Me.
Us.
The future cracks open inside my chest like dawn.
He stands slowly, tugging me up with him, sliding his arms around my waist.I loop mine around his neck and rest my forehead against his.
“I love you,” he whispers again, like he needs me to know.
“I love you,” I breathe back.
Which is, of course, when Beans decides to leap up between us like a jealous toddler, wedging his entire wriggling body into the tiny space left.
We both burst into laughter.
“Okay, okay.”Ledger chuckles, rubbing Beans’ ears.“You’re part of the deal too, buddy.”
I laugh until my cheeks hurt, happiness bubbling up inside me, light and bright and unburdened in a way I haven’t felt in years.
For the first time since the world started falling apart, with bills and grief and uncertainty, I feel… safe.I don’t know exactly what the future looks like.There will be goodbyes and reunions.Quiet nights and countdown clocks.Phone calls and plane tickets.Maybe tears.But there will also be us.
And that’s enough.
More than enough.
Ledger presses a soft kiss to my forehead, and Beans sighs dramatically like he approves.
Yeah.
Everything is going to be just fine.
TEN
Ledger
Five Years Later…
Wolf Valley looksdifferent in winter.Quieter.Softer.Snow sits on the rooftops and settles in the pines like powdered sugar.Smoke curls from chimneys.The world moves a little slower.
But some things?They haven’t changed.
Kids are still laughing in the yard behind Koa and Lula’s house.Lula still insists everyone eat second helpings.Koa still grills in a t-shirt in thirty-degree weather because he refuses to admit he’s cold.
And Daisy?She still hums when she’s happy.
I can hear it drifting from the kitchen now.Soft.Absent-minded.Content.
It’s been five years since that night at our tiny kitchen table when we talked about the future and came up with a plan.
We kept our word.
I’m still in the Navy, and I have a few more years left until the day I can sign my last stack of paperwork and walk out with honor, career complete, head clear, future open.
And through all of it, Daisy stayed.We weather the distance, the goodbyes, the homecomings, the countdown clocks until we can see each other again or until we have to leave.We’re growing through all of it.Separately and together.Stubbornly and gently.
Now?
Now I’m home.
