Chapter 10 - The Road Ahead
The sun was beginning to set over the Chesapeake Bay, casting a golden hue through the kitchen window and bathing the room in a peaceful, amber light.
Owen bounded into the kitchen holding a soccer ball under his arm, looking up at us with bright, energetic eyes.
"Dad, Lauren, come outside! The wind died down. Let’s go kick the ball in the yard!"
Nathan looked down at his son, then back at me, a profound sense of gratitude and peace settling into his features. He squeezed my hand gently before letting go.
"Go ahead, buddy," Nathan smiled. "I’ll be right out."
As Owen darted eagerly toward the back door, stepping firmly and steadily on his own two feet with the quiet strength he had fought so hard to reclaim, Nathan turned back to me.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Nathan asked, his eyes holding a quiet, hopeful promise for all the days and years ahead. "We’re having whatever isn't burned."
May you like
I smiled, stepping up beside him as we watched Owen kick the soccer ball out across the green lawn toward the fading sunset.
"Try me, Admiral," I said softly. "I think I can handle it."
