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“Daddy?” the doe eyed princess asked, standing solemnly at his office door.

He smiled at her voice and turned to look at her. Her curly blond hair fell across her brow into her bright eyes. Her small pink lips were pursed in concentration.

“Hey princess, what can I do for you?” he called her forward.

She hesitated a moment before stepping inside, her hands firmly behind her back.

“Daddy?” she asked again.

“Yes, sweetie.” He answered, smiling gently at her apprehension.

She paused a moment before reaching out to him holding a photo.

“Who’s that?” she asked, innocently.

His brow furrowed and he looked at the picture.

His breath caught.

Deanna.

It was their wedding picture, just the two of them. Both his eyes were closed as he kissed her blushing cheek. Her eyes were open and bright, laughing at the camera. Her gown flowed gracefully to the floor, while his tie remained stubbornly lopsided.

“Where did you get this?” he questioned, his voice suddenly hoarse.

The child’s eyes became fearful, and she turned producing the wedding album from behind the dark of the doorway.

“I-I’m sorry, I was playing in your room and I found it under the bed…A-are you mad at me?”

For a moment, just a moment, he wanted to throw her out and weep in anguish. Allow the torment and anger to consume him.

But he didn’t.

That wasn’t fair.

He opened his arms and pulled her close.

“No, don’t apologize, it’s my fault. I should have told you sooner.” He said his voice unsteady.

Tears fell unheeded into the child’s hair.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

The child didn’t understand, but she remained in his arms, comforting him in the only way she knew how.

After a long moment he finally answered her.

“That’s your mother…” he answered, “You look just like her…”

He let her go and she clutched the photograph like a lifeline.

“Mommy…” she whispered, tracing the photograph with her fingertips. She looked back at him.

“Daddy?” she asked quietly.

“Yes, darling.” he answered, trying to regain his composure.

“What was she like?”

The man smiled sadly, his heart both swelling and shattering at the same moment.

“Amazing.” he answered, he smiled slightly. She always hated that word, but it was the only way to describe her.

“How was she amazing?” his princess asked.

He smiled and reached out, plucking her off the ground and settling her in his lap.

“She was the most beautiful girl you’d ever meet.” he began.

“Like a princess?” she asked.

He smiled. “Even better.” he replied.

The child’s eyes widened.

“But she was never selfish about it.” he explained, “She’d always lend a helping hand when you needed it. She always stood up for what’s right. She never let anyone walk on her dreams.”

He closed his eyes a moment, as if to recall at long forgotten moment.

“She had the most beautiful voice. When you were still in her tummy you would kick in the middle of the night. She would wake up, but then she would sing to you…some of the most beautiful lullabies you’ll ever hear, and you would settle down again.” He leaned back in his chair and she tucked her head under his chin.

“Where did she go?” she asked quietly.

He paused a moment, tensing slightly.

“She died.” he answered gently.

The child bit her lip slightly, wondering about her next question. “How did she die?”

He sighed, knowing that this day would come sooner or later.

“She died giving birth to you.”

The child sat upright so fast she almost tumbled out of the chair.

Despite his shock at her abruptness he held her fast.

“What’s wrong Anna?” he asked gently.

Anna’s lower lip trembled and tears formed in her eyes.

“Do you hate me?” she asked quietly.

He was struck dumb for a moment before regaining his composure. He smoothed down her hair.

“No, of course not darling. Why would I hate you?” he asked.

“I killed Mommy,” she accused, “I killed your wife.”

Understanding dawned and he pulled her towards him, clutching her fiercely to his chest.

“You are not responsible at all for her death, do you hear me?” he whispered fiercely.

She began to cry softly, weeping oddly like a woman rather than the child she was. He stroked her hair tenderly.

“There were…complications,” he explained, more gently this time, “And that had nothing to do with you.” he pulled away and looked into her eyes.

“God had a different plan for her then you and I.” he said.

She swallowed hard before speaking.

“B-but…if I hadn’t been born-” she began, but he interrupted her.

“Then I would be a very lonely father right now.” he replied.

He cupped her face in his hands, “It’s not your fault Deanna. You’re mother understood that it would have to be either you or her…and she chose you…willingly.”

He pulled her towards him, cradling her in his arms.

“She loved you so much Deanna.” he said stroking her hair again. “She will always be with you in your heart. All you have to do is look for her. She’s watching over you right now…and she always will.”

They sat there for what felt like an eternity. When he finally looked down at her, she was fast asleep in his arms, a soft smile on her lips.

He smiled gently, and stood to put her to bed. After he quietly changed her and slipped her under the covers, he paused in her doorway.

He gazed upon her angelic features and smiled softly.

Suddenly he felt something.

The house was completely still, but he swore he felt a soft caress across his own lips.

He glanced skyward and shook his head a smile fixed firmly on his mouth.

“You always liked to tease.” he whispered into the silence.