Chapter 20 - A New Thanksgiving
One year later. The fireplace crackled warmly in the cabin. The smell of roasted turkey filled the air, though I couldn't bring myself to make cider.
Mia was at the table, drawing a picture of a turkey with crayons, while Leo was explaining the rules of a new video game to me. They were smiling. They were alive.
I walked over to the mantel, where a single, beautiful photo of Clara sat in a silver frame. I touched the glass gently. I kept them safe, Clara, I thought. I promise I always will.
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"Dinner's ready, Dad!" Leo called out. I took a deep breath, letting the crisp mountain air fill my lungs. The darkness of that night would always linger in the shadows, a ghost we would carry forever. But as I sat down at the table, surrounded by the laughter of my children, I knew one thing for certain.
They hadn't broken us. We survived. And for the first time in a long time, I actually had something to be thankful for.
