Freda’s POV

“Am I dreaming?” I asked because it was as if I was still dreaming.

“No you are not Mama….it feels so_”

I wrapped my arms tightly around him, perhaps a bit too tightly, feeling his slight groan as I squeezed in my overwhelming excitement. It had been so long since I had felt this kind of joy, this rush of emotions that threatened to spill over. Hardin was finally awake, and the prospect of our family being whole once more filled me with an indescribable sense of happiness.

As I held him close, the reality of his presence sank in, grounding me in the moment. The weight of...