7. Decision

Seated behind the mahogany desk, Anna stared at the screen of her computer. The mail from Willow was displayed in front of her. As she read, she was both glad and saddened. He had accomplished so much, but she was not a part of it.

Scrolling down, her hand halted above the keyboard, and her breath hitched. A photo of two people is displayed on the screen. Her eyes welled up, and a single lone tear streaked down her cheek. Her daughter's eyes stared back at her, shining as bright as the stars in the night sky. Her smile is beautiful and warm, and she longed to experience it in person.

"Julia…" Anna whispered, covering her mouth right after saying it as if making sure no one heard her. Beside her was her father. It seems as though the years never touched him, and his smile is still the same as she remembers not to be.

Unable to contain herself or keep waiting, she picked up her phone and dialed Willow's number. "I want to go to Empire City as soon as possible. I don't care what it takes, book a hotel or buy a house. Anything," she said even before Willow could say hello.

How could she wait any longer when upon seeing the face of her daughter for the first time after five years, her longing to be with her, to see and hold her again, became overwhelming.

"Understood. But, ma'am… wouldn't your mother…" Willow asked but was interrupted by Anna.

"She has no right to stop me. I have been away for far too long, Willow. Please make it possible. Rent an apartment or.. anything. Just… Please." The desperation in her tone was evident, and Willow couldn't speak for a moment after hearing that.

"I will make the arrangements, Ma'am," Willow replied, and Anna hummed.

"Thank you," she said, wiping her tears. Once the line disconnected, Her hands pulled the monitor closer to herself and caressed the faces on the screen. "Very soon, I'll see you again. I promise."

**

At Empire City,

Lloyd pulled over at Pearl's school. Parents could be seen either going in to pick up their children or leaving with them. Lloyd watched from within the car as the children smiled, happy to be in the company of their parents.

He now realized why Vivian had asked him to come instead of herself. This was something Pearl didn't have. While he was busy at work, his mother always came to get her. She didn't have a mother around like the other children. He leaned forward, his head resting on the steering wheel as he heaved a sigh before exiting the car.

"Hello sir, May i know who you are here for?" One of the school's staff asked. This was her first time seeing him at the school, and she wasn't the only curious one.

"I am here to get my daughter, Pearl Resigns," Lloyd replied, and the teacher seemed taken aback.

"You are really her father?" she asked before getting flustered after realizing how quickly it slipped out of her mouth. "Please this way, " said , leading him to the class. Whether or not he was her father, she would know the moment they met Pearl.

"Mhm," Lloyd hummed and followed her.

"My mama and papa are coming to pick me up today. They'll take me to buy ice cream before going home. Would your mama and papa come, Pearl?" a child seated beside Pearl asked.

Pearl pouted but didn't reply. She focused her attention on the book on her desk with a crayon in hand.

"Don't ask her. It's always her grandma that comes to pick her up. I am sure she will be the one to come again today," a child seated at the front said. Pearl's hand paused for just a moment before she continued painting.

"I always wonder if she has a mother and father at all," a boy said. His expression was curious, and he failed to register the hurt that his words had caused to Pearl. "Do you have a mother?" He asked again.

"Dustin," the teacher called. "Don't you know not to ask such questions? They are hurtful and…" her tone stern as reprimanded but Lloyd who had stopped at the door of the classroom and witnessed everything stopped her.

"That is alright, Miss. They are just children," he said and walked inside. He had seen the hurt in Pearl's eyes and how her body trembled whenever they asked her about her mother and father. Even though she didn't say anything, her body betrayed what she felt.

Pearl, who had her face buried in her painting, looked up upon hearing her father's voice. She looked at him as if she couldn't believe it. "Daddy?" She asked, standing to her feet and walking towards him.

Lloyd smiled when she came and stood beside him and held his hand possessively. "I am sorry I came late," Lloyd said in an apologetic tone. He squatted down and picked her up. "I promise I'll make it up to you, okay?"

Pearl wrapped her hands around his neck. Her face buried itself on the nook of his shoulder, but she nodded her head. Lloyd patted her back a few times before his hand froze, feeling something warm and wet on his shoulder. "Thank you for coming, Daddy," Pearl said. Her voice was trembling and so low that he would have missed it if she wasn't so close.

Realizing what had soaked his shoulder, he stroked her back gently, his heart aching at her pain. He wondered why she had never said anything about this to him. Did she only talk to his mother about it? His heart ached even more at that thought. "I am sorry. I'll come more often from now on." He promised.

Pearl only nodded her head, not willing to talk.

"Thank you for coming, Mr Reigns. I am sure everyone, including the children, would stop saying…" The teacher trailed off. She shouldn't be saying this like that. "I am sorry. Here," she said and gave Pearl's backpack, which she had packed up to him.

"Thank you," Lloyd said and took the bag. She didn't need to complete her words. He could already complete the rest on his own.

"Be a good girl, Pearl," the teacher said, waving at her, although Pearl didn't reply. She just held on to her Daddy. It didn't matter what anybody else said anymore.

Getting to the car, Lloyd let Pearl sit beside him on the front passenger seat. He fastened her seatbelt before kissing her forehead. "Would you like to go somewhere with Daddy?" He asked while wiping the remnants of the tears on her face.

Pearl nodded her head. "Yes," she replied, and he smiled.

He couldn't bring himself to ask why she was crying. He already knew why, although a part of him wanted to hear what she would say while the other part of him was afraid of what her reply would be. Perhaps this was truly what Vivian wanted him to experience by himself. Now that he has, he understood why she said it wasn't the same.

Pearl needed a mother.