Chapter 9 - The New Dawn
One year after our wedding, golden morning sunlight poured through the wide French doors of our master bedroom.
The room was filled with the sweet fragrance of fresh pine, woodsmoke, and soft acoustic guitar music.
Julian was sitting in the hand-carved rocking chair beside the window, gently cradling our three-month-old baby girl, Clara. Clara had her father’s warm hazel eyes and a soft tuft of dark curls, cooing happily as she clutched Julian’s finger.
Atlas lay contentedly at their feet, his tail thumping softly against the rug.
I walked over in my cream knit sweater, wrapping my arms around Julian’s shoulders and resting my cheek against his temple.
Julian looked up, a radiant, peaceful smile touching his face as he kissed my lips.
"Look at our little girl, Maya," Julian whispered lovingly.
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"She has her father's beautiful soul," I smiled, reaching down to gently stroke Clara’s soft cheek.
I looked out through the glass at the majestic mountains standing tall under the open sky.
