At the end of the dock, Sara and Jaqueline emerged from the house. As they joined the others, Sara looked around, eyes wide.
“When did you expand the dock? And get all these chairs?”
“Few months ago. I’ll explain later.”
Jaxon reached for a switch mounted to one of the dock posts. “You ready?”
The moment he flipped it, the outdoor lights shut off. Darkness fell—but not the kind that swallows you. The kind that reveals. The moonlight exploded across the sound, scattering across the water like glittering diamonds.
“Jaxon,” Linda whispered, breathless. “Just when I thought this couldn’t get any better.”
“You’re right,” Charles said, rubbing his hands together. “All that’s missing is a fire.”
With perfect timing, Jaxon hit the button on the gas fireplace built into the edge of the dock. A soft flame roared to life.
“Ask and you shall receive,” Charles muttered, clearly impressed.
“Jaxon,” Linda said with a playful smile, “if my husband weren’t right here, I’d ask to marry you myself.”
“Mom, please,” Sara groaned.
“Well, now I know where you get your sass,” Jaxon grinned.
They all laughed and settled in. Conversation drifted from memories to what the future might look like. Jaxon watched Jaqueline curl up next to Sara, her laughter mixing with the sound of the tide. It felt... right. Like all the broken pieces had been rearranged into something better than before.
Eventually, Charles stood. “We should probably head back. Still have a few things to pack.”
“When do you leave?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
They made their way back to the cars, and Charles lingered as the others climbed in.
“It was good to finally meet you, Jaxon. After everything we’ve heard… it feels like we already knew you.”
“It was great meeting y’all too, sir. Can I ask something?”
“Shoot.”
“Do you know why Claire never told me?”
Charles looked away for a moment, then met Jaxon’s eyes. “I wish I had an answer. At first, she was scared of how you’d react. But later… I think it was guilt. The longer she waited, the heavier it got. But I’ll tell you this—she never stopped loving you. And you’re a good man, Jaxon. You’re going to be a damn good father. Truth be told, I’d have been proud to call you my son-in-law instead of that jackass we got stuck with.”
Jaxon laughed, surprised by the tears that suddenly burned the backs of his eyes.
“Thank you, sir.”
Charles patted his back. “We’ll see you soon, son. And next time, you’re not cooking.”
With one final wave, Jaxon stood alone in the driveway as their car disappeared into the night.
Only this time, the silence wasn’t lonely.
It was peaceful.
Home wasn’t just a house anymore.
It was a feeling. A flame. A family.
