Julian sprinted through the double doors to outside.
The cool evening air hit his hot face fast.
The massive garden stretched out under the bright stars.
Fountains splashed water quietly in the night distance.
He hurried down the wide stone steps right away.
His shoes clicked loudly against the wet stones.
Julian: Hello? Is anyone out here right now?
The wind blew softly through the green oak trees.
He walked past the tall white marble statues quickly.
His heart hammered hard inside his dark tuxedo chest.
He felt terrified of what he might find ahead.
What if the little girl was afraid of him?
What if she did not believe he was her father?
He rounded the corner near the old rose garden.
A small wooden bench sat under a yellow lamp.
A tiny girl sat alone on the cold bench.
She wore a simple blue dress with white socks.
She held a small paper pad in her hands.
Julian stopped in his tracks five feet away.
The world seemed to stand completely still for him.
The little girl looked up from her drawing paper.
She had the exact same green eyes as Julian.
Julian: Little one... what are you doing out here?
The girl looked down at her paper pad softly.
Girl: I am drawing a picture of my daddy.
Julian dropped straight to his knees on grass.
Tears ran down his cheeks without any control now.
Julian: May I please see your drawing right now?
The little girl held out the worn paper page.
The pencil sketch showed a tall man wearing tuxedo.
It looked just like the man standing before her.
Girl: The nice maid said he would come someday.
Julian: I am here now, my sweet little girl.