Chapter 21 - An Evening by the Fire
As twilight painted the Wilmington sky in brilliant strokes of amethyst, amber, and deep violet, the beach house terrace transformed into a warm, inviting oasis. A stone fire pit crackled merrily in the center of the patio, throwing dancing orange reflections across the wooden deck and casting a cozy glow over the surrounding outdoor seating.
Claire’s parents and her sister Hannah had joined them for dinner, sitting around the fire pit sharing stories and laughter over roasted local seafood and artisan wine. Hannah was busy showing off her camera roll, pointing out candid shots she had captured during the wedding ceremony and the sunlit walks along the beach.
"Look at this one," Hannah beamed, turning the digital screen toward Claire and Mason. It was a close-up shot taken right after the magistrate pronounced them husband and wife—Mason’s hands holding Claire tight against his chest, both of them laughing through tears of absolute joy, completely lost in each other.
"You're a brilliant photographer, Han," Claire said, her heart swelling with warmth as she looked at the image. "You managed to capture what freedom actually looks like."
"That's because freedom has a very specific face," Hannah replied knowingly, glancing between them with a bright grin before excusing herself to refill her glass.
Later in the evening, after her parents had retired to the guest suites inside and the crackle of the fire had settled into a steady, comforting warmth, Claire and Mason sat alone on the patio lounge chairs, wrapped in a shared wool blanket.
The stars above were blindingly bright, unobscured by city smog or artificial lights. The Milky Way stretched across the dark velvet vault of the night sky like a river of silver diamonds.
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"Do you ever miss Boston?" Claire asked softly, resting her head against Mason’s shoulder as she stared up at the stars.
"Not for a single second," Mason replied without hesitation. "Boston was a battlefield. This... this is home."
