Chapter 26: The First Families
The morning air outside The Hope Horizon Center hummed with anticipation. Cars began to fill the parking lot, and the soft chatter of excited community members drifted through the open double doors. Zara smoothed down her pastel cream blazer, her eyes darting across the brightly lit lobby. This was the moment she had visualized during countless sleepless nights over the past two years.
Beside her, Zayd adjusted the digital display monitor on the reception desk. He looked completely at home in the space they had built together. When he caught her looking, he stepped away from the screen and walked over, offering a reassuring smile that instantly lowered her heart rate.
"Everything is up and running," Zayd murmured, his voice a calm anchor amid the morning r
