Caroline's plane touched down at JFK on schedule. It was not her first time to the States but it was her first time with a baby in tow. Flora was an angel on the flight so it was easier than she imagined. She was relieved to see Ginika waiting for them as they exited customs. It had been a long flight, and an even longer few months of juggling work, kids and sorrow. She had to admit she was glad for the change of scenery and happy she didn't have to make her way into Manhattan on her own.
Ginika talked non-stop during the cab ride to her apartment near Columbia University. She was pleased Caroline's trip was timed to fit in her break between semesters. Her research was caught up so she could devote the next two weeks to cuddling Flora and spoiling the two tired travelers now squarely in her care without feeling guilty about ignoring the work piling up on her desk.
After a brief tour of the well-appointed apartment, Caroline quickly stated that her only ambitions for the day were a shower, a nap and a spot of tea. Expecting that agenda, Ginika told her she would take care of Flora and left her to unpack and settle in. She could hear Ginika quietly singing to Flora in the other room as she drifted off to sleep.
When Caroline finally emerged from her bedroom a few hours later, she found a note from Ginika saying that she took Flora for a walk to buy diapers and a few other necessaries. This gave Caroline a chance to look around the apartment to get a better measure of Ginika, who she loved from the moment they met; she had the same soulful eyes as Kate and the same soft-spoken manner. She worried that being with her during this trip would make her miss Kate even more so she was determined to do as much sightseeing as possible to keep busy.
First she looked at the bookshelves. She noted that the bottom shelf had what appeared to be photo albums and she made a mental note to ask Ginika to show them to her sometime in the coming days. Then she looked at the state of Ginika's desk. Not a single item on it was out of place, just like Kate's had always been. But what really caught her eye was the framed photo on it of Kate in her university cap and gown. She looked so young, so vibrant and so full of excitement. It made Caroline smile to think that Kate had been surrounded by her family that day, unlike how her mother failed to attend her doctorate ceremony. Everywhere she looked in the apartment she could see signs of how loved Kate was and still is.
Eventually Caroline made a cup of tea and settled down in a comfy chair. She picked up the newspaper and had a flick though the local section to see what entertainment and culture was on offer for the coming week. Although she had read a couple of travel books and knew a few tourist sites she wanted to see, she had no idea how to prioritize them.
Before too long, Ginika and Flora returned and Ginika started to prepare their dinner while Caroline and Flora kept her company in the kitchen. After a quiet meal, they bathed Flora, fed her a bottle and settled her into the crib Ginika erected in her bedroom so Caroline could have uninterrupted rest during her visit and so Ginika would not miss a single minute with her precious grandchild.
Once Flora was down for the night, they agreed that the whirlwind tour of NYC would begin at Ground Zero in the morning. Shortly after the timetable for the next day was set, Caroline turned in for the night as the jet lag was wreaking havoc with her energy levels.