Chapter 139

• When she is done, Sophia reaches out and traces her daughter's name with her pointer finger before sitting in silence for a moment, allowing Tia to feel the love she still holds for her. Joshua never replaced her as she had feared he might when he was born. Instead, she loved them both equally and cherished the short time she had with Tia in her arms before she was taken from her. Every time she holds Joshua, she is reminded of her daughter's scent and feel.
• Finally, Leon takes out the wrapped bouquet they have with them and lays them on the stone base. A small tag and note are from her parents and Leon's father, matching the arrangement they had laid on their parents' graves that morning before coming here. Today was a day of visiting their lost loved ones, feeling symbolic right before welcoming someone new to the family.
• "We'll stay with mom tonight and then tomorrow... You ready to see your new room, big guy?" Leon scoops up Joshua and hugs him tight, smiling proudly as a father, pressing a kiss to his temple. Sophia uses his pant leg as a support to heave herself up and dust them all down.