Chapter 20: Blueprints and Bruises
The sun rose slow over the lot that would become their home.
It was still a mess—cracked concrete, twisted weeds, and a fence that leaned like it had secrets. But Nova stood in the middle of it barefoot, Bea's sketchpad in hand, and saw something else entirely.
She saw windows that let in golden morning light.
She saw a studio with floor-to-ceiling glass and a wooden ladder to a library loft.
She saw Bea, standing in the doorway, laughing at something she hadn't said yet.
Nova closed her eyes.
This place would hold them.
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Later That Day
The contractor raised an eyebrow. "You two want to do this yourselves?"
Nova folded her arms. "We want it to be ours."
Bea handed over the blueprints. "We've lived through things most people wouldn't survive. A few bruises from a hammer won't kill us."
He gave a low whistle and smiled. "Alright then. I'll keep an eye on you. But this? This is your story."
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First Week of Building
They learned quickly:
Nails bend when you're nervous.
Paint runs when you cry.
And sometimes, wood splinters when you're angry.
Nova bled twice. Bea bruised her shoulder lifting drywall. But they laughed through it all, playlists blaring and coffee cups multiplying.
At night, they sat on crates and imagined the future.
"A fireplace there," Bea pointed, "so you always have warmth."
Nova nodded. "And a window here. So I never forget the light."
Then she hesitated.
"You think we're ready?"
Bea leaned into her side. "We've already started."
---
Midnight
Nova couldn't sleep again. The silence wasn't painful—but it was loud.
She wandered into what would be the bedroom. There were no walls yet, just the skeleton of dreams and effort.
She looked up.
The stars were visible through the wooden beams. She whispered into the sky.
"Don't take her from me. Don't let me break this."
Behind her, Bea's voice came, soft as moonlight.
"You're not the one who breaks things, Nova. You're the one who puts them back together."
Nova turned, and Bea was holding a tiny, crooked nail in her hand.
"A keepsake," Bea said. "For all the bruises it took to build something real."
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The Next Morning
They etched their initials into the first beam of their home:
N + B
Still here. Still building.
Nova looked down at Bea's ink-streaked fingers and kissed them.
"I want to stay in this moment forever."
Bea whispered, "Then let's keep building it until it never ends."
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End of Chapter 20
Next up: Chapter 21: "When the Walls Go Up" — where the foundation becomes form, and so do their feelings. 💛