Five Years Later:

Ana was cooking supper. On the stove were sugar snap peas and rice with sautéed mushrooms. In the oven, a chicken was baking. A pie she made for dessert cooled on the windowsill. Hopefully Jaren hadn't sneaked a taste when she wasn't looking.

"Jaren, Mara, dinner is almost ready." She yelled out the door of her small, white house. "Get cleaned up good, your father will be home soon."

A three-year-old with braids in her silvery hair came running through the door. Her brother trailed behind her.

"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy's here! Daddy's here!" She shouted excitedly.

Ana smiled as she finished pouring drinks. Then she greeted her husband with a tender kiss at the door.