Are You Willing to Love?

Chapter 7

Point of View: Kyle

Watching as Jose and Danny smile at each other I follow them as they kick the ball back and forth as the smaller kids give chase. Smiles shine on all of their faces as they continue to move around. Shooting into the ratty net, Max blocks the shot with a single catch. Tossing it to Melody, she is quick to rush back down the field with everyone following her. Following them back down the field, I can't help but find myself looking at the figured tucked into the tree.

Her eyes are closed just as they had been moments ago. Her body relaxed and her arms resting on her lap. The only sign that she was awake was the soft content smile on her lips that matches The Orphans. She seemed to be in complete bliss with Aaron right by her side.

Who was this girl? The amount of surprises that had occurred after her appearance on the field made me think we hadn't even begun to scrape the surface with these kids. Dragging my eyes away from the peaceful figure, I lean forward pressing my elbows to my thighs as I look to the makeshift soccer field once more.

Glancing over the kids, I find Melody with a large smile clear on her face as Mikael makes a goal. I had never heard her speak let alone yell out as she did today. Her voice ever so soft and yet so powerful that it cut through all other sound, silencing everyone. It had taken me a moment to realize it had been her that had made such a cawing sound and that was only because Rafa was staring at the girl wide eyed.

If that wasn't enough however, I could feel my jaw drop as the Orphans joined in with her call only to then act as though nothing had ever happened. Blinking, I had watched as Aaron bounded across the field to the figure first. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought the dog was merely a puppy with the way he bounded with such happiness. Stopping in front of the mysterious figure, he doesn't push her over but instead brushed against her his ears twitching with excitement. The mysterious girl greeted the pup with a welcoming smile but only had a couple of moments before Melody was within arms reach. Tears are clear on Melody's cheeks as the figure scooped her up into her chest.

Hearing the sound of a whistle, my attention was sharply cut as I turned to find the referee making a goal motion. Rushing to look at the opposing teams goal, I spotted Jose and Max slapping hands with Mikael. Smiles were clear on their lips as they made their way back across the center line. Searching Mikael, not an ounce of rage seemed to remain on his face instead he actually looked happy. Stunned, I am distracted once more as I spot the mysterious girl approach Father Luca and Rafa. I am quickly knocked back onto the bench as Father stands and tightly embraces the girl. He looked close to tears.

Izzy... their sister. I stare at the slim figure searching for some idea of who she is but once more she doesn't move. Sister didn't seem right. I mean yes they are all orphans but the way they flocked to her. There was not way she was their sister. She was more than that. The way they were all smiles. The way that Lee, well known short tempered girl, just sobbed into her chest only moments before. How the silent Melody cawed at full volume without a seconds hesitation. Izzy was not a sister.

"Dinner!" Lee's voice echos throughout the area and I watch as the soccer game ends. The kids from the neighbor hood wave to the Orphans and yell out good byes as they rush through the yard. It was the norm. When Lee yelled out for dinner it was time for the others to head home for dinner themselves. But this time, instead of looking broken hearted, I am once more surprised as Melody rushes right into the open arms of the figure standing in front of the oak tree.

"Kyle." Turning, I find Father Luca watching me from besides the bench. How long had he been watching? Sly old man. Stepping toward him, I offer my arm and the elder carefully grabs onto my forearm and slowly straightens from his spot on the bench. Dusting off his pants, he turns to look toward the group making our way toward us. Izzy is in the center with Melody as the group of guys are at her sides.

"You and your friends have been here a while." The father states quietly and I turn sharply to look at the old man. His warm brown eyes deeper than usual as he keeps his voice down. "I warned you when you first came to my door that it wasn't my blessing you needed." He meets my eyes for a moment before looking back to the group.

Slowly following his gaze my eyes lock onto the stunningly sharp eyes of Izzy. She had noticed our discussion but just as quickly as I had met her eyes, she turns away on purpose smiling to Danny who had commented about the game. "You have managed to earn some of their trust." My attention shoots to Father who smiles tiredly at Izzy. "That is a feat in itself that I applaud you for." His eyes trace over Izzy as if looking for something.

"Some." I agree glancing to Mikael who stands at Izzy's side. A content smile on his lips that seems very foreign to me.

Swallowing, Father looks back to me a simple soft smile on his lips, just as he had done all those months ago. "But just as I said before, it is not my blessing that you need." My eyes shoot back to the group who has now walked past us and are making their way into the kitchen through the small back door.

And once again those sharp eyes lock with mine. With no Melody in hand, Izzy holds the door open. Her posture relaxed as she leans agains the door her hands loosely resting in her pockets waiting for us to approach, her eyes void of any emotion or hint of what she is thinking. "It is hers."