Chapter 4: Becoming a Family Again
Chapter 4: Becoming a Family Again
The following year brought many firsts.
Drew celebrated his seventh birthday surrounded by classmates and friends.
Instead of fear, his biggest concern was whether there would be enough chocolate cake.
Lily discovered she loved painting.
Nearly every refrigerator surface in Peter's home became covered with colorful handprints, flowers, and smiling stick figures.
Some nights were still difficult.
Nightmares woke them both.
Lily occasionally hid food beneath her pillow.
Drew sometimes apologized for things that weren't his fault.
Peter never became frustrated.
He simply sat beside them until they felt safe again.
Family therapy helped them slowly rebuild trust.
One evening, Peter found Drew standing on the front porch.
"What are you thinking about?" Peter asked.
"My dad."
Peter smiled gently.
"I think about him every day too."
Drew looked up.
"Do you think he'd like it here?"
Peter rested a hand on his shoulder.
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"I think he'd finally be able to rest."
For the first time, Drew smiled without sadness hiding behind it.
