Chapter 7 - Unbroken and Forever HomeAt 8:30 PM, as the spring sun dipped below the Chicago horizon, painting the sky in sweeping tapestries of indigo and gold, the private terrace was illuminated by dozens of soft, twinkling fairy lights.
Lily ran up the marble steps, holding one-year-old Leo’s hand as he took slow, adorable steps beside her, throwing her free arm around my waist.
I dropped onto my knees flat on the stone floor, pulling both of my children into my broad arms, kissing their foreheads as they giggled happily.
"Daddy!" Lily chimed brightly, her blue eyes shining under the starlight. "Look! The fireworks are starting!"
Across the dark, sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan, brilliant bursts of gold, sapphire, and silver light exploded into the night sky, illuminating the smiling faces of our guests gathered on the lawn below.
I stood up, keeping one-year-old Leo resting securely against my broad shoulder while holding Lily’s small hand in my broad palm.
There were no greasy-haired uncles locking children in dark closets. There were no corrupt judges granting illegal custody orders. There were no tears swallowed in wet, freezing alleyways.
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The lonely, ruthless Don was dead forever. The sovereign father had claimed his throne.
And standing under the vast, unbroken sky, holding my children tight against my beating heart, listening to their silver laughter, I knew that my life, my heart, and my family were finally, beautifully, and forever home.
