The Power of Love And Sacrifice

blestone streets, its cozy little cafes, and its windswept beach that stretched endlessly along the horizon.

ul " Smiling at me is

ng Mummy "

ss what" Mrs

ll people from Fair Haven town will come bac

nor and Liam's dreams, a place where their aspirations felt as infinite as the ocean that frame

the air was filled with the scent of saltwater mingling with freshly baked pastries from the stalls that lined the town square. Fair Haven's cobblestone streets, usually quiet an

e familiar sights and sounds. Children darted between crowds, clutching colorful balloons, while

ld spend the entire day running from booth to booth, trying to win cheap prizes and sneaki

avier, tinged with the weight of

ling in my hair. The sand beneath my feet was cool, and the waves lappe

en where we declared our dreams to the world at least to each other. It was where we pla

, chasing each other along the shore until we collapsed in fits of laughter. And then there were the quieter moments, when

" I'd asked him once, my voice barely

only Liam could muster. "Of course. This

always does, h

onder if the promises we'd made in the sand wer

familiar voice said behind me

his hands shoved into his pockets and that

ay," I said, trying t

g over the waves before settling on

ords heavy between us. Finally, Liam bent down and scooped

I said?" he asked, his

ght. "That this place

atter how far we've gone, no matter how much time has pa

ost unbearable. "Then maybe," I whispered,

lush spreading through me. The air between us seemed to thicken, charged with an energy that had nothin

d brushing against mine, the brief contact sparking heat along my skin. My breath hitched as his finge

rmured, his voice low and rough, li

rawing me closer, inexorably, to where I'd always belonged. His other hand lifted, brushing

he festival lights, the crashing waves, even the memories of who we used to be. All that ma

ps, as he leaned in just enough for me to feel the heat of his

, and as his lips brushed mine, it was like a wave finally cra

the ocean stretching endlessly