Page 58 of Eternally London

I really concentrate on the sensation that engulfs me. I want to truly experience it and remember it always because this is what I’ve been fighting for. This is life. My happily ever after.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I send out into the universe. I still don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I’m so very grateful to have found it.

“Do you love your babies?” I ask Lindi.

She hugs her two baby dolls in her arms with a wondrous smile upon her face.

“Baba,” she says.

“Yes, babies, and they’re yours. Lindi’s babies.”

I knew she was at the age for her first baby doll. I couldn’t decide between the light-skinned baby or the dark-skinned one. Obviously, Lindi has very pale skin. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that she’s African. Her birth parents and siblings had dark skin. I want her to love everything about herself, so I decided on getting both. I’m so glad I did because the smile on her face is priceless.

She plops down on the floor and lays her babies out in front of her, admiring them. Her chubby little fingers trace the baby dolls’ eyes and round heads.

“Lindi, do you want to open more presents?”

“Baba,” she says in response, not taking her eyes off the dolls.

Loïc laughs. “All these presents, and she’s done after the first one.”

“There’s plenty of time for her to open the rest later.” I nudge Loïc’s knee.

“Well, I have one that I’d like you to open,” he says to me.

“Yay!” I sit back on the couch as he brings over a very large, rectangular box. “Ooh, it’s a big one, too.”

“It’s my favorite one,” he says.

I rip the paper from the gift and open the box. I pull out a large frame, and then I freeze. My breath gets caught in my throat. Tears roll down my face and fall into my lap. My heart expands. I suck in a giant breath of air.

“Oh, Loïc,” I say through tears, my voice cracking.

Loïc sits next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“This is the moment…this is…when…I knew,” I choke out, overcome with emotion.

In my lap sits a large canvas of me and Lindi, the very first time I met her. We’re gazing into each other’s eyes. She’s holding her water bottle and staring at me with a look of wonder. I’m looking at her with a genuine smile and so much love in my expression. I fell completely in love with her then.

She was my love at first sight.

“How?” I ask, unable to pull my gaze from one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.

“Well, you’re always talking about your friend Oliver, the photographer. So, I got on your Facebook to find his full name, and then I messaged him. He sent me dozens of pictures of the first time you met Lindi. This one is my favorite. The emotional connection is palpable. It took my breath away when I saw it.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

“It is.”

“Thank you so much, Loïc. This is the best present you’ve ever given me. I love it so much. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Thank Oliver for taking such gorgeous pictures.”

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