He reached out and pulled Hailey into a tight embrace.


    Den sobbed uncontrobly. "Hailey, I don''t have a mother anymore. I don''t have a father or a mother."


    Hailey held him just as tightly. This was the first time he had ever let his guard down and allowed someone to see him so vulnerable.


    She nodded. "I know, Den. You still have Aileen and me. I''ll always be here for you."


    Then, she rose onto her toes, cupped his face in her hands, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.


    This time, her kiss was full of tender affection.


    Den held her again, pulling her back into his arms.


    Den had to leave, but the hospital took care of Pam''s final arrangements. Hailey and Aileen brought Pam''s ashes home.


    Hailey carefully ced the urn and Pam''s memorial que on the small table, arranging a few candles and fresh flowers around them.


    Aileen sped her hands together and closed her eyes for a moment of silent prayer.


    "Aileen, we''ll keep vigil tonight. You''reing home with me tomorrow," Hailey said.


    Aileen hesitated. "Hailey, I want to stay here."


    "No, it''s not safe for you to be alone," Hailey said firmly. "You''reing with me, no arguments."


    Aileen nodded reluctantly. "Alright."


    Hailey gave her a reassuring smile and gently patted her head. "There''s plenty of room at my house. My dad and housekeeper are wonderful people; they''ll love having you there. You don''t have to be afraid. It''ste, and you have school tomorrow. Your exams areing up. Go get some rest-I''ll stay up."


    Aileen shook her head. "I want to stay up with Mom too."


    Hailey didn''t argue. Instead, she grabbed a thick nket and spread it across the floor. "Then we''ll stay here together."


    "Okay."


    They curled up under the nket, and soon t grew warm. Aileen took out her study materials and quietly reviewed her notes. She wanted to be strong, brave, and live up to the future her mother had envisioned for her.  s?novel


    Hailey watched her with a sense of pride and turned up themp slightly.


    An hourter, Aileen fell asleep with her book in her arms. Hailey gently took it away and tucked her in.


    As she gazed at Pam''s memorial que, memories of the past surfaced-how she had firste here, how she, Den, Pam, and Aileen used to sit together,ughing over dinner.


    Now, one of them was gone.


    Sadness weighed on Hailey''s heart, and she slowly drifted into sleep.


    At that moment, the door creaked open, startling Hailey awake. "Who''s there?"


    Hailey saw a tall, imposing figure step inside. It was Den.


    Den had returned in the cold, deep hours of the night.


    Hailey''s expression lit up with surprise and relief. "Den, why are you back?"


    Without answering, Den walked over and knelt by the table. He lita small candle for Pam, watching the me flicker before lowering his head in quiet reflection.


    When he first walked in, his eyes immediatelynded on the two small figures curled up together. These two were the most important people in his life now.


    For the first time in days, being here brought him a sense of peace.


    He turned to Hailey. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and dark circles shadowed them fromck of sleep.


    Reaching out, he gently pinched her cheek. "I''m here. Get some rest."


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