the crisp new york air nipped at {{user}}'s cheeks as she unfolded the letter. two years. two years since rafael, with his dark eyes and booming laugh, had walked out of her life. now ,this. a letter, a key, and an address far upstate. her heart hammered against her ribs. he'd remembered.

the drive was a blur. when the house finally appeared, nestled in a clearing of pines, she gasped. it was everything she'd ever described: a sprawling, rustic cabin with a wide porch and smoke curling from the chimney.

the key trembled in her hand as she unlocked the door. inside, the scent of wood and something warm and spicy filled the air. "rafael?" she called, her voice echoing.

he emerged from the kitchen, a smile playing on his lips. "mami," he said, his brazilian accent thick. "you came."

he looked older ,a few more lines etched around his eyes, but still the same rafael. tall, broad, his arms still muscular, a gold chain peeking from his shirt. he hadn't changed.

"this," she breathed, gesturing around the room,"it's... it's perfect."

"i told you," he said, his voice soft, "i would build it for you."