The next afternoon, Shelby and Cassie eagerly drove up to Shelby's mom's house in anticipation of their outing with four fun-loving teenage girls. As soon as they arrived, Santana and Kitty excitedly began sharing stories about their Nana Flowers and the beautiful roses blooming in her garden, infusing the air with their infectious enthusiasm.
Once everyone was geared up for the excursion, they all squeezed into the car, and Shelby skillfully maneuvered them to the mall. Upon reaching the mall, Cassie joined Rachel and Quinn, and together they dove into the thrill of shopping. While Santana, Kitty, and the others were occupied with selecting flattering bathing suits, flip flops, sandals, and stylish outfits for the warmer weather, the air resounded with their playful banter and contagious laughter, filling the space with warmth and joy as they prepared for their upcoming vacation.
After enjoying the shopping spree and paying for their purchases, Kitty and Santana decided to treat themselves to some alluring perfumes, while Quinn eagerly selected some new makeup to add to her collection.
While at the mall, Rachel spent some time browsing through several Barbara Streisand albums and ended up purchasing three of them, which came with posters. Meanwhile, Shelby and Cassie were busy picking up raincoats for everyone, just in case it rains. After adding the raincoats to the cart, they also bought several outfits. As they were getting ready to leave, Cassie reminded the girls to grab a new suitcase if they needed one, but they declined. Cassie then paid for everything, and they started walking back to the car.
On their way home, Shelby gently reminded her family about the necessity of packing their suitcases to prepare for their upcoming early morning flight. The family's cozy home buzzed with quiet activity as each member diligently commenced the process of gathering their most cherished belongings and carefully organizing them into their chosen suitcases.
Santana, being mindful of her need for ample space, respectfully approached her parents and inquired about the possibility of bringing along two suitcases instead of one, expressing her concerns about accommodating all her necessities within one suitcase.
Cassie gazed at her daughter Santana, her eyes soft with affection, and tenderly explained the practicality of managing with just one suitcase, while assuring her that she could always bring a duffle bag if she required additional room. Moved by her mother's understanding, Santana nodded thoughtfully and gracefully made her way back to her room to commence the meticulous task of packing her essentials into the duffle bag, ensuring that she had everything she would need for the journey ahead
As everyone finished their packing and prepared to leave, Kitty stopped by Santana's bedroom to inquire, "Do you think they'll let us have our phones back?"
Santana sat down beside her and replied, "I think so, but either way, we won't need them. We're going to have an amazing time at the resort, and our phones won't even cross our minds.
Cassie's urgent voice resonated through the spacious house, drawing the attention of every occupant as she called out to them. Her instructions were clear and precise, as she stressed the need for everyone to carefully place their suitcases by the door on the ground floor. Emphasizing the importance of meticulous preparation, she reminded everyone to gather their laundry and take it to the laundry room to ensure that everything would be washed and dried before their early morning departure.
Each person dutifully picked up their laundry baskets and proceeded to the laundry room. With careful attention to detail, they sorted their clothes meticulously into whites and colors before initiating the washing process. Once the cycle was complete, the girls retrieved their freshly washed clothes and carried their laundry baskets to their bedrooms to neatly put their clothes away.
As the family was getting ready to head out for their much-anticipated dinner at the local Chinese restaurant, Rachel decided to make a quick stop in Shelby's bedroom. Taking a seat beside her, Shelby noticed that Rachel seemed a bit distracted and asked her what was on her mind. Rachel hesitated at first, but then she shook her head and assured Shelby that nothing was wrong. Nevertheless, she opened up to Shelby about her apprehensions regarding the upcoming adoption celebration and her school friends who were eager to attend.
Sensing Rachel's unease, Shelby offered her comfort, saying, "We're definitely going to have the party, Rachel, and your friends are more than welcome. I was even thinking of throwing a pool party for you so you can meet everyone in my family, including Cassie's family. I know things were a bit rocky at first, but I truly see you as my daughter."
Rachel beamed at Shelby's reassuring words and responded, "I really appreciate it, Shelby. I think of you as one of my moms, and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone. Everyone I've met so far has been incredibly kind and welcoming, and I feel grateful to be part of this family."
Shelby embraced Rachel, and she returned the hug. They lingered in the embrace for a few more moments until Cassie popped into the room and announced that everyone was ready to head out for a delightful evening of Chinese cuisine.
Shelby made a generous decision to treat the entire family to a delightful dinner at a cozy Chinese restaurant nearby. Upon their arrival, they were promptly attended to and placed their orders. Cassie, considerate as ever, made sure to request glasses of water for the girls, stressing the importance of staying hydrated. However, Quinn expressed her dissatisfaction and voiced her desire for something other than water.
Cassie firmly stood her ground, emphasizing the health benefits of water, much to Quinn's disappointment. Just then, Mama Kitty chimed in with a gentle whine, to which Cassie lovingly responded, "Don't 'mama' me! Water is good for you, Kit. You can have juice when we get home." Kitty, with a small, resigned smile, took a delicate sip of water from her glass.
Meanwhile, Santana chuckled at the interaction, earning a perplexed look from Shelby. Shrugging, Santana nonchalantly continued to enjoy her food. The entire family then engaged in a lively discussion about their upcoming vacation plans, with Shelby contemplating whether she should return their cellphones to the teenagers due to their exemplary behavior. Shelby couldn't help but smile, and Santana and Quinn immediately hugged her, while Kitty embraced Cassie, all beaming with joy.
Shelby addressed the girls, stating, "I will return your cellphones to you before we catch our flight, but if you disobey us during the vacation, I will confiscate them until I decide to return them to you. Do you understand, girls?" "Yes, Ma'am," all four teenage girls responded in unison. They then resumed enjoying their delicious meal, savoring their flavorful rice.
After enjoying a wonderful dinner at a charming, family-owned restaurant with cozy ambiance and delicious food, Cassie kindly offered to take care of the bill as the group wrapped up their evening. Upon arriving at their charming and comfortable house, they noticed that it was already 8 p.m., and they all decided to unwind by watching the highly anticipated comedy movie "Tammy" together on the large and welcoming couch in the living room.
As the credits rolled and the movie came to an end, Shelby, who was mindful of their early morning flight scheduled for 7 a.m., gently suggested that everyone should retire to bed early. Amidst some playful groans, the friends quietly made their way upstairs, mentally preparing for a restful night's sleep.
Before settling in for the night, Rachel took a moment to personally express her heartfelt gratitude to Shelby and Cassie for their companionship and help throughout the day. Their genuine appreciation was palpable as they exchanged warm smiles before bidding each other goodnight. After sharing this heartwarming moment, they went to their respective bedrooms, each taking the time to pamper themselves with a soothing nighttime beauty routine, which included removing their makeup and preparing for a cozy night's sleep.