Devika nodded. “Good.” She went up and knocked on the door.

After a brief moment, the door was answered. Behind it was a short, slender woman with black hair and warm brown eyes. “Devika! My baby!” Devika’s mother enveloped her in a hug, without the slightest hint of delay.

“Mom!” Devika was taller than her mother, and had to crouch a bit to properly hug her. She was grinning ear to ear, and there was a subtle sense of warmness all around. 

“And you must be Roxy. I’m Mara Jones. Welcome to our home.” She held a hand out for Roxy to shake. "Both of you, come in, come in!"

“Where’s Dad?” Devika was looking around. They started to move in and away from the door.

“In the study, he had some emergency casework.” 

Devika shook her head. She’d heard that story before. “Daaaaad!” She called out loud. “Get your workaholic butt down here and greet your daughter!”

There was a sound of footsteps on stairs, then Devika’s father appeared. “There’s my girl!” He was much taller than his wife and daughter both, and had a neatly shaved bald head and glasses. He too, happily hugged Devika.

If Roxy was observant, she might notice that Devika didn’t look much like either of her parents.