CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIX - UNEXPECTED FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Outside the restaurant, as they said their final goodbyes, Jake pulled Mason into a bear hug. "Don't be a stranger, okay? And bring this beautiful family of yours to visit us sometime." Mason nodded, his eyes suspiciously bright. "You got it, man. And hey, thanks for... well, everything." As they walked back to their hotel, Henry sleeping peacefully in his carrier, Claire slipped her hand into Mason's. "That was nice," she said softly. "Seeing you with Jake, hearing those stories... it's like I got to see a whole new side of you." Mason squeezed her hand. "Yeah, it was pretty great. You know, when we started this trip, I thought it was all about showing Henry the world. But I'm starting to think maybe it's just as much about us discovering new things – about ourselves, about each other." Claire leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked. "I think you might be right. And you know what? I can't wait to see what we discover next." As they reached the hotel, the stars twinkling ov