"It's legit fine and perfect, " Estella took hold of the hem of the piece of clothing in her fingers, inspecting the quality and texture attentively and affectionately.

There were several other packets lying on the table and she and Lopez had finally received the first-ever product made in their factory. Shortly after, Edward stepped inside the office as soon as his call ended and joined them.

The sun had set and sparkling stars we're descending while the crescent moon peeked at them through the floor to ceiling window. The night couldn't get better.

"We need to send samples for quality testing, " Edward informed them, taking his seat next to Estella, "and a lot more than these."

Lopez nodded. "Very well. I'll go and get for more samples tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, that marketing guy had some models for the advertisement. Why don't you both handle that?"

"How about after the weekend?" Edward suggested. "I won't be that free."

Estella glanced up. "You going somewhere?"

He seemed hesitant for a fraction of second as he exchanged a knowing look with Lopez. "Yeah just making sure about other things."

"Other things?"

Edward nodded casually. "Yeah, there are a lot of things that we ignore. Small and easily forgettable. I don't want to stress you out more so I keep the pressure and extra work off you."

"That's very sweet of you, " she gave him a small smile, "anyway, I'm taking a few of these samples with me. Mom needs to see this. Might as well cheer her up."

"Sure thing, "

"Then you guys carry on, " Lopez interrupted, "I'm heading home."

Edward shook his hands with him and as soon as Lopez was gone, Estella turned her head at him, a few things running inside her mind. "How long have you known him?"

"Just not very long, "

"And how long 'just not very long' is?"

Edward narrowed his eyes at her. "Years maybe! Why are you asking that? If you suspect we can trust him, then yes we can! I won't allow any bastard near you...and our business."

"That's not what I was implying actually. Lopez is nice a man and he is sometimes really protective of me. And I appreciate that. "

Edward agreed. "Lopez lost his only daughter at a very young age. He must relate his loss with you."

Her face fell. "Oh, I didn't know that."

....

Estella returned home with a smile on her face. After so long, she had felt the beauty of the sunset, the roof of sparkling stars, the music of waves playing with her hair, and even enjoyed the bustling of traffic.

Her days were blending back with the life she used to have. But she also knew it was never going to be the same as it once was. There was one place in her life and it was never going to be filled back.

No matter how normal life turned, the absence of Jay was gonna stay forever and she wasn't going to mind that. She was going to fill that emptiness with happy memories of her loving father. That was her way of dealing with her pain and grief.

She got her classic plain black coffee from Beck's cafe and returned home after the work for the day was done. She unlocked the door and entered in, her features going surprised the moment she stepped in.

Tonight was the first day in the last three months when her house wasn't cast with darkness. It had actually become a routine where her mom was either at the cemetery or accompanied by one of her friends or asleep in her room; mostly crying.

But tonight was different and she was worried more than ever. Hurrying, Estella went in further in search of her mother.

Lilah stood at the dining table, setting plates. Glancing behind her shoulder, she saw pans and a cooker set on the stove. Her mother was cooking and at that moment, she noticed how every inch of her house was arranged properly.

"Hey, my baby is back, " Lilah smiled when she saw her standing in front of her. Estella quickly scanned her mother's features. Not that she was happy to see some normalcy in her mother, but still she was quite taken aback because of the change in the spectacle.

"Hey, mom, " she nervously smiled, careful to not ruin the moment. "Whatcha doing?"

"Just making dinner. " Lilah grabbed her muffins and turned to the microwave. "Go get changed."

Still unsure, she put her purse and the bags away and went to her mother. "Mom, you're okay, right?"

Lilah seemed unfazed. "Why won't I? You know how much I love cooking!"

Estella answered with another forced smile, trying to hide her worries beneath it. She couldn't pinpoint if the change was supposed to calm her or tense her.

Refraining her inner debate, she silently strode back to her room which was surprisingly clean.

Her mother seemed lightheaded and what else she could ask for given the circumstances. But that also scared her. The silence before the storm was not always easy to predict. She knew her mom was going through a huge emotional breakdown and her recovery was a bit concerning. The only reason she didn't comment or pushed the matter was because of Lilah's delicate situation.

After she freshened up, Estella met her back at the table, she noticed Lilah was indeed happy. There was a vibe around her that she felt strongly. If things were changing for the better, then they better stay for longer.

Lilah had prepared several dishes in smaller quantities, exactly enough for two people as food getting wasted was always a turndown for her. Fajitas, grilled bacon with green beans, baked potatoes, pasta with a white sauce made, pies, and muffins by the magic of her hands.

The smile on both Sergeant's face was visible. This was the first normal night with the most important man in their life missing.

"Mom, it's sooooo good, " Estella complimented.

"It's all for you, dear," she said and her voice dropped for a second before she looked up at her again. "My brave girl, I know things have been hard for us and I guess we both know that it's never going to be easy."

Estella listened carefully.

"But things can't stop working because life goes on, " Lilah continued. "and I couldn't have been luckier for having a daughter like you. Not just you took care of yourself, you handled both of us."

She wished if it was completely true.

"So it's my time to step up as well and take care of each other. And since things are going back to normal, I don't want my house like a Halloween wreck. Your clothes are everywhere, you leave your dishes on your bed and my things are displaced." Estella almost laughed at the change in the topic. It was indeed a normal day and what could be a better start with her mother scolding her for leaving things in the wrong places.

"And your room, I saw how extremely unmade it was."

Estella grinned. "Well, I'm still adjusting to the cleaning department."

"So you brought veggies?" Lilah pointed at the brown bag on the kitchen island that Estella kept a while ago.

"Oh no-no, " she corrected, "actually that was what I was going to show you, mom. They are the first samples of the product. How cool, isn't it?"

"I always knew you were meant to do business."

"I think so. Let me show them to you."

"First finish your dinner!"

.....

Back in her bed, Estella saw Tanya's missed call on her phone. By the end of dinner and after a lovely mother-daughter time, Estella felt in heaven.

"Hey, T!"

"How's it going, Es?"

"You won't believe it but it has been such a great day."

"R...Really? Oh, thank God!"

There was something in her voice that had Estella concerned. "Is everything okay, Tanya?"

"No, no! It was just I was worried about what happened at the station. But I'm glad things worked out well."

Hearing those words, Estella quickly shot upright on her bed, the lines of worries growing on her forehead.
"What station? What are you talking about, T?"

"You don't know?" Tanya sounded bewildered and so was she. "I think you should talk to your mom."

Should I?

"No, first you tell me. After so long, I saw her doing fine and I don't want to spoil that for her. So I need you to tell me before I shoot any questions at her."

She heard Tanya taking a deep intake of breath "Very well. See, your mom was called at the police station after you had them requested to inform about any progress. The culprits were seen in Queens. The facial recognition picked up their faces."

"And I guess they escaped before police reached there."

"Yeah but the police suspects they are going to be around for a while. I mean the criminals are college-going students. They can't hide forever."

"I hope they are caught and get what they deserve. How did my mom take the news there?"

"That is what I am concerned about, " Tanya said, "she looked troubled and so not fine. Luckily I was there for a story and saw her dealings with the police. It wasn't good. I know you were giving your mom her time but I think you should stay around her more and more."

Estella's heartbeat pounded hard against her chest at her warning. Considering Lilah's collective behavior today, she couldn't tell why she didn't mention going to the police station and then hid such an important detail from her.

"Estella, you still on?"

"Yes, I am. Sorry, I zoned out. Thanks, Tanya for always being with me."

"Always, Es!" she said, "I'm glad that I called and I'm not trying to nag babes, but your mom needs attention more than ever."

_______

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