A story about love

13.

Charlies pov-
I stand by the window in our apartment, looking out over the city. The morning sun is awake, and it lights up the streets. It's early and not many people are awake, but it's still nice to stand here and admire the beauty of the everyday life. My thoughts are interrupted by two arms hugging me from behind. A head is placed on my shoulder and a kiss is placed on the side of my neck.
"Good morning" Nick says softly and hugs me a little tighter.
"Good morning" I answer back and feel his warmth and love spread through my body.

Five years have passed since the day Nick, along with Sarah of course, saved my life. They saved me from my own mother and my own inner darkness. It certainly hasn't been an easy five years, but with Nick's support I've managed everything - found a way forward. Me and Nick have today a stable life together, in our very own apartment. Everyday life is filled with love and understanding. Five years ago I started going to therapy after everything that had happened - it has helped a lot, but I still have a long way to go to recover fully. I've learned to manage my emotions, but some days are still harder than others.

My mother has also had a long and difficult recovery. After that night, when the cops came to Nick's house, she got professional help with her addiction. She went through several different treatments and it has taken time for her to get completely sober. But one day, just a month ago, she was declared fully sober. Since then, however, we have had a complex relationship. She has tried many times during these five years to make amends to me for what happened. I haven't been able to completely forgive her, but I have accepted what happened and now just try to look forward instead. Since she got sober, we meet a little from time to time, and our meetings are calm and pleasant. We have been given a second chance. I can tell she's trying her best everyday, and that's what matters most to me.

We go out into the kitchen where Nick has prepared breakfast. The whole house smells of freshly brewed coffee and I smile at the thought of having him with me in life. It is these small moments in our everyday life that are special - the ones I have never received before from my own mom. As we sit down to eat breakfast, Nick grabs my hand from across the table.
"I'm proud of you Charlie, for everything you've achieved" he says. I feel the tears of happiness burning behind my eyelids.
"It's all thanks to you and Sarah" I reply, acknowledging him on how they both saved my life.

Five years have passed, and although the wounds of the past are still on and in me, they have begun to heal. I've learned to love and trust again, and I've found an inner strength I never thought was possible. With Nick by my side, I feel ready for anything life has to offer. We have built a future together, a future filled with hope and love.

Everything worked out in the end, after all.