Emily's POV
Monday morning arrived with the kind of nervous energy that made my hands shake as I buttoned Lily's new school uniform.
"Hold still, sweetheart," I murmured, working on the last button of her white shirt. The navy blue jumper with the school crest embroidered on the pocket lay ready on the bed, along with matching knee socks and the shiny black shoes.
"I can't hold still, Mommy!" Lily bounced on her toes, her eyes bright with excitement. "It's my first day at my new school! Do you think the other kids will like me? Will my teacher be nice? What if I get lost?"
"You won't get lost," I assured her, smoothing down her collar. "And of course they'll like you. How could they not? You're smart, kind and brave."
"As brave as a lion?" She grinned up at me.
"Braver than a whole pride of lions." I kissed her forehead. This moment felt precious.
After three days of exile, of wondering if our world was about to crumble again, I was clinging to normalcy with everything I had.
