But Marcus was already moving. Crossing the small living room in three strides, pushing open the bedroom door. Lily was sitting on her bed, her coloring books spread around her. She looked up when the door opened and Marcus saw the fear in her eyes. The same fear she'd been carrying for weeks.
The fear of losing her father, of being taken away to live with a mother she barely remembered. "Daddy." Marcus dropped to his knees beside the bed. He couldn't speak, couldn't find the words, so he just opened his arms. Lily flew into them.
"Daddy, what happened? Why are you crying, Daddy?" Marcus held her so tight he thought he might never let go. The tears were coming fast now, streaming down his face, soaking into her hair. But they weren't tears of sadness anymore.
They were tears of relief, of joy, of a weight finally finally being lifted. "You're staying with me," he whispered into her hair. "You're staying with me, baby, forever." The judge said, "You're mine." Lily pulled back her eyes wide.
"Really? I don't have to go live with mommy." "No, sweetheart. You're staying right here with me where you belong forever. Forever and ever and ever."
Lily's face crumpled and then she was crying too big, heaving sobs that shook her whole little body. But she was smiling through the tears, laughing and crying at the same time. I was so scared, Daddy. I was so scared you wouldn't come back. I will always come back.
Marcus cupped her face in his hands. Do you hear me? Always. No matter what, I will always always come back for you. Mrs. Patterson appeared in the doorway, her hand pressed to her chest.
You won. Marcus looked up at her, still holding Lily. We won. The old woman burst into tears. "Oh, thank the Lord.
Thank the Lord." She shuffled over and wrapped her arms around both of them, creating a little huddle of crying, laughing, relieved people in the middle of Lily's tiny bedroom. "It should have felt cramped. It felt like the whole world." "I knew it," Mrs. Patterson said, wiping her eyes.
I knew that judge would see the truth. I told you, didn't I? I told you everything would be all right. You did. Marcus reached up and squeezed her hand.
Thank you for everything. For watching, Lily, for believing in me, for all of it. Oh, hush. You don't owe me any thanks. She squeezed back.
That little girl is lucky to have you. And don't you ever let anyone tell you different. Lily tugged on Marcus's sleeve. Daddy. Yeah, baby.