Chapter 44

Annie's POV

I was reviewing children's psychological counseling materials on my tablet,trying to focus despite the lingering awkwardness from Catherine's visit.She'd been dropping by almost daily since our coffee chat last week, fuIl of questions about gaming industry insights. Today she'd spent nearly two hours discussing potential game concepts, brushing aside my suggestion that she try an entry-level position first to learn the basics. Her sudden interest in my work was flattering, but something about it felt..off.

Howard appeared at my studio door, carrying two wrapped boxes.My heart did that annoying little skip it had started doinglately,despite my firm resolution to keep things professional between us. His confession from the other night still echoed in my mind, making our every interaction feel charged with unspoken words.

"Still here?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral as he set the boxes on my desk. The forced casualness in his tone told me he was just as aware of our new awkwardness as I was.

"Catherine just left," I said, looking up from my research. "Another discussion about gaming projects. She's... very enthusiastic."

Howard's jaw tightened at the mention of Catherine, a muscle working in his cheek. "I've noticed she's been spendinga lot of time here latelY There was something in his tone that made me want to explain. "She seems genuinely interested in gaming, though I've suggested she start with actual industry experience first. It's not exactly a field you can just jump into..." "Especially with no background," Howard agreed, his expression unreadable. He gestured to the boxes, clearly wanting to change the subject."The dolls arrived. Want to see them?"

My heart quickened as I carefully opened the first package. Inside was an exquisitely crafted doll bearing Edward Parker's likeness - the gentle eyes,the warm smile, every detail captured perfectly. The second doll was equally remarkable, Mrs. Parker's elegant features rendered with the same care.

"What made you think of using dolls?" Howard asked,studying my reaction.

"Children often express themselves better through play," I explained,arranging the dolls carefully. "Especially after trauma. I thought if we started small..."

"With the dolls as a safe first step?"

I nodded. "And later,maybe we could add small two-way radios inside.Make them interactive, but in a way that feels naturaI to Lucy."

"For her to practice speaking?" Howard leaned against my desk,intrigued.

"Exactly. Building confidence gradually until she feels secure enough to talk to people she trusts." I bit my lip. "What do you think?" "I think it's brilliant." His voice carried quiet conviction. "Whatever equipment you need, just let me know." He glanced at his watch."We should head to the school - it's almost pickup time." I carefully wrapped the dolls back up, already imagining Lucy's reaction to them. The drive to the preschool was quiet, filled with that same charged awareness that seemed to crackle between us lately. As we pulled up to the school, the playground was bathed in afternoon sunlight. Lucy was in the small garden with the same golden-haired little girl we'd noticed this morning. The girl was putting on quite a show, her pigtails bouncing as she twirled around the playground.

"Look, I'm Ariel without her voice!" she mouthed dramatically, before attempting an elaborate swimming motion that nearly sent her sprawling.She caught herself just in time, turning her stumble into an exaggerated bow that had Lucy's shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

Lucy tugged gently at my sleeve as we approached. "That's Penny," she whispered, so softly I had to lean down to hear. "She knows al the Disney songs..."

We watched as Penny transformed the playground into her personal stage,moving seamlessly from one Disney princess to another. Lucy remained her captivated audience, eyes bright with delight at each new performance.The other parents gradually collected their children, but there was no sign of anyone coming for Penny.

After nearly forty-five minutes, the playground had almost emptied. Penny kept performing, though I noticed her occasional glances toward the school gate. The teacher on duty was checking her watch with increasing frequency.

Finally, a harried-looking man in a rumpled suit rushed through the gate."Penny! I'm so sorry, sweetheart. The meeting ran late..."Watching him, I felt a familiar ache in my chest. How many times had Philip made similar excuses? The memory of Brian waiting alone at school flashed through my mind, but I pushed it away. This wasn't about my past-this was about Lucy finding her first real friend. Penny was mid-twirl as Belle when she spotted him. "Daddy!" She ran to him, still maintaining her princess persona even as she hugged him.

"Same time tomorrow, Lucy!" Penny called out with a theatrical wave. "TIl bring my tiara!"

Lucy gave a tiny wave back, her eyes following Penny until she disappeared into her father's car. I watched Lucy's face carefully,recognizing the mix of joy and anxiety there - the happiness of finding a friend warring with the fear of letting someone new into her carefully guarded world. It reminded me of those first tentative days when she'd started to trust me.

Even after Penny had gone, Lucy lingered by the garden gate. The afternoon sun caught her hair, and for a moment, she looked so much like the photos I'd seen of her mother that my breath caught. How far we'd come from those first silent days, and yet how far we still had to go.

Howard's presence beside me was a steady warmth, and I found myself grateful for his quiet support. Despite the awkwardness between us lately,we were united in this - in wanting to help Lucy heal.

"Ready to go home, sweetheart?" I asked gently.

Lucy nodded, but her expression remained wistful as we walked to our car.I could almost see the thoughts turning in her mind, weighing the desire to spend more time with her new friend against her lingering fears. Once settled in the backseat, she spoke up in her soft voice: "Can we stay a little longer tomorrow?" "To watch more of Penny's shows?" Howard asked, catching her eye in the rearview mirror. Lucy nodded, fingers playing with her butterfly necklace.

"What if we invited Penny to visit sometime?" Howard suggested.

Lucy's eyes lit up before uncertainty crept in. I reached back to squeeze her hand. "We can take it slow, sweetie. Whatever makes you comfortable."

After Lucy's evening therapy session, Howard brought out the dolls.Her reaction was immediate - recognition and longing flashing across her face before she shyly looked away.

Taking my hand, she led me upstairs to her room. I sat in the corner while she settled on her bed with the dolls, arranging them carefuly in front of her.

For a long moment, she just looked at them. Then, in a tiny voice: "I'm scared." Her fingers brushed Mrs. Parker's cheek. "Like at the hospital today..."

I remembered how she'd hidden behind Howard when we'd visited her grandparents at the hospital that morning, unable to face them despite clearly wanting to.

"Why are you scared, sweetheart?" I asked softly.

"That they won't like me anymore," she whispered to the dolls. "Because I hide." "Your grandparents love you very much," I reminded her gently. Lucy hugged the dolls close. "I love them too," she murmured. "Miss them. She curled up with the dolls until her breathing evened out in sleep.I covered her with a blanket, careful not to disturb the dolls still held protectively in her arms.

Howard was waiting in the hallway. The tenderness in his expression as he looked at Lucy made my heart flutter. One step at a time. I reminded myself.For now, this peaceful moment was enough - the first small victory in helping Lucy find her voice again.