Chapter 15: Warmth in the Spring
Lily ran up the wooden porch steps, out of breath, and flopped down on the bench beside Jack. She leaned her head against his arm, her small face flushed with warmth and life.
""Daddy?"" she asked, looking up at the clear blue sky.
""Yeah, sweetie?""
""My heart doesn't feel cold anymore,"" she said quietly, her big hazel eyes bright with peace. ""It feels like the sunshine.""
Jack wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close into a long, warm embrace. He kissed the top of her light brown hair, feeling the steady, calm rhythm of her breathing.
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""That's because you're safe now, Lily,"" Jack whispered softly. ""And as long as I'm here, the sun is never going down again.""
Outside, the lake shimmered under the bright spring sun, washing away every remaining shadow of the past."
