"Some."
"Is she asleep?"
"Not yet."
A pause.
Then he asked, "Could I speak to her?"
Mara considered the request.
Sophie had been asking about him.
But she was still frightened.
Mara looked toward the bedroom.
"Let me ask."
She covered the phone.
Entered the room.
Then crouched beside the bed.
"Sweetheart, Daddy's calling. Would you like to speak to him?"
Sophie looked up.
Her eyes filled.
"Is he okay?"
Mara's throat tightened.
"He's sad, but he's safe."
The little girl nodded.
"Okay."
Mara handed her the phone.
Sophie held it with both hands.
"Hi, Daddy."
Daniel made a sound Mara had never heard from him before.
Something between a sob and a breath.
"Hi, princess."
Sophie looked down.
"Are you crying?"
He took a moment.
"Yes."
She stared at the phone.
"Why?"
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Because something very hurtful happened today."
Sophie began crying too.
"I'm sorry."
His heart broke.
"No, sweetheart."
He spoke more firmly.
"You did nothing wrong."
"But I said the thing about the straps."
"I know."
"And then Claire got mad."
Daniel swallowed.
"Claire's choices are Claire's responsibility."
The little girl was quiet.
He continued.
"None of this was your fault."
Sophie wiped her eyes.
"Are you still my daddy?"
The question nearly destroyed him.
He sat down on the edge of his bed.
For several seconds, he could not speak.
Then he answered.
"Always."
Sophie sniffled.
"Even if there's no baby?"
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Even if there's no baby."
She whispered, "Promise?"