The mansion

In the dark hall downstairs. He looked at the glistening portrait that hung of his wife. She looked gorgeous. He was proud to say, she died with him, and not some old widow. Behind him, he heard the stairs creek. Jack turned around and saw Arabella's angelic face looking down. "Hey daddy" she whispered. 

Jack smiled. "Come on down Ara". Ara was Jack's new nickname for his daughter. Arabella tiptoed downstairs and hugged her father. "Mummy looks so pretty there" Arabella commented on her mother's painting. Jack nodded in agreement. Arabella looked up at her father. "Daddy, tell me about Caroline and John" Arabella said.

Jack looked at her. "Ok then, but I'll tell you upstairs" Jack said. Arabella nodded. They went upstairs hand in hand up to Arabella's bedroom. 

Jack tucked her in and she listened intently as Jack gave a detailed account of his two living children. "They sound wonderful. I wish I could meet them" Arabella dreamt of them. Running towards her, being embraced in a welcome hug. Jack mentioned they liked horse riding. "I could take them riding!" Arabella proclaimed. Jack laughed. "You would be great with them" Jack kissed her head before getting up to go to bed. "Oh Ara!" Jack called. 

Arabella rolled back over. "I just want to say, I love you" Jack said to his daughter. She smiled. "I love you too daddy" Arabella smiled before clicking off her light. Those words touched Jack. It was wonderful to hear his daughter, he had lost eight years before, to say she loved him.