Chapter 9 - Mia Asked Why Her Daddy Had to Fight the Bad Men—And Nathaniel Finally Told His Daughter the TruthNathaniel came home.
Mia was sitting at the table eating pancakes.
She looked up.
“Daddy!”
Nathaniel smiled.
She ran into his arms.
“I missed you.”
He held her tightly.
“I missed you too.”
“Did you beat the bad guys?”
He laughed.
“Not yet.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because sometimes the bad guys aren't easy to find.”
Mia thought about it.
“Are they scary?”
Nathaniel looked at me.
“Yes.”
“Are you scared?”
He smiled.
“Sometimes.”
Mia looked surprised.
“Daddies can be scared?”
“Everyone can.”
“Then why do you fight?”
Nathaniel knelt.
“Because being brave doesn't mean you aren't afraid.”
He touched her cheek.
“It means you protect the people you love even when you are.”
Mia hugged him.
I looked away.
Adrian stood beside me.
He whispered:
“She'll remember that.”
I nodded.
That night, Nathaniel told Mia the truth.
Not everything.
Just enough.
He told her he had been away.
He told her he loved her.
He told her he was trying to make sure nobody could hurt her again.
Mia asked:
“Are you staying?”
Nathaniel looked at me.
“If your mother allows it.”
Mia turned toward me.
“Please.”
I laughed.
“Okay.”
Nathaniel smiled.
For the first time, our family felt almost whole.
May you like
Almost.
Because Samuel was still out there.
Related Stories
