“Or maybe Daddy is just beautiful?” I suggest with a smile.
Dad and Luca grunt at that. I look at Mom and we both laugh.
Mom steps closer and runs a shaky hand down the back of Aria’s hair. “You’ve got the best of both of your parents and that makes you look perfectly beautiful.”
Aria looks at her, her brows pinching down. “You’re my grandma and grandpa, right?”
Mom’s eyes close for a brief moment, pain etching her features, before she opens them again.
“Yes, we are, sweetie.”
“And you missed Momma while she was sleeping?”
Mom’s eyes jump to mine with a frown.
“I’ll explain later,” I tell her.
She looks back at Aria and answers. “We missed her very much.”
“And can I come stay with you sometimes?”
Her chin wobbles, but her lips form a smile. “We would love that.”
“Can I bring Goodie with me?”
Again, another question in her eyes when she looks at me.
“I don’t think—”
I cut Luca off. “It’s her pet hamster.” I’ll tell them later about the dangers of Goodie’s nibbles.
“He can definitely come with you,” Dad answers.
“And I can call you Grandma and Grandpa?”
This time it’s Dad who smiles. “Of course.”
“Okay.” She smiles at them, and I watch as it melts both of my parents’ hearts, just as I knew it would.
They step back into the house and Mom gestures for us to follow. “Please, come in. There’s so much we want to know.”
I look at Luca with a smile, one he returns. Relief floods through me; I’m eternally grateful this visit is going the way I had hoped.
We step inside, and I’m engulfed by my childhood memories. I’m glad to see not much has changed since I left. There’s only one thing missing that would make this day perfect.
“Where’s Teresa?” I ask Mom anxiously, then look around for her.
“She’s at tennis practice.” She looks down at the gold watch on her wrist. “She should be back soon.” She smiles sadly. “She’s going to be so happy to see you.”
My chest aches, because as much as I missed my parents, I missed Teresa more. She’s not only my sister, but she was my best friend too.
Mom leads us to the kitchen and flits around the room, asking if we want something to drink or eat. Luca and I decline the offer of food but accept a glass of lemon water. Aria gets a glass of apple juice and happily takes the bowl of blueberries Mom holds out to her.
“They were your mom’s favorite when she was a little girl,” Mom says in a melancholy voice.
“Really?” Aria asks, interest lighting her eyes.
Mom laughs. “Yes. We had to hide them from her or she’d eat them all in one sitting.”