Chapter 6 - The Forest Castle
The evening sun was setting over the hills of Oakridge, casting a warm, golden-orange glow over the small wood-frame cottage at the edge of the forest.
In the backyard, a beautiful, wooden playhouse had been constructed—a perfect replica of a fairy-tale castle, complete with small turrets, a drawbridge, and a flagpole flying a pink flag bearing a gold crown. The playhouse had been built over a weekend by the members of the Iron Sentry Motorcycle Club, who had traded their leather jackets for tool belts and hammers to give Ava her own royal castle.
Troy sat on a wooden bench near the garden, a mug of hot cider in his hand. He wore his usual comfortable jeans and a flannel shirt, his silver crown resting on the table beside him.
Ava was inside the castle, her small voice echoing happily as she played with her stuffed animals, assigning them various roles in her royal court.
"Sir Rabbit, you shall guard the drawbridge!" she commanded. "And Lady Bear, you must prepare the royal tea!"
Maria, a nurse from the hospital who had grown close to the family during Ava’s treatment and had recently become a permanent, warm presence in Troy’s life, walked out of the house carrying a plate of fresh-baked cookies. She sat beside Troy, her hand gently slipping into his massive palm.
"She looks so happy, Troy," Maria said, her voice soft as she watched Ava wave her wand from the castle window.
"She is happy, Maria," Troy said, his voice deep and filled with a quiet, profound peace. "For the first time in a year, she’s just a kid. She’s not a patient. She’s not a warrior. Just a kid playing in her backyard."
"You did that, Troy," Maria said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You kept her alive with those costumes. You gave her something to fight for when she was too tired to hold her head up."
Troy looked at the silver crown resting on the table.
"I didn't do it alone," he said softly, his mind drifting back to the crowded aisles of the Walmart, to the sight of rough-looking bikers in yellow tutus and strangers waving plastic wands. "The whole kingdom helped me carry her."
Ava scrambled out of the playhouse, her pink tutu fluttering as she ran across the grass toward them. She carried her magic wand in one hand and her silver tiara in the other.
She stopped in front of Troy, looking up at him with her bright, summer-sky eyes.
"Daddy," she said, her voice sweet and serious. "Your head is bare. The king must always wear his crown."
Troy smiled, a genuine, beautiful expression that erased the years of worry and pain from his rugged face. He leaned down, allowing her to place the silver plastic tiara crookedly on his massive head.
"Thank you, Princess," Troy whispered, lifting her into his arms and holding her close against his chest.
"I love you, Daddy princess," Ava murmured, her tiny arms wrapping tightly around his neck.
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"I love you too, Ava," Troy said, his eyes shining with tears of pure, unadulterated happiness as he looked out over his quiet, peaceful yard.
The promise had been kept. The castle was safe. And the kingdom of Oakridge was finally at peace.
