Chapter 84

• The soft glow of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as Cleo and Rowan stood hand-in-hand on the crest of the hill overlooking Seabrook. Below them, the town nestled in the valley, its lights twinkling like fallen stars. It was a scene of breathtaking beauty, a perfect reflection of the peace they had found within themselves and in each other. They had spent the afternoon sketching the landscape, their pencils moving across the paper in a synchronized rhythm, mirroring the harmony of their relationship. Cleo's sketchbook, filled with vibrant watercolors, now featured not just portraits of the landscape, but also images of their shared life – the flourishing community garden, their cozy farmhouse, the playful antics of their neighbor's children. Rowan’s drawings were more understated, precise line sketches capturing the intricate details of the landscape, yet hinting at the quiet strength and enduring love that formed their shared reality.
• "Remember when we first came here?" Rowan asked, his voice a low murmur against the whispering wind. "This hill, this view… it felt like the end of the world, didn't it?"
• Cleo chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that carried on the gentle breeze. "It felt like the beginning," she corrected, her eyes reflecting the fiery sunset. "The beginning of something new, something real."