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Noor cooed and that sound made me rethink every thing I feared. I loved my son and my family, and I knew it wouldn't matter who or what they became.

Birch still loved his father, and a piece of me still loved him too. I didn't love the man that had caused me pain, but I did love the man that had given me happiness.

If I could do that, if I could find the good in someone so bad, then why would it be different for this woman?

Forcing my foot forward, I felt the rocks crunch under my sneakers as I kept my eyes on the door. My fingers tingled, eager to ring the bell and see the woman who had brought my mother into this world.

I wondered if I'd recognize my mother in her, if I'd be able to see all those small details that they shared.

Lifting my foot to the bottom step, the front door swung open and a tiny old lady grinned down at us from ear to ear. Her hands were cupped over her heart as tears spilled out from beneath the rim of her large round glasses.

Pushing the storm door open, the scent of chocolate chip cookies and flowers floated out, mingling with the crisp autumn air.

“Hello, my dear, I've been waiting for this day for a long time.” Stepping into the house, my grandmother twined her fingers into mine. “My God, you're beautiful, just like your mother.”

The warmth of her skin melted my heart and I cried with her. Pulling me in, she hugged me like we hadn't just spent almost a decade apart.

“I'm so happy to be here.” The words came out crumbled in tears and joy. “This is all I ever wanted.”

Pushing back, she turned to Birch and smiled. “Thank you,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck.

“I'd say you're welcome, but I don't know why you're thanking me.” Chuckling, he curled his free arm around her back.

Holding his shoulders, she pressed back and smiled. “Because you brought her back to me.” Kissing the side of his cheek, my grandmother took a step, and held both our hands. “Because now I have a piece of my daughter here with me again.”

To some a family is nothing more than a watering hole where you can get a hand out.

To some a family is nothing more than the people you'd rather never become.

But to me. . .

A family was a wish that finally came true; I would never take that for granted.

Because family are the only ones who will ever look past your faults and see the good inside. As long as you're willing to let them.