I had been waiting a lifetime, literally.
Waiting to hear that voice.
It was deeper than the normal female voice. Husky, soft, soothing.
And she was tall, like her sister - but with the dark brown eyes and hair of her brother.
My hair.
My eyes.
My baby girl.
But she wasn't a baby anymore. She was full grown, and crushing me in her grasp. I tried to laugh, but I couldn't breathe. Joy-filled tears streamed down my cheeks at this long awaited reunion.
I had wondered how I would recognize her. I had only seen her for moments before she was taken from me. After all this time, I panicked that a mother wouldn't know her own daughter.
I actually didn't see her first. I heard her, and it was instant recognition. Just one word: Momma.
I hesitated. There was no fear, no anxiety, no confusion. I simply wanted to memorize every detail of this moment. I wanted to forever remember this feeling, this complete anticipation. Pink sky, lavender clouds. The air had a light breeze, and it carried the scent of autumn apples. Barefoot in a field of red flowers, a stalk bent in the wind, caressing my right arm. I could hear the faint hum of music. Distant music? No, not distant, but muted. It was constant, like every living thing was united in a symphony.
I turned, capturing the first glance of her. Hair untamed, like her sister. Beauty that radiated. Regal yet demure, a crown of wildflowers adorned her head. I let out a sound: part laughter, part sob, part relief, part amazement. And then my eyes blurred with the instant tears that filled and poured and filled again.
Had she not caught me in her hug, I would have fallen to the ground, overwhelmed by the purity of this love.
I should have been holding her, but she was holding me.
"I've been waiting, Momma. So patiently." She smoothed my hair and comforted me, the child becoming the mother. "I watched everything. I didn't miss a thing. I heard you talk to me, cried with you, laughed with you. At the end, when everyone was letting you go in sorrow, I was on my tiptoes, bouncing for joy. I knew it was finally my turn."
Melting into her, my joy was complete, forever.
This isn't fiction. It's just the foretelling of a moment that I long for. I cried happy tears throughout this entire post, just like I do - every time I think of her. My cherub.
So sorry 
It's the last day for the challenge - but if you still want to join in, here is the link!
Snook's Create Your New Year Cherub Challenge
