“Hello honey bunny,” Dan sings, waltzing through the front door. Thrumbing. His smile the brightest. Through the tears, I watch as the video plays through. Dan alive. Dan full of life.

Excited giggles fill my ears. Dan makes his way to the kitchen, passing the camera with a wink. It’s a mess. Different desserts in various states of prep scattered the counters. Surveying the raw cookie dough and steamy cupcakes, his finger finds its way into a brownie pan. Raw batter coats the end of his finger, then a _suck, _and his fingers are clean again.

_Dan is gone. Stop it. Get u— No._

“Oh geez, someone’s been baking”, his eye browsed raised while his eyes find mine behind the phone. With a beaming grin, “Are we feeling better today?” Another girly giggle behind the frame.

A faint knock comes from outside the video. The front door. They’re here.

_No, no, no. Not yet. — Yes. It’s time. _

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Dan hesitates; looking around. Something is odd. His head slowly swiveling, puzzling, taking in each of the counter items. His eyes dart to the camera. Zeroing in, “Why is there only blue frosting?”

A small tiny voice, ellated, “Must be a reason…” a smile is heard, erupting into buzzing giggles.

_I love you._

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Hard knocks sound from downstairs.

_Not yet!_

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_Stop it!_