"Mom, what is going on?" Alex whispered.
Her mom was sitting on the floor against the couch, crying in a way Alex had never seen her cry. She looked up, and to Alex's shock her face seemed radiant while she cried. "Oh, my Alex, I didn't know you were there. I didn't know you'd heard—you should not have had to hear that. I'm sorry—"
"Mom, what was that about? It made no sense!"
"Come here, Alex. Come here." She held out her arms, and Alex ran across the room and burrowed into them. Her mom held her tightly, and she could feel her still crying. "Oh, my Alex, I can't believe I get to hold you. I can't believe you're here!"
"Mom! What is going on?"
"Alex, my dearest, it's not time for you to know yet, I think. Someday soon you'll understand everything, and it will all make sense, but until it does, I just want you to enjoy your life."
"Mom! You and Dr. Linus were shouting complete nonsense at each other like you hated each other!"
"We did hate each other. Long ago. So long ago, Alex."
"You had a daughter with him," Alex said numbly.
"What? No! No—Alex, what you heard—none of it means what you think it means."
"What does it mean?"
Her mom took her face in her hand and looked into her eyes. "Do you trust me, Alex?"
Alex nodded. "Yes, Mom, I do," she said softly.
"Then trust me, and wait until it's time for you to understand."
Alex closed her eyes. Something in her mind was struggling to make itself known, some of that understanding she wanted her mom to give her, but she realized, again, that she didn't want to understand yet.
"Alright, Mom, on one condition."
"What, Alex?"
She tried to glare. "You let me keep Dr. Linus."
"Alex, you don't know—"
"No, Mom, I don't! You said I can't know yet! So I'm telling you. I need him in my life. Whatever it was he was talking about, he was right. He should be my father. I've known that since I first met him. So whatever weird, mysterious history you have with him, you don't get to kick him out. He said I should choose. I choose."