Chapter 7 - The Unbroken FamilyAt 7:00 PM, as the autumn sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky over Lake Michigan in brilliant shades of gold, rose, and violet, the terrace was lit by hundreds of twinkling fairy lights.
Betty and Mia stood at the head of the long wooden dining table, surrounded by their friends, blowing out their nine birthday candles in a single, united breath while everyone clapped and cheered.
Daniel stood behind them, his broad arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his side, his chin resting comfortably on my shoulder.
Betty wiped a small dab of pink frosting from her nose, looked up at Daniel, then looked at me, her storm-gray eyes shining with absolute, weightless happiness.
"Mom?" Betty called out over the laughter.
"Yes, sweet pea?" I smiled.
"This is the best birthday cake ever," Betty announced proudly, holding up her pink bowl. "Because there are four chairs at the table now."
Daniel’s grip around my waist tightened with a deep, emotional surge. He looked down at our daughters, then turned his head to kiss my cheek, his gray eyes shining with hot, joyful tears.
May you like
"Four chairs forever, Betty," Daniel swore softly, his baritone carrying smooth, calm, and echoing warmly across the quiet lake. "Four chairs forever."
Outside the grand wrought-iron gates of the estate, the city of Chicago continued to spin, but standing on the sunlit terrace, wrapped in the arms of the man I had loved for nine years, holding our two radiant daughters, I knew that our home, our peace, and our family were finally, beautifully, and forever unbroken.
