Chapter Nine
Joy held Malcolm’s hand, pondering the new feelings she had as they flew toward Holly. Something had definitely changed in him, which put to rest her panicked reaction to his vigilante work. He must have not made any mistakes there or he wouldn’t be in the afterlife. At least, she hoped that was the case.
They reappeared just as Holly’s foot disappeared into the dining room of Sarahand Brody’s home. Following their charge, they floated in behind her and listened to the couple’s conversation. At least Sarah managed a smile now and then.
Malcolm let go of her hand to move in front of Holly. “Are you ready for your next visit?”
She nodded. “Who’s leading the way?”
Malcolm chuckled. “I am.”
“Really?” Holly looked to her. “You’re going to let him break my heart twice in arow. There’s so much sadness in my future, I don’t know what to try to fix first.”
Joy took hold of Holly’s hand. “It’s not about fixing things. It’s about having meaningful relationships with others. If you do that, you won’t have to ‘fix’ anything.”
“I don’t understand.”
Malcolm took Holly’s other hand. “Then allow me to show you.” He pulled them up through the ceiling and into the gray ether.When it cleared, they hovered above the same house. “We’re here, but I need to explain these next two visits.”
Holly looked at him. “But we didn’t go anywhere.”
“Actually, we did.” Malcolm let her go and faced her. “What you will see next is a future you.”
“A future me? Is there more than one?”
He smiled. “Aye. This future has a forty percent chance of happening.”
Holly grimaced. “That’snot very good odds.”
Joy chuckled. “Because you’re still with us, those are the best odds there are. They can change based on your decisions. After you see this future you, I’ll show you the other one that has an equal chance of coming true.”
“Then I get to choose which path I want to take, right?” Holly’s eyes lit with excitement.
“Correct.” Malcolm opened his arm toward the roof top. “Areyou ready?”
“Yes.” Holly let go of Joy’s hand and sped through the roof.
Quickly, they followed into the now Christmas decorated living room.
Holly pointed at her future self, sitting on an ottoman next to a baby lying on a blanket on the floor. “Well, at least I look pretty healthy. I was almost afraid I’d become a leper or something.” She chuckled, missing the look Malcolm threw her way.
“Oh, and look at that little thing. Tell me that’s Sarah’s.” Holly looked at Malcolm who nodded.
“What a cutie.” Holly floated closer as the baby rolled onto her tummy and tried to move forward.
“She’s not getting into anything, is she?” Sarah called from the other room.
The older Holly smiled. “Now what could she possibly get into? She’s barely scooting yet.” She looked at the clock to theright of the fireplace where a large picture of Sarah, Brody, Holly, Cameron and Ethan hung. “I think the men got lost at the Black Raven Pub on their way back.”
Sarah laughed. “They better not have or they’ll have to watch the children tomorrow. That’s the deal.”
“Mummy?” The two-year-old voice could be heard in the other room.
Holly floated to the doorway before looking back at them. “Howwonderful! They have two children.” She smiled as a little boy came to the door.
“Mummy?” The little boy with brown wavy hair grabbed a hold of the doorframe with one hand. In his other hand was a half-eaten cookie. “Cookie?” He held it out toward the older Holly.
“Is that for me, honey?” The Holly on the ottoman opened her arms.
