Small Hands Novel Chapter 12

Small Hands Novel Chapter 12

Isla arrived in Los Angeles on a Sunday morning.

Six years old Dark hair like Rhys. Blue eyes like her mother. A quiet, watchful girl clutching a stuffed rabbit, studying the world with careful

intelligence.

Rhys met her at arrivals. I stayed in the car. This moment was his.

Through the window, I watched him kneel on the terminal floor, arms open.

Isla stood ten feet away. Uncertain.

“Hi, sweetheart. I’m your dad.”

“I know.” Small voice. “Mum showed me photos. Before.”

“I’m so sorry for not being there.”

“She said you didn’t want me.”

Rhys flinched like he’d taken a bullet.

“That was never true. Not for one second.” He stayed on his knees. Didn’t push. Let her choose. “I have wanted you every day since you were born.”

She studied him with those serious eyes. Then slowly crossed the distance.

His arms closed around his daughter.

I turned away. Wiped my eyes.

When they reached the car, Isla climbed in and looked at me.

“Are you Dad’s friend?”

“Yes. I’m Wren.

She considered this gravely. “Do you have snacks?”

I laughed-full and real-and handed her my emergency granola bar.

“I like you,” she decided.

Rhys caught my eye over her head. The look on his face-gratitude, wonder, love-cracked my chest wide open.

This is what I was fighting for.

Over the following weeks, Isla settled in. Not easily-she grieved her mother, struggled with a father she barely knew, navigated a city she’d never

seen. Some nights she cried.

But children are braver than adults know.

She started to laugh. To reach for Rhys’s hand. To leave drawings on the kitchen counter labeled in careful handwriting For Wren.

One evening she appeared in my studio.

“Can I listen?”

I put child-sized headphones on her and played a rough mix-something bright, full of strings.

Her face lit up. “It sounds like flying.”

“That’s exactly what it’s supposed to sound like.”

When the track ended:

“Wren?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you going to marry my dad?”

From the doorway-a sharp intake of breath.

Rhys, Caught.

“What makes you ask that?” I managed.

“He watches you the way my friend Sophie’s mum watches Sophie’s dad. Sophie says that means love.”

“Sophie sounds very smart.”

“So are you? Going to marry him?” She fixed me with those blue eyes. “He told me you’re the bravest person he’s ever met and he doesn’t deserve

you but he’s going to try for the rest of his life.”

Rhys closed his eyes. “Isla. That was private.”

“You didn’t say secret.”

I stood. Crossed the room. Took his face in my hands.

‘Yes.’

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I love you. And yes, I’ll marry you.”

His eyes went wide. There’s no ring-I had a whole plan-

“I don’t need a ring. I don’t need a plan.” I held his gaze. “I just need you.”

He kissed me-deep, fierce, full of future.

“YUCK!’ Isla announced. “Can we get pizza now?”

We laughed-tangled in the doorway while a six-year-old negotiated dinner and a stuffed rabbit watched from the mixing desk

The happiest moment of my life.