Chapter 17 Mia

• “Darling, you can speak! My love, you can actually speak!” My mom’s voice breaks with emotion as she rushes toward me. “Josh, Josh, come and see our child! Oh my God, Mia has grown so much. Mia, I’ve missed you. Oh, my baby, come here.” She pulls me into a bear hug, the warmth of her embrace familiar and comforting.
• I can’t help but smile, though I remain silent for a moment, savoring the feeling. Even as I’ve changed, this part of home—the way my mom hugs me—has stayed the same.
• Footsteps rush toward us, and my dad steps onto the porch, his face a mix of shock and joy. “Mia, is that really you?”