#Chapter 38: Snowfall

Aria “Daddy!” Lucas leaped off of his stool, nearly sending milk flying everywhere in his haste—but with a silent glare from me, he paused, blushing and carefully setting his cup down. Only then did he barrel toward his father. A rare smile touched Darren’s lips as he crouched and held his arms open to Lucas. Just as the little boy reached him, he lifted him and spun him through the air, causing a chorus of tiny giggles to float through the room. “I missed you, bud,” Darren said, ruffling Lucas’s chestnut hair. “I hope you were good for Aria.” Lucas nodded vehemently. “Yes! We had so much fun! I colored a picture for you, and…” As Lucas chattered on about his week with me, my gaze shifted once more to the elevator display, which was still glowing with that bright downward arrow. Darren finally set Lucas down and turned to me. “Sorry, you were saying…?” I shook my head. “Nothing. I just thought you came down instead of up, that’s all.”