PART 20: THE FUTURE
PART 20: THE FUTURE
The sun was setting over the Columbia River gorge, painting the sky in deep shades of gold, pink, and violet.
Marianne and I sat on the wooden deck of our new home, built right on the edge of the valley.
Below us, the lights of the children’s health center were beginning to twinkle in the dusk.
Lily and Noah were playing on a blanket near our feet, laughing as they tried to catch the fireflies dancing in the grass.
Daniel had dropped them off an hour ago, giving me a polite wave before driving back to his apartment in the city.
The air was clean, smelling of fresh pine and river water.
Marianne reached over, slipping her hand into mine, her fingers locking with mine with perfect familiarity.
"Are you happy, Claire?" she asked softly, looking at the sunset.
I looked down at my children.
I looked at the ring on my finger.
I looked at the sprawling, beautiful valley that now belonged to a future of healing and truth.
I took a deep, clear breath—the kind of breath that fills your lungs with absolute peace.
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"Yes, Marianne," I whispered, a brilliant, victorious smile spreading across my face.
"I am finally home."
