She laughed at strange noises.
She reached for anything within range.
She had no idea how hard those first months had been.
Someday, I might tell her.
For now, I simply watched her sleep.
I no longer felt like I was waiting for Eric to rescue us.
I no longer felt as though stability depended on somebody changing their mind about me.
What I felt was quieter.
Not victory.
Not revenge.
Not even relief.
Just solid ground beneath my feet.
And for the first time in a long time, it was mine.
