Chapter 14: Echoes of Grace
One warm afternoon, while organizing an old cedar chest in the study, Julian found a leather-bound photo album belonging to his late wife, Grace, who had passed away from an illness when Mia was just an infant.
For a long time, Julian had kept Grace’s photographs stored away, paralyzed by the grief of her passing. But now, healed by the journey he had shared with his daughter, he felt ready.
He called Mia into the study. The little girl climbed onto his lap, her golden hair resting against his shoulder, while Barnaby curled up at their feet.
Julian opened the album, revealing photographs of a kind-faced woman with bright hazel eyes—the exact same eyes that looked up at him now.
"Who is she, Daddy?" Mia asked softly, touching the glossy photograph.
"That is your mother, Grace," Julian said, his voice filled with tender warmth. "She loved you more than words could ever describe. She had your bright eyes and your sweet laugh."
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Mia looked at the picture for a long moment, then placed her small hand over her father’s heart. "Does Mommy watch over us in the trees and the flowers?"
"Every single day, sweetheart," Julian smiled, holding her closer. "Every single day."
