I didn't realize until I had begun writing this chapter that I didn't really have too much to say. I think I was postponing updating this story because I deep down knew it had reached its natural conclusion and I wasn't ready for it to end. Writing this always has brought me to a place of peace, and even when I struggled to get motivated, I always enjoyed getting into this au world that me and Johanna-002 created for them. Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this story.

"I'm not even going to try to convince you to stay this time," Lourdes said with a wry smile. She reached out a hand and gave her niece an affectionate pat on the cheek.

"Figured out that that's a battle you won't win, huh?" Gloria teased, raising her hand to cover her aunt's with her own.

"That, and I think I forgot just how loud kids can be, especially when they don't go home at the end of the day like your cousins," Lourdes replied, shaking her head and then using her hand to brush the curls off of her face. Her eyes darted past Gloria's shoulder to where Galina was directing the children through the security line. They had already said their goodbyes and Lourdes felt a pang in her heart when she thought about how much she was going to miss them. Nicky had slipped out of her sandals, forgetfully foregoing the wearing of socks at an airport, and now was standing barefoot on the filthy floor making Lourdes cringe.

"Now, if you and Galina ever grow tired of winter and decide you want to buy a house across the street from me, I'd be all for it," Lourdes added, sighing as her eyes down casted to the sleeping bundle in Gloria's arms. Julio was up ahead with Galina. His little backpack was stuffed full of treats and little toys. Lourdes had helped him pack it yesterday.

"I'll keep that in mind," Gloria laughed, leaning forward to give her aunt a kiss. In her arms, Benny stirred slightly at the movement. He had passed out five minutes before they arrived at the airport and now Gloria was dreading the thought of having to keep him occupied for their entire flight. It would be just like Benny to wake up just before they boarded the plane.

"But for now, you should plan to come visit us in August," Gloria reminded her. "Blanca and Diablo said they are going to come out too. Do some camping."

"Well, I guess I can't let you all have fun without me," Lourdes said. "I'll come out when they do. I need to see how big my boys are growing, after all."

"Gloria," Galina's thick accent called over to them. She and the children had all gotten through security and were waiting for Gloria to join them. It was time to go.

"Better catch up with your family, mija," Lourdes said fondly and Gloria beamed at her words.

"I'm so lucky," Gloria said happily, leaning into her aunt in an affectionate hug. Benny squished in between them.

"No, not lucky," Lourdes shook her head. "I think this was just always meant to be."

"I think so," Gloria agreed, reluctantly pulling away after a long pause.

It was difficult to leave and she wished they could all live closer. However, she wouldn't trade the life she shared now with Galina for anything. Everything had fallen into place under the most unimaginable circumstances. It seemed like a different person had once travelled in an old cab up a lonely highway with a scared boy next to her and a bruised-up face. How could she have ever known that such a tragic event would lead her to the place she was always meant to be, where she knew she would never have to feel that way again.

"That took forever!" Gloria complained, once she had finally gotten through the security line. She caught Galina's eye and couldn't resist smiling as she fell into the crook of her arm and leaned in tight.

"What happened?" asked Galina, turning her gaze back to Julio who was running around their group in circles. She allowed it because she'd rather him burn off some energy before needing

to sit several hours on the plane. .

"People wanting to fight me about my baby's milk," Gloria said, adjusting the small cooler bag slung over one shoulder. Galina had made up a batch of bottles for Benny just that morning, and what seemed excessive to the airline was how much that little guy with his voracious appetite required. Besides, the suckling helped his little ears on the landing.

"They shouldn't have," Galina frowned. "I called ahead to check the regulations."

"Well, I guess nobody informed them," Gloria rolled her eyes, shooting a look of annoyance back over her shoulder at the security guards.

"Anyway," she exhaled loudly. "I guess we should feed them before we board? The food they serve on the airplane is always terrible."

"Yesss!" Nicky exclaimed loudly. "I'm starving!"

"Me too," Vasily added.

"Can we get ice-cream, Mami?" Julio asked hopefully, coming to a halt right in front of her.

"No ice-cream," Gloria shook her head. "I don't want sticky hands and messy clothes right before we get on an airplane."

"And here you called me the strict one," Galina smirked.

Gloria raised her eyebrows at her coyly. "You wouldn't have allowed ice-cream right now either," she said confidently.

"Oh, yes I would," Galina smiled.

"No way, you liar," Gloria retorted, making Galina concede with a laugh. Ice Cream would have necessitated a change of clothes undoubtedly, which both of them would like to avoid if they could. Gloria rolled her eyes and leaned in quickly to kiss the corner of her mouth. She loved how playful it felt to be with her.

"French fries then," Nicky decided for them, sounding impatient. "Just don't let Julio have any ketchup. I'm dying here."

"Fine," Galina gave in. "Do you want some french fries too, Vasya?"

"Yes," Vasily replied.

Galina nodded her head and reached into her purse for her wallet. "What about you boys?" she called over to Yuri and Maxsim, who were seated on a bench a little bit away from the rest of them. "Do you want to eat?"

"Sure," Yuri agreed, and Galina bypassed Nicky's expectant outstretched hand to give her oldest the credit card.

"Mama!" Nicky's arm dropped down to her side in outrage.

"Go order everyone some fries from that food stand," she instructed him. "Maxsim, you go help carry everything."

As the two oldest boys headed off to do as told, Galina turned back to Nicky who was looking offended. "The last time I gave you my card you spent twice what you were supposed to," she reminded her.

"That was an accident," Nicky smiled sheepishly at her mother's stern gaze, though the glimmer in her eye was detectable.

Gloria laughed and went to take a spot on the bench that the boys had vacated. She watched Galina chase after Julio who tried to wander off too far. Julio giggled and squirmed as she scooped him up into her arms and powdered his cheeks with loving kisses. Off to the side, Nicky and Vasily had resumed an argument they had begun in the van over which one of them was going to snag the window seat.

"Are you sad to go?" Galina asked, carrying Julio over to the bench and taking a seat next to Gloria, leaving scarcely any space between them.

"Mmm…" Gloria considered the question, reaching for Galina's hand and bringing it to her lips. "Not really at all, actually," she finally replied. "I'm excited to get back to our own space. Have a little bit more privacy."

"Oh really?" Galina whispered, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Yes," Gloria smiled. "You've been leaving me hanging since our time alone in Blanca and Diablo's apartment. I wouldn't mind trying that again."

"Well, that makes two of us," Galina said softly, "let's hope Benny sleeps through the night."

"I don't want to sleep," Julio said loudly, leaning back into Galina's arms.

"Well, you don't have to yet," she assured him.

"Can I sleep in your bed?" he asked.

"Mmm…" the two women exchanged a look. Gloria winked at her and then spoke to her son. "Let's try your own bed tonight," she told him. "Aren't you excited to get back to it?"

"Yes," Julio nodded. "But I liked Tia's house too."

"We can go back," Gloria told him. Just as the two oldest boys came back with boxes of fries and Nicky and Vasily stopped arguing long enough to crowd around and get some.

"Can I get a soda, mama?" Nicky asked, popping a french fry into her mouth.

"Maybe on the plane," Galina replied. "Just drink your water right now."

Nicky sighed dramatically, before sliding down onto the floor and leaned her back against her mother's legs to rest. Vasily didn't hesitate to lean against Gloria the same way. He was entirely comfortable with her and even more so after seeing her family and getting to feel like a part of them.

"Do you think Pop missed us?" Vasily asked. They had never travelled away from home for this long without both of their parents.

"Oh, I know he did, honey," Galina replied, feeding Gloria a french fry so that she wouldn't need to move one of her arms that were cradling Benny. "And I hope he and Tammy didn't run my restaurant into the ground while we've been away."

"Oh, Ma, don't fuss," Nicky teased, leaning her head back to look up at her mother sweetly. "Aleida was there to help him too."

"That doesn't comfort me," Galina told her, while Gloria laughed. She was looking forward to getting back to work too and settling once again into their normal routine. The weather was beautiful. They would be outside in almost all their spare time. Galina had been talking about getting a new swing placed out in her garden and Gloria couldn't imagine anything more perfect than sitting out there with her watching the sunset after a hard day's work.

"This is the life," Gloria said quietly, more to herself than anyone else. This was more than she had ever dreamed of. She finally understood the concept of home. It was what she carried in her heart for Galina and all these children. Home was wherever they were, even as they excitedly prepared to head to the house where home was grown.

To the place that a broken road marked by broken hearts and dreams had led. You didn't need to look too hard to see how the tribulations and moments in both their pasts had brought them together, and Gloria was thankful for all of it. What had taught her and grown her into the person she'd become. Lourdes was right that it was not simply luck, but simply meant to be, and Gloria never again would question the course of her life. She was just going to enjoy the journey.