Chapter 10 - The Stars Aligned
The second anniversary of Blythe’s return was celebrated with a massive neighborhood barbecue in the backyard of the Severn River house. The old utility shed had been completely torn down, replaced by a beautiful, wide wooden gazebo covered in climbing white roses and strings of warm amber fairy lights.
Dozens of children from Ellis’s school were running across the green lawn, their laughter mixing with the sweet smell of grilled corn and river air.
At the center of the lawn, Ellis was playing tag, his legs moving with a furious, healthy speed, his face bright with pure, unadulterated happiness. He wore a bright red shirt that fit him perfectly, and his gray eyes shone like diamonds under the summer sun.
Blythe stood on the patio steps, her arm wrapped securely around Marcus’s waist, her left hand adorned with the simple platinum ring that reflected the golden light of the evening. Arthur Pendelton stood beside them, holding a glass of lemonade, a proud, fatherly smile on his old face.
"Your dad would be very happy tonight, Blythe," Arthur whispered, his eyes wet with emotion. "He always said this house was built for music and children."
"He's here, Arthur," Blythe said softly, looking up at the high branches of the old sycamore tree where a new, sturdy tire swing hung over the grass. "He’s in every part of this place."
As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, painting the Maryland sky in brilliant streaks of violet and gold, Ellis ran up the steps, his small body warm and breathless as he threw his arms around Blythe’s legs.
"Mama! Look up!" the boy cheered, pointing his small finger toward the first evening stars blinking into existence over the river. "The stars are out!"
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Blythe knelt down on the stone steps, pulling her beautiful, healthy, unbreakable son into her arms, kissing his forehead while Marcus rested a protective hand over both of their shoulders.
The key beneath her collar had unlocked the secrets, the courts had delivered the justice, and the contract with the past was finally fulfilled. The dark was gone, the family was whole, and their beautiful, triumphant life had finally come home to stay for all the years to come.
