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“Snow!” Malia exclaims when she sees hernotso little companion.
“Now you can go to bed, baby.” Noelle gives her a kiss on the forehead as Malia cuddles the cat.
Coming to my side, Noelle takes my hand in hers as we just stand there, staring at her.
Usually, one of us would have read her a story before bed, but today she’s too tired for that. The moment she has Snow tucked into her arms, her eyes flutter closed, her breath evening.
“She’s so beautiful,” Noelle whispers. “I still can’t believe this is real.”
“We’re so lucky, pretty girl. We might have been through hell. But looking at her now… It was all worth it.”
She nods.
“It was.
Once we’re sure Malia is deep asleep, we head back to our own bedroom. Since she’d declared that she wanted to sleep in her room with Snow, we’d agreed and put a baby monitor in her room similar to the one Yuyu had. This way, if something happens, we’ll be able to react quickly.
“You’re frowning.” I point out to Noelle after we both get out of the shower.
“I’m a little worried about tomorrow. What if it’s too soon?”
“I don’t think it’s too soon,” I say as I take a seat next to her on the bed. “She’s very open to new people. I don’t think she’ll have a problem.”
“Yes, but it’s only been a few. Tomorrow it’s going to be quite a bit more than a few.”
“But it’s only family. The others are bringing their kids, too. She might make some friends.”
Once we settled into our new house and into a new routine with Malia, we decided to throw her a welcome back party and invite our friends and family, so that they could officially meet her. Noelle had told Malia this was to celebrate all the birthdays that we missed before, and she’d been extremely happy by the prospect.
But time passed so quickly and the party is now less than a day away.
“I guess you’re right,” she sighs. “It’s just that I somehow wish I could keep her all to myself, if that makes sense.”
“It does.” I smile. “Of course it does, pretty girl. You don’t have to excuse yourself to me—ever.”
“You’re so sweet, Raf.” She gently pats my hand. “But you’re right. She might make some new friends.”
“It’sherparty. I have a feeling she’ll love being the center of attention,” I chuckle.
“Oh,thatshe definitely will,” Noelle laughs.
After I’ve finished placating my wife, I take her into my arms and shower her with kisses which she enthusiastically reciprocates.
Ah, but who said life wasn’t great?
* * *
The following day, the event planner makes sure everything is in place before the guests arrive at noon. The first ones are Cisco and Yuyu with their baby and older son, Val. It’s my first time meeting him since he’s usually away at boarding school, but I’m pleasantly surprised considering he’s Cisco’s son.
He’s around thirteen, with a warm and considerate disposition—more like Yuyu in that regard than his father.
The moment Malia sees them, however, she dashes to Yuyu’s side, asking to play with the baby. Noelle and I share a smile. Ever since we visited them a while back, Malia has become enamored with the baby. I’m not sure if she realizes it’s a human being and not a doll, but Yuyu doesn’t mind indulging her.
“He smiled,” she bursts out, pointing to the toothless smile of the baby. “He smiled at me.” She turns and beams at us.
When they turn to go into the living room, I tell Noelle to accompany them.
“I’ll greet the others. Go talk to your brother.”
