She pulled away hugging the little girl who was jumping in joy too.
"Let's celebrate mommy " she said.
Andria nodded and followed the others to the dining table.
"Sir ..." Trevor called.
Karlye turned to him, "What?"
"Let's go "he said.
"Ahh..." he realised and quietly followed the others. "When will she arrive? "
"In a few minutes " answered Trevor.
"Alright, go ahead, I will bring her in ", he told Trevor.
Karlye stayed back while Trevor joined the celebrating group.
Andria looked around realizing Karlye wasn't with them.
"Trevor where is Karlye ?" Before Trevor could answer, Karlye entered, pushing someone in a wheelchair.
"We are here ", Andria gasped, seeing her mother.
"Mother ..." She let out rushing to her side.
Her mother laughed hugging her.
"Congratulations my dear "
Andria knelt, "But how did you know ...or even get here?"
"Your husband told me " her mother said.
"AHH ..mother I ...I.."
Her mother smiled, "Let's talk later, now let's celebrate your first step into your dream "
Andria nodded her tears stinging.
Karlye sat back while he watched everyone enjoy themselves.
Andria had invited everyone to join her at the table, and he had not objected.
Myra was in her grandmother's embrace while Andria fed her. Her smile was warm and wide, giggling as she enjoyed her food.
He found himself smiling, even with his late wife alive, his daughter had never smiled like that or such a cosy thing happened in the house.
.....
"He's a good man ", Andria heard her mother say.
They watched Karlye take the sleeping Myra up to her room. The dinner was finally done and the maids were cleaning up.
Andria was sitting next to her mother in the livingroom.
"Yes, his mother " she muttered.
Her mother looked back at her taking her hand.
"You don't have to tell me or explain anything Andria. This is your life, I have no right to intervene," said her mother.
"But I lied to you and hid all this from you ", she sighed.
"You have been living your life for Veronica, you never lived for yourself not even once .... I know this might be overwhelming for you but please for my sake use this chance to live for you ..do the things you love and smile more ...alright "
Andria nodded holding back her tears.
"For once, put yourself first, my child", her mother pulled her close.
"But Veronica .....".
"No buts ....please stop living in the past, let your guilt for your sister's death go ...it wasn't your fault. And as for me I will be fine after that surgery ...so you also promise me to try to live your own life "
Andria felt her tears fall...
"I can't believe you have a family now ...I even have a granddaughter " her mother chuckled.
Andria smiled.
"She is adorable ".her mother nodded in agreement.
"Come with her to the hospital the next time you visit"
"I will ...".
"And I must say my son-in-law is quite a catch .... he's so tall and handsome "
Andria pulled away, sniffing, "MMom"
Her mother laughed.
"You did well " she said.
They heard footsteps , it was Karlye.
"The car is ready " he said.
It was time for her mother to head back to the hospital.
Andria got up following Karlye, who was pushing her mother out to the car.
"I will come see you soon, mother ", Andria hugged her goodbye.
"I know you will, take care of yourself and give a kiss to my granddaughter ", she said.
Karlye helped her inside the car, and before he could pull away, she hugged her and whispered.
"Thank you for being there for her ....protect her for me "
"I will " he said