Silence settled gently over the grand hallway of the Vance mansion once again now.
Arthur knelt back down on the cold marble floor beside his precious young son.
He wiped away the remaining tears from Leo's smooth cheeks with his soft thumb.
Arthur: I am so sorry I brought that terrible person into our lives Leo.
Leo: Is she ever coming back to our house again daddy?
Arthur: Never again my sweet boy I will always protect you from harm.
He pulled Leo close and kissed the top of his soft brown hair tenderly.
Martha stood beside them with a warm gentle smile spreading across her tired face.
Arthur looked up at the loyal housekeeper who had worked faithfully for decades here.
Arthur: You are far more than a housekeeper to this family Martha you know that.
Martha: I just do my job sir protecting the people I care about most.
Arthur: Starting today you are retiring from cleaning and household chores for good.
Martha gasped and put her old hands over her mouth in sudden surprising shock.
Martha: Mr. Vance I have worked in this house my whole entire life!
Arthur: You will stay here as Leo's official legal guardian and family grandmother now.
He took Martha's hands in his own and squeezed them with deep heartfelt gratitude.
Arthur: You will have a permanent pension and your own suite upstairs in this house.
Tears of joy welled up in Martha's gentle eyes as she smiled at Arthur.
Martha: Thank you Arthur that means more to my old heart than gold.
Leo reached out and took Martha's hand in his small fingers with a smile.
Leo: Does that mean Martha can read me bedtime stories every single night?
Arthur: Yes son every single night for as long as you want her to.
Arthur stood up and picked his son up into his strong protective arms easily.
They walked over to the corner of the hallway where the red car lay broken.
Arthur picked up the plastic pieces and held them carefully in his large palm.
Arthur: We will go to the store together tomorrow and buy ten new cars.
Leo: Can we buy a blue one just like your big car daddy?
Arthur: We can buy any car you want my brave little man in town.
They walked toward the cozy living room leaving the darkness of greed behind them.
The massive American flag hung quietly on the wall keeping watch over their home.