Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

each other around, mock-attacking Valentina with kisses all over her little
face.
The cake was soon forgotten but I think the best gift we could have gotten
Sofia was us playing around and having fun.
***
SOFIA
Getting the grocery bag out of the trunk of my car, I started walking
towards the apartment building.
After ordering breakfast this morning, since the cake was nowhere near
being done, I had to get to work for a quick shift at the café. Maddox wasn’t
working today and it was teacher’s work day at Valentina’s school so she got
to stay home with him and have fun.
This morning felt like a relief. I knew how much Valentina loved Maddox,
and to know she approved of him not only as a guardian but also as being
mine, it meant everything.
They said they would use their day together to finish my birthday cake so
that we could celebrate tonight, just the three of us. I went to get some things I
knew they liked to eat so that I could cook us a great meal to go with the
cake. It might sound crazy but I actually missed them, even though it’s only
been four hours. They truly were my favorite people.
Saying hi to the doorman, Osman, I made my way to the elevator,
balancing my phone and purse in one hand, and the paper bag of groceries in
the other. I couldn’t keep myself from smiling foolishly. I wanted to see how
their cake turned out, I wanted to know if they had fun baking together. It felt
like forever since I’d been this excited to come home.
It was almost like having a family again.