Grandma sat between us on the plush couch, her hands clasped in her lap as she beamed at Marina, her voice brimming with affection. "Ay, mi tesorito, it's been too long since I last saw that beautiful face of yours!" she exclaimed, pulling Marina into another tight hug before settling back into the cushions.
"Look at you—all grown up and glowing! And you!" She turned to me, her sharp eyes twinkling. "Always stealing my granddaughter away from me, eh?"
Marina giggled, nestling closer to her grandma, her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. "Grandma, we're right here now," she said, her voice sweet but laced with the warmth of familiarity. "And we're not going anywhere for a while."
I leaned back against the couch, my arm draped casually along the backrest, my fingers brushing against Marina's shoulder. The movement was innocent—almost.
