Chapter 6: A New Beginning
Six months later.
The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow over the lush, manicured lawns of my new backyard. The air smelled of blooming jasmine and fresh-cut grass.
I sat cross-legged on a thick, woven picnic blanket, dressed comfortably in soft cotton pants and a t-shirt. Emma and Ethan, now healthy, robust nine-month-olds, were crawling energetically across the blanket. Ethan was aggressively chewing on a rubber giraffe, while Emma was trying her hardest to pull herself up using my knee as a support.
I reached out, grabbing Emma around her soft little waist, and hoisted her up into the air.
“Are you flying, little bird?” I cooed, blowing a raspberry onto her stomach.
Emma threw her head back and let out a bright, bubbling cascade of laughter. Ethan dropped his giraffe and joined in, giggling hysterically at his sister’s joy. Their laughter was clear, pure, and completely unburdened by the darkness of their first few days on earth.
I pulled them both into my lap, hugging their warm, soft bodies against my chest. I buried my face in their hair, breathing in the scent of baby lotion and sunshine.
