Epilogue
Fifteen months later…
Dalisay grinned at Aaron as he handed her a container with a sandwich and apple slices, and a water bottle. She slid them into her backpack and shouldered it.
“I’m about to burst with pride,” he said. His blue eyes twinkled, and he didn’t quit smiling.
So she wasn’t alone. It’d been a long road, but here they were at their house in Moore. She was going to her first day of paramedic school. After a lot of research and soul-searching, the decision had been surprisingly easy. Maybe nursing school was still in her future, but the excitement of field medicine couldn’t be ignored, neither could the convenience of the location of the program at MCC.
Aaron walked her out of the house. They’d been back in America for almost nine months. After they’d arrived, they’d filed the paperwork for moving Ina over. She had arrived a few months after them and lived in the spare room Aaron had used before they were married.
Aaron’s parents still lived in the basement. Dalisay liked having them around, especially since Lori had made huge gains in her mental health. She smiled easier, and she even emerged from the basement every day. A year ago, she’d started her own small interior design business, growing it slowly. It’s more of a hobby, she’d say, but Dalisay thought it was an important step in her treatment.
Dalisay’s first summer in Moore had only cemented her growing love and dedication to her new home. When the fields ripened, and the ditches and trees were green and blooming, it was breathtaking—and warm. Still, there was a special serenity in winter that she enjoyed while it was there.
Aaron had dove back into work, but not until after their wedding reception, and not like before. His dad split his time between helping Aaron and doing the part-time farmhand work for Lucas.
She and Aaron had crossed some formidable hurdles to get to this point, but they’d done it together. Peejong and Sally had kept them both busy, but Aaron had said it was pure enjoyment—all the fun of farming with none of the responsibility.
And the guy Peejong had tried setting her up with had gotten married and had a kid on the way by the time she and Aaron flew to the States.
Aaron opened the door to her new SUV, a hybrid but with four-wheel drive. She deposited her items inside, her belly flipping at the task of walking into a new school.
“Nervous,” Aaron asked, attuned to her.
“A little. First day jitters.”
Ina hurried out the door. “Oh good. I didn’t miss you.” She wrapped Dalisay in a big embrace. “He gave you the lunch I packed, right?”
Dalisay chuckled. Ina was healed, with only a few remaining aches. She refused to sit still, and the house had never looked better. Between her cleaning and Lori’s talents, the place was updated and homey. Meals continued to be rotated among all of them under the same roof, but with the boys in college, Dalisay ended up cooking at least once a week and Ina picked up the extras.
“I’m gonna be in the field all day,” Aaron said. “But I’ll be back to hear how your day went.”
“It’s harvest season. You don’t have to.”
He smiled. “I can work late every other day. This one is special.” He glanced at Ina. “We’re sending our girl to school.”
Dalisay gave her another quick hug. Ina scurried inside. The kiss from Aaron reminded her why she didn’t get a full night of sleep.
Worth it.
She hopped into her vehicle and pulled away. As she neared the end of the drive, Kami passed on the main road. She honked and waved.
Aaron’s relatives surrounded her, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She missed her extended family, but having Ina around meant more than the world to her. And they planned to fly back every winter during her school breaks.
When they had kids in a few years, their trips might dwindle, but Peejong had mentioned flying everyone out to visit once in a while. He was probably more interested in seeing Aaron’s farm than in seeing America. The two had grown close during Aaron’s time in Solano. The relationship seemed to take the edge off Sally’s interference in her life.
That bleak day in the airport when she thought she lost Aaron forever had ripped her apart. Her world had ended, and she’d only planned to exist and help her mother.
But now? Not only did she have Aaron, but she was surrounded by love and support. Life was richer than she’d ever imagined.
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~Marie
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