She Outshines Them All (Athena and Matthew)

"Mommy... I want Mommy..." In the car, Josie clung tightly to Maria, like a small kitten abandoned by its owner. She was trembling uncontrollably as she sobbed so hard it seemed like she could barely catch her breath.

"Don't be scared, Josie. We'll see Mommy soon," Maria said softly as she stroked Josie's head, trying to comfort her. "Mommy will always be by your side, and so will Daddy, your brothers, your grandparents, Athena, and me. We'll always be with you." Josie seemed unable to hear anything Maria said. She just kept crying and calling out for her mother.

Athena sighed quietly and sent a message to her mother, briefly explaining what had happened, and letting her know that they were on their way to Donovan's Restaurant with Josie.

Claire replied immediately: [I'll be waiting for Josie at the corner]

It was rush hour, and although Athena took the best route and drove as fast as she could, it still took over twenty minutes to reach Donovan's Restaurant.

Claire was already there with Arthur, anxiously waiting.

As soon as Athena parked the car, Claire rushed to open the door and reached for Josie. "Josie, I'm here. Don't be afraid."

"Mommy?" At the sound of her mother's voice, Josie finally lifted her tear-streaked face from Maria's arms and stretched out her hands to Claire.

Seeing her swollen eyes and hoarse voice, everyone around felt a pang of heartache.

Claire held Josie in her arms, tears streaming down her face. "Don't be afraid, Josie. I will always love you and protect you. Don't be afraid."

"Mommy..." Josie clung to Claire, burying her head in Claire's shoulder, her voice so hoarse she could barely speak. "You're

real mother. I don't want anyone else to be my mother.

"Mommy, please don't abandon me. I will be good. Please don't leave me..."

looks, their faces filled

life before being adopted, the experience of being abandoned by her biological mother undoubtedly caused deep emotional scars. This fear was

gently, stroking Josie's head, her cheek resting against Josie's ear. "I will always stay with you, Josie. We'll

sniffled, looking up at her mother with swollen

cheek. "I promise. I'll never lie to

were so swollen she could barely open them, but she still tried to look

precious little girl. I'll never hand you over to

little, her body softening. "I want to stay with you

a water bottle, motioning for her to get Josie to

crying, her voice

drink some water in the touch, she'd

clung tightly to Maria, and

good girl.

softly humming a lullaby she used to sing to her. "Twinkle, twinkle little

her mouth and

let out a tiny yawn and, leaning her head on Claire's shoulder,

breathed a collective sigh

a mild sedative to the water," Athena said. "It should help her

Arthur said, reaching out

her little face scrunching up as if rejecting the idea of being taken away

carry her," Claire

sky. "Josie's emotion is

home now to take