**6 YEARS LATER**
*
*
I slowly open my eyes to a bird chirping right outside the window. Another night of restless sleep out of the way, and I exhale a breath while sitting up in my small bed. It puts me at eye level with the window, and I watch as the sun barely peeks through the trees behind our cottage. The morning fog thickens as the ray’s warmth blesses the earth again, starting a new day.
I step out of bed, making it quickly and walk the few feet across our home into the kitchen to start the kettle, as I do every morning. After setting out two mugs and a sippy cup, my bare feet barely make noise as I step over to open the bedroom door, glancing in and smiling to myself as mother and daughter sleep in the same position with praying hands under their cheeks. I close it back and hea
