Chapter 5: Lily's Real Birthday
One year later...
The backyard looked completely different.
No reporters.
No police tape.
No fear.
Only family.
Real family.
Lily ran across the grass wearing a bright yellow dress.
Her birthday bracelet had been cleaned and carefully framed inside a small glass display case.
Emma had wanted to throw it away.
Lily refused.
"It reminds me that Daddy found me."
Marcus smiled through tears.
Every birthday afterward began with the same tradition.
Before opening presents, Lily hugged both of her parents tightly.
Then she whispered,
"I'm still here."
Emma kissed her forehead.
"And you'll always be here."
As the candles flickered beneath the evening sky, Lily closed her eyes and made a wish.
Not for toys.
Not for cake.
Not for balloons.
She wished that no child would ever again wonder whether the people calling themselves family truly loved them.
The candle flames disappeared in a single breath.
For the first time since that terrible day, the silence that followed wasn't filled with fear.
May you like
It was filled with peace.
The End.
