The next day, Owen, Cristina and the girls went to Irene's hotel to pick her up for the day out. Owen was going to take them around the base, mainly to show Cristina where everything was like the PX and the schools. "There is the elementary school, with the pre-school and the day care center next to it." He nodded at Cristina. She would need to know where the pre-school was for Iris and the day care center for Laurel. Iris and Laurel looked out, interestedly at the schools.
He drove a little more. "And there is the PX, where you can do all your shopping. Is there anything you need, Cristina? We can stop if you want."
"Yes, please," she said. "I have to get the girls swimsuits if we are going to the beach, next. They've outgrown the ones they had last summer." Owen parked the car and everyone scrambled out of the car. They headed to the children's clothes area, where Cristina allowed the girls to choose the color of their swimsuit. Laurel chose a pink, polka-dotted swimsuit. Iris, on the other hand, chose a sophisticated black and white swimsuit with a ruffled neckline. Owen was surprised at Iris' choice. He would not have expected a four-year-old to choose that color combination. He totally expected her to choose blue or purple or even pink like her sister. He was getting to learn that Iris was not your typical four-year-old. He paid for their swimsuits and they drove off the base and headed down to the beach. It was a short trip – a 15 minute drive to the beach.
When they got there, Owen loved watching his family's reactions. It was a long time since Cristina had seen the Pacific Ocean. She stood and stared at the waves crashing on to the shore. She remembered when she was a little girl and her mom used to take her to the beach. Those were good times.
The two little girls anxiously stood on either side of her. They were anxious to change into their swimsuits and go in the water. It was the first time they had ever seen the beach. The base where they lived in Georgia was at least three hours drive to the closest beach, so they had never gone to the beach.
"Mommy, change us into our swimsuits," Iris begged. "Okay," Cristina. "There are some changing rooms, so come along." Owen started to follow them but he turned around when he realized that Irene was not coming. "Mom?"
"Oh, good Lord, Owen, do you really think that I am going to wear a swimsuit," Irene said. "Nobody wants to see an old lady in a swimsuit. I am just going to lay out a blanket and wait for you guys on the beach. Just look for me."
"Okay," he said. "See you in a bit." It was easy for Owen to change. He just had to change out of his clothes and into his swim shorts. Given his fair skin, he was careful to put on lots of sunscreen. He came out of the changing room and realized that Cristina and the girls were not out as yet. He scanned the beach and found his mother lying on a blanket under an umbrella.
"Hey," he said, plopping himself down next to her. "You chose a nice spot, here."
"Yes, lovely view of the beach," Irene said. "Where are the girls?"
"Not out as yet," he said. "No, here we are," he heard Cristina's voice. He turned around and saw her with a little girl on either side of her. Her hair was up and she was wearing a strapless red swimsuit. He swallowed hard. This was the first time he saw her with so much exposed skin. Her skin was creamy and unblemished. Irene observed her son, staring hard at his wife. Cristina and the girls came and sat on the blanket next to her husband.
"I put sunscreen on the girls," she said, handing him the bottle of sunscreen. "Could you put it on my shoulders and back?" Owen poured the sunscreen into his hand and started rubbing it gently on her skin, marveling at how smooth and soft her back and shoulders felt. "Done," he said, putting back the cap on the sunscreen.
"We're going to go in the water, now," she turned around. "Come on, I can't handle the two of them on my own." Owen eagerly got up and followed them. As he caught up with them, Iris slipped her tiny hand into his massive hand. He looked down at her and they both smiled at each other. "Come on, Papa."
"Papa?" he asked, his heart melting at the sound of it. She blinked and nodded. "Yes. Papa. Papa Owen. That is what I am going to call you," she said. "I was thinking about it."
"I would be flattered if you called me that," he said. He swung her up and placed her on his shoulders as they headed into the water. The four of them had lots of fun in the water, splashing and laughing. From the shore, Irene watched them. They already looked like a family. It wasn't the most ideal of arrangements, she thought. She dearly hoped that her son would get his wish that his family would truly become his family, not just legally but also in heart and mind.
After an excellent frolic in the water, the family of four came out of the ocean. Irene handed Iris a towel. "Thank you, Nana," the little girl said. Irene was taken aback at being called "nana". It was so unexpected but she really liked it. "You're welcome, Iris," Irene beamed at the child. Owen did not miss that Iris called Irene "nana." He liked it, too.
Cristina dried off Laurel, while Owen dried off Iris. Once they were dried, the children went off with their buckets to play in the sand. "I hope I can get Iris into the school," Cristina said. Owen looked at her, puzzled at her statement "Why not? I am sure the pre-school would accept her."
She turned to him. "I don't mean the pre-school. I meant the elementary school."
"Cristina, she is only four years old. She is not ready for elementary school," Owen said, laughing. Cristina gave him a withering stare. "I meant the elementary school. I know what I am talking about, Owen." He was still confused. As far as he knew, four-year-olds did not go to elementary school.
Cristina continued, "Earlier this year at pre-school, they called me and said that they would like to get Iris tested. I was alarmed because I thought she had a learning disability. They said that wasn't the case because they suspected that Iris was gifted. Of course, I laughed and told them to go ahead and do their testing. Though I should have known that she was gifted when she started reading at the age of two. It seems that Iris' reading and comprehension was at the third grade level. The only thing is that her handwriting is not so good."
Owen's mouth dropped open. He knew that Iris was intelligent but he hadn't suspected this. "I am trying to see if they would accept her into elementary school. They said that it would make no sense for her to go through pre-school, kindergarten and the first and second grade, since she was already past that. They said she would be bored out of her mind."
"No wonder," Owen said. "Talking to Iris is like talking to a teenager. She is so smart. But personally, I don't think it is a good idea to send her to third grade. Those children would eat her alive. She is four-years-old and in a class with eight and nine year olds. That just sets it up for bullying."
"Well, ideally, they suggested that she attend a school for gifted children but I can't afford that," Cristina said. "Besides, she is going to be five in January. Would that help?" Owen shook his head. "We are going to get her into a school for the gifted," he said. There was no way that he was going to allow Iris to be bullied. He gazed over at his step-daughter, holding hands with her baby sister. He was definitely going to do right by her.
Later that day, Owen dropped his mother off at the airport. Cristina and the children were at home, since the little girls were tired and needed to take a nap. As he walked his mother to the security line, she gave him a hug. "I know you're going back to the desert. As always, stay safe. I will be praying for you."
"Thanks, mom," he said. "It's going to be hard to say goodbye to Cristina and the girls."
"Yes, I know, son," Irene said. "Well, you have a lot to live for now. Just come back to them. You know what. I think she will love you."
"I can always rely on you, mom, for that extra vote of confidence," he said, kissing Irene on the cheek.
The next day, Owen made it his mission to ensure that Iris got into a school for the gifted. There was no way that he was going to allow her to languish in pre-school or get bullied in elementary school. She needed to be with teachers and other students, who understood her. He found a school for gifted children about 30 minutes away. He cajoled the administrator to give Iris an interview and a test, saying that he was an army surgeon and he was going back to Iraq. Surely, the fact that he was serving in the military would serve him in good stead. It did, as the administrator relented and told them to come in the next day. He knew his step-daughter would ace that test. It was he, who took her to her interview and test the next day, as Cristina stayed home with Laurel.
From a separate room with a window, he was allowed to watch Iris be interviewed and take the test. He was so proud of her, as she was articulate and clear in her answers. The interviewer looked duly impressed. Then, she was tested by another instructor. After the test, Iris happily came to him, saying it was so much fun. He picked her up and gave her a hug, saying that he was so proud of her. They were then led into their office and were told that Iris tested at a level that was far advanced what a four year old could do. They were willing to accept her for the fall term. She would be one of their youngest students. He was assured that due care and supervision would be given to her because of her age. He listened intently to what they were going to offer Iris. He had to make sure that he was doing the right thing for his little girl.
On their way home, Owen stopped at the bookstore and allowed Iris to choose five books to read. She eschewed all of the books recommended for children her age and took books that were recommended for children four or five years older than her. When they paid for the books, the customer service representative asked Owen if he was buying books for an older child.
"No," Iris declared. "They're for me." The sales representative looked at the tiny girl. "Well, you must be a genius," the woman said to her. "Just for that, here is a lollipop." Iris looked at Owen, first before she accepted the lollipop. Owen nodded, so she took the lollipop from the woman. Owen took the bag of books in one hand and Iris' small hand into his other hand. Owen could not wait to get home to tell Cristina the news.
The next two days, he spent it helping Iris improve her handwriting. Though her brain was academically advanced, her coordination with the pencil was still that of a four-year-old. She got frustrated that her letters and her numbers were not looking perfect. Owen comforted her and told her all she needed was practice. "I wish you were staying here to help me," she said, softly.
"I wish that, too, Iris but I have to go back to Iraq," he said. "Tomorrow, you and Laurel and Mommy are going to see me off." When he said that, the little girl started to cry. He picked her up to console her. "I don't want you to die," she sobbed. "My daddy died."
"Oh, honey," he said. "I will do my very best not to die. I want to come home to you, Laurel and your Mommy. I really want to do that." He walked her around the living room, with her in his arms, until she calmed down. Cristina stood at the doorway of her bedroom and watched them. He really was an amazing man, she thought.
The next day, the three of them went to the airfield where Owen was to pick up his transport. There were lots of other soldiers, heading to Iraq, too. All around them, they were hugging, kissing and crying. Owen bent down to say goodbye to the girls. He hugged and kissed them. Iris clung to him. "You be a good girl, Iris. We will talk all of the time on the computer." He gave her a tight hug.
He got up and his whole face softened as he stared into Cristina's warm, chocolate brown eyes. "So, I guess this is goodbye."
"Yes," she said. "Thank you, Owen, for everything that you've done for the children and me. I don't think any other man would have done this. You are a really good man."
"I am glad that let me to do this for you," he said. "So think nothing of it. Well, goodbye, take care of yourself and the girls. I will skype you guys and you can keep me posted on how everything is going." He was surprised at what she did next. She reached up, put her arms around the neck and caught his lips with her own. He immediately responded and kissed her back. Their tongues found each other's and their kiss deepened. The two girls stared up at them in amazement.
When they finally broke the kiss, Owen could feel the goose bumps, again. "I didn't expect that," he said. And he kissed her again.
A/N Please leave your reviews and comments. I really would appreciate it. Thank you.