The morning of the Ariadne Center's grand opening, I woke up feeling like I was about to give birth to something far more important than a building.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my hand resting on my growing belly. The twins were active today—little flutters and kicks that reminded me they were there, that they were growing, that they were part of this new chapter we were about to begin.
"Today's the day," Nicholas murmured beside me, his voice still rough with sleep.
"Today's the day," I echoed.
"Are you nervous?"
"Terrified," I admitted. "But also excited. This is everything we've been working toward."
He turned to face me, his pale blue eyes warm. "You've done something incredible, Ruby. Building the garden was one thing. But this—the Ariadne Center—this is a legacy."
"We've done it together," I said. "All of us."
He kissed my forehead. "Now get up. We have a building to open."
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The Ariadne Center was a marvel of architecture and purpose.
