A/N: Tag to 2.09, La Llorona
It had been so long.
She could still remember Lucas' laughter as he ran around the house as clearly as she if the last time she had heard it was only yesterday, not years ago. This had always been his favourite season, even though his sister clung to Halloween and its promised candy.
Of course, Luna hadn't laughed on Halloween since she lost her brother.
After Lucas had been lost – and he had been so young then, only just beginning to change – she had kept to herself, haunted by grief and guilt. Sofia had lost her son, that was true, but she had a daughter and a husband who kept her going. And besides, Sofia had been the one who had let Lucas go.
Valentina, though – no matter how often Sofia and Matias told her that they didn't blame her, no matter how many times her parents tried to bring her smile back – Valentina had never forgiven herself. Lucas had been lost when she was with him, and she hadn't been able to face her family since then. And then she kept on failing year after year, and she couldn't bring herself to return without something to show.
But this year was different. This year – this year she had finally been able to begin her penance. She did not yet know if thwarting La Llorona once was enough to keep her away forever, but at least she hadn't been able to take those children in Portland like she had Lucas and who knows how many countless other children.
This year, Valentina had finally proven herself, even if no one had asked her to.
But even with that comfort, returning here had been difficult. Las Posadas had already begun, and eight of them were completed by the time she had finally managed to gather her courage.
As she walked towards her childhood home, she could see the children on the streets, celebrating the last of the year's Posadas. A part of her wondered if Luna was among them – it had been so long since she had allowed herself to see her niece.
But she would meet her again, either today or tomorrow. All she had to do was take the final-
The door in front of opened. She had been told over and over how much she resembled the man standing in the doorway, looking at her in wonder. She hadn't seen for so long either…
"Papá," she half-sobbed, reaching out for him blindly.
As her father enveloped her in his arms, Valentina Espinosa was finally home again.
A/N: I hope you guys liked it! As always, please don't forget to drop a review on your way out :)