The Denial of Hearts (COMPLETED) [wattys 2018]

33

Sarina was swept inside by her mother and cousin. Mason joined shortly afterwards.

"What is going on?" Sarina asked all confused.

Mr and Mrs Hunter walked in then. "Sarina!" Jane went up to her. "David told me what happened, dear. We decided, David and I to help Mason on finding your family."

Sarina turned to Mason who was grinning widely.

"You were in on this?" Sarina didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Since when?"

"This morning." Mason answered honestly. "Mum rang this morning before coming over."

Sarina hugged Jane. "Thank you." She whispered in to her mother in laws ear. She turned back to her own mother. "Mum?"

Sofía opened her arms again as Sarina went to her. "Look at you, mi hija." Sofía held Sarina at arms length. "You are so beautiful."

"Everyone sit. I'll get some tea." Jane offered as she went to find May. She was only gone for a few seconds and returned, sitting next to David. "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes."

Sarina looked at her mother. "How are you here? I read the article, it stated you died." Sarina brushed a tear from her cheek.

"I better start at the beginning." Sofía smiled at Sarina. "I am from Panama, I ran away from your grandfather, my father. I had help and I got smuggled over the border to Costa Rica. I stayed with a friend until I met your father." Sarina felt hands on hers as Sofía's eyes sparkled. "He was so brave and smart and handsome. We fell in love and got married and very shortly you came along. You were the love of both of our lives. But my father found us. I only had a short five years with your Papa." Sofía's eyes watered.

"When I was in hospital, crying over your father and you, I was offered in to protective custody. The authorities from Panama and Costa Rica helped me. Like you, my girl, I was raised without my mother. I found out that night while the authorities faked my death to protect me, that my mother was murdered by my father and he covered it up."

"I waited for any report about you. Days turned to weeks, to months then years. No one could find you. When they did find my father, there was no report of him with a child. I was first told you died in the fire, but when I found out there was no body found, I had hope you were still alive."

"But no one had anything. Malcolm was good. He hid you well. Then when Agent Gonzalez said he had found you to his partner, and here I am."

Sofía hugged her daughter again. "I'm sorry for not being there for you. Missing all your birthdays, your first days of school, watching you grow in to a beautiful young dama."

Philippe leaned over to his aunt. "Aunty, Sarina doesn't speak Spanish."

Sofía looked surprised. "Malcolm didn't speak Spanish at all?"

Sarina shook her head.

"Where is that bastard?" She asked.

"He is dead." Sarina said with no emotion.

"Dead?" Sofía arched a thin eyebrow. "He got off too easy."

"Excuse me."

Everyone turned to see May at the door way. "Dinner is served."

Sarina and Mason were going to invite some of Mason's other relatives, but decided not to, to keep it intimate.

But now Sarina was reunited with her mother and having her and Philippe included, it made her day so much more special.

Sofía weaved her arm through her daughters. "You look beautiful. May I?" She asked as she placed her hand on Sarina's stomach. Sarina smiled and nodded as she felt her mother's hand.