I was standing with Nana when my father came over. I tensed in anticipation. She had not spoken to him since he disappeared on the day of my birth. Grandmother had explained that she’d told them the entire story. She had explained that Leonard had not left of his own accord and that he had suffered greatly from it. He approached us hesitantly.
Nana stepped forward and embraced him in a long, heartfelt hug. “Oh, Leonard. How you must have suffered.” He embraced her in return. The two of them wandered off away from the group and sat on a bench near the gardens. She was holding his hand, and they were talking intently. I knew that feeling, having connected with him after a lifetime. It was beautiful to see.
Dinner was a lively event. The expansive buffet of food was amazing. The dessert table was filled with every possible choice of sweets, which Gran loved. I saw her with a plate covered from end to end. The family was warm and kind. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.
It was much too soon when I realized the evening was coming to a close. I gathered up Nana, Gran, and Luna. They said goodbye to the group, and there were hugs all around.
The four of us were subdued as we followed Grandmother upstairs to the guest room. She said she would be back to escort us upstairs.
I sat in a daze while my little family gathered up their belongings. Gran removed her lace gloves and exchanged her fancy party clothes for her denim traveling outfit.
I was grateful for this time with them, I really, truly was. But now that it was nearly over, I felt a deep, overwhelming sadness wash over me. My stomach was in knots and I was finding it hard to swallow. The tears threatened, but I fought to keep them at bay. Sobbing hysterically would not be a good parting view.
Nana came to my side and gave me a kiss on the head and a hug. “This has been an amazing day, honey. It’s been so good to see you, and lovely to meet the Caldwells. They are a wonderful bunch of people, and they seem to care deeply about you. I feel good about having you here with them.”
“Thank you, Nana. I’m going to miss you so much.” I wiped away a tear that had escaped.
Gran joined us. “You’ve got quite the family here, sweetie,” she said. “They love you. I can tell.”
Luna entered our little circle and took my hands. “I’m happy for you, my friend. I’ll miss you, but now I know where you are, so I can picture it. You keep sending those e-mails and texts. We’ll video chat, and use the mirror whenever it allows us.”
I smiled at my friend’s quick understanding of this odd place. “I’ll work to set up more visits. I don’t know how yet. But I will. I promise.” I meant it too. It would be my goal to find a way to have regular visits with them.
There was a soft knock on the door. It was time. We walked down the hall and up the stairs to the attic, all holding each other. Grandmother followed at a respectful distance, allowing us our sorrow. No one spoke.
Finally, they stood in front of the mirror. Three of the most important people in my life. Pieces of my heart leaving me. I wanted to grab them away and tell them not to leave. I remembered Grandmother’s warning. This was a mysterious, magical event, and they had no choice but to return at midnight, which was now.
A bright light flashed, and then they were gone. I collapsed into the chair and sobbed until I could barely breathe. Until there were no more tears left.
40
I entered my bedroom as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb the sleeping cats. I wouldn’t be able to talk to anyone right now, even Latifa. I crept into the closet and changed out of my party clothes, slipping into yoga pants and a tee. A session in my tranquil yoga room might help me find my center so I could sleep.
I spotted the box in the corner. Since the murder case was now closed, Jaxson had asked if I wanted it back, and I did. They had taken the originals of the lists of names and other documents pertinent to the ongoing investigation, and kindly left me copies. I thought I’d look through them now and find my mother’s signatures. All the hellos and goodbyes of today were making me emotional, so I might as well add one more person to the hole in my heart.
I lugged the box into my yoga room. It was heavy, and I was weak tonight, so I dropped it on the floor. The bottom burst apart and papers scattered. I sat on the floor next to the mess. Well, what do you know? There were more tears in me tonight.
Once I gathered my wits, I collected the papers and stacked them. Then I went out to my desk and retrieved a roll of packing tape.
I flipped the box over and noticed something odd. There was an envelope wedged in between, where the cardboard had been folded over. I carefully removed it.
In my mother’s distinctive, curvy, bold handwriting, a name was written on the envelope: Hayden Caldwell.
I stared at the envelope for a good, long while. I tried to control my breathing and heart rate. I had a premonition that opening this envelope would change my life. How could it not? Finally, I carefully slipped my finger under the seal and opened it.
My darling daughter, Hayden,
I hope with all my heart that you find this letter. I have been trying in vain to reach you since you arrived in Destiny Falls. I have things I must tell you.
All your life you have believed that I abandoned you. I want you to know that I did not leave you of my own choosing. You were my life, my precious new baby. First, I lost Leonard, the love of my life, gone so fast. So mysteriously he vanished. Taking with him my little son, my heart, my precious Axel. Then I was stolen from you. Not a day has passed that I don’t grieve for you, for all that we’ve lost. Our little family, torn apart.
Your birth was a beacon. A beautiful thing, drawing evil to it. I discovered that it was the reason they found Leonard. They removed him to Destiny Falls. And it was the reason they found me. There are things you have never been told because no one knew the story to tell. I have learned much, and I will tell you some of these things now.
I have great pain and empathy for you being abandoned by your mother as a newborn. Because you see, they snatched me away from my mother, days after my own birth.
Days after I was born, I was found in Seattle, in unusual circumstances, too complicated to explain now. I was placed in a foster home with two wonderful, kind-hearted people who then adopted me. Your Nana and Granana. They did not know the circumstances of my abandonment, nor did they care. They embraced the maternal roles and raised me as their own. And then they raised you as well. They are saintly, beautiful women, and I miss them desperately.
It pains me to think they live with the belief that I left them willingly, without a backward glance. That I disappeared without a trace. Well, except for that horrible note that I was forced to write. The words cut me deeply and they created a scar on my heart that I feel to this day. “I can’t do this. Take the baby. Goodbye.” The smudges on that paper were remnants of my tears.
There are so many things that Nana and Gran did not know. Things that they could not know, for their safety and yours. Facts that were well hidden.
I was not a normal baby found in abnormal circumstances. Anything but normal. I didn’t know my background until I was stolen away from you. That’s when I began to learn the truth, in bits and pieces, over years of searching, prodding, and discovering one small piece at a time.
My mother brought me to Seattle. She had escaped with me from a cold, dangerous island called Gladstone, which is where I was returned and where I remain.
There is one family here that holds a power within them: the Gladstones. It is a power that fuels the engine of Gladstone. They need the family here to maintain their illusions and their magic.
There is a parallel place where you find yourself now. Destiny Falls.
Gladstone and Destiny Falls are two halves of what was once a whole. The yin and the yang, the dark and light, the moon and sun. Destiny Falls is the positive half, but it is also fed by the power of a family—the Caldwells. Your father was needed there for that reason, as the Caldwell power runs through him.
Hayde
n, you need to know something very important. My birth name was Emily Gladstone, and the Gladstone power runs through me. That makes you half Caldwell and half Gladstone. You are unique. I do not know exactly in what ways. I can only imagine what powers might flow through you. In all my studies, I have not found there to be another like you.
Keep this information well hidden. Do not tell anyone, as it can be used against you if the truth comes to light. I have learned in life that there is no one you can trust. Especially here. Be wise in this. Hold this information close. Memorize this letter and then destroy it.
I will continue my attempts to reach you, but so far it has been hopeless. Please know that I love you with all my heart. Be careful, my sweet daughter. I hope to see you some day. Stay safe.
Love, your mother,
Emily
Thank you for reading!
I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Destiny Falls. If you liked this book, please consider writing a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or another book site. Reviews are the best way to give a book life, and to say thank you to an author for a fun experience. Reviews are always appreciated!
Hayden’s adventures in Destiny Falls continue in Book 3, when a mysterious old man shows up to tell her a series of tall tales. Who is he? And are his stories fiction? Or are they the history of her family, the islands, and the witch? Can he provide the information she needs to understand herself and free her mother? And why did a dead body show up . . . of someone who is already dead?
The Ghost Camper’s Tall Tales
Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic: 3
The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2 Page 19