Chapter 18 - MATEO’S FIRST BIRTHDAY
By Mateo’s first birthday, the house felt different.
Not healed.
Healing was slower than redecorating the nursery and replacing a shattered sense of safety.
But different.
Valerie no longer flinched every time Daniel entered a room unexpectedly.
She no longer hoarded crackers in the nightstand.
That discovery had destroyed him more than the bruises.
Now the nightstand held crayons, a flashlight, and one stuffed rabbit she insisted Rex also liked.
Mateo pulled himself up on the coffee table and laughed whenever the dog sneezed.
Sophie came for birthday cake.
So did Officer Ortiz, off duty, carrying a blue gift bag and the kind of smile only people earned after seeing a family at its worst and still wanting to see them at their best.
There were no fancy decorations.
Just balloons, cake, and Daniel’s hands shaking a little when Valerie carried the first wrapped present over to her brother.
“Can I help him open it?”
“Yep,” Daniel said.
She grinned.
“Without holding him and cleaning?”
His throat tightened.
“Those chores have been permanently canceled.”
She laughed.
A child’s laugh.
Light.
Not careful.
It might have been the best sound Daniel had ever heard.
Later, after everyone left, Valerie sat at the kitchen counter eating frosting straight off her fork.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think Mateo will remember any of it?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Then she added, “I will.”
Daniel set down the plate he was washing.
“I know.”
She glanced at him.
“I don’t want you to be sad every time I remember.”
He stared at his seven-year-old daughter and realized that even healing children still tried to protect adults.
He dried his hands and went to her.
“I’m not sad that you remember,” he said softly. “I’m glad you survived it and told me.”
Valerie nodded.
May you like
Then leaned her head against his side.
That, too, was healing.
