Zara Fox's POV
I move aside just enough to pick up the pink box. Alina receives it with hands trembling with excitement. She tears the ribbon with adorable impatience, lifts the lid, and her eyes widen.
Inside, wrapped in white tissue paper, is the plush giraffe. It's small, a soft golden brown, with large button eyes and an incredibly fluffy little body. It has a plush mane with a small pink bow, inviting you to pet it.
Alina takes it out of the box with the gentleness of someone holding a treasure. She presses it to her chest, closes her eyes, and smiles. That smile lights up the entire room.
Then she looks at me. And raises her arms again.
But this time it's not a hug. It's "carry me."
I smile, pick her up, and stand up. Alina snuggles against my hip as if she's always been
