CHAPTER 7
The winter snow began to fall,
covering the city in a white blanket,
and making everything look brand new.
Emily and Lily built a small snowman,
giving it a carrot for a long nose,
and wrapping it in a red scarf.
They drank hot chocolate by the window,
watching the snowflakes drift down,
and listening to soft holiday music.
Aaron came over to visit them,
bringing a small box of pastries,
and helping them shovel the walkway.
Lily liked Aaron very much,
showing him her new drawing book,
and telling him about her school friends.
Aaron listened to her with real interest,
asking her questions about her art,
and making her laugh with funny faces.
Emily watched them from the kitchen,
feeling a warm glow in her chest,
and she realized she was truly happy.
She had not felt this way in years,
living under Daniel's heavy shadow,
and walking on broken eggshells.
Now she was free to just breathe,
free to laugh loudly in her own home,
and free to invite kind people over.
Aaron walked into the warm kitchen,
helping her wash the dirty mugs,
and their hands brushed together by chance.
Emily felt a spark of electricity,
looking up into his dark brown eyes,
and he smiled a slow gentle smile.
He asked if she wanted to go to dinner,
just the two of them on a Friday night,
and Emily said yes without hesitating.
Natalie agreed to watch Lily for the night,
thrilled that her sister was dating again,
and she helped Emily pick an outfit.
Emily wore a dark blue dress,
feeling beautiful for the first time,
and Aaron picked her up at seven.
They went to an Italian restaurant,
eating warm bread and rich pasta,
and talking about their future dreams.
Aaron talked about leaving the military soon,
wanting to settle down in the city,
and maybe open a small medical clinic.
Emily talked about going back to school,
getting a degree in social work,
and helping other women escape bad homes.
They shared a bottle of red wine,
enjoying the soft candlelight on the table,
and the easy flow of their conversation.
Aaron walked her up to her door,
standing close to her in the hallway,
and he gently kissed her on the cheek.
It was a sweet and respectful gesture,
leaving Emily blushing and smiling wide,
and she locked the door behind her.
She leaned against the hard wood door,
touching her cheek with her fingertips,
and feeling like a teenager in love.
The next week brought a small surprise,
a letter in the mail from Daniel's lawyer,
stating Daniel was moving out of state.
He had accepted a job far away,
choosing to flee from his ruined reputation,
rather than face the strict court orders.
He surrendered his rights temporarily,
leaving Emily with full and total control,
and she read the letter three times.
She called her lawyer to confirm it,
and he said it was completely true,
meaning the long battle was finally over.
Emily sat down on her gray sofa,
crying tears of absolute pure relief,
and clutching the letter in her hands.
She was really and truly free now,
with no more court dates looming ahead,
and no more fear of unexpected visits.
Daniel was leaving their lives completely,
taking his bitter anger with him,
and Patricia was following him away.
The city felt entirely theirs now,
a safe playground for Lily to grow up,
and a beautiful place for Emily to live.
She looked out at the snowy street,
May you like
knowing the spring would come soon,
and it would be the best spring yet.
