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“I am uncertain of the spell and of the family who wielded it.”

“Delilah, there’s some stuff we have to talk about,” Aurora said gently.

“You know what happened last night with Jeremy Daniels?” Delilah sounded wounded.

“I do. I understand how angry you are at what the Daniels family has done to you, but in order to rest in peace, you have to let that go. You can’t hurt people anymore. We have to find a better way for you to express your emotions.”

Delilah laughed. “You sound just like a new friend of mine, who keeps telling me the same thing.”

A familiar laugh filled the kitchen. “I see you got the party started without me,” Bertha Craig said, materializing beside Delilah.

“Hi, Mimi!” Aurora smiled brightly. “I knew you could find Delilah.”

“It wasn’t that hard, Delilah was with you. Watching over you and keeping you safe. Just like I do.” Bertha set a hand on Delilah’s shoulder. “We’ve become great friends.”

“Bertha wants me to cross over into the white light so that my soul can find peace.” Delilah looked as if she wasn’t sure that was the best option.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Aurora said. “Last year at school, a boy in my class was mean to me. He pulled my hair and called me names. It was so bad that I didn’t want to go to school anymore. Everly told me I needed to let my anger go because it wasn’t hurting him, it was hurting me. It worked. It really did. Do you think you could try it?”

Delilah was silent for several seconds. “I will try, but I’ve been angry for so long. My life was short and so very unfair. I was mistreated by everyone and made to suffer.”

“That’s all over now that you have us. We are your family now and I promise no one will ever hurt you again. You can visit with me anytime you like and we can talk and you can teach me about our family.”

“You would accept me as your family?” Delilah asked, her eyes misty with unshed tears.

“We already have,” Aurora agreed.

“I would like that very much.” Delilah dashed a hand across her eyes to wipe away tears.

Aurora gasped when the space behind Delilah began to twinkle. Seconds later, the white light came into view. “I didn’t do that, did I?”

“In a manner of speaking you did, honey,” Bertha said. “Your love and acceptance of Delilah helped her forgive herself and now the light is here to welcome her home.”

“Mother?” Delilah said.

Several women appeared in the light. They all looked excited to be reunited with Delilah.

“Aurora, come here,” Delilah held a hand out to her.

Aurora scrambled off her chair and ran toward her.

Delilah wrapped her in a hug. “Know how much you are loved. Know you are stronger than you ever imagined. I will be with you every step of the way, although I believe that as much as I have to teach you, there is more still for you to teach me. I love you, little one.”

“I love you too, Delilah.” Aurora held on tight.

“Before I go, there is someone I’d like you to meet. Rachel?” Delilah pointed to the light, where a young woman had come forward. She had dark hair and Aurora’s green eyes.

“Mommy?” Aurora gasped.

“Hello, beautiful,” Rachel said, reaching her hands out to Aurora, who quickly took them. “I’ve waited so long to finally meet you.”

“Me too,” Aurora said through tears.

“I am so proud of the young woman you’ve become and I’d like to thank your fathers for rescuing you and giving you the kind of life I dreamed of for my sweet girl.” Rachel nodded toward Fitzgibbon. “Know I’ll always be looking out for you. We will meet again, but until then, I want you to know how much I love you.”

“I love you too, Mommy.” Aurora managed a watery smile.

With those words, Rachel stepped back into the light and held a hand toward Delilah.