36

Thalia

"I'm home, sweetheart," Luciano said, swallowing his tears.

Lucille got up from her seat and hugged Luciano through the gap between the seats.

Luciano removed his seatbelt and engulfed Lucille in his arms, muttering "Dad's home" to comfort the crying child.

I, too, couldn't help but tear up as I watched their long-awaited reunion. For the past four years, I've gotten used to being alone. I had already conditioned my mind that Lucille and I would be the only members of our family.

Yet here we are.

Lucille broke away from the hug, her cheeks stained with tears.

Luciano chuckled and sniffed as he held onto both of her cheeks.

"What are we going to do with you, sweetheart? You're covered in tears. How are you going to make friends at this point?"

She stopped crying and looked at her dad with wide eyes.

"Am I ugly now?"

He threw his head back in amusement while shaking his head.

"Of course not, baby. You're still the prettiest."

He wiped her tears with the pad of