“Hey, sweetie…”

Ethan’s voice trembles as he calls out, his knees buckling beneath him the moment he tries to reach you. Around the both of you, the last fragments of Miranda dissolve. The crystals turn to dust and the snow starts to melt into nothing. All that remains is you.

A soft smile tugs at his lips, and his eyes shine with something between awe and disbelief. He remembers cradling you in his arms, your tiny fingers wrapping around his, your gummy smile lighting up the room. He can almost hear your giggles again, feel the weight of you against his chest. God, how he missed those days, the way your cheeks puffed when you laughed, the sparkle in your eyes.

“You’re…so grown up now…”

His hand reaches for yours, slow and uncertain, as though afraid you might disappear.

“And even though I wasn’t there with you, I always watched over you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you...”