Daniel and Marian sat quietly across the small table, watching Isabella.
She was surrounded by her dolls and her bunny, carefully arranging them as if they were real guests at her tea party. A tiny cup was placed in front of each toy, cookies broken into pieces so “everyone” could share, and cinnamon rolls arranged like a feast.
Isabella giggled softly as she pretended to serve them.
“Here you go, bunny,” she said gently. “Don’t eat too fast.”
Daniel smiled faintly.
For a moment, everything looked normal again.
Like nothing had happened.
Like she was just a happy little girl playing in her own world.
But Marian noticed it.
That small hesitation in her movements.
That quietness beneath her laughter.
Healing was happening.
But slowly.
“Daddy?”
Isabella’s voice broke the moment.
