Molly Miller became the chosen name for Joelle and Adrianâs second daughter.
Their house was filled with excitement as they celebrated Mollyâs three-month milestone.
When Joelle appeared, cradling her youngest, the room buzzed with guests holding gifts.
âHow lovely Molly looks!â
âItâs true; sheâs inherited her parentsâ good looks. Sheâs absolutely beautiful!â
âI bet sheâll be as vibrant and charming as Aurora!â
At that moment, Joelle noticed that Aurora was missing. Passing Molly to Leah, she said, âI need to check on Aurora.â
Aurora was found alone, sitting on a swing outside. Mollyâs birth seemed to have dimmed her spirits.
âWhy are you out here all by yourself?â Joelle asked.
Auroraâs voice carried a hint of sadness. âEveryone else is fussing over Molly. Thereâs no one to play with me.â
Joelleâs heart sank with guilt. Despite her and Adrianâs efforts, as well as the familyâs attempts to include Aurora, her loneliness had slipped through the cracks.
âHow about I stay and play with you right now?â Joelle offered. Aurora gave a small nod.
As Joelle pushed the swing, Auroraâs laughter soon filled the air. Moments later, Callan and some visitors came in through the front gate.
Aurora hopped off the swing and dashed towards Rafael excitedly. âDaddy!â
Rafael and Allie arrived, hand in hand with a little boy.
This boy was the one Wade had disguised as Ryland.
Rafael, recognizing the boyâs plight as similar to his own past, had compassionately welcomed him into his home with Allie.
As Rafael lifted Aurora into his arms, Joelle greeted them, âHello, Rafael and Allie.â
Allie, playfully leaning on Rafael, chimed in with youthful enthusiasm, âJoelle, congratulations on your new princess. It seems Rafael and I are not meant to have our own little girl!â
Rafael chided, âAllie, letâs avoid such talk around the kids.â
Allie stuck out her tongue playfully and urged, âLucas, go on and say hi to Joelle and Aurora.â
Lucas was neatly dressed, the picture of a young gentleman. Joelle looked at him and was reminded of Ryland, who by now should have been as tall as Lucas.
âHello, Joelle, Aurora,â Lucas said with a grace reminiscent of Rafael.
Joelle and Aurora simultaneously greeted him back, âHello.â
Rafael gently set Aurora down and suggested, âAurora, Lucas has spent much time abroad and hasnât made any friends here yet. Would you like to play with him?â
âSure!â
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