Four Years Later

Chapter 63

Four years later...

"Mummy, mummy, look!"

Lily turned towards her 4-year-old daughter Ava, with a warm smile as she came running over, a masterpiece of finger paints clutched boldly in her little hands.

"Well, well, would you look at that?... Nicely done" Lily said, bending down to get a better view. "This may simply be your simply first-rate paintings yet, candy pea!"

Ava beamed, her cherubic face lighting up with pride at the praise. "It's you and daddy and me, see? We're all holding hands in the park!"

Indeed, amid the vibrant swirls of color, Lily could make out three stick figure forms, one smaller between two taller ones, their stick arms linked together. Her heart melted a little at the innocently joyful scene her daughter had captured.

"You're such a talented little artist already," Lily said, pulling Ava into a warm hug. "Just like your mommy."

Ava giggled, smearing a streak of purple paint across Lily's cheek as she squirmed playfully. "When I get bigger, I'm go