Little Ember Novels & Stories

"You are just a kind-hearted lady, how come I don't see that in the beginning?" "Maybe because you were a bit blind? It's normal for people who have a penchant for mischief. I will not repeat myself, darling. If you try to make me angry, I will show you the other side of me which not many people are privy to." Ember smiled and walked out of her room. As she headed downstairs, Ellie ended the call and smiled as she had it on record now. "Dad, did you hear what she just said?" "That she can make you disappear and a lot of mean stuff?"

I teased, raising an eyebrow. Emberly chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes. "We do talk about everything, but this is different. Emerald can be a bit...clueless about boys, to be honest," she said with a grin. "I told you, she doesn't really talk to people outside the family, so I'm not sure she'd understand what I'm going through." She smiled mischievously. "Besides, I value your opinion more, Sarah. You're always so level-headed and wise, you’re like a sister to us now." I laughed and shook my head, feeling a warmth in my heart at her kind words. "You're just trying to butter me up, Emberly," I teased, smiling at her.

She asked and he nodded his head making Ember laugh. " But there is no milk," Ember said and noticed Emir's cheerful smile disappearing. He rested his head on her chest and murmured- " Why there's not?" He asked innocently. " Because you aren't an infant anymore," Ember reasoned. " You are a toddler and toddlers enjoy food not milk," she explained and placed the bowl on the bedside table. That's when Ivan walked into the bedroom. She saw him. He had a neutral facial expression. He was with his kids. She looked at him but he ignored her gaze and walked into the bathroom.

But there was one child who stood out among them all—Emera. Emera was just nine years old, a little girl with big, sparkling eyes and a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. But Emera was also battling leukemia, a cruel disease that had stolen much of her childhood. Despite her illness, she was the most resilient and brave child I had ever met. She was my stress buster, my little friend who never failed to make me smile, no matter how tough my day had been.

But I jumped the last three stages simultaneously. The living room was empty. Too empty. The kids weren't there. Not Liam. Not Mira. Not Nora. Only the blue book was on the ground. Opened. And before that was a little boy. About eight years old. Wet. Barefoot. With amber eyes. He turned to me. It was Emil. But older. Not the Emil from above. Another. The one from the first loop. He kept the ribs as if he had pain. And said gorging:

Damn him. “Tell me, little Jordan. How did you end up in New York from being abandoned at that waterpark? I don’t know much about your history after that.” I held up my finger, wagging it sternly. “First of all, no more little Jordan. It’s Ember. I’m a grown-ass woman now.” He cocked his head, another fizz of heat in his eyes as he nodded slowly. “Yeah, I guess you are. Consider it done. No more little Jordan. So tell me, Ember. Why New York?”

"What? It's a simple question. Is it... Emily? Emma? Emerson?" I shook my head. "Emelia? No wait, that would be Am..." "If I tell you, you have to promise me you won't laugh, you won't make jokes, you won't tell anyone else." He looked serious again, eyes sparkling excitedly. "Yeah, I promise." "It's..." I sighed, shaking my head. "Ember." "Amber?" "No, Ember. Like a glowing coal. Ember." "Makes sense," he said. "Explains why you can be so fier—"

Amber lifted her up in her hand and turned to Jen who seems to have drifted off in thought, a weird smile plastered across her face. “earth to Jen" Amber said, holding Carrie with one hand and waving the other in Jen’s face. “Oh sorry" Jen said focusing on the people in front of her. “You must be Carrie” Jen said focusing on the girl “How do you know my name" The little girl responded. “magic" Jen said smiling and Carrie laughed. “Congratulations” A husky voice called out from behind them, Amber turned back once again. Carl stretched out his hand for a hand shake and Amber shook his hand saying

That mattered. Ember was four months old today, heavy and warm against my chest as I stood on the upper balcony and watched the training grounds below. She had opinions now, loud ones, and a habit of gripping my shirt like she was making sure I didn’t vanish. Her nursery was just down the hall from our room, bright and quiet and already full of signs that she was becoming her own person. She slept there well. That alone still felt like a miracle. Lila stirred, alert but calm.

Ember was always beautiful but she only seemed to have grown into a grace that she didn’t have before. “Goddess, that is you.” Ember reached out and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her back. The last time I did this, I barely reached her chest. When did she get so small? She started to sob and my eyes widened. “Ember…what…?” I leaned back but she looked up at me, smiling wide. “When did you get so tall?” I laughed and shook my head. “I shot up in high school. The summer between Sophomore and Junior year.”