Lucy arranged the folded clothes on the bed before sliding them into the wardrobe, her heart racing with nervous anticipation. She still didn't know how to break the news to Elsa—that she had finally found her biological family. Excitement buzzed under her skin, vibrant and barely contained. Eager to share the moment, she left the bedroom to find her.
In the living room, Elsa sat on their old couch with both legs tucked up, her eyes fixed on the television screen.
"Elsa," Lucy called softly, drawing her attention.
"Hmm?" Elsa hummed, glancing over. She noticed Lucy's expression immediately—pure, glowing excitement.
"I wanted to tell you… I found my family," Lucy said, watching her sister closely.
"What!" Elsa's eyes went wide, and her heart skipped a beat. Lucy had found her family; that was wonderful.
"I found my relative, and she's my aunt. Her name is Madison."
"That's so good," Elsa said, genuinely happy for her sister, though a sudden, heavy realization hit her: Lucy would be leaving.
"Yes, You know I've been searching for so long," Lucy explained, noticing the complex mix of emotions on Elsa's face. "It was hard, but with an investigator's help, I finally tracked her down."
"Wow," Elsa smiled faintly, while a quiet anxiety twisted in her chest. If Lucy had her family now, would she move away?
Lucy's words tumbled out, bright and fast. "We talked on the phone. She told me things from when I was little—about how we got separated at a crowded train station when I was seven, which is how I ended up at the orphanage. She'd been looking for me this whole time. She even sent me a photo of myself at seven years old."
Elsa forced a supportive smile, watching how radiant Lucy looked. Her sister had found her real family. And now, Elsa faced the looming prospect of being alone. A flicker of heavy sadness settled in her chest, unwelcome but entirely real.
Lucy's smile faltered slightly as she reached the harder part. "I also found out from my aunt… my parents are gone. They died in a plane crash. My aunt took me in afterward, but she lost me at that railway station in the massive crowd. I could hear how heartbroken she was when she told me."
She looked intently at Elsa. "I didn't just blindly believe a stranger, though. I asked her specific personal questions—things only I would remember. And she knew every single one. If she weren't my aunt, there is no way she could have known those details about my life."
Elsa thought Lucy had been remarkably smart to use an investigator and verify everything. It had worked out. Lucy was safe and had answers. But the ache in Elsa's chest deepened; her closest companion now had a whole new world waiting for her.
"I'm glad you found your family, and I'm so sorry for what you went through," Elsa said, keeping her tone cheerful even as she secretly wished she had a family of her own. "And I'm glad you found your aunt."
"Thanks, Elsa." Lucy smiled, deeply relieved that her sister was happy for her.
She remembered all the grueling hours spent searching—visits to the orphanage during her lunch breaks, talking to anyone who might remember decades-old records of a missing child, and working closely with the investigator. She had made call after call until she was exhausted, and now, finally, it had all paid off.
Still, Lucy saw the lingering sadness in Elsa's eyes.
"You don't have to worry," Lucy said softly, moving to sit right beside Elsa. "I'll stay for as much time as we have together before anything changes."
She knew Elsa would miss her deeply, because they had only ever had each other.
"You should know you'll always be my sister. My family, Elsa," Lucy added, her voice warm and reassuring.
Hearing those words, Elsa felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. The restless anxiety of being left behind eased, just a bit.
"I'd be really happy spending my remaining time here with you, Elsa," Lucy said, taking her hand.
Elsa let out a quiet exhale. "Okay."
Lucy rested her head gently on Elsa's shoulder. "Good." She smiled, turning her attention back to the TV, her mind still humming with the joy of upcoming reunions.
Elsa glanced at her sister. Lucy's green eyes sparkled with happiness. Elsa puckered her lips in a mock-serious pout before looking back at the screen. She wasn't thrilled about the idea of Lucy leaving, but she was genuinely happy her sister had found peace and closure. That was simply how life worked out sometimes.
"If you are going to meet with your aunt, I want to come along too," Elsa blurted out.
Lucy smiled brightly. "Yes, of course! You are my sister, so you can definitely come."
Elsa's face lit up with relief.
"Sisters stick together, and I would dearly miss you, Elsa," Lucy said, knowing how much her absence would hurt. "You are my only sister and the best family I've had since I was growing up. My family is your family, so we can figure this out together. I'm going to live with Aunt Madison, and she would love to meet you too."
Elsa smiled, overjoyed that her friend was so welcoming and inclusive. Lucy pulled her into a warm, tight hug. Both of them were happy.
Elsa knew her bond with Lucy wouldn't be broken even though they were apart, and Lucy had finally found her home.