"Papa?" Laila asked.

I looked up from my book and smiled at my daughter. "Yes love?"

"Why don't I have a Mommy?"

The smile dropped off my face and I looked at my husband. He paused the TV and looked over at me in concern. "What makes you ask that honey?"

"Um..Well..the other kids in my class all come in with their mommies, and they only see my daddies so they ask me where my mommy is."

My mind reeled with panic, this wasn't a question that I thought I would need the answer for already. I wasn't prepared, I didn't know how to answer her. 

"Um, well, a lot of people have daddies who love mommies...but sometimes there are daddies who love daddies." I had no idea where I was going to go with this but I just hoped that she would accept that answer and move on. I didn't think I was ready for a more in depth talk. 

"Oh. Can there be mommies who love mommies?"

"Yes, of course there can!" Ted said to her. 

"Because Anna has two mommies who bring her to class every day. They are nice." Laila went back to the game she was playing. "I don't need a mommy. I love my daddies."

We both descended in an instant. My heart felt so warm when she said that. "We love you so much baby." I said to her. 

"No matter what, never forget how much we love you." Ted told her. 

As we were having our moment there was a knock on the front door. Laila jumped up quickly. "I got it! I got it!" I followed her to the door and checked out the peep hole before I let her open it. "Aunt Mayrse!" She screeched. Ted's sister was visiting Paris for a few days while on vacation from school. But I assumed we would be picking her up from the airport where their family jet landed. Mayrse scooped Laila up in her arms. "Surprise!" I gave her a quick hug and then stepped aside so she could greet her brother. 

"Hey beautiful!" He said with a smile. "How did you get here from the airport?"

She laughed and then smiled. "It's a funny story actually." She came in and set her bags down while telling us the story. "So a couple weeks ago our chauffeur finally retired-"

"Really?! Wow he's been in the family since I was a kid." Ted sighed. 

"Yeah, mom and dad made sure he would be set for the rest of his life after the service he gave us for all those years." She elbowed her brother, "he also said watching you change after you met Johan was the greatest part of his career."

I could feel my face flush as Ted came over and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my cheek.

"Anyways," Mayrse plopped down on the couch still holding Laila who was clutching her aunt. "Right around the time I was planning my visit mom and dad were hiring a new chauffeur. He is a sweet man and he is originally from Paris! He was telling us how he met his wife on a trip to America and ended up moving there for her. So sweet right! I asked him if he gets to visit his family in Paris and he said no so I decided to bring him along! Technically hes still working, and hes getting paid like he normally would but when I don't need him he can spend time with his family."

"That was a really sweet thing for you to do sis."  Ted patted his little sister's head. "You're a good person."

"Oh stop it." She said with a laugh. "Enough about that, what's going on with you guys?"

"Well Johan was just about to make dinner so you came in time. "Oh good! I am starved! Will you help me with my bags Ted?"

He nodded and grabbed one of her suitcases. "Can I help please?!" Laila begged. 

"Of course you precious angel." Mayrse said. Laila ran to her biggest bag and I laughed as I watched her try and move it. 

It made me kind of sentimental just then, thinking about how when I first met Mayrse she was just about Laila's age, and now she's all grown up. The way time passes is mind-blowing. My own sisters Anna and Ava both had maters degrees from NYU and were working hard, Maxine and Leanne had started a successful fashion line and became entrepreneurs, I was so proud of them. Little Tina was working for her sisters designing clothes while attending NYU as well. My sisters accomplishments were so amazing to see and I couldn't be more proud of them. I spoke to all of them every day, whether in a group call or by themselves. I missed my family dearly but they always came to visit me and I visited them whenever I could. I may have thought my life was rough when I was younger, but today I know that I am one of the luckiest people on Earth.