Chapter 21 - The Groundbreaking
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By early September, Grace was visibly pregnant, and the construction on the new wing of the Open Door Project was ready to officially begin.
They held a small groundbreaking ceremony on the empty, overgrown lot behind the shelter. The residents of the current facility attended, along with the community board and the architectural team from Cole Community Design.
Grace stood near the podium wearing a comfortable yellow sundress, her hand resting instinctively on her growing stomach. Nathan stood beside her, his protective presence a constant, comforting warmth.
Daniel arrived quietly, standing at the back of the crowd in a simple sweater, keeping his distance but showing his support. Nathan offered him a brief, respectful nod.
Melissa took the microphone.
“Today, we don’t just break ground on a new building,” Melissa announced. “We break ground on new futures. This training center will give women the skills they need to never have to rely on a dangerous situation again. And it was made possible by the unwavering dedication of Grace and Nathan.”
The crowd clapped enthusiastically.
Melissa handed a shiny, ceremonial shovel to Grace.
“I think the lead architect should do the honors,” Melissa smiled.
Grace took the shovel. She looked at the dirt. In her mind, she saw the foundation of the old Cole mansion, a place built on secrets and intimidation. Now, she was digging a new foundation, built on clean money and profound truth.
She pushed the shovel into the earth and turned the dirt over.
The crowd cheered.
Nathan stepped up, wrapping his arm around her waist as she leaned the shovel against the podium.
“You did it,” he whispered in her ear.
“We did it,” she corrected him.
May you like
Lily ran up to them, demanding a turn with the shovel. Nathan laughed, helping his daughter scoop a tiny amount of dirt.
Grace looked out over the lot. The scars of her past were still there, but they were no longer bleeding. They had been reinforced, filled with gold, and they were strong enough to build an entire future upon.
