Chapter 14: The Pumpkin Patch
The late afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the Oakridge pumpkin patch. Families were laughing, children were running through the vines, and the scent of warm apple cider filled the air.
Elena spotted them near a large wooden wagon—Leo, now a energetic toddler, sitting atop a giant orange pumpkin, wearing a small denim jacket and scuffed little sneakers. Marcus was kneeling beside him, steadying the pumpkin so Leo wouldn't roll off, laughing as the boy pointed excitedly at a scarecrow.
""Look, Mommy! Giant pumpkin!"" Leo cheered as Elena walked up, his eyes shining with pure joy.
""I see it, sweetie!"" Elena laughed, wrapping her arms around Leo and lifting him up into a hug.
Marcus stood up, dusting off his jeans, his warm brown eyes fixed on Elena. ""How did things go in the city?""
""It’s done,"" Elena said quietly, stepping closer to him. ""Everything is officially closed out.""
Marcus looked at her, searching her face, and saw only peace. ""How do you feel?""
""I feel complete,"" she answered softly.
May you like
Marcus smiled, reaching out to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. ""Good. Because we've got a lot of pumpkins to haul back to the cottage.""
Leo giggled, grabbing Marcus’s hand with one little fist and Elena’s with the other, pulling them toward the hayride. Walking between them, flanked by the two people who represented her present and her future, Elena felt a quiet warmth spread through her chest.
