An Angel Dressed in White

By Susan J.

As I sit at my computer, I stare at the blank screen like a painter would stare at a blank canvas and I wonder what the hell am I going to write about. Then I decided to tell the story of how I met the man in my life.

I live and work in Miami. I needed sometime off to let myself rest and my mind clear, so I went on a self imposed vacation. I decided to take a walk down Calle Ocho and just look around. All the shops in the area were very interesting. I came to the end of the block and I crossed the street. I walked passed a convalescent hospital, and since it was a beautiful and warm day, most of the patients sat outside on the patio. As I walked passed they said hello to me and I returned the greeting. There was a very handsome man dressed in white attending to them. We looked at each other for a second and as I continued walking when I heard a voice.

"Good afternoon lovely lady," he said.

I turned around to see who it was and as I did my right foot stepped into a small hole, making me twist my ankle. As I was about to fall, the man in white jumped over the three and a half-foot brick wall and caught me before I fell completely to the ground. He helped me up.

"I'm sorry. Are you all right?" he said.

I hopped over to the brick wall and leaned against it.

"I'm fine, but I don't think my ankle is," I said.

I looked down to see my ankle swelling.

"Let me help you inside," he said.

"Thank you."

We went inside and he helped me into one of the examing rooms that this facility had. I hopped on top of the examining table and he carefully removed my shoe. He looked at my ankle.

"It doesn't look too bad," he said.

He pressed it.

"OUCH!" I said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. This is all my fault."

"No it isn't. I should have been looking where I was walking."

"But I distracted you, so it's my fault."

He put an ice pack on my ankle and elevated it.

"That will stop the swelling."

"You don't have to do this. I'll be okay."

"Please let me do this for you."

I looked into his brown eyes and I couldn't resist his offer.

"All right," I said.

He smiled.

"Good. My name is Antonio Carreras."

"My name is Toni Velez."

"Toni?"

"Yes, it's short for Antonia."

"Your name is like mine."

"Yes I guess it is. I've got to get back to my apartment. Thank you for everything."

"I'll see you home."

"No, it's okay. You have work to do."

"As a matter of fact…"

He looked at his watch.

"…I'm off duty. I'll call for a cab and we'll be off. Okay?"

"Okay."

The cab arrived and he helped me in. We left and arrived at my apartment building a while later. We got off the cab and entered the building and rode the elevator up to the third floor. I handed him the key and he opened the door. He helped me to the couch and put a pillow under my foot.

"Thank you Antonio," I said.

"My pleasure."

He put my keys on the coffee table.

"Would you like to sit down?" I asked.

"Thank you." He sat down.

"So, what do you do for a living?" he asked.

"I work in an office, but I'm on vacation for a month."

"And now because of me, you'll have to stay at home with your foot up."

I got up and sat on the coffee table in front of him.

"Hey, get back on that couch!"

"No."

"You need to keep that foot elevated."

"Okay, fine."

I moved back a little and put my foot on the arm of the chair he was sitting in.

"Happy now?" I said.

He smiled. We were almost nose to nose.

"Now look at me. Once and for all, it wasn't your fault! My foot was headed for that stupid hole no matter what. So if you say it's you fault one more time, I'll never speak to you again. Understand?"

"Yes I understand."

"Good."

He moved a little closer and he kissed me softly. He then kissed me more passionately and we began to fell the heat build between us. I pulled away.

"I think you'd better go," I said.

"I think you're right."

He got up and helped me back to the couch.

"I'll check on you later - and keep that foot up."

"I will."

He walked out the door. I leaned back on the couch and put my arm over my eyes and let out a sigh.

"Oh man," I said.

Meanwhile Antonio was leaning on the outside of the door running his had through his hair and he too was sighing.

"Oh baby," he said.

Antonio checked on me twice a day for three days. By the fourth day I was up and walking around. I had seen a man's silver bracelet at a friends' shop, so I bought it for him. I had it gift-wrapped and I wrote a small thank you note to go with it. I took the gift to the hospital. I went to the nurse's desk.

"Can I help you?" the nurse asked.

"Yes. Is Antonio Carreras here today?"

"Yes, but he's with a patient right now. I can call him if you like."

"No that's okay, I don't want to bother him. Can you please give this to him for me?"

"Sure."

"Thank you."

I handed her the package and I left. I was half way down the block when I heard someone call my name.

"Toni!"

I turned around to see Antonio running towards me.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi. Why didn't you have them call me?"

"Well she offered, but you were busy and I didn't want to bother you."

He was holding the box I had left.

"Did you open it?"

"No, I just read the note. I wanted to be with you when I opened it,"

As we stood in the middle of the sidewalk he opened the box. He smiled as he took out the bracelet out.

"It's beautiful. You didn't have to do this,"

"Yes I did. Please accept it with my thanks for all that you did for me,"

"Thank you. Here help me put it on."

I took the bracelet and out it on his right wrist. He looked at it.

"It really is beautiful. Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

He kissed me tenderly.

"How is your ankle?"

"Just fine."

"Fine enough to go dancing with me?"

"Sure. When?"

"Tonight. I'll pick you up at seven thirty, okay?"

"I'll be ready."

He kissed me again and we went our separate ways. Later that night he picked me up and we left. The club that he took me to was packed. Antonio knew almost everybody there. We danced and we laughed and had a great time. The leader of the band invited Antonio to come up on stage and play the conga drums and of course he did. He had seen me singing along to one of the song that they played.

He jumped down from the stage and grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the stage.

"No, Antonio!"

"Come on! I saw you singing to that song. Come up and sing for everyone!"

"Estas loco!!"

"Come on!"

The band started playing a song called "La Copa De La Vida" (The Cup of Life) and I started singing. The beat of the music had everybody, including Antonio going crazy. When were finished everybody was yelling and applauding. Antonio hugged me.

"You were great!"

"You were pretty good yourself!" I said.

Mario the bandleader came over to us.

"You two were wonderful!" Mario said.

"Thanks Mario," Antonio said,

"Anytime you two want to share the stage with us, you are more than welcome."

"Thank you," I said.

"We gotta go. Take care Mario."

"You too."

He hugged Antonio and he kissed me on the cheek. We left. As we walked down the sidewalk the entire street was lit up with lights, and the people were out everywhere having fun. Antonio held my hand as we walked down the street. I couldn't help but smile. He looked at me.

"I like to see you smiling," he said.

"I'm having a great time. Thank you."

I kissed his cheek. He looked down at his feet.

"Antonio, are you blushing?"

"No…"

"Yes you are. How sweet."

He smiled. He moved closer to me and then pulled me into his arms. He kissed me full on the lips and I felt like I was melting. His tongue pushed its way into my mouth and the kiss became more sensual. Before we went too far I pulled back.

"This is not the place for this kind of kissing Antonio."

"I know the perfect place, that is if you want to go there?"

"You lead and I'll follow."

We arrived at his apartment a while later. We were no sooner inside the apartment when our clothes started coming off. We made it to his bedroom; his kisses were the sweetest I'd ever had the pleasure of receiving. His hands felt so wonderful on my skin. The scent of him was overpowering. We fell onto the bed. His hands caressed my breasts while he kissed me passionaltey. I opened myself totally to him. He dragged his tongue down the length of my neck and down to my breasts. He kissed them gently and when he did I arched my back. His hips were now between my legs and I waited for him to enter me. He looked at me.

"Toni, I want you to be with me always."

I looked at him and read in his eyes that he was serious.

"There is nothing on this earth that I couldn't want more then to be with you Antonio."

He kissed and entered me at the same time. He moved slowly and gently and it was the most beautiful feeling in the world. As we both got more aroused his movements became stronger and harder.

"Oh Antonio" I moaned.

He moved faster and harder until we felt the complete fulfillment of being together. We fell asleep in each other's arms. The next morning there came a knock on the door. Antonio got up and put on a robe. He staggered to the door rubbing his eyes. He opened the door a few inches. His eyes opened wide when he saw who it was.

"Mama!? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. Let me in," she said.

"I'm in a hurry right now, I'll stop by your house later."

"Antonio, what's the matter with you?" She tried to push the door open.

"Mama wait! Let me put some clothes on."

"I've seen you naked before Antonio."

"Please…"

He closed the door and ran into the bedroom.

"Toni! Wake up amor!"

"What's wrong?"

"My mother's at the door! Get up!"

I was near the edge of the bed. As I started getting up I slipped and Ifell off the bed and onto the floor.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine."

We started laughing. I got up and grabbed my clothes and ran into the closet.

"Let me know when she's gone."

"Okay."

He put on his pants and grabbed a shirt. He went back and let his mother in.

"Come in Mama."

She came in looking in all directions.

"Looking for something?" he said.

"Where is she Antonio?"

"Who?"

"The girl you're hiding.

"What girl?"

She looked at him.

"I know you too well Antonio."

"Mama, trust me. Now what can I do for you?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to see you. Is that wrong?"

"Oh Mama.

He hugged her tightly.

"Of course it's not wrong to want to see me."

"Well, now that I've seen you I better go. I have things to do."

"Okay."

"I wantyou to come for dinner tonight and I won't take no for an answer."

They walked to the door and he opened it for her.

"Okay, I'll see you tonight."

"Also, I want you to bring the girl who is in your closet."

She closed the door behind her. He stayed staring at the door.

"Smart lady," I said.

He turned around to see me at the bedroom door. Later that night we arrived at Antonio's mother's house. She greeted her son with a hug and kiss. He held my hand as he introduced us.

"Mama, I'd like you to meet a special friend of mine Antonia Velez. Toni this is my mother."

We shook hands. "Nice to meet you Senora Carreras."

"Nice to meet you Antonia. You are the one in my son's closet this morning."

I looked at Antonio and then at his mother.

"Yes Senora I am."

She smiled.

"Good, you speak the truth! I like that. Please sit and make yourself at home. I'll check on dinner."

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

"You like to cook?"

"I love to cook when I have a chance."

"Good! Come with me!"

We started towards the kitchen; his mother turned to him.

"Marry this one Antonio. I like her."

Antonio rolled his eyes and smiled. We ate and had a wonderful time talking. Antonio's mother embarrassed him by telling stories of him as a child and some of the things that he did as a little boy made us laugh. The evening came to an end.

"I think we better go now," Antonio said.

"Your right, it's getting late," I said.

We stood up and walked towards the door.

"It was wonderful meeting you Senora."

"It was nice meeting you too Toni. Please come back anytime.

"Thank you. I will."

She hugged me tightly. Antonio kissed his mother on the forehead.

"Goodnight, Mama," he said.

"Goodnight, Antonio."

He hugged her and she whispered to him. "Remember what I told you, marry this one!"

"Yes Mama."

We left. Months went by and Antonio and I couldn't have been happier. I got along great with his mother, which was wonderful. Once again I was walking by the hospital on my way to one of the stores. The patients were once again on the patio and I was greeted by them as I walked by. Then history repeated itself, and I heard a voice.

"Good afternoon lovely lady."

I turned to see Antonio standing there. I walked over to him.

"Well good afternoon to you, too."

He kissed me.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To one of the shops down the street. Why?"

"I called you but you weren't home. I needed to ask you something."

"What?"

He jumped over the brick fence and walked me over to the spot where I had twisted my ankle.

"Why are we standing here?" I asked.

"This is where I first held you in my arms."

"That's right. I remember now."

He pretended to drop something and as he bent down to pick it up he dropped down to one knee. He looked up at me.

"Toni, you have shown me such happiness that I thought I would never have. You get along great with my mother and well…"

"Antonio, what on earth are you trying to say?"

"Toni, I love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I looked at him and my eyes misted over with tears.

"Antonio, I'd be a fool to say no. That's why I'm saying yes."

"Really?"

"Really."

He got up and took a small box from his pocket. He opened up the box and in it was a beautiful ring. He took it out and put it on my finger, he then kissed the ring. He looked into my eyes and then kissed me. All of the patients started applauding.

The wedding was simple but festive. Antonio's mother was so happy that she danced with all the guests at the party.

We have now been married for two years and we're expecting our first child in a few weeks. I never thought that two people could be so happy. And to think a sprained ankle brought us together. If I had known that twisting an ankle would bring such a wonderful man into my life, I would have sprained it a hell of a long time ago.

Image Courtesy of the Antonio Banderas Web Mall