The hug was an unexpected, but welcomed, gesture; Amanda, just as hesitantly, still cautious herself, returned the hug with the same warmth. It was guarded, still, over the fact that while she was a part of Lydia, they both were still getting used to each other. For a long time Lydia was just a faceless person that she spent nine months growing inside her womb--now she was flesh and bone and had a face. She had a face, a history, a smell and Amanda finally knew what her mother sounded like.

No matter any gaps or hesitation on her part when Lydia hugged her, she felt like she had found a home. She had one, once, but ever since her power manifested things with her aunt were strained at best. But, with Lydia, it felt like she managed to salvage what her genetics betrayed her with the woman who raised her. She felt like she belonged.

Pulling away a little, she gave a sheepish--if not bright--grin. "Thanks," she replied in kind, really trying in vain to hide the fact her face lit up when her mother greeted her. It was difficult not to beam, to feel a warmth that reminded her of Christmas Day as a little girl. It was...special.