"Mommy, don't cry," she whispered gently. "Everything will be fine."
She lifted her little hand and carefully wiped away one of Dakota's tears, trying to comfort her the only way she knew how.
Dakota looked at her daughter and felt her heart ache even more.
Takoda did not understand the grief behind those tears or the guilt Dakota had been carrying since waking from her miscarriage. She did not know how much fear her mother was hiding behind the gentle smile she was trying to give her, nor did she understand how desperately Dakota needed to believe the comforting words her daughter had just offered.
Dakota kissed the side of her head, holding her tightly as she looked toward Cooper again.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Everything will be fine."
