Uplifted by you

31

Now

Three weeks later

"Why the sudden urge to travel all of a sudden, honey?" I asked him, in the car, on our way to the hotel from the airport. He hadn't exactly told me why.

This place was indeed beautiful.

"Baby this isn't even sudden. I had wanted this for a while now. If not for certain indices it would have happened sooner than this" He said.

"Really? What were those indices"

"First, there was your ankle that needed healing, your mom's death anniversary, sorting out Andrew and Kathy's situation. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions for you these past couple of weeks. Although, looking at it now, this does seems like the perfect time to actually get away."

I sighed. He was right though, about couple of weeks ago being a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Dina and I went through mom's death anniversary together in such a long time. We spent a lot of time together too, which I was thankful for. Christian even offered for her to come on this vacation with us just so we could still spend more time together but she politely declined, giving the reason that he and I needed some alone time.

Then there was the kids. I wouldn't mind taking them in but we got in touch with their aunt, a loved one, who after explaining the whole situation to, burst into tears. Constantly saying to us how bad of a family member she was. When she finally calmed down, she was able to give an explanation.

She moved with her husband to another state months after her brother died. The only means she could reach the kids was through their mom. She said she would call times without number to check up on them. Sometimes their mom picked up the phone and gave short responses, other times she didn't pick up.

She had made plans to visit but she never got to it. Most importantly, she was willing to take full custody of them and promised to do her best to raise them. I was beyond glad they had someone now to care for them while their mother was in rehab.

Christian and I both agreed to help with their education by sending a token to their aunt every year to support their tuition. We made this known only to their aunt. They left with her last week. It was a bittersweet moment for me, as I was sure it was for them especially Kathy. We parted, with promises of keeping in touch with one another.

I found the time to see my therapist too, one last time, to express my gratitude. One one or the other, she helped me too. Christian came with me this time.

The criminals were prosecuted and their organization infiltrated to a certain extent. So yes, events of the past weeks were overwhelming. "I'm thinking of opening an NGO" I said all of a sudden. The thought had been on mind for some time now.

"Yeah? Your focus being?" My husband asked, ever supportive.

"To fight against abuse, in whatever form. It's going to be for children mostly, to give them a voice, to help heal those that had been in one trauma or the other. To protect and fight for them. Infact, every individual young or old. I know quite a number of such NGOs already existed but I want to be part of that movement. To make a difference" I declared.

Christian held my hand "That's great baby. You can count on me, you know that right?" I nodded and smiled widely at him.

We stepped out of the car on getting to the hotel we would be staying for the number of days Christian and I would be here in Florida "Wow. This city is beautiful. It's so sunny" Peeling my sunglasses off, I looked around in awe.

"It sure is. St. Augustine is among one of the most beautiful cities in the country" He said while standing beside me with our luggage "Come on. Let's get you settled in first"