june twenty forth, present day, 5:00 am.

marina felt herself being shaken awake, with someone telling her to get up. as she opened her eyes, she saw her little sister. maia, or mia, for short. "m-marina, get your suitcase.... we're going to leave soon..." she whispered to her, seeming to shiver gently as she spoke to her older sister. maia was the most silent girl in the house. she spoke in whispers, some of her sentences barely audible. "maia?? it's five in the morning....why are you awake?" marina asked softly, sitting up as she yawned, getting out of bed, and turning on her small lamp. "didn't mom tell you? we're leaving daddy." mia whispered back, yawning as well.

marina immediately fell out of bed in surprise, before getting up quick. "wh-what?!" she asked quickly, grabbing her sister's shoulders. "we're leaving daddy to go to new york...i guess he forgot about me." maia whispered, nodding gently. marina stayed silent, before hugging the small girl tightly. "oh, maia..." she whispered with a small grin. "this is a new start for us, ok? no one will forget our names in new york...."

maia smiled weakly, hugging her sister back, pulling away after a few seconds. "now get your suitcases. bring your blanket too..." maia whispered, walking to the door, and leaving the girl alone.

as marina pulled out her suitcases, she put the duffle bag like suitcase over her shoulder, while rolling the other one. pulling her phone off her portable charger, she stuffed the two things in her duffle bag, and grabbing her blanket in the process. her hands full, she walked down the stairs carefully, or at least trying to, as she fell when she got to the last step. as she looked around, she felt relief, and excitement. this place she called home, she was finally leaving. as she realized everyone was outside, she opened the front door, now running out and dropping most of her things, going up to her mother and hugging her tightly. "mom, i-" "shhhh...i wanted the best for you, marina. you and your siblings." she mumbled, squeezing the girl gently. "is this what you've been hiding for the past year and a half??" marina asked quickly, letting go of her mother. "mhm, the whole house and bakery i wanted to open.." "bakery-? mom, you actually-" jasmine quickly shushed the girl, smiling as she put a finger up to her lips.

"marina. no more questions, ok? virgina isn't our home anymore. new york is where our home is now." she whispered, kissing the older child's head. "al-alright mom." she nodded quickly, picking up her stuff, and putting it in the back of the car. as they all got in, and pulled out of the house, the three siblings looked out the window, watching the house disappear silently.

there new home was waiting.