Natalie Chase brushed a dirty glove across her cheek, leaving a smudge of soil there that she refused to wipe away- at least for now. She pushed her trowel back into the dirt, setting aside the pile of it she pulled out, and grabbing for the plant she was about to transplant.

Their tiny apartment may not have been much, but Natalie tried to keep it alive with window boxes and raised beds out on the patio, growing everything from herbs to vegetables to succulents. The summer sun peeked out from between the clouds and for just a moment, she indulged the warmth and light it provided, thinking of that beautiful day when she had met him.

"Mama?"

Magnus was all chubby baby cheeks and soft hair and big gray eyes. She had never met anything more precious in her life, and she pulled off her gloves as he walked through the open door to the patio. His hair was mussed- fuzzy and tangled in the back, and he rubbed sleep from his eyes as she swept him into her arms, "Hey honey, have a good nap?"

The not-quite-five year old nodded, allowing her to hold him close for a moment before pulling away just a bit, "Mama. How come I don't have a Daddy?"

Natalie's heart seized in her chest, but she was careful not to let it play out on her features. There were so many things that she wanted to tell him- about how she had met his father out hiking in the woods, and how warm and vibrant and beautiful he had been. About how she had loved him so immediately and perfectly that she could not imagine ever wanting to change even a moment of the short time they had had together.

About how his father was alive and well, here with them in every summer day like this one, every hiking trip they took. How he rested in their tent as they camped by the mountainside. How he guided their hands as they made fires and tied knots and learned how to survive. But he was still so very small, and she knew he was not yet ready to know it all.

She pulled him close again, managing a wobbly smile, "Oh, Magnus. You do have a daddy," she said, "He is with us here, in our hearts." she pressed her fingers gently to his tiny chest, marveling at how slim he was, how no matter how much he ate, no matter the baby fat still hanging in his face and thighs, she could always feel his ribs even through his shirt when she held him. He would be so small and lean, even when he grew big, she supposed.

And not for the first time, she was struck with thoughts of just how difficult his life had already been. She wondered what more her poor, sweet baby would go through in his life, and hoped that whatever might happen that he would carve his own sense of peace and happiness into the world. He was growing bigger every day- it felt like only moments ago Magnus had been a tiny, snuggly ball curled up in her arms.

"I wish he was here for real."

Natalie ran her fingers through the corn silk strands of his hair, a soft smile on her face, "I know, honey-" she began, but Magnus interrupted her, "I had a dream about him. He was really nice. I wish I could see him."

Tears formed in her eyes against her will, and the woman pulled her child into her arms once more, kissing the top of his head, "Why don't we go for a hike?" she asked softly, "I think there are still a few trails left at the Nature Center we haven't explored."

She needed to be close to his father too, to share this with him. As she ushered her son inside, gathering up their backpacks and filling their water bottles, she spared one more glance at the summer sun and knew that he'd be there.

"I love you, mama."

"I love you too, honey."

Author's Note: Wow. I really have a 'thing' for using lyrics in my fics. Sorry guys. This series is going to be tied together by lyrics from Rob Thomas' "Little Wonders"