the woman kindly asks.
"Oh, yes, sorry. I must've zoned out for a moment." Pedro responds, subtly laughing.
"You were out of it for quite some time." Mr. Corleone, with a sly grin making Pedro chuckle.
Pedro’s laughter subsided as he stared at Cordelia who was in her own world.
The old record player played a record and she sweetly sang along to it.
That record player was once Mr. Corleone’s whom was passed down to him by his father.
Mr. Corleone was very much responsible for Cordy’s one of a kind music taste. In fact, the man even got Pedro into some music that to this day, Pedro still listens to and everytime he does, he thinks back at those old memories back in the Corleone' resident, listening to records with his dearest Cordy and her father.
"If you'll excuse me," Pedro spoke to the older couple, entering the kitchen.
Jazz music played in the midst of the tension between the two.
Only his presence overall was enough to bring chills to her spine as he stared ahead at her.
He looked incredibly handsome standing there.
She finally met his gaze, asking him a favor, "Would you be a dear and pour my parents some wine?"
Pedro nodded, "Of course," swiftly setting down a few glasses on the counter, as he poured wine into them.
He'd went to give the wine filled glasses to Mr. & Mrs. Corleone, and then came back into the kitchen.
Pedro came from behind Cordelia, his body so close against hers, setting her own glass of wine down in front of her.
Cordelia felt her breath shudder, feeling his loving touch after so long.
Pedro took a sip of wine, eyes never leaving her.
"I'm sorry for showing up so abruptly. Especially since how long it's been." he sincerely tells her.
"There's no need to apologize," Cordelia softly hums, "We're all happy to have you here."
Pedro looks at her intently, asking, "What about you?"
Cordelia doesn't look up from the pot of sauce that she stirs, with a simple laugh leaving her mouth, as she questions him, "What about me?"
"Are you happy to have me here?" he asks looking very solemn.
Cordelia meets his strong gaze, momentarily beaming that gorgeous smile of hers, "Of course, I am."
Pedro nods, "It's just we're so far from who we use to be," with complete certainty.
It was silent for a moment, just the distant sound of Christmas music playing on the record.
Cordelia serenely stares at him, ushering out, "What have you been up to, Pedro Gonzalez?"
Pedro grins at her words, thinking to himself for a moment.
"Nothing much, just focusing on my career."
Cordelia gives Pedro a look, "You mean to tell me that after all this time, no girl has swept you off your feet?"
Pedro smiles, telling her, "I believe if there'd be any wooing it'd be me doing it. But, no if you mustn't know.. I haven't been swept away."
Cordelia laughs that adorable laugh of hers that Pedro once loved dearly.
He asked her, "What about you, Ms. Corleone?" with a charming smile forming upon his lips.
Cordelia exhaled with a smile on her lips, "Just living life."
To this end, he grins even more, taking in her beauty for a moment.
She asked him why he had that look on his face, as though he saw there was something on her face, like a smudge of tomato sauce or something.
Pedro assured her it was nothing with a simple shake of the head while grinning.
Cordelia looks down, unable to control the silly smile on her lips.
Pedro intently stares at Cordelia, taking in the sight of her.
"You're absolute gorgeous, do you know that," he tells her more rather than a question, with complete clarity and sincerity.
Cordelia only grins at him, "Of course, you've told me that everyday for years."
Pedro felt his heart swell with love.
He was absolutely smitten by her and he wouldn't want it any other way.
Mr & Mrs Corleone watched from afar, taking the time to admire the two young adults that they raised. Oh, how wonderful human beings they'd become. To be frank, it was just perfect within the idea of what could be, once more.
It was around 10' that night, just hours before Christmas Day.
Only the sound of firewood cackling throughout the dimmed living room was heard.
Cordelia sat on the carpet, reminiscing as she looked through old family photos.
Pedro joins her, handing her a mug of hot cocoa.
Cordelia takes it, whispering a thanks.
"What are you looking at?" Pedro asks, letting his eyes roam over the many pictures that captured Cordelia’s life.
"Oh, just some old photos," she spoke softly, "I'm looking to find any with you,"
To this, Pedro glances up from the photos, smiling broadly at the woman who sat in front of him.
At the sight of Cordy’s gorgeous smile, he looks over at the photograph she held up in her hands. It was a picture from years ago,
Pedro’s arm slung over Cordelia’s shoulder, as the two posed for the picture. He remembers that moment like it was just yesterday. The Gonzalez’s and Corleone’s had gone on a camping trip together and Mrs Corleone had taken that very photograph of the two teenagers sitting around the campfire.
It was always just the two of them. From the beginning, it was always Pedro and Cordy, the two bestest friends in the world.
"We had no idea what would come for us,"
Pedro mutters, making Cordelia slightly smile.
"Yeah," she exhales, "Back then I would've never imagined you'd be the one I spent all those years with,"
"I would've," Pedro whispers out into night.
"I always knew you were the one for me," he intently tells her, "I still do."
Cordelia only softly smiles,
Pedro glances down at her hand, remembering the engagement diamond that once rested upon her ring finger.
"What ever happened to us?" he asks her, in a solemn tone.
"We were two people going in different directions." Cordelia gently says.
"We were engaged, Cordy." Pedro says with complete agonizing clarity.
Cordelia stares ahead, feeling his words sting a part of her that still strongly held him within.
With a heavy heart, Pedro tells her, "I love you, Cordy," letting out a sigh of exasperation, "I have always, always loved you,"
In this moment, Cordelia’s emotions began to overwhelm her.
“I am determined to be happy, Cordy. Happy in this life, and I love you but—“ he lets out a shaky breath, completely dedicating, “Time is no man’s friend, so I have to get right with that and be happy now, because this is it. This is all that we get, Cordy.”
Cordelia stares at him with teary eyes, conveying many thoughts.
“I also want for you to be happy,” Pedro smiles a little bit, to conceal his wanderlust emotions,
“It’s really important to me for you to be happy, so, I want you to be with someone— whether it be Sevilla guy, or a man you haven’t even met yet. But, I want you to be with someone... who can be apart of a life that you want for yourself. I want you to be with someone who makes you feel like I feel when I’m with you. So, I guess the point to this long run-on sentence, that’s been the past seventeen years of our lives— is just that the simple act of being in love with you, is enough for me. So, you’re off the hook.”
Cordelia shudders, almost lost for words, “Pedro, I—“ letting out a shaky breath, “I don’t want to be left off the hook.”
Pedro intently stares at her, with a small smile forming onto his lips as he listens to her.
“Everything I’ve ever done in my life has always led me back to you,”
To this, she tells him, “Pedro, I love you, you know that,”
Pedro looks down with a smile,
“It’s so real that it’s kept me moving— mostly running from it.. never ready for it and I can’t be left off the hook because I might just keep running from you.” she tells him, with such passion and dedication.
Pedro takes in every nuance of her,
She sat there in the midst of the room, with tears running down her cheeks but looking still as beautiful as ever.
Pedro couldn’t help but to slightly chuckle,
His hands gently held her cheeks, wiping away any tears.
He places his lips on hers. It was gradual, and delicate. As they kissed, the crimson light fell on their faces.
She slowly brings them apart, her eyelids fluttered half-closed as she relished the kiss.
“You’re never left off the hook,” Pedro tells Cordelia, making her laugh in the midst of her tears just before he draws her in for another kiss.
