Page 97 of Echoes of You
Tears poured from my eyes without warning—tears of joy. Richard set down his glass and carefully lifted our son from the high chair, cradling him close, lowering his head to nuzzle the little one's tender cheek with his forehead.
He said nothing, just opened his arms and pulled Leonardo and me both into a tight embrace.
In that moment, with the firelight dancing, the Christmas tree lights twinkling, the air filled with the scent of food and pine, and the sound of friends and family's kind laughter and blessings around us, I held the two most precious people in my life. I had never felt so complete, so secure, so... happy.
Late that night, after seeing off the last guest and putting an exhausted Leonardo to bed, Richard and I stood side by sideat the bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the quiet manor grounds dusted with fine snow.
"Today was great, wasn't it?" I leaned on his shoulder.
Richard nodded, his arm around my waist, fingers gently tracing the silk of my robe. "I've been thinking about something. Wanted to run it by you."
"What?"
"Starting a foundation focused on mental health support for teenagers, especially kids with self-harm tendencies or family issues. Another part would fund talented young female artists who lack resources, providing training and platforms to showcase their work." He paused, turning his head to look at me. "We'd name it after Leon. The Leonardo Hope Foundation. Take some of the attention and resources we've received and put them toward something more meaningful. What do you think?"
I turned to face him directly. The snow's reflection shone in his deep eyes.
I cupped his face and kissed his lips.
"I think that's the best idea I've ever heard, Mr. Winston."
