A wistful smile touched her lips as old dreams resurfaced.
"I imagined teaching her to walk. I imagined hearing her laugh for the first time, watching her run through gardens just like these, wondering what she'd call me the first time she learned to speak."
She gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from Takoda's forehead, her fingers lingering there with infinite tenderness.
"When I lost her..." she whispered, her voice catching painfully, "I convinced myself I'd never have another chance to love a child."
Her thumb slowly traced the back of Takoda's hand once again.
"Then you came into my life."
She smiled through the tears gathering in her eyes.
"You didn't come from my body, and I know the world would probably never call you my daughter."
Her voice softened until it was barely more than a whisper.
"But somewhere along the way..."
She squeezed the little girl's hand gently, as though hoping Takoda could somehow feel it even in her sleep.
