“You did it,” I say.“You saved them.”
“No.”He cups my face and thumbs away my tears.“You did.”
I sob harder because it’s true.It’s true, and it feels so right.My emotions bleed out of me, one tear at a time.It’s cathartic, a baptism.
“You did it.”He kisses my wet cheek.“No more hiding.You told me about your visions.You let me help you.”
Now I know why I held so much back, why I kept myself behind thick, impenetrable walls.I needed someone who would conquer me.Someone strong enough to stand in the breach between me and my nightmares.
I needed him.And now that I have him, I can let go.From now on, I can live fully as myself.No fear.
“I’m so glad you found me,” I tell him, and he sighs against my mouth.
“I am too.”
We hold tight, gazing into each other’s eyes.It’s almost too much, overwhelming our ability to speak.It’s enough to be together, breathing together, feeling the moment between us swell into something sweeter.A sense of belonging, a quiet joy that will last the rest of our lives.
The next morning, I wake from the most delicious dream.Rex is slumbering next to me, so I move carefully to keep from waking him.I roll toward the side table where I keep my sketchbook.
As I draw, I relive it.
The garden is filled with topiaries and jasmine-covered arches.Rex and I are strolling hand in hand.
Shrieks of laughter in the distance.A hide-and-seek game.I tug Rex’s hand, wanting to walk quicker to get a glimpse of the children playing in the labyrinth.
And I see her.A small child, only tall enough that her head comes up to my hip.Two dark braids down her back.She turns, and I catch the curve of her chubby cheek.She looks like me but has Rex’s dark eyes.
“I’m hiding from my brudders,” she tells me in her little girl voice.I lean down, and her eyes sparkle.My skin tingles with the magic.“I lub you, Mama,” she says sweetly and smiles.
When Rex rouses, I’m wiping away tears.
“What is it?”He orders a light on.When he sees the tear tracks shining on my face, he grows sober.“Did you have another bad dream?Another vision?”
“No,” I choke out.I don’t want him to worry, so I give him a watery smile.“I saw something beautiful.”
“What did you see?”
“Us.”I turn the sketchbook toward him.“I saw all of us.”
His brow furrows as he takes in the page.The face of a child with dark eyes.Rex’s eyes.“Our daughter,” I say and watch hope light his face.I turn the page and show him the rest.“Our sons.Our family.”
His head drops, and his body shudders as if he’s overcome.I know how he’s feeling.It’s strange to be so happy.Strange, but I’m getting used to it.It’s my new way of life.
I cup his cheek with one hand.“I love you.”
He turns his face and kisses my palm.His tears leave my fingers wet.“I was born to love you.”
In the end, we get to have it all.
