Chapter 22
Famke reached the bottom of the stairs and rubbed her sweaty palms on her jeans. She was trying not to freak out. She saw Bram poke his head into the space and they connected eyes, and he took a breath and
reached his hand out to hers.
The sound of Precious squealing at her Uncle Royal to hurry up and give her the surprise made her heart jump. When she’d been near the child the last time, she hadn’t known who she was. Now, walking into the space and knowing she had once housed this child inches from her own heartbeat, was making her pulse race painfully.
Her brother’s fingers interlaced with hers as they walked towards the room and he leaned sideways and whispered, “I’ve got you. Breathe.”
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How at eighteen he had the compassion and insight he had, she didn’t know but she was grateful for him, and his presence as she walked into the kitchen.
The first thing she noted was the woman standing beside Royal. She was gorgeous and her smile was so wide the room was brighter for it. Was this the woman Mindy had said was dour and mean to her? This was the mother Prince had said put pressure by the tonnes on his head? She was tall, broad shouldered and her hair was pulled back in a wide bandana tied in a knot at her forehead. Her eyes were bright and shiny, and her cheeks rounded. The spattering of freckles Famke associated with Prince were abundant on his mother’s face. Deep creases from laughter edged her eyes and her eyes were focused on Precious who was standing on a high-backed chair jumping up and down holding Royal’s hand demanding her present. When her eyes caught sight of the duo entering the space, she gave an exaggerated gasp and reached to Precious and motioning for her to turn around.
Famke’s heart fractured and split into a million blazing pieces of sunshine as the child turned on the chair to look over her shoulder and shrieked loudly, screaming her name before she scrambled, almost toppling off in her haste to rush at Famke. She lunged into her, knocking the wind out of her as her little head barrelled into her stomach and her arms were frantically wrapped around her as the child started to attempt climbing Famke’s frame.
She picked her up and hugged her tight, her nose burrowed into her neck as Bram stepped backwards to allow her this moment.
“Famke, I missed you so much. You’re my friend and I didn’t get to see you for so long!” she squealed as her little legs wrapped around her middle as tight as a vice.
“I think she likes her present,” Royal called out.
Famke realized the little girl wasn’t going to release the death grip she had on her as she met his smile over the child’s head. “You might be right.”
“She’s beautiful,” Royal’s mom nudged him.
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She blushed at the comment and Royal winked at her.
“She is, isn’t she? Famke Noor, this is my mother, Imani Robinson. Mom, this is Famke Noor and her
brother Bram.”
“You’re Famke’s brother?” Precious leaned back in Famke’s arms to look at him. “You’re very tall but not as tall as Royal.” She noted the scar which wrapped around his skull, “hey, you had a booboo too. I have one on my leg, wanna see?” She was wriggling as if wanting to get her tights off and Famke laughed.
“How about we hold off on showing off all our scars quite yet?” She sat down on a stool and held the child on her lap. “How was your day at school today? It was your last day before the Christmas break?”
“Terrible. I don’t like it.”
