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“Good girl.” My mother’s attention floats to Kira, who’s gawking at her. “Hello, little sleepyhead.”
My mother scrunches her face, and Kira giggles, flashing her three tiny milk teeth at her grandma.
Spencer exhales loudly next to me. “Can someone tell me why we’re having this family dinner tonight? And in a restaurant?” he looks at Anya and then me, he continues, “Why did you two come in together?”
My mom hisses. “Spencer, you’ll know why we’re here after we eat.”
A few moments after we ordered, the waiter returned with our food. The rich, savory smell wafted around us.
Alessa eagerly sits up. I chose this restaurant for dinner because of her love for seafood, and I hope to take her here again once everything is done. Kira will join us next time as well. “Daddy, can I eat all of this?” she asks as a plate is placed before her.
A wide grin splits my face. “Can you eat it all?”
She nods. “Yes! I can eat all of it.”
“Well, isn’t Daddy’s little soldier hungry?” I pull Kira back as she tries to reach for the tray of seafood in front of her.
Anya offers her help, putting on gloves and assisting Alessa with a lobster. Gratefully, Alessa accepts the lobster meat and devours it with relish. Anya watches her with a motherly smile, the same look she gives Kira. "Do you like it?" Anya asks warmly.
"I love it," Alessa replies, eagerly tearing into another piece of lobster and dancing happily with her hands as she eats.
My heart swells with joy at how well they get along. Anya seems to fill the void left by Alessa's absent mother. The love and adoration that Anya has for her can't be feigned; I can see it in the way she looks at her gently.
I put Kira in her stroller and join them, filling up Anya’s plate because she’s barely able to eat while making sure Alessa is well fed.
After we’re done eating and served dessert, I know it’s time to break the news. I reach for Anya’s hand to let her know I’m right here. “I called for this family dinner to—”
“Are we supposed to keep pretending Kira is not your daughter?” my father asks with a big smile. His voice is so loud that it turns heads in our direction.
Anya and I glance at each other, and then we gape at him.
My mother hisses, “Shut up, James.”
“What? It’s the truth, and it’s obvious. Surely everyone else knows by now?” my father goes on. He’s completely tactless, but he’s right. Kira is such a mini-me that anyone with eyes can see it.
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Dad, please.”
Alessa gasps, her eyes wide with shock. “Wait, is Kira my little sister?”
Anya smiles at her, but there's a slight tension in her demeanor. “Yes, sweetheart. Kira is your baby sister.”
Another gasp bursts from Allessa’s lips. She covers her mouth this time and stares at Kira as if she’s a beautiful piece of painting. “I have a baby sister?”
I nod. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you earlier.”
“I have a baby sister,” is all Alessa says as she hops down from her chair and rounds the table to Kira’s stroller. “Hello, baby sister.”
Kira's gaze meets Alessa's, her large brown eyes filled with curiosity as she reaches out a plump hand towards her sister. With care, Alessa clasps her small hand in her own. All around the room, there is a hush of anticipation as everyone watches these two sisters come face to face for the first time.
Anya and I share a look, relief washing over us that the truth is out in the open now. There are tears glistening in Anya's eyes as she watches the girls together, a sight she most likely thought she might never see.
My mom wipes away a tear from the corner of her eye and smiles fondly at the children. "They're just so precious," she says.
My dad gives her a knowing look. "Of course you knew as well," he says, his tone slightly teasing.
My mom playfully rolls her eyes and sniffs before lightly patting the corners of her eyes with her finger. "I have eyes too, you know," she says with a grin. She turns to Anya, who is sitting across from them. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner and allowing us to be a part of your lives."
Anya lowers her head. “I should be the one thanking you for being so kind to us. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”
