All That's Left

Epilogue

On Christmas morning, the Lowe house was filled with warmth and laughter. The snow was falling gently outside, painting the world in a serene white blanket. Inside, Dorian and Vania sat side by side on the floor, backs resting against the couch, both wearing matching Christmas pajamas. It was a playful tradition their parents had started when they were born, and it made Vania smile to think of how far they'd come.

Across the room, Uncle Elly and Avery were alo in their matching pajamas, a fun sight as Avery nudged him playfully, laughter ringing out in the cozy living room. Aspen and Kian were in their Christmas sweaters, which Brielle had painstakingly knitted for them, proudly showing them off as they handed out presents to everyone.

Vania watched the scene unfold, a smile tugging at her lips. There was a time when she didn't think she would ever feel this kind of happiness again. The warmth in the room, the joy on everyone's faces, felt almost surreal after everything they had gone through. But here they were, surrounded by family and love, and for once, she was at peace. Things weren't perfect, but they were good. And that was enough.

In the background, Aspen was laughing as Kian passed around another round of gifts, his laughter infectious. Avery was teasing Uncle Elly about something, and Brielle was sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, her eyes soft and content as she watched her family.

For Vania, this was more than just a Christmas morning. It was a symbol of how far she had come. She had sold her house, moved into Brielle's cabin, and had slowly begun to rebuild her life. The pain of the past still lingered, but it didn't control her anymore. She was learning to live again, to breathe again. She had sent half the money from the house sale to Paisley, despite Uncle Elly's insistence that she didn't need to. Vania felt it was the right thing to do. It felt like closure, like a step forward.

Dorian, on the other hand, was preparing for his future. He was almost done with high school, and there was a coach-in-training position waiting for him on the soccer team after he graduated. He was excited about it, and Vania couldn't be prouder of him. He had been her rock through everything, and now it was his time to shine.

As they sat there, surrounded by the people they loved, Vania felt something she hadn't felt in a long time. Hope. Maybe it was the magic of Christmas, or maybe it was just the realization that, after everything, they were going to be okay.

Dorian leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, and Vania closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the moment wash over her. She had promised herself, and her father, that she would get better. And sitting here, wrapped in Dorian's embrace, she knew she was well on her way.

As the morning continued, the laughter and joy in the Lowe household only grew louder. Vania glanced outside at the snow still falling gently, her heart lighter than it had been in years. For once, she wasn't looking over her shoulder or waiting for the next tragedy to strike. She was living in the moment, and that was all she needed.

All that was left now was the future, and for the first time in a long time, Vania was ready to face it head-on.