Tom and Matt were the first to notice the commotion and looked to the lounge’s entrance in time to see a small blonde child pull her hand free from an adult’s.  She squealed “Angie!” as she jumped down the three steps into the room and raced towards the trio of seated siblings.  She jumped in Angelica’s lap and threw her arms around her neck.

“Surprise!” the girl squealed as she switched her position and straddled the young woman’s lap. 

Angelica, squeezed in her sister’s embrace, finally recovered enough to speak, “Fina, it is a surprise.”

“We flew all of the way on Mama T’s plane.  Mama T went to our hotel but Ms. Cheryl brought me right here so I could see you.”

“Shh, Fina. Use your indoor voice,” Angelica gently chided.

“Oh,” the little girl spoke more softly. “I read two books on the plane.  I would have read more, but Ms. Cheryl made me take a nap.  But Mama let me have chocolate milk.”

“A big glass or a little glass,” Raph teased.

“Raph,” Serafina squealed as she climbed from Angelica’s lap to the young man’s.  She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”  He squeezed back, then pushed her back on his lap, “Let me take a look at you.”  He squinted as he turned his head from side to side, “You get prettier and prettier every time I see you.”

Angelica caught Raph’s glance over the little girl’s shoulder and she rolled her eyes at her brother.  Raph smiled mischievously.

“Really?” a giggling Serafina asked Raph.

“Really,” a female voice responded and the child whipped her head around to its source. “Mekalya!” came the last of the afternoon’s squeals.

Meka slipped off her chair and knelt at the little girl’s level for their shared squeeze.

As they hugged, the little girl’s nanny appeared and stood next to the group, “Serafina Gold-Kennard!”

The little girl looked up at the adult as she broke her embrace with Meka.  “Yes, Ms. Cheryl.”

“You pulled away from me.”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Cheryl.”

“She was excited,” Meka interrupted, earning herself the second set of her sister’s rolled eyes, a slight nod “no” from her brother, and a warning glare from the nanny.  Meka ignored them all.  “And we’re excited to see her.”