Where Her Voice Is Taken

Chapter 8: The Turning Point

The day the judge’s decision finally arrived, the house seemed to hold its breath. Leigh sat on the edge of the couch, her hands trembling as she clutched the phone tightly. Sîl stood in the corner of the room, his arms crossed over his chest, his posture stiff and unyielding. Elowen hovered near the doorway, her expression unreadable but her silver braid swaying slightly, as though even her body couldn’t entirely contain her tension.

Skylar sat cross-legged on the floor, her sketchpad abandoned beside her. For once, she wasn’t drawing. She wasn’t sure her hands would be steady enough to hold a pencil.

When Marcel’s voice came through the receiver, it carried an air of seriousness that immediately set Leigh’s pulse racing. She leaned forward, gripping the phone even tighter. “Tell me,” she said, her voice strained.

“The judge has ruled in your favor,” Marcel said slowly, letting the words sink in. “Nîpisîy will be returned to your custody effective immediately. CPS will conduct periodic checks, but Seren Draycott and Caldor Fenn’s claims have been dismissed due to lack of evidence.”

Leigh felt the room spin around her as a wave of emotions crashed over her—relief, disbelief, and overwhelming joy. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the phone against her chest, her sobs breaking the silence that had weighed on the house for so long.

Sîl crossed the room in two quick strides, pulling Leigh into his arms. His own tears fell freely, his strong exterior crumbling in the face of their victory. “We did it,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “We got her back.”

Elowen stepped forward, her hands clasping Leigh’s shoulders as she offered a rare but radiant smile. “You did it,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “You fought for her, and you won.”

Skylar stared up at them, her wide hazel eyes brimming with tears. She reached for her sketchpad, flipping to the last page—a drawing of Nîpisîy cradled in her mother’s arms, her smile as bright as the sun. It was as if Skylar had drawn the future before it had even happened.

When the CPS social worker arrived later that afternoon to return Nîpisîy, Leigh felt her chest tighten with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. She stood by the front door, flanked by Sîl and Elowen, with Skylar hovering just behind them. The sound of the car pulling into the driveway seemed to echo louder than usual, each moment stretching into eternity.

When the door opened, and Leigh saw Nîpisîy’s familiar chubby cheeks and sparkling eyes, she felt her knees weaken. The baby reached out for her mother, her tiny hands grasping at the air as though she had been waiting for this moment just as desperately.

Leigh scooped Nîpisîy into her arms, clutching her tightly against her chest. The scent of baby shampoo and lavender filled her senses, grounding her in the reality of their reunion. “Mama loves you,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Mama loves you so much.”

Sîl gently stroked Nîpisîy’s head, his expression softening as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re home now,” he said quietly. “You’re safe.”

Elowen stood nearby, her smile calm but radiant as she watched the family embrace. Even Skylar found herself overcome with emotion, her tears spilling over as she reached out to touch her sister’s tiny hand. “I missed you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I missed you so much.”

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the house felt alive again. The laughter and warmth that had been stolen from them returned, filling every corner with the promise of healing.

That evening, as the family gathered in the living room, Leigh felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known in months. Nîpisîy sat in her highchair, happily smearing mashed peas across her cheeks while Skylar sketched the scene with quiet concentration. Sîl worked on a new carving, his movements steady and deliberate, while Elowen hummed softly as she prepared tea in the kitchen.

Leigh glanced around the room, her heart swelling with gratitude. They had fought through hell to reclaim what had been stolen from them, and though the scars would remain, their love and resilience had prevailed.

As the sun set outside the window, casting a warm golden glow over the room, Leigh whispered a quiet prayer to the ancestors, thanking them for their guidance. She knew the road ahead wouldn’t be without its challenges, but she also knew they could face anything as long as they stood together.