FULL CIRCLE
Chapter 68
Although she'd enjoyed the sightseeing with Miles, Natalie had to admit that she was glad to be going home again. And she some how suspected that Miles felt the same way.
Once she'd checked her baggage, Natalie took her carry-on and headed for the departure lounge to wait and enjoy a cup of coffee. Taking a seat, she sat back, watching for her teammates to put in an appearance.
"Mommy, where Smiles?" Mikayla asked, looking around for her brother.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Rachelle tried to reassure her. "It isn't time for his flight to leave yet. Now hand me the bag and I'll go get you a soda."
"Okay," the little girl said and handed over the gift bag she'd insisted on carrying.
Natalie had noticed the little girl, recognizing her from the picture Miles had. So this was his little sister. She had to admit that Mikayla was cute, wearing pink tights and matching tunic dress.
"Excuse me. Is this seat taken?" Rachelle was asking.
"No, it's not," Natalie replied.
"Oh, thank you. I'm Rachelle McCabe and this is my daughter Mikayla. Kayla, stay here please. I'll be right back," Rachelle said.
"Yes, Mommy."
"I'm Dr. Natalie Durant," the other woman introduced herself.
"My stepson happens to be a doctor," Rachelle said and headed for the vending machines.
Mikayla looked at Natalie and announced, "I have present for Smiles."
"Here you are," Rachelle said as she returned with a couple of cans of Coke. Opening one, she handed it to Mikayla.
"Tank you, Mommy," the little girl said.
"Now, don't spill it since you can't go home and change," Rachelle cautioned. She looked at Natalie. "We're here to see my stepson. Hopefully he didn't take an earlier flight."
"See Smiles," Mikayla added helpfully.
"Kayla insists on calling him that but his name actually is Miles," Rachelle explained.
"Oh, I'm sure he doesn't mind being called Smiles," Natalie replied, smiling. "And I doubt very much that you've missed him. We're both supposed to be on the same flight as well as a co-worker of ours."
"Kayla would be so disappointed if she'd missed him," Rachelle said.
"Smiles!" Mikayla exclaimed and jumped up, nearly spilling her soda. Natalie reached to grab it and both women exchanged amused glances asthey watched Miles being enthusiastically greeted by his sister.
"Smiles!" She grabbed him around the legs and held on tight.
"Would you please tell her to stop doing that?" Miles asked Rachelle as he tried to maintain his balance and hold onto his bag.
"Mikayla Ann McCabe! Let him go. Now!" Rachelle said sternly.
Somewhat reluctantly she let go. Miles, in his attempt to to keep from dropping his bag on her, toppled backwards into the hard plastic chairs. "Damn it!" he swore sharply as his back and shoulder made contact.
"Mikayla Ann McCabe!" Rachelle said and stated after her daughter. Mikayla knew she was in trouble and put on her most sorrowful puppydog look, he eyes filling with tears.
"Are you okay?" Natalie asked softly as she helped Miles to his feet.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I'm sorry, Smiles," Mikayla said, turning her puppy dog look on him. "Don't be mad."
"I'm not mad, Kid. But you to quit doing this or I could have dropped my bag on you," Miles told her. He reached out a gentle hand to brush away her tears. "Don't cry. Okay?"
"Okay," she said and sniffled.
"You sit right there and do not move." Rachelle said sternly.
"Is Dad with you?" Miles asked.
"He's parking the car," Rachelle answered.
"Brought you present," Mikayla told Miles.
"Well, let's see it then," he said.
Rachelle handed him the gift bag which was decorated with bright smiley faces. "This is all her idea. Although I did help to decide what to put in it."
Miles took it and pulled out a couple of crossword puzzle books, a package of mechanical pencils, playing cards and a bottle of aspirin. Finally he pulled out a bean bag bear with a smiley face, just knowingwhat the tag would say. Sure enough it read. "Smiles." Placing it back in the bag, he said, "Thank you very much, Kid."
"You welcome," she replied.
"I'm sorry but I completely forgot all about you wanting to take a picture of the both of us. If you still want to, you could take one here," Miles said apologetically.
"I brought my camera along just in case," Rachelle told him. "Kayla, sit on your brother's lap and smile pretty for Mommy."
Mikayla did as she was told, climbing up on Miles' lap and giving her mother a big smile. He placed his arms around her and they looked into the camera.
"Got it," Rachelle said after snapping several pictures. "I'll make sure to send you a copy." She slipped the camera back in her purse.