EPILOGUE

>Mother!> I hear my son calling me from across the yard, >Mother, Grandfather is here.> I see them coming form a distance, my son racing in front of the older man. We're celebrating my daughter's natal day. She is three. I can't believe that it has been that long ago since I ran from my first wedding. I look at my nine year old son and my little daughter and I wonder what could have been. It all could have been different…

>Mother, we can start, we can start. Where's dad?>

>I don't know, go find him,> I shoo him off and watch him run top speed to find his father. I chuckle a little to myself.

>That kid is a little firebrand, he is.> I hear a voice behind me and I turn my stalks toward the sound.

>He gets it honestly. How are you Alloran?>

>Good, good. And how are you?>

>Couldn't be better.> I watch my husband and son race each other across the yard. Karrass comes to a stop, but Caysath runs another lap around us. Bannon toddles out in the company of my parents, sister and brother, >Grampa,> she calls.

We all meet with a laugh. It's my sister's turn to get married and my parents have decided to go a different route with her than they went with me. She knows her affianced, she even chose him herself. My parents forgave me for eloping. It took them until I told them that I was pregnant with my son. We're all on good terms with each other now.

>Can we start now?> Caysath asks for what feels like the millionth time.

>YES> we chorus, and then laugh at ourselves.

If feels good having my family about me.