ouse, floating from the kitchen and winding its way th

ountertops and spilling over ocean-themed art along the hallway. The waves outs

mug of mint tea while the other rested protectively on the curve of her belly. She was eight mon

in. For once, she didn't need to run. Didn't need to prove.

and Dylan's humming filtered t

akes," she called out, "or prepar

oice echoed from the kitc

two plates stacked with golden brown pancakes, a generous h

said, kissing her forehea

" she repl

strong. And carrying my daughter who, judg

brow. "You say that

teased, setting his p

h that lived low and real, with no

s stretch of ocean. The horizon blurred into the sky. Seagulls

- just fina

y from the noise. Away from gossip. Awa

sn't an

- to live. Fully.

ng thoughtfully, "when

pancake, eyes twinkling.

did?" Dyla

told you l

d me while I was hal

t's when you

ser. "Okay, g

out a folded piece of paper. Inside was a na

slowly. "What

Resolve. B

he sting in his eyes. "She'

y has," Ama

ternoon, a co

to Amara at the door. Curious, she carried it

ue. Elegant. Solid. Engra

ara M

n silence - and roarin

men's Honor

at it for a

ng the words over her shoulder.

fth award

"I stopped cou

u never stop s

ssion soft but unyielding. "Yo

ollowed wasn't hea

water, Amara lay beside Dylan on their bedroom couch. The curtains billowed gently in

n the hall, snuggled with his well-worn elephant plush. His tiny snores carri

turned

we'd make it here?

't answer

lly, where their daughter

head slowly a

didn't," sh

nod

did,"

ed. "Yes

es before - at the hospital, at Hyde Park, during therapy, i

ver her stomach. "Her

," Amara wh

armth, the waves outside marking time like