Sanctuary

As Andy and I stood up I realized we both had sleeping children in our arms. My baby sister, Karolina, soundly sleeping in Andy's arms, and a little girl younger than her asleep in mine, a girl named Mia. As the other children that were sitting in the row with us all rushed Andy and I, hugging us and saying their goodbyes, I told him I'd be right back. He nodded not paying much attention, and I walked over to a woman with over dyed auburn hair, a good ten years younger than my own mother. I put on a smile and handed her her sleeping child. She thanked me, and we carried on for a few dreadful minutes with things about how her child was progressing in growth, about my own siblings, and how grown up Andy and I were looking these days. I turned around and walked back towards Andy, and saw Karolina fully awake now, giggling while she was playing with his hair. I smiled at the sight.
"Hey sweetie." I said to Karolina.

"Hi sissy."

"Are you ready to go home?" She shook her head, pouting.

"Why not?" I asked her.

"Because you'll leave again sissy."

I took her from Andy and held her in my arms, as she rested her tiny head with her bouncy brown curls on my shoulder. I kissed her on the head and told her, with the most truthfulness I could say to her,
"I have to leave sweetheart. But I'll always be back."

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