Page 127 of The Kidnapped

“I just want you to know that,” Raleigh continued. “Nothing will change that. This will be hard, and we’re already going through hard with your mom, Hollis. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Hollis said, pressing her lips quickly to Raleigh’s as the elevator doors opened.

There was an empty desk at reception, with no one else but them in the room. Then, a door to their right opened, and a woman with a wide smile greeted them.

“Hello. You must be Eden’s mom.”

“Yes,” Raleigh replied. “This is my girlfriend, Hollis.”

“Hi, Hollis,” the woman replied. “I’m Dr. Terry McGraw. Eden is inside the playroom. She’s coloring and is in good spirits, considering everything.”

“She’s coloring?” Raleigh asked, smiling.

“She stole the green crayon from me,” Dr. McGraw replied, laughing a little.

“Green,” Raleigh said softly.

Hollis squeezed her hand.

“She understands somewhat of what happened, but not everything,” Dr. McGraw shared. “And while I’ve tried to make mention of you, you need to know that there’s a chance she won’t remember you or that she might not understand that you’re her mother.”

“I know,” Raleigh replied, nodding.

“Hollis, would it be all right if I requested you to stay out here at first?” Dr. McGraw asked.

“Of course,” Hollis replied.

“I want you in there with me,” Raleigh said, pulling Hollis into her side.

“Babe, it’s not about what we want. It’s about what Eden needs. I can wait out here. You yell for me, though, and I’ll come running, okay?”

Raleigh nodded reluctantly and said, “Okay. What do I do?”

“I need to go to the bathroom, Dr. Terry,” a small voice said then.

The doctor turned, and Raleigh and Hollis both moved to look beyond her. Standing there, in the open doorway, was Eden Leonard.

“Hi, Eden,” Dr. McGraw said warmly. “We can get you to the bathroom. Would you maybe like to say hello to my friends first?” She motioned to Raleigh and Hollis.

Hollis worried. This was clearly not part of the plan. Would it be too overwhelming for the little girl? Should Hollis back up and move behind Raleigh so that Eden could focus on her mom and not a stranger?

“Mommy?” the little voice said, surprising them all.

Raleigh’s hands went to cover her mouth, but she managed a nod. She removed them quickly, realizing she needed to say something.

“Yes, baby,” she said as tears rolled. “It’s Mommy, Eden.”

“Mommy?” Eden said again, but this time, a little smile broke on her face.

While Raleigh stood still, Hollis marveled at her strength because she knew Raleigh wanted to rush toward her daughter and pull her into the tightest hug.

“Eden, you remember your mommy?” Dr. McGraw asked.

Eden nodded rapidly and said, “She told me she was my mommy. I cried.”

“Oh, baby,” Raleigh let out, and Hollis watched her kneel on the floor and hold out her arms.

It took a moment, maybe the longest of Raleigh’s life, ever since she couldn’t find Eden in the park, but Eden walked to her and stood in front of her for another second. Then, she moved into Raleigh’s now-outstretched arms.

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