Chapter 15.5

Sunday, December 8th

David woke up early, the morning still dark and silent. Today was December 8th—Emily's birthday. Memories of her filled his mind, stirring a bittersweet ache, but he pushed it aside. He wanted to honor her, to remember her in the way she would have loved.

Moving quietly in the kitchen, David prepared some of Emily's favorite dishes: sweet porridge, pancakes, and braised short ribs. He remembered how she'd taught him to cook these with such care, wanting to make every meal feel like home. He hoped the warmth of the food might create a quiet, special moment for both of them.

As the sun rose, the aroma filled the apartment. Soon, small footsteps padded down the hall, and Lily appeared in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes.

"Dad! Whoa!" she gasped, seeing the table full of dishes. "Did we win a prize or something?"

David chuckled, pulling out a chair for her. "Not exactly. But today's a special day, so I thought we could have a special breakfast."

Lily climbed into her seat, eyeing the food with delight. "Special day? Is it my birthday?" she asked, a bit confused.

David shook his head with a gentle smile. "Nope, not your birthday. It's… your mom's birthday."

Lily's smile faded slightly as she looked down at her plate. She took a bite of the pancakes and chewed thoughtfully. "I remember Mom used to make these… kinda." She poked at the food, her voice soft. "Is she… still busy with her dream?"

"Yes," David replied quietly, holding back the heaviness in his chest. "But… she's always close by, Lily."

She looked up at him, puzzled. "How can she be close if she's not here?"

David hesitated, then placed his hand gently over her chest. "She's right here, Lily. In a very special way."

Lily tilted her head, looking down at his hand on her chest, clearly trying to understand. "What do you mean, Dad?"

David gave her a small smile, his voice warm but a little sad. "Well, it means that… even though she's not with us, she's still a part of you."

Lily blinked, still confused. "But how?"

David took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "When you were very sick, Lily, your mom helped you… in a way that means she'll always be with you. She's… part of what keeps you strong now."

Lily didn't fully understand, but she placed her hand over her heart, frowning a bit. "So… she's helping me?"

David nodded, ruffling her hair. "Exactly. She's helping you every day."

Lily gave a small smile, glancing down at her heart as if it held a secret. After a moment, she looked up with a shy grin. "Can we do this every year? For Mom?"

David's heart swelled, and he managed a soft, "Yes. We'll celebrate her every year."

They finished their breakfast in comfortable silence, Lily happily munching away. After they cleaned up, she ran to her room, returning with a heart-shaped sticker from her collection. She carefully placed it over her chest and patted it as if she'd found something precious.

"Now she's extra close!" she giggled.

David pulled her into a hug, feeling both the weight and comfort of the moment. He whispered to himself, I'll make sure you're happy, Lily.