El Niño Garcia {An Isaac Garcia FF]

VII

"Actually, we might be leaving," Jackie states.

"En serio?" (Really?) My uncle asks.

"Como?" (What?) I asked, completely stunned.

"Te vas a mudar?" (You're moving?) Isaac asks us, looking at me specifically. "Te irías?" (You'd leave?)

"A mi no me contaron nada." (No one told me anything!) I say indignantly, panic rising in my chest.

My uncle looks at me. "Pues, yo le pregunté a Jackie." (Well, I asked Jackie.)

"De pronto nos vamos," (We might leave.) Jackie says slowly.

"Y no quisieron preguntarme?" (And you didn't feel like asking me?)  I say back, hurt and scared. My eyes brim with tears.

"What's going on?" Katherine asks.

Uncle Richard turns to her. "I'm considering filing for custody. Jackie and Carolina should be with family."

"We're a family," Katherine answers.

"You know what I mean," he replies.

"Well, what do you want, Jackie?" Cole asks.

As for the rest of dinner, Katherine shares a story about how she met our mom and George, and about how family isn't just about blood. It's heartwarming, but I still feel hurt inside. After dinner, Danny, Lee, Alex, and George sit to play a board game.

I go to sit outside, and sit in a patio swing in silence.

Suddenly, Isaac comes outside and sits beside me. "What's up?"

"Not much."

He nods. "So...moving back?"

I sigh. "No idea what's going on."

"Would you want to if you had to?"

"I don't know. New York was home, but nothing's left for me there."

After a few moments of silence, he looks at me and quietly says, "I hope you stay."

My heart skips a beat as he says that.

"Hey, we're looking at the stars! It's not 3am, but this is a nice preview," he exclaims, pointing at the sky. I look at him, at how excited he looks. It's so cute. He turns to me, catching me staring at him. He smiles and puts his arm around me again.

"We've gotta plan a day to stargaze soon then, just in case," I conclude, shrugging, trying to act calm even though all I can hear is my heart pounding.

"Just let me know," he says.

Katherine calls us inside, because it's getting late. Before we get up, I quickly plant a kiss on Isaac's cheek, and rush inside, nervous. I run upstairs and into my room, shutting the door.

Jackie looks at me from her bed, and my elation slightly falters. "Hey," I say coolly.

"Look, Lina," she says cautiously, "I don't know why Uncle Richard didn't ask you, but it's not my fault-"

I look at her, my voice weak. "I get that, but why did you have to say it in front of everyone, before even mentioning it to me at all? And does announcing it mean it's definite? What if I don't want to go back? Is it only your decision?"

She looks at me. "You're right. I should've asked you. I just started thinking of myself. To be honest, I have no idea if I want to go back either. I just impulsively said it."

"I get it," I say. "It's a tough situation." I sit on my bed. "Is there anything left for us in New York?"

"I don't think so," Jackie says. "I just don't know if we fit in here either."

"I mean, it's been hard adjusting sometimes, but this is a really nice family. I think for now, staying would be a good idea."

"You know what? You're right, Lina."

"I know," I say with a snicker.

She rolls her eyes, a smile appearing on her face. "Let's stay for now."

-----

The next morning, I walk downstairs happily. I'm almost at the point of skipping around and singing songs with all the energy I feel inside of me.

"What's got you so sunshine-y?" Isaac says from behind me.

"I'm staying," I tell him.

"That's awesome!" He says, going in for a hug. I wrap my arms around him, and his arms find their place around my waist.

"Isaac! Stop hitting on Lina and come play soccer with us!" Lee yells from the door. We pull apart quickly and awkwardly.

"See you, Cali," He sputters, face red as he walks out to play with Jordan, Parker, and Lee. I go to eat breakfast, and then start eating on a barstool.

A few minutes later, I hear Lee and Isaac come in to talk to their dad.

"Y como les va el español, hijos?" (And how's your Spanish, my sons?) I overhear their dad ask. Not that I was listening in or anything. Obviously.

"Bien, aquí llego una niña que habla español tambien," (Good, a girl came here that speaks Spanish too) Isaac says, then asks, "La quieres saludar?" (Do you want to say hi to her?) I gasp. That scares me.

His dad mumbles something, and then Isaac calls out, "Cali, come meet our dad!"

I say, "Okay!" I walk over nervously, trying to make sure I look presentable. I sit beside Isaac and wave to the camera. "Hola señor Garcia, mucho gusto." (Hi Mr. Garcia, it's nice to meet you.)

"Hola, Carolina, mucho gusto. Isaac me acaba de contar mucho de ti. Que bueno que puedas practicar el español con mis hijos." (Hi Carolina, it's nice to meet you. Isaac's just told me a lot about you. It's good that you can practice Spanish with my sons.)

"Si, es rico tener a alguien con quien hablarlo," I chuckle. (Yeah, it's nice have someone to speak it with.)

"Bueno, fue un placer conocerte, Por favor cuide a mis niños." (Well, it was a pleasure meeting you. Please take care of my sons for me.)

"Por supuesto," (Of course.) I giggle, wave to him, and walk away.

I try to crochet with some yarn Katherine said I could experiment with, and I think make some good progress. I'm trying to make a hat. After a bit, I decide to take a break and go for a walk. I walk around the house a bit, and when I pass the barn from afar, I see Alex and Jackie kissing. Like into it. I think of Cole. Like what if he's watching? I giggle at the drama that's forming. I can't wait to see how it plays out.

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Author's note:

Hey guys, I just wanted to say for the Spanish parts, I'm sorry if they're not right like grammatically; I can speak Spanish, but I haven't really written a whole lot, just to like text my parents and stuff. I hope it's okay tho!

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who's read this! This is the first story I've posted, so I hope it's fun to read lol. Please like and comment!