Epilogue

They were preparing to get ready to send Frankie off to university five years later. Aaron and Emily were so proud she'd got into Yale. She was going to study psychology and she was hoping to specialise in psychological therapy for the deaf. It was her dream to be a psychological therapist to the deaf and help other deaf people as she knew what it felt like. She'd also helped her father when he lost his. They were so proud of her ambition.

They'd flown to New Haven yesterday to take her to Yale. They'd take her as a family to leave her there. She was going to stay in student accommodation. She was looking forward to meeting her roommates but a little nervous about leaving her family. She'd gotten used to being deaf now she had been for six years. She still found it hard to make new friends though.

Emily woke up by her husband and smiled at him. He looked so beautiful asleep. She looked at the clock and saw they had an hour till breakfast. She kissed him and he woke up.

An hour later they were sat in the breakfast room eating as a family. They'd managed to find a table for six. They'd brought all of the children with them so it would be a proper send-off. They'd just drive her to university; take her to her dorm then leave so she would have the independence she wanted. They had to let their little girl grow up.

Soon they were in their rental car and driving towards Yale. Aaron was driving while Emily navigated. Emily remembered the way from her time at university. She was so proud her daughter had got into the same university. She knew she'd be making Julie and Michael really proud too. They'd be looking down at their only daughter in pride.

Frankie felt nervous as they drove through the gates, it was finally happening. She was really going to university. She really was about to start at one of the top universities in the country. She was so nervous about making new friends and living without her parents, fourteen year old brother, five year old brother and five year old sister. She was going to be on her own at university. Would she make new friends who accepted her disability?

When they parked Aaron opened the trunk and took out her luggage while Emily took her to get her key and find out which dorm she'd been allocated. Emily patted her arm as they did so to show she supported her. Frankie smiled at her slightly and Emily pulled her eighteen year old daughter close to her. She couldn't believe eighteen years had passed by already since she first met her and was made her godmother. Every day she and Aaron still felt so blessed to have her in their lives and she still inspired him with the strength she showed daily coping with the loss of her hearing.

They headed back to Aaron and led him and the other three children to her dorm room. When she got there she saw her roommate was already there.

"Um, we'll get going," they said feeling a little awkward.

She hugged her mother close to her then her father and siblings. "I'll miss you all," she said biting back her tears.

"We'll miss you too, sweetheart," Aaron answered then hugged her and looking at her face again added, "We're so proud of you."

"Thanks," she smiled up at him and Emily nodded.

Pepper hugged her legs tight and Frankie crouched down by her five year old sister. She stroked her hair and smiled at her sadly.

"Pepper, it's going to be alright. Chip and Jack are still at home," she said gently.

"But they're boys," she signed so the boys couldn't hear her. She'd been raised to know sign language since she started speaking. It was natural to her as they'd taught her so young due to Frankie.

"You've got your friends and mummy," she signed back.

"I want you."

"I'll Skype every now and again and you'll be able to see me then and at the end of term."

She nodded and then they all left.

"Alanna," her roommate said offering her hand.

"Frankie," she smiled shaking it.

"So your sister's deaf?"

"No I am."

"I'm sorry," Alanna signed.

"Simple mistake," she signed back smiling. "You know sign language?"

"My best friend's deaf," she informed her.

She smiled slightly and nodded knowing everything was going to be alright. She'd already made friends with her roommate. Alanna accepted her deafness and even knew sign language. They already got along really well and she hoped it would stay that way.