Two weeks later, Maya's mother arrived.Maya was nervous all morning. Cleaning. Rearranging. Checking the clock every five minutes. She changed the bedsheets twice. Fluffed the pillows three times. Made sure there were fresh flowers on the table.Ethan watched from the couch, amused."She's going to love it.""What if she doesn't?""She's your mother. She loves you. She'll love anything that makes you happy.""That's not how mothers work. Mothers notice everything. The dust in the corner. The dishes in the sink. The…""Maya." He stood up. Took her hands. "Breathe. It's going to be fine."She took a breath. Let it out slowly."Okay.""Good. Now let's go get your mom."They picked her up at the airport.Maya stood at arrivals, heart pounding. Ethan beside her, holding her hand.Then Maya's mom walked out.Smaller than Maya remembered. Older. A little more gray in her hair. But her eyes were the same. Warm. Knowing. Full of love.Maya ran to her."Mom.""Aya."They hugged for a long time
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