Chapter 20 - HOME, AT LAST
Standing on the porch was the local mail carrier, holding a neatly bundled stack of letters. No wax seals. No green ink. Just standard, ordinary envelopes bearing utility bills, community newsletters, and greeting cards from friends.
"Morning, Ms. Vance," the mail carrier smiled cheerfully, handing over the stack. "Have a wonderful day."
"Thank you," I replied, taking the mail with a light heart. "You too."
I stepped back inside, locked the heavy oak door, and slid the deadbolt home with a satisfying, metallic click.
I flipped through the stack as I walked back toward the kitchen. At the very bottom was a thick, square envelope addressed in clean, elegant handwriting. It wasn't from a syndicate, a lawyer, or a ghost from the past.
It was a wedding invitation from Marcus and his fiancée, inviting us to be guests of honor at their ceremony next spring.
I placed it right in the center of the kitchen island, where the sunlight hit it brightest.
Mom looked over from the table, tilting her head with a curious smile. "What’s that, sweetheart?"
I walked over, wrapped my arms around her shoulders, and smiled down at the bright, beautiful future stretching out before us.
May you like
"Just a save-the-date, Mom," I whispered softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "We have somewhere to be next spring."
And for the first time in a very long time, the house echoed with pure, unbroken laughter—safe, warm, and finally, completely ours.
