Sophie stood close, watching, her breath soft against his ear. Rose slid her arm around his waist, her body warm against his side. Zoey and Scarlet came next, their hands linked, eyes bright with curiosity and awe. Lucy knelt to study the carvings, fingers tracing the spirals with care. Natalie and Stella stood together, their free hands resting on the stones, sharing the moment without words. Susan and Grace mirrored them, their expressions open, unguarded. Emma remained at the edge, ever the protector, but her gaze softened as she watched them all.
The pool's images faded, leaving only their reflections, framed by sky and stone. Jude drew a deep breath, the spiral's hum steady in his bones. "This is another marker," he said quietly. "A guidepost. We're still on the path."
Sophie leaned her head against him, her smile gentle. "Then we keep going."