EPILOGUE
*CLARE SIX MONTHS LATER
The sun was starting to set behind the bluffs. The tables were draped with crisp white linens, and small wildflower arrangements were scattered throughout, their colors popping against the ocean’s deep blue backdrop. Fairy lights twinkled above, strung from tree to tree, and a small band was playing soft, mellow tunes from the 1950s, their melodies filling the air with a kind of nostalgia that made everything feel timeless.
It was the perfect setting. A picture-perfect wedding reception for Grandpa Walter and Mrs. Henderson...or Millie, as she insisted I now call her.
I stepped back and surveyed the scene, taking in the laughter and chatter, the clinking of glasses, the way the breeze tugged at the edges of the napkins, and how the ocean looked so still and endless.
Mom’s TV crew was there, filming every moment, catching the joy of the crowd, the sparkle in Grandpa Walter’s eyes, and Millie’s radiant smile. It was a surreal, magical moment—everything was coming together in a way I hadn’t expected.
It had been such a whirlwind. Grandpa Walter and Millie had returned from their travels just a few days ago, and this reception had come together quickly, with Ethan and I handling the last-minute details.
Grandpa and Millie were glowing, surrounded by family, friends, and even a few curious neighbors who had heard the wedding news.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Ethan, smiling with the warmth he saved just for me. “It’s perfect,” he said, nodding toward the reception, his voice full of admiration. “You really outdid yourself.”
“Weoutdid ourselves,” I corrected. “This wouldn’t have been possible without all your help.”
I looked out at the scene again, taking it all in. Mom was getting a shot with the couple, smiling like she was in her element, the camera capturing every move. It felt like everything was finally in its right place. “Everything’s perfect.”
I let out a sigh of contentment, watching Grandpa Walter leading Millie in the swing. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen him so happy, so at peace. Millie had one hand on his waist and the other in his, laughing softly as he spun her around.
But then, my attention was drawn out over the ocean. Something—no, someone—caught my eye in the water.
At first, I thought it was a trick of the light, or maybe the way the waves shifted, but no. I could see it clearly now: the silvery, shimmering shape of the oarfish, its long body undulating gracefully as it swam out toward the deep water, its iridescent scales glistening under the fading sunlight.
My breath caught in my throat, and for a second, time seemed to stand still. My gaze followed the creature’s movement, and as I did, something strange stirred within me, like an unspoken knowledge. The oarfish had returned, just like it had before.
A shiver ran down my spine. Was it a sign? Was it trying to tell me something? Or had the moment simply passed, the warning now a part of history?
I wanted to ask Ethan, to voice what I was feeling, but instead, I just stood there, my heart pounding, as the oarfish disappeared into the distance, swallowed by the endless expanse of water.
The day couldn’t possibly get any better, could it? But as I watched the last bit of sunlight dip below the horizon, a soft breeze picked up around me.
Ethan slid his hand in mine. “Would you like to dance, Mrs. Bingham?”
“I’mnotMrs. Bingham.”
“Yet,” he said with a grin.
Author’s Note About Oarfish:
Curious about oarfish? You can read more about them here:
Oarfish are large, elongated, ribbon-like bony fish that belong to the family Regalecidae. They are known for their incredibly long, slender bodies, which can reach impressive lengths. Thegiant oarfish (Regalecus glesne)is the longest bony fish alive, with confirmed sightings up to 26 feet (8 meters) and unconfirmed reports of specimens reaching over 50 feet (17 meters).
They get their name "oarfish" either from their highly compressed, elongated bodies, or from a now-discredited belief that they "row" themselves through the water with their pelvic fins. Their family name,Regalecidae, comes from the Latin word "regalis," meaning "royal," which is why they're sometimes called the "king of herrings" due to their crown-like dorsal fins and historical sightings near herring schools.
You can read more about them here:
https://kristystories.blogspot.com/2025/08/more-about-oarfish.html
