The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 181

I randomly pointed to words, and Willow, with both little hands clasped behind her back, answered quickly and confidently. After going through everything we had learned today, I realized she had mastered all the words she needed to learn the spelling of in just one day. Looking for praise, Willow snuggled into my arms. "How did I do, Mommy? Did I get anything wrong?"

"Not a single one!" I praised her wholeheartedly. "You got everything right, Willow!"

Willow blinked. Her face lit up in surprise. "Am I really that good?"

I cupped her cheeks in my hand and gently squeezed. "Yes, you are!"

She smiled shyly, then grabbed her book and nestled back into my lap. "Then, let me see if I can read them out."

I watched her intently. "Go for it."

Willow leaned over the table, her chubby little finger pointing to each letter as she enunciated them. After spelling out the word, she read it out loud.

Worried she might have pronounced it wrongly, she looked back at me and asked, "Is that right, Mommy?"

I nodded and answered with absolute certainty, "Yeap!"

to get everything correct, and she beamed with

she looked,

and had her own little quirks, but she was

And that was enough.

...

reading the letters and

I noticed her voice growing hoarse, yet she kept flipping

looked up at me

reading out loud like this, you'll wear out your voice," I explained softly. "Your health matters

Willow heard this, she slid the book away. "You're

is actually paying off. When my body gets stronger, my mood gets better, too. And

paused, then added with a shy smile, "It's just that I

nose. "At this rate, it won't be long before you

face in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "When that happens, I'll

couldn't help but burst

said, "I really hope

"Me, too," Willow agreed.

...