Love versus Justice

Chapter 3 - A Lovely Family

    Mandy went straight to the province after her hearing that day. She has driven her car for three hours just to spend time with the parents she has known. From young, she already knew that they are not her real parents but still, she loves them so much. They took care of her as a real daughter, and she would be too ungrateful if she cannot spend even a little time with them.

    She is exhausted when she drove, but nothing beats the peace she felt in her heart when she saw that house with a yellow gate, the house where she spent her childhood days in. Yes, memories lie here. She smiled at the thought of this. Even from afar, she can see her excited mother standing on the gate. She can see her smiling from ear to ear as she spotted her car approach the gate.

    Upon parking, she immediately rushed out of the car and ran to hug her mom.

    “Mommy!”

    “Yes, my forever, baby,” Martha stretched her arms to meet the lady lawyer. Her baby has grown so fast, but even if she grows old, she would still remain as her baby forever. No accomplishment in life or age can change that.

    Mandy hugged her mother. Hmmm. She has never experience a hug as tight and sweet as this. Her mother hugs her as if she has not seen her for a long time even if they just met a month ago. She smiled. This is love, real love.

    “Mom, where’s dad?” Mandy asked as she releases her mom from her tight hug.

    “He’s inside, busy cooking your favorite. He has not stopped cooking since he heard that you are on your way home.” Martha said as her arms travel to her daughter’s shoulders, motioning her to get inside. The mother and daughter went in happily.

    “Dad!” Mandy ran to her dad as soon as she spotted him. The old man happily met and swung her around as he used to do when she was five years old. Mandy giggled like a kid. Ah, some things never change regardless of age. Her dad had treated her like this since young until now, and he never fails to make her feel specially loved and cared for.

    It’s true that family is not limited to blood relationships. Mandy is a believer of this. She has been informally adopted by this couple, but they loved her as their own. They even decided to never have a child of their own so that she would never feel wronged or compared to him/her. She knew about this when her Aunt Miranda, her mother’s younger sister, told her so.

    The family enjoyed their dinner like the days of old. Martin, Mandy’s father, cooked all her favorite dishes just to make her feel at home. After dinner, they spent some time in front of the fireplace as usual. That night, the house became warm once again, not just because of the fire on the fireplace but because of the warm hearts brought about by jokes and laughter from the family inside.