Page 60 of A Promise Through Time

“I’d like to ken the answer to that question as well,” Donal said, tipping his head as he looked at Tina.

“Who’s that?” Elle asked.

“Donal, he’s come back with me.” Tina said, making a face at him.

“Oh my gosh! You and Donal! Hamish!” she yelled. When she came back to the phone, Tina could hear the smile in her voice. “I can’t believe it. You went back to find a man.”

“Is that what ye did?” Donal asked, the hint of a chuckle in his voice.

“Yes. Edna told me she had someone all picked out for me.” Maybe this phone call wasn’t such a good idea after all. She gave Donal some side-eye sass.

“And ’twas me?” Donal asked, looking delighted at that news.

“Yes, it was you,” Tina begrudgingly admitted.

“What is it?” Hamish’s voice came through to them.

“Hamish! Is it really ye?” Donal’s excitement caught Tina off-guard, causing her to choke back a giggle.

“Donal!”

“Aye.”

“Where are ye?” Hamish asked.

“I’m here with Tina. We’re with the witch, Edna. Hamish, I have a daughter.” The pride in his voice touched Tina’s heart.

“A daughter? Yer a Da?” Hamish asked.

“I am. She’s nae well. We had to bring her here.” There was silence on the other end of the phone as Tina imagined both Elle and Hamish mulling over that announcement.

“What’s wrong with her?” Elle asked.

“Measles,” Tina said.

“Oh. Is she going to be alright?”

“Yes. Dr. Ferguson came to see her. She’s asleep right now.” She snuck a peek at Donal who had a look of wonder on his face.

“I can’t believe you planned on time traveling and you didn’t say anything to me about it,” Elle said.

“I didn’t want you to try to stop me,” Tina replied. “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not. I just thought, you know, since you’re my sister that you’d share all your secrets with me.”

“And for the last few months we haven’t had a single secret between us. Not a one,” Tina replied. They laughed at that and Tina felt her body lean into the phone, as though she could get closer to them. She missed her sister, her family. She wanted to go home.

“So, you and Donal.” Her sister teased. “When are you coming home? Mom and Dad will be so happy that you found someone.”

“Well, it’s not quite that cut and dry,” Tina said.

“Donal, what did ye do?” Hamish shouted through the phone.

Tina had to laugh as Donal looked like he wanted to run.

“Donal!” Hamish yelled.

“Aye. I’m here. I may have told a lie.” He glanced at Tina and then down at his feet.