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Riley

I fold the letter back into thirds, careful to match each crease up, and slip it back in its envelope. Then I pull the envelope I have for her out from under my towel.

She smiles and holds it to her heart for a moment before opening it and reading it. I know every word I wrote.

Dear Riley,

I’ve spent years trying to find the right path for these big old feet to follow. I’ve been all over the world, but nothing ever felt quite right. Somehow I always managed to feel that what I was doing was wrong, not good enough. No place felt like home.

Not anymore. Falling asleep with you in my arms, waking to your smile, walking next to you on the beach always feels right. Every step, every breath, every beat of my heart tells me that I’m finally in the right place. Home is wherever we are together.

All my love,

Lucas

She folds her letter away carefully, too, then rises up on her knees to give me a sweet, soft kiss on the lips.

“Ew!” Mason says. “You two are so lovey-dovey all the time. It’s gross.”

I tousle his hair. “Get used to it, Munchkin. This is how it’s going to be forever.”

“Forever?” He ducks away from my hand. “And seriously? Letters? On paper? Who does that anymore? You can just text. Or email.”

Both Riley and I laugh.

“You, sweet boy,” she says. “Have a lot to learn.”