VIVIAN
Once Leon took custody of the prisoners Esmeralda dismissed her men, promising them payment in the evening. She drove us to the Nine Heavens, where we found Charlie laughing on the carpet of the lounge under the watchful eyes of Stella and Louis, who seemed almost like a pair of parents, while several of the workers were playing with him.
"Peekaboo!" One of the girls said, uncovering her face right in front of his. Charlie giggled, then grabbed her long, floppy ear. The girl tickled him in his belly until he let go.
"Look who it is, it's mommy!" Another girl pointed at me.
Charlie started waiving his hands and feet in the air, as if trying to grasp at me. I briskly walked over and picked him up for a hug. I held him tightly and buried my face in his tiny body, savoring the moment, drowning in indescribable emotions. He wasn't light, and bending down hurt, but I didn't care. My only concern was feeling my son in arms.