Little Ava ran toward them.
“Mommy… Daddy…”
In that simple word was the answer.
“Stay,” Nathaniel whispered. “As family.”
“As family,” she agreed.
Months later, Liam asked, “Does Mommy Elena see us?”
Nathaniel looked up at the endless sky.
“Yes, buddy. And she’s proud.”
Because Elena had won.
Even beyond death, she had protected her children. She had placed every piece exactly where it needed to be.
Theo shouted, “More bubbles!”
Nathaniel blew gently. Dozens of bubbles floated upward into the sky.
And for the first time in three years, he felt peace.
Elena’s final gift was clear:
Live for them.
Love for them.
And he did — every single day.
