Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Page 6

  Sadly, Papi watched Mrs. Cortez take a family photo off the mantel. The picture had been taken in front of the house. Pedro and Papi were in the photo as well. Mrs. Cortez placed the picture in a box.

  “I’ve got the garage all packed up. I’ll go finish the kitchen,” Mr. Cortez said.

  “The cousins will be here soon to pick up Pedro,” Sam said to his father. “You should probably say good-bye.”

  Mr. Cortez kneeled down next to Pedro, tears in his eyes. “I’m going to miss you, buddy. You’ll make tons of new friends in Texas—just wait a while to smile at them,” he advised.

  The puppies approached their father.

  “I don’t want Uncle Pedro to go, Papa!” Papi Jr. said sadly.

  “He’s not really going anywhere, kids, because when you love someone, they are always with you in your heart,” Papi told his children.

  “I feel the same way, hermano,” Pedro said to Papi.

  Sam sealed up the box he had been packing and silently went out to the truck. As he walked outside, he ran right into Mr. Kroop and a police officer.

  “Don’t worry,” Sam told them. “We’re leaving.” He looked over at the officer. “And you didn’t need to bring the police with you. We won’t make any trouble.”

  “Please, can we come in?” Mr. Kroop asked. Sam nodded, and the men walked into the house. As they entered, the dogs growled, and Mr. Kroop stepped behind the police officer.

  “You know, your dogs are pretty special,” the officer said. “They solved a case that stumped a whole task force. We’ve been tracking those criminals for three months. They’ve gotten over fifteen million dollars from banks in the area.”

  “And there’s a reward for fifty thousand dollars for their capture,” Mr. Kroop added. “It’s yours.” He grinned sheepishly. “That’s enough to pay off the loan on your house, and then some.”

  Papi started barking. He called the other dogs over to come hear the news.

  “Is this a joke?” Mr. Cortez asked. “Because I am not laughing.”

  Mr. Kroop shook his head. “I promise you, Mr. Cortez, this is not a joke.”

  The family stood still, stunned by the turn of events.

  “Holy guacamole, we did it!” Papi barked, breaking the silence. “We saved the house!”

  The Cortez family laughed with joy and hugged each other while all the dogs barked excitedly. Mrs. Cortez was so elated she even hugged the officer and Mr. Kroop.

  Then the dogs jumped up on Mr. Kroop, knocking him to the floor. They covered him with kisses.

  “Oh, gosh! No licking!” Mr. Kroop pleaded, wiping his face. “Do they have their shots? This is my best suit!” he protested.

  “What are we waiting for?” Mrs. Cortez cried. “Let’s unpack!” She ran to the mantel and proudly put the family photo back up. Sam pulled out a picture of Rachel and himself and looked at it sadly.

  “You need to work things out with Rachel,” Mrs. Cortez advised, seeing her son’s distraught face.

  “I don’t think so, Mom. I really messed up,” Sam said. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

  “Right on time,” Mrs. Cortez said with a small smile. She went to get the door, and when she opened it, Rachel was standing there!

  Sam’s mouth dropped open in shock.

  Mrs. Cortez looked at her son. “I called her. A mother wants to see her son happy.”

  Sam turned to Rachel “I’m so sorry, Rachel,” he told her.

  “No, I’m sorry,” she said. “I hated the way we left things. I want to be with you whether we’re married or not.”

  Sam looked at the dogs and his family. He realized that they were all staring at him. He took Rachel in his arms. “That’s good. Because I want to be with you forever,” he said. “I want to have a family with you and depend on each other for the rest of our lives, Rachel.” Kneeling down on one knee, Sam looked up at Rachel. “Rachel, will you marry me?”

  Rachel looked at the dogs. They were all wagging their tails at her.

  “Yes! Yes! Of course!” she cried.

  Sam picked her up and hugged her tightly while everyone cheered—and barked!

  “And I’m throwing the wedding!” Aunt Viv exclaimed, popping her head in the door. She grinned at the happy couple.

  “Viv!” Sam exclaimed, surprised but delighted to see his boss’s smiling face.

  “There’s my Chloe!” Aunt Viv said, spotting her Chihuahua. Chloe ran up to Viv, who swept the dog up in her arms. “I’ve missed you so much, my darling. And there are my babies…. I’m so happy to meet you!” she exclaimed, petting the puppies. “Let’s celebrate!” Viv cried.

  Once again, Viv’s backyard was the perfect location for a celebration. Music filled the air, and the guests were all enjoying a feast of fajitas and quesadillas. Everyone was dancing and having a great time. On the dance floor, Mr. and Mrs. Cortez spun in circles next to Sam and Rachel. Aunt Viv danced around holding Papi Jr. He licked her face, enjoying the love and attention.

  In the pool, Pedro had his eyes closed on a raft, playing Barco Polo with the puppies.

  Papi and Chloe watched the action from the back porch and smiled.

  “Shall we join in the fun?” Chloe asked Papi. She moved toward the yard.

  “My sweet, be careful! The mud!” Papi warned as he spied a little puddle of mud in front of her.

  Papi ran inside the house and quickly dashed back with a towel in his mouth. He placed the towel down on the puddle so Chloe could walk over it.

  “Oh, Papi, you’re so romantic,” Chloe said, swooning.

  “But of course. After all, I’m a Chihuahua,” Papi replied.

  “Don’t I know it,” Chloe said, smiling.

  And together they raced off to join their happy family. It was time to celebrate!