Hope married at twenty-eight.
A fellow writer, kind and talented, who adored her completely. Lina watched them exchange vows and saw herself and Kai reflected—another love story beginning.
Grandchildren came a few years later.
A girl first, then a boy. Lina held them and marveled—new life, new love, the circle continuing.
"Look what we started," she whispered to Kai.
"Look what love created."
Noah married too—a musician, naturally. They had twins, chaos and joy in equal measure. Lina and Kai became full-time grandparents, delighting in the children without the exhaustion of full-time parenting.
"This is the best stage," Lina declared. "All the love, none of the sleep deprivation."
"Speak for yourself," Kai laughed, chasing a toddler. "I'm exhausted."
"But happy exhausted."
"Always."