Watching the mother and daughter talk nearby, Jennifer stood up with a gentle smile. "Dear," she said softly, "our girl has come from so far away. She must be starving. Hurry and make some lunch."
Olivia nodded, wiped the tears from her eyes, and turned toward the kitchen.
Seeing his wife leave, Oliver could no longer hold back his longing. He sat down beside Lily and opened his arms, trembling. "Now that Mom's gone, my sweet girl, come let Daddy give you a hug."
Lily giggled and threw her arms open, leaping into his embrace. The next moment, she felt her father's arms wrapped around her like two giant pythons. "Dad, you're crushing me!"
Oliver hurriedly let go, then composed himself and looked Lily over, an irrepressible smile never leaving his face. "Our little biscuit, you've grown so big."
Lily hopped up and spun around joyfully in front of her father. "Dad, look! I'm a grown-up now!"
"Haha, you think you're an adult? You still act like a kid to me."
"Hey! I'm not a kid!"
