Page 139 of As the Years Pass

“Water would be nice,” Cindy says. “Would you like anything, Hannah?”

She blinks, but says nothing.

“We have juice. Water. I could mix you up some chocolate milk. Oh, or hot chocolate.”

Her eyes go wide at that, and he laughs. “Hot chocolate it is.”

Cindy unpacks her worn, leather briefcase, pulling out some paperwork.

“I have her bags in the car, if one of you wouldn’t mind getting them when we’re finished?”

“Of course not,” I say.

“I just have some information for you to look over when you have some time. I have gotten everything else I needed from you last week.”

I get up to take the folder she gives me, placing it on my lap.

“Hannah is a sweet girl. Quiet. Shy. But she’s very,verysmart.” She leans closer to Hannah. “Did I tell you they have a daughter just a little older than you?”

She nods.

“Her name is Judy, and she is very excited to meet you. Right now, she has a little brother who she finds absolutely annoying.”

Hannah smiles again. I consider it a win.

Emmet comes back with a bottle of water than he hands to Cindy, then puts the unicorn mug—the one Judy gifted him—on the coffee table in front of Hannah.

“I put extra chocolate in it for you,” he whispers. “And I added milk, so it’s good to drink now. I wasn’t sure if you liked whipped cream, so I didn’t put any, but if you do, I’ll put it next time.”

“Thank you,” she whispers. But she just stares at the cup, and doesn’t pick it up.

Emmet hesitates a moment, then gets up and comes to stand beside me.

“If you have any questions at all, you can reach out to me at any hour of the day. I’m on call for all my cases 24/7.”

She puts her arm on Hannah’s shoulder again. “If you need anything at all, you let Emmet and Adam know. They’ll call me right away. And I’ll be by next week to check on you, okay?”

Hannah nods, and Cindy gets up.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say, getting up. I give Emmet a knowing look, and he nods.

I follow Cindy to her car, where she pulls open the trunk. There is one duffel bag in there.

“She doesn’t have much. A lot of what she had was disgusting. Stained, ripped, too small.”

“We will get her anything she needs.”

Cindy smiles. “I think you’ll do just fine. You both seem like amazing people. Hannah has been through a lot, and she will be quiet for a long time, but I think you can pull her out of her shell.”

“Thank you.”

“I meant it when I said to call if you need anything. Her appointments are all listed on the forms I gave you. Doctor’s numbers and addresses. Her first counseling appointment will be this Thursday, and they’re coming here.”

“I remember.”

“Yes, well, you’re still young, so I assume you would.” She chuckles, then goes around to the driver side. “Have a great night.”

“You too,” I say before heading back up to the house.

When I close the door, I lock it. I head toward the living room, but stop in my tracks when I see Emmet sitting beside Hannah on the couch, dwarfing her with his large side. She’s smiling, holding her mug that looks to have some missing from it. Emmet is speaking softly to her, like maybe he’s telling her a story.

My chest floods with warmth, and I smile knowing I will get to see the best sides of Emmet now that we’re on this new journey. I didn’t think I could love him more, but seeing the compassion and adoration on his face as he talks to this poor little girl… I’ve never loved him so much in my life.

This wasn’t the life I imagined for myself, but it’s certainly the one I want.