Her soft voice is like music to my ears, and I bolt upright, brushing sleep out of my eyes. “You’re awake.”
“I am.” She smiles.
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Can I get you water? Or you need more medication?”
She giggles, and my heart soars at the sound. “Relax, there, babe. I’m fine. The nurse already topped off my medication and helped me sip water while you played Sleeping Beauty on my lap.”
“Well, that’s embarrassing,” I mumble, lacing my fingers in hers.
“It was adorable and the best sight to wake up to,” she reassures me.
I lean in and kiss her, holding her face as our lips brush. Then, I rest my forehead gently against hers. “I thought I lost you baby, and it was the most painful few hours of my life.”
“I told you you’re stuck with me,” she says, caressing my cheek. “I’m going nowhere.”
“I love you, Sel.” I kiss her again.
“I love you, too. Forever and ever, Keanu.”
Epilogue
SELENA - SIX MONTHS LATER
We pull up to the entrance, and Keanu punches in the code. My eyes ghost over the newly erected sign as the gates open and we drive through.
MOONLIGHT
Support. Survive. Thrive
“You know, you get this dreamy look in your eyes every time we pass that sign,” my husband teases. Keanu was the one who came up with the name for the sanctuary. It turns out my name is of Greek origin, and it means moon.
“I still can’t believe this is happening,” I admit. “That we’re building a sanctuary like I’ve always wanted to do.” I swivel in the passenger seat, the leather squelching. “It feels so incredible to be doing something good, and I wish I could click my fingers and all the work is done and it’s opening day.”
He grabs my hand, bringing it to his lips. “One day at a time, babe, and with everyone helping, that will become reality much quicker than you think.” He presses a kiss to my knuckles, and his touch sends the usual shivers skating all over my body.
Another thing I never thought I’d have is a regular, healthy sex life. There are still things I can’t attempt in bed, and Keanu is always careful to be loving and gentle, but it’s way more than I ever expected. I love making love to my husband, and my hands never stray far from some part of his body.
My EMDR therapy proved to be a huge turning point in my recovery. It’s helped lessen my PTSD symptoms and triggers, and it unlocked hidden trauma I’d buried deep. Confronting and dealing with those memories has been freeing, and it has transformed my life.
I will never forget what happened to me. But it doesn’t control me anymore. It doesn’t hold me back. And when I’m having a bad day, my husband’s arms are around me, comforting me and reminding me of how far I’ve traveled.
The love and support of his family has helped enormously too. “Have I told you how much I love your family?” I croon, knowing I’m probably driving him insane with how often I’m saying it recently. But it’s true. Not only have they welcomed me into the family with open arms, accepting me, flaws and all, but they are all actively involved in this project in a way I never expected.
“If I wasn’t so secure in your love, I might think you married me for my family.”
I reach over the console, kissing his cheek. “It was a package deal, babe.” I grin, and while I’m teasing, it’s still true.
I love my new family, and I’m glad we decided to buy a house in Wellesley in the end. It will take a good few years before the sanctuary is ready to be opened to the public, so it made sense to buy a place close to the fam. We still stay in the condo during the week, because it’s handier for college, but we stay at our new house from Friday to Monday, and I love our little slice of heaven. We’re planning on building apartments for all the family at the sanctuary so everyone will have their own space should they want to stay over any time.
Kalvin and Lana have just moved back to Wellesley now they have graduated UF. Lana gave birth to baby Hayley in early March, and Hewson turned four last month. Kal has secured a job with this trendy new architectural firm in town, and we’ve just agreed to terms with them. Kal is going to work with us on the project, and his firm will oversee the design and construction.
Alex and Brad’s mom are going to plan out the interior design. Keven is working with Morgan Security to ensure the sanctuary is safe and well protected, and he’s going to set up all the IT infrastructure. Cheryl is setting up a photography studio, and she’s going to teach a class one day a week. Rachel is going to teach a class on fashion design once a month, agreeing to jet in from New York, and she and Faye are going to also provide hair and makeup lessons. The men are all involved in the nine-hole golf course we are building on this massive site, and they are working on the layout of the state-of-the art gymnasium too.
When we are ready to start hiring, Faye is going to act as HR manager, helping us to recruit the most appropriate healthcare professionals in the business. And when we are operational, Kyler, Kent, and Keaton have offered to help with the running of the business and the finances.
Eva, Brad, and Kaden are helping us build our website and finalize our business plan and marketing strategy.
Eva and Kaden added to their family when their son Matthew entered the world a couple weeks after Christmas. They have their hands full, but they were still insistent on helping because that’s just the kind of selfless people they are.
