Prologue

“She looks funny,” three-year-old Lynne piped up from the edge of the hospital bed. Angela Basset chuckled as her husband lifted the little girl up onto the bed. “Did Santa bring her, Mommy?”

“No, of course not, dear,” she said, gazing happily at her young daughter. The baby's Christmas arrival had confused her little one just a bit.

“She's pretty, Mommy,” shy Adelle said with a grin.

“When can I hold her?” the oldest daughter, seven-year-old Rae asked.

“Soon, sweetie,” Angela smiled. She was so proud of her girls. They were wonderful children, and they had accepted their new life with ease, and appeared to accept their baby sister.

“She looks like Micky,” Lynne said, looking from the new baby to her step-father. Angela nodded.

“Yes, she does.”

“What's her name, Mother?” Rae asked.

“Her name is Lucille Nicole,” Angela replied, beaming a radiant smile down upon her youngest daughter.

“Lucy?” Adelle asked.

“Yes, you may call her Lucy.”

The littlest, Arwen, started to squirm in Micky's arms. “Mama!” she cried, reaching for Angela.

“I think that's our cue,” Mick whispered, bending over to kiss his wife. “Come on, girls,” he said, and they paraded after him, leaving Angela to marvel over her youngest miracle. The tiny baby girl was dark-skinned, and her hair was as black as ebony, like her father's. She was very small, but she was beautiful, and she would make it. They would all make it, together forever....