Chapter 53
Kristina sat on the couch, her hands folded neatly in her lap as she waited for Howie’s parents to speak.
"Are you nervous, Kris?" Hoke asked as he patted her knee. "I promise, we don’t bite."
Kristina tried to smile. "A little bit."
"We just wanted to let you know that John told us what happened to you last year and we appreciate you trying to protect our son" Paula said. "It must have taken great strength to endure such physical pain with no one to give you emotional support during that time."
Kristina nodded her head in agreement as Paula continued to speak.
"At the time, we couldn’t understand why Howard had become so bitter and distant. However, after hearing your story and knowing how he feels about you, it all makes sense."
"Our son loves you very much, Kristina. I’ve never seen him so happy" Hoke said with a smile.
Sighing, wanting them to understand just how deep her love was for their son, Kristina tried her best to explain her feelings. "I want you both to know that I never meant to hurt him, but I had no choice. His life was in danger because of my love for him and only I could do something to protect him. In doing so, I broke several hearts, but I would do it all over again to keep him safe. I love Howie with ALL of my heart and soul."
Paula laid her hand upon Kristina’s and smiled understandingly. "I believe you, dear. I watched you throughout dinner and it’s quite obvious to me that the two of you are very much in love."
Kristina smiled brightly, her blue eyes dancing as she said, "We are in love. I believe that he is my future and with your son by my side, anything is possible."
Hoke pulled her to her feet and hugged her tightly. "Until you are able to reunite with your family, know that we would be honored to have you as part of ours."
Kristina choked back the tears that flooded her eyes. "Thank you. I would love that."
Out of the blue, Howie appeared in the doorway. Smiling proudly he greeted her with a kiss.
"Are you guys finished giving Kris the third degree?" he said laughing.
"Howard! We did NO such thing" his mother scolded.
"Just kidding, Mami."
As the four of them sat talking and laughing, John and the girls made their way into the living room as well, engaged in a conversation of their own.
"I have to go" John said as he kissed his mother. "I’ve got business to take care of at the club."
He turned to Kristina and Howie and winked at them. "Know of any good singer’s?"
"Why? Are you going to replace me?" Kristina asked, fear in her eyes.
John stammered, unsure of how to react to her questions.
"Well...I....I just thought..."
Kristina finished the sentence for him, upset by his assumption. "That I wouldn’t want to work now that Howie and I are back together? I love performing at the club and I need to make my own money!"
Howie spoke up, only adding fuel to the growing fire within her. "You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, angel."
"Yes I do, Howard. I need to do this for ME. Besides, " she added. "I want to!"
"Good for you, Kris! You need to do what makes you happy and if that is singing at the club, then go for it" Angie said with a supportive smile.
Kristina looked to Howie who simply shrugged his shoulders, not ready to argue the point at this time. He had other reasons for not wanting her to continue singing at the club, but they would have to wait until he talked to Sarah again and heard back from the private investigator that he had hired. The investigator that had apparently dropped off the face of the earth without so much as a clue as to where Stephen could be found.
"If it’s okay with you, John, I will be back onstage Saturday night at nine."
John shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to meet Howie’s gaze. "Fine with me."
Kristina stood and hugged him. "Good. It will be fun."
"Can we come?" Pollyanna asked excitedly.
Smiling back at her, Kristina exclaimed, "Sure! I would love to have you there."
John finished saying his overdue goodbye and left.
"We’ve got to be going too," Howie said as he looked at his watch anxiously. "Thanks for dinner, it was wonderful."
"Yes, thank you so much for inviting me to your home and making me feel so welcome" Kristina said hugging each of them.
After all of the good-byes were exchanged, she and Howie drove off in silence. Kristina lost in her thoughts of the evening and her new found family, Howie sulking over her return to work.