LEAH
As we pulled away from her, this moment felt surreal, like a dream, and I was terrified to wake up and lose it.
My heart pounded hard, each beat hammering the truth into me—she was here. She was real.
“How are you here, Mom?” My voice wavered, caught somewhere between disbelief and hope.
She smiled a smile that was both arm and shattering. It was exactly how I remembered, soft and full of love, but now it carried something heavier. Sadness and pride intertwined, speaking volumes without words.
“I am back as a spirit guardian of the Resilience,” she said, her voice gentle but steady. “I missed you both so much. That’s why I fought to secure this position, to see my girls one more time.”
I blinked, trying to process her words; my heart swelled with so much joy that I hugged her
