CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 35
LILY'S QUESTION
Lily met Maya the following Sunday.
She stared at the older woman.
"Are you my sister?"
Maya smiled.
"Maybe."
Lily looked at Nathaniel.
"Is she family?"
Nathaniel nodded.
"Yes."
"Then why haven't I seen her before?"
"Because we didn't know she was here."
Lily thought about that.
Then she offered Maya a cookie.
Maya accepted it.
"Thank you."
"It's chocolate."
"I can see that."
"You have to eat it fast because Mr. Nate likes chocolate."
Nathaniel protested.
"I do not."
Lily stared at him.
"You ate three yesterday."
Maya laughed.
Nathaniel looked at Elena.
"This family has no loyalty."
Elena smiled.
The meeting was awkward.
Then it became less awkward.
Maya asked about Caroline.
Lily asked Maya if she liked rabbits.
Nathaniel watched them from across the room.
For the first time in his life, he saw two daughters standing together.
One by blood.
One by love.
And he understood something.
Family had never been a single line.
It was a collection of choices.
Maya stayed for dinner.
Before leaving, she stopped at the east-wing playroom.
She saw Caroline's photograph.
She stood before it for a long time.
Then she whispered:
"Hi, Mom."
Nathaniel stood behind her.
Maya did not turn.
"She would have liked Lily."
"She did."
"She would have liked Elena."
"She would have loved her."
Maya smiled through tears.
"Then maybe I should stay."
May you like
Nathaniel's voice broke.
"I would like that."
