" It was hard sometimes,” Sota said then, and Carmen bowed her head.

“I don’t think it’s ever easy to make your own family,” she answered. “You’re not supposed to have to.”

Sota nodded. “But we did alright, didn’t we?” His eyes, for once, weren’t serious or masked with painted-on mischief. They were open, almost vulnerable. Carmen had never seen him this way.

“We did great.” Carmen stood, stepping forward. This time, when she reached for him, he reached back, and they hugged like the children they had been when they found each other. "

― , We Unleash the Merciless Storm (We Set the Dark on Fire, #2)