"Grandma," Zeke said softly. "Meet Claire. She's my daughter."
The room went quiet for a moment.
"Your daughter?" Elise repeated, brows lifted. Then she smiled warmly and opened her arms. "Come here, darling. Let Grandma see you up close."
There wasn't even a hint of doubt in her voice. She knew Zeke too well. He'd never joke about something like this. If he said the little girl in front of her was his daughter, then she believed it.
Zeke gently led Claire over to the bed.
Once Claire was sitting at the edge, Elise reached out and took her tiny hand, eyes lighting up.
"You're beautiful. Absolutely adorable," Elise said, beaming.
Claire grinned. "You're beautiful and adorable too, Granny Elise."
Elise let out a delighted laugh, the sound full of joy. It had been so long since someone had said something like that to her and especially not in such a sweet little voice.
