Chapter 20 - The Good Table
A full year after the Great Falls disaster, another spring had returned to North Alexandria. The Potomac Yard project was officially underway, the foundations being poured with the highest standards of safety and care under the watchful eye of Elena Vance and her team. Reed Urban Partners was stronger, more respected, and more successful than it had ever been.
To celebrate the anniversary of our victory and the successful launch of the Potomac Yard build, I hosted a private family dinner. We didn't hold it in a restaurant or a corporate hall. We held it in the backyard of our own home, overlooking the peaceful waters of the river.
A long, rustic wooden table had been set up on the green grass, covered in simple linen, decorated with fresh wildflowers from our garden. My parents sat at one end, talking happily with Marcus, who had finally put down his clipboard and his tablet, relaxed and smiling as he enjoyed a glass of fine wine.
At the center of the table sat Sadie and June. They were a year older now, growing taller, their eyes filled with the bright, confident intelligence of young women who knew exactly who they were and what they were capable of achieving. They were actively involved in the youth auxiliary of our foundation, already learning the basics of design and architectural planning.
The silver servers from last year’s formal event were replaced by our own hands, passing large platters of homemade pasta, fresh grilled vegetables, and warm bread across the table.
Sadie looked around at the laughter, the warmth, the beautiful golden light of the setting sun casting long, peaceful shadows across the lawn. She caught my eye, a brilliant, knowing smile breaking across her face.
"Mom," she said loudly over the conversation, her voice completely clear and filled with a beautiful, deep-seated happiness. "We don't even have to ask anymore, do we?"
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I smiled, reaching over to place one hand over hers and the other over June’s, feeling the steady, beautiful warmth of my family around me. The battles were over. The empire was secure. The foundation we had built was indestructible because it was rooted in love, integrity, and absolute truth.
"No, sweetie," I said, my voice filled with a perfect, beautiful serenity. "We don't have to ask. This is the good table. And it’s ours forever."
