"Mom!" Mari cried the moment she walked into the hotel suite with her father, and saw her mother seated in front of the mirror tidying her hair.
"Doll!" Andy gasped, dropping the comb as she rose.
They ran to each other so fast it felt like some magical wind pushed them. They wrapped their arms around one another so tight, like they wanted to melt into one person.
Andy held her face and kissed her forehead again and again. "Oh, my beautiful doll," she whispered, "I've missed you so, so much."
Mari laughed and tears gathered in her eyes. "I missed you too, Mom. So much. And I got your gift," she added, laughing.
Andy pulled back a bit with a giggle. "Oh! You did?" she asked with a big smile.
Mari grinned. "Yes."
"Good. Let's keep that a secret from your father."
Alex, who had been talking to the men stationed to guard the room, cleared his throat loudly from behind them. "What secret exactly?"
