Chapter 8 - The Choice
The legal battle was won, but the emotional one was just beginning.
That evening, I sat Lily down on the plush rug in the living room. I had paperwork in my hands. The final adoption papers.
"Lily," I said softly. "The bad man is gone. He can never hurt us. But the judge needs to know what we want to do next. I can be your legal guardian until you're a grown-up."
I paused, my throat tightening. "Or... if you want... I can adopt you. You wouldn't just be my ward. You would be my daughter."
Lily looked at the papers. Then she looked down at her feet. She was wearing the purple sneakers. They were scuffed now, well-loved and worn, but they were still her favorites.
She looked up at me, her big hazel eyes shimmering with tears.
"Will you still buy me shoes when these ones break?" she asked innocently.
I laughed, a wet, genuine laugh that echoed through the penthouse. "Lily, I will buy you every pair of shoes in the world."
She didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around my neck, hugging me just as fiercely as she had on that sidewalk months ago.
May you like
"Okay, Daddy," she whispered.
My heart, which had been frozen solid for forty years, finally melted completely.
