“Told you she was tough,” he said. “Oldest tiger we’ve got, and still the fiercest.” Shira lifted her head at the sound of his voice and chuffed softly. Lily laughed. “See? She remembers.” Caleb looked down at his daughter, the light in her eyes, the awe in her smile, and felt something warm rise in his chest. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Some things, you don’t forget.”
The three of them stood there a while longer, watching as Shira stretched, yawned, and rolled lazily onto her back; her side smooth again, her strength returned. The morning sun glinted off her fur, turning the stripes to gold. And as Lily scribbled one last note in her little book, she smiled to herself. Her favorite animal had come back; not just fierce, but kind.