Chapter 15 - THE MOON TRAVELERS
That evening, the estate was filled with the peaceful hush of twilight.
A silver crescent moon hung low over the dark hills of Westchester.
The air was sweet with the fragrance of blooming honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass.
The twins were upstairs, fast asleep after an entire day of running across the lawns.
I stood on the stone terrace outside our bedroom, watching the moon rise over the lake.
Two soft arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
Hannah rested her cheek against my shoulder blades, her warm breath seeping through my linen shirt.
"They're completely out," she murmured, a gentle laugh in her voice.
"Claire fell asleep with her sneakers on. She told me she had to be ready to run in her dreams."
I turned around within her embrace, wrapping my arms gently around her and our unborn son.
"She runs because of you, Hannah."
"She runs because she wanted to reach her daddy," Hannah corrected softly, looking up into my eyes.
The silver moonlight reflected off her hazel eyes, turning them into pools of liquid starlight.
I leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.
The kiss tasted of sweet wine, peace, and ten lifetimes of promises kept.
"Do you remember what you told me?" I asked, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"The night I found you folding scarves?"
Hannah smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"I told you that your daughter didn't need a richer father."
"She needed one who comes home."
I rested my forehead against hers, closing my eyes and listening to the steady, calm rhythm of her heart.
"You were right, my love."
"I was right about Claire," she whispered, placing my hand over her swelling stomach, where our baby gave a soft, rhythmic kick against my palm.
"And I was right about you."
Below us on the lawn, the paper moon Claire had colored on her very first day of walking fluttered gently inside a glass lantern, glowing softly beneath the stars.
The empire of blood was gone.
The shadows had vanished forever.
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And under the light of the patient moon, we were finally home.
THE END
