Chapter 10 - The Warm Hearth
The winter storm had completely passed, leaving behind a crisp, cold winter day with a sky so blue it looked like polished glass.
I stood on the porch of my small duplex, the warm, golden light of the afternoon sun reflecting off the snow-covered yard.
Beside me, Dean was sitting on a wooden bench, his bandaged hands tucked into the pockets of a brand-new, thick red winter coat I had bought him that morning. His cheeks were red from the cold, but his eyes were clear, bright, and completely peaceful.
Through the front window of the duplex, I could see Hannah sitting on the living room rug, her green stuffed dinosaur tucked under her arm as she happily built a massive castle out of plastic building blocks.
The duplex was small. It didn't have a smart lock, it didn't have a security system, and the kitchen counters still smelled faintly of Pinesol.
But as I looked at my niece and nephew, I knew it was the safest place on earth.
"Auntie Willow?" Dean said, looking up at me.
"Yes, Dean?" I asked, walking over and sitting down beside him on the bench.
"Are we... are we going to be okay?" he whispered, his eyes searching my face with that lingering, quiet doubt that only a child who has been left in the dark can possess.
I reached out, wrapping my arm around his shoulders and pulling him close against my side.
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"We’re going to be more than okay, Dean," I said, my voice steady, strong, and full of a mother’s promise. "We’re going to be happy. We’re going to have pancakes every Saturday. We’re going to read bedtime stories until you’re too old to listen. And whenever you call my name... I will always, always answer."
Dean looked down at his boots, a small, genuine smile finally breaking across his face. He leaned his head against my shoulder, and together we sat on the porch, watching the quiet, beautiful snow melt in the warm, clean light of our new home.
