Chapter 5: Easter, One Year Later
Chapter 5: Easter, One Year Later
The following Easter was quiet.
Arthur hosted dinner at his small farmhouse.
No marble floors.
No crystal chandeliers.
Just a wooden table, homemade food, and people who genuinely cared for one another.
Lily smiled more easily now.
The bruises had healed.
Therapy had helped with wounds no one could see.
As they finished dessert, she reached across the table and squeezed her father's hand.
"You know what I remember most?"
Arthur smiled.
"What?"
"When you picked me up."
She looked down for a moment.
"For the first time in years... I knew I was safe."
Arthur's eyes filled with tears.
"I should have come sooner."
Lily shook her head.
"You came when I finally found the courage to call."
Outside, children searched the yard for brightly colored Easter eggs.
Their laughter drifted through the open windows.
Arthur watched them for a long moment.
He finally understood that strength wasn't measured by how many battles a person had survived.
It was measured by whether they answered when someone they loved whispered,
"Please come get me."
And if they did...
May you like
They never let go again.
The End.
