Chapter 7 - The New Horizon
Three months later.
The winter morning sun broke brightly over the snow-covered skyline of downtown Chicago.
Inside a spacious, sunlit private room on the top floor of the Oak Brook Medical Center, Linda Carter sat in a comfortable plush armchair, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the frozen garden below.
Her cheeks had regained their rosy, healthy color. The dark circles beneath her eyes were gone. Connected to a state-of-the-art, painless blood filtration system, she was smiling warmly as a young nurse brought her a tray of fresh fruit and hot tea.
The door opened, and Avery walked in.
She wore a tailored navy blue suit, her hair styled neatly, carrying a leather briefcase under her arm and a large bouquet of fresh yellow roses.
"Look at you," Linda beamed, setting her teacup down. "You look like a high-powered corporate lawyer."
"I'm better than a lawyer, Mom," Avery laughed, walking over and kissing her mother’s forehead. "I'm the person who keeps the lawyers honest."
"How is the new job?" Linda asked, holding Avery’s hand tightly.
"Busy," Avery said, setting the roses in a glass vase on the windowsill. "We finalized the port security integration with the Coast Guard this morning. The new automated tracking system is officially live."
"And Dominic?" Linda asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "How is my daughter's handsome boss?"
Avery felt a subtle blush warm her cheeks. "He's fine, Mom. He's down in the lobby right now, talking to your lead physician."
"He comes here every Tuesday, you know," Linda noted softly, looking down at her polished fingernails. "Even when you're busy at the docks. He sits right in that chair, drinks my terrible herbal tea, and listens to me complain about the doctors."
"He cares about you, Mom," Avery said quietly.
"He cares about you, Avery," Linda corrected gently, looking up into her daughter's eyes. "For eight years, I watched you give up your youth, your college, your sport, and your happiness to keep me alive. You looked like a ghost, Avery. But when Dominic looks at you... you look alive again."
Before Avery could answer, the door opened, and Dominic stepped into the room.
He wore a dark wool coat over a crisp charcoal suit, carrying a small, ribbon-wrapped box. The moment his eyes met Avery’s, a soft, genuine smile lit up his rugged face.
"Good morning, Linda," Dominic said, stepping over and placing the box on her lap. "The bakery in Lake Forest finally got the sugar-free almond pastries you requested."
"Dominic, you spoil me!" Linda gasped, opening the box with delight. "Avery never brings me pastries!"
"Avery brings you yellow roses," Dominic chuckled, looking over at Avery. "Which are much better for your heart."
"You two are hopeless," Linda laughed, taking a pastry from the box. "Go on. Get out of here. The nurses tell me you have a ground-breaking ceremony at the harbor at noon."
Dominic offered his arm to Avery. "Shall we, Chief Carter?"
May you like
Avery looked at her mother, then at Dominic’s extended arm. She slid her hand into the crook of his elbow, feeling the warm, solid strength of the man beside her.
"Let's go, Moretti," she smiled.
