Chapter 10 - The Eternal Light
Two years later, golden late-afternoon sunlight poured over the private beach below our Newport estate.
The waves lapped gently against the white sand, carrying seashells onto the shore.
Running along the water's edge, splashing playfully in the shallow surf, were two-and-a-half-year-old Grace and Lily in their matching yellow rompers, giggling with pure, uninhibited joy as they chased a bounding black Labrador puppy across the sand.
Elias walked beside me, holding my hand, our bare feet sinking into the warm sand.
I was six months pregnant with our third child—a baby boy. My hand rested comfortably over the round, healthy curve of my stomach, feeling the strong, rhythmic kicks of new life.
"Look at them run, Elias," I smiled, leaning my head against his muscular arm.
"They have your boundless grace, my love," Elias murmured softly, kissing the crown of my head.
Grace and Lily came running back toward us, their little hands full of smooth sea glass, throwing their arms around our knees.
"Daddy! Mommy! Look at the pretty stones!" Lily cheered, holding up a sparkling blue piece of glass.
Elias knelt down in the sand, scooping both little girls into his arms, lifting them high against the azure sky as they squealed with delight.
I looked at my husband, our daughters, and the new life growing within me against the backdrop of the endless ocean.
Three years ago, a cruel man had thrown us into the freezing dark, believing that daughters were worthless and a broken mother was powerless.
He had never understood that love is an invincible fortress.
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From the freezing cold of an abandoned underpass, we had risen to build an empire of honor, justice, and a magnificent, unbreakable love that would illuminate our lives for all eternity.
As the sun set over the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of rose, amber, and gold, our home was finally filled with everlasting peace.
