"I belong here. You don't, sweet Jewel. You belong with the living."
"But Daddy's here." I pointed over to his grave.
Something told me Mother wasn't here with us, or she would have come to see Father too.
Gabriel shook his head.
"Only I'm here right now and you have to go back or you’ll make Mommy cry."
"But...well…I don't want to make Mommy cry, but you’ll be lonely! I can't leave you!" I cried, tears beginning to pool in my eyes.
He smiled, his own eyes misty with tears.
"I can't lie. It is lonely here, but I get to watch you. See you love those friends of yours who'd do anything to make you happy. I have to do my part, Jewel. They would be sad without you." Tears began to roll down his cheeks.
I lifted my hands to his cheeks, trying to wipe the tears away that kept flowing.
Mine wouldn’t stop either.
"But…I’ll miss you." I whimpered.
"Me too, Jewel. You have no idea how much I miss you."
He pulled me into a tight hug.
"But you can't stay here. I won't allow it. You have to go back. There's more for you to do. I know you don't understand now, but you will one day."
We cried and cried for what seemed like ages, standing on the hillside of Father's grave as the sun began to set. He had to struggle a bit to remove himself from my hold and I looked up at him with desperate eyes, not wanting to leave. He looked like he was debating what to do, but he took a calming breath and knelt down to be at my level.
“I’ll protect you from here and visit you in your dreams. I can't guarantee they won't be scary or sad, but I can at least see you there,” he offered.
I pondered it, then lowered my gaze.
I do miss Mommy and the others. Prince Logan would cry and I don't like when he cries. Hm...I want to nap with Nixon and read with Brax. It would be fun to play magic tag with Maximus and take pictures with Kage. Alice and Koa would have more fun if I was there to bug them. And Zane, I want to hug Zane and thank him for saving me.
I looked back with a new resolve.
I didn't want to leave Brother, but if he would still visit me, I'd have to make those minutes count so he'd never be lonely.
"You can come to my dreams whenever you’re lonely. Even if you’re not, you can still visit," I reassured him.
A wide smile formed on his lips as he nodded.
“I’ll visit whenever I miss my dear sister. Now make sure you tell Mother and Father I say hello."
I nodded.
“I’ll tell Mommy when I get back. Uh...I will tell Daddy the next time I pass by."
I considered it, trying to think when I could visit Father again.
Gabriel chuckled, and I pouted again, unsure why he was laughing.
"What's so funny?"
He shook his head, lifting his hand to brush against my cheek.
"It's not my place to tell you, but you’ll understand soon. Now come give your bro one last hug."