PART 20: THE FREEDOM
PART 20: THE FREEDOM
The sun was rising over the northern bay, painting the morning sky in brilliant shades of pink, cream, and violet.
Alejandro and I sat on the wooden steps of our porch, wrapped in a single, large fleece blanket to block the morning chill.
Below us on the lawn, Mateo was taking big, confident steps through the dew-covered grass, chasing a small puppy we had adopted for the center.
The air was crisp, but it no longer carried the bitter sting of fear or isolation.
Alejandro looked down at me, his eyes bright and completely clear, a radiant smile spreading across his face as he kissed my forehead.
"Are you cold?" he asked softly, pulling the blanket tighter around my shoulders.
I looked out at the sprawling, beautiful sanctuary we had built, at our healthy son laughing in the sunshine, and at the man who had stood by me when the whole world tried to break us.
I took a deep, clear breath—the kind of breath that fills your soul with absolute, unyielding peace.
May you like
"No, Alejandro," I whispered, resting my head against his chest as our son ran toward us with his arms wide open.
"I am perfectly warm. And we are finally free."
