Chapter 8 - THE STARS OVER HIGHLANDTOWN AND BEYOND
Two years later, the snow over Baltimore melted into a warm, golden spring.
The brownstone on University Parkway was filled with the sound of laughter, clattering pots, and the steady, comforting hum of a modern refrigerator that didn't sound like a dying whale.
There was a wedding on a private cliff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. It was small, intimate, and heavily guarded—not by syndicate enforcers, but by loyal friends who knew the true cost of survival. There were no society photographers, no tabloid reporters, and no cold-eyed debutantes in diamond-encrusted gowns.
There was only Mrs. Adler smiling from the front row, Caleb standing proudly as the best man in a miniature custom tuxedo holding the rings in a polished silver box, and Nora Hayes standing at the altar in a simple, elegant ivory dress that caught the evening sunlight like liquid gold.
When Roman Calder lifted her veil and kissed her, the applause was deafening, led entirely by a nine-year-old boy who finally knew what a real family looked like.
Later that evening, as the reception wound down and the stars began to blanket the Chesapeake sky, Nora walked out onto the wooden deck overlooking the water. The cool spring breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the familiar scent of salt and river mud.
Footsteps sounded softly behind her, and a heavy wool jacket was draped over her shoulders.
Roman stepped up beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and resting his chin gently on her shoulder.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Calder," he murmured against her ear.
Nora leaned back into his chest, her hands resting over his arms. She looked up at the vast, glittering expanse of stars stretching out endlessly across the dark sky above the harbor.
"I was just thinking about the old apartment in Highlandtown," she whispered, a soft smile touching her lips. "Remember the note I used to leave for Caleb every morning?"
Roman tightened his embrace. "Word for word. Eat everything. Remember your lunch. Mrs. Adler will knock at seven."
She turned slightly in his arms, looking up into his dark, obsidian eyes—eyes that no longer held the ghosts of the past, only the bright, unwritten promise of tomorrow.
"And the last line?" Nora asked softly.
Roman smiled, his thumb gently tracing the smooth skin of her cheek.
"I love you more than all the stars."
May you like
Nora pressed her forehead against his chest, listening to the steady, unbreakable rhythm of his heart.
"He still keeps every single one of them in the box," she whispered into the night. "And so do I."
