"Uncle Frank! Did you buy me more princess dresses?" Rose's voice rang through the house from upstairs, bright and unrestrained, carrying the innocent excitement only a child could possess.
She came racing down the steps a second later, her laughter unguarded, two tiny gaps in her smile where baby teeth had recently fallen out, a quiet sign of how fast she was growing.
She was already wearing one of the dresses Franklin had bought on his last visit, the fabric swaying around her knees as she ran. It suited her perfectly, the soft colors making her glow.
Franklin barely had time to straighten before she collided into him. He opened his arms wide, laughter breaking free as he lifted her off the floor.
"Rose," he said warmly, holding her close, "I miss you so much. And yes, I bo
