Chapter 6 - Morning Light and Red RosesAt 6:30 a.m., the soft morning sunlight flooded through the sheer curtains of Suite 904.
Ethan stood by the window holding two hot cups of cocoa.
Behind him, a tiny pair of footsteps patted softly across the hardwood floor.
Lily walked out of the bedroom, wearing her pink pajamas, rubbing her sleepy eyes, clutching her stuffed rabbit under her arm.
"Daddy?" she asked, her voice sweet and raspy from sleep.
Ethan immediately smiled, setting the cups down, kneeling on the floor with open arms. Lily ran right into his chest, wrapping her small arms around his neck.
"Good morning, my little sunshine," Ethan said, kissing her cheek. "Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm-hmm," Lily nodded, pulling back to look around the massive suite. "Is this a castle, Daddy?"
Ethan laughed softly. "Something like that, sweetie. It's a hotel I built a long time ago."
Lily’s eyes drifted toward the mahogany dining table, where the vase of fresh red roses caught the morning light. Her face lit up with gentle joy.
"You got Mommy's roses!" she said softly, walking over to the table.
She stood on her tiptoes, gently touching one of the soft red petals with her little finger.
"Happy Anniversary, Mommy," Lily whispered to the flowers.
Ethan felt a lump form in his throat. He walked over, picked Lily up in his arms, and held her close as they both looked at the roses together.
"She would be so proud of you, Lily," Ethan whispered. "She sees how brave and kind you are every single day."
A quiet knock sounded at the suite door.
Ethan walked over and opened it. Lupita stood outside, carrying a room-service tray bearing a silver teapot, fresh warm croissants, sliced fruit, and a pitcher of fresh orange juice.
"Good morning, Mr. Vance," Lupita said warmly. "I brought some breakfast for you and little Lily before the meeting."
Lily peeked out from behind Ethan’s leg, eyeing the croissants with delight. "Are those chocolate?"
Lupita smiled gently, kneeling down to Lily’s level. "They certainly are, sweetheart. Warm chocolate croissants made fresh twenty minutes ago."
"Lupita, you didn't have to do this," Ethan said.
"I wanted to, sir," Lupita replied sincerely. "A good morning starts with a warm meal."
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Ethan looked at Lupita, then at his happy daughter, feeling a deep sense of gratitude.
"Lupita," Ethan said, "the executive meeting in the Grand Ballroom starts in one hour. I want you to bring Lily down with you when it begins. She's going to sit right beside me."
