Chapter 10 - The Happy Ending
Later that evening, after the guests had all gone home, the birthday presents had been unwrapped, and the backyard was quiet and still under a blanket of brilliant summer stars, I walked up to Lily’s bedroom.
The door was cracked open, casting a warm, golden glow down the hallway. I peeked inside. Lily was fast asleep in her bed, clutching her favorite stuffed animal tightly against her chest, her breathing deep and peaceful. Barnaby was curled up like a golden crescent moon right beside her bed, keeping watch.
I quietly stepped into the room, gently pulling her floral duvet up over her shoulders and brushing a stray curl away from her forehead.
She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open just a fraction. She looked up at me, sleepily blinking through the dim light.
"Daddy?" she whispered, her voice soft and secure.
"I'm right here, sweetie," I whispered back, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "Go back to sleep."
"I love you, superhero," she murmured, already drifting back off to dreamland.
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"I love you more, kiddo. To the moon and back."
I stood there for a long moment, listening to the gentle hum of the night outside our window—no cold metal boxes, no hidden secrets, no fear—just pure, unadulterated peace. I turned off the bedside lamp,
