Chapter 23
Olivia turned three.
She was a force of nature.
Smart. Funny. Stubborn. Beautiful.
She had her father wrapped around her finger and her brothers wrapped around her little finger.
For her birthday, she wanted a princess party.
But not just any princess party.
She wanted to be a knight princess.
“A knight princess?” Ethan had asked, confused.
“Uh-huh,” Olivia had said. “A princess who fights dragons. And saves people. And doesn't need a prince to rescue her.”
Ethan had looked at Claire, who was trying not to laugh.
“Where did she get that?”
“Probably from watching me run a bakery and a non-profit while raising four children,” Claire had said.
Ethan couldn't argue with that.
So they threw a knight princess party.
The backyard was decorated with castles and dragons and pink swords.
Olivia wore a pink dress with armor over it. A crown on her head. A toy sword at her hip.
The boys dressed as her loyal knights.
James was the wise knight, who used his brain to solve problems.
William was the charming knight, who used his smile to win battles.
Michael was the brave knight, who used his strength to protect everyone.
They fought imaginary dragons. They rescued stuffed animals. They ate cake shaped like a castle.
It was perfect.
After the party, as Ethan was cleaning up, he found Olivia sitting beneath the oak tree, talking to herself.
He walked over and sat beside her.
“Who are you talking to, princess?”
“The tree,” she said, as if it were obvious.
“The tree?”
“Uh-huh. It's magic. It listens to me.”
Ethan smiled.
“What did you tell it?”
“I told it that I love my family. And that I'm going to be a knight princess when I grow up. And that I'm going to protect Mommy and Daddy and James and William and Michael from all the bad guys.”
Ethan's throat tightened.
He pulled his daughter into his arms.
“You don't have to protect us, baby. That's my job.”
Olivia looked at him seriously.
“Knights help each other, Daddy. That's what knights do.”
Ethan held her tighter.
His knight princess.
Strong. Brave. Kind.
May you like
Everything he had ever hoped for.
Everything he had fought for.
