Ben adjusted the tiny sweater on Lin, smoothing down her soft hair. At just one year old, she was already full of life—curious, fearless, and utterly unaware of the danger she had narrowly escaped.
His chest ached every time he looked at her. The memory of Victor Darius and the fear that had gripped him when she was taken still lingered. Lin was safe now, yes—but the cost of that safety, the deals made, the tension between Arthur and him… it was exhausting.
Liam leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his gaze soft but alert. "She's growing fast," he said quietly, watching Lin wobble as she tried to reach for a toy on the floor.
"She is," Ben admitted, his voice low. "Every day I look at her and… I just can't believe she's still here. That nothing else happened to her." His hand brushed Lin's back gently, unconsciously protective.
"She's lucky," Liam said. "Lucky she has you."
Ben's throat tightened. Liam had been by his side through everything, from the tense days when Lin was in danger to the exhausting negotiations over her safety. And yet… Liam wasn't her father. That bond was with Arthur—the one person who had authority over everything, even if it made Ben uneasy to admit it.
"She's still only a year old," Ben whispered, mostly to himself. "And yet, she's been through more than most people do in a lifetime."
Liam stepped closer, resting a reassuring hand on Ben's shoulder. "We'll get through this. Arthur has Victor Darius in custody now, right?"
Ben nodded. "Yeah… but that doesn't make it easier. Every time I look at her, I think about what could have gone wrong. And… I don't trust letting her out of my sight. Not yet."
Lin, sensing the tension, crawled toward Ben, babbling happily. Her small hands grabbed his fingers, grounding him. Ben's heart melted. "Hey, little troublemaker," he murmured, scooping her up. "You've got to give me a break, okay? Daddy can't worry so much if you keep being this adorable."
Liam chuckled softly. "She's got your stubborn streak too," he teased. But his eyes softened as he watched Ben cradle Lin. "Don't forget," he said quietly, "you're not alone in this. I'll always be here—for you, for her."
Ben exhaled, letting some of the weight slide off his shoulders. Liam wasn't her father, no—but he was family, and right now, that mattered just as much. He kissed Lin's head, holding her close. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick. "I… I don't know what I'd do without you."
Lin yawned, snuggling into his chest, blissfully unaware of the dangerous world around her. And for a brief, precious moment, Ben let himself believe that maybe… they could all survive this, together.
If you want, I can continue with Arthur returning fully, dealing with custody, and the tense but loving dynamic between Ben, Liam, and Lin, showing all the emotional tension, guilt, and raw love.