Max Reynolds walked down the stairs of his home but suddenly heard the sound of laughter. Max quickly walked down the rest of the stairs to see Sydney and Olive looking at picture book and laughing at it. A smiling Olive held the book up saying, "Oh my gosh. The crocodiles in this book are so funny!" With a big smile on her face Sydney said, "I know. I love it when they always fail to eat their zebra neighbor. It is hilarious!" Max then walked over to the two and said, "Hey girls. You having fun?" A smiling Sydney said, "Oh yeah dad. Olive's books are so funny! Can you buy these so we can read them together?" Olive then said, "Oh, you can have these. I inherited multiple copies from my older brothers and cousins so I have plenty to spare." With a big smile on her face Sydney hugged Olive and said, "Oh my gosh! Thank you Olive! Thank you!"

That night Max was laying in his bed reading a book when he heard a knock on the door. Max then put his book down and said, "Come in." Sydney then walked into the room in her pink pajamas with an upset face as she said, "Daddy. Can... can we talk?" Max then said, "Sure Sydney. Hop in." Sydney then jumped into the bed with Max and sat close to him. Max then seeing how upset Sydney looked said, "Sydney, what's wrong?" Sydney then said, "Well... I'm kind of feeling bad about how today went." Max then said, "You're upset about how today went? Sydney, I heard you laughing and giggling all day with Olive. I can't remember the last time you looked so happy." Sydney then said, "I do. The last time was... before mom died." Max looking a bit shooken up now said, "Oh." Sydney then said, "I... was happy today dad. But... it feels like I'm not supposed to be happy anymore. Mom is dead. I'm supposed to miss her every day but... today it was like I missed her a little less and it scares me. Because if I miss her less it means I love her less now and..." Max then said, "Shh. Don't think that way Sydney. You had a fun day today, and that's exactly what your mother would've wanted. Your mom spent every day of her life after you were born trying to put a smile on your face. She'd want you to find friends that could do the same. Being a little less sad and a little more happy isn't a bad thing. We'll always miss your mom. But she'd want you to get out there and find some happiness." Sydney made a little smile as she said, "Okay. But... is it okay if I cry again tonight? Because I feel like crying right now." Max then said, "Oh Sydney. Come here." Suddenly tears began to flow out of Sydney's eyes as she hugged Max.

Days later, Max and Leo were walking out of a court room as Max said, "Well you did it Leo. That was certainly a huge amount of money we just left with. My costs of raising Sydney are now set for life. You really are a good lawyer. Thank you." Leo sighed for a moment and then said, "Max... this is my last day being a lawyer." Max then said, "What? But you're so good at it. Helping me with this settlement is gonna give you great exposure." Leo then said, "Yeah. Exposure I got that was born from a serious tragedy. I can't keep living like this Max. Trying to make a profit out of horrific events that happen to others. I can't live in this world. It's too much for me." Max then said, "Well... I'm sorry to hear that man. So... what next for you?" Leo then said, "Well... maybe go back to my old dream of starting a tech company. I've got a cousin in San Francisco who might be able to help me get one off the ground." Max patted Leo on the shoulder and said, "Best of luck to you man."

Days later in the evening Max walked through the front door looking tired but suddenly saw Sydney sitting on the couch. A surprised Max said, "Sydney, what are still you doing up? It's 10:30." Sydney then said, "I wanted to see you before I went to bed. Another long day at work?" Max nodded and said, "Yeah. They all are. I wish I could tell the managers how to run the show but I'm not the boss so I have to work over time fixing their crazy mistakes." Sydney then said, "Dad, why don't you start your own business? Grandma said you got a lot of money from the court the other day." Max then said, "Sydney, that's not my money though. I only went through that whole ordeal in court with Leo to help make sure you would have a lot of money to help you as you grow up." Sydney then said, "So it's my money then? Well... then I want you to have it. Because I want you to be happy." Max then said, "Sydney... do you know what you're saying?" Sydney then said, "All I know is when me, you, and mom used to bike ride together you were at your happiest. And I know you once told mom that your dream was to open a bike store one day so you could make other people that happy too. So do it dad. Make your dreams happen. It's what mom would've wanted right? To put yourself out there and find some happiness?" Max smiled as he got on his knees and said, "Give me a hug Sydney." Sydney then instantly hugged Max as a smiling Max said, "When did you get so wise Syd?" Sydney then said, "From my amazing mom... and my pretty cool dad." Max then said, "Well... okay Sydney. It'll take some time but... I'll do it. Within one year I promise you, we are gonna have our own bike shop." Sydney smiled as she said, "I love you dad." Max smiled back as he said, "I love you too Sydney."

THE END