it made Caitlin cringe. She looked at him now—so serene, so peaceful—and it seemed hard to believe that any ill would ever come to him. Just being there, on the outskirts of the crowd, she could already feel a sense of peace. It was actually the first time she had felt a real sense of peace since she had arrived back in this place and time. She didn’t know why, but she felt a great sense of comfort around him.
She also felt excited. Every clue she had ever found pointed her to this moment in time. She felt that, in just moments, he would lead her to her Dad.
As Jesus made his way through the crowd on his donkey, slowly, the crowd parted ways. Caitlin pushed her way through a row of people, trying to get closer. She had to see him up close. She wondered if he would even acknowledge her—or if she were just imagining all of this. Had the clue meant something else entirely?
She felt the urgency of time now more than ever. She didn’t have a moment to lose.
Caitlin managed to edge closer, her heart pounding. As she neared him, she felt a warmth spreading throughout her entire body, and an indescribable sense of peace. Jesus was sitting straight up, eyes half closed, looking at everything and nothing at the same time. Caitlin hoped, prayed, that somehow he might acknowledge her. That this was all real. That he could lead her to her Dad.
As she got closer, he suddenly turned her way, and looked directly at her. Then, he lowered his hand and held it out to her.
Caitlin could hardly breathe, she was so nervous. He was holding out his fingertips, as if for her to touch them. She reached out, slowly, her hand shaking, and the tips of her fingers just barely grazed his.
As they did, her entire body was electrified. The shock ran through her fingertips, down her arm, and through her entire body. The amount of energy that poured through him was more than she could fathom: it was like a tsunami. The energy rejuvenated and healed her at the same time. It made her aware of her own power. Of her own existence. For the first time in as long she could remember, she felt truly alive.
Jesus looked down at her, expressionless, his eyes aglow, gazing into hers.
“I have been waiting for you,” he said, softly.
Caitlin felt her eyes fill with tears. Waiting for her? Jesus? She couldn’t even imagine. She felt so important. As if her entire life had a greater meaning than she ever knew. She had no idea how to respond.
“Follow me,” he said.
The crowd surged forward and his donkey moved on, absorbed by the masses. Still trembling, she watched his back as he continued on. The experience left her speechless. She felt more of a sense of purpose now than ever. She felt absolutely certain that if she followed him, he would lead her directly to her Dad. To the shield. She was so excited, she could hardly breathe.
But just as Caitlin took her first step to follow him, she suddenly stopped.
Because there, standing in the crowd, staring back at her, was a man with intense, sad eyes, a man she was sure she would never see again. She did a double take, unable to comprehend if it was true.
After several moments, she realized it was.
It was really him.
Blake.
And just as Caitlin, already overwhelmed, tried to process this new twist, she was suddenly overcome by another shock: standing there, beside him, looking up at her with love and joy, was her daughter.
Standing there, was Scarlet.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Caitlin stood there, staring at Blake and Scarlet, speechless. Her heart soared at the site of them. Her eyes locked on Scarlet’s, and at the same moment, they ran for each other. Caitlin could see Scarlet’s face light up with joy, and beside her, she was also thrilled to see Ruth, who ran to her, too.
Caitlin picked Scarlet up in her arms and hugged her with all she had. She could feel Scarlet’s little hands hugging her back, squeezing tightly.
Caitlin felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks, and felt Scarlet’s tears on her own neck. She felt whole again, alive again. As if a piece of her had been returned. Her daughter was alive. And she was here, with her, back in this time and place. Safe.
“Mommy mommy! I missed you so much,” Scarlet said, through her tears. Caitlin hugged her, never