Home by Keeley Smith Page B

that
you had that information. She’s really nice when she’s not being so
damn scary.”
    This comment
brought a whisper of a smile to Clay’s lips. Eli nodded like he
knew exactly what Tommy was saying. They all knew that Clio had a
way about her.
    “ She told me to
tell you that she is with you every day, and that some days are so
boring that you need to start doing exciting things...”
    Eli
laughed.
    “ She also loves
the tree in the garden, it’s beautiful, and Clay, you need to get a
haircut and a new woman.”
    Tommy looked
sheepish saying it, but Clay roared with laughter.
    “ Okay, C, I
will get it cut. On the women front, leave it with me as I’m a
little busy at the moment.”
    The weight
lifted off Clay’s shoulders. Only now Cora could see that it had
been there for some time.
    Tommy looked
at Cora. “That bump doesn’t suit you, sweetheart. Get rid of
it.”
    Cora looked at
Tommy for a full minute before she laughed so much that tears were
gathering in her eyes. “All in good time, Mum.”
    Tommy looked at
Cora and the bump. Lines of confusion exploded on his forehead. He
wouldn’t understand. And he didn’t need to
know, Cora thought.
    “ Ayden must
give you away on your wedding day. He is more of a father to you
than anyone I could have met. He loves you, and I want to see him
give away our lovely daughter.”
    As Tommy
spoke, Cora could no longer hear his voice. She heard her mother’s
voice and the softness of her words. Ayden looked like he was
holding it together, but Cora had lost the fight as tears, happy
tears, rolled over her cheeks.
    “ Ayden, our boy
is well. I’ve called him Sage because we loved that name. I hold
him close to me every day. He looks like you, especially his eyes,
they are pure ice and they warm my soul every time I look into
them.”
    Ayden held it
together until Tommy finished. Ember was sniffling. Tabitha was
smiling whilst tears gracefully glided along her cheeks. The Irish
coven didn’t understand the full story, but still, Iona, Evelyn and
Kayla were joining them with the tears. Brianna was struggling with
who to console first.
    “ I can’t
believe I have a baby brother called Sage,” Cora
whispered.
    “ We didn’t tell
anyone our name choices. After... well I didn’t think it
mattered...”
    “ It matters,
Ayden,” Tommy said. “They continue in that life so they need names.
They are still whole, their souls continue to grow.”
    Ayden
nodded.
    Tommy
continued, “Cora. I’m so proud of you. You are such a strong,
amazing woman. Jack better appreciate what he has.”
    Jack laughed.
“I do. I appreciate it every damn day.”
    Tommy nodded.
“Don’t blame yourself for what happened. It was meant to be. That
was my ending. I loved every second of my life with you. Now I know
Ayden found my album, and you can see how much I loved it. Your
life is going to be amazing, so full of love and joy that the bad
things are just so small, and I don’t want you spending time
dwelling on them. I will be with you every step of the
way.”
    Tommy halted
for a moment, allowing what he had said to sink in. “Now, I want
you to do something for me, I need you to go upstairs and pull the
bottom of the wardrobe out.”
    “ Is she being
serious?” Cora asked.
    “ Yes, I made
her repeat it several times just to make sure.”
    “ She wants me
to do it now?”
    “ Yes. She was
adamant.”
    Cora laughed
and jumped up. Everyone scurried after her. The thud of their feet
on the stairs sounded like thunder. She dropped to her knees and
began pulling the bottom of the wardrobe out. It gave way after
several pulls.
    “ I can’t see
anything,” Cora mumbled.
    “ Here, let me,”
Tabitha said as she sat next to Cora. Tabitha’s hand
glowed.
    “ Lift up the
floorboard.”
    Cora did as
instructed and with Tabitha’s light, Cora could see a box. She
lifted it and blew off the dust before opening it. Everyone leaned
forward to peer into the box.
    “ The wedding
ring