Chapter 19 - Daddy's Promise
That night, Lily asked Nathan a question.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you going away again?”
Nathan's heart broke.
“No.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
“Forever?”
Nathan sat beside her.
“Forever.”
She studied his face.
“Even if you're busy?”
“Even if I'm busy.”
“Even if you're mad?”
“Even then.”
“Even if I make a mess?”
Nathan smiled.
“Especially then.”
Lily climbed into his arms.
Nathan held her.
Grace stood in the doorway.
She watched them quietly.
Five years earlier, she had imagined Lily growing up without ever knowing her father.
Now she saw something she had almost forgotten how to hope for.
A family.
Not perfect.
Not wealthy.
Not powerful.
But real.
Nathan carried Lily to bed.
He tucked the blanket around her.
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
“Goodnight, sweetheart.”
He kissed her forehead.
Then he stood beside Grace.
“You okay?”
Grace nodded.
“I am.”
Nathan looked at her.
“I love you.”
Grace smiled.
“I know.”
He waited.
She touched his hand.
“I love you too.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
For five years, he had lived inside a lie.
Tonight, for the first time, he was standing inside the truth.
May you like
And it was enough.
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