Later Jake spoke about Horizon’s Rehabilitation Center in Colorado and asked Felicia to come, not as staff, but as family, and her breath caught.
In mid-January the plane lifted off with Jasmine holding both their hands, and she whispered “Mommy’s up there,” and both adults swallowed grief together.
Horizon felt like light, not a hospital, and Dr. Sarah Chen explained Jasmine’s body was fine, her mind was protecting her by staying still.
She told them the brain must learn safety again through intensive therapy, and both caregivers must be present, because children heal inside relationships.
Days became steps—standing, three assisted steps, then a full sentence—and when Jasmine said she wanted Daddy and Felicia to watch, they cried together.
One snowy night Jake confessed guilt about Clare’s last drive, admitting control became his prison, and Felicia shared her own guilt after her mother’s stroke.
They sat in silence, two broken people learning grief is the price of love, and that love is lighter when you don’t carry it alone.
On the flight home, Jasmine slept between them, and Boston looked different when they returned, as if the house had finally decided to be a home.
Late January became music in the kitchen, photos on walls, and laughter echoing through rooms that once felt dead, while Jake cut work hours.
By spring, Jasmine ran the hallway asking endless questions, and Margaret smiled through tears as she watched her son learn to live again.
One morning Jake spread architectural plans and said he wanted to build a therapy clinic for kids who couldn’t afford Horizon, and he wanted Felicia to lead it.
He promised to fund her degree and name the work after Clare’s hope, and Felicia cried because she came to clean a house and found purpose.
A year later on Christmas morning, Jasmine asked if Felicia was staying forever, and after a glance at Jake, Felicia answered yes, forever.
Snow fell softly outside, but inside the brownstone three hearts moved together, because healing didn’t rebuild the past, it built something new.
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