Title: "Falling Through the Cracks – Part 10: The Life We Build"
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Winter came softly, blanketing their town in quiet snow. Ivy and Sam’s home glowed warmly in the crisp evening air, its windows illuminated by the golden light inside. Life had settled into a peaceful rhythm since Ivy returned from France. Their days were filled with shared laughter, creative pursuits, and a love that felt as steady and sure as the roots of the trees they had planted together.
But even in this season of comfort, life had its surprises.
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It began on a frosty morning as Ivy sat at the kitchen table, a mug of tea warming her hands. Sam entered the room, holding an envelope that had just arrived in the mail.
“This one’s for you,” Sam said, handing it over.
Ivy looked at the envelope curiously, recognizing the logo of the gallery that had hosted her final exhibition in France. Her heart quickened as she tore it open.
“They want to feature my work in a traveling exhibit,” Ivy said, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. “They want to showcase my paintings in New York, Paris, and Tokyo.”
Sam’s face broke into a wide smile. “That’s incredible, Ivy! You deserve this. Your art deserves this.”
Ivy’s excitement was tempered by hesitation. “It’s a lot, though. Traveling, managing everything… what if it’s too much? What if I can’t handle it?”
Sam reached across the table, taking Ivy’s hand. “You’ve already proven you can. This is your time, Ivy. And I’ll be right here, supporting you, just like always.”
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As the weeks went on, Ivy prepared for the exhibit, pouring herself into her art with renewed passion. Sam, true to her word, was her steady anchor, helping with logistics, providing encouragement, and celebrating every milestone along the way.
But Sam had her own dreams too. Over the past year, she had been quietly pursuing her passion for sustainable architecture, and now, a local firm had offered her a position to lead a new project. It was the opportunity she had been waiting for, and Ivy couldn’t have been prouder.
One evening, as they sat together in their cozy living room, Sam shared her thoughts.
“I was thinking,” Sam began, “with all the travel for your exhibit and my new project, we’re going to have a lot on our plates.”
Ivy nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “It’s going to be busy. But I think we’ve learned how to juggle the chaos.”
Sam leaned back, her gaze thoughtful. “What if we made a plan to come back to each other? Like a tradition—something that keeps us grounded, no matter where life takes us.”
Ivy tilted her head, intrigued. “What kind of tradition?”
Sam grinned. “A garden trip. Every year, no matter what’s happening, we take time to visit a new garden together. Big or small, near or far. Just us, reconnecting with what we’ve built together.”
Ivy’s smile widened. “I love that idea. It’s perfect.”
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The months flew by as Ivy’s exhibit debuted to critical acclaim. She traveled to New York, where her work received glowing reviews, and then to Paris, where she stood in a gallery and watched strangers marvel at the pieces that had once been born from her deepest struggles.
Through it all, Sam’s messages and calls kept her grounded.
“Don’t forget to eat,” one text read.
“I’m so proud of you,” said another.
When Ivy landed in Tokyo for the final leg of the exhibit, she found a surprise waiting in her hotel room: a small potted plant and a note from Sam.
“Every garden starts with one seed. Can’t wait to hear about all the ones you’ve planted here. Love you always, Sam.”
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When Ivy returned home, it was as if no time had passed. Sam greeted her at the airport with the same warmth and love that had carried them through every chapter of their lives together.
“I missed you,” Ivy said, hugging her tightly.
“I missed you more,” Sam replied.
Back at home, they sat together in the garden, now dusted with the remnants of winter snow. Ivy shared stories of her travels, and Sam updated her on the progress of her architecture project.
It was a quiet, contented moment—proof that even as their individual dreams blossomed, their shared life remained their greatest masterpiece.
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Spring arrived, and with it came the start of their garden tradition. Their first trip was to a sprawling botanical garden a few hours away, where they wandered hand in hand among the blooming flowers and towering trees.
“This is perfect,” Ivy said, her voice soft.
Sam smiled. “It’s us. Every root, every bloom, every season—together.”
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Years later, their garden had grown into something extraordinary. Ivy and Sam’s lives were rich with adventure, love, and the quiet joy of returning to the home they had built together.
One summer evening, as they sat on the porch watching the fireflies dance, Ivy turned to Sam with a contented sigh.
“Do you think we’ll ever stop growing?” Ivy asked, echoing a question she had once posed.
Sam shook her head, her gaze steady. “Not a chance. We’ve learned how to bloom through every crack, Ivy. And I think we always will.”
And as the stars began to appear in the darkening sky, Ivy knew that no matter where life took them, their roots would always intertwine, holding them steady, and carrying them forward—together.
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YOU ARE READING
Falling through the cracks
Romance"Falling Through the Cracks" follows Ivy and Sam, two women trying to navigate lives filled with quiet despair. Ivy hides behind a façade of strength, masking the loneliness that has consumed her since losing her family's support. Sam, an artist who...
