She left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Lucas leaned his head against my shoulder, his small body warm and breathing steadily.

Owen held my free hand, his fingers sticky from kitchen jam.

“Are you staying forever?” Lucas asked.

“Yes,” I said.

The afternoon sun finally broke through the gray clouds, casting a long line of gold across the carpet.

The long shadow of the past was gone.

We were just a family, sitting together in the quiet room.

I put the pen down on the nightstand.

The paper was dry.

The truth was signed, sealed, and safe.