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[Eddie]

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The days were growing steadily shorter lately, the sun setting behind the mountains faster and faster as if to say that the days weren't worth shining for anymore. How many days had passed since he had finally found his way back? He'd lost track...but it didn't matter. All that mattered now was that he was doing what was right by her...by both of them. He sat in the observatory, fighting sleep to watch over Jocelyn as she slept curled tightly in a ball near him. He wondered what her dreams held.

This little girl, embodiement of wonder and chaos...how could she be so like him, never really even knowing him until now? He could see it now, he was going to have a handful when she got older. So young, yet already she was beautiful...perfect. She had his eyes. Looking at her was like seeing his own looking back at him and it shocked him at times. And her love of fire...it was like he'd been reborn as this mischevious girl.

"Daddy, what's this? Daddy what's that? Daddy can we go fight dragons? Daddy tell me something else! Look Daddy, I'm a bear! Daddy daddy daddy!"

He couldn't help but smile hearing her voice echo in his head. She was always wanting him to tell her things or take her places. And he couldn't very well blame her, having been stuck in the valley almost her entire life. Well, he'd fix that. She deserved it.

The pride in her voice when she said his name...he was certain if she actually knew him, knew what he'd done, where he'd been, even how she came about that there would be no pride. The more his mind cleared day by day, the more he regretted the day she'd ask him all the things he had overcome and he would have to face them again. He just hoped she'd understand.

Rolling over, she whimpered in her sleep, reaching for something in her far off dreamland. He scooted towards her and she latched onto his arm, cuddling it and snuggling into the folds of his sleeve. Gently he scooped her into his arms and cradled her to his chest as he used to when she was very small. A soft smile crossed her face as she awoke slightly, her eyes looking up to him.

"Daddy..." she whispered groggily as she nuzzled into him. He kissed her forehead softly and rested his head on hers, finally allowing himself to drift to sleep. For the first time in a long time, everything was right in this place and he could feel a small flame of hope begin to light in him.

"Good night, my little girl."
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"Eddie Castle, King of the Coconuts!"