Chapter 12 - New Beginnings

Six Months Later

Emily waited patiently at the front door, it had only been a minute since she had rung the doorbell and her visit wasn't unannounced. Then a smile crossed her face as she heard footsteps running towards the door.

"Emily!"

All of a sudden it was like a whirlwind had hit Emily as Harper enveloped Emily in a warm embrace.

"Hello sweetheart."

Emily smiled as she reciprocated the embrace and kissed the top of Harper's head.

"Are you going to let Emily come inside then Harper?"

Jill smiled as she stood behind Harper and nodded at Emily.

"In a second Jill!"

Harper pulled her head away and looked up at Emily and grinned, causing Emily to laugh softly in response.

"Come on then Harper, are you going to make me one of your legendary coffees?"

"Of course, anything for you Emily."

Harper grinned as she finally let go of Emily and jogged through to the kitchen, leaving Emily to close the door and hug Jill.

"That was a good greeting!"

"Definitely, I am amazed at the progess Harper is making."

Jill smiled and put her arm around Emily's back as they walked through to the kitchen. Emily and Jill sat down at the kitchen table, smiling as they watched Harper operate the coffee machine before she placed two large mugs of coffee in front of the two women.

"There you go."

"Thank you Harper, it looks amazing."

Emily smiled as she saw Harper's cheeks redden slightly in embarrassment at the compliment.

"Are you ok if I go out in the garden Jill?"

"Of course Harper. Emily is here for lunch so you two will have plenty of time to catch up later."

"Thank you!"

Harper grinned as she quickly spun around and headed into the garden, hearing a bark Emily raised her eyebrows at Jill who shook her head with a wry smile.

"You can thank Luke for that one!"

Emily smiled as watched Harper interacting with the puppy and teaching it to follow her commands.

"I honestly can't believe how well she is doing Jill."

Jill smiled as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Oh don't worry Emily, it isn't always this happy picture, but the good days are starting to outnumber the bad ones. We are both learning from each other but this was definitely what Harper needed, a nice stable home."

"With someone who cares about her too Jill don't forget about that. How are things progressing with her and Jade?"

Emily picked up her mug and drunk her coffee while she watched Jill carefully. Jade was still in the secure unit but Harper had been a regular visitor alongside Jill, Tara and herself.

"Slowly, it's going to take longer for Jade, but she knows that she will always have a home here."

"She still blames herself for everything doesn't she?"

"Yes but we will get there Emily, you and I need to help them as much for ourselves as well."

"Redemption Jill, you said it."

Emily smiled as she heard a tap on the kitchen window, looking up she saw Harper grinning and waving at her.

"Well it looks as though someone wants to show you what she has learnt from Luke."

Jill smiled warmly at Emily who stood up and rubbed Jill's arm affectionately.

"And it will be my absolute pleasure."

Emily smiled as she quickly opened the door to the garden, allowing Harper to warmly embrace her once again, a gesture that Emily never wanted to forget.

The end.