Chapter 5 - The First Morning of Sun
The morning sun broke over the Rocky Mountains at 07:30 AM, casting a brilliant, blinding pink and gold light across the snow-laden pine branches outside the master suite.
Inside, the room was quiet, warm, and filled with the scent of fresh pine needles and brewing herbal tea.
Ethan sat in an oversized velvet armchair beside the king-sized bed. He hadn't slept for a single second. He had spent the last two hours watching his four daughters sleep, monitoring their quiet breathing, adjusting their blankets whenever one of them shifted.
A tiny movement caught his attention.
Ava opened her eyes. Clara’s gray eyes looked around the warm, sunlit room in confusion. She didn't scream or jump; she simply stiffened, her small fingers clutching the edge of the down comforter.
Then, she saw Ethan sitting in the chair.
“Daddy?” she whispered cautiously.
“I’m right here, baby,” Ethan said softly, keeping his voice low so as not to startle the others. “I’m right here.”
Ava sat up slowly. She looked down at her nightgown—she was no longer wearing the thin, faded cotton rag. While she had been sleeping, Dr. Jenkins and a warm, elderly pediatric nurse had gently changed the girls into thick, warm fleece pajamas decorated with tiny pink snowmen.
She looked at her bare feet, which were now tucked into soft wool socks.
“Where is Mama Bianca?” Ava asked, her voice trembling with conditioned dread. “Is she going to come in with the scale?”
Ethan felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest, but he kept his expression calm and bright. He slid out of the chair and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Mama Bianca is gone, Ava,” Ethan said clearly, holding her small hand in both of his. “She is never coming back to this house. She is never going to speak to you, touch you, or see you ever again.”
Ava’s eyes widened. “Did... did she get mad because we ate the warm oats?”
“No, sweetheart,” Ethan said, pulling her gently into his lap. “She left because she was a bad person who broke the law. You and your sisters did nothing wrong. Do you hear me? You were perfect. Daddy was the one who made a mistake by leaving you with her. But I am never leaving again.”
Chloe, Mia, and Grace began to stir. One by one, three little heads popped up from beneath the white duvet, their messy brown curls sticking out in all directions.
Mia rubbed her eyes, looking around the bright room. “Daddy... is it Christmas?”
Ethan felt tears burn behind his eyes for the first time in two years.
“Yes, Mia,” Ethan smiled, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s Christmas. And down in the living room, there is a tree that needs to be decorated.”
“We don't have presents,” Grace whispered sadly, sitting up. “Mama Bianca said Santa doesn't like girls who eat too much.”
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Ethan stood up, reaching down to pick up Chloe and Grace together, while Ava and Mia took hold of his hands.
“Santa brought so many presents that the delivery truck almost got stuck in the snow,” Ethan promised them. “And today, we’re going to open every single one.”
