The Rabbit Girl Who Shook the Walker Family Chapter 20

The Rabbit Girl Who Shook the Walker Family Chapter 20

Ethan came in holding a daycare pickup card. He placed the card by the entryway. Lily noticed it right away. 

“Uncle Ethan, are you picking me up tomorrow?” 

Ethan changed his shoes. 

“Yes.” 

Lily’s eyes brightened. 

“What about the animal costume?” 

Ethan paused. Lucas was putting food into her bowl. When he heard this, his fork stopped in midair. Old Mr. Walker picked up his coffee cup. The rim covered the corner of his mouth. Ethan expressionlessly pulled a daycare notice from a 

manila folder. 

Family Sports Day costume confirmation form. Parent role: big gray wolf. Child role: little rabbit. Lily was so happy she nearly slid off the chair. 

“Really?” 

Ethan folded the notice. 

“Only once.” 

Lily nodded. 

“A good wolf only has to wear it once.” 

Lucas placed vegetables into her bowl. 

“Eat first.” 

Lily looked down and ate two bites. Then she 

remembered something and looked up at Lucas. 

“Lucas.” 

“Can I still come home tomorrow?” 

Lucas’s fork stopped. She had asked this question 

many times. Every time, she asked carefully. As if 

afraid the answer would change. Lucas put down 

his fork. He crouched in front of her and tied her 

loosened shoelace. 

“This is your home.” 

Lily glanced at him. 

“What about Mommy?” 

Lucas lifted his head. On a small cabinet beside 

the dining room, there was a photo of Emma. In 

the photo, Emma held newborn Lily. Old Mr. 

Walker had someone put it into a new frame. It 

was not placed in a corner. It stood where the light 

could reach it. 

Lucas said, “Mommy is home too.” 

Lily followed his gaze. She climbed down from the child’s chair, carried the rabbit, and walked to the 

photo. Her small hand touched the edge of the 

frame. 

“Mommy.” 

“Lucas bought the big milk.” 

She thought about it and added, “He didn’t borrow from loan sharks.” 

Ethan turned his face away. Old Mr. Walker 

coughed. Lucas looked down and smiled. Very lightly. Lily turned back and saw it. Her face lit up. 

“Lucas, you can smile.” 

Lucas walked over and picked her up. This time, the movement was not so stiff. Lily lay against his 

shoulder, still holding the stuffed rabbit. 

“Then can I eat every day from now on?” 

Lucas said, “Yes.” 

“Can I sleep every day?” 

“Yes.” 

“Can I put Bunny in the middle of the bed?” 

“Yes.” 

Lily thought for a long time. 

At last, she asked, “Then can I be naughty 

sometimes?” 

The dining room went silent. Old Mr. Walker put 

down his coffee cup. Ethan turned to Lucas. 

Lucas held her and walked to the table. 

“Yes.” 

Lily’s eyes widened. 

“Really?” 

“Really.” 

Lucas placed her back into the child’s chair. 

“But before you’re bad, you have to eat first.” 

Lily picked up her small spoon at once. 

“Then I’ll eat two bowls.” 

Old Mr. Walker frowned. 

“A child shouldn’t eat until she is stuffed.” 

Lily nodded. 

“Then one and a half bowls.” 

Ethan pushed the child’s water cup over. 

“Drink water first.” 

Lily glanced from one to the other. Suddenly, she 

laughed. 

“You’re all so noisy.” 

At the other end of the long table, the butler was 

bringing soup. When he heard this, his steps paused. The Walker estate had not been this noisy 

in many years. 

Before, this place had everything. 

Documents. Rules. Trust agreements. Silence. 

Now it had another child. 

One old rabbit. 

One yellow bowl. 

And a daycare pickup card by the entryway. 

Lily finished her water and carefully set the cup 

down. 

She turned to Emma’s photo. 

In a small voice, she said, “Mommy, I’m home.” 

Outside the window, the rain had stopped. 

The lights in the courtyard came on one by one. 

Not for a family gathering. 

Only so that if a child woke in the night, she would 

never have to search for the way home.