The bond between my two favorite women has always been so strong.
Despite the anticipation, nerves creep in as we wait at the arrival gate.
Morello gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
I cling to it like a lifeline.
Then I see her. My breath catches.
She's older, her dark hair now streaked with grey, but her eyes—my eyes—are the same.
I'm frozen in place as she rushes forward.
Her arms wrap around me and the years collapse.
I'm a little girl again, safe in my mother's embrace.
Tears flow down both our cheeks.
"Oh, my Alina," she whispers. "My sweet girl. Being here with you, it makes everything complete."
I can only nod, overcome with emotion. The pain of our separation melts away in this moment.
Morello stands back with Yara, giving us space for our reunion.
When we finally separate, my mother pulls them both into fierce hugs.
"Welcome home," I tell her, meaning it with my whole heart.
I take a deep breath as I look around at the crowd gathered in our backyard. Neighbors, friends old and new—so many people here to welcome my mother into our little community.
She fits right in, already chatting and laughing with our next-door neighbor, Delia. Despite the slight language barrier, I can tell they'll be fast friends.
Morello slips an arm around my waist. "You okay?" he asks, noticing my misty eyes.
I smile up at him. "Better than okay," I reply. "This is more than I ever dreamed was possible."
He kisses my temple. "You deserve it all, Alina."
From the corner of my eye, I see Yara showing my mom her latest art project. My heart swells at how quickly they've re-bonded.
My mother may have been kept away for a couple of pivotal years of Yara's life, but she dotes on her now like she's trying to make up for all that lost time.
Later, we sit in the garden—my refuge, the place I've poured my energy into cultivating beauty.
The fading light casts a golden glow over my mother's face as she tells us her plans to offer cooking classes, sharing the food of our homeland with others.
"Maybe Yara can help me decorate," she says with a wink.
Yara lights up. "I can make signs for your class! And menus!"
We continue chatting as the sun sinks lower, making plans.
It's strange; after so many years just focused on survival, now I have the space to dream again.
I smile as Yara chatters enthusiastically about helping my mother with her cooking classes. It's been so wonderful having my mom here with us, like the missing piece of our family has finally fallen into place.
As the sun dips below the horizon, we fall into a comfortable silence and I take in the scene before me—my mother and daughter side by side, Morello with his arm wrapped around my shoulders.