Chapter 14 - The Warmth of Home
A year after the incident, the new house on the coast was fully complete.
It was a home designed around warmth and light—large double-glazed windows, a massive stone fireplace that crackled softly in the evenings, and an open-concept kitchen where the scent of freshly baked bread was always present.
It was late autumn, and a cool breeze blew off the ocean, but inside the living room, the heat was comfortable and enveloping.
Lucy sat at the dining table, managing the books for their newly opened community café. The business was thriving, recognized throughout the county not just for its food, but for its charitable program that provided free meals to families in need.
Mark walked in from the garage, carrying a load of fresh firewood for the stove. He stacked the logs neatly near the hearth, brushing the sawdust from his sleeves.
"Toby’s almost finished with his homework," Lucy said, looking up with a warm smile. "He asked if we could go down to the beach to watch the sunset."
Mark walked over, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Sounds like a perfect plan."
Toby ran out from his bedroom, holding a red kite with a long tail. "Daddy! The wind is perfect outside! Can we fly the kite?"
"Put your jacket on first, pal," Mark chuckled, pulling a thick, warm woolen fleece from the coat rack and helping Toby zip it up.
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"Is it cold outside?" Toby asked, looking out the window.
"A little chilly," Mark said softly, checking the zipper. "But we have warmth right here."
