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"Rhett?"

"Yeah?"

"When this is over..."

I turn toward the distant sounds of Halloween festivities drifting faintly through the trees.

"...I want ordinary."

He smiles in a way I haven't seen before. Soft. Hopeful.

"So do I."

"Pumpkin carving."

He laughs.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Halloween movies?"

"Absolutely."

"Too much candy?"

"I already bought it."

He blinks.

"You planned for after."

"I had to."

"Why?"

"Because if I couldn't imagine a future..."

I squeeze his hand.

"...then we already lost."

Emotion flashes across his face before he quietly says,

"Then let's go earn that future."

We walk back into the clearing together. Sayer looks up immediately. He studies us for exactly two seconds before smiling.

"You two look less grumpy."

Rhett snorts.

"I wasn't grumpy."

"You were absolutely grumpy."

I laugh.