Fates plan

Chapter 6

The evening of the dinner Nari's paternal grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins were all at their house setting up for the party, while Nari was getting ready upstairs. Nari had spent most of the day crying like she always does when something big happens in her life which she wishes her mother was there to witness, and birthday's were especially the saddest days for her and she would sometimes get a call from her maternal grandparents asking her and her brother 'Ji-ho' to come visit but their dad didn't want them traveling alone to Korea since he's never really has time off for a long holiday to take the kids to Korea.

Dispite their relationship being tense, Nari's maternal grandparents did appreciate the fact that he still respected their daughter and their culture by asking for their imput with her brother's name, hence they chose the name 'Ji-ho' amd explained, that in Korea it's considered a strong name for a baby boy and is also consider a Korean moniker, and is a hanja combination which can mean “wisdom, knowledge, intelligence” or “tiger, brave, fierce.”

Nari's dad liked that it could mean “tiger, brave, fierce,”since he literally came into this world in a very rough way and fought out of the NICU and now his big strong and sometimes terrorizing his her my catching worms in the garden and chasing her around with it in his hand. Despite being a little menace Nari loves her little brother and makes sure to take care of him like making sure like her mom would have.

Hence tonight she's decided to wear one of the dresses she kept of her mom, a cute yellow floral strappy midi dress with mesh overlay, which out of all the outfits she kept of her mom is the only that seems to fit her. She decides to pair it with mom's gold cross necklace which she always wore around her neck.

After she had finished getting dress and fixing her hair into a cute fishtail braid, she checks herself in the mirror and smiles then mumbles, "thanks for the dress mom", then finally skips out of her bedroom and downstairs to the living where everyone was waiting. As she walks in every hugs and complements her on how beautiful she looks in the dress, her aunt even mentions that she remembers the dress from when her mom wore it and always use to tease her on how petite she was, then looks at Nari and adds on, "and I wasn't wrong because here her clothes are fitting her thirteen year old beautiful daughter", and wraps her up in a hug.

Once Nari's aunt releases her from the hug she looks around the room and asks, "where's my dad ?", to which he grandmother quickly responds, "he had to help a last minute patient that came in but will be hear soon".

Nari smiles half heartedly them mumbles "ok" and turns to grab her and Ji-ho each a glass of soda when she hears the sound of someone clearing their throat followed by a familiar voice asking, "can anyone perhaps direct me towards the direction of the beautiful birthday girl ?".

Nari immediately turns around and see nurse Valencia who she runs towards then finally leap into her arms, almost knocking Valencia over who giggles and jokingly says, "well, I'm happy to see you too doll face".

Nari looks up at Valencia's face and tells her, "when we spoke on the phone this morning you didn't mention anything about coming to the party". Valencia chuckles then cups her cheeks telling her, "because your grandparents told me to keep quiet and surprise you".

Nari's grandparents glance at each other as they knew the real reason they invited Valencia is to help calm Nari incase she doesn't take the news of her father planning to get married to well.

Meanwhile Valencia sits down with Nari and Ji-on and talk to them, and ask them how's school seeing as Ji-ho just started this year and they both excitedly tell her about their friends, favorite subjects and even what the want to become one day and obviously Nari wants to follow in her mom's footsteps and study to be a cardiologist while although still young Ji-ho wants to be a pilot since he loves planes.

The three continued talking and joking, with Valencia tickling and playing with Ji-ho until the room went awkwardly silent leaving Nari to look over her shoulder to see what is going on and to her shock she sees her father walking in while holding hands with a unknown woman.

Nari was confused by what was going on and was trying to make sense of it when she hears her father ask, "where's my beautiful Lilly?". His eyes scan the room until he finally sees Nari sitting on the couch in the corner with Valencia and Ji-on. He walks over and when he reaches them he lets go of the unknown woman's hands and stretches out his arms towards her waiting for a hug from Nari, which Nari gives while eyeing the woman beside him.

Nari's father kisses her temple and wraps her up in a tight hug while saying, "happy birthday my beautiful Lilly", he then slightly releases her from the hug then looks at her face and adds on, "I feel like it was just yesterday when you were swaddled up in a blanket and handed to me by the nurses, and ever since that day I knew what love looked like", he boops her cute nose then continues, "it looks like you my beautiful baby girl."

Nari's father was beaming a bright proud smile at her, which Nari returned until the woman beside him suddenly clears her throat causing her dad to look towards her and place his hand on the small of her back while saying, "oh yes, Nari let me introduce you to Christiana". Nari looks at the woman politely smiles while stretching out her hand for a handshake, and as Christiana takes her hand Nari with a smile say, "well it's nice to meet you Miss Christiana".

Christiana: "oh no dear, Miss Christiana sounds way to formal you can just call me Christiana and since we're going to be family hopefully you'll call me 'mom' in the future".

Nari: "what ?????"

Nari looks at her father for an explanation and he immediately yet nervously responds, "uhmm Nari honey that's why I brought Christiana to meet everyone we're engaged and she's pregnant with your baby brother or sister". The news hit Nari like a ton of bricks, while Christiana comments, "I'm hoping for a little girl though", which was the honest truth but with a dark twist, because the story was Christiana always wanted kids and was planning to do the whole single mother thing by conceiving a child through IVF but just couldn't find a sperm donner to her liking, which was the thing she always frustratedly wrote about on her support groups page, but when she's saw Nari and Ji-ho at a family day function they had at the hospital with their dad she thought they were gorgeous.

She could tell they had some Asian in them but the also had their fathers beautiful green eyes. She stares at Nari that day and thought that's it that's how she wants her daughter to look like, a real life walking, talking doll with the same raven black hair, hence she set her sights on Nari's father whom she flirted with then finally full on seduced until she had him in her clutches like she does now.

Meanwhile Nari was left speechless at the news while Chrstiana was just standing there staring at her while telling herself, "watch how my baby steals your beauty and the limelight and make your dad forget about you just like I made him forget about your mother who's picture still hangs on the hospital wall in memory of her along with the other 'great' doctors we lost, but honestly it makes me just gag having to look at it every day".

The atmosphere was a bit awkward hence Nari's grandmother tried to lighten up the mood by quickly saying, "well, if everyone is her lets sit down and eat then", and everyone couldn't quickly enough turn and make their way to the dinning area, while Nari still stood in one place, in shock.

Valencia noticed Nari's shocked reaction hence she walked up to her and asked, "are you ok doll face ?", and hearing Valencia's voice made Nari finally turn and look at her with Ji-ho by her side and respond, "I'm fine, just surprised and I don't know why but I kinda got this weird feeling when she looked at me although she seemed nice".

Valencia: "maybe it's just because you two don't know each other yet but you know that if there's ever a problem just call me and I'll be right here in a heartbeat like today - ok ?".

Nari smiles at Valencia and nods her head, while Valencia tells her, "let's go eat", and the three finally goes and joins the rest of her family.

The rest of the evening goes down well, everyone enjoys themselves, and surprisingly Nari makes an effort to get to know Christiana. Nari opened her presents and loved each one she had received especially the new MacBook her dad got her, who at first was against exposing his kids to technology at such an early age but since Nari is the top student in her grade and always had to either wait to use his laptop or go to the library and come back late sometimes, which could be really unsafe he thought getting her, her own laptop won't hurt.

Meanwhile Christiana bought Nari this whole elaborate make up gift set, which Nari stared at with confusion but she tells her, "I heard girls your age love make up so I thought why not get you the very best a girl might need ?".

Nari awkwardly smiles and mumbles, "thank you", while her aunt comments, "I dont think our little Nari need makeup at all, I mean God and her late mother - 'may her soul rest in peace', blessed her with amazing flawless skin and a face like a porcelain doll, putting on makeup will just ruin her natural beauty, but it was a nice gesture though".

Christiana plasters on a fake smile the comment, "true and I'm sorry its a honest mistake", but on the inside she was cursing Nari, her late mother and her aunt whom she felt was beginning a overbearing b***h, who she needs to get rid of since Nari's father chose to completely agree with her about the make up issue.

The night finally drew to an end and everyone went home, although Nari wanted Valencia to spend the night, Valencia thought it best to rather say at the hotel she book and will make sure to grab some lunch with Nari the next day before she goes home, then finally gives Nari a hug and a kiss on the forehead and tells her to have a goodnights rest. Valencia then gets in the car with Nari's aunt and her husband and drive off leaving her with her father, brother and Christiana.

Once everyone was gone Nari's father tells her and her brother that he wants Christiana to move in next week with them, which Nari wasn't to excited about, but because she respected her father she put on a fake smile and says, "its going to be nice to have another woman in the house", to which Christiana just flashes her a fake smile.

Nari stares at Christiana and thought to herself she needs to ask her aunt or better Valencia to keep the stuff she has of her mom safe for her because something is telling her not to totally trust Christiana.

So the following day Nari's aunt and Valencia came to pick her and her brother up and take them out to lunch. As they were driving to the restaurant Nari's aunt asks her how she feels about her dad and Christiana.

Nari: "Honestly, I dont know how to feel because I know I'm a kid and I cant tell my dad what to do but something about her vibe just feels off, especially the way she stares at me and now that shes moving in I have to live with her creepy vibes until I'm eighteen and only then I can move away and attend college but then I know I'm going to be worried about Ji-ho though"

Nari's aunt: "Well about we focus on on thing at a time like now we need to figure out what this Christiana's plans are and one the time comes for you to move away to go to college you dont have to worry because he can move in with me and your uncle Giano then - ok ?".

Nari: "ok , but I do have a favor to ask you or nurse Valencia please".

Valencia turns around in the front passenger seat and looks at Nari while asking, "what's that doll face ?, you know I would do anything for you".

Nari: "Well there's a bunch of stuff that belonged to my mom that were kept like the dress, I wore last night, her jewelry, pictures and few other stuff so I was wondering if I could possibly have one of you keep it for me be because I dont want this Christiana deciding to throw things out".

Valencia: "sure doll face, infact lets do this after lunch we can drop by the mall get like two big suit cases and then we can pack few stuff up which I'll take with me and then your and can keep the other stuff for you with her so then you know that whenever you miss your mom you can just go over to your aunts house and be around your moms stuff".

Nari's aunt: "I think that's a very good idea and I be happy to keep your mom's things safe for you, since shes always been my favorite person, infact looking at you I actually see so much of her in you. Like how you have her dimpled smile, then also how kind, smart and wise beyond your years you are for your age. It's just amazing to watch I swear its like she's living through you".

Nari smiles and somewhat feels happy to have a piece of her mom with her but then when she looks at Ji-ho she feels sad for him as he never got to experience one bit of their mother's incredible love and personality but then she's comforted by the fact that her a piece of her mom is him him too as her aunt usually says.

The four final arrive at the restaurant and have a amazing lunch filled with laughter and great stories, and both Valencia and Nari's aunt could her but watched her be like a young mother her while helping her little brother through out lunch whether it be to cut up his meet or open something for him.

Once done they totally do as they discussed and got the two suitcases and few box then made their way back to Nari's house where they notice her father isn't back yet which is perfect as they don't want to be answering alot of questions about why they were packing up his late wife's things.

The three make quick work of packing up everything but yet leaving few things around still to avoid making both Nari's father and Christiana suspicious. Just as they finished loading the boxes and suitcases in the back of the Nari's aunt's car her father pulls into the driveway with the ever despicable Christiana in tow.

Nari's father gets out of his car while askin, "did you lot only get back now ?".

Nari's aunt: "No, we came back a while ago but stayed with the kids until you got back, but now I need to take Valencia to the train station so she can head back to Positano".

Nari's father: "Ah, I know seeing you leave Valencia is going to leave my little Lilly sad for a couple of days but then maybe she can visit you over the summer holidays? ".

Valencia: "of course, I have plenty of leave days so just tell me when and I'll prepare everything".

Ji-ho: "Hey !, I also want to go with".

The sassy comment from the little boy made everyone chuckles and his father crouch down to his level then tell him, "I'll still think about if you get to go along or not - ok?".

Ji-ho pouts while stubbornly saying, "If Nari's going, then I'm going", making his dad sigh then turn to Christiana and tell her hope your ready to deal with these temper tantrums because the one your expecting is probably going to add fuel to the fire.

Christiana lets out a fake chuckle then tells him she's more then ready, as she grabs a small overnight bag from the back seat of the car. Nari's and Valencia glance at each other then finally tells then they have to go while Valencia gestures and mouths to Nari "I'll call you", then lastly blows her a kiss.

The two get in the car and finally drive off while Christiana asks them since it's her first night in the house as an official family what would they like her to cook for dinner, and Nari dryly responds, "anything is fine with me", then walks back into the house with Ji-ho tailing behind.

Christiana didn't say anything out loud but did think to herself, "you little b***h I'm going to get rid of just watch", while watching Nari's back disappear into the house. Nari's father thought Christiana was upset and decides to wrap his arms around her while saying, "she just needs some time to get use to the idea of having a woman the house that isn't her mom, but honestly I can see a future where you two get along amazingly, infact your probably going to be bestfriends".

Christiana puts on her best fake smile and act, then tells Nari's father, "I grew up without a mom so I know what it's like to see your friends with their moms and you don't have on to confide in or ask advice from, I know I'll never be able to replace their real mom, but I do hope to build a bond with your kids and love them like then were my own".

Nari's father: "and you will just give them a little more time".

Christiana: "Ok".

Over the next couple of weeks Christiana fully moved into the house, her pregnancy progressed to the point where her belly started showing more and more, which made her and Nari's father decide to have a quick intimate wedding because Christiana fell 'people were gossiping'.

Nari tried and support her father after he begged her to try and make Christiana feel more welcome. The months went on and it was time for Christiana's 20 week ( 5 month ultrasound check up), so the morning of her appointment Christiana decided to play nice as usual infront of Nari's father by asking Nari if she wanted to go with her, since it's school holidays and she's home alone as Ji-ho is staying over at a friend's house, and Nari automatically agreed for her father's sake, although if she could she wouldn't interact with Christiana at all.