Answered prayers…
It took Camael a few days to track down Zaphkiel. It took another day to get any worthwhile information out of him since Zaph would only answer direct questions, and one had to know which questions to ask. In the end, Cam wasn’t sure what he learned would be of much help. Zaphkiel revealed that an ancient prophecy was in play, and it was of the utmost importance that he and Gabriel protect Sophie. Unsurprisingly, it was revealed that He knew about Rafael’s affair and resulting bloodline all along. Cecilia was, indeed, meant to play a significant role in Sophie’s life. What, exactly, that role was, Zaph wouldn’t say.
Cam arrived back at the Fairchild home and discovered a full house. He crept down the hall and peeked into the living room. He wasn’t alone. Gabriel and Rafael also stood in the hallway, cloaked from the humans, listening.
Inside the room were Charles and Nanette, Jean-Luc and Charmaine, Sophie, Cecilia, and an attorney named George Fornier.
“The certificate of death has been filed,” he said, looking down at the paperwork before him on the coffee table. The name on the form read Catherine Eloise Tournier Robillard, Cecilia’s mother.
“And what of any family?” Nanette asked as she leaned forward in the wingback chair. “Have you located anyone?”
Charmaine held her breath, both hopeful that Cecilia still had a relative, and hopeful that she might be able to continue to be in her life.
Fornier cleared his throat. “It’s a bit complicated.” He shuffled some papers. “Her grandmother,” he sent a sad look to Cecilia, “…her grandmother, Genevieve Robillard, perished in a fire almost two weeks ago. I am so sorry, child.”
Cecilia looked down. “It’s okay, sir. I never met her.” Her face belied her words. It was obvious the news caused upset.
“Well,” said Fornier, “there are some personal effects that will pass to the girl.” He looked at Charles and Nanette, and then at Charmaine and his friend, Jean-Luc, unsure who to address. “Mrs. Robillard had a comfortable savings account, and since the girl is her descendant, and her son is in no shape—"
“Her son?” Charmaine interjected. This was news!
“I thought he was dead!” Nanette looked at Cecilia who appeared confused.
Fornier also appeared surprised. “Sorry, didn’t I already say?”
“No, you did not! Her son? Cecilia’s father?”
Cecilia perked up. “My father? You’ve found him?”
The attorney stumbled over his words seeing the hope in the little girl’s eyes. “Um, yes. In a matter of speaking. I’ve found Erik Robillard.” He pulled a paper out of the pile, adjusted his glasses on his face, glancing down his nose through the bifocals. “It is both good and bad news. The father is alive.”
Everyone sat forward on the edge of their seats.
“Yes?” Nanette prompted.
“But he is in a coma,” Fornier concluded.
Everyone slumped.
“It seems he has been in this state for the past eight years. I have the name of the nursing home where he is admitted. It is really quite extraordinary. His doctor said he’d given up finding any family. Apparently, his own mother never knew.” The attorney handed a copy of the information to Nanette.
“But he’s my father, and he’s alive?” Cecilia asked, hope renewing with each word.
Sophie took her hand and patted it. “He’s going to be okay, Cece.”
Rafael latched onto Sophie’s proclamation. Hope surged in his heart.
“So, what about Cecilia?” Charles asked the hard question. “What’s to become of her?”
“Well, with no family to take her in, it will be up to the state to provide for her care…” Fornier looked around the room.
The women fidgeted, clearly unhappy. Nanette looked at Charles, and they both looked at Jean-Luc and Charmaine before Charles spoke again.
“And what if there was someone who could take her in? Be a foster family?”
“That would be a most fortunate solution. I’m sure the state would be happy to find a family willing to do so. One less child, less paperwork. But who?”
Charmaine stood up. “I will do it!”
Her husband jumped in surprise. “Charmaine! I don’t think now is the time to make hasty decisions.”
She looked down at Jean-Luc. “If not now, then when?” She sat down and took his hand. “Darling, she needs us.” He struggled with what to say, but she spoke over him. “And I need her!”
Jean-Luc sputtered but saw the resolve in his wife’s brown eyes. He knew she’d always wanted children, and when none came, he fretted, but as time went on, and she didn’t complain, he figured she had moved past the desire to become a mother. Now he knew he was wrong. He loved her, and there wasn’t anything he would deny her, but taking in a child was a huge responsibility. He opened, and then closed his mouth. He glanced over at Cecilia, a move that decided his future as he was caught up in the child’s big, blue eyes. His heart melted.
While he waffled, Sophie hopped off the chair and walked to him. Jean-Luc looked down into her petite face. The child cupped his own bearded jowls in her tiny hands.
“Uncle Jean-Luc, it will be okay. You’re going to be a papa.” Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Tears of joy puddled in his blue eyes. He blinked them away, feeling strangely relieved of all doubt.
Charmaine put her arm around him. “Well?”
Jean-Luc nodded. “Yes. Yes, my love. We will become Cecilia’s guardians.” He looked at her, “If she will have us.”
Cecilia jumped up and ran to him, throwing herself in his arms. Jean-Luc embraced the curly-haired child, overwhelmed. Charmaine cried out, happiness radiating from her vivacious smile. She embraced her husband, and her new daughter. Finally, Charmaine had a complete family.
Fornier put the stack of papers back in his briefcase. “Well, it seems I need to draw up a certificate of guardianship.” He smiled as he stood. “I will leave you all to enjoy your day, and I will call when I have everything ready to sign.”
Nanette and Charles walked him to the door. The three angels watched from the hall, grinning from ear to ear. Cam and Gabriel nudged each other with a shoulder, and Rafael, the proud grandfather, turned his head to hide his tears. He was happy that all had worked out, and that he would get to see his granddaughter grow up, cared for by a loving couple who would never let her want for anything.
Cecilia tugged Charmaine’s sleeve. “Miss Charmaine, will you take me to see my father? I think he needs me.”
“Yes, child. Of course, I will. I’m sure hearing your voice will be a great comfort to him. We’ll go tomorrow, all right?” She hugged the girl, joy lighting her face.
Sophie stepped back. The tiny girl child watched as her new friend bonded with her new family. She looked over at her angelic uncles and gave her most adorable smile. Camael winked at her, prouder than he could ever express for the blessing that was his daughter. It seemed that young Sophie, friend to all creatures great and small, and the future savior of mankind, had been granted her wish.
The End
Dear Readers, thank you for joining me here for Sophie’s Wish. Next week, we begin book 4, Nephilim Rising, a darker tale as the prophesy continues to unfold…
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