"Sweetheart, showing someone a dress you're excited about isn't bad."
She looked down.
"Even if it's expensive?"
"Even then."
She thought about that.
Then she whispered, "Vanessa says people will think Daddy spends too much money on me."
I swallowed.
"Your dad is responsible for deciding what he can afford. That's not something you have to manage."
Lily nodded uncertainly.
I continued.
"And Grandma isn't upset because you have nice things."
She looked up.
"Really?"
I smiled.
"I've been buying you pretty dresses since you were a baby."
That made her laugh softly.
I laughed too.
Then she looked toward the hallway again.
"Is Daddy mad?"
I considered my answer.
"He seems upset about what happened."
Lily's eyes filled.
"At me?"
I squeezed her hand.
"No, sweetheart."
She stared at the dress.
Then she asked, "Is he going to go away?"
I looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
Her voice dropped.
"Vanessa says when grown-ups fight, somebody leaves."
My heart broke.
I thought of Claire.
Of the funeral.
Of all the times Lily had already experienced someone disappearing from her life.
I moved closer.
"Your daddy loves you very much."
She nodded.
I continued carefully.
"Sometimes adults need to make changes when something isn't right. But those are adult decisions, and none of them are your fault."
Lily looked at me.
"Will he still be my daddy?"
I felt tears rising.
"Always."
She leaned against me.
I wrapped one arm around her.
For several minutes, we sat without speaking.
Then she whispered, "I don't want anybody else to leave."
I closed my eyes.
There was no promise I could make that would erase every loss she might experience.
But I could promise something within my control.
"Grandma isn't going to stop loving you, Lily."
She held my hand tighter.
"Even when I'm big?"
I smiled through tears.
"Especially when you're big."
When Daniel returned to the sitting room, he looked exhausted.
But he wasn't angry with Lily.
He approached carefully and sat on the opposite sofa.
"How's my girl?"
She looked up.
"Okay."
He nodded toward the dress.
"That's a beautiful dress."
Lily studied him.
"Can I still wear it?"
Daniel's eyes filled.
"Of course."
She looked relieved.
Then she asked, "Is Vanessa mad?"
He paused.
"Vanessa and I are having a disagreement about some things that have happened."