Chapter 18 - The Reunion
Clara was rushed to the hospital.
She had a bullet wound in her shoulder, but it wasn't fatal.
She was going to be okay.
Victor was in the hospital room with her.
"Mommy," he said, "are you going to be okay?"
"Yes, baby. I'm going to be okay."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Mommy, I was so scared."
"I know, baby. I was scared too."
"But I'm okay now."
"Yes, baby. You're okay now."
---
Ethan walked into the room.
"Clara," he said, "are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm okay."
"You saved our son."
"I know."
"You're a hero."
"I'm just a mother."
"Clara, you're the strongest person I know."
"Ethan, I don't feel strong."
"Clara, you are strong. You've been through so much, and you're still standing."
"Ethan, I don't know if I can keep standing."
"Yes, you can. I'll be right here with you."
---
The days that followed were quiet.
Clara recovered from her injuries.
Victor recovered from the trauma.
Ethan made sure that Victoria was put away for life.
The threat was finally over.
---
Clara sat on the couch with Ethan and Victor.
"Ethan," she said, "can we finally have a normal life?"
"I think so," he said.
"Can we finally be happy?"
"I think so."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
---
They spent the next few months rebuilding their lives.
They went to therapy.
They spent time together as a family.
They tried to forget the past.
But the scars remained.
Clara would never forget what happened.
She would never forget the fear.
She would never forget the pain.
But she would also never forget the love.
The love that saved her.
May you like
The love that saved her son.
The love that kept her going.
