Chapter 10 - A Home by the Lake
Two years later.
In the quiet coastal town of Grand Haven, Michigan, a beautiful two-story house sat on a grassy hill overlooking the shimmering blue waters of Lake Michigan.
The house had a wrap-around porch, a bright kitchen with a large window overlooking the water, and a wide, open backyard surrounded by tall pine trees.
It was everything Daniel and Marin had ever dreamed of—and so much more.
It was a sunny Saturday morning in July.
Marin stood by the kitchen window, holding a mug of coffee, watching the golden sunlight dance across the lake. She wore a soft cream sweater and shorts, her left leg showing only a faint, neat surgical scar where top surgeons had completely restored her mobility.
Out in the backyard, Dorian was sitting on a wooden bench under a massive oak tree, wearing a casual linen shirt, laughing as he threw a tennis ball across the green grass.
Titan, now older and slightly grayer around his muzzle, was trotting happily across the lawn, chasing after a small, three-year-old girl with dark curls and bright gray eyes.
Her name was Clara.
"Daddy! Faster!" little Clara giggled, her tiny feet running as fast as they could beside the massive black dog.
Titan slowed his pace deliberately, matching his stride to the little girl’s tiny steps, letting her win the race to the tennis ball.
Dorian scooped up his daughter as she ran into his arms, lifting her high into the air as she squealed with delight, before placing a kiss on her forehead.
Marin stepped out onto the porch, watching her husband and daughter play in the warm summer air.
Dorian looked up, his face softening with pure love as he saw his wife standing on the steps. He set Clara down on the grass, walked up the porch steps, and wrapped his arms around Marin’s waist, pulling her gentle against his chest.
"What are you thinking about?" Dorian asked softly, resting his chin on her head.
"I was thinking about the eighteen floor," Marin whispered, turning in his arms to look up into his dark, beautiful eyes. "And how a giant dog pulled his leash away from the scariest man in Chicago just to lay his head in my hand."
Dorian smiled—a warm, beautiful smile that belonged only to her.
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"He didn't pull away, Marin," Dorian said gently, kissing her softly on the lips. "He was just leading me home."
Titan walked up the wooden porch steps, let out a deep, satisfied sigh, and lay down across their feet, keeping watch over the family he had brought together—a family built on love, justice, and a peace that nothing in this world could ever break again.
