Chapter 10 - Where the Summer Land Begins
The autumn sun set over Lake Michigan, painting the sky in deep shades of gold, orange, and violet.
At the Calloway Manor, the grand lawn leading down to the water’s edge was decorated with soft white fairy lights strung between the ancient oak trees.
A small, intimate gathering of close friends, clinic staff, and neighborhood families sat on white garden chairs arranged in a circle near the shore.
Grace stood beneath a wooden archway draped in white roses and wild lavender. She looked radiant, her hand resting warmly in Ethan’s as they stood before an elderly judge from the city court.
Owen stood on Ethan’s left, holding a small velvet box containing two simple silver wedding bands. Lily stood on Grace’s right, wearing a tiny yellow flower crown, holding a bouquet of wildflowers she had picked from the orchard herself.
"Do you, Ethan Calloway," the judge asked gently, "take Grace Morales to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and protect, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Ethan looked into Grace’s grey eyes, his smile filled with a profound, peaceful certainty that needed no hesitation.
"I do," Ethan said, his voice steady and clear. "With all my heart, with my life, and with every breath I take."
"And do you, Grace Morales," the judge continued, "take Ethan Calloway to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Grace whispered, tears of deep, pure happiness spilling over her eyelashes as she looked at the man who had fought his way through the dark to find her.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the judge declared. "Ethan, you may kiss your bride."
Ethan leaned down, pulling Grace gently into his arms, kissing her with a deep, passionate warmth that made the small crowd erupt into joyful cheers and applause!
Owen and Lily clapped happily, running forward to wrap their arms around their parents' legs. Ethan dropped to one knee, pulling both children and Grace into a tight, warm family embrace beneath the autumn stars.
Later that night, after the guests had departed and the estate had settled into a quiet, peaceful calm, Ethan and Grace walked hand-in-hand along the quiet sandy shore of the lake.
The water lapped gently against the stone pier. In the distance, the lights of Chicago glowed like a field of fallen stars.
From the open window of the nursery upstairs, the soft, sweet sound of Owen and Lily singing echoed softly into the night breeze.
“Where the silver river bends, Where the northern winter ends, Keep the lantern in your hand, Till you reach the summer land...”
Grace rested her head against Ethan’s shoulder, watching the silver moonlight dance across the water.
"We reached the summer land," Grace whispered softly.
May you like
Ethan wrapped his coat around her, kissing her temple, his heart beating strong, steady, and full against her shoulder.
"We're home, Grace," Ethan murmured into the quiet night. "We're finally home."
