From gratitude.
From relief.
From love.
When she finally pulled back, Edward smiled.
“Now go to bed. You have an interview tomorrow.”
Claire laughed through her tears.
“How did you know about that?”
“Marie told me.”
“Of course she did.”
Edward kissed her forehead.
“Good night, Claire.”
“Good night, Grandpa.”
She watched him walk back inside, then stood there a moment longer.
The stars were bright.
The air was clean.
And for the first time in her life, Claire felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
She finished her tea and went inside.
Lily was asleep in her room, curled up with her favorite stuffed rabbit.
Claire stood in the doorway and watched her breathe.
Her daughter.
Her miracle.
The reason she survived.
She walked over and brushed a curl away from Lily’s face.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Lily stirred but didn’t wake.
Claire kissed her forehead and left the room.
In her own bed, she lay in the dark and thought about tomorrow.
The interview was for a teaching position at a local preschool.
She was nervous.
But she was ready.
