SIX
It takes six deep breaths for her to realize that they made it.
Matron Yang shakes Maria's hand; she can tell her wife is startled by the older woman's strength.
"Tomorrow's pretty soon," the matron is telling them, "but you'll visit the kids. Look over the visitor guidelines, get a good night's sleep, eat well, and don't be nervous! If you're nervous then the kiddies get nervous, y'know?"
Maria nods far too much, but she looks eager. Excited. Elated.
She thinks: I would do anything for her.
And she is.
This trial has passed, and they are much, much closer to their wish. Background checks, home inspections, references, paperwork—all the waiting is over.
They are here.
Here, and just this morning it still seemed… distant, somewhat incomprehensible.
Matron Yang waves at them one last time from the institution's gate.
Tsubasa waves back. She blinks when she realizes her lips have pulled into a soft smile. She has not let herself think of possible futures—it would be unfair to set expectations, however unwittingly.
But land is in sight.
"Maria?" Maria tugs them closer to the gate, craning her head.
She looks, as well, but none of the children are in the front yard; she assumes it is their dinnertime.
Maria shakes her head. "I thought I saw…." She bites her lip.
"Maria?" she prompts, pulling her closer by the hand. Warmth seeps into her.
Nuzzling against the side of her face, Maria murmurs, "I know we said we wanted toddlers or infants… but… would you be willing, Tsubasa? To have an older child?"
An older child?
"I cannot say," she has to answer. "The situation, the outcome, is entirely dependent on what we will experience tomorrow.
"But… I trust your judgement, Maria."
It bubbles up from within and without.
"We've made it here. We'll make it further."
She can feel Maria's smile against her cheek.