Chapter 10 - The Finish Line
It was a beautiful Saturday morning in late spring.
The local elementary school was hosting its annual sports day.
Hundreds of parents sat in the bleachers, cheering loudly for their children.
Ethan Caldwell stood by the finish line of the fifty-yard dash.
He was holding the hand of his beautiful wife.
Claire was entirely glowing, heavily pregnant with their second child.
The starter pistol fired loudly.
A line of eight-year-old boys sprinted down the grassy field.
In the middle of the pack was a boy with slightly stiff legs.
He was not the fastest runner.
He was struggling to keep up with the athletic kids at the front.
But he was running.
Noah Caldwell was running with every single ounce of strength he possessed.
His face was twisted in pure, unadulterated joy.
The crowd began to cheer specifically for him.
They knew his story.
They knew about the boy who was never supposed to walk.
Noah crossed the finish line in absolute last place.
He didn't care.
He threw his arms up in the air like an Olympic champion.
He ran directly past the officials.
He ran straight into his father’s open arms.
Ethan lifted the boy high into the air, spinning him around in the bright sunshine.
“You did it, buddy!” Ethan cheered.
“I did it!” Noah yelled.
Claire wrapped her arms around both of them from behind.
Noah kissed his stepmother's cheek.
He pressed his small hand against her pregnant belly.
“Wait until the baby gets here,” Noah grinned.
“I am going to teach them how to run so fast.”
Ethan looked at his brave son.
He looked at the brilliant woman who had saved them both.
He remembered the dark, terrible day he had almost fired her.
He thanked God every single day that he had failed.
The nightmare was entirely over.
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They had finally reached the finish line.
And their beautiful, perfect life was just beginning.
