Chapter 78

"I got you a present!" Niko stuffs his hand into the pocket of his pants and pulls something out in his fist. He turns it over and opens his curled fingers, revealing a small, purple flower that has definitely seen better days. The poor thing is barely hanging on with its crumpled, wilted petals. I accept his gift and hug him, thanking him for the sweet gesture. It might not be much, but when a child goes out of their way to do something like this, it warms my heart. "I picked it in the garden just for you," he says, full of pride. The smile on his face is as wide as ever. "Isn't it pretty?" "It is," I agree, nodding. He takes the delicate flower from my hand and my gaze follows him as he climbs off the bed and goes to my nightstand, gently placing the flower on top of it. His little feet carry him back over to the edge of the bed and he reaches over it, grabbing my arm and pulling me. "Where are we going?" I ask as I let him pull me out of the be