Please God. Just don’t let me die in here.

Thankfully Remy’s unit was at the end of the first row. Erin dug in his pocket for the key and searched the metal grate. After squinting and feeling his way through the darkness, he found the padded lock and clicked it open.

The metal door creaked when Erin opened it. He felt the walls for a light switch once he entered, but found a pull string light hanging from the ceiling a quarter inside.

Click.

He pulled the cord, illuminating the space.

It was honestly what he’d expected from Remy. Old files and papers piled up in one corner, with trophies, military awards in another. As Erin stepped further in, he found remnants of old furniture, and even an old bike stood up against the wall.

Erin started with the container closest to him, peeling back the dusty lid.

Bills…Transcripts...Taxes…

Even Remy’s storage is boring…

Erin took his time checking every container and took more time putting everything back. The last thing he wanted was for the drill sergeant to come back to a mess.

Finally, after an hour of searching, Erin found a wooden chest tucked in the very back of the room. Unlike the clear containers, covered in filth, this one had been recently cleaned and opened.

Erin grabbed the flashlight and flipped the double hatches on either side. But just as he was about to open the chest, he paused and bit his lip.

Should I be doing this?

Remy obviously stored whatever was in this chest for a reason. And perhaps he would be upset if Erin invaded his privacy…

But if it’s for Annalee…

Surely, he couldn’t be mad knowing Erin had his daughter’s best interest in mind. Right?

Right.

Erin nodded and lifted the lid. On top, there were more papers. Licenses and what looked like a flight itinerary. For a moment Erin thought he’d found another worthless box, but when he searched more thoroughly, he found an album covered in white lace.

The very first picture was of Remy and a woman with strawberry blonde hair, and deep gray eyes. Her smile was wide and radiant.

She was beautiful.

Erin flipped through the album and realized it was their wedding book. Pictures of Remy and her dancing. Pictures of them kissing. Pictures of them cutting the cake. And oh…how happy he looked. How openly he smiled…carefree and almost mischievous. It was hard to accept that this was the same man Erin knew.

As he dug through the box, he found more pictures; vacations, parties, and graduations. Some with just Remy’s late wife, and some with Remy with her. But then, Erin found what he was looking for at the very bottom of the chest.

It was the three of them: Remy, his wife, and a bald baby with sprouts of ginger hair. Remy's wife was holding Annalee in her hands, while Remy had his arms wrapped around them securely.

Erin couldn't help but grimace.

This…this is what Erin wanted with Mitch. A family. Love. Companionship. Happiness.

Why was it taken from Remy?

Erin thought in vain.

Why was the possibility taken from me?

Erin pocketed the picture, latched the chest, and slid it back against the wall. He hurried out of the storage and clicked the lock in place. As he made his way back to the upper level, he tried to ignore the growing ache in his chest. It was no wonder Annalee was hurting. Erin could see the love in her mother’s eyes and see the joy in Remy’s. She hadn’t just lost a mother, she’d lost a happy home...

WHEN Annalee came home from school, Erin was outside waiting for her. She hopped off the bus, waving goodbye to the driver and running toward Erin.

“Looks like you had a better day today?” he said as he hugged her.

“I did.” She nodded and smiled. “And I got a sticker for being a good listener!” she showed Erin her shirt.

“Awesome job. Not that I expect anything less from a rock-star.” He winked at her and she giggled.

“So,” Erin said when they entered the house. “Remember I said I’d have a surprise for you today if you went to school?”

“Yes!” Annalee grinned. “Is it ice cream?!”

“No.” Erin shook his head and laughed when she pouted. “Not before dinner.” He sat down on the couch and patted the cushion next to him. Annalee hopped up on the seat waiting eagerly for her prize. “I’ve been thinking about the conversation we had yesterday.”

“About mommy?”

“Yes. About your Mama.” Erin smiled at her. “Remember I showed you the picture of my Mama?”

“Yes!” Annalee nodded. “She was pretty like you, Erin.”

“Thank you, sweet girl.” Erin leaned in and kissed her forehead. “But I was thinking…” Erin reached over to the coffee table and picked up the wooden frame and handed it to her. “I was thinking that you should have a picture of your Mama, too.”

“Who is that baby?” Annalee asked after a few seconds of staring.

“That’s you, silly goose.” Erin pointed to her. “And that’s Papa.” He ignored how handsome the Alpha was in the photo. “And that, is your Mama.” Erin smiled. “Isn’t she pretty?”

Annalee nodded quietly and touched the woman’s face. “Her hair is like mine.” She looked up at Erin.

“It is.” Erin chuckled. “And I think her smile is like yours too.”

“Papa looks happy…” Annalee muttered. “He probably misses Mama too, huh?”

“I’m sure he misses her very much” He smoothed the curls out her face and pulled her against his chest. “I can tell just by this picture that your Papa loved your Mommy very much, Annalee.” It made Erin wonder what kind of man Remy used to be.

Had he always been so hard, or had life battered and bruised him?

Would he ever smile so carefree again? Or had his happiness died with Annalee’s mother?

Erin and Annalee sat in deep quiet thought for a while before Annalee finally whispered, “Rin?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I wish my mommy was still here.”

“I do too, Annalee.” He kissed her head again. “It’s okay to miss your Mama or be sad sometimes, too. And when you feel sad, you can always look at your picture. Or talk to me, or Papa. But you know what?" Erin stood from the couch. "We can’t forget that the sun is going to come up tomorrow! Our mommies want us to keep on living."

“And Papa too?” Annalee asked him warily.

“Of course, Papa.” Erin giggled. “We all have to do our best to find happiness.” He reached out his hand for Annalee to take. "Now, what do you say we go sneak in some ice cream before dinner?"

“Yes!” Annalee jumped up off the couch. “Let’s do it!”