"You don't want to keep your Royal Mother company?"
Takoda glanced toward Dakota, who remained peacefully asleep against the edge of the bath, before a sheepish smile slowly spread across her face.
"Hehe..."
She leaned forward until her small shoulder rested lightly against Dakota's arm.
"I'll stay."
After a brief pause, she looked back at Kade with eyes shining far brighter than they had only hours earlier.
"I missed you, Daddy."
The simple confession warmed something deep inside him.
A smile softened his usually composed features as he gently pinched her cheeks, earning an amused giggle in return.
"I missed you too."
Standing quietly nearby, Sera watched the exchange unfold without interrupting. Her eyes gradually filled with tears she made no attempt to hide, not from sadness this time, but from relief.
For the first time since arriving at Nightfall Estate, she could finally see the family beginning to resemble what it had always been meant to be.
