- Who died? Gabrielo asks nervously.

- One of my best friends. I knew her before Meavy and we hung out for a while. She got married early, then had a daughter. Not long after that, she got it into her head to tour the world with her family to make memories for her daughter before she had to go to elementary school.

Gabrielo shook my hand and I continued my story.

- I heard from her regularly and we stayed in touch. I have not heard from her or her husband since last month. All my attempts have come to nothing. Until the day of the "family reunion". The notary called me to tell me that they died in a ship accident.

- That's why you've been so depressed lately.

- Maybe I was. It must have been the news that was too much. We're here now. It's a good thing we changed all our clothes to black. Let's go.

The funeral ended quickly between the crying and the people collapsing in grief. Some children were there without realizing why. I shed a few silent tears that Gabrielo wiped away without saying a word. After giving our condolences, we went straight to the notary. The day was already long enough, no need to drag it out.

- Welcome, please come in," the notary asked as he welcomed us into his office. Sit down, I'm sorry to have made you come from so far away. I had no other choice.

- And the others? I asked, looking around the empty room.

- They will be here any moment.

As announced, two women and a man entered the room ten minutes later. A little girl entered after them and joined us.

- Very well. We'll be able to start," said the notary, taking out three letters. Mr. Liam Smith has decided to leave all of his antique cars to Mr. Andrew Smith as well as his two vacation homes in France. Mrs. Elisabeth Smith bequeaths all her jewelry to her sister Lindsay McParlay. Mr. Frank McParlay will receive 10 million dollars to help found his company.

He closes both letters before opening the last one.

- Miss Cordelia Smith will receive all the stock her parents owned in the Smith Co. corporation when she comes of age. Until then, they will go to her guardian Mrs. Alma Moretti along with the rest of the property they owned.

- I beg your pardon? I exclaimed, suddenly understanding the notary's words.

He glanced at me and continued reading the will.

- Mrs. Alma Moretti becomes the legal guardian of Cordelia Smith unless she refuses to take on this responsibility, in which case she will be placed in the family of a close volunteer," the notary continued without paying me any attention.

What the hell is this? I didn't even know about this story. I glance at Gabo, who looks impassive. He must be digesting the information in his own way.

- Cordelia Smith will therefore receive all the remaining assets of her parents when she comes of age, such as the family home, the sixteen vacation homes abroad, their fortune of over 55 billion dollars and their stock market shares. Ten million dollars will be distributed to charities and orphanages. For the time being, the management of all his assets is in the hands of Alma Moretti and her spouse.

- What do you mean? Lindsay exclaims as she stands up. My niece's custody should be rightfully ours! We are her family. Alma Moretti remains a mere stranger.

- Calm down, the notary orders. The will of the deceased must be respected no matter what. They have left a letter for this kind of problem, he says, taking out a fourth letter. Your attention, please.

"The custody of our daughter must go to Alma, she is the person we trust the most. Lindsay would end up squandering all that hard-earned money without realizing it. As for Andrew... He likes to hang out too much at night to give himself time to take care of a child. He definitely remembers the last time he babysat. Frank for his part has already stated that he does not want a child and his lifestyle is too unstable to entrust our daughter to him.

That's why we are entrusting you with the custody of our beloved daughter, Alma.

Take good care of her. We are counting on you.

Elizabeth and Liam."

I sigh before standing up.

- That will be all, won't it?

- I just need a few signatures for the official papers and to explain your role going forward. I'll have to ask the others to leave the room.

The notary begins his explanations, pausing a few times to have papers signed. Little Cordelia has not moved an ear since she arrived in the office. As if something had broken in her. We finish this interview and I turn to Cordelia.

_________

- Lia?" I called, holding out my hand.

She raises her head to meet my eyes. I bend down to her height to caress her head.

- It's been a long time since we've seen each other, right? Shall we go?

She nods weakly.

I take her in my arms before going outside. Once outside, Gabrielo takes her from my arms and continues walking towards the car.

- Gabrielo," I say, moving closer to him. I can carry her.

- No way. You're already four and a half months pregnant, it's not even a consideration.

- But Lia...

- She's doing great, look. She even fell asleep. We'll talk in the car.

It just so happens that the car was ten meters away from us.

- You don't want to keep her, do you? I asked once I was settled in my seat.

- I especially want to know how to do it now. We're having a baby. We decided to adopt Max and now we have a little girl. We're supposed to be back in New York in three weeks and this child needs to go to school, not to mention all the other arrangements we have to make.

- So we're keeping her?

- She stays with us. She's not an object and I'm sure that if her parents asked you to take care of her, it's for a good reason. Let us respect their last will.

I kiss Gabrielo on the cheek and he catches me before kissing me on the lips.

- Yuck! A voice exclaims from the back of the car.

- I thought you were asleep," I say, glancing at Cordelia.

- I'm hungry," she said in a small voice.

- Then let's stop and eat something. It's already 7 p.m. and I haven't eaten anything since 12. What do you want to eat?

- Pizza. And ice cream too. Please.

- Let's go for ice cream and pizza.

Gabrielo starts the car. During the whole drive, Cordelia seemed to be doing better. All she did was talk to Gabrielo to distract herself while I tried to sleep.

- Alma?

- Yes, corazón. What's up?

- Do you have a baby in your belly? Lia asks, pointing to her belly.

- Yes, I do.

- How do you make babies?

I freeze at this question. Usually, adults try to come up with a believable story to give to children. I have no idea what to say to that. The story about the storks? Santa Claus? My brain is trying to come up with a believable answer and can't.

- Do you really want to know? Gabrielo asks, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.

- Yes!" replies Lia, shaking her head vigorously.

- You need a boy and a girl. And they should be naked, begins Gabrielo.

- Why naked?

- For nothing! I say while raising the voice before pinching Gabrielo with the hand.

- Ouch! What? He takes offense.

- Shut up. That's not something to say to a three-year-old.

- But remember, she asked for it.

- Gabrielo, stop talking nonsense to her," I whispered in her ear.

- I only tell the truth," he said.

- If you continue with your truths, you will see. Her parents trust us and no three-year-old needs to know that kind of thing!

- It is good, he abdicated while throwing a glance to Cordelia. You'll know when you're old enough.

- A wise decision. Before I forget, the ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby is in three days. The obstetrician arrives the day after tomorrow.

________________________________________________

Surprise! Can't wait to find out if it's going to be a girl or a boy even though I've already decided!

What do you expect?

Kisses to all!

Meary.