Belo Horizonte, June 25, 1998.

Maria Luisa. – Anna says, running her hand over her belly over the beige dress she wears.

She is lying on the grass with her boyfriend, Thiago, looking up at the blue sky that Anna believes is the color of her lover's eyes.

— What has my mother's name on? – Asks Thiago, leaning over his girlfriend.

— The baby's name will be Maria Luisa. – Anna replied smiling.

— My mother will surely love the tribute. – Thiago comments, smiling too. He looks at his girlfriend's belly, passing his hand and murmurs — Maria Luísa...

— Yes. – answers the blonde with long flowing hair.

—But what if it's a boy? – Asks Thiago.

—It will be a girl. – Anna replies confidently.

—How can you be so sure? – Asks the black-haired boy.

— I dream about her. – Anna replies thoughtfully — Every night I dream about my beautiful girl with hair as black as night and eyes as blue as this sky. She will be like you in many ways.

— So, you don't really know if it's a girl? – Asks Thiago.

— No. – Anna answers taking a deep breath while caressing her belly — Confirmation only at five months.

— In two months. – concludes Thiago. He runs his hand over Anna's belly — I hope I'll be back when I go to find out the sex.

— Yes, he will be. – Anna affirms — I'm sure that by then your father will be in better health and will be able to meet his granddaughter.

— You should go with me. – proposes Thiago, sitting down — That way you would already meet the whole family.

— You know I can't. – Anna refuses, hugging Thiago's back — I'm in exam season, I have my job that they'll definitely send me away when they find out I'm pregnant. I need to save as much money as possible.

— I already told you that I'll support you two... That we're getting married, you don't have to do any of that. I have money for both of us... Three. – argues Thiago.

— I don't want to. – Anna refuses once more — For now I prefer to stay like this. At least until I meet your family.

— Don't worry. – Asks Thiago — They'll love you... Just like me.

— I love you Thiago. – Declares Anna — Don't forget that.

— I won't forget. – Answers Thiago, kissing his girlfriend. —Promise you'll quit your job from now on.

— But how am I going to pay my rent? – Asks Anna worriedly. — Support me?

— Here. – Says Thiago, taking a key from his key ring — This is the key to my apartment, stay in it until I get back.

— I can't accept it. – Anna refuses, embarrassed.

— Please, I just want you to have a smooth pregnancy. – Asks Thiago — I'll be back soon and we'll see a better place.

— Fine. – Anna agrees reluctantly, taking the key. —Just until you get back.

— I'll be back before you know it. – Says Thiago smiling.

***

Belo Horizonte, September 1998.

Anna walks calmly along the sidewalk holding her shopping bags, only two blocks to the apartment. As soon as he turns the last block, he notices a beautiful black car parked, he's sure it doesn't belong to anyone who lives on that street, because he's become everyone's friend. He approaches the car and checks that the license plate was for Curitiba, Paraná. That information brought a smile to Anna's face that had long since disappeared. He's back, thinks running towards the apartment.

She nervously opens the apartment door, realizes that the room is empty, but that she inhales a different feminine scent from hers. He checks the kitchen, the bathroom and when he gets to the bedroom, he finds a female figure. A woman in her late fifties, with beautiful black hair pulled back in a bun, wears a black suit and sunglasses.

— Hello – greets Anna curiously with that imposing figure — Can I help?

— Are you Anna Braga? – asks, the lady standing up elegantly. She takes off her glasses showing the beautiful pair of blue eyes.

— Yes – Anna answers — And who are you?

— Maria Luísa Assunção de Almeida – the woman answers — Thiago's mother.

— Nice to meet you. – Anna says, holding out her hand happily, but is repelled by the woman's icy gaze — I've heard very good things about you.

— Well... I can't say the same about you – the woman replies, making Anna frown without understanding — My son asked to come to you and send you a message.

— That's great! – exclaims Anna, running her hand over her belly, calling Maria Luisa's attention — We were worried.

— Thiago told you not to wait any longer for him. – reveals Maria Luísa — He said you should move on and forget that you ever had anything.

— Which? As well? – Anna asks shocked — He couldn't have said that... He was happy... He was happy with the arrival of our daughter!

— Daughter? – Maria Luísa asks with a look of contempt – Well, know that my son, like me, doesn't believe it's his... How long have you been together? One year... Two?

—Almost a year... – Anna replies.

—But it's not a year old, right? – Asks Mrs. Almeida — How do you think my son will trust a person who may be giving the blow to the belly. Someone who agreed to live in the apartment and live practically at the expense of it. Look, I know it must be hard for you to have invested so much in my son, but know that you won't achieve your goal. If this child is really his, we will give him a decent pension. But that's all you'll have of our family.

—I don't want your money! – Anna reacts, upset – I want my Thiago! Please, let me talk to him. I know it was a misunderstanding.

— He doesn't want to talk to you. – Maria Luisa claims — And now I know why. ... You are insistent, cunning... With that saintly face, you manipulate him, poison him against his family. But you don't fool me. I've known worse than you.

— Please… – Anna pleads. — I love him, I never wanted anything from him. I just want to love him and for him to love me... And I want him to meet his daughter.

— Don't force a situation, dear. – Maria Luisa — Who can guarantee that this child is his? From what I've seen you may be with that child's father right now.

— How dare you? – Anna asks, offended — I would never do such a thing...

—Well... How am I supposed to know it's not like that? – asks Maria Luísa — After all, you don't even have a family... It can be anyone who just wants to get along... A woman of life.

— Stop! – Anna shouts, slapping her mother–in–law. — Don't you ever dare say such a thing about me again!

— Finally, the little saint from the hollow wood showed up. – says Maria Luísa, getting ready — Give me the keys to the apartment. Get back on the street, it's what you deserve.

— Here. — Anna hands over the keys to Maria — You can stay... I just want you to remember the harm you're doing to Maria Luisa.

— Who is Maria Luisa? – asks Maria Luisa intrigued.

— Your granddaughter. Maria Luisa. – Answers Anna, seriously.

—Do you really think putting the same name as mine will make you accepted in the family? – Questions the skeptical matriarch — How silly you are.

— You have nothing to do with the choice of my daughter's name. – Anna counters —It's the name she deserves... She will live up to the name different from you.

— Look, Anna. – begins Maria Luisa thoughtfully — know that I'm inclined to make a deal.

— I don't want any deals with you. – Anna refuses angrily.

—It's not for you, but for this child who is not to blame for anything. – the matriarch replies dryly.

— I don't need your handouts – Anna claims.

— This child will need support. – Maria argues — So stop being falsely proud and accept the proposal that Thiago made.

— Thiago would never make such a proposal. – Claims Anna.

— But wasn't it a proposal that made you move here? – Asks Maria Luisa.

— It was. – Anna admits bitterly — But it's because I made this mistake that I won't make any deal… ever.

— I bet it will, when you press it. – Maria Luísa comments, narrowing her eyes — Even more so now that it's on the street.

—I won't. I'll find my way... – Anna retorts seriously. She opens the wardrobe and takes out her few clothes, tossing them into her old suitcase.

— You don't have to leave now. – says Maria approaching —I'll allow you to stay until the end of the week.

—No. – Anna refuses nervously. She closes the suitcase and faces Maria — You can stay... With everything. But know that I don't believe anything I said... As soon as Thiago shows up, I'll tell him.

— As you wish. – Maria Luisa agrees, opening her purse — But if you get tired of being proud, take my card. As soon as he calls me, I'll tell him to send the pension.

— Keep your card. – Anna counters, holding the suitcase in both hands.

—Young fool. – Maria Luisa comments, putting the card in Anna's jacket pocket — I know you'll call.

Anna turns and leaves the apartment practically running. He didn't think his day would end like this. It's on the street and has nowhere to go. He sits on the sidewalk crying, he can't believe that Thiago would be behind all that. He runs his hand over his belly, where the baby kicks hard. Now it's you and me against the world.

She dries her tears and starts walking down the street, when she finds Aline, a young woman with red punk hair who lived in the front building, Anna was the only one on the street who talked to the girl. She stares at the worried blonde as she approaches.

— Are you okay? – she asks holding Anna's arm, which is staggering. — What are you doing out here? And what bag is this?

— His mother touched me from the apartment, I'm on the street. – Anna replies stupidly.

— Come, let's go to my house. – determines Aline taking the pregnant woman's suitcase — Come live with me.

— You don't understand. – Anna claims crying — I can't pay you.

— Anna, don't worry. – Assures Aline — One day you'll return this favor. What I can't do is leave her here in the middle of the street. We will.

— Thank you, Aline. – Thanks Anna, touched — I promise that one day I will return the favor.

— I know. – Agrees Aline walking beside Anna.

***

The following week she was called by her boss and sent away. The justification was the budget cut, low sales, but she knew the real reason was under her uniform oblivious to that injustice. Aline started to pay the house bills, but Anna doesn't like her to be supporting the three of them. He needs to fix that situation, but the only way would be to contact Thiago and demand that he at least recognize his daughter. But the phone left by him was always off.

She feels lost, until she remembers the business card that Mrs. Almeida had left. It took a few weeks to actually call the card number, after all, it only called because they had to move out of the apartment as they couldn't keep it and go somewhere else, being forced to listen to the voice of the one who had turned their world upside down.

— Maria Luísa, this is Anna. – says the serious young woman on the phone — We need to talk.

— So, you mean you're willing to accept the deal? – concludes Maria Luísa, going straight to the point.

— Yes. – Anna answers — But first, I want to hear the proposal from Thiago's mouth. I want to make the deal with him... Personally.

— Impossible. – Maria Luísa refuses dryly — Thiago won't be able to do that... He's busy.

—This is more important than anything that's keeping him from talking to me. – Anna pleads irritably. —I need to make this deal with him.

— He's organizing his father's wake… – Reveals Maria Luisa without any regrets — And I won't bother him with this… problem. We'll work this out between us and I'll let you know everything, don't worry.

—My condolences, but I don't trust you. – Anna confesses angrily.

— Save your condolences for those in need. And I don't trust you either. – Maria Luísa retorts — But this agreement is for the good of this child... So be mature and let's get down to business.

— What is the proposal? – Asks Anna.

— She will receive a monthly amount to meet all her needs and ensure that she always has the best opportunities. However, we want confidentiality about this little incident in my son's life. – Proposes Maria Luisa.

— So, you don't want anyone to know about Maria Luisa? – Anna asks horrified.

— Exactly. – Says Maria — I think that this small slip could damage my son and his career, permanently. But don't worry, we'll find a way for her to have a comfortable life.

— I want you to recognize her as a member of your family. – Demands an upset Anna — I want your name on my daughter. Otherwise, I'll take this slip up public.

— As you wish. As soon as this child is born, I will send a lawyer with the paperwork and authorization to put our name on it. However, from the moment she uses our name, we will have the right to custody and we can claim the child whenever we want. Do you accept the deal? – Asks Mary.

—Yes. – Anna replies, feeling disgusted when she accepts.

— Then you will soon receive all the necessary documentation. Have a good time. – concludes Maria Luísa.

She still takes time to put the phone on the hook, trying to convince herself that it would be good for her daughter, even though she felt she had sold her soul to the Devil. She touches her belly, crying:

“I'm sorry I'm doing this to you, my baby. I hope one day you understand that it's for your own good.”

As soon as Aline arrives from work, Anna tells about the unpleasant conversation she had, leaving her friend upset.

— I don't want these people's money! – Aline shouts, punching the kitchen table — I'd rather keep taking extra shifts at the hotel bar than accepting anything from them! How could you do that?

— You're not obligated to support us, Aline. – Anna argues — I appreciate what you're doing, but I don't want you to kill yourself working for both of us.

— Anna, you are the family that… I never had. – Replies Aline — I can't accept this. I would never let a sister of mine have to submit to that kind of thing. And you are my sister, Malú doesn't need them. – He mentions the nickname he gave the child, as he hated to speak the name that was the same as the matriarch of the Almeida. —I'll do anything for her.

— It's too late. – Claims Anna — I accepted. And even if you're against it and you hate me, I can't change that. I am really sorry.

— Then promise that this money will only be used with Malú. – Asks Aline, frustrated — At least she will have everything she needs.

—I thought of that when I called. – Confessed Anna emotionally — I want my daughter to have the opportunity to be someone I lost for loving... For loving her father unconditionally.

—After all this, do you still love him? – Asks Aline —After all the proof that Thiago is a bad character?

—Yes. I do, and unfortunately, I think I'm doomed to love him forever. – Anna admits crying. —That he doesn't even know what his mother is doing. I know that one day I will see him again and everything will come to light and I hope Malú welcomes him with open arms. I have a request for you.

— Say. I'll do anything – Replies Aline

— I don't want Malú to find out about any of this. I want her to have the opportunity to meet her father without any influence. I want her to have her own thoughts about him. Promise you will, even if I ever miss my daughter, I don't want her to know any of this.

— Okay. – Agrees Aline, annoyed — I don't agree, but you're the mother and you know what's best for her.

— I hope so. – Anna replies, touching her belly.

***

Belo Horizonte, December 24, 1998.

Aline nervously looks for something on the sofa, where Anna is lying with her swollen feet and her nine–month–old belly. She hadn't noticed how the last few months had gone by so quickly.

—Are you sure you'll be okay? – Asks Aline for the tenth time — I stay at home, you know I don't like celebrations very much. We eat a brain, watch a Christmas movie, cry a little and laugh. Or you go with me and we have fun gossiping about the hotel staff.

— I appreciate the invitation, but no one will want a baby duck dancing in the hall .– Anna refuses, smiling — Not to mention that I can't anymore, since Malú still doesn't want to go out. And I don't want you to stay here with me, you need to have fun. These last few months you've only worked, it's not fair that you stay at home. Go and have fun for both of us.

— Okay – Agrees Aline, taking a deep breath — But promise you'll call the number I left on the fridge, if anything happens. ANYTHING! Until a kick, you call me.

—Don't worry. – Anna asks –— If something happens, it will be the first to know. Now go and I hope you do well tonight.

— The night promises, but I intend to go home early – Comments Aline.

— Aline. – Scolds Anna — There's only one pregnant woman here and that's me.

— Yes, but I won't leave your side until Malú is born, forget it. – She walks to the door — Don't forget to call.

— All right. – Says Anna looking at Aline close the door and murmurs — Lucky will be the man who has you by his side.

***

Anna wakes up feeling her wet bed get up and realizes her water has broken. He goes to the kitchen and looks at the clock, it's still ten o'clock. She tries for some time to contact Aline without success, until her first contraction happens. She then decides to put on a dress and try to catch a taxi or bus to take her to the maternity hospital.

As soon as you reach the street, you notice that it will be difficult to get a transport, as the taxi rank is empty and a bus will not pass at that time. Tries to call the manager, but he was no longer in the building. He goes up once more to his apartment and tries to call Aline, but no one answers. She takes a deep breath and tries to call maternity and ask for an ambulance, but the line is busy. She picks up her maternity bag and walks out onto the street again. She walks slowly until she has one more contraction that makes her hold on to one of the gates on her street. At this rate, she would end up giving birth on the street, she concludes worriedly. Take a deep breath and straighten up, hold the next contractions as long as you can.

You are already close to the main street, when you see a bus leaning against the line. He tries to walk faster, raising his arms to get the driver's attention. It was just over a block away, when a strong contraction makes her arch over her belly, when she looks at the bus stop, she sees the bus pulling away, oblivious to her pain. She tries to scream, but only a stop whisper comes out of her throat.

Walk slowly, the pain is almost unbearable . “My God, I can't have my baby here. Please help me. Do not forsake us now. For all that is most sacred, for my daughter, help me. That's all I ask of you”, Anna pleads, looking at the almost starless night.

— Come on, I'll help – Says the male voice behind Anna.

The girl's pleas were granted.

***

Ícaro is the name of the man who accelerates his car to motherhood. Anna didn't have time to ask much about him, as her contractions barely allowed her to breathe. His appearance reveals that he is in his thirties, hair in a coppery brown tone very well cut, in addition to wearing a dark suit that looks more like a uniform. Security, perhaps, Anna thinks, glancing at him. She has the feeling that she knows him from somewhere.

They enter the emergency room of the Emergency Room, but do not allow Ícaro to accompany her to the delivery room.

— Thank you so much for everything – Thanks Anna excitedly holding his hand, while the nurse pushes the wheelchair. — May God bless you and give you everything you want. I hope one day to repay him for that act, if we meet again.

— We'll meet again sooner than you think Anna – Reveals Ícaro enigmatic, letting go of Anna's hand that looks at him confused.

She tries to look at Ícaro one more time, but the emergency doors stop her. She takes a deep breath and tries to focus on what is most important at that moment: Maria Luísa.

***

— Push! – Doctor orders between Anna's legs. As soon as the obstetrician evaluated the girl's dilation, he decided that normal delivery would be the most indicated, since the baby was in the correct position — Go Anna!

—Errrrrrrrrrr… AAAAAAHHHHH – Anna moans, forcing her daughter out more and more. She lies on the bed, tired and desperate — I can't take it anymore! It wasn't supposed to be like this... I can't do this alone... I won't make it.

— Anna, you can do it – Assures the nurse next to the girl — This will be a nice gift that you will give to all of us. So, if you want this child, earn it and help him get to know the world.

— Is ready? – Asks the doctor — I need you to push with all your strength. Now!

— Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr... Rrrrrrrrrr... Errrrrr... Aaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh – Anna screams, squirming on the bed, as she feels a tug on her belly. She throws herself back on the bed, panting. Feel the sweat from your forehead run down your face. But none of that mattered, he just wants to see his daughter.

In a few minutes the baby's cry echoes through the operating room, making Anna smile and cry at the same time, relieved. The nurse tidies the newborn and puts her in the arms of the blonde who cries with emotion. She touches her daughter's black hair and kisses her forehead. Holding her small hand, then says smiling through her tears:

—Welcome to the world Maria Luisa, my Malú.