The blanket's soft cotton edges rippling like sails as Claire smoothed it over the sun-warmed sand. The scent of sea grass mingled with a trace of sunscreen, and the rhythmic hush of waves offered a soothing backdrop to the day’s celebration.
As Claire anchored the corners with seashells Gabe and Chloe had gathered earlier, sunlight danced across the harbor, where the water shimmered like scattered diamonds, and the scent of sea salt blended with fresh strawberries from the basket beside her. Laughter drifted across the beach from nearby families, punctuated by the sound of children chasing waves and the occasional bark of a happy dog.
"Careful!" Claire called out with a laugh as Gabe attempted a cartwheel that sent him tumbling into the sand. Chloe shrieked with delight and joined him, their joy echoing like music across the dunes.
Jack walked up behind her, arms laden with the last of their picnic supplies. "I think I got everything, including half the kitchen."
She smiled as he lowered the basket. "If you're going to celebrate an anniversary, you better do it right."
"Technically, it's not our wedding anniversary," he teased. "More like our 'unofficial life-together' day."
"Exactly," Claire replied, raising her eyebrows. "And I like it that way."
They spread out sandwiches, lemonade, and the cake Chloe had insisted on helping to frost—more lopsided than layered, but baked with love. Claire pulled out a small bouquet of daisies, placing them in a glass jar at the center of the blanket.
Emma and Beau arrived shortly after, hand-in-hand, with a cooler between them. Their smiles were wide, and Claire couldn’t help but feel the symmetry of it all—how their paths had first crossed at a Seaview community event, and now their lives were woven together through laughter, faith, and deeply earned friendship.
Emma, once the heroine of her own love story in Seaview, had found her forever in Beau. Over time, their friendship with Claire and Jack blossomed, strengthened by shared dreams, laughter, and countless sun-drenched afternoons.
"This is the exact spot Beau and I picnicked the day we decided to stay in Seaview," Emma said, spreading out her own blanket beside Claire’s. "Feels like something always begins here."
Claire nodded, eyes drifting to the gentle surf. "It does."
As the afternoon unfolded, neighbors wandered over to share hugs and laughter. Jack grilled hot dogs with Beau while Gabe and Chloe took turns burying each other in the sand.
Claire chatted with a neighbor named Trish, who recounted a fond memory of her daughter's wedding near the dunes. Lily joined them too, bringing her signature blueberry muffins and a burst of warmth that always reminded Claire of home.
"This town has a way of making ordinary days feel magical," Lily said, handing Claire a muffin and settling in beside her.
Claire took a bite, savoring the sweetness. "It does. Maybe because everyone here carries a little magic of their own."
As conversations hummed around them and the last crumbs of cake disappeared, a hush of excitement rolled down the shoreline.
"Here they come!" someone called out.
Claire turned toward the water just in time to see the first sailboat crest around the far edge of the harbor. Dozens followed behind it, their sails bright with ribbons and flags fluttering in the wind. Children ran to the shoreline, pointing and squealing with delight.
"The Seaview Sail Parade," Beau said, shielding his eyes. "Didn’t realize it was today."
"I heard the yacht club was dedicating this one to community leaders," Emma added, nudging Claire playfully. "You two should be front and center."
Claire laughed. Warmth bloomed in her chest, slow and steady. It wasn’t just the compliment—it was the recognition. For someone who had once felt like she was rebuilding from the ashes, being seen and celebrated by this community meant more than she could say.
A soft ache rising behind her smile as she took in the sailboats, the people she loved, and the unexpected beauty of it all. For a moment, she let herself reflect on everything that had brought them here—the doubts, the courage, the hope—and how it had all led to this shining afternoon beside the sea. The boats glided past, some with music playing softly, others with families waving from the decks. One boat’s sail had been painted in rainbow swirls, and another flew a banner that readAnchored in Love.
Gabe and Chloe stood at the edge of the tide, hands cupped around their mouths as they cheered for each boat that passed. Claire watched them, her heart full. Beside her, Jack reached down and laced his fingers through hers.
"I’ve never seen anything like this," he murmured.
"You have now," she said, her voice quiet but sure. "And you’re part of it."
The harbor, ever present, mirrored the sails and sunlight—each reflection a reminder of how far they’d come and how much lay ahead.
Later, with the sun dipping lower, Claire felt the breeze shift and wrap around her like a shawl, scented with brine and the faint sweetness of nearby honeysuckle. It reminded her of the first day she’d arrived in Seaview years ago, disoriented and unsure, clutching her keys and her son’s hand. Now, the same wind carried comfort instead of questions. The air shifted—warmer inland breezes giving way to the crisp scent of saltwater.
The soft call of gulls circled overhead as lanterns flickered to life along the docks, casting golden halos that danced across the sand, casting a golden veil across the waves. Jack appeared with a kite. Its canvas was decorated with swirling colors and a bright red heart stitched near the top.
"Chloe helped design it," he said, handing her the string. "Said it needed a love emblem."
