Chapter 13 - The Awakening in the HallwayThe next morning, the golden Napa sunlight flooded the second-floor hallway, warming the hardwood floors.
Owen was sitting on the rug outside his bedroom, carefully brushing the matted fur of his brown teddy bear while Lily colored inside her notebook.
Footsteps approached from the top of the grand staircase.
Owen paused, looking up.
David stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a simple gray sweater, his hands resting loosely at his sides. He stopped when he saw his children, his eyes instantly welling up with tears. He didn't rush toward them. He knew after five years of abandonment, rushing would only terrify them.
"Daddy?" Lily whispered, dropping her yellow crayon.
David dropped slowly to his knees, opening his arms wide. "Hey, my little artists. I'm so sorry I'm late."
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Owen stared at him for a long, agonizing second. Then, dropping the teddy bear, the little boy scrambled across the floor and launched himself straight into David's chest, sobbing openly. Lily joined a second later, wrapping her small arms around her father's neck.
From the end of the hallway, Harrison watched them, a rare, genuine smile touching the corners of his lips.
