The plane landed smoothly at Florianópolis Airport. Beatriz adjusted the scarf over her shoulders and looked out the window, taking in the humid warmth of the city, the smell of the sea, and the movement of the streets below. Even though she was used to traveling around the world, there was a different kind of anxiety this time: she was returning to her daughter and grandson, people who, despite the distance, had always held a place in her heart.
Upon disembarking, Beatriz was greeted by a sleek, discreet black car. Two respectful and attentive security guards opened the doors and helped with her luggage. She got in slowly, taking a deep breath, trying to control the rising emotions.
— To Ana's address, please — she said calmly to the driver, her voice firm but full of expectation.
Meanwhile, Lucas was in the backyard, alone, holding the old soccer ball. His eyes, still filled with the sadness he had felt since his father's death, shone in a different way: there was something new, a spark of courage emerging from the depths of his grief. When he saw Beatriz's car approaching, he felt a pulse in his chest, a mix of fear and hope. For the first time in months, he kicked the ball hard, hearing the dry thud as it hit the ground, and ran after it, taking a deep breath. It was as if, by touching the ball, he was also touching a lost part of himself—the child who could still smile, play, and dream despite his father's absence.
The car stopped in front of Ana's small house. Beatriz took a deep breath before stepping out, feeling the weight of so many years and the anticipation of finally embracing her daughter and meeting her grandson. The security guards opened the door for her but remained discreet, respecting such an intimate moment.
As soon as Beatriz stepped into the backyard, Ana ran toward her without thinking, letting go of all the restraint she had held for years. They hugged tightly, tears rolling freely, as if, for a few moments, the lost time could be forgotten.
Beatriz, still with her heart racing, stepped back a little, wiping her tears, and then turned to Lucas, who was watching with curiosity and caution, holding the ball in his small hands.
— Hello, Lucas… — Beatriz said, her voice trembling slightly but full of tenderness. — Can I play with you for a moment?
Lucas nodded timidly and kicked the ball toward her. Beatriz prepared to return it but ended up kicking it crookedly, sending it far from where she intended. Lucas, surprised, began to laugh loudly, a clear and genuine sound that hadn't been heard in months. He ran after the ball, picked it up, and kicked it again, this time with more confidence.
Beatriz tried to balance herself to return the pass but missed again, and Lucas laughed even more, feeling a joy he hadn't experienced in a long time. Ana watched, moved, seeing her son finally allow himself to smile, even if only for a few moments, while the presence of his grandmother made everything feel lighter and safer.
The sun was beginning to set, casting golden hues across the backyard as mother, daughter, and grandson shared a simple but powerful moment: the first step of many in rebuilding their bonds.
After that moment in the yard, Ana approached Beatriz, holding her hands tightly, as if she wanted to convey all the gratitude she felt for having her there. Lucas, still with a shy smile, kicked the ball back and forth, now with confidence, as if his grandmother's presence had brought lightness to his heart.
Beatriz knelt beside him, took the ball, and said with a gentle smile: — Come on, champ, show me how it's done!
Lucas kicked the ball accurately, and Beatriz tried to return it but missed again, laughing along with him. The boy's laughter echoed through the yard, pure and contagious. Ana, standing a little behind, could not hold back her tears. Every laugh from Lucas seemed to take away a piece of the pain that had built up since Carlos' death.
Time seemed to slow in that small backyard. Ana watched her son, feeling a deep relief and a happiness she hadn't felt in months. She allowed herself to smile and cry at the same time, embracing the idea that even in the face of irreparable loss, life could still offer moments of joy and hope.
Beatriz, sitting on the grass, looked at her daughter and grandson and said with an emotional voice: — I promise I will be here whenever you need me. I won't miss another moment.
Lucas paused for a moment, looked at Beatriz, and said between laughs: — So, are you going to teach me how to kick properly now?
And so, between laughter, hugs, and small missed kicks, their family bonds began to rebuild. For the first time in a long while, Ana felt that perhaps, little by little, she could leave the painful past behind and focus on the joy of the present.