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“So you told her we were superheroes?” Raf interjects.
Lucero’s cheeks redden.
“It seemed appropriate at the time. She wanted to know about her parents and I told her as best as I could. All this time she’s been thinking you were on some adventure saving the world.”
“How did she recognize us?”
“We showed her photos of you two in preparation for the meeting. She was so excited…” she trails off, a smile pulling at her lips. “You’ve always been alive in her mind, and she’s been waiting to meet you for a long time.”
I nod.
Shrugging Raf’s arm off my shoulders, I stand up on shaky legs. In two steps, I stop in front of her, dropping to my knees.
“Thank you,” I whisper, imbuing my words with all the love and gratitude I can muster from the depths of my soul. “Thank you for saving her. Thank you for taking care of her and loving her. And thank you for bringing her back to me. Thank you, Lulu, and I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
I slowly raise my eyes to meet her teary ones.
She shakes her head, getting off the sofa and dropping onto the ground next to me.
“Don’t even mention it. You’re my best friend, Noelle,” she whispers. “I just hope you’ll forgive me for taking so long to find you again.”
I wrap my arms around her, bringing her to my chest.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you,” I murmur.
After we’ve both calmed down a little, Lucero and Nicholas tell us more about Malia’s upbringing so far and how they’d tried to keep our memory alive. From what I can tell, my little girl’s never lacked for anything and it’s all due to Lucero and her big heart.
“I am at a loss for words, Lulu. Truly…” I trail off.
“Thank you,” Raf adds solemnly. “There are no words that can do justice to how grateful I am—we are—to you. Anytime you need something, please let us know. You’ll always be welcome in our home.”
I nod effusively, giving both of them a warm smile.
Right at that moment, Malia runs back into the living room, her nanny on her trail.
“Mommy, Daddy, where’s my room?”
I turn to Raf, and we both stare at each other in uncertainty.
“We’re going to look for a new house and you can choose your favorite room,” I decide to tell her—the only truth I can muster.
“Really?” Her eyes grow big with wonder.
In no time, she runs to our sofa, squeezing herself between me and Raf.
“I can’t wait,” she declares in that sweet voice of hers, and my heart clenches in my chest.
“Do you want to stay here tonight, Malia?” Lulu asks her.
“Yes!” She says at the same time as Raf and I answer with, “Of course.”
Lulu nods, looking back at Alice and giving her a nod.
“Alice will bring up Malia’s luggage. We didn’t pack all of her stuff for this journey but I can have her things sent over and…”
“Don’t worry about it, Lulu. We’ll take it one day at a time,” I assure her, knowing this can’t be easy for her either. For God’s sake, she’s been raising her for the last three years. How could she not have gotten attached to her?
“You’re welcome to stay the night too,” Raf offers. “We have a guest bedroom you can use.”
