A Proposal to Stay

Ivy

The leaves had started to drift lazily from the trees, as if the world itself was exhaling after a long, hot summer. The retreat had thinned out, only a few couples still lingering in the golden haze of autumn mornings. The main lodge was quieter now. No more scheduled activities. No more fake smiles. Just real moments.

Lake and Ivy sat on the porch swing of their cabin, bundled in a shared blanket, a thermos of cinnamon-spiced cider between them. The air was crisp enough ...