The family dinner ended peacefully as the evening settled over Astoria.
Caelus and Sylvia thanked Victor and Elena for their hospitality.
Elena repeatedly reminded them to visit again soon, her hands still holding Sylvia's warmly as they stood by the door.
Victor jokingly told Caelus not to keep such a wonderful girlfriend waiting too long before proposing. Sylvia smiled shyly hearing this while Caelus laughed helplessly.
They waved goodbye before leaving the house together, the warm glow from the windows following them down the street.
They hailed a taxi back toward Long Island City.
New York after the Rift invasion looked different now as they drove through the streets.
Construction drones and workers began clearing debris from collapsed buildings. Military vehicles slowly withdrew from several streets, their presence no longer needed.
Although traces of destruction remained visible everywhere, the city was steadily returning to normal after the chaos.
