Chapter 6 - A New DawnSix months after that freezing February night, the transformation was complete.
It was Ethan’s tenth birthday.
Pop’s backyard was strung with bright colored lights, balloons danced in the autumn breeze, and the smell of grilled hamburgers and vanilla cake filled the air. A dozen of Ethan’s new classmates from his specialized school program, along with their parents, laughed and played games on the lawn.
Mason and Lily, who had been placed in the temporary custody of their biological father after CPS intervened further into Marissa’s background, had been permitted supervised visits with Daniel and Ethan on alternate weekends. The divide between them had healed significantly; without Marissa’s toxic coaching, Mason and Lily treated Ethan with the affection of true siblings, running over to hand him a handmade birthday card covered in glitter and clumsy handwriting.
Daniel stood on the back deck, holding a camera as Ethan blew out the ten bright candles on his cake, surrounded by people who cherished him.
"Make a wish, buddy!" Pop cheered, clapping loudly.
Ethan closed his eyes tightly, his face scrunched up in intense concentration. He took a deep breath and blew out every single candle in one mighty puff.
The yard erupted in cheers.
Later that evening, after the guests had gone and the house had grown quiet, Ethan sat on the edge of his navy-blue bed under the glowing painted stars. His braces stood neatly by the nightstand. The room was warm, cozy, and filled with the comforting scent of vanilla cake.
Pop walked in to check on him, holding a glass of water.
"Did you have a good birthday, Captain?" Pop asked softly, sitting on the edge of the mattress.
Ethan looked up, his eyes bright and completely free of the haunted shadow that had lingered there months ago.
"It was the best birthday ever, Pop," Ethan said earnestly. Then, a small, mischievous grin spread across his face. "And guess what?"
"What?"
"I'm not bad at all, am I?"
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Pop felt a lump rise in his throat, and he pulled the boy into a tight, fierce hug.
"You never were, Ethan," Pop whispered, blinking back happy tears. "You never, ever were."
