I video-called her from the Berkshires to let her know I succeeded in getting Liora and Oriana out, and they wished to go to live with her in Kentucky. She found the first flight out, insisting on accompanying them back. Oriana’s never been on a plane, and your mom hasn’t mingled with humans in thirty years. There’s no way I’m letting them fly out here alone, she’d signed.
I touch my mother’s back to reassure her as I unlock the door.
Nan comes flying out of my kitchen, where apparently she was deep-cleaning my cupboards.
Liora stands frozen in the doorway, rooted to the ground.
Nan throws her arms wide. “Come here, my baby. I’m so glad to see you.” She rushes toward Liora, who bursts into tears and falls into her arms.
Our grandmother, I sign to Oriana, who also tears up. She gives the best hugs.
I tuck Aster by my side as we let them have their reunion.
Liora finally lifts her head from Nan’s shoulder, wiping her eyes. “This is your granddaughter, Oriana.”
“Come here, child.” Nan envelops Oriana in a hug, then pulls back and surveys her. “Oh, aren’t you beautiful? I’ll bet you’re as smart as your brother, too.” She glances at me and starts signing as she speaks. “And strong.”
Liora reaches for my hand. “Thank you for raising my son.” She’s still crying.
Nan comes over to me. “He’s turned out to be such a fine boy,” she says and signs then hugs me.
Liora wipes her face and also signs as she speaks. “He did, better than I could’ve imagined.”
Nan envelopes Aster in a hug. “Welcome to the family, my dear Aster.” She looks at me and signs, Beautiful. What a prize.
I know, I sign back. I’m beyond lucky.
“Can we tell them?” I ask Aster.
This morning she told me that the Grandmothers had shown her that she is, indeed, pregnant with a boy pup.
She smiles and nods.
Nan gasps, already guessing at our news. Liora catches on, eyes wide and hopeful. “No…”
Oriana looks confused.
I wrap my arms around Aster from behind, drinking her scent in. Aster’s pregnant, I sign.
Judging by my mom’s wide-open mouth, she’s screaming. Nan, Liora, and Oriana all pile in for a group hug, and we laugh as our bodies jostle together in the joyful pile of love.
I’m so happy, Liora signs. So happy for both of you.
Me too, Oriana signs. I’m going to be an aunt.
I’m going to be a great-grandmother! Nan signs.
By afternoon, Nan, Oriana, and Liora are on a plane. It feels like a sudden rupture to let them go, but we all agreed that staying in New York and delaying their transition to their new life would just make things harder. Aster and I promised to visit next month.
I take Aster shopping to start her new wardrobe, and as we walk back to my building, she stops in front of a yoga studio, looking through the glass at a class taking place.
“I want to try yoga,” she says.
“Yes.” I pull her against me. “Anything you want to try, you should. There are so many things you haven’t had the opportunity to taste. I think you could just spend the next year trying new things. Finding out what lights you up.”
She lifts her beautiful face to mine. “Well, maybe not the whole next year…” She smiles.
My brows drop in confusion.
