Heart Of Stone

Chapter Twelve

CHARLIE'S POV
"Mom?" My voice comes out in little more than a whisper as I lay my eyes on the woman who I haven't seen in years.
"There's my beautiful Princess." She throws her arms around me in a tight hug. I let myself get lost in her familiar scent. It's almost like we were never apart.
"Holy Hell I've missed you Char. It has been far too long."
"It really has." I have so many questions I want to ask her but remember that Emily is there. I don't want her to have to sit through this.
I think mom can figure out what was on my mind because she then turns to Emily with a gentle smile.
"May you please give my daughter and I some alone time so I can catch up with her? If it's not too much of an inconvenience for you  that is."
"Oh no, that's not a problem at all!"
Em starts to leave but my mom puts a hand on her shoulder.
"However, I do need to speak with you eventually. I just thought I should let you know. It's nothing bad, but we  need to have a chat."
"Yes, Your Majesty, that's totally fine!"
Em leaves the room and my mom turns her full attention to me at last.
"I owe you an explanation for my disappearance."
"Yeah..."
"I guess there's no better place to start than from the beginning, huh?"
I nod and we sit side by side on the couch. I'm a little nervous for some reason. I love my mom more than anything,  I always have, but I haven't seen her in so long that it honestly feels quite strange to see her again.
"So, I guess I should just tell you where I've been for starters. I've been in Heaven for the past few years. I made a deal. As long as I stayed in Heaven and I didn't interfere with you  or Lucifer, you would be unharmed by the Exterminations. I just wanted my baby girl to be safe... I didn't think I would be gone for so long."
"But now that Adam's dead... you're free from your deal."
"Yes... but how did you know I was talking about him?"
"I mean, you disappear and then come back just months after his death. But can I ask you something, mom?"
"Of course, Princess."
"Like I said, he died months ago... so why are you just now coming back? Why has it taken you this long?"
I felt bad for asking, but I guess the selfish part of me needed to know.
"Well Charlie... I guess I was scared."
"You... scared? But why? You're one of the bravest people I know."
"I... it wasn't easy reaching out to you out of nowhere without any preamble. I couldn't give you an explanation for my absence right away. I was frightened that you, my only daughter, my pride and joy, would be angry with me. Or maybe even hate me so much you would never want to see me again..."
That was when I noticed she was crying. I've only ever seen my mother cry once, and that was right after dad left us.
"Oh mom... I... I could never be mad at you. Yeah, it hurt at first... But now I have you back. And you had nothing but  good intentions for leaving. You did it to protect me. And I respect and appreciate that. I'm just glad you're back home. We can finally be together again."
She puts an arm around my shoulders with a nod.
"Thank you for understanding Princess. You have no idea how much I love you. You have been my everything since the moment you arrived in my life. All I want is to protect you, and I know I hurt you, but it was the only way to keep you away from the Exorcists.... especially Adam."
I nod and  rest my head on her shoulder, snuggling into her side.
"I love you too, mom."

"Anyways, aside from that,  what have you been up to lately? The Hotel looks amazing, you'll have to give me a proper tour."
"Oh yeah, I will! I'd also like you to meet my partner soon."
"You have a partner? Are they good to you?"
"Very good. But you'll see it for yourself. I can introduce you on the tour."
"That sounds fantastic."
"Did you say you were going to talk to Emily?"
"Oh yes, I might  go ahead and do that if you're okay with it."
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll be somewhere around here when you're done."
"Okay my love, I'll see you soon."
She hugs me one last time before leaving the room to go find the angel.
LILITH'S POV
I felt significantly relieved after the talk with my daughter. I'm just glad she was willing to  hear me out. She is my everything and I can't imagine my world with  her being angry  at me permanently. As I walk around the Hotel searching for Emily to talk to her for Lute, I am in awe at how truly beautiful this place is. You can tell Charlie has put her  entire heart and soul into it. I reach the lobby and spot her. She's sitting by a window gazing out seemingly lost in her own world.
"Emily?" I try to make my voice gentle as to not frighten her.
She turns to me and smiles brightly. I notice that it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"Hello, Your Majesty."
"Honey, please, just call me Lilith. Titles are quite formal for my taste."
"Oh okay, sorry. Hello Lilith."
"It is quite alright sweetheart. How are you settling in?"
"I... I'm okay I guess. It's a lot to take in. And so different from home."
Her voice quivers and she blinks hard trying to hold back tears. I put an arm around her. She reminds me so much of my own daughter.
"I know love, I know. I'm sorry it ended up this way."
"It's... fine?"
"No, it's not. But, Lute had a message she wanted me to pass along to you."
"Oh? Why would she care enough to do that? Does  she just want to tell me that she's disappointed in me and that I failed her and that we should have never been together?"
The hurt was clear in her tone and I tighten my grip around her, trying to console her to the best  of my abilities.
"No, sweetheart,  actually... she says she's sorry. She misses you. She knows that she let her own anger take control of the situation. She is scared that you'll hate her. She does truly love you, Emmy. She never wanted to hurt you, especially not like this."
"Then why did she do it?"
"That my love, I'm not sure."
"What do I do? I don't hate her. I'm hurt, yeah, but I love her, more than anything, and I can't stay mad."
"You still have your phone right?"
"Yeah."
"Reach out to her. Trust me, being afraid to make that first move and appologize can be scary. But sometimes Em, it's the best thing to do. I know from experience..."
"I just... I know she regrets being with me..."
"No, that's not true. She may have said things like that at the time. But she's still very much grieving for Adam... but also very much  in love with you. Between Heaven's rules and her position as leader of the Exterminators, it can be hard for her  to let herself outside the lines and embrace who she is."
"I guess you're right."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"How much do you love her, Em?"
"So much more than I can ever put into words. When it seemed everyone was ignoring me... not caring to listen to my concerns...  she was always there."
"Would you do the same for her?"
"Always. I hate seeing her upset. I'd do anything to see even a hint of a smile on her face."
"Then my dear, that sounds like true love. Don't let a lack of communication be what drives you two apart."
I see a look of realization and understanding in her eyes.
"Yeah. I'll text her tonight. Thank you, Lilith."
"Of course. I just don't want to see you make the same mistakes I did..."
My mind drifts to Lucifer, my one true love. I've only spoken to Charlie lately. Maybe I should find him. Even just  thinking about him makes my heart  ache with longing.
"If you ever need anything Em, please, I'm here for you. And I know the same applies for Charlie. What you're going through right now is not easy... but trust me, everything happens for a reason. And everything will be alright."
She nods at me with a genuine smile. I rest a hand on her shoulder before I stand up.
"Now, I must be going. I promised my daughter I would let her give me a tour of the Hotel."
"Okay! Thank you again for talking to me. It feels good to know that I have someone I can turn to."
"Always, sweetheart."
I exit the room feeling lighter than I have in years. Things are finally somewhat back to normal. The missing and broken pieces are starting to fall back into place. I'm finally home.