The morning dawned crisp and golden, casting a gentle glow over the campground as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees. I opened my eyes to see William beside me, a peaceful smile on his face, still asleep. Last night's memories flooded back—his proposal, the quiet intimacy of our promises under the stars. I touched the ring on my finger, its gentle weight both comforting and thrilling. It was a symbol of our future, of everything we had survived and all that we would face together.
As the campsite stirred with the sounds of birdsong, Ava woke, her sleepy eyes brightening when she saw us. "Good morning, sweetheart," I whispered, pulling her into a hug.
"Mommy, can we have pancakes?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement, as if pancakes were an adventure of their own.
William sat up, laughing softly. "I think we can arrange that," he said, ruffling her hair. "Camping pancakes coming right up!"