章 443: Homecoming, Part 4

What should I say? What should I do?

Among many other things speeding through my mind, that's what I thought of seeing her again.

I slowly approached her, but inversely, she was quick to reach me.

Before I knew it or was even prepared for it, without either of us even exchanging a single word to each other, I suddenly found myself smothered in her embrace. Her frail, slender arms gripping tighter than they really ought to.

"I know it hasn't been long since we last saw each other, and I know Dad already must have told you too," She quietly said, her voice drowning in emotions. "But I missed you, I missed you so, so much." 

It was hard to keep my reserves after hearing that. Hearing her happy, so overwhelmed with joy seeing me... I know, I know what she's done. I know what she was. Not a second goes by without me reminding myself of it. But all the same…

She's my mother.

"I know, Mom," Slowly, I hugged her back. "I missed you too."