"So, Hope, did you smile nice and big?"

"Yup!"

"Is Daddy going to have a really pretty picture to hang up?"

"Yup!" Hope giggled, smiling broadly at her father. Landon smiled back. The two of them sat in the kitchen as Hope ate a bowl of macaroni and cheese for dinner.

"That's good," Landon said, reaching over and ruffling her hair gently. "But no matter how you looked, I still think it'll be the prettiest picture of them all."

Hope smiled and put her spoon down in her near-empty bowl. "As pretty as Mommy?" she asked.

Landon stopped short and looked at his daughter. She had just brought up Jamie. Landon had definitely told her about her mother-she deserved to know. And he knew Hope was curious about Jamie. but whenever she just started talking about her like that, it surprised him.

He looked down at his lap. "Yes," he said softly. "Yes.as pretty as Mommy."

A lump formed in his throat as his eyes wandered to the wedding portrait over on the mantle. Hope never really looked at that picture, maybe since it was pretty high up for her just now. He had showed her Jamie's picture in the Beaufort High School yearbook, but he knew there were better pictures to show her. He looked over at his daughter, who had gotten back to eating her macaroni and cheese contently.

"Hope, let me show you something."

She looked up and nodded. "Okay." She put down her spoon, and Landon went over and scooped her up. He carried her into the living room, over to the mantle, and pointed to the wedding picture. "Take that," he said. Hope picked it up with one small hand, her hazel eyes falling on the young and happy couple in it. Landon sat down in the armchair with her on his lap. "Who's that?" he asked her.

She examined the picture. "You," she said softly, "and Mommy."

"Yes," Landon responded. "That was the day we got married. We were both so happy that day." He smiled thoughtfully.

"Mommy looks really happy," Hope commented, staring at Jamie's face. "She looks really pretty too."

"Yes, she does," Landon told his daughter. "She looks like you. She was very beautiful."

Hope was silent for a moment as she seemed to examine every detail of the photo. Then she said softly, "Daddy, why did Mommy have to leave?"

Landon bit his lip. He had explained this to her before, and it pained him every time. But, being strong, he began again. "Princess, your mommy was very sick...remember?"

"Oh, yeah. You told me. She had ca...what was it? I forgot." Landon couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter as he pulled her closer, planting a kiss on her soft hair. "It was, um...called cancer, sweetheart," he said softly.

"Oh." Hope sighed. "Cancer." She stared, mesmerized by the photograph for a while, while Landon gently stroked her hair and tried to hold back his tears.

He was thankful when Hope announced she was tired. "Can you tuck me in?"

"Of course, honey."

After getting her ready for bed and tucking her in, Landon read a Cinderella book to Hope, stroking her hair gently until she fell asleep. As he did every night, he kissed her forehead gently, thanked God for another day with her, asked Him to watch over her while she slept, and left the room, turning out the light on his way. As he walked back downstairs, he looked up and said to Jamie, "Thank you for that little girl...I love you."

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Sorry this chapter was pretty boring.I *swear* it will get better! I have it all planned, lol. So what do you think so far? Good? So-so?. Bad? *Cringe* Hehe... reviews are appreciated!!