Chapter 10 - The Unbroken Light
Later that night, long after the guests had retired to the cozy guest suites in the east wing, Ethan walked quietly down the carpeted hallway of the third floor.
He pushed open the door to the girls’ bedroom.
It was a massive, beautiful room painted in soft cream and lavender. Four carved oak beds stood side by side, each covered in thick down quilts and surrounded by soft plush animals.
A warm nightlight in the shape of a golden star illuminated the room from the wall corner.
Ethan walked to the first bed.
Ava was sleeping soundly, her arm wrapped around a plush velvet bear. Ethan leaned down and kissed her warm forehead, tucking her blanket tucked snuggly under her chin.
He moved to Mia, brushing a stray curl of brown hair away from her face.
He moved to Grace, who murmured softly in her sleep, “Daddy...” before sinking deeper into her soft white pillow.
Finally, he came to Chloe’s bed.
Chloe’s eyes were open. She was staring out the window at the snow falling softly against the glass.
“Chloe?” Ethan whispered, sitting down on the edge of her mattress. “Why are you awake, sweetheart?”
Chloe turned her head. She reached out her small hand, touching Ethan’s cheek with her soft fingers.
“Daddy,” she whispered softly.
“Yes, baby?”
“I looked under the bed,” Chloe said quietly.
Ethan’s heart gave a slight, cautious tug. “What did you find under the bed, Chloe?”
Chloe offered a small, perfect smile—the purest smile Ethan had ever seen in his life.
“Nothing,” she whispered. “No dark. No cold. Just my slippers.”
Ethan felt a tear roll down his cheek. He smiled back, bending down to wrap his arms around her tiny body, holding her close to his heart.
“There will never be dark under your bed again, Chloe,” Ethan promised, his voice thick with absolute, eternal love. “I promise you.”
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He pulled the blanket up over her shoulders, kissed her forehead, and sat beside her bed, holding her hand until her breathing grew slow and even, sinking into the deep, peaceful sleep of a child who knew, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that she was safe.
Outside, the snow continued to fall gently over the Rocky Mountains, but inside the Whitmore home, the light was warm, unbreakable, and everlasting.
