Chapter 9 - THE UNICORN STANDS
An hour later, Birthday Cake 2.0 was complete.
It wasn't as sleek or professional as the one Patricia had dumped in the trash. The frosting was a little lopsided on the left side, the pink piping had a few wobbles, and the glitter was scattered a bit too generously across the top surface.
But standing proud right in the center was Lily's hand-painted gold unicorn horn.
We didn't invite twelve people. We didn't set up a grand table. It was just the three of us sitting at our kitchen island, wearing cheap paper party hats, with three simple candles sticking out of the top layer.
Nathan struck a match, the small flame catching the wicks.
"Make a wish, Lily," I said softly, holding her hand.
Lily stared at the glowing candles. Her seven-year-old face was thoughtful, bright, and completely free of the fear that had haunted her three weeks ago.
"I don't need to wish for anything," Lily said, looking between Nathan and me. "I already have the safest adults in the world."
My heart swelled so powerfully I thought it might burst right there in the kitchen. Nathan reached over, wrapping his big hand around both of ours.
Together, we blew out the candles.
That night, after Lily was fast asleep in her bed with her new Lego sets stacked neatly on her desk, Nathan and I sat out on the back porch, watching the crisp autumn leaves drift across the lawn. The evening air was cool, but the warmth inside our home felt impenetrable.
"Do you think she'll ever try to come back?" Nathan asked quietly, holding a warm mug of tea in his hands.
"Maybe," I said honestly. "People like Patricia don't give up control easily. But it doesn't matter if she tries, Nathan."
He turned to look at me. "Why?"
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"Because she lost her spell," I told him, putting my head on his shoulder. "The trick to monsters like that is making you think you need their approval to survive. Once you realize you don't need it, they're just noisy old adults shouting into an empty room."
Nathan let out a long, peaceful breath, the tension leaving his shoulders completely. "Yeah," he whispered. "She has no power here."
