Never Judge

"Is Chris Garin still employed here?" Alexi asked Cedric.

"Yes." Cedric said with a nod.

​​

"Carlos De Dios contacted him and is going to legitimize him." Alexi told Cedric. "Oh and congratulations."

"Did Nicole tell everyone?" Cedric said, shaking his head.

"Nah. It was my mom. They're holding court at Nationalia today and your mom wasn't there. When she called to ask, your mom couldn't resist and told my mom." Alexi told Cedric.

"The De Dios family can wait for a while. They won't do anything until the news about Ayanna and Ray settles. If we make enough noise I think we can postpone Carlos De Dios from announcing his long lost son. Get all the dirt you can on Chris for the meantime." Cedric told Alexi.

"Wow a kid and a brother in law in one day, man your family is growing fast." Alexi teased.

"But Ayanna likes Ray, right?" Adrianna asked quite shyly. Among Cedric's friends she found Alexi to be the most intimidating.

"She does. But those two are rebels at heart. They won't let their families or social standing decide what they do. It's just funny how they ended up like Uncle Emilio and Aunt Priscilla. An unarranged arranged marriage." Alexi said with a laugh.

"You should hurry up Alexi, soon enough you'll be the only single one in the group." Cedric teased.

"We both know married life isn't for me. I like to have a taste of all the world's wonders." Alexi grinned.

"Those women, most of them think they will be the one to thaw your frozen heart." Cedric said, shaking his head.

"Hey, when they meet me they all know that it's just a casual physical thing. I don't do serious. It's their choice and I respect them for that." Alexi said in defence of his womanizing ways.

"Or you just haven't met the woman that will make you take things seriously." Cedirc teased.

"Like you have Adrianna and Ray has always been serious about your sister?" Alexi asked his friend.

"I doubt your parents will let you go unmarried. You are after all their only son." Cedric teased.

"Hey Adrianna, what gender do you think your baby will be?" Alexi asked Adrianna in an attempt to shift the topic from himself.

"I don't really care what the gender will be, as long as my baby is safe and healthy." Adrianna said as she touched her still flat belly.

"Why don't we celebrate tonight? Dinner at Mountain View." Cedric suggested as he pulled his wife into his arms.

"I'm game. Just tell everyone." Alexi said.

Both the couple and Alexi left soon after. Adrianna fell asleep while they were on the drive home.

Cedric took out his phone to invite his friends and their sisters.

Cedric Reyes: As you all probably know, Adrianna is pregnant. Let's have a small gathering at home to celebrate.

Ayanna Reyes: Not fair, I won't make it back in time.

Ray Laurence: Congratulations you guys! See you in a couple of days.

Nicole Chan: No alcohol please. I hate alcohol now.

Veronica Abad: Same. I'm still hungover.

Miguel Chan: I'll tell my parents.

Katerina Sebastian: Weak. But yes we'll be there. Except Natalia, she's locked up at some research facility doing some probably earth shattering things.

Nicole Chan: CONGRATULATIONS @CEDRIC AND ADRIANNA!!!!! I'M GONNA BE AN AUNT.

Nicole Chan: Why isn't Adrianna part of this chat?

Eric Chan: You're too loud. But I'll be there.

Nicole Chan: You better be nice to me or I'll tell everyone what you say when you're drunk!

Ram Abad: Please tell me!

Eric Chan: You better behave Nicole or our parents will find out about Ian!

When Cedric told his parents that he had invited their friends over the busied themselves with preparations. Adrianna had also invited Julia, Sofia, and Natasha, the three girls were very excited to see Adrianna's new home.

Adrianna had asked Julia, Sofia, and Natasha to come earlier since she wanted to give them a tour.

"Adri, the doctor said you needed to rest." Cedric said as Adrianna stood up to meet the girls.

"I promise to take the elevator and lie down after giving them a tour." Adrianna told Cedric.

"Fine. Go meet them." Cedric said, finally letting Adrianna go.

At 7:30pm the rest of their guests began to arrive. Gracia Hernandez was so in awe of the guests that when Priscilla introduced her to the other parents she stuttered and struggled to say hi.

"It's good that Adri's parents haven't caused you any trouble." Alexi said as he drank a glass of wine next to Cedric.

"I think her mom is too in awe of my mom." Cedric said.

"Auntie Priscilla is, quite a lot." Alexi said with a laugh.

"I wish everyday would be like this. Full of smiles and surrounded by family." Cedric said with a sigh.

"Regardless of gender, that kid in Adrianna will have to go through the same thing as you." Alexi reminded Cedric.

"It wasn't all bad. I never starved, I went to a great university, and I met the love of my life. It's so much more than other people. Look at Miguel and Veronica, they're forced to be with each other when they don't have a choice." Cedric said as he looked at his friends.

"At least Miguel and Veronica are promised to someone they know and like. I'm amazed at the sacrifice Ram is willing to make for his sister. Even if he was adopted he sees Veronica as his sister by blood. The Abads initially wanted to engage Veronica to him, but he gave quite a fight." Alexi told Cedric.

"Ram never told me that." Cedric said as he looked at Ram who was talking to Adrianna's friends.

"The deal was simple. Stay loyal to the Abad family and marry whomever they choose, and it's still up in the air if his children will inherit anything from the Abad family. I guess it depends on whom he marries." Alexi told Cedric.

"So that's why he's never brought a girl home." Cedric realized.

"Yup. And Veronica has no idea what her brother has done for her. What a pity." Alexi said, shaking his head.

"Are you boys doing alright here?" Emilio Reyes said as he approached Cedric and Alexi.

"Yes dad. I'm just admiring the view." Cedric said with a smile.

"I agree, Veronica did an amazing job with the house." Emilio said as he commented on the interior work Veronica had done.

"Not the material one dad. The view of having all my family and friends around, happy." Cedric said.

"I guess you could say that's the best view." Emilio said as he toasted to the boys and left to mingle with the other parents once more.