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Mrs. Francis continued to eat her shredded carrots when Parker and Jade, and Nora and Jack, came into the diner for a slice of Mason’s pie. The three couples moved tables around so they could all sit together. They were soon joined by Cohen and Alana, who bickered on who would sit where, but it was only to be silly and reminiscent of their relationship’s roots.

“And to think I chafed against this kind of family reunion my whole life,” Nora giggled, earning herself a kiss on the cheek from Jack.

“This is fun,” the mystery writer said. “A good break for us.”

“A break from what?” Jade asked, her eyes sparkling with interest. Now that Jade and Parker were engaged with Cohen and Alana soon to follow them, Nora and Jack were probably the next to make their mating legal in the eyes of the government.

“We are writing a book together,” Jack beamed. “A mystery book, obviously.”

“But there’s a love story in it,” Nora sighed happily. “We’re going to do the book tour as our honeymoon.”

Jade punched the sky. “Yes! I knew it.”

Nora flashed her brand-new engagement ring, the diamond twinkling under the diner lights. Congratulations were exchanged, and a bottle of champagne was produced from somewhere, no doubt care of Mason.

“Well, seeing as we are all sharing news …” Parker began before exchanging a look with Jade. “We might as well tell you that we’re expecting a brand new little human.”

Jade patted her stomach with one hand while pushing the champagne flute with the other. “I’m due in seven months, but no bubbly for this mama.”

Mrs. Francis tuned out of the conversation, paid for her carrots, and went out to walk to the bank, where her favorite bench was.

It was on this bench that she had kissed her husband for the first time, and it was where they held hands and watched the townsfolk go by. The elder smiled at the sun, basking in its warmth like a lover’s caress.

Half Moon Key was safe, and the next generation would thrive because of the magic woven into the very fabric of the town, despite the glitchy electricity and Wi-Fi, despite the seclusion. Those weren’t important, anyway.

Half Moon Key was a paradise forever protected by love and community.

The End.