Family

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I look up at Marie, curious and confused. What does she want?

"Look at this, Rosa." She says, pointing to the paper.

I do, but none of the words make sense. They're all too long. However, something changes at the bottom of the paper. Instead of more words, there are three long black lines. There's one in the middle, then two more offset below it. The two offset ones have writing on them, while the top one is blank.

As I look at the lines, I finally recognize a word, on one of the offset lines. Marie.

"Marie!" I say, pointing at it.

She smiles. "Good job, Rosa. That's my name."

I blush, feeling incredibly proud of myself. Marie's happy with me!

"This says Callie!" Callie says, pointing at the other offset line. "But I wrote it fancy, so I know you probably don't recognize it."

I begin to trace the swirls with one finger, managing to recognize a C. The rest of the word just looks like a swirled jumble to me.

"Rosa, do you like living here?" Marie asks, tearing my gaze away from the words.

I nod, hugging her. There's no way to tell her how badly I'll miss all this. And suddenly, panic claws its way up my throat.

What if...that's what they want from me? What if they're done caring for me, and they're going to bring me back to the Octarian realm?

I knew it was going to happen, but I feel tears pricking at my eyes. I was so close to finding the light.

I'm sorry, Mama...

"It's been an incredible adventure, Rosa." Marie says. "And I'm so grateful we've met. But you're not an Inkling...and we don't know how much longer you can be hiding here. If someone sees you, things could get bad."

I nod, fighting to keep from crying.

"Whiiiiiiich....is why we've done this!" Callie says, showing me the paper. "If you want to, you can write your name in Inklish right here!"

She points to the large black line on top of the other two, with Callie and Marie's names.

I'm confused, and still blinking back tears. Why does she want me to write my name?

Marie holds out the blue pencil she gave me, smiling. "Rosa, if you write your name here, that means you want to stay here with us, forever."

All my thoughts still. Even my heart freezes in my chest.

What?

"We've already written ours, which means we want you to stay. We love you very much, Rosa. You've changed our lives." Marie says.

Callie nods, tears in her eyes. "Please, stay with us!"

"It's her choice," Marie scolds her. But I hear hope in her tone too.

I take the pencil, looking down at the line. How? I thought they had other lives to live!

"Rosa, after meeting you, our lives wouldn't be complete without you in them." Marie says gently, as if she can read my thoughts. "Now, do you want to write your name?"

I look into her eyes, suddenly afraid. This is a huge decision, and I know it. Even though I've been dreaming of it for a long time, it was never something I took seriously.

Can I really do it?

Marie locks her gaze with mine, and gives me the tiniest nod.

I turn away from her, grip the pencil, and carefully write an R on the line.

I hear a strangled sob from behind me, probably Callie, as I form the word just as they taught me to. After I finish, I look up at them. Did I do okay?

Callie bursts into tears, grabbing me in a hug. Marie joins a moment later.

I'm going to stay. I'll have pancakes or waffles every morning, and learn all sorts of things from them. I'll be happy.

I close my eyes, and I can see my mama and papa. They smile at me, proud. Then, as silence falls, I hear my mama.

"You did it, little rose. You found the light."

I did, Mama. I think.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know what's going to happen in the future. I know there will be challenges, or hardships to face up here. But, no matter what happens, I know Callie and Marie will be with me.

All three of us.

A family.

~~ THE END ~~

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