Chapter 81

• The morning sun streamed through the large windows of their newly renovated farmhouse, illuminating dust motes dancing in the golden light. It was a far cry from the cramped, suffocating apartment Cleo had once called home, a home steeped in fear and shadows. This house, nestled on a sprawling hillside overlooking Seabrook, was a testament to their new beginning, a sanctuary built on the foundation of their shared resilience and love. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint aroma of pine from the Christmas tree still standing proudly in the corner, a defiant symbol of their enduring hope, even though January had already arrived.
• Cleo hummed a cheerful tune as she moved through the kitchen, her movements fluid and graceful. She was preparing breakfast, a simple but lovingly prepared meal of fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon, a stark contrast to the hurried, often neglected meals of her past. The quiet contentment that filled the kitchen was a reflection of the peace that had settled into her soul, a peace she had fought for, a peace she had earned. She glanced out the window, her eyes lingering on Rowan as he worked in the garden, his strong hands gently coaxing life from the dormant earth. His figure, strong and yet somehow vulnerable, filled her with a love that transcended words. It was a love rooted in shared trauma, strengthened by mutual understanding, and nurtured by their unwavering commitment to each other.
• He was building a small stone wall, carefully selecting each rock, ensuring that each one fitted perfectly into place. It was a meticulous task, reflective of his careful nature, his dedication to detail, a trait that had once seemed like a rigidity but now felt like a comforting constancy. He hummed along to an old blues tune, his voice a low rumble that carried on the crisp morning air. He seemed to be channeling the same energy he'd put into crafting toys, but now his creativity and meticulous nature were focused on this more permanent, grounding project, one that was shaping their future in a tangible way.