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Our Family

I was at work through the day and all I could do was think about Valeria's class project. It was driving me crazy with worry and it took all day to decide what I should do.

When my shift was over I collected Valeria from school. As I had suspected, she was buzzing about her classes project to do a family tree. I knew that all the information would mean the world to her and I know I made the right decision.

"My friend Emily has grandparents from South Africa, so she says her family tree is really big, luckily you only have to so very close family or she'd have a huge project!"

Valeria giggles, "Lucky for me, there is only me and you, so I won't have to do to much but I can make it colourful!"

I sighed, if she does that, I'd be happy, as she wouldn't need  to know anything but the project wouldn't have been done correctly. I'd have to give more information. I'd have to tell her about our family.

"Actually sweetie, we have to include some more people too. Like your dad and my family."

"My dad?" she asks confused.

"We only need to write down his name. It's that simple."

She smiles at this.

"So who will we put on family tree?" she asks excitedly.

"Well on my side, you have a grandmother called Angelica and a grandfather named Lisandro, you've never met them but that's because they've passed away." Saying this out loud really hurt. My father died a long time ago, but my mother only passed around two years ago. She died  without ever knowing Valeria existed and I regret that everyday.

"So you don't have a Mummy anymore?" Valeria asks sadly.

"Not anymore, everyone loses their Mummy at some point."

"Will I lose you?" Valeria asks her lip quivering.

"Not anytime soon." I reply kissing her forehead to make her smile.

She seems happier once I've told her this and as she is now listening again, I decide to continue.

"We will also have to include your Aunt Maria, sadly she has also passed away, but we can include her husband German and their daughter Violetta."

"Have I ever met them?" asks Valeria curiously.

"No." I reply, "The last time I saw them, you were in my tummy."

Athough the last time I was with them I wasn't aware I was pregnant, it soon became apparent to me that I was and that she was already growing inside of me as I said goodbye.

"Okay!" she giggles, content with her answer, "And my dad?"

I take a deep breath. It's just two words. It's one name, but trying to say it is killing me.

"I don't remember your dad's parents, I believe they have died now, but I remember your father's name." I say, trying to delay the real news, although I know it's useless.

"What is it?" she asks, her eyes glistening the way her father's did when he looked at me.

"German Castillo."