Chapter 9 - Awakening
Three days later, the mountain storm had completely cleared, leaving behind a brilliant, blinding blanket of white under a crisp blue winter sky.
I sat in the armchair beside Sarah’s hospital room, peeling an orange while Lily sat cross-legged on the opposite bed, happily coloring in a Disney book with a box of crayons I had bought her from the hospital gift shop. The twin babies, Owen and Ethan, were sleeping peacefully in their clear plastic bassinets near the window, their breathing steady and strong.
Sarah looked remarkably better. The color had returned to her cheeks, and though the bruises along her jaw were still fading into a yellowish green, the haunted, terrified look in her eyes had been replaced by a quiet, profound peace.
"The federal prosecutor called Deputy Vance this morning," Sarah said softly, looking up from a cup of warm tea I had brought her. "Marcus has been formally charged with wire fraud, domestic abuse, identity theft, and child endangerment. Because of the hard drives you recovered, his bail was denied. He's not getting out."
"Good," I said, handing her a segment of the orange. "Let him spend the rest of his life behind bars thinking about what he lost."
Lily looked up from her coloring book, her bright green eyes wide and serious. "Uncle Nathan? Does this mean we get to live in your mountain house forever?"
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest that had been missing for the better part of a decade. I reached over and gently tapped the tip of her small nose.
"Not forever, Lily," I said gently. "Your mom and I talked about it. We're selling this house and moving into a new place down in the valley—together. Big yard, plenty of room for twin babies to run around, and no snowstorms required."
Sarah reached out, covering my hand with hers. Her fingers were warm, steady, and completely real.
May you like
"Thank you, Nathan," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "For answering the door that night."
"Always, little sister," I replied, squeezing her hand back. "Always."
