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Logan walked up the stairs slowly. He looked like he was heading for trial. I could see his hands shaking as he stuffed them nervously in his pockets.

“She doesn’t bite,” I promised. “You don’t have anything to be afraid of.”

“If she’s anything like you, I do,” he said softly.

“Ha. Ha.” I said.

Logan reached the top step and turned into the playroom. I walked up behind him and waited until Lili turned around to face us. When she did, her eyes went straight to Logan’s face.

“Lili,” I said. “This is Logan. This is your dad.”

“Were you really a soldier?” she asked immediately. I chuckled.

“Something like that,” he nodded. “I was what you call a Navy SEAL.”

“A seal?” Lili laughed. “Like the animal?”

“Not exactly,” Logan laughed.

“Where did you live?” Lili asked.

“All over,” Logan answered. He took a step closer to her. She kept staring at him with wide, thoughtful eyes.

&nbsp

; “How come you never came to see me?”

Lili’s question made my stomach tighten. I waited with bated breath for Logan to answer. He didn’t owe me anything, he didn’t have to protect me. I knew I only had myself to blame if Lili got angry with me.

“I wish I could have,” he said. “But, I was so busy being a SEAL that I didn’t have enough time. That’s why I retired. So, I could spend time with you.”

“Really?” Lili asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“I didn’t know it at the time,” Logan said. “But, that’s exactly why I left. It was time for me to meet you.”

“That’s cool,” Lili smiled.

Logan glanced back at me with a kind look in his eyes. I had tears falling down my cheeks as I mouthed a “thank you” to him. He nodded slightly and turned his attention back to Lili.

“So,” he said. “Tell me, Lili, what’s your favorite game to play?”

“I like to play dolls,” she said. “But not Barbie dolls or princesses or anything like that. Doctor dolls.”

“Doctor dolls?” he asked. “What’s that?”

“It’s where your dolls work in a hospital saving people,” she explained.

“That sounds great,” Logan said. “Can I play with you?”

“Sure!” Lili said. She ran across the room and picked up four dolls. She hurried over and handed two to Logan as he sat down on the floor in front of her.

I stood back and watched them play. Logan’s attention was focused entirely on Lili as she named their dolls and taught Logan her game. I smiled to myself and let the tears flow freely. I didn’t realize just how much Lili was missing by not having Logan in her life. As I watched them together, I knew I could never separate them again.

Twenty- Five

Logan

Lilliana. Lilliana Marie Prewitt.