Chapter Six: Courage

"Whatever you do mom, don't freak out. Just go to her and help her believe."

Those were the words Angella heard before Glimmer had teleported her from Mystacor to Bright Moon. It all happened so quickly that she hardly had any time to process the girl's actions. Knowing her daughter was on a mission, she wasn't even expecting to see her at all, but then the answers came to light in a way that made her heart stop.

"Rose?"

There, in a room that had remained heartbreakingly empty for far too long, was her long lost little girl. It had taken her a minute to comprehend the situation as she couldn't believe it was real, but when she saw that face, Angella knew from the depths of her very soul that it was indeed her youngest. There was no mistaking it.

"And yet she ran from me. We weren't able to talk."

When she saw Rose, she wanted nothing more than to scoop her up in the deepest of hugs and love her with every inch of her being. She wanted to tell the child that she had never once been forgotten and that she'd never let her go again, but she wasn't afforded the chance to. Instead, Rose had brushed her aside in a wave of fear and sadness, locking herself away in a room that was usually meant for prisoners. It was then did Glimmer explain the entirety of the situation. It was a shocking revelation that she never saw coming.

Rose couldn't remember that she was her mother.

"Mom?"

Angella turned from where she stood on her bedroom balcony to see her oldest behind her. With a small smile, she held out her hand, beckoning Glimmer over for a hug. When the embrace was accepted, she nuzzled lovingly into her daughter's hair.

"Are you all right, darling?"

"I'm okay. I came to check on you."

Angella squeezed a little tighter.

"I'm all right. I was just thinking."

Glimmer pulled away and peered up with worry.

"I'm sorry. I know these last four days haven't been ideal. I'm sorry that bringing her home isn't going the way we hoped."

Angella cupped her daughter's cheek.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You and your friends brought her home, and I am so proud of you. Are you about to go visit her?"

"Yes. I wish you could, too. You want to so badly and it's not fair that you can't. You're our mom. She should know you aren't gonna hurt her."

Angella hugged her daughter again. After Rose had locked herself away, she and Glimmer had teleported inside to talk, but as soon as Rose saw her again, there was a panic, and a slew of items went magically flying across the room. She hadn't spoken to the younger one since, fearing that she'd make things worse. It broke her heart that she could do nothing to help.

"I'll be able to eventually, you'll see," she replied to Glimmer comfortingly. "I'd rather Rose be ready to see me than force it on her. I'm just glad she lets you in."

"Kind of. I teleport in there to visit, but she never speaks to me. It's like talking to a wall."

"I bet it's helping though," Angella reassured. "Even if she isn't talking, I bet there's some part of her that's thankful for the company."

"I sure hope so. I feel like I'm being a terrible sister."

Angella rested her forehead on Glimmer's.

"You are many things, but a terrible sister is not one of them. I can promise you that."

Glimmer smiled faintly.

"Thanks. And you know you're a good mother, too, right? You know that her disappearance wasn't your fault?"

Angella felt her heart clench.

"Yes darling," she half lied. "I know."

"Good. I promise you'll be able to see her soon. You deserve to."

She placed a light kiss on her the girl's forehead.

"Thank you, Glimmer. Until then, give her my love, all right? Go on."

After another quick little hug, Glimmer teleported out. Once Angella was alone, she leaned on the balcony railing with a sigh. Her daughter hadn't been wrong. She wanted so badly to see her baby, so much that it hurt. The loss of her was something she had never fully gotten over, and now that the child was back in her life, all she wanted to do was hold her and love her. She needed Rose, and it nearly killed her not to visit, but she loved her enough to know when to give her space. She loved her enough to wait until she was ready, but Angella was also scared. She feared that if she somehow did the wrong thing, then she would lose Rose all over again. She was already conflicted with fears of being unwanted and hated by the girl that she didn't want to accidentally do something that would push her farther away. She wanted Rose to be happy, even if it meant she herself would suffer from heartache a little longer.

"All that matters is she's safe. She must come first. I'll see her not when I want, but when she is ready."

She wiped away a stray tear.

"I just hope she knows I love her."

"Zip?"

Glimmer knocked on the door to the spare room, a tray full of food in hand. Since Zip never came out, she brought food to her instead. She didn't want her starving.

"It's lunch, and I think you'll like it."

She then teleported inside the slightly disheveled area. As always, the child was curled up in a corner.

"Hey, you. I've brought your favorite, and this time without vegetables."

Glimmer headed towards a table and placed the tray next to the one from breakfast. She was happy to see that the contents of this morning's food had disappeared. It meant that the girl was still eating. She was worried Zip would reject the meals when she started doing this, but the food always seemed to be gone every time she came by. She learned that any time there was food left, it meant Zip didn't like it, so she tried to serve things she knew the child would eat.

Once the tray was down, she went and sat a few feet away from her sister, working to keep some distance as to not scare her off.

"Are you doing okay?"

As usual, there was no answer. Zip just stayed with her knees to her chest and her eyes down.

"I hope you're well. You know, the weather is nice today, so if you want, I can take you on the tour of the palace. You should see the courtyard. It's beautiful! It can just be you and me if you don't want anyone else along."

Still nothing. She wasn't trying to pressure the girl into connecting, but she wanted to let Zip know that she wasn't alone. She wanted to love on her.

"If not though, that's all right. Maybe another time. Still, if you find yourself wanting to, just come and get me. I'll be more than happy to show you around. Anyways, I'll leave so you can eat, but I'll be back later, okay? It's nice to see you, Zip. As always, I'm here if you need anything."

Glimmer shot her a warm smile before finally teleporting out. However, once she was back in her room, her smile faltered.

"I take it she didn't speak today either?"

She looked up to see her three friends relaxing on the floor. With how terrible she was feeling, she was thankful for their presence.

"No, not a word," she said back to Bow, now sitting next to him. "You think I'm being a good sister by visiting her? I mean, I know she's scared, and I don't want to push her, but I also want to visit her often, too so she can get used to me and her surroundings. I just wanna spoil her."

Catra rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her drink.

"Here we go with the good sister thing again."

Bow wrapped his arms around Glimmer and snuck a little kiss to her lips, prompting a blush from the receiver.

"I think you're doing fine. Company is good. You're visiting her, but you're not being overbearing either."

"I agree," Adora said. "Just as long as you don't overcrowd her, I think things will turn out fine. She'll come out when she's ready."

Glimmer rested her head on Bow's chest. She always felt comforted in his arms.

"Is it terrible that I want soon to be now? Not so much for me, but for mom."

She could easily access her little sister, but her mother could not. Zip seemed to want nothing to do with the woman.

"I can tell my mom really wants to see her. What's worse is that, even though she denies it, I still think she blames herself for her disappearance, leading her to blame herself for Zip's current state as well. If anyone is at fault here, it's me. I was the one who was supposed to get to her to the safe house."

"Hey now," Adora told her, seriousness in her voice. "You and the queen are not to blame. It was the Horde who took her. It's their fault."

"Exactly," Catra added. "Don't give yourself too much credit."

Glimmer giggled a bit at the remark.

"Oh yes, because I'm just a silly princess, right?"

"Ding, ding, ding! Tell her what she's won!"

"Woah there!" Adora slipped a sneaky little squeeze to Catra's side, eliciting the most adorable squeak from her other half. "You forget that I'm a princess, too, and I'm more than capable of kicking your butt."

"Gah! Adora! You- "

The blond stopped her insults with a kiss, turning Catra into a blushing, pouting, ear twitching little kitten.

"Rude."

Adora chuckled at the reaction.

"I love you, too. Anyways, yes, as I said, neither you nor your mom is at fault. The Horde kidnapped her. If they hadn't done that, then none of this would have happened. As for her current state, that's not on you guys either. That's just from how she grew up."

"Life couldn't have been easy," Bow commented. "She went into Briar Glen with no memory, and she was probably treated coldly because she was an outsider. Although she had Cal, she also had to put up with Camilla. Every time we saw her, she was always putting Zip down for something. Camilla treated her like she was worthless."

Glimmer's heart fell.

"That's terrible. I don't understand how anyone could be so cruel to a child. Ugh, I wish I could just love on her and spoil her and make her happy again."

"It is terrible, but at least she won't have to deal with it anymore," Adora remarked. "All we can do now is give her the space she needs and show her that she doesn't have to be afraid anymore. We'll show her that friends and families can be good. Huh? Catra, are you okay?"

Catra, who had been resting her head on Adora's lap, had a pained look on her face as if she was thinking about something she would rather forget.

"I'm fine," she answered. "I'm going for a walk though. I'll be back."

She then got up and left.

"What's wrong with her?" Glimmer asked.

"I'm not sure." Adora was concerned. "The look she had tells me she wants to be alone, so I'll have to find out later. For now, maybe we should get some lunch?"

Glimmer laced her fingers between Bow's before bringing up his hand to kiss it. As much as she wished she could love on her little sister, it was better to keep waiting until the time was right.

"Sounds like a plan to me. I'm starved."

"Move it, Zip! Why are you so worthless?"

"I'm not! You're just a bitter woman who can't be happy!"

"I'm bitter because I'm saddled with you. If Cal weren't here, I'd kick you out in a second. I'd abandon you just like your family did."

"Shut up! They didn't!"

"They did and you know it! They left you for dead in this forest because they couldn't stand the sight of you. They're never coming back because you're a worthless, useless, unlovable piece of trash!"

Zip's eyes snapped open, the late afternoon light peeking in from her window. It had been a long time since she had that nightmare. It was a morning she never forgot. The morning she gave up hope on ever being found. Camilla always told Zip she was worthless, and for a while, she fought it off, but when it became normal to hear it every day, she couldn't help but believe it herself. It ultimately led her to believe that no one would ever come back for someone as worthless as her.

Zip sat up in her chair and wiped a single tear away before stretching. After eating the lunch Glimmer had delivered, she had fallen asleep, her body feeling weak. This was due to her lack of magic. She recently used so much to keep people out that she needed to recharge again, but without the Moon Stone, she'd have to wait days to feel good.

"Glimmer did say you could find her if you needed something."

She groaned and hid her face in her hands. Glimmer. Ever since she locked herself in here, the princess had been visiting her every single day. Sometimes it was to bring her food, and other times it was just to talk. Although Zip never spoke back, she secretly found it a little comforting to see her. She found herself wanting her around, and she weirdly enjoyed the sisterly feelings Glimmer gave. She just didn't know how to respond to it. Her mother also tried to visit, but that didn't end well at all.

"Mother."

On the very day she locked herself away, Angella tried to see her. However, because she was too scared and too stubborn, she threw a fit, magically tossed things about the room, and then threatened to run away altogether if the woman didn't leave. Zip actually felt bad for that, but her mother was another person she didn't know how to approach. Not only did she feel so familiar, but Zip also felt so much love from her and it didn't compute in her hard-headed little mind. She wanted to see her, she yearned for her mother so badly it hurt, and that need was only getting stronger. It was like the longer she was in Bright Moon, the stronger her need got.

"Ugh! How is it I'm wanting these people and I can't even remember who they are! And how is it they don't hate me by now for being such a blah?"

"Communicate, Zip."

Cal's words played through her mind. She had never been very good at sharing her thoughts and Cal had always told her that half of her problems would be solved if she learned how to talk to people. She was terrible at it and worried it made her look weak.

"Ugh!"

She stood with a growl and kicked a nearby pillow. She was in the mood to throw things around with her magic as a way to vent out her frustrations, but she needed her recharge in order to do that.

"Just go find Glimmer. Have her bring you to the stone, get all charged up, and then you can ditch her to destroy things."

She sighed and look towards her door. It would be her first time leaving since her arrival, and although she was hesitant, she was also desperate. She wanted her energy back.

"This better be worth it."

Zip left her spot and opened the door ever so slowly. She didn't want to be seen by anyone else if she could help it, and as her eyes scanned the halls, she realized that she was indeed alone. She then slipped out and down the hallway. Thankfully, she remembered where Glimmer's room was.

"I wonder if her goons will be there."

She hadn't seen Adora, Bow, or Catra since she left either. Zip could tolerate their presence a little more than she could Glimmer's and her mother's, but she still didn't want to see them yet.

When she got to Glimmer's door, she paused. Was this a good idea? She could still get away before getting caught and avoid seeing the princess all together.

"Or you could just knock and get her. She'll be able to get you to the stone quicker. Plus, you know you kind of wanna see her."

She scowled at her thoughts. Then, after shaking off her nerves, she reached out and knocked on the door.

"Glimmer?"

There was no answer, forcing her to knock again.

"Glimmer, are you in there?"

She pressed against the door and opened it up, her head peeking inside.

"Hello? Oh. Joy. It's empty."

Her face dropped as she pulled her head back out.

"Of course. The one time I actually need her she's gone."

"Zip?"

"Nyaa!"

Zip backed into the wall with a squeal. In front of her was naturally the one she had been looking for.

"Hey, easy there. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Glimmer then flashed her an excitable smile.

"It's nice to see you out of your room."

After calming down, Zip looked away with a little 'hmph'.

"Yeah, well what of it."

"Nothing, I'm just happy to see you out. I heard you calling my name. Did you need me for something? Oh! Are you taking me up on the tour offer?"

"No!"

Glimmer's glowing excitability made her nerves act up again.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. No! It is. Is it? Ugh! Seeing her makes me wanna spend time with her but it also makes me wanna crawl in a hole and live in darkness. At least the Briar had that. No. You can't. You want to destroy things, and to do that, you need a recharge. Just don't make it seem like you want to spend time with her."

Zip shuffled and grumbled as she debated what to do. She then took a deep breath, put her hands together, and spoke.

"I. Need…help."

Glimmer cocked her head to the side.

"Help? With what?"

"Murrrrrr. To do the, you know, bright and sparkly, bah! Ineedfindmywaytothestone."

The last part of the sentence came out quiet and mumbled, leaving Glimmer a little confused.

"You need what?"

"Energy! I need the thingy so I don't feel dead!"

Glimmer looked a little shocked at the outburst but then chuckled in understanding.

"Oh, you mean you need to recharge. I was actually going to bring that up later today since it's been a while since your last one. Did you want me to come with you?"

Zip rolled her eyes.

"Don't make me sound so needy. I just don't know how to get there on my own."

"I can easily help with that. I don't mind bringing you at all. Here."

She held out her hand. There was such a sincere look of warmth and honesty in those eyes. Glimmer really did want to help.

"Yeah well, make it fast," she muttered softly. She then reached out and slipped her hand into Glimmers, her cheeks tinging a bit.

"Let's go already."

With a little flash, Zip soon found herself in the Moon Stone chamber once again.

"Up you go," Glimmer told her.

She climbed onto the platform and laid down on her back. Almost instantly she could feel her body slowly easing up, a sigh of relief leaving her.

"There. You'll feel better in no time."

Zip watched as Glimmer sat beside her, and in feeling all grumpy and shy, she rolled over, her back now facing the other. Part of her wanted to talk, but she had no clue what to say. She was terrible at expressing any other emotion that wasn't anger, sarcasm, or annoyance.

"You know, I was starting to worry about you."

Glimmer's words pulled Zip out of her thoughts, a small guilt pang echoing in her chest.

"I was actually scared that you'd never come out. There are so many things I want you to see. So many things I want to do with you, but I don't want to scare you either."

Zip curled up a little tighter, her finger fiddling with her hair. There were so many things she wanted to see and do, too. So many things she wanted to figure out.

"Zip, do you hate it here?"

This question caught her a little off guard, though it shouldn't have. With how much she had been in hiding, it did come off as if she hated everything. She had really hidden out of fear, but no one could know that unless she shared her thoughts.

"Cause if you do, I- "

"I don't hate it, you idiot."

"Wait, you don't?"

She sighed and rolled back over again to face her sister.

"No. I don't hate it."

"Does that mean you don't hate me, either?"

Zip's unhappy gaze couldn't help but soften at these words.

"Is that what you really think?"

Glimmer turned slightly and caught a tear before it fell out of her eye.

"Well, sometimes? I just want to be there for you, but if I do it too much I know you'll push away, and I don't want to scare you. I understand why you're scared. I would be, too if I had no memory, but it just makes me want to help you even more."

Zip sat up and hugged her knees to her chest. The look Glimmer gave was not so different from the one Cal had given her when she screamed that those who believed in families were weak, and seeing it again broke her heart. She never wanted to hurt people, but sometimes her own fears were too strong, and she would accidentally do so without meaning to.

"Glimmer. I don't hate you at all. Not even a little."

The eldest looked back over with a hopeful gaze.

"You don't?"

Zip sighed and hid her face in her arms.

"Of course I don't. If anything, you guys should be hating me."

"What? Why would we hate you?"

"Because I'm so complicated!"

She turned her back towards Glimmer again, anger in her eyes. She wasn't angry at the other, but more so at herself.

"Hey."

Glimmer now joined her side and squeezed her shoulder.

"Talk to me."

Zip peered over with uncertainty. On one hand, she could refuse to talk about it and continue trying to figure things out on her own. On the other, she didn't want to see that hurt look on Glimmer again.

"Communicate."

She sighed as Cal's voice played in her head yet again. It couldn't hurt just to try, right? Maybe things would become a little bit easier to handle.

"Zip?"

The eleven-year-old let her gaze fall to the ground before finally speaking.

"I'm a mess. Don't you see it? You have all these memories of me, and they seem like they're happy while I remember absolutely nothing. My mind cannot recall a single thing about you or Angella or anything about this place. And yet, even though my mind doesn't remember, something else inside of me does. I know this place. I know you and Angella, but I can't think of why I know you. It's like being in a constant state of déjà vu, except nothing I do helps me remember. Do you know how confusing that is?"

Zip had to hold back the tears as she let this all out. She had been holding it in from the moment she met the princess and felt that connection.

"I'm scared, Glimmer. I don't know what's going on. I don't know anything. I want to know, but I don't know how to learn. How can you guys love someone who has no memories?"

She hid her face in her hands, everything in her conflicted.

"Zip, it's okay to be scared." Glimmer reached out and rubbed her back. "It's more than okay. How can you not be with everything that's happened? I'm here for you though, and mom is, too. You have Adora, Catra, and Bow as well. We're all here for you, and we want to do what we can to help you adjust to everything so it's not so scary anymore. As for having no memories, what does that have anything to do with how mom and I feel about you?"

"What do you mean? It has everything to do with it. Glimmer, you love a sister you can remember, but I'm not that same girl. I mean physically yes, I would be stupid to deny that now, but I've changed."

Glimmer's gaze became both warm but serious, and she made sure Zip was looking at her before speaking.

"Of course you've changed. Everyone changes as they grow, but that doesn't mean I love you any less than I did when you were younger. You're family, my sister. I never stopped loving you, even while you were away. I never will either."

Zip didn't know whether to believe that or not, mostly because she still viewed herself as an unlovable pain. She kept this to herself though. She wasn't ready to talk about that.

"I mean it," Glimmer continued. "You're loved, and whatever you're going through, we'll figure it out together."

Zip fiddled with her pants as a small distraction.

"Even Angella?"

Glimmer smiled.

"Especially her. I could sit here and tell you how much she loves you, but I won't do her justice. You need to share how you feel with her, too. Let her tell you. No, don't shake your head at this. You should talk to her Zip. It's not going to be too different from how you're talking to me now, which by the way I'm very proud of. I know that must have taken a lot of courage."

Zip kept her eyes on the ground.

"But what if she ends up not liking me,"

"That's won't happen. I promise. Do you really not want to see her?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"I do want to, but I'm…"

"I know. Scared." Glimmer finished softly. "It's okay to be, but I can promise that opening up to her will help you a lot. What's the worst that can happen?"

There was that question again, the answer clear in her mind but she wasn't ready to voice it.

"Hey, I promise. It's going to be okay," Glimmer comforted. "Look, I have plan. After you're done recharging, how about you hang with me for a little bit. Adora, Bow, and Catra can be with us, too if you want, or it can just be us. Then, after dinner, I can walk you to mom's room and the two of you can talk. Does that sound okay?"

Zip was unsure about that whole idea. Talking to Glimmer was one hurdle, but then talking to the woman who gave her actual life was a whole other game. However, because of her sister, the need for her mother had also grown and she wasn't sure she could fight it this time. It wouldn't kill her just to talk, right?

"Does it have to be a long conversation?"

Glimmer shook her head.

"Not at all. You should tell her some of the things you told me, but only stay as long as you feel comfortable. Nothing bad is going to happen from it. You wanna give it a try?"

Zip still felt uncertain about it all, but in the end, her want for Angella was just a little bit stronger.

"Okay."

Glimmer beamed at the response and reached to hug her, but that's where Zip crossed the line.

"Hold up there, Sparkles. Don't get all huggy on me now."

Her sister looked shocked for a moment but then burst out into giggles, causing Zip, for the first time since her arrival, to smile just a tad herself.

"I'll get there. Just not yet."

Glimmer nodded and patted her leg.

"Okay you, let's finish this recharge."

Zip laid back down and closed her eyes. She still had a lot to work on, and she was definitely scared about speaking with Angella, but she'd do it this time. Speaking to Glimmer wasn't as bad as she thought, so she hoped that speaking to her mom would yield the same results.

"As long as I don't mess anything up. Camilla did tell me I'd be a mountain of trouble wherever I go. I don't want to be trouble. I just want to be…"

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

For the rest of the day, Zip stayed with Glimmer. She even hung out with Bow, Adora, and Catra, too, but didn't interact with them too much. Her mind was too distracted. Now, she and Glimmer stood outside of Angella's bedroom, Zip in a small panic.

"What if she's busy? What if she's sleeping? I don't want to disturb her. Maybe I should come back another time."

She tried taking off, but Glimmer took her by the arm and pulled her back.

"I don't think so. You're not getting out of this unless you really feel too uncomfortable. Don't worry, all right? She's not gonna busy for you, and she's definitely not sleeping yet. You can turn back if you really want, but if you think you can talk to her, give it a try."

Zip murred out of nervousness, but decided not to give in.

"I'll still do this."

Glimmer nodded with a smile.

"Okay. You want me to come in with you?"

"No," she answered. "I want to try this by myself."

"Not a problem. You can meet me in my room after if you'd like."

That Zip agreed to. Having someone there after this was finished would be a small bit of comfort.

"All right then, go on. I believe in you."

Zip faced the door in silence. Her ears were pounding, and her nerves were all over the place. She was finally going to properly meet her mother.

"You can do this. Just try not to run this time. And try not to stutter. You should try to speak actual words, too. Ugh. I'm already failing at this."

She inwardly groaned and had a feeling this meeting was going to go terrible. Still, she wanted to at least give it a shot despite being scared, so after a deep breath, she sucked up what little courage she had and knocked on the door. At first, there was no sound, and Zip thought Glimmer had made a mistake in saying Angella was within, but then came that same honey voice she heard days ago.

"Come in."

Glimmer's encouraging grin was the last thing she saw before entering the room.

"Oh wow, it's pretty in here."

The room was decorated in a variety of purples and pinks and had the comfiest looking couch she had ever seen. There was also a hint of lavender in the air, reminding her of springtime.

"Glimmer? Is that you?"

Angella spoke from around the corner. With a gulp, Zip stepped forward and peered around the wall to see the woman in bed with a book, and when their eyes met, her mother nearly dropped it.

"Rose?"

"I'm sorry!" Zip half hid behind the wall. "I'm sorry I'm sorry, I can come back when you're not busy."

"No, wait!" Angella placed her book down and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "I'm not busy! Please, stay."

Zip peeked meekly back around the corner before coming out fully.

"Come on over, it's okay."

She crept closer to the bed and stopped right in front of her mother, eyes locked with the purple carpet beneath her feet.

"Are you all right, dear?"

Zip was already red in the cheeks, her hands tugging at the hem of her shirt as worry and need and a mix of other emotions flooded through her.

"U-um…well, I w-was gonna, and then there was, and G-glimmer said…"

She couldn't get her words out, not the way she wanted to.

"I just wanted to- ugh!" She growled out of frustration. "Why can't I speak words like a human being! I knew this was a bad idea. I'll- "

Before Zip could finish her sentence, she felt a soft hand cup her cheek.

"It's okay little one. Take your time. Why don't you sit here?"

Angella patted the spot beside her. Although hesitant at first, Zip slipped on, her eyes still unable to connect with the other.

"It's lovely to see you. I was beginning to worry."

Zip went back to fiddling with her shirt.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry. I needed some time to think."

Angella nodded.

"I understand. Glimmer explained your situation. If you can't remember anything, then all of this must have come as a shock to you. You do know that, if we had known you were still living, we would have kept pursuing you. We all thought you to be dead. It was Glimmer who discovered you were still alive."

Zip gave a light shrug. She did believe her, but she also still had reservations about believing she was wanted all these years.

"I mean it. I would have never given up had I know you were still out there. I would have found a way to get to you and bring you home. I'm sorry."

Zip shook her head at the reply.

"I don't see why you're sorry. You didn't know. It's kind of done with now."

Angella reached out and slipped her hand into Zip's, squeezing it lightly.

"Still, I'm sorry you were out there all these years. I'm just glad you're home."

When she heard a sniffle, she looked up to see her mother smiling through tears.

"I've missed you terribly."

When she felt her own eyes brimming with salty droplets, she had to turn away again.

"Did you really?"

"What? Of course I missed you. Do you not believe that?"

Zip hugged herself gently.

"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Glimmer. I don't know what to believe. I spent these last few years thinking that I was hated and unwanted by whatever family left me behind, and it left me hating the idea of families. It left me thinking I would never be found. Now that it's happened, I don't know what to do. Obviously, you didn't abandon me, and it's clear that you guys know me and are happy to see me, but I don't remember any of you. I have no idea how to be right now. One minute I'm just this worthless orphan and the next minute I'm a princess with a family. I can't process all of that."

"I know," Angella comforted. "I can't imagine what you're going through. That would be hard on anyone. You don't have to go through it alone, though. You don't have to go through anything alone anymore. You're home, and we're so happy that you're here. We'll do anything to help you through this."

"Happy?" Zip questioned. "How can you be happy? I have no memory and I sure haven't done anything to make either of you feel good."

"I'm happy because you back with me again," Angella told her. "It nearly killed me to lose you. I never fully recovered from it. Never did a day go by where I didn't think about you and want you in my arms. You're my daughter and I love you. I am more than happy to have you back home."

"But I don't know how to be a daughter! I don't know how to be part of a family. How can you love someone like that? How can you love me? I've been gone for five years and I am not the same girl that was taken. It's not me you love, it's the memory of me."

At these words, Angella shifted from her spot and sat right in front of Zip, both of her hands in her little girl's.

"You listen to me." Her firm but gentle voice shook a little as she spoke. "It is not a memory I am in love with. It is you. Love isn't born in the head, Rose. It's born in here."

She felt Angella's hand over her heart.

"This is where it begins, and my love for you is so deep. I felt it the moment I found out you were going to be born. I felt it all those months carrying you. I still feel it now. Memory or not, you are still my daughter. There is no one in this world who will ever know the strength of my love for you."

Zip then felt a hand touch her cheek.

"After all, just like your sister, you're the only one who knows the sound of my heart from the inside. This heart beats for both of you, and loves you more than anyone in the world will ever know."

For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. No one had ever said "I love you" to her that many times in one speech, and when she heard it from Angella, something stirred inside her chest, a feeling that had been dormant for so many years. The ice that had formed around her heart was beginning to melt.

"Do you understand me, Rose?"

Zip nodded in shock. She still felt scared, and she still felt worried, and the idea of love still made her uneasy, but there was one thing she knew for sure.

Her family had no plans on giving up on her.

"Like Glimmer, I'm the only one who knows the sound of her heart from the inside?"

Those words got to her.

"Is that the feeling I get when I'm near her? That feeling of connection? She still loves me?"

There were a million and one questions floating through her mind. She was in a daze from it all and didn't know how to process anything. She was so out of it that she failed to see Angella coming in with a hug until it was too late. The woman wrapped her up in the warmest embrace she had ever felt. Zip naturally tensed up and didn't sink into it, but Angella didn't seem to care.

"Good. Never forget how deep my love runs for you. Memory or not, you're mine."

When Angella pulled away, Zip remembered how to breathe again.

"Are you all right?"

She tried to talk, but her mind was all over the place that she could only stutter.

"U-uh, I-I'm…t-tired."

She wasn't really, but that was the best she could come up with.

"Yeah. Tired."

Angella smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Sleep then, little one, but I'll be here if you need anything. I'm so very happy you came to see me."

Zip slipped off the bed and headed back to the door. Right before she disappeared, she turned back to look at her mother once more, the woman smiling in turn.

"Good night, my Rose."

After that, she left, but before she headed into Glimmer's room, she plopped against the wall and slid to the floor. Her entire self was still decompressing from the encounter. She went in not knowing completely what to say, and she came out with a warmth she hadn't felt in such a long time.

"She really loves me? If that's so, then everything Camilla said was wrong. Does that mean I'm loveable? Can I really not be a mountain of trouble?"

She wasn't overly sure. Everything was still too new, and there was so much she had to get used to, but perhaps things would turn out okay. Perhaps things would get easier. Doubts and fears still lurked within her soul, but maybe time would change that.

"I still don't know. I don't know about any of this, but maybe, just maybe, it's okay to try."

With that, for the very first time in what seemed like forever, she had hope.