Boy, a week flies past doesn't it? I can't believe that it's Friday already. Here's your next chapter. I hope you enjoy!
As usual, the recognisable characters belong to JE.
28. Flights of Fancy
I went through my morning routine, kissed Carlos, hugged the girls and was off to the office before really realising what today would mean. I was dragging my hastily packed suitcase, realising that the contract needed to be signed today and a copy was currently being sent down to Ricardo by courier.
I called Mrs Miller and told her that I was going to accept the offer and buy her apartment, and she was over the moon about the news. She said that she'd get the paperwork sent to me the following week and we could get started with the purchasing process.
Carlos, the girls and I were flying down to Miami later this afternoon, and I had a presentation to finalise. I was scheduled to present it to Ricardo and the Marketing Manager the following Tuesday afternoon. We would only return late Monday night, so today was the last full day I'd get to work on the presentation or the report.
I worked through my lunch break and was printing the report when Amanda called me to let me know that Director Steward and the lawyers were waiting in the conference room. I quickly gathered my printout and packed my laptop and headed upstairs. I knew this meeting might take a while, and I had to leave in just over an hour, so I figured I should take everything with me.
I walked into the conference room and greeted Rob and John and then shook hands with an enthusiastic Director Steward.
"Stephanie, I can't tell you how happy I am that you have decided to work with us. We already have a case that needs your attention, but we won't be in a position to do anything until some legal hurdles are solved. I know you have things to sort out with the Millers, so we won't be in your hair too much in the next couple of weeks."
We spent the next hour going over the fine points of the contract and the lawyers assured me that all of my requirements had been met and that they couldn't find anything that caused them concern. I smiled and picked up the pen and poised it over the document in front of me. Before I signed my name, I had one final question.
"Director, are you under the impression that as soon as I finish this last year of college that I'll join the FBI?"
"Hope is probably a more appropriate word Miss Plum, why do you ask?"
"I have been contemplating getting a post graduate degree after I graduate from Douglass. Where I study will depend on a lot of factors, but I just wanted to see if that would cause you any concern."
"I think a masters degree or even a doctorate is an ambitious and worthy goal. If that is what you truly want to do after you graduate, we will not stand in your way. We may even assist in your placement if needed."
"OK, I am ready to sign then." I put pen to paper and signed my name. When I was finished, the Director picked up the contract, shook hands with Rob and John before turning to me.
"Stephanie, I will contact you the week after next to talk about how we move forward. We will be sending you some equipment over the next couple of weeks so you are ready when we need you, but before we actually need you on a case, I will come back and go over everything with you so you can proceed on your own."
I smiled and was about to say something when the alarm on my phone went off telling me that it was 2PM. I dug my phone out, turned off the alarm and said, "I'm sorry gentlemen, but I have some kids to collect and a plane to catch. I will make sure Ricardo knows to expect a contract and I will talk to you all when I get back next week.
I said farewell and raced to the car, wanting to give the girls enough time to pack before we met Carlos at the airport. Originally, we were just going to take one car, but then I mentioned that we all wouldn't fit into one car if Maria and Ricardo came back with us. As a result, I was going to drive the girls in Ricardo's car and Carlos was going to drive Maria's car and meet us at the airport.
My suitcase was in the car and the girls didn't take long to pack. We were only staying 4 days, so there wasn't a whole lot to pack, and we were back out of the house and on the way to the airport when Carlos called to check up on our progress.
"We just left and are on the way to the airport. How about you?"
"My boss is being a jerk and told me I had to finish my 3:30 client. I have 15 more minutes with her and then I'll be on my way. I'll see you guys at the gate. I love you Babe."
Without thinking about who was in the car with m I said, "I love you too Carlos, see you soon."
As soon as I hung up I realised my mistake. "What do you mean you love Carlos. Does this mean you guys are getting married and you get to be a real part of the family?"
I turned and looked at Evelyn who was sitting in the passenger seat and thought about how to reply to this question.
"Your brother and I are in love. We've only been dating for a little while so it's too early to talk about things like marriage. We're both too young for that anyway."
Isabella was sitting in the back seat and didn't want to be left out of the conversation, so she said, "I think you are so much nicer than Carlos' last girlfriend, Lucida. She was mean to us and Carlos never seemed very happy when she was around. He smiles so much more now that he's with you and he's nicer to us too."
I smiled at Isabella in the rear-view mirror and said, "He makes me happy as well, but no matter what goes on between Carlos and me, I'll always be friends with the two of you. He can start dating another girl and I'll always be there if you need me. Before I fell in love with Carlos, I fell in love with you and the rest of your family, that's why we are both so happy."
"We're happy too Steph, we could totally see you as our sister-in-law."
I smiled at Evelyn and decided it was time for a change of subject.
"Have you girls been on a plane before?"
"Twice. We went down to Miami to visit Abuela Rosa when I was 7 and again when I was 11." Isabella explained.
"The last time was only two years ago and while we were there, Alex got married."
I wasn't sure who Alex was so I asked.
"Alex or Alejandro is our oldest brother. He's 26 and he and his wife live in Miami. Hopefully we'll get to see them this time around because Lisa is pregnant."
"We'll be there for 4 days so hopefully there will be time to do loads of things. Did you know I've never been to Miami? In fact, this is only the 2nd time I've ever been on a plane myself. The first time was when I flew up to Boston for a school trip when I was 16. My family all live in Trenton, so there was no need to travel to visit anyone. My sister now lives in Los Angeles, but I doubt I'll get out there to visit her anytime soon."
We parked the car in long-term parking and then took the shuttle to the terminal building. We checked in and since none of us had much luggage, we kept it with us and went through security. We walked through the shops and eventually made our way to the gate. When our flight was called at 3:30, I looked around but didn't see Carlos anywhere. I was a little nervous that he might miss the flight, but there wasn't anything I could do if that happened. He'd just have to follow on later.
Isabella and Evelyn kept looking around, and as we were just about to board the plane, Isabella said, "Carlos, hurry, the plan is doing its final boarding call." I looked up and saw Carlos running toward the gate and smiled wide. The flight attendant who was checking tickets managed to drop mine as Carlos walked up to me. She was distracted by his dazzling smile, but frowned when he kissed me and hugged his sisters, practically ignoring her as she checked his ticket.
Carlos and I walked onto the plane hand-in-hand and were pleasantly surprised when the flight attendant upgraded the 4 of us to first class. Her reasoning was that the seats we had originally been allocated were unusable because somebody on the previous flight was sick. The only seats left on the plane were in first class, so we were moved to the only available seats on the plane.
Isabella and Evelyn sat across the aisle from Carlos and me. They argued over who got to sit at the window so Carlos suggested that they swap at the 1/2 way point. I thought it was a great idea, so Carlos and I agreed to do the same.
I was a little tired so I leaned into Carlos and he put his arm around me. I didn't realise how tired I was until Carlos was whispering in my ear a few hours later. "Babe, you need to wake up, we're about to land and we need to get off the plane soon."
I opened my eyes and blinked at the sudden light and looked around. The girls were looking excitedly out the window, watching the ground get closer and closer and the older woman behind her was staring at Carlos, by trying not to be too obvious. I made eye contact with the woman who blushed at first, but then she smiled and gave me thumbs up. Normally when women see me with Carlos, they're disappointed, but this woman seemed to be able to appreciate the way Carlos looks without being petty or jealous.
When we were standing up waiting to leave the plane, the woman behind the girls leaned over and said, "I'm sorry for staring earlier dear. I was just noticing how lovely you two are together, and was thinking about how beautiful your children would be one day."
Carlos, Isabella and Evelyn heard this comment and the girls started squealing, thinking that I was going to have a baby soon. The woman looked a bit embarrassed at causing this reaction and apologised over the noise. After we exited the planed, I pulled Isabella and Evelyn to the side and explained that I was not pregnant and that there were a few mandatory steps required in our lives before that would ever be a possibility.
"Does that mean you two will get married then? So you can have a baby?" Isabella asked.
Carlos laughed at his sister and said, "Isa, Stephanie and I are not getting married anytime soon. We do love each other, but we're still in school and we don't have jobs or careers to support ourselves. It would not be very smart to get married right now because we don't have money to buy food or pay for rent or other things that married couples need."
Isabella looked a little crestfallen, but accepted his comments and spoke nothing more on the subject as we walked past the baggage claim area and towards the exit.
Maria was standing in the big group of people waiting for loved ones. When her girls saw her, they ran towards their mother and hugged her tightly. They'd been separated for almost 2 weeks, and it was hard on kids to be away from their mother. Carlos and I walked toward them a few minutes later and Maria pulled Carlos into a tight hug and then me.
"Let's get going. Papa is at the hospital with Alejandro and if we hurry, we should all be able to say goodnight to Abuela before visiting hours are over at 9."
We arrived at the hospital around 8:30PM, realising that there wasn't much time tonight to greet their grandmother. As a result, I chose to stick to the back and let the grand children say hello and hug their Abuela. When there were only 10 minutes left, Rosa looked around the room and started speaking in Spanish to Ricardo.
He came over to me and pulled me towards the bed and said something to his mother in Spanish. She smiled at me, held out her hand and took mine in hers. She had a strong grip on my hand and she was staring at me intently. I wasn't sure what to do so I just sat there and listened to this woman speak to me in a language I couldn't understand.
Finally, Ricardo interjected and explained that he had explained my role in this trip and how I had helped them. He also explained that I was dating Carlos and that he and Maria were very fond of me. Abuela Rosa was telling me how proud she was that her little Carlito found such a nice girl.
I blushed at these words, causing all of the adults in the room to laugh. Next, I was introduced to Carlos' older brother Alejandro. He is 6 1/2 years older than Carlos, and he was a younger copy of Ricardo. Carlos also looked like his father, but he had his mother's warmer brown eyes and her killer smile. Alex had nothing from his mother, except maybe her manners.
"Stephanie, it's a pleasure to meet you at last. I've been hearing about you for a while now. Every time I talk to one of my family in Newark, they always end up mentioning you, especially my love-sick little brother."
I shook Alex's hand and he leaned in and kissed it. This produced a growl-like sound from Carlos who immediately pulled me away from his charming brother and into his arms. Abuela Rosa witnessed this exchange between the two brothers and started to laugh and speak in rapid Spanish. Carlos looked a little sheepish after hearing her words, but Alex looked red as a tomato.
A nurse came in to tell us that visiting hours were over and that we could come back in the morning. We all said goodbye to Abuela Rosa, and when everyone else had hugged and kissed her goodbye, I walked over to shake her hand. Abuela had other ideas because she pulled me close for a hug and whispered in my ear.
"I see how you two love each other. Keep him close to your heart and no matter how far away he is, you will both be loved."
I wasn't sure what to make of her words, so she hurriedly whispered, "My family does not know that I speak English so well. Please let this be our little secret. Just like the fact that I know about Carlos and the army. He hasn't said much about it, but I can tell that he's made up his mind."
I kissed her cheek and rejoined the rest of the Manoso clan on our way to the cars. Carlos leaned over and asked, "What did Abuela say to you?"
I wasn't sure what to say so I just said, "I think she told me it was nice to meet me. It was in Spanish and I'm not so great with that."
Carlos looked at me sceptically and then said, "She knows, doesn't she?"
"What are you talking about Carlos?" I asked, with genuine confusion.
"She knows that I've decided to join the army. She has always been able to read me, ever since I was a little kid. I could never hide anything from her. She lost her brother when he was forced to be a soldier. She's going to be so disappointed with me when I tell her."
Carlos looked sad at this news, so I tried to cheer him up. "I'm sure she loves you and will be proud of you no matter what you choose to do with your life. It seems to me that she is a very wise woman who fiercely loves her family. Don't jump to conclusions Carlos, you haven't even told your family yet, so maybe you should jump one hurdle at a time."
Carlos looked at me and asked, "Do you think I should tell them now?"
"You'll figure out the right time to tell them Carlos."
He pulled me close to his side and wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we followed the rest of the family to the cars. We were the last to arrive, so we were riding with Alex and a small car full of baby stuff.
"I'm sorry if it's a bit of a squeeze back there Stephanie. Lisa asked me to pick up an order for her on the way to visit Abuela Rosa. Lisa neglected to tell me what exactly was in that order."
I looked around and saw all kinds of boxes and bags filled with the best quality child accessories and clothes that money can buy. I recognised a few brands that Mary Lou had mentioned over time and said, "Wow, this must have cost a fortune Alex."
He grimaced in the rear-view mirror and said, "Good thing Lisa just made partner at her law firm, or we'd need to take a second mortgage out for all that gear. Lisa was an only child and she loves when our family gets together. Her excuse for buying all this stuff is that it will last a long time and we can use it again for our other kids."
"Other kids eh? How many do you guys plan to have?"
Alex looked a bit pale at the question, but he answered after a brief pause and a bit of a loud swallow.
"Lisa says that she wants 3 or 4, but I think we should wait to see how we get on with just one before we make any bold declarations. So far, Lisa is loving being pregnant. It hasn't slowed her down at work, and her firm already has built-in day care. I think Lisa will take a few months off when the baby is born, but once the baby is on a manageable schedule, she'll go back to work."
"Wow, it sounds like you guys have everything well thought out and planned. Most new parents I know are a little more shell shocked and fly by the seat of their pants."
Alex laughed at this and said, "Lisa and I are great at planning, but notoriously bad at following any plan. I'm sure we'll end up flying by the seat of our pants on more than one occasion in the near future. Lisa is 2 months away from her due date, and the doctor has told her to slow down because the baby could come at any time. Lisa agreed to two more weeks at work and then she goes on maternity leave."
We spent the rest of the ride talking about small things. Alex told me a few funny stories about Carlos and him growing up, but nothing too embarrassing. He promised to tell me those stories at another time when Carlos wasn't around.
We pulled into the driveway of a large house and all climbed out of the car. Carlos looked at Alex with a raised eyebrow and Alex smiled. "Lisa and I moved here just after we found out she was pregnant. We didn't want to raise our kids in a condo, so we spent a few weeks and found this place. It has a great back yard, it's close to the local schools, and it is quiet."
"It's beautiful here Alex, I can see why you like it so much." Carlos said, patting his brother on the back.
"Mama, Papa and the girls are staying at Abuela Rosa's, so you two can stay here with Lisa and me." Alex grinned at us and led us into the side door of his house, each of us carrying a box or 2. We made several trips, and after a warm welcome by Lisa, I was led to a bedroom where I got ready for bed and was asleep within moments. I didn't even notice when Carlos came in and climbed in beside me, gathering me into his arms.
Grandmothers are clever, aren't they? More to follow so stay tuned.