Right after Esther was Mignon who was running just like her daughter, her hands wide open. Shikera broke into a smile and quickened her steps to meet them halfway.
"How are you doing, baby?" she asked, lowering to a squat so she could be on the same level as Esther.
"Fine!" Esther gushed, "Are you finally back, Mummy?"
Shikera cast a quick glance at Mignon who shrugged, mouthing an, "Answer her".
"Mummy?" Esther called with pouted lips.
"Yes Esther, I'm back and I won't be going anywhere else. I also won't go anywhere by myself again," Shikera replied. "Will you go tell Grandma I'm here?"
With a smile on her face, Shikera watched Esther run away. She rose to her feet and turned to Mignon.
"I'm back, Leah," she chuckled.
"Yeah, it's about time you came back, Kera Cooper," Mignon responded. She pulled Shikera into her embrace and the two burst into laughter. Just then, Raymond and Cyprian walked past them.