“Honey, I am so proud of you,” Kate whispers. She kisses my cheek.
“You did good,” Rob says with a smile.
“I’m going to go downstairs and speak to Mrs. King. I want to tell her that you got Lily to speak.” Kate gives me a knowing look. I can tell she thinks Rob and I should have a moment alone, and I am glad that she sees it. I have been so worried about Lily these last few days, and Rob and I are overdue for a talk.
“You look happy,” Rob says with a crooked smile. He brushes a few long hairs away from his eyes. I feel my stomach flip. He’s so cute.
“I always knew you’d figure this whole thing out.” Rob pats my shoulder. “Anyway, I think I’m going to take off. You go and do your thing with your little sis.” He fists his hand and lightly taps my chin. “I’ll see you.”
“Wait, where are you going?” I call.
“I’m going home. Elle, you need to focus on your sister. I’d just be in the way right now.”
“Rob, how could you say that? You could never be in the way.” I swallow hard. “I love you.”
I can’t believe what I’ve just said! Rob smiles and walks toward me. He stops just inches from my face and stares blankly at me. In these few seconds of tense silence, I create an excuse for that ill-timed announcement. Clearly, the stress has affected my brain.
“Elle, I love you, too.”
Rob bends down and kisses my lips. My heart begins to beat fast.
For the first time in my life, I’m not afraid of it.
***
“When it’s time for all of us to leave, I stop to thank Tina. “We will have Lily back before ten.”
“I’m not worried. I’m just so thrilled that you got her to talk,” Tina says with a smile.
“I hope that she’ll be home with us soon,” Kate says.
“Anything I can do to help, please let me know. In the meantime, feel free to come by anytime you want,” Tina says with a smile. As her lips spread wide, I hear a voice inside my head.
“Emma,” I blurt.
“What did you say?” Tina frowns, a hint of curiosity to her voice.
“Emma,” I say. “I’m hearing someone named Emma. She’s showing me her head.” I feel confused. “Does that mean anything to you?” I ask. Rob and Kate stare at me in amazement.
“Emma was my mother,” Tina says. “She died two months ago, she had a brain aneurism.”
Rob reaches for my hand and gives it a hard squeeze. “Elle, I think Cas gave you more than her heart.” He looks at me with a nervous glint in his eyes.
“Can you really hear my mother?” Tina asks, stunned.
“Yes,” I say. “She’s telling me to tell you she’s okay.”
THE END
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The Divine Heart Page 18
