I nodded. “Most of my stuff was sent back to my pack, but I have my presents and some stuff left in the penthouse.” I sighed. “Trying to get our stuff here is going to take magic.” I grabbed my plate and brought it to the kitchen.
“We will figure it out.” Toya followed me in. Carly was right behind her. “Let Wendy and I figure out some things. Take our girl to say goodbye.”
I nodded and grabbed a paper towel and got it wet. I turned to face Carly and wiped her face down. “There.”
“What?” She looked up at me with big brown eyes.
“You are perfect.” I pinched her cheek, earning a smile. “Now, let’s go see your daddy.” I held out my hand, and together we slipped out the back door. We walked down the porch, then Carly slipped her hand out of mine and ran to the side of the house. “What are you doing?” I followed.
“I’m picking daddy flowers.” She crouched over some lilac bushes. There were clusters of buds, but not one bloom. “These are his favourites. He said mommy smelled like them.” She trailed her fingers over the closed buds. “I wish they were open.” She looked at me and I smiled.
I pulled my power to my fingers, and I trailed my hands over the bush. Awakening it, making it grow, bloom, and thrive. I snapped full stalks off and pushed my power into the ends.
“What are you doing?” Carly watched with wide eyes.
“You said you wanted to plant flowers with your dad, right? Do you think he will like these?” I waved the bundle in my hands and her face lit up.
“He can sleep under the moon and smell mommy every day.” I nodded with a smile. “It’s perfect.” She held her hands open, and I placed the stalks of lilac in them.
“You have to be careful. We want them to have the best chance to grow.” I held my hand open for her and she slipped her hand in mine. Together, we walked to the big elm at the back of the property.
“Daddy loved it here. We used to have picnics here while we built the cabin.” Carly mumbled as her eyes fell on the freshly dug dirt. I walked up next to Carl and knelt down. I dug my fingers down and created a small hole for the lilac to rest, and turned to Carly.
“Hey Carl. I brought Carly to say goodbye.” I took the lilac from her and planted it. “She thought these would be the best choice.” Her sniffling broke my heart.
“Hi Daddy.” Her tiny voice broke me.
“Hey baby girl.”
Chapter Seventeen
Carly whirled to face the end of the grave only to see Carl settling down on to the ground. “Daddy.” She stood to run to him, but he waved her back down.
“I’m not here baby.” He looked down. “Well I am, but I’m not.”
She settled back on her knees. “You’re under here?” He nodded.
“Yeah baby. Amy laid me down here so that you can spend some time with me if you want.” He smiled as he settled in. “I know I won’t be able to come every time you need me, but today seemed important.”
Carly nodded her head. “I miss you, daddy.” She swiped her hand at her face, smearing snot across her cheek.
I pulled a tissue from my pocket and I wiped it away. Carl smiled, watching us. His eyes met mine. “I miss you too, baby girl, but Amy here has you.”
Carly looked up at me. “I like Amy, but it’s not the same.” Her eyes held an apology.
I chuckled. “It’s okay sweet pea. It’s going to be different. And it should be.” I kissed her and then we turned to Carl. The smile on his face was bright.
“Go on and say goodbye, baby. I’ll be here whenever you need me to listen.” He nodded to the flowers. “I love my flowers, baby. It was the best choice.” I could see the tear in his eyes as we turned to Carly.
I wrapped my arm around her. “Let’s say goodbye to daddy so he can rest.” I nudged her, and she nodded.
“Okay daddy.” She smiled up at me and then at Carl. She settled with her hands in her lap. “I don’t want to let you go. But I know the Goddess called you home.” She sounded so mature for someone so young. I looked up at Carl and I realized he was gone. I looked up at the sky and I smiled. He came to make sure she was okay and when he was sure she was, he left. “Amy has been super nice to me. Even though it’s only been a day since you left us, she has made sure you had a nice place to rest. She protected me like you said she would.” She sighed. “Her friends are nice, too. They are like new aunties. You always just talked about how Amy would come to save me, but now I’ve got four more girls too. They aren’t my mommy or you, but at least I’m not alone.” She swatted at her face. “I’m going to miss you every day. I promise I’ll be good for Amy.” She turned, and I watched her face fall. “He’s gone.”
I nodded as I leaned over and kissed her. “He left once he was sure you were okay.” I pulled back and opened my arms. She crawled into my lap and started to cry. “Just because you can’t see him doesn’t mean he isn’t here with you.” I kissed her headas I stood. “Any last words for right now?” She shook her head. “I’ll bring you out here when I get back tonight, and you can tell him about your day.”
She pulled back. “You promise?”
I nodded. “Of course. I’ll tell him about my day, too. Plus, I have to water the lilac.” We turned away and I sent a push of power into the small plant, giving it a boost before we left it alone for the day.
