"Oh, you must be Owen's mom," Cristina said. "Come in. Have a seat." Irene stepped into the apartment and sat on an armchair in the living room. It was rare that she ever visited Owen at his apartment. She had seen it only once before, because most times, Owen visited her in Seattle.
"I would offer you something to drink but unfortunately, we don't have anything," Cristina said. "Owen went to the store to get food."
"That's okay, Cristina," Irene said. "I can wait. I have you at a disadvantage. I know your name but you don't know mine. My name is Irene Hunt."
"Very nice to meet you, Mrs. Hunt," Cristina said, coming forward to shake her mother-in-law's hand. Just then, two little girls came screaming and giggling out of their room.
"Girls, we have company. This is Owen's mom," Cristina told them, sternly. Irene looked at the two little girls and her heart immediately melted. They were so beautiful, with their dark curls and green eyes. It was so easy to fall in love with them.
"Oh my," Irene said. "They are lovely. I know their names are Iris and Laurel but which one is which."
"I am Iris," the older girl said. "This is Laurel." She took her little sister's hand and they both went to Irene to greet her. Irene touched their smooth cheeks and gave each one of them a kiss. She realized that in a way, they were now both her grandbabies. "You two are so pretty. I could just eat you up," Irene said. Laurel climbed on to Irene's lap. "Oh, you are just too precious." Laurel smiled. She could sense that this lady with the white hair and bright blue eyes was a kindred spirit.
"Iris and Laurel are such pretty names. How did you come up with them?" Irene asked.
"My husband did. I mean…my first husband did. When they were born, they weren't wrinkly at all. Josh said they were pretty as flowers and he gave them the names of some of his favorite flowers," Cristina explained. "So that is how they became Iris and Laurel."
"That is a beautiful story," Irene told her. She could tell that the girls were very much loved by their father.
"Owen should be back soon," Cristina said, nervously. She really didn't know what to say to Irene, given how sudden her and Owen's marriage was. Cristina felt that maybe Irene might not approve of their quickie marriage. Irene could sense the nervousness in the young woman's voice.
"Don't be nervous, honey," the older woman said. "I have just come to meet you and the girls. I can see why Owen did what he did." There was no way that Owen was going to let this young woman and her two little girls suffer. That was just how her son was.
Just then, they heard the key in the door turn. "Cristina," Owen said, holding three bags in either hand. "I have a lot of bags in the elevator. Someone is holding it for me, until we get them all out. Can you go get some?" Cristina hurriedly went out to the elevator. Then, he noticed his mother sitting quietly with the little girl on her lap. "Mom, what are you doing here?" He dropped the bags on the kitchen counter and he came across to kiss his mother. "I just have to go help Cristina with the rest of the bags."
"Go ahead, son, we have lots of time to talk," Irene said. She watched as Owen and Cristina went in and out, bringing more and more bags. "Last set," Owen said, kicking the door shut with the back of his foot.
"That's a lot of groceries, Owen," his mom said. "Did you buy out the store?" Owen grinned, "Well, we're starting from scratch here. Not only do we need food, we need household stuff like detergent, toilet paper and dishwashing liquid. I have not been here in ages."
Cristina started packing away all of the groceries. She was grateful for something to do, while Irene was here. Even though Irene said that she had just come to meet them, Cristina could not help that she was also being judged, too. After all, it was Owen's mother and she would want the best for her son. Cristina wondered if she could measure up to her new mother-in-law's expectations. Owen helped her put away all of the groceries.
"So, mom, why did you come down? I told you that I was going to come up to Seattle before I left. I just needed to get Cristina and the girls settled," Owen said, as he put the cereal up in the pantry.
"I just wanted to save you the trip, Owen. I think you should spend as much time with your new family," Irene said. "If I were you, it would be so hard to tear myself away from these beautiful little girls." As if on cue, Laurel snuggled against Irene's chest. She certainly knew how to twist her new granny around her tiny pinky finger. "Aw, isn't she sweet?" Irene said, hugging the child.
"Yes, she is," Owen said. "Iris is also sweet and quite intelligent, too." He nodded at his older step-daughter, sitting on the couch, quietly. She smiled back at him for his compliment. As the older child, she had gotten used to people making a big fuss over the younger Laurel and it was nice for Owen to give her some attention. Owen was right that Iris was very smart. Unlike Laurel, she understood what had gone on in the chapel. Owen and her mommy had married. Her daddy was never coming home. She was sad about that. She loved her daddy very much. Sometimes, at night, she cried thinking about him. Owen was her new daddy, she realized, but she would never forget her real daddy. In fact, she didn't know what to call Owen. She couldn't call him daddy because that was only for her father, Josh. She made a note to ask Owen. She liked Owen a lot. He was always good and kind to her.
"Oh, before I forget, I applied for on-base housing. I realized that I didn't know too much about it. Since it was only just me, off-base housing seemed more appropriate. But as an officer with a family, I can get a four-bedroom house. I think that would be perfect for us, Cristina," Owen said. "Of course, there is a waiting period. I was told it would be about six months."
"That sounds terrific," Cristina said. "More room for all of us."
"Mom, I forgot to ask. How long are you staying?" Owen asked. "Unfortunately, we don't have room here for you to stay."
"That's okay, son. I booked myself into a hotel for tonight. I am leaving tomorrow evening," Irene said. "Just wanted to drop by for a visit."
"So do you want to go out to dinner or stay in? Cristina and I can cook," Owen said. He looked to his wife and she nodded in agreement.
"Sure, we can stay in," Irene said. "I can spend more time with these little beauties."
"Good," Owen said. "I guess we can get started. I bought some steaks. I can grill those. Cristina, you can do the potatoes and vegetables. Plus I also got ice-cream – three different types."
"Ice cream!" Iris yelled happily. She loved ice cream. "Just for you two kiddies," Owen said.
While Irene played games with her new grandchildren, Cristina and Owen worked assiduously together to create the meal. Occasionally, Irene would take a glance at her son and her daughter-in-law. They were laughing and chatting together as they had known each other for years. Sometimes, she would catch her son looking at his wife, with such affection. There seemed to be a connection between the two of them. That was good, Irene thought.
Dinner was an extremely telling affair. Irene watched as Owen cut up the meat for Laurel and take the time to make sure the little girl ate. He was certainly settling down to the role of father figure, well. After dinner, Owen drove his mother to her hotel, which was not too far away from the apartment.
"I thought you were out of your mind but I understand what you are doing," Irene said. "They are all lovely people. Those two little girls can melt the hardest of hearts. Plus Cristina seems gracious and wonderful."
"Yes, mom, they are wonderful," Owen said. "I am glad that you understand I couldn't let them go to a place where they weren't wanted. They would have been miserable."
"So how long is this arrangement going to be for?" his mother asked. Owen was taken aback by her question. It was true that he and Cristina had never discussed that part.
"I don't know," Owen said. "I guess it will be up to Cristina. She needs to get on her feet, find a job, start earning some money. Till then, it will be okay."
"Owen, I know that you mean well but you can't just put your life on hold for them," his mother said. "What if you meet someone and fall in love? You may want to get out of the marriage." Owen stayed silent. His mother could read him like a book. "Oh, gosh, Owen, you're hoping that she falls in love with you." He gave his mother a sheepish look.
"Aw, Owen," his mother said. "What if she doesn't? I don't want you to get your heart broken. Her husband just died."
"I know, mom," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "But I can hope." She reached over and patted her son's hand. At the hotel, when he dropped her off, Irene said, "Come pick me up, tomorrow. I think you, me, Cristina and the girls should have a nice day out before I fly back to Seattle."
"That would be great, mom," Owen said. "I really would like Cristina to get to know the place, before I leave." Irene watched her son drive away, filled with mixed emotions. She only wanted the best for her son and she hoped that he was not going to get hurt in the end.
Back at the apartment, Cristina knew she had to call her father to tell him what she had done. She figured that he would not be pleased, at all. She dialed her father's number and inwardly groaned when she heard the sharp voice of her step-mother.
"Oh, hello Beatrice," Cristina said. "Is my father around?"
"Oh, it's you," Beatrice answered. "Where are you calling from? I do not recognize this area code."
"California," Cristina told her. "That's why I need to speak to Dad. So can you get him?"
"California!" Beatrice exclaimed. "I thought you were supposed to get here by the end of the week."
"Um, yes. That is why I need to speak to Dad," Cristina said, getting exasperated. There was never a time that she really ever wanted to speak to Beatrice and she was getting frustrated.
"Hmph!" Beatrice said. Cristina could hear Beatrice shouting to her father that Cristina was calling from California. Her father was breathless when he got to the phone. "What is this I hear? You're in California," Dr. Yang said. "What are you doing there? You're supposed to be moving to South Carolina. Beatrice has already cleaned up the guest rooms for you and the children."
"Yeah, this is why I am calling. I am not coming to South Carolina. I have moved to California," Cristina said.
"What!" her father spluttered on the other end. "California. How could you do that? I know your finances inside and out, Cristina."
"Um, I got married," she said, softly. "What!" her father screamed, again. "Married. To whom? Your loser husband just died." When her dad called Josh a loser, Cristina got very angry. "Josh was not a loser, dad. He just wanted to do something different with his life," she said.
"And look what it got him. He is dead, leaving behind a wife and two little girls," her father said with a derisive note in his voice. "So who is my new son-in-law?"
"His name is Owen Hunt and he is also in the army," Cristina said.
"Oh, good God, no, Cristina. Not another army man. Not another loser," Dr. Yang said in exasperation. He was goading her, she knew.
"No, Owen is not a loser, like Josh was not a loser. Owen is an army surgeon, dad," she said, her voice was tight with emotion. She hated having these conversations with her father. Yes, she loved her father but she couldn't take all of the aspersions on Josh and now, Owen.
"Oh, finally, you found a man with some professional training," her father said. "So tell me where you are."
"I am in an apartment, off-base from Fort Clemson," she said. "I will send you the address via email."
"Okay, but how long have you known this man?" Dr. Yang said. "Just want to know if my grandchildren are safe."
"I haven't known him long but yes, your grandchildren are safe," she said. She really didn't want to get into the fact that she only knew her husband for a couple of days before they got married.
"So will I be meeting my new son in law soon?" her father asked.
"Maybe, not now," Cristina replied. "He is due to go back to Iraq soon." Her father paused. "I really hope you know what you're doing, Cristina. Another serviceman. He could also die just like your first husband. And where would you be?"
"Yes, I know," Cristina said. "I know…." Her voice trailed away. "Anyway, goodbye, Dad."
"Goodbye, Cristina. Give my love to Iris and Laurel," Dr. Yang said, before he hung up the phone. Cristina put down the receiver and put her face in her hands, as she started to cry. Dealing with her father was emotionally exhausting. This was how Owen found her, as he opened the door.
He didn't say anything, as he sat down next to her on the sofa. He took her into his arms as she cried. "It's okay," he said. "Everything is going to be okay." Through her tears, Cristina believed her husband.
A/N Please leave your comments and your reviews. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts.