Chapter 26

San Juan Capistrano, CA - 1872

Buck had found the watch a few weeks after Halona had vanished. It was damaged, the crystal face shattered, and the hinge bent beyond repair. He'd tucked it away in his desk, a painful reminder he couldn't bear to part with.

Megan watched eagerly as her father opened the small box she handed him. "You like it, Papa?" she asked, her grin wide with anticipation.

Buck's breath hitched as he lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in velvet, was that same silver pocket watch, but now it looked as good as new.

"We didn't mean to snoop, Pa," Isaac explained quickly. "I was looking for your knife and found it in your desk."

Buck swallowed hard, emotions welling up. "It's alright," he managed, ruffling Isaac's hair and pulling him into a hug.

"It was broken," Megan added, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

"We took it to the jeweler in town," Isaac continued, his smile growing. "Rosa took us."

"A very thoughtful gift," Buck choked out, wrapping his arms around Megan, hugging her tightly. He hadn't dared to carry the watch, fearing it would break again. Instead, he'd hidden it away, the damaged keepsake a constant, silent presence in his desk drawer.

"Open it, Pa," Isaac urged.

With trembling fingers, Buck flipped open the silver casing. The crystal was flawless now, a pristine mirror reflecting the passage of time. Life, however, wasn't so easily restored.

"We got you a new chain too!" Megan pointed out excitedly. "Now you can wear it."

"Thank you both, very much," Buck said, his voice thick with gratitude. He kissed them each on the cheek, fighting to keep his emotions in check. "You are the best kids a dad could ask for."

"We made a cake too!" Megan exclaimed, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the kitchen. "Well, we helped make it. Rosa did most of it."

The lopsided chocolate cake brought a genuine smile to Buck's face. "This is beautiful."

"Happy birthday, Papa!" Isaac and Megan chorused, their faces beaming with pride.

Buck settled down at the table, savoring the rich chocolate flavor of the cake as he listened to his children chatter about school and friends. Their joyful conversation was the perfect birthday gift, allowing them all to stay up an extra hour playing games.

Later, as the night wound down, Buck indulged Megan in their nightly ritual. Though she was getting older, she still loved bedtime stories. Tucking her in, he read "The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods" for what felt like the hundredth time, his hand gently stroking her soft brown hair. By the time he finished, her eyelids were drooping.

"I love you, sweet girl," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

"Love you too, Papa," she mumbled sleepily, wrapping her arms around his neck for a quick kiss. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you, sweetheart," he said softly, kissing her cheek one last time.

Knowing Isaac might find a hug and kiss a bit too much at his age, Buck simply peeked into his son's room. "Goodnight, Isaac," he whispered.

"Night, Pa," Isaac replied, his voice already heavy with sleep.

Buck closed the door to his bedroom, a shiver running down his spine despite the warm California night. He traced the chill to a drafty window and quickly secured the latches, shutting it firmly. Leaning against the cool glass, he gazed out at the moonlit ocean below.

Even after all these months in the house he'd built, a small part of him still clung to the hope that she might return. The expansive windows flanking the French doors leading to the balcony were a testament to that hope. She had loved the ocean, and he had envisioned them sharing the view, stealing quiet moments together on the balcony during lazy summer evenings.

His hand drifted into his pocket, retrieving the watch his children had so lovingly repaired. A sentimental smile played on his lips as he traced the smooth metal with his fingers. He hadn't been able to bring himself to fix it after she'd broken it, the memory of her outburst, and the reason behind it, still a mystery that haunted him.

With a sigh, he placed the watch on the bed as he undressed, then climbed in, propping himself up with two pillows. The rhythmic dance of the dark waves captivated him, the moonlight painting a shimmering path across the water. As he drifted off to sleep, the watch clutched tightly in his hand, it became a symbol of both cherished memories and the haunting emptiness left by her absence.