Page 78 of Justice

As the party winds down and our guests start to leave, Miracle approaches us, a slightly nervous look on her face.

"Mom, Dad… can I talk to you for a minute?" she asks.

We nod, following her to a quiet corner of the yard. She takes a deep breath, twisting her hands together—a nervous habit she inherited from me.

"I know we talked about me living in the dorms," she starts, "but Madeline and I were thinking… what if we rented a small house near campus instead? It would give us more privacy and space to study."

I exchange a glance with Christopher, seeing my own mix of emotions reflected in his eyes. Part of me wants to keep her close, protected under our roof for as long as possible. But I know we have to let her spread her wings.

Christopher speaks first, his voice gentle but firm. "You know we trust you, Miracle. But living off-campus comes with a lot of responsibility."

Miracle nods eagerly. "I know, Dad. We've done our research. We found a place that's actually in a gated community with security.”

I take a deep breath, pushing down my instinctive worry and relieved at the same time knowing she’s thought about her safety.

Christopher sighs. “That’s fine, but we’re installing the best of the best security system.”

She nods eagerly. “That’s totally fine.”

As I watch Miracle and Madeline unpack boxes in their new little house, a mix of emotions swirls through me. Pride at the independent young women they've become, excitement for this new chapter in their lives, and yes, a touch of anxiety at the thought of my baby girl being out on her own.

Christopher wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. "They'll be okay," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "We raised her right."

I nod, leaning into his solid body. "I know. It's just hard to let go."

Ronny and Olivia are just as emotional as us. Our girls grew up together and are best friends on top of that which has made us closer over the years. They’re in the same boat as us, letting their girl go on her own for the first time.

Miracle looks up from the box she's unpacking, her face lighting up as she spots us. "Mom, Dad! Come see my room!"

We follow her down the hall, where she proudly shows off her newly decorated space. Photos of our family and her friends adorn the walls, alongside posters of her favorite bands and movies. It's the perfect blend of the little girl she was and the young woman she's becoming.

"It's beautiful, sweetheart," I say, pulling her into a hug. "You've made it so cozy."

Christopher clears his throat, his expression turning serious. "Now, you girls remember all the safety protocols we went over, right? Keep doors and windows locked, don't let strangers in, always be aware of your surroundings…"

"Yes, Dad," Miracle says with an affectionate eye roll. "We know. And we've got that top-of-the-line security system you insisted on installing."

"Good." Christopher nods, satisfied. "And you know you can call us anytime, day or night, if you need anything."

As we prepare to leave, I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Miracle notices, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I love you, Mom," she whispers. "Thank you for everything."

I hold her close, savoring the moment. "I love you too, baby girl. So much."

Christopher hugs her next, his large frame dwarfing her. "Be safe, have fun, and kick ass in your classes," he says gruffly, emotion thick in his voice.

As we drive away, leaving our firstborn to start this new chapter of her life, I reach for Christopher's hand. He brings it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles.

"She'll be okay," he says again, as much to reassure himself as me.

I nod, a small smile tugging on my lips. "I know. We did good, didn't we?"

Christopher grins, that boyish smile that still makes my heart skip a beat after all these years. "We did great, babe. Now, let's go home and spoil Jax and Emma while we've still got them under our roof."

As we drive home, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. Our little girl is growing up, spreading her wings. And while it's bittersweet, I’m filled with pride and excitement for the amazing woman she's growing into.

When we arrive home, Jax and Emma are waiting eagerly at the door, bombarding us with questions about their big sister's new place. "I think I should graduate early and move in with them, so no one fucks with them,” Jax says in a tone that sounds so much like Christopher that I crack up.

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