Chapter 32
The soft light of the early morning slipped through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. The air was cool but inviting, and the scent of coffee brewing drifted in from the kitchen. The sun had barely started to rise, but already, the world felt calm, peaceful—just as it should be.
You stirred in bed, blinking against the light, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around your body. For the first time in a long while, you woke up without that familiar weight of anxiety pressing down on your chest. No worries about your mother or the hollow feeling of disconnection from your family. There was just you, the woman lying beside you, and the life you had built together.
Vi, with her strong frame and fierce personality, lay next to you, a quiet presence that still managed to fill up the entire space. She always managed to make even the smallest moments feel significant. You had gotten used to waking up next to her—her presence in your life was the most grounding thing you'd ever known.
You turned slightly in bed to face her, your heart skipping a beat as you watched her sleep. Her pink cropped hair was slightly tousled, and her tattooed arm was draped across her pillow. Her breathing was slow and steady, the rise and fall of her chest soothing in its rhythm. You could spend hours just watching her like this, taking in the peacefulness of her expression.
It was moments like this, in the quiet of the morning, that you felt truly at home. It had taken time, but you were finally free from the toxic grip of your past. Your mother's harsh words no longer haunted you, and the weight of her judgment was no longer a constant presence in your life. You had found freedom in Vi's love—freedom to be yourself, to live without fear of someone else's expectations.
You smiled softly, tracing your fingers over the back of her hand. Despite her bold, brash exterior, Vi had shown you a side of herself that was as soft as it was protective. She wasn't just the woman who had helped you find your strength again. She was the woman who made every moment better, every day more bearable, and every night a little more magical.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she gave you a sleepy smile, the kind that was only for you. "Morning, babe," she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep.
You leaned in to kiss her, a soft, lingering touch, and when you pulled back, her hand cupped your face, her thumb gently brushing over your cheek. "Morning," you replied, your voice still thick with the sleep you hadn't quite shaken off. "I love waking up next to you."
Vi's smile deepened, and she kissed you again, this time with more intention, as if savoring the taste of you. "Same here," she said quietly, her voice soft but full of emotion. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of this."
You could feel the sincerity in her words, and it made your heart swell with affection. You had always been told that love was fleeting, that it wasn't something that could last forever. But now, with Vi beside you, you couldn't imagine anything else. This was your forever.
"You ready for today?" she asked, her hand sliding down your arm to intertwine with yours. The playful glint in her eyes told you that she wasn't just talking about getting out of bed.
You chuckled softly, squeezing her hand in return. "I'm ready if you are."
Vi's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned over to kiss you once more. "You know I'm always ready," she teased, her tone warm and playful.
The morning passed in a slow, gentle rhythm. You and Vi cooked breakfast together, something simple yet perfect. You still weren't quite used to this life you were building—how effortlessly it had all come together, how natural it felt to share these mundane moments with someone you loved.
Vi was a great cook, something you'd come to appreciate over time. She wasn't the type to sit back and let you do everything, though you hadn't minded if she did. Her hands were always busy, always creating something. And this morning, as you chopped vegetables for breakfast, she was stirring the eggs in a pan with practiced ease.
"Don't burn it, babe," you teased, a grin spreading across your face as you saw her focus solely on the pan.
Vi shot you a playful glare, though you both knew it was just for show. She was the last person who would ever burn breakfast. "I don't burn things," she replied, her voice confident, with a slight edge of amusement.
Once breakfast was ready, the two of you sat down at the kitchen table, the simple meal feeling like a feast in the comfort of each other's company. You didn't need anything more—no grand gestures, no extravagant celebrations. This was everything you needed.
"How's your day looking?" Vi asked between bites, her eyes meeting yours with that familiar, steady gaze.
You shrugged, smiling softly. "Busy, but nothing I can't handle. What about you?"
Vi leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms, her usual boldness returning. "Same here. I've got some meetings to take care of, but I'll make time for you later." She raised an eyebrow at you, her lips curling into a teasing grin. "I always make time for you."
Your heart melted at her words. You didn't need anything else. She was everything you could ever ask for, and more.
Later that afternoon, after Vi had headed off for her meetings, you found yourself walking around the apartment, taking in the space you had made together. It was yours now—free from the ghosts of your past. No longer did you have to hide your true self, or feel the suffocating weight of judgment from the world you'd once been a part of. With Vi, you had found a new kind of freedom—a freedom to live authentically, without fear or hesitation.
Your grandpa's absence still left a hollow place in your heart, but it no longer defined you. You had learned to carry his memory with love, not grief. Vi had been there every step of the way, her love and support helping you heal in ways you hadn't thought possible. You had both created a new path together, and with each passing day, that path felt more and more like home.
When Vi returned that evening, you were sitting on the couch, a book in hand, though you weren't really reading. Your thoughts were elsewhere—mostly on how lucky you were to have her. She dropped her jacket on the chair with a sigh and walked over to where you sat.
"Long day?" you asked, setting the book aside as she sat down next to you.
Vi stretched, letting out a satisfied groan. "Yeah, but it's over now. And I'm home with you, so everything's good." She gave you a soft smile, her hand reaching for yours. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," you whispered, leaning into her as she pulled you close, her arms wrapping around you in that familiar, comforting way.
For a moment, the world fell away. It was just the two of you, wrapped in each other's arms, a soft, peaceful silence between you. This was home. This was everything.
After a while, Vi pulled back slightly, her fingers brushing against your hair. "What do you say we go out for dinner tonight? A real treat, just the two of us. You deserve it."
You smiled, your heart fluttering at her thoughtfulness. "I'd like that."
The evening passed in a blur of laughter, good food, and quiet moments. With each day that passed, you felt more and more at peace, more and more secure in the life you were building with Vi.
When the night came to an end, the two of you returned home, content, and ready for the next chapter of your life together. You both knew that there would be challenges along the way, but you were no longer afraid. As long as you had each other, you could face anything.
That night, as you curled up in bed next to Vi once again, the world outside seemed irrelevant. You didn't need anything more. You had found your forever in her.
And that was enough.
Vi pulled you close, her body warm and solid against yours, and with a soft, contented sigh, she whispered, "I love you. Forever and always."
You smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek before responding, "Forever and always."
In her arms, you felt truly at home, and for the first time in a long while, you knew that everything would be okay.