Chapter 10 - The Garden of Memory
As the evening sun began to set, painting the Portland sky in shades of gold and amber, Ethan walked out to the rose garden.
He carried a single, perfect red rose he had just cut from the bush.
Lily ran up to him, her puppy following close behind, her face flushed and happy. She took the rose from his hand, her small fingers careful not to touch the thorns, and walked over to the wooden bench.
She placed the rose gently on the seat, next to the brass plate, before turning back to wrap her arms around Ethan's neck.
"We did it, Daddy," Lily whispered into his shoulder. "We brought her the roses."
Ethan wrapped his arms around his daughter, holding her close as the warm evening wind rustled the leaves of the oak tree above them.
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He looked up at the sky, the stars beginning to twinkle through the fading light, and he felt a deep, unshakeable warmth in his chest. They were whole. They were safe.
And in the garden of memory, they were finally home.
