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CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

GABRIELLE

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"Gabby! My daughter!" Mother cried as her arms swept around me, she embraced me so tightly as though I was going to vanish. 

"I'm here, mom" I whispered allowing myself to breathe in her most familiar maternal smell. 

"I didn't tell you because I thought I should surprise you." 

She pats my hair and broke the embrace to smile down at me. Her eyes shifted to Lucian who was standing quietly the whole time and she allowed her gaze to scan me over once again. 

"Are you alright?" She squeezed my hands. I nodded positively. 

"Don't I look fine to you?"

I could easily have turned out worse, I thought silently.