Chapter 14 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO INHERITED LOVE
Grace turned three on a sunny Saturday.
We held her birthday party in the garden at my father's estate.
There were balloons.
Cupcakes.
A small petting zoo.
And far too much pink frosting.
Oliver helped Grace open her presents.
Adrian stood beside me, smiling.
“She has your determination.”
I laughed.
“That's one word for it.”
He grinned.
“What would you call it?”
“Selective listening.”
By then, Adrian and I had been together for nearly two years.
We'd taken our time.
Introduced our children carefully.
Built trust.
And learned how to make space for each other's histories.
He never tried to replace Grace's father.
He simply became someone she could rely on.
That afternoon, Grace climbed onto my lap.
“Mommy?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Who made this house?”
I looked around.
“My daddy helped build it.”
She frowned.
“Your daddy?”
I nodded.
“Your grandpa Richard.”
She smiled.
“The picture man?”
I laughed.
“Yes. The picture man.”
She looked toward the portrait visible through the open doors.
“Did he love me?”
My throat tightened.
“He loved you before he ever met you.”
Grace smiled.
Then kissed my cheek.
“I love him too.”
That evening, after the guests left, Adrian found me sitting beneath the old oak tree.
I was holding my father's letter.
He sat beside me.
“Everything okay?”
I nodded.
“Just thinking.”
“About your father?”
“Yes.”
He waited.
I looked at him.
“Sometimes I wish he could see this.”
Adrian took my hand.
“Maybe the best way to honor him is to keep building the life he wanted you to have.”
I smiled through tears.
“Maybe.”
May you like
He kissed my forehead.
And we sat beneath the tree until the stars appeared.
