“Yes, dear,” Andrew said with a smirk. He knew Leslie hated being called dear.
When she laughed and threw a dish towel at him he ducked and said, “Missed me.” She grabbed another one from the counter and threw it at him too. “Missed me again.”
They all burst out laughing at that and they laughed until their sides hurt. Leslie was the first to compose herself and when she caught her breath she sat at the table.
“Okay you two I’m hungry and there are some presents under that tree in the family room with my name on them and I’m ready to see what’s under that pretty paper.”
Karla looked up at her and grinned. “Me too! Let’s eat.”
After that they were too busy eating to talk. When they were finished they cleared the table and cleaned up the kitchen together before they walked in to family room and sat cross-legged in front of the tree.
Andrew passed out everyone’s gifts and motioned for Karla to go first. She started with the largest box first. When she opened it she pulled out a full-length black velvet dress coat. “Wow. This is beautiful. I have no idea when I’ll wear it, but I love it.”
“You’ll wear it next month for the hospital’s charity event and again in February for the Valentine’s Day Gala at the hospital and probably for the school’s Valentine’s Day dance.” Leslie told her. “Speaking of the charity event and the Gala, we need to get you a couple of formal dresses.”
“Oh..ummm..okay.” Karla responded. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
“Don’t worry Karla. Callie, Conner and Rylee will be at both.” Andrew told her.
She sighed in relief and opened the rest of her gifts. She got a tablet, a digital camera, some cute house shoes, and pair of low heeled leather knee boots. “Thank you both so much. This is awesome.”
“You’re welcome honey.” Leslie told her. “We weren’t sure what to get you, but then Rylee told us about you messing with her tablet every time you were over there and you needed the camera for our trip tomorrow. I’m glad you like everything.”
“I love them all.” She got up and hugged them both. “You two are the best gift of all though.”
“We feel the same about you Karla.” Andrew told her. “Now Leslie, it’s your turn.”
Karla sat and watched while Leslie opened her gifts. She got a diamond bracelet, a deep blue cashmere sweater and a pair of leather high heeled boots from Andrew. When she opened the deep blue cashmere scarf from Karla she looked up at them with a huge smile on her face.
“Before you ask, no. Karla and I didn’t shop together or communicate at all about those. I guess we both just know you that well.”
“Well they’re the exact same shade of blue so I couldn’t help but wonder.” She smiled and picked up her last package. When she opened it tears filled her eyes. She passed the open box to Andrew and got up. She sat down beside Karla and pulled her into a hug. “That is the most beautiful gift I have ever gotten in my life. Thank you Karla.”
“I was scared that you’d think I was pushing you into being my mom. I’m so glad I was wrong.”
“Oh honey. I’d like nothing better than to be your mom.” More tears filled her eyes when Andrew sat down beside Karla and wrapped her arms around them both.
“Okay.” Karla said after a few minutes. “Andrew needs to open his presents so we can all get ready. The ER lunch starts in two hours.”
Andrew laughed and picked up one of his presents. Leslie got him a new lab coat with his name stitched on it, a gift certificate to a music store and a set of monogrammed ink pens. When he opened the cufflinks Karla got him he smiled. “These are perfect Karla. I love them.” Then he opened the money clip and was speechless. He showed it to Leslie and her eyes filled with tears again.
“Karla you couldn’t have gotten us more perfect gifts. These tell us how you see us. Thank you.” Andrew wrapped her into another hug. When they pulled apart they all headed upstairs to get ready for the ER lunch.
An hour and a half later they were at the hospital laughing and eating and having fun. After the lunch they went home and finished packing. Karla downloaded some books and music into her tablet before she packed it into her backpack along with her camera and cell phone.
When that was done she laid out her clothes for the morning and threw a change of clothes in her backpack before she took a quick shower and carried everything downstairs. Dr. Newberry was picking them up at five-thirty in the morning and taking them to the airport on his way to the hospital.
She walked into the kitchen and sat on her usual stool between Leslie and Andrew. “I put my stuff in the family room and now I’m going to bed because four-thirty is going to be here before we know it. Good night. I love you both.”
“Good night Karla. We love you too.” Leslie said and hugged her.
“Good night honey. See you in the morning.” Andrew kissed the top of her head and she walked upstairs and into her room.
“Leslie, Bob called me earlier and told me that he had a special Christmas gift for us. If we want to adopt Karla he said he could get the paperwork started as soon as we’re back.”
“Oh Andrew that’s the best news. This is the best Christmas ever. I love you baby.”
“This is the best Christmas ever. I love you too baby.”
“Karla’s right, four-thirty is going to be here before we know it. I think it’s time we went to bed too.” Leslie said and they walked up the stairs holding hands. It was the best Christmas ever.
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Karla was quiet on the way to the airport. When she’d gotten up and dressed she’d been a little nervous, but the closer they’d gotten to the airport the more nervous she’d became. When Dr. Newberry pulled his SUV in front of the airport she was almost shaking.
“Karla, honey, what’s the matter?” Leslie asked her as they got their luggage from the back.
“I’m…I’m…” Karla started then stopped and took a deep breath. “I’m a little nervous about flying.”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner? We could have talked about it.” Andrew asked from behind them.
“I’m sorry. It didn’t start until I got up this morning, but it’s gotten worse since.” Karla took another deep breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I should have, but I thought I could handle it myself.” Karla dropped her gaze to the ground, afraid Andrew was upset with her.
“Oh honey, Andrew isn’t upset with you, he’s worried about you.” Leslie told her as she put her arm around Karla’s shoulders. “We’re both going to be right there with you throughout the entire flight.”
“I think I’ll be alright once I’m actually on the plane. I have books to read and music to listen to so maybe those will keep my mind from worrying.”
“If you need to talk we’ll both be here to listen. Never forget that you aren’t alone anymore.” Andrew told her and hugged her.
Once they were inside they checked their luggage, went through security and got their boarding passes. After that they settled in the first-class lounge to wait for their flight number to be called.
“Okay. We have about half an hour before we board. I’m going to get us all something to eat. Karla I’ll get you some orange juice and you can take a bagel or muffin on the plane with you. They’ll have a small selection of fruit and muffins on the plane too.”
“Good, because I don’t think I can eat anything at the moment.”
When Leslie returned she had a bottle of orange juice and a Sprite for Karla and an assortment of muffins, fruit, bagels and coffee for herself and Andrew.
Karla opened her juice then grabbed a cranberry almond muffin and an apple and put them in her backpack with her sprite. “You knew I’d be tempted by that muffin.”
Leslie laughed at her. “I know they’re your favorite and I’d hoped you’d want it. They usually only have blueberry, bran and banana nut on the planes and I thought you’d like to take one of these instead. I’m glad I was right.”
> Karla smiled and sipped her juice as Leslie and Andrew ate. They’d just finished when their flight was called. They threw away their trash, grabbed their stuff and boarded the plane.
Once they were seated, Leslie on the aisle, Karla in the middle and Andrew by the window, Leslie helped Karla with her seatbelt and Karla took Leslie’s hand. When the plane started moving Karla squeezed Leslie’s hand hard and closed her eyes. “It’s going to be okay Karla. Once we’re in the air it’s just like riding in a car.” Leslie whispered in her ear.
When they started to ascend Karla’s stomach flipped and Andrew took her other hand. “Just a few more minutes and we’ll be leveling out and you can get your tablet out and read.”
“I’m okay. Just a little scared, but I know you two are here and I’m okay.”
A few minutes later the plane leveled out and Karla released Leslie’s and Andrew’s hands. Leslie unbuckled her seatbelt and stood to retrieve their carry-ons from the overhead storage compartment. Karla immediately took out her tablet and opened the first book in the Kindred series by Erica Stevens. Rylee had recommended them last night when they’d talked and she was excited to start the first book.
By the time they landed in San Juan she’d finished the first two in the series and was in love with the characters. “These books are AWESOME Leslie. I really think you would like them.”
“What are you reading honey?”
“The Kindred series by Erica Stevens. There are five books in the series, Kindred, Ashes, Kindled, Inferno and Phoenix Rising, and I finished the first two on the plane. Here, look at them.” She handed Leslie her tablet. “Now, I’m going to change clothes because these jeans and this sweater are far too warm for Puerto Rico.”
Leslie laughed and looked at Karla’s book list. She had downloaded several teen/young adult books, most of which were based off Rylee’s suggestions. A few looked interesting and she thought she may have to read them herself. When Karla came back out of the bathroom Leslie handed her tablet back to her. “Those books look interesting, as do a few others. When we get to the hotel I may have to download some of them to read on the flight home.”
“Awesome.” Karla said as Andrew walked up with their suitcases loaded onto a cart. “We have an hour or so drive from here to the hotel right?”
“Yes, but I think you’re going to be too busy looking at the scenery to read.” Andrew winked at her and grinned.
When they got to the car rental desk Andrew talked to the man there in fluent Spanish, which caused Karla’s mouth to drop open. After they were in the car Karla asked him about it. “Where did you learn to speak Spanish like that?”
“I’ve been speaking Spanish most of my life. My grandfather was from Spain and he made sure my mom knew Spanish as well as she did English and she made sure I did too.”
“Wow. That means you can help us with our Spanish homework next semester.”
“That I can.” He said with a smile. “Now look out your window.”
Karla looked out and gasped audibly. Andrew had turned onto a coastal road and the view was spectacular. For the next hour Karla watched the beautiful scenery as they drove from San Juan to Ceiba.
Chapter Sixty-Nine
They still had an hour and a half before they could check into the hotel so Karla called Manuel and asked if they wanted to meet for lunch. Manuel agreed immediately and told her the name of his favorite restaurant and how to get there from where they were. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a small restaurant.
As soon as they walked in Karla spotted Manuel, Kiara and Rosa sitting at a large round table. When Manuel looked up and saw them his face broke into a huge smile and he nudged Kiara before he rose to his feet. Karla paused for a second before she took a deep, steadying breath and walked to the table.
When she stopped in front of them Manuel put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re smaller than I thought you would be.”
Karla laughed and looked up at him. “Well you’re a lot bigger than I thought you’d be.”
When Kiara stood and joined them Manuel put one arm around her and the other around Karla and turned them to face the dining room. “Hey everyone. I would like you to all meet my little sister, Karla.”
Several people shouted out greetings to Karla as she looked at the floor, embarrassed at all the attention. “Manuel you are embarrassing her.” Kiara scolded him.
“I am sorry Karla. I did not mean to embarrass you. I just wanted to introduce you to the people I work for and with.”
“It’s okay Manuel. I’m just not used to the attention.”
“You always seem so confident that I forget that you are actually kind of shy.” Manuel led her around the table and sat her down between him and Kiara before he took his own seat. “So how are you liking Puerto Rico so far?”
“What I’ve seen of it is beautiful.”
“We’ll show you around tomorrow and then you can tell us what you think.” Kiara told her. “Now I’m hungry so why don’t you get Kimberly over here so we can order lunch.”
Manuel looked at Kiara and grinned. “Gladly.” He waved the waitress over and introduced her. “Karla, this is Kimberly, my girlfriend and our waitress. Kimberly, this is my baby sister Karla.”
“Nice to meet you Karla. Manuel has told me all about you. I’m so glad to finally meet you.” Kimberly told her with a smile.
“He’s told me about you too. I’m glad we’re finally getting to meet.”
“What can I get everyone to drink?” Kimberly asked with a smile.
“I’d like a Coke please.” Karla answered with a warm smile. She noticed that Kimberly was addressing them all, but her gaze never left Manuel.
After they placed their drink order Kimberly smiled warmly at Manuel and walked off to get their drinks. “Manuel, remind me again how long you two have been dating.”
“Five months, why?”
“She couldn’t take her eyes off of you. Even when she was talking to us she was looking at you.” Karla grinned at her brother and he burst out laughing at her.
“Very astute observation Karla.” Andrew said from across the table.
“Yeah, very astute.” Manuel said with a grimace as Kimberly came back with their drinks.
“Here you go everyone.” She said and passed out the drinks to everyone. “Now what can I get you to eat?”
“Am I the only one here who can’t speak Spanish?” Karla asked and everyone at the table grinned at her. “I guess so. Leslie, you know what I like so can you order me something? I can’t even read the menu.”
“Sure honey, but you can just ask for what you want in English and we can tell you if it’s on the menu.”
Karla smacked her forehead and everyone laughed. “Sorry everyone. I’m taking Spanish classes starting next semester so I won’t be lost long.”
“If Karla wants to learn it she will.” Manuel said to Kimberly. “She’s extremely intelligent and highly motivated.”
“I work hard and when I set a goal I do what I need to do to obtain it.” Karla told her with a smile. “I do have a great memory though and once I learn something I tend to remember it always.”
“Wow. Impressive.” Kimberly said in a sarcastic tone. “Now what can I get you to eat?”
“I’d like a grilled chicken wrap with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise please.” Karla said sweetly. She didn’t miss the tone of Kimberly’s voice. “Do you have that here?”
Manuel noticed the tension surrounding Karla and intervened. “Yes Karla, they can make that for you. Right Kimberly?”
Kimberly caught the look in Manuel’s eye and backed off. “Yes they can make that for you. What can I get everyone else?”
After they’d all placed their orders and Kimberly left Karla looked at Manuel. “What was that about?”
“I have no idea Karla. Kimberly has never acted like that before.”
“She’s mad at you for coming here. She knows that while you’re here she
won’t get to see Manuel much and she’s used to seeing him almost every day, even if it is just here.” Kiara told her.
“Oh.” Karla said softly and looked down at the table. “I’m sorry Manuel. You can spend time with her if you want. Kiara and I can hang out without you some.”
“Karla look at me please.” When Karla looked up Manuel continued. “You are far more important to me than she is. You are my sister, my blood, and I am looking forward to our time together. If she cannot understand that then that’s her problem.”
“Manuel, she’ll be here long after I go back to Tennessee. You shouldn’t push her aside for me.”
“That’s true, but you are only here for a week. If she cannot deal with me taking time away from her to spend it with the little sister I never even knew existed then she is not the girl for me anyway.”
“Is that how you really feel Manuel?” Kiara asked him.
“It is. I care about Kimberly, but you, Karla and Abuela will always come first.”
“Thank you Manuel. That means a lot to me.” Karla told him and laid her hand on his arm for a second.
The moment was broken when Kimberly came back with their food. Once she was gone everyone ate and talked about happier things. Time passed quickly and soon it was time for Karla, Andrew and Leslie to check into their hotel. Before they left they made plans for Manuel and Kiara to pick Karla up at the hotel and show her around the city. Leslie and Andrew planned on hanging out at the hotel pool while Karla was gone. Karla hugged Kiara and Manuel then got in the car and Andrew pulled away. On the way to the hotel Karla thought about her brother and sister. She couldn’t wait for their day together tomorrow.
Chapter Seventy
The week passed very quickly. Karla spent every moment she could with Manuel and Kiara. They showed her around the town. They all hung out on the beach and Manuel taught Karla how to swim in the hotel swimming pool. Karla learned that Kiara’s allergic to shrimp and Manuel hates broccoli. She also learned that she has their father’s memory. He’d died when he was only twenty five years old, but was already a well-known lawyer in the firm he’d worked for. Like her, he’d been very advanced, but unlike her, he’d taken the chance and graduated high school at fifteen, college at seventeen and law school when he was nineteen.
A New Beginning (The Second Chance Series Book 1) Page 21