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!"

expect to get everything correct, and she

focused she looked,

She wasn't perfect and had her own little quirks, but she was trying her best

And that was enough.

...

the letters and

voice growing hoarse, yet she kept flipping through the pages. I

up at me in

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

she slid the book

guess all this practicing and exercising is actually paying off. When my body gets stronger, my mood gets better, too. And I've been practicing in front

"It's just that I still can't actually

"At this rate, it won't be long before you conquer autism,

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

she couldn't

and said, "I really hope

"Me, too," Willow agreed.

...