The phone steadied in Aunt Ly's hand, still held at a careful distance so it wouldn't disturb her mom. And there she was at last..leaning against the pillows, eyes soft, smile gentle, her fingers idly playing with the edge of the bedsheet just like she used to. Even though she couldn't hear Alina clearly through the screen, she seemed to sense her presence. She shifted slightly, looking toward the phone with a quiet, instinctive smile, as if her daughter were standing right beside the bed.
"Mom…" Alina breathed, covering her mouth as relief, love, and longing poured through her all at once, so overwhelming it made her chest ache.
"Aunt Ly… please tell her I love her," she whispered, wiping the corner of her eyes. Her voice trembled with everything she had been holding inside. "Tell her I'll come home soon."
"I will, child," her aunt replied softly.
**
