The night has settled, and the whole house quieted down.
Julia Land snuggled up against James Thompson.
"Dale has really grown up; he has his own thoughts and goals now," Julia softly said, her eyes filled with pride yet tinged with worry.
James stroked Julia's hair, his brows and eyes exuding a gentle warmth, "Are you worried that our daughter will get hurt in her relationships?"
Julia nodded and sighed, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried. We won't know what kind of person Carson is until we meet him."
James understood Julia's concerns. He whispered, "I worry too, but we have to trust Dale; our daughter is a smart and strong child."
Julia recalled the time she secretly went to school to surprise her daughter and happened to overhear her classmates unabashedly mocking her for being fat.
As a mother, hearing such mockery was deeply painful for Julia.