CHAPTER 38 — THE CLEAN AIR OUTSIDE
When Emily stepped out of the hospice facility into the bright afternoon sunlight, the air felt incredibly fresh. It was a crisp spring day, the trees budding with new green leaves, the sky an intense, brilliant blue.
Ethan was waiting by the car, leaning against the door. As he saw her approach, he straightened up, his eyes searching her face for signs of distress.
She walked up to him, a wide, radiant smile breaking across her face. She didn't say a word. She simply threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of him.
“Are you okay?” he whispered, his arms wrapping around her tightly.
“I am completely, wonderfully okay,” she said, stepping back and looking up at him. “It’s over, Ethan. Truly over. The last thread has been cut.”
He smiled, relief washing over his features. He opened the passenger door for her, and they got into the car. As they drove away from the facility, Emily rolled down her window, letting the wind rush through her hair.
They drove through the city, watching the people going about their daily lives. They passed the gallery where her art was displayed, passed the school where Leo was currently in class, and headed toward their home.
The past was no longer an anchor holding them back; it was a map of where they had been. It showed the rough terrain, the steep drops, and the dark valleys, but it also showed the beautiful, sunlit plateau they had finally reached.
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“Let’s stop and get some ice cream for the kids on the way home,” Ethan suggested as they neared their neighborhood. “Celebrate the spring.”
“Sounds perfect,” Emily smiled, reaching across the console to hold his hand. The day was ordinary, the plan was simple, and the future was wide open.
