Chapter 10 - THE SKY AT EARLY MORNING
Three years later.
The early morning sun was just beginning to peek over the Atlantic horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of pale, serene blue—the exact color Maren had chosen for Bria's nursery years ago.
The Vane estate was quiet, peaceful, and filled with the warm hum of early morning life.
I stood on the master bedroom balcony, wearing a soft flannel shirt and trousers, holding a warm cup of coffee. The ocean below was smooth as glass, reflecting the pale blue sky like a giant mirror.
Behind me, the balcony door opened softly.
Nora stepped out onto the terrace, wearing a warm cashmere robe, her dark hair falling softly over her shoulders. She slid her arms around my waist from behind, resting her cheek against my back.
"You're up early, husband," Nora murmured softly.
I turned in her arms, setting my coffee cup on the stone railing, pulling her close against my chest, kissing the top of her head. "I was watching the sky."
Nora looked out over the ocean at the pale blue horizon. "It's the morning sky. The color where everything is possible."
"Yes," I agreed softly.
At that moment, the door to the nursery opened, and Bria—now nine years old—walked out onto the balcony, holding her two-year-old baby brother, Arthur, by his tiny hand.
Little Arthur had thick dark hair like mine, but he had Nora's bright, laughing hazel eyes. He toddled across the stone tiles on his chubby legs, letting out a joyful babble as he reached for my knee.
"Daddy! Artie woke up early and wanted to see the ocean!" Bria reported proudly, wearing her dinosaur pajamas.
I scooped up little Arthur in my left arm, while wrapping my right arm around Bria, pulling them both close to me and Nora.
Nora leaned down, kissing Arthur’s chubby cheek, then smoothed Bria’s hair.
"Look at the sky, Artie," Bria whispered to her little brother, pointing up at the pale blue horizon. "That's the color Mommy Maren picked for us. It means everything is good."
I looked out over the ocean, holding my wife, my daughter, and my son in the warm embrace of the morning sun.
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The dark shadows of South Boston, the grief of the past, the poisons and the lies—all of it had been washed away by the light of truth. We had built a sanctuary that no force on earth could ever tear down.
And as the sun rose higher into the clear blue sky, casting golden light across the vast, endless horizon, I knew with absolute certainty that we were finally, perfectly home.
