Haven stared at his sleeping form for a while, watching the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. There was a stirring inside of her, warmth that started deep inside her chest and spread out through her limbs. It frightened her, but yet it made her feel like she was floating on air. It was hope. Carmine often spoke about the two of them having a future together, but she could never picture it. All she could see was where she was, never where she was going, but sitting at graduation the day before, she finally saw it. She saw a life on the outside, a life full of promise. A life where marriage and children were options, and education and friendships were possible. A life full of love, where the hope won and the fear was defeated. It was the future her mama wanted her to have, and the guilt she carried with her faded as she started to think maybe she deserved it. Haven grabbed the blanket and covered Carmine up before climbing out of bed. She dressed, giving him one last look before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
