Page 40 of Doran

“Mama!”

She ran towards us, arms outstretched. I didn't even realize I'd moved until she crashed into me. I caught her and wrapped both arms around her.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

She clung to me. “I missed you,” she whispered.

“I missed you too.”

She pulled back.

Her eyes were wet.

“I wish we’d come with you.”

“I know. I really wished that too, but we didn’t know the house was going to be ready, and you wanted to say goodbye to your friends and have that sleepover.”

“But you were scared too, right? When Grandma left with Caleb and Lucy.”

“Yes.” I didn't lie to her. “I was very scared.”

She swallowed. “So was I.”

“You're here now.”

“Yes.”

“I've got you. We’ve both got you.”

I pulled back. At my words, she’d already moved to look past me to where Doran stood a few feet away. He looked more nervous than I'd ever seen him.

She let go of me, rushing to give him a hug. “Daddy! I’m so glad you’re here and are our Dad now.”

“Mommy!”

I crouched down to catch my sweet little Lucy as she ran towards me, clutching a doll against her chest.

She wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I missed you!”

“I missed you too, baby.”

“I missed you this much.”

She squeezed me as hard as she could.

“I missed you more.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No!”

I laughed.

It was the first real laugh I'd managed in days.