AVA'S POV
The church was full, filled with the people who had walked pieces of this journey with us: Ethan's close friends and business partners, Mrs. Rosalind's lifelong acquaintances, my aunt Amara, and even a few unexpected faces like Dr. Lewis from the maternity ward, who came with a bouquet and a hug.
The choir's soft harmonies echoed gently as we walked in. I held Zariah while Ethan kept a steady hand on my lower back, guiding me down the aisle. I could feel everyone's eyes on us, but for once, I wasn't shrinking under the weight of attention.
I stood taller.
The officiating minister smiled warmly at me. "You've brought forth a light into this world," he said. "Today, we dedicate her to the hands that made her, and the future waiting for her."
When Ethan and I laid our hands on Zariah's head during the prayer, my knees nearly gave out. I felt the power of it, of legacy, of survival, of healing.
