Emma stood in front of the mirror again
Her hand resting on her growing belly
The dress she wore was simple
Cream colored
Loose
Comfortable
She brushed her fingers across her skin
Feeling the soft movements beneath
The baby was more active lately
And every flutter reminded her
That life had changed forever
Behind her
Damon entered the room quietly
Carrying a small cup of tea
His steps were slow
His eyes focused on her
You look peaceful
Emma turned to face him
I feel peaceful
I think for the first time in my life
He handed her the tea
She took it carefully and sat on the edge of the bed
The morning was quiet
Sunlight poured in from the tall windows
Their apartment felt like a different place now
Not cold
Not distant
But warm
Like a home
Damon sat beside her
I was thinking of names again
Emma smiled
You and your name lists
He shrugged
It helps me feel closer
To something I cannot hold yet
She leaned her head on his shoulder
Do you think we will be good parents
He paused
I think we will be better than what we had
Emma closed her eyes
Then that is enough
Later that day
They went for a walk in the garden near the building
The sky was soft blue
And small birds fluttered between the trees
Emma walked slowly
Damon stayed beside her
Their hands linked
They passed a young couple sitting on a bench
Laughing
Feeding each other snacks
Emma smiled
I used to think love looked like that
And now
She looked up at him
Now I know love looks like you standing next to me even when I scream
Even when I push you away
And still you stay
He brought her hand to his lips
Kissing her knuckles
You are not alone anymore Emma
She stopped walking
Faced him fully
Neither are you
They sat on a nearby bench
Watching the wind move through the trees
Damon finally spoke
Leo called
He said the last of Marcus operations have been dismantled
The people he hurt
They are getting help now
Emma nodded
Good
It does not erase what happened
But it helps
She rested a hand on her belly again
I want to build something
Something bigger than us
A foundation
To help women like me
Like my mother
So they have a place to run
To be safe
Damon looked at her
Pride filling his chest
Then we will build it together
In the following weeks
They worked side by side
Meeting with lawyers
Charity boards
Architects
Planning a center with open doors
No judgment
Only healing
Emma named it the Haven
The name came to her in a dream
A place where no one had to hide scars
At the opening ceremony
Emma stood on stage
Wearing a simple light blue dress
Her belly round
Her voice calm
She spoke to a crowd of survivors
Volunteers
Donors
I was once just like many of you
Afraid
Alone
Believing there was no way out
But someone reached into the darkness and pulled me back
Now I want this place
This Haven
To be that hand for others
She looked at Damon
He stood at the side
Watching with eyes full of something no one else had ever seen in him
Love
After the ceremony
A woman approached Emma
Her face was pale
Eyes tired
I was one of the women Marcus trapped
Emma took her hands gently
You are free now
The woman cried
And Emma held her
Back home
Emma lay on the couch
Feet up
Damon rubbed her ankles
You did something incredible today
She looked at him
A small tear in her eye
I could not have done it without you
He leaned down
Kissed her forehead
Get some rest
Tomorrow is another full day
That night
Emma dreamed of her mother
She stood in a field of lavender
Smiling
Healthy
Whole
You did not let the pain break you
You turned it into light
Emma woke with tears in her eyes
The baby kicked
She placed her hand over the movement
We will give you a better world
I promise
The next morning
Damon received a call
He stepped into the hallway
His voice was low
Careful
Emma watched through the doorway
Something was wrong
When he returned
She sat up
What is it
He sat beside her
Took her hand
Someone broke into one of Marcus old warehouses
They found files
And video footage
Of other men involved
Emma stiffened
He was not working alone
Damon nodded
There are more shadows behind his cruelty
And I need to face them
She shook her head
Not alone
Emma
No
We started this together
And we end it together
He looked at her
Saw the fire in her eyes
The fire that had never died
Alright
Then we move carefully
We build a case
We expose them one by one
Emma nodded
Let us tear down every monster left
The fight was not over
But this time
They were no longer victims
No longer hunted
They were builders
Protectors
And together
They were stronger than any darkness