Chapter 10 - Dawn ReturnsIn the afternoon at the riverpark, strong winds blew, carrying the cool mist from the large river flowing through the city.
A bright red phoenix-bird kite soared high into the deep blue sky, swooping and diving with every skillful tug of the string I pulled. Lily stood beside me, holding a small string spool, laughing and cheering every time the kite dipped across the vast open sky.
Aunt Mai sat on a picnic blanket spread under the shade of a large oak tree, peeling fresh oranges while smiling at the two of us.
"Don't pull the string too hard, Daniel! It'll snap!" Aunt Mai called out.
"Don't worry, Mai! I've got it under control!" I shouted back, my enthusiastic laughter blending with the whistling wind.
I stepped back a few steps, standing right next to Lily, wrapping my arm around her small shoulders to hold the tightly taut wind-filled string together.
"Daddy," Lily looked up at me, her clear eyes reflecting the sunset gradually sinking below the horizon. "Is Mommy up there... looking down at us?"
I paused for a beat, smiling gently, and bent down to kiss the sun-kissed hair of my little girl.
"Yes, my love. Mommy is right here, in the hearts of both of us. She is smiling and proud because we bravely made it through everything."
May you like
Lily nodded contentedly, then leaned her head closely against my chest. She looked up at the high sky, where the red kite was still soaring freely among white clouds.
The storm had passed, leaving behind a vast, eternally peaceful blue sky. Our new life had only just begun—where love, truth, and courage would forever be the lighthouse guiding every step of the road ahead.
