Flora, Helia and Layla let out a sigh of relief as they slumped to the ground. Each of them had on a grey jumpsuit with the name 'Domino Animal Shelter' printed on the upper left side.
The trio had their backs against the wall with Flora and Helia sandwiching Layla.
"I have never worked so hard before." Layla whimpered, softly. "Mommy, I saw a dog I like. Can I get it?"
"No, sweetie. The apartment complex we live in doesn't allow animals. Maybe when we get a house with a decent amount of yard space we can buy a dog."
The younger female sighed sadly. "Alright. I am going to hold you to that promise, Mom."
"Of course you can." Flora gently nudged her.
Helia smiled at the two before shifting his focus to Layla. 'She looks like someone I met a long time ago. Could she be A…'
Flora called out. "Helia, what's the matter?"
Shaking his head, the blue hair male looked at Flora. "What?"
"I asked, what's the matter? You seemed out of it a while ago." She replied.
"Sorry. It's just that Layla remains me of someone I know." Helia answered. "She passed away a few years ago with her husband and child."
"Oh! Layla does look a lot like her mother." Flora glanced at the five year old. "She could be her mini me."
Layla groaned softly. "Mommy and Helia, I am hungry. Can we get something to eat now?"
"Sure." Helia nodded. "We can go to my house for a nice home cook meal before getting some rest and head to the carnival."
Layla jumped for joy. "Yeah! Finally I can get a home cook meal. I have been living on fast food because Mom can't cook."
"Hey! You do get home cook meals." Flora stated. "I just don't have the time to cook with work."
"Helia, Mommy's foods are almost toxic. They stick." Layla pouted.
"Till you can do better stop complaining." The older brunette commented as she got up.
Helia stated as he got to his feet. "I like to cook. Before living on my own I would cook for my entire family."
"When you and Mommy get married you can cook for us." Layla smiled, getting up. "We could be like a real family."
The adults shock their heads as they collected their bags and head out.
Driving up to an old style two storey house made out of concrete Layla and Flora admired the place. The brown building was at the centre of a garden and was completely fenced off.
Helia parked the car in the driveway before the three got out.
Flora commented. "This place is beautiful. I wouldn't mind living here instead of that apartment complex."
"I love it here." Helia smiled, as he escorted the females into the house. "The house has been in my family for nearly a hundred years. I wouldn't mind staying here when I get marry and start a family."
"Whoever you choose as a bride would be out of her mind to not want to stay here." Flora chimed as they entered the building.
As everyone entered into the living room Helia closed the door before calling out. "Grandpa!"
A few moments later a short, elderly man with long grey hair, fair skin and black eyes entered the room. He wore white pants with a yellow and white shirt.
"Hello." He spoke, looking at his grandson before focusing on the two females. "You must be Flora and Layla. Helia has spoken highly of you two."
"Gramps." Helia muttered.
"Really?" Layla became trilled. "What did he say about my mom?"
"Calm down little one." Saladin smiled. "He did mention how beautiful your mother was. Along with what a talented wedding planner she is as well as an incredible dancer."
"Grandpa!" Helia called out, remembering how graceful Flora danced for him a few days ago at work.
Flora secretly smiled upon hearing that.
"Really! Mommy said that Helia is very handsome, smart and a skilful artist and photographer." Layla commented, looking at the two adults. "I can't wait for the two of them to get together and be married so we can be a family."
"Layla!" Flora and Helia said at the same time.
Saladin chuckled for a bit, seeing the two embarrassed. "Helia told me you two were coming over so I made something to eat."
The three were happy to hear that. Placing their bags and shoes into a corner they headed to the dining room for food.
Sitting around a four seat table Saladin and Layla were to the left with Helia and Flora to the right.
After eating the wonderful meal and washed the plates the four sat around the table to talk.
Saladin looked at Layla for a bit before pointing out. "Helia, Layla looks a lot like your friend's wife Aisha."
Flora and Layla softly gasped.
Helia nodded. "Yes, I mentioned it earlier while we were at the animal shelter. She does look like Aisha but there is no way she could hers and Nabu's daughter. I heard she passed away along with her parents a few years back."
Flora managed to speak first. "Are you by chance talking about Aisha and Nabu Andros?"
"Yes." Helia answered, looking at her in surprise. "Nabu and I were best friends in high school and college. Meet Aisha a few times when they came into the city. How do you know them?"
"Aisha was my best friend. I met Nabu through her." Flora answered. "How comes I didn't see you at the wedding or funeral?"
"I was stuck in a snow storm for a week that's way I couldn't make it to the wedding and got into was in the hospital around the time of the funeral because of a crash." The blue hair male informed her.
Flora took out her phone and quickly looked for a picture of Aisha and Nabu together. Showing it to Helia, she asked. "To be clear, it's them you are talking about?"
"Yes." Helia replied, getting up. He went into his room for a moment before coming back with a purple folder and a picture of Aisha and Nabu.
The picture was the same as the one Flora had in her phone. It was of the two of them at the beach. Aisha had on a purple one piece swimsuit while Nabu wore a similar colour swim trunks.
"It's the same picture." Flora muttered softly, comparing the two.
"I took this a few years back at Hanging Neck Falls." Helia told her. "It was around the same time they gave me a document stating that I would one of two guardians to their daughter. I agreed willing since they were two of the most amazing people I have ever met. The last time I heard from them was when they called me to say the paper work went through and I should come down to meet their daughter. The next day one of my friends called and said all of them passed away in an accident."
"Can I see that please?" Flora kindly pointed to the folder Helia carried down.
"Sure." He handed it to here.
The brunette quickly scanned it and noted that it was an identical copy to hers.
Handing it back to him, Flora said. "It's identical to the one I have."
"What?" Helia and Saladin spoke, focusing on her.
"It's the same as the one I have at home. Most people thought that their daughter died also since her dolly was at the scene but she was with me when the accident happened." Flora told them, indicating to Layla. "Helia say hello to your daughter."
Layla smiled. Moving over to Helia, she hugged. "Daddy!"