Warner's POV
The happiness that lights up their faces when they spot me pales in comparison to the pure euphoria that erupts when Arlene emerges from behind me. She drops to her knees just as Nicholson launches herself forward, colliding with her mother in a tangle of arms and tears. Rockford's smile carries the weight of relief, and he waits with patience beyond his years for his sister to finish her emotional reunion before squeezing himself between them.
"You were absolutely right, Daddy," Nicholson breaks away and sprints toward me, her small body becoming airborne as she leaps with complete faith that I'll catch her. "She's perfectly fine. She really is."
The force behind her jump catches me off guard. This isn't the gentle push of a typical child. When her tiny frame slams into mine, it nearly steals my breath. She doesn't pause for even a second before attacking my face with a series of rapid kisses, her joy infectious and overwhelming.
