SERENDIPITY

~44~ Meeting Amber And Reunion ✔️

"Hello, dear," I bent slightly to her level, offering a warm smile.

"Are you Aunt Rafaela? The one everyone has been talking about?" she asked in her sweet, tiny voice.

"That's right," I replied, maintaining the smile. "I guess you must be Amber." She nodded enthusiastically. "Well, Amber, it's lovely to meet you," I said as I gently ruffled her hair.

"Come," she insisted, grasping my hand with her tiny fingers and tugging me. It seemed today was a day for kids to pull me places. "Meet my mum and dad." She brought me to a stop in front of Daniel and Paloma. "This is my dad," she pointed to Daniel, "and this is my mum." She directed her finger at Paloma. "Mum, Dad, this is Aunt Rafaela. Grandpa Leo has been talking about her to me, and he said I would meet her today."

"Hey, I didn't know I was that famous. Tell me, what did Grandpa say about me?" I inquired, glancing down at Amber, still wearing a welcoming smile that faltered slightly when she led me to her parents.

"He said you're my mummy's sister," she replied, looking at me with bright eyes. "And he said you have my cousins, Ulises and Sienna with you. He also said you're a musician," she added.

"Is that so? That's quite a lot Grandpa told you about me."

"Where were you, Amber?" Sienna chimed in as she and Ulises arrived, slightly out of breath.

"You told me to meet your mum," Amber explained.

"But it took you so long to do it," Sienna retorted, placing her hands on her hips.

"Kids, why don't you go grab an ice-cream? It looks like they'll run out soon with all the adults over there," Paloma suggested, motioning to the ice-cream area.

They turned to look where the ice-cream was being served, realizing that it was the most popular treat at the moment, especially considering the reception was still an hour away. With that, they sprinted off in the direction of the ice-cream.

Turning my attention back to the couple before me, an awkward silence stretched between us. None of us knew quite how to initiate the conversation.

"Forgive me," I began, breaking the silence. "I wasn't able to attend your wedding and offer my congratulations on your union." I paused, searching for words. "You've raised such a beautiful daughter. Together."

"Oh, Rafaela!" Paloma stepped forward and embraced me tightly. The unexpected gesture left me momentarily stunned, my fists clenching at my sides as my gaze shifted to Daniel, who was also regarding the emotional exchange with intensity.

"I'm so sorry," Paloma sobbed against me, her voice choked with regret. "I know I promised to let you have the happiness I wanted, but I couldn't keep that promise. I've never done anything truly good in my life, and I thought... I thought..." Her sobs grew more intense, her tears dampening my hair and the exposed skin of my back. An unfamiliar tug at my heart and a knot in my stomach signaled a torrent of emotions I struggled to place.

Slowly, I unclenched my fists, hesitating for a moment before returning her embrace. "You took nothing away from me, Paloma," I whispered gently, my own voice trembling. "Please don't think that way." I swallowed hard, trying to control the lump forming in my throat. "It wasn't your fault. If I had known you were pregnant, I would never have come between you two," I added, my gaze drifting as I searched for Daniel. When did he step away? "You taught me about the strength of our sisterly bond, Loma. You were willing to sacrifice your love to ensure your sister's happiness." I released myself from the hug and held her face in my hands, wiping away her tears with my thumbs. "A sister you hardly knew. A sister you once resented. A sister who seemed to threaten your happiness. Yes, you had your own flaws, but the sacrifice you were willing to make when you discovered I was your sister... it was overwhelming." I offered a small smile as I brushed away her tears. "You weren't just carrying his child; you were carrying my niece. It would have been selfish of me to pursue a love that could potentially jeopardize the bond between us. I was prepared to set aside my feelings for you, just as you were ready to do. Daniel and I were never destined to be together, and the outcome wouldn't have been any different. We tried, but fate had other plans." I shrugged, a mix of emotions settling within me. "All I hope now is that life grants me another chance at love."