"Lily, don’t call him Uncle Dan anymore." Sophie’s gentle voice came from behind them. "He’s your dad."
Lily blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. "Really?"
She looked up at Dan. "I always wanted a dad..."
Her tone was soft but full of emotion, and the simple words struck Dan straight in the heart.
He crouched down until they were at eye level.
"Yes, Lily." He smiled warmly. "I’m your dad."
Lily’s little face immediately lit up. "Daddy!"
She threw her arms around his neck. Dan froze for half a second before gently embracing her.
A smile slowly spread across his face. "Dad is here to help Mommy fix the lightbulb."
Lily pulled back and looked at him seriously. "Really?"
"Of course." Dan lightly tapped her nose. "Otherwise, this whole house is going to stay in darkness."
"I want to help!"
"Alright." Dan handed her his flashlight.
"You can be my assistant."
Lily proudly took the flashlight with both hands. "I’ll help Daddy!"
Dan chuckled. "That’s my girl."
Sophie watched the two of them with a soft smile.
There was something strangely natural about seeing them together.
As if this was how things had always been supposed to look.
Sophie moved behind Dan and raised her phone, turning on its flashlight to give him more light.
The two beams illuminated the ceiling. Dan had a higher reach than Sophie, so he easily reached the broken bulb.
With Lily proudly shining the flashlight upward and Sophie holding hers behind him, Dan deftly unscrewed the damaged bulb and replaced it with the new one.
~Click~
He flipped the switch and soft white light immediately filled the room.
Lily gasped. "Wow!"
Dan grinned. "See? Problem solved."
He fixed the bulbs in the other rooms as well. It didn’t take long before the entire apartment was brightly illuminated once again.
Dan dusted his hands together. "All done."
Lily looked at him with genuine admiration. "Wow! You’re amazing, Dad!"
Dan couldn’t help laughing. "It was nothing."
But seeing the pride on his daughter’s face made the simple task feel strangely rewarding.
...
Afterward, Sophie thanked him and called out to him hesitantly.
"Um, Dan?"
"Hmm?"
"I noticed... you don’t really cook at home, do you?"
Dan paused.
Sophie glanced toward the kitchen. "It’s dinnertime now."
Her expression softened. "Why don’t you stay? Let’s eat together... as a family."
Dan looked at her. He remembered how things had been in the past.
Whenever he helped Sophie with something, she would often invite him to stay for a meal.
And he had always happily accepted. After all, for a bachelor who survived mostly on takeout and instant noodles, a proper home-cooked meal was almost impossible to resist.
But this time was different. She wasn’t merely a woman he happened to help anymore.
She was his wife and Lily was his daughter.
The thought brought a strange warmth to his chest.
He looked at Sophie. Then at Lily. The little girl was staring up at him with hopeful eyes.
She even reached out and gently tugged at the hem of his shirt.
"Daddy, stay."
Dan’s heart melted. Maybe enjoying this moment was what mattered most.
He smiled. "Sure."
He nodded. "Then I won’t be shy. I’m actually pretty hungry."
"That’s great!" A radiant smile bloomed across Sophie’s face.
It was so bright that Dan couldn’t help staring for a moment.
"Daddy is eating with us!" Lily clapped her little hands excitedly.
And so, Dan stayed. Sophie tied an apron around herself and headed into the kitchen.
Before long, the familiar sounds of cooking filled the apartment.
The sizzle of food, the clatter of utensils and the occasional sound of Sophie humming softly to herself.
Lily, meanwhile, dragged Dan down onto the living-room carpet.
"Daddy, help me build this!"
"Alright, alright." Dan sat down beside her. "What are we making?"
"A castle!"
"A castle?"
"Yes!"
Lily handed him several blocks. "You put this here."
Dan followed her instructions. "Like this?"
"No! Daddy, you’re doing it wrong!"
Dan stared at her. "Already criticizing your father?"
Lily giggled. "No!"
Her laughter filled the room causing Dan to smile.
A child’s world was surprisingly simple, a few colorful blocks, a silly game and someone to play with. That was enough to make Lily happy.
And somehow, surrounded by her laughter, Dan felt more relaxed than he had in a very long time.
He watched her carefully place another block on the little castle.
A strange thought suddenly crossed his mind.
If the Apocalypse really was coming... Could he build a life like this? A real family. A home. A place where Sophie and Lily could smile without fear.
His gaze drifted toward the slender figure moving around the kitchen.
Sophie his wife.
For the first time, Dan allowed himself to seriously imagine what it would be like to truly become a family with her.
The thought made his heart beat slightly faster.
He quickly looked back at Lily. ’I’m thinking too much.’
But the thought refused to disappear. Before long, the smell of delicious food filled the apartment.
"Food’s ready!" Sophie untied her apron and stepped out of the kitchen carrying the final dish.
A light sheen of sweat covered her forehead, but the smile on her face was bright.
The dining table was already covered with a generous spread.
A roast chicken with golden, crisp skin sat at the center, fragrant with garlic and rosemary.
Beside it was a baked salmon fillet topped with lemon slices and fresh dill.
A bowl of buttery green beans added a lighter touch to the meal.
There was also a plate of honey-glazed chicken wings, clearly prepared with Lily in mind.
Finally, a pot of steaming tomato soup sat beside a basket of warm bread rolls.
Dan stared at the table. "Sophie..."
She looked at him. "You really didn’t have to make all this."
She smiled. "It’s nothing."
Dan picked up the plate she handed him and took a closer look at the food.
"This is better than a five-star restaurant."
Sophie laughed softly. "You’re exaggerating."
"I’m serious." Dan took his first bite. His eyes widened. "Wow."
Lily giggled. "I told you Mommy cooks good food!"
Dan nodded seriously. "Your mom is amazing."
Sophie lowered her gaze slightly, unable to hide the smile forming on her lips.