On October 3rd, 412 days after Daphne decided to stay in Waning Bay, she and Miles prepare to host a housewarming gathering at their new fixer-upper cottage—an orange one two blocks from the green house with the same floor plan. Miles is shaving to impress Daphne's mother, Holly, and Daphne reflects on the home's quirks (broken doorbell, taped window, finicky power) but loves it anyway.

Daphne reflects on reconnecting with Sadie. After buying a book by Sadie's favorite author and finishing it tearfully, she wrote Sadie an old-fashioned letter. Sadie called immediately; they talked for hours, cried, and Sadie revealed she'd been engaged for two months and had felt pushed away. Their friendship is rebuilding slowly, and Sadie is set to visit next week. Daphne also notes her father has grown more settled with Starfire and is showing up more reliably.

Guests arrive: Ashleigh (newly back from Portugal with a romance, Afonso) and Julia (sans her red-flag date Ryan) bring espumante; Barb and Lenore bring apples and lavender; Holly arrives from the airport and warmly meets everyone; Harvey and Elda arrive last with cigars and a cheeseboard. Holly, tipsy on margaritas, tearfully thanks Harvey for caring for Daphne.

When Elda asks how Daphne and Miles got together, Miles wraps his arms around Daphne and begins, "Funny story . . . ," letting Daphne tell their origin story as she loves to do—closing the book on a note of chosen family, settled love, and a life Daphne built by staying.