After dinner ended in an awkward situation, Adam, Kale, and Jenna went into the living area while Kathrina and her mother slipped into her bedroom.
"Come here, Kath," Kalina said, motioning for her daughter to sleep on her lap like they used to do when Kathrina was still young.
"I'm heavy, mom. You'll hurt yourself." Kathrina refused, using the most logical reason. Instead, she took a seat next to her mother.
"Ten minutes should be okay. Hurry up. I miss my daughter so much."
Kalina grabbed her daughter's hand and made Kathrina's head rest on her lap. She stroked Kathrina's short hair and patted one of her arms tenderly while humming a simple lullaby that Kathrina loved so much.
The mother-daughter remained quiet, clearly content with each other's company.
It was true that a mother's warmth was the best thing a child could have. Kathrina closed her eyelids, savoring every little moment she had with her mother to last for a week.
