Chapter 617
The morning sky was clear, though not too bright. A gentle breeze moved through the air, carrying a kind of quiet calm that felt different from the days before.
The Miller and Callister family cars came to a stop in a neatly kept cemetery. There weren’t many people around, just a few visitors who had arrived earlier, each lost in their own memories.
Daven stepped out first. As always, he opened the door for Althea and offered his hand.
“Watch your step, sweetheart,” he said softly.
Althea took his hand. Her other hand instinctively rested on her stomach. There was new life there-and every step she took now felt more meaningful. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Daven didn’t let go. “Stay close to me.”
Althea smiled faintly.
Behind them, Nathan and Riana walked side by side. Cale and Chris followed at an easy pace. Josh and
Grace moved ahead, while Eli lingered a few steps behind.
Eli looked around. The place felt… peaceful.
Different from the last time she had come here-when she believed the grave she visited belonged to the father she had longed for all her life. And for the first time, she didn’t feel like an outsider standing among this family.
“Eli,” Althea called gently.
The girl quickened her steps, moving closer. She instinctively stayed near Althea, helping her walk more carefully. There was something about the way Althea held onto her-like trust, quiet and unspoken-that made Eli’s chest tighten in a way she couldn’t quite explain. At times, she reached for Grace’s hand too, chatting softly with the little girl. Whatever Grace said, Eli responded with genuine warmth.
“Let’s go together.”
Eli nodded.
They walked slowly toward a single spot grave that had been carefully maintained. Fresh flowers were already arranged there, as if someone always made sure, they were never left unattended.
Chase Miller.
The name was carved clearly into the stone.
Althea stopped a few steps away before moving closer.
Her breath caught. Memories surfaced-everything that had once been, everything she had felt. The kind of memories that settled deep in her heart, impossible to forget.
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Daven stood beside her. Without saying anything, he tightened his hold on her hand.
“I’m here,” he murmured.
Althea gave a small nod.
Riana placed the flowers first. Nathan followed. Cale stood still for a few seconds before lowering his head briefly.
Chris exhaled. “It’s been a while, Chase.”
Josh stood in front of the grave, his expression unusually quiet-deeper, more thoughtful than usual.
Grace gently took his hand.
“Hi, Daddy,” she greeted with a bright smile. “I hope you’re doing well with Omma Kate and Omma Lily.”
Josh let out a soft laugh. “I bet Daddy’s keeping Omma Kate company over tea. You know how much she
loves that.”
Grace nodded eagerly.
Althea stepped forward, her gaze lingering on the name etched into the stone. Slowly, her hand moved to rest against her stomach.
“Chase…” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. “It’s been a while.”
Everyone fell silent, giving her space.
“I’m here,” she continued quietly. “And… I don’t feel alone anymore.” She glanced briefly at Daven.
He stood beside her-steady, unwavering. Always there.
“I thought… you might be angry, seeing everything that’s happened,” she said. “But now, I think… all you want is for us to be okay.”
A gentle breeze brushed against her face,
“I want you to know… I’m happy now. And…” her hand pressed lightly against her stomach again, “this child… will be born into a family full of love.”
Daven stepped forward slightly.
His gaze rested on the gravestone-deep, composed. No dramatic emotion, but something clear and unshakable beneath it. “I’m still keeping my promise to you, Chase,” he said quietly.
Everyone turned toward him.
“I’ll take care of Althea,” he continued. “I’ll protect Josh and Grace.” He paused for a moment, then added, his voice firmer, “And now… there’s one more child.”
His gaze shifted toward Eli.
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She froze.
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“Eli,” Daven said simply. “She’s part of this family now. You know the situation we’ve faced, don’t you? You wouldn’t let something like this happen to an innocent girl like her. I know that.”
Eli held her breath. Her chest felt tight-full.
“I’ll make sure no one ever hurts her again,” Daven went on. “No one will ever use her again.”
The silence that followed wasn’t empty. It was full-heavy with meaning.
Eli stepped forward slowly. Her legs trembled slightly, but she kept moving until she stood closer to the
grave.
“I…” Her voice was soft. “I don’t really know what to say.”
She looked at the name. “I wish… you really were my father, Uncle Chase,” she murmured. “I’m sorry if I ever caused trouble.”
So many words were spoken that afternoon-offered up to Chase as if he were still standing among them, listening with that familiar attentive gaze, ready to respond with his easy, unmistakable laugh.
Nathan spoke. Riana too. One by one, they shared fragments of their lives’ small stories, quiet memories -passing them gently into the air, as though Chase could still hear every single word.
And for a moment… it truly felt like he could.
Like he had never really left. Like he still existed in the warmth of those memories-sweet, vivid, impossible to forget.
Then Josh stepped forward.
He stopped right in front of the grave; his gaze fixed on the name carved into the stone. For a few seconds, he said nothing, as if searching for the right words somewhere deep inside himself.
“Thank you,” he said at last, his voice quiet. $1
Everyone turned.
“For being part of my life,” he continued. “I don’t know if I ever told you this… but you were an amazing father.”
Grace looked at him, her eyes softening. “Josh…” she whispered.
Josh smiled faintly. “I’ll take care of Mom,” he said. “And Grace. Oh-and the little one still growing in Mommy’s belly.” His gaze returned to the gravestone, more serious now. “But… if you can…” His voice faltered just a little. “Help me from there, okay?”
He let out a breath. “Please watch over them… especially Dad, Mom, and Grace.”
Althea covered her mouth, her eyes shimmering. “Josh…”
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“Because to me, they mean everything,” Josh added softly. “Just like you once told me-love isn’t just about words. It’s also about protecting the people you care about, right, Dad?”
Daven didn’t hesitate. He pulled Josh into a proud, steady embrace. “You’re right.” His voice softened. ” God… I know Chase would be proud of you, champ.”
Josh let out a small laugh. “We’re going to be okay, right, Dad?”
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Daven gestured for Althea to come closer. Grace followed, still tucked close to her mother. He called Eli over as well, guiding her gently to stand beside Althea. Nathan and Riana stepped in. Chris, Cale, and Lydia too.
All of them.
Drawn together into one quiet circle-bound by something stronger than words.
“Of course,” Daven said, his voice steady with certainty. “We’re all going to be okay. No one will ever threaten this family again, Josh. I promise.”
A soft breeze drifted through the air-warm, gentle-like it carried away the last remnants of pain and sorrow they had endured.
And there, beneath the calm sky, they were no longer just remembering.
They were moving forward.
Together.