Chapter 28
The first year without Daniel was hard.
The house felt empty. Too quiet. His chair was still there. His hammer still hung in the garage. His shirts still hung in the closet.
But we got through it. Together.
Lily moved home for six months. Stayed with me. Held me when I cried. Laughed with me when we told old stories.
Hope came every weekend. Brought the twins. Brought James. Filled the house with noise. With love.
The twins came every day after school. Did their homework at the kitchen table. Told me about their days. Drew me pictures. Kept me young.
We kept going. For Daniel. For each other. For all the kids who still needed us.
Lily’s Shield kept growing. Opened more safe houses. Passed more laws. Helped more kids.
Hope kept fighting in the courtroom. Kept changing the system. Kept protecting kids.
The twins kept growing. Kept being amazing.
On the one-year anniversary of Daniel’s death, we had a small ceremony in the backyard. Under the oak tree. Next to the treehouse.
We unveiled a new plaque. Mounted right next to the old one.
It said:
DANIEL CARTER
1944 – 2026
HE BUILT SAFE HOUSES.
HE BUILT A LEGACY.
HE BUILT A FAMILY.
May you like
HE IS IN THE STAR.
ALWAYS
