Chapter 7

The rain drummed against the car windows as Lily and David pulled up to daycare. She clutched her new rainbow umbrella with excitement.

"Looks like it'll rain all day, Lily. Have fun indoors!" David said, handing her the umbrella.

"Maybe we can make paper boats to float in puddles later!" she replied, grinning.

After a quick hug, Lily skipped through the doors. Inside, the air was warm, and kids and parents shook off raindrops with laughter.

In the classroom, Ms. Choi clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Since we can't go outside today, we're going to have a special day of crafts and games! Who's excited?"

A chorus of eager voices followed, and Lily found a seat with her friends. The tables were covered with colorful paper, crayons, and scissors.

"I'm making a rainbow umbrella!" Lily announced, grabbing crayons.

Joon and Hyun sat beside her, each busy with their own designs.

"Mine is blue and green, like a water umbrella," Joon said proudly.

Hyun smirked. "Mine has a storm cloud with lightning!"

Lily laughed, admiring their drawings. The room buzzed with kids comparing their colorful umbrellas.

After crafts, Ms. Choi gathered them on a big rug for storytime, holding up a book about a little fox playing in the rain.

Lily whispered to Mina, "I wish we could play in the rain too…"

"Maybe we can, after the rain stops!" Mina whispered back.

By snack time, rain still tapped softly against the windows. They gathered at little tables for warm mini pancakes—Lily's favorite.

"If I had a pet fox, I'd take it puddle jumping," Lily said, munching.

Joon raised an eyebrow. "What if it got all muddy?"

"Then I'd give it a bath and make it cozy!" she replied, giggling.

After snack, Ms. Choi brought out blankets for a surprise—fort building! Lily's face lit up as they set to work, draping blankets over chairs and stacking pillows.

Hyun peeked out from under a blanket. "This is our secret house! Only friends allowed!"

"Let's pretend it's a castle, and we're explorers on a rainy adventure!" Lily suggested excitedly.

In their imaginations, the rain became a magical storm, and the blanket fort a cozy cave. They pretended to journey through a rainy jungle, with imaginary creatures hiding in every corner.

"Quick! The storm's getting stronger! Hide in the cave!" Lily cried.

Joon crouched down, pointing. "I see a giant frog! Let's make friends with it!"

The kids huddled together, sharing whispered stories and laughing over their made-up adventure.

As the day ended, they helped Ms. Choi tidy up, still buzzing from the day's fun.

"Today was the best rainy day ever," Lily said, smiling sleepily.

Ms. Choi smiled. "Rainy days are perfect for imagination, aren't they?"

Mina nodded. "Maybe it'll rain again tomorrow so we can make another fort!"

When David arrived, Lily was bursting with stories. She skipped beside him under the umbrella, recounting every detail of their adventure.

"We made the best fort ever, Dad! It was like a secret castle."

David laughed. "Sounds cozy! Maybe we can make one at home sometime."

"Yes!" Lily exclaimed. "And we'll have a real adventure!"

As they walked home, Lily held onto the happy memories of the day.

After the rainy day at daycare, David received a call that made his heart skip. It was time for Lily's check-up, and though he was hopeful, he couldn't help but feel nervous. He and Lily drove to the hospital, where the doctors ran their usual tests, observing her carefully.

After a while, the doctor returned with a warm smile. "Lily's doing better than expected. Her heart's strong, and she's ready to live like any other child."

David felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He hugged Lily tightly, whispering, "You're amazing, sunshine." Lily's eyes sparkled, her smile growing wider.

That evening, they returned home feeling grateful. David tucked her in, the joy of the day's news still filling his heart. As Lily drifted off to sleep, he stayed a moment, watching her peaceful face, knowing she could now enjoy all the little things she loved.

The next morning was bright and sunny, washing away the memories of yesterday's rain. After breakfast, Lily bounced alongside David as they walked to the daycare, the sun warming their faces.

Lily grinned, swinging her arm as she held his hand. "I missed the playground yesterday! I hope we can play outside today."

David chuckled. "Looks like you'll get your wish, sunshine. Have a fun day!"

With a quick hug, Lily ran off, already eager to explore the sunny playground with her friends. Inside, Ms. Choi announced the good news, "We're going outside today!" The kids cheered, and soon they scattered across the playground, bursting with energy.

Lily, Joon, and Mina raced to the swings, their laughter filling the air as they swung higher and higher.

"I'm going to swing the highest!" Joon declared, pumping his legs.

"I'll race you, Joon!" Lily challenged, her cheeks pink with excitement. "Let's see who can reach the sky first!"

The three of them counted down, shouting, "One, two, three—go!" They swung back and forth, laughing as they reached higher and higher.

Later, Ms. Choi gathered the kids with a surprise: a visitor named Mr. Kim, a local animal caretaker, who brought a fluffy white rabbit named Snowball. The kids' faces lit up as Mr. Kim introduced Snowball, showing them how to gently pet her.

Ms. Choi smiled, "Everyone, say hello to Mr. Kim and Snowball, the rabbit!"

The kids replied in unison, "Hello, Mr. Kim! Hello, Snowball!"

Mr. Kim laughed, cradling the gentle rabbit in his arms. "Snowball is very friendly, but she can be a little shy, so let's be gentle, okay?"

Lily gazed at Snowball, whispering to Mina beside her, "She's so cute! I wish I could take her home."

Mr. Kim sat down with the children, sharing fun facts about rabbits while Snowball explored the grass. The kids listened with fascination as Mr. Kim explained how rabbits keep their teeth short by chewing on hay and twigs.

"Did you know their teeth never stop growing?" he asked, and Hyun gasped.

"Really? That's so cool!"

Lily raised her hand, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Do rabbits have favorite foods, like us?"

Mr. Kim smiled, nodding. "They do! They love carrots and leafy greens, but too many sweets aren't good for them—just like us!"

The children took turns petting Snowball, each one enchanted by her soft, fluffy fur. Lily stroked her gently, marveling at how warm and soft she was.

"Her fur is so fluffy! I could pet her forever," Mina said dreamily.

Joon grinned, saying, "She's like a little cloud!"

Lily nodded, looking up at Mr. Kim with a big smile. "Thank you for bringing her. She's my new favorite friend!"

After Snowball and Mr. Kim left, Ms. Choi encouraged the kids to draw their favorite memories with the rabbit. The classroom filled with chatter and laughter as they gathered around tables with crayons, creating colorful pictures of Snowball.

Lily showed Ms. Choi her drawing, beaming with pride. "Look! I drew Snowball eating a carrot."

Ms. Choi admired it, smiling warmly. "That's lovely, Lily! You really captured her fluffy ears."

The kids shared their drawings with each other, comparing their pictures and talking excitedly over lunch.

"Maybe next time, Mr. Kim will bring a puppy!" Mina exclaimed.

"Or a turtle! Turtles are so funny," Hyun added, giggling.

Lily's eyes sparkled with a new idea. "I'd love a bird! We could teach it to talk to us."

With full bellies and boundless energy, the kids headed outside again for playtime, inventing imaginary worlds in the playground. Lily and her friends pretended they were in a magical forest, searching for rare animals like Snowball.

"Let's pretend we're in a magical forest! Maybe we'll find another Snowball!" Lily declared.

"I'll be the brave explorer, and you're the animal guide!" Hyun said, proudly stepping forward.

Joon looked around, narrowing his eyes. "I'm the lookout! I'll find the animals first."

As the day came to a close, Ms. Choi gathered the kids for a final story. They sat around, nestled on cushions as she read about a rabbit who made friends in the forest, finding a home where he belonged.

As she finished, Lily sighed happily. "Just like Snowball found a home with Mr. Kim."

Mina nodded, dreamily. "Maybe one day, we'll have a class pet!"

When David arrived to pick her up, Lily practically bounced beside him, talking non-stop about her day with Snowball. Her eyes shone as she described the rabbit in every detail.

"Dad, we met a rabbit named Snowball! She was so soft and white, like a cloud," she said, her voice filled with excitement.

David chuckled, looking down at her. "Sounds like Snowball made quite an impression. Do you want a pet rabbit now?"

Lily giggled, thoughtful. "Maybe! But I'd want all my friends to meet her too."

As they walked home, Lily chattered happily about her day with Snowball. Each story was full of excitement, and David couldn't help but smile, knowing how much joy the little rabbit had brought her.