Chapter 36

I gathered energy into myself all afternoon and it wasn't until Lady Emmi came to get me for dinner that I stopped. Dinner was delicious yet again and I ate it with a large smile.

"Tonight is your last treatment. After this your voice will continue to get better on its own. You will most likely be more susceptible to losing your voice if you strain it. Yelling for example." I nodded in understanding as she spoke.

"I also recieved a letter from your father telling me that the family is currently in the process of moving and they will come and get you to take you to your new home when they are finished."

"Can...can I...just...stay here?" I asked hesitantly.

I couldn't see how Lady Emmi reacted, but I could feel a sharpness and coldness in the air before it disappeared.

"Why would you say that?" I could tell from the tone in Lady Emmi's voice that she was trying to keep her emotions under control.

"They...wouldn't...miss me. They won't...even notice...I'm not...with...them. I'm a...burden...to them."

"Ah, so you want to be a burden to me instead." Lady Emmi's words were harsh, but I had to admit they they were not untrue.

I couldn't help but lower my head in embarrassment. Silence filled the small room we had been eating in. I asked to be excused before heading to the medical room for my last dose of medicine. Then made my way slowly downstairs to the hot room where I have been sleeping.

"We can discuss this tomorrow when your family arrives. I think you'll find that you have misunderstood them. Understandibly so." Lady Emmi said that before opening the door to the hot room. It was moments like these when I even needed help opening doors that made me wish to grow up quickly.

I had a fitful night of sleep. I replayed my words and the words spoken by Lady Emmi over and over in my mind as well as all the questions that I had bottled up for the last 2 years. Sleep escaped me until very late and I was awoken by Lady Emmi.

I tried to focus on washing and getting ready quickly, but my sleep foggged mind was having a difficult time working. All I wanted to do was go back to bed and pull the covers over my head. I both desperately wished for answers to the questions plaguing me all this while and yet feared them as well.

I was having so much trouble that Lady Emmi finally had to help me finish getting ready. By the time she carried me upstairs to breakfast and I was able to get some food in my stomach, I was definitely more awake.

"Your family is due to pick you up around noon. Do you want to spend the time in the garden until they arrive?" Lady Emmi asked. I noticed her voice had gone back to her usually calm, soft, and sweet voice. I was glad that she no longer seemed to be mad.

I nodded my head and trotted mysef out back to the garden where I walked around gathering the green energy particles. I didn't call Jade out. I decided to just enjoy my last time here in the garden with just the natural sounds of leaves and grass moving due to the wind and the sounds of water flowing.

Time seemed to flow so quickly when it was peaceful and all too soon I could hear the sounds of feet walking towards me. One set of feet ran over to me and scooped me up in a hug. I knew instantly that it was Jasper. He was my big brother. The only one who I knew loved me and wanted me. I felt guilty at that second. When I had made that request to Lady Emmi, I had forgotten about Jasper.

"Jasper" I said with a giggle as he tickled me.

"You spoke! You can speak" Everyone exclaimed excitedly.

I had not realized until just then that they would be this excited, but nodded in response.

"She said my name first" Jasper gloated.

"Tourmaline, say my name next" Sapphire begged.

"No, say dad." My dad said. "Dad is supposed to be a baby's first word."

"What about mom?" My mom asked my dad.

"Dad and mom." My dad amended his statement.

They were so loud and boisterous that I was overwhelmed and hid my face in Jasper's neck. Plus whoever's name I said last would feel hurt and so all I could do was stay silent.

"Why don't we head to the tea room for a cup of tea. Aline has some questions for you."

"Aline?" My siblings and parents asked.

"She said Tourmaline is too long and she wanted it shortened to Aline". Lady Emmi explained.

"Okay..." My parents said and everyone made themselves comfortable, in what would be the equivalent of a parlor in my previous life, with a cup of tea and snacks."