"But mamá you have to tell us how the story started,"  little six year old Claudia begged her mom as her older sister and younger brother sat on both sides of her.

"Alright pequeño," her mother shushed her and her eyes looked at her mom in wonder.  "It started many years ago when your abuelo and abuela were still alive.  We knew that Mexico was no longer safe under the bad guys," she said in reference to the cartel.

"The bad guys?" Her little brother, Antony, piped up.

"Sí," their mother nodded her head.  "You see, pequeño's, there is always a bad guy in every story.  That's where the Disney movies have it right.  They was a very bad guy.  Your family was no long safe and so we fled.  We knew that we needed to give our children a better life and that is why we took the long journey from Mexico to here, Little Havana.  We knew we had to cross the border and all we had were you guys, a few pictures, clothes and a lantern.  That lantern was a sign of hope toward a brighter future.  It was a long journey and the road was very dangerous.  We didn't make it here until six in the morning as it was much safer for us," she continued on and the three pequeño's looked at their mamá in amazement as she told them story of how they became US citizens.  "We wore the same rosary around our necks for the journey, knowing that if it was meant to be for us to be here, God and the Virgin Mary would allow it.  That's why all three of you are destined for greatness.  I know this to be true."

Greatness.

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short prologue, i know.  but i felt like it was right.  don't worry - the drama is coming people!  also i changed it from her being cuban to being mexican mainly because i know more about the spanish heritage.