Everyday: Adopted by Mandy Gonzalez

4_Life Is Sweet

(Carly's P.O.V)

I stare at Mandy. Her brown hair falls into her eyes as she writes. I watch, intrigued for whatever reason. I see a drawing fall to the floor. I realize that it was the drawing I made a few months back. "Um...Mandy...this...I drew this." I said. She smiled at me.

"I know. I thought I'd write to you too." She smiles and hands me the letter. I frown. How am I supposed to read this and not cry? I take it to my room to read it.

Dear Carly,

Hi. It's your foster mom, Mandy Gonzalez. How are you kiddo? I'm noticing that you've started distancing yourself from me and Chris. What's going on? You know you can tell me anything. I won't take it the wrong way.

I know it may not seem this way yet, but Chris and I love you very much. You're a great kid, full of so much love. You're beautiful inside and out. We love you kid. And hey, you're perfect just the way you are.

I think you're really going places. You've got an amazing voice and to top it off, you've got even more to learn. But you're so willing. I'm proud to be your mom. Or, that is, if you'll let us adopt you!

Let me know. When you're ready.

Love you bunches,
Mandy

I run back to Mandy, hugging her tight. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She laughs lightly.

"For what?" She asks.

"Loving me." I keep hugging her tightly. I feel her hand at the back of my head. I take a deep breath through my nose. The smell of her rose shampoo drifts to me. She always smells like roses. I love that about her.

"Of course, you're my daughter. I love you more than words can say." She replies, kissing my head. I smile bigger, happy to be in her arms.

Chris walks in and joins in the hug too. "How are my girls doing?" He asks lightly.

"Good." Mandy answers him as we all break apart. "I think Carly accepts us as her parents. Tell me if I'm wrong." She says.

"You're not wrong, Mandy. Far from it." I say and she hugs me again, but this time for a shorter period of time. I want her to hold me forever but I soon remember that it is Friday and I'm spending the weekend with Chris. I laugh, waiting for him to tell me to go pack. But it doesn't come. Instead, he gets one knee, facing Mandy.

"We've been together for three years now, Mandy. I love you so much. Life is sweeter when I'm with you. I love being around you, I love talking with you, I love cuddling with you, I love having Carly with you. I want to do all of that together, for the rest of my days. I want to be with you. So, Mandy Vera Gonzalez, will you marry me?" He pulls out a black velvety box and flips it open. An engagement ring stares Mandy in the face. She nods, smiling widely at him.

"Yes!" She says. Chris stands and places the ring on her finger. They share a quick kiss. I take a picture of them for Twitter.

Carly._Elizabeth-Jane- My foster parents @/_mandygonzalez and @/ChrisIsSingin being cute beans. #cinnamonrolls #FearlessSquad #Hamfam
{picture added}
130 retweets 145 likes 65 comments

I switch off my phone and get back to watching them. They're both looking at their phones. I know exactly what they're doing. "You guys are looking at my post aren't you?"

"Yup." They both reply and I giggle lightly. They really are precious cinnamon rolls too good for this world. At that thought, I smile. I get to live with these two for a while. Maybe even for the rest of my adolescence! I could become their forever daughter.

~~~

In celebration of their engagement they invite Lin and his wife Vanessa, Anthony Ramos and Jasmine Cephas Jones, Lexi Lawson and Joanna Alexis Jones over for dinner. I sit shyly by Chris and Mandy as I haven't met Lexi, Joanna, Jasmine or Anthony before. "Alright, so it's clear that Carly is feeling nervous. So, for those of you who haven't met her, why don't you introduce yourselves." Mandy suggests.

"Hi Carly. I'm Lexi and I play Elizabeth Schuyler." I wave at her and she smiles. "Awe! She's so cute!" Cute? That's a new one.

"I'm Joanna, but you can call me Jo. I play Peggy and Mariah." The young woman says. I wave at her too.

"Carly, I'm Anthony, but you can call me Ant if you want." I smile and nod.

"Hola. I'm Jasmine but please, call me Jazzy or Jazz." The last woman says. I smile and nod. They all seem nice.

"Hi, I'm Carly and I'm Mandy and Chris' foster daughter."

"Awe!" Lexi says again and I blush lightly.

"You're so pretty...can we do your makeup sometime?" Jo asks. I nod sheepishly. "YAY!"

"Carly, you don't have to talk to us. It's okay. It's clear you're shy. It's cool. We get it. Don't we?" Lexi says. Everyone nods.

"Are you sure? I don't wanna seem rude."

"It's fine. We all get it Carly. You're fine." Mandy tells me, rubbing my back lightly. I almost wanna cry from the fear of new people. "Please don't cry baby."

"I'm not...not crying yet." I speak slowly in fear that I will start to cry.

"Are we all making you nervous?" Jo asks. I nod slowly. "I'm so sorry. We don't mean to make you nervous. I'm sorry. Is there anything we can do to make you feel better?" I shrug lightly.

"Oh. The poor bean. The poor bean!" Lexi shouts. I wince. "Oh...I'll quiet down. Sorry."

"It's okay." I say. "Mandy, may I be excused?"

"Sure thing sweetie." Mandy says. I jump up and run out of the room. I don't want them to see me cry. None of them get to see me cry.

***Author's Note***

Haven't updated in a while.

Be fearless.

Xo,
Ryeli