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!"

correct, and she beamed with pride,

how focused she looked, my

She wasn't perfect and had her own little quirks, but

And that was enough.

...

letters

growing hoarse, yet she kept flipping through the pages. I reached out and gently closed the

at me in confusion.

wear out your voice," I explained softly. "Your health matters

heard this, she slid the

gets stronger, my mood gets better, too. And I've been practicing in front of the mirror every day and studying, so

a shy smile, "It's just that

this rate, it won't be long before you

face in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "When that happens, I'll have lots of kids coming up to me and wanting to be

saying that, she couldn't

"I really hope that

"Me, too," Willow agreed.

...