Emerson had always thought that leprechauns didn't exist. They were just the stupid, wise tales that were told by her grandfather.
She knew about the buckle shoes and the solitary confinement; the fact that they were always male; their job as a cob...
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"Sweetie, do you know where Ailis is?" I shouted as I finished up the last little bits of dinner. Throwing the rice on the plate and adding some final touches I heard the familiar voice of my husband call down the stairs.
"We are up here playing, is dinner ready?" I nodded my head a smile forming on my lips as I thought about the two of them upstairs. My favorite people in this entire world.
The last two years had been crazy. My life was a battle of ups and downs, from missing my tiny leprechaun to honoring him with my daughter.
"Yes, please come down here," I couldn't help but feel happy at the thought of how my life had changed. I wasn't in college anymore, I was working my dream job. The hours were nice, the pay was good. I was living in my very own home, with the modern cupboards the view of the mountains, and everything else I could have ever wanted.
My sweet husband comes hopping down the stairs as he holds the beautiful blonde toddler in his arms. A smile just as wide as mine on her face as she hugs tightly to her daddy.
"Nathan, you are such a wonderful man," I smile as I place the plates on the table. My heart was filled with so much joy and love. We were celebrating tonight and it couldn't have been any more spectacular than this.
"Ailis, if you want desert you have to eat all of your vegetables," I glanced down at the little girl who was sitting patiently in her chair. She nods her head as I set the plate down in front of her. Quickly fumbling with her fork she dove into the rice first before taking a spoonful of the carrots and shoveling it into her mouth. The smile grew on her face, I knew this meal was her favorite.
I did that on purpose in hopes to have a less fussy toddler on the night of Nathan's and I's two year wedding anniversary. I smiled at the man that had taken such wonderful care of us the last couple of years. The man that had given up so much to make sure we were fed, dressed, and spoiled.
He had continued his journey in the car world, restoring classic cars for those who could afford to spend thousands at a time. It was his passion, a passion for the both of us and running our own company had been the best thing we had ever done.
Ailis beamed as she continued to tear at her food like a ravage animal. Nathan and I watched her carefully waiting for her to choke or decide she was acting insane, whichever would come first.
"You need to slow down speed demon," Nathan chuckled as he took his very own bite of food.
"Mommy, can you tell me why my name is Ailis?" The little girl whispers as she looks terrified. The questions was a soft topic for myself and unfortunately she knew it as well. I couldn't help but express how much I had missed him. The creature that brought me together with the man of my dreams. The one thing that I knew would forever impact my life in such a positive way.
I hadn't seen him since the graduation. The night I was whisked away in the beautiful emerald green ball gown. Nathan and I had danced and enjoyed a couple of hours with the leprechaun and it would never be enough time. I begged everyday to have a sign that he was still okay. I wanted to know if he was able to get everything done he had wanted. His dreams, his goals, the things I was too selfish to question him about.
"It's a friend of your mother," Nathan answered, realizing I was so caught up in my own thoughts I probably would have never spoke. I glanced at the little girls green eyes, reminding me of the ones that used to contrast the bright red hair of my fiery friend. Maybe one day she would know about leprechauns. Maybe she would know that they were real. Her grandpa, if he was still around could tell her stories about how they exist. Just like mine had when I was a young girl. Maybe then she would one day get the chance to meet her very own. He would grant her wishes and hopefully she would do better with her magic than I did with mine.
"Where is he though?" Ailis questions, the little girl was full of too many questions that brought back memories of the leprechaun.
"He lives far far away, maybe one day you will get to meet him, or maybe someone like him, but for now, we named you after him to honor him. He brought your father and I together and he was very special. Just like you," I smiled as I poked her nose. She smiled back at me beaming as she showed her toothy grin, well in this case toothless grin since she had just lost her very first tooth.
"Maybe one day I will get to meet him," She whispered to herself as she continued to eat her food. I felt like the world was falling into place. Things had been wonderful the last few years.
The only thing that would make this more perfect is the tiny leprechaun sitting next to us tonight at this dinner table. I knew in my heart he was, and if he had the option he would be here in person. But unfortunately this wasn't the case.
After dinner Nathan and I quickly cleaned up the dishes and retired to the living room. Here we would watch our annual family movie until my mother would get here. Nathan and I had plans for tonight but poor Ailis needed a babysitter.
"When will Nana get here?" Ailis questions as she hops around the room in her green dress. Just in that moment the doorbell rang. I smiled to the little girl as I got up off the couch to head to the front door. The knob was cold under my fingers as I gripped it tightly pulling to door open in one fellow swoop. But there was nothing there.
"Nathan?" I question as I peer out searching for anything, but there wasn't even a sign that my mother had been there, or anyone else for that matter.
