"Really mama? You have so many friends."
She says with wide mouth surprised by hearing about my old school friends.

"Yes, you can say that." I smile at the child's innocence.

"How is uncle Rayn and aunt Mia like?"

"They are good people but sometimes little crazy. They loved you instantly when I told them about you. You might meet them someday. There is also Mia's baby who is cute just like you."

"I want to meet them now Mama... They sounds like interesting people. They are like Caden and Gigi. I have best friends like you mama. Can you call them? Please... Please..."

"But honey, it's late over there." I said. Her face became gloomy and impatient.

Suddenly my phone rings. It flashes with video call from Mia.

"Is it Aunt Mia?" Hope asks peeking over my shoulder.

"Wait, let me take this. I will be back." I pat on her shoulder and walk out of door. I gestured Will to distract her.

"Princess do you wanna see what I got for you from Europe?" Will gave her a gift box which she hurriedly starts opening.

I walk to the balcony attending the call.

"Hazeeeelll!!!" A voice screeched on the other side even before the screen is shown. I see Mia and Rayn struggling to fit in the tiny phone screen.

"Hi guys." I smile at them.

"Hey dear. We were missing you. How are you?" Mia asks.

"Fine. How are you guys?" I ask.

"Oh, cut the formal crap and show us our niece." Rayn snap over the phone.

"Well, she was asking for you both." I say.

"See, we are right on time." Rayn says.

"Alright, but are you guys alone? Is there anyone else out there?"

"No, only we two are hear. Now she us the cutie. I am losing my patience." Rayn says.

"Yeah, where is Hope?" Mia ask.

"She is inside. Hold on I will bring her." I walk inside to her room. Hope is already busy eating her chocolates and playing with her new dolls Will bought her.

"Baby, Uncle Rayn and Aunt Mia want to see you." I bring my phone to her.

"Hi, uncle Rayn and Aunt Mia. It's so good to see you both." Hope says with bright face.

"Oh, look at you. You are very beautiful and sweet. Even more beautiful than your mom described."

"Thank you. You both looks good too."

"So cute." Mia says.

"Hope, it's good to see you. Would you like to visit Uncle Rayn sometimes?" Rayn ask.

"Sure. Aunt Mia, Where is your baby? Can I see him?" Mia shifted her camera to get a clear look of her baby.

"He look so cute Aunt Mia. He looks like my teddy. What is his name?"

"His name is Rayn. She named him in my honour." Rayn jokes.

"In your dreams, Rayn." Mia give a kick to Rayn to shut him up.

"Ouch Mia. Such a rude mother you are." Rayn whimpers.

Hope starts to laugh at my friend's conversation.

"Mama, your friends are so funny."

"They are."

"His name is Ronald. You can call him Ron." Mia says.

"That's a wonderful name just like harry potter. Baby Ron, I will see you someday and then we will play, Okay."

"Hazel its time for Hope to get ready to school." Will informs me.

"That's right. Hope, come on get up and get ready for school."

"Oh, Mama... I want to talk to baby Ron."

"You can do that later. Isn't it Mia, wouldn't you allow Hope to see Ron later?" I say to Mia.

"Yes. Yes. You can talk to Ron anytime dear. Get ready for school now. Study and become a successful lady like your Mama." Mia says.

"Yes, Princess. Your mother is really a role model for lot of woman." Rayn say emotionally.

"Bye. Bye. Uncle Rayn and Aunt Mia. See you later. Say bye to little Ron too."

As Hope follow Will to get ready for school, I continue my conversation with my best friends.

"She is so cute, Hazel. She is smart and beautiful. She has your nose but she looks just like..." Mia starts to say but stops midway.

"It's okay Mia. She might look like him but I won't let her grow to be like him."

"You are very lucky to have her and she is more lucky to have a mother like you." Rayn says.

"But, would you ever tell him about her?" Mia asks.

"He don't deserve to know, Mia. If he know about her, he will take her away from me. I can't let that ever happen. He destroyed all my hope and trust but now I have my hope. I won't let him have that either."

"I agree with you Hazel. In the end of the day, its your decision. It's your choice." Rayn say more like feeling regretted about his mistakes.

"What happened happens. It's useless to talk about it. Let that guilt not eat you, Rayn. I was angry with you because you didn't support me, but it was not your fault actually. You just thought about me, not my baby. It's fine now as long as Asher or Zara doesn't know about this."

"We would never say Hazel. We wont interfere in this. But don't stop this connection we staronnection after all these years, alright?"

"Yes. I will end the call now. I need to check on Hope besides its so late over there. You guys need rest. Catch you later, bye." I hung up the phone.

It feels good that finally I could introduce my daughter to my loved ones. Being back with them makes me happy. Honestly, I didn't want them to know the truth nor reconcile with them but now that I did, I no more feel alone or empty. My daughter could say that she knows her mother's friends. She could have a family she wants with many people who loves her around her. Alas, I couldn't even tell her the truth of her birth. We never had that conversation. Since her birth Will was always beside her. She herself believes that Will is her father and called him 'papi'. She do not even know that her father is alive but not the person who she consider as one. Nor does her father know the truth of her existance. I want to keep it as such. I don't want him to take her away from me.  Moreover, I dont want Will to be taken away from her. He has always have been the father she deserves.

I walk down to the hall to see Hope eating her breakfast. She is ready to go to school. I kiss her cheeks and sits next to her on the table. Will is sitting on the other end reading news paper.

"Is the breakfast good?" I ask her.

She nods chewing her toast.

"Be a good girl and study well in school, Okay."

"Humm... Yes, Mama."

"My good girl."

"Hazel, I have prepared the dossier for today's meeting. Do you need anything more before it?" Will says to me.

"No. But I will cross check the files before the meeting."

"Oh Mama... Don't speak work on the table."

"Oh deary. I forgot the rule." Hope made us follow some rules she sets and work is off-hand during family time. Even just a 7 year old, she is a good negotiator. Just like her father. Even though I hate to admit it, she has got lot of traits like Asher.

"Anyway Mama... When will you marry Papi and why are you still not married already?"

"Mm... What? Where did this come from?" I was shocked by her question. I look at Will with wide eyes. His attention is also on Hope. Her face withered suddenly.

"My friends mocks at me saying that my parents are not married."

"Oh, honey... We are different from other parents. You know that, don't you?" I say to her.

"But Mama... Why aren't you both married yet? Papi, you told me that you will get married one day... But when?"

"Princess, Mama and I are always busy on work. We are working hard on our company that we forgot to marry. We will marry soon, right honey?" He asks me. Well, Will does know how to make up excuses. He has been saving me from Hope's hard enquiries. Hope is very intelligent and mature than her age. It's risky to keep things from her, she somehow manages to find it out. She first thought we both were married but one day when she asked why we both don't stay in one room, I had to tell the truth. Luckily, she still hasnt figure out the fact that Will is not her father but I am always on alert. I can't let her know about her real father ever.

"Yes, Hope. We are getting married soon alright."

"You told that before too but when will that happen Mama?"

"Soon after your birthday." Will answers for me. Soon after her birthday? That's in only 2 months. My nerves starts to twitch by the thought alone, but anyway we need to marry one day so why not soon. This will solve all problem. Before Hope grows up Will will be officially her father in papers. I would never have to answer her about her real father.

"Is that true? I am so happy today. I am the first in class to be part of my parents wedding" She jumps up from her seat crushing us in her arms.

"Ms. Amstromg. Little hope's ride is here." Mrs. Felix announces.

"Come on little one. It's time to go to school." I arrange her things and walk her to Mr. Sawyer.  He is her driver as well as personal body gaurd. I don't want any harm to cross my daughter.

"Hazel are you offended by what I said?" Will ask as I return back to the hall.

"No. Not at all. Besides I don't think its a bad idea. Maybe we should marry soon as possible."

"Really?" He says surprised. He stroll up and hold my hands. "I know its difficult for you to forget everything about your past especially when you look at Hope. But Can you love me like you loved him?"

"Will, What are you saying? I don't feel anything about him anymore."

"You didn't answer my question. Can you love me?"

"I don't have to. I know I couldn't reciprocate your feelings but If it wasn't for you, I couldn't make Amstrong Corporation. If it wasn't for you, I couldn't take care of Hope like now. You helped me Will and I will be forever be grateful for it. This reunion, it changed me. I know what I need now. I need you. I need Hope. I need us to grow as a family. I do love you Will Phellingan, I always did but I never understood it until now." I confess. Will slowly brings his lips and connect with mine. I have kissed Will before too. But this felt special since I could see everything clear now. He loves me more than anything ever loved me and it is enough for me. He would love my daughter very much too.

"Thank you Hazel. I just wanted to hear that. I promise that we will make a great family." Will whispers as he leans his forehead on mine.

"I know that."

"You know what Hazel. I am happy to see you like this."

"Like what?"

"You are happier now. This reunion turn out to bring something out of you. I love you even more seeing you like this."

"Reunion turned out different than I expected. I am happy that I went there."

"I am happy that you went there too. And love, should we make an appointment with your doctor? I think we can reduce your medication."

"I think so too. I will meet her sometimes later. Now let's get ready. I have lot to do at the company."

"Sure we do."

I walk to my room to prepare for my day. I have lot to do in the company. Even though I don't do public appearances much, all the works in the company runs through my head. Will helps me a lot in handling the public events. I am lucky that he is in my life. Will appeared in my life not like any knight in shing armour, he came as a good friend. When I first came to The United States, I had nowhere to go. I had full scholarship to my college but I didn't know where to stay or know anybody out there.

I was both pregnant and homeless who know no one in that big city. I was lucky that Dr.Nolan helped me out. He helped me keep my baby and bought tickets to Boston. He even send his son to pick me up. I didn't want to bother him so, I send him off after he dropped me at school. Even though I send him off, I had nowhere to go. I walked around the city trying to find a part-time job and a place to stay. But they refused me when they come to know that I was pregnant. I slept at shelters some kind strangers provided until I was blessed with a  fairy godmother.

If we are helpless, there would be someone out there to help you. God will send you an angel and for me he send in the body of Mrs. Cambridge.