Welcome to my mudshipping fanfic about Isaac and Mia's relationship a year after the events of the first game and the events that transpire as they revisit places from their past. This is a continuation of my other mudshipping story "The Water and the Earth" (which can be found under my profile since I can't put a link here). I would suggest reading that story first if you haven't already done so, but I am making sure that this story makes complete sense on its own and can stand alone if you just want to read this. I hope you enjoy it!

I don't have anything for this story pre-written and will be updating it as I write it. It's highly unlikely that I'll be able to achieve anything close to the twice a week update schedule I stuck to on my last story, but I'll try to update as often as possible so check back to find out what happens next!

How to read dialogue in my stories:

- "Quote" marks means someone is speaking

- Italics indicate thoughts

Legal Stuff:

- I don't own Golden Sun or the affiliate characters

PROLOGUE

It was a cold winter afternoon in New Vale a year after the lighting of the final lighthouse and a soft layer of brilliant white snow coated the ground, making crunching noises as Mia slowly made her way home. She basically lived here now, sharing the house that belonged to Isaac and working in the town's sanctum, lending her healing powers to those in need of them as well as sharing her knowledge with the other healers. Healing minor injuries from construction accidents during the re-building of Vale was really nothing compared to the magnitude of injuries sustained by the group of adepts back when they had still been saving the world but she felt that she was contributing in her own small way.

Mia smiled as memories from their quest surfaced and she brought her hand up to admire the bronze and aquamarine ring she still wore and treasured. I can't believe how long ago all of it seems already… Mia smiled, allowing the pretty gem to catch the sun's rays and glow with azure light.

She sighed as she remembered all the friends she had made and the separate paths their lives eventually took. All of the adepts had stayed for the first few months to pitch in with the rebuilding effort and to get the town back on its feet, but after that some of the adepts went their separate ways. Sheba was the first to leave, claiming she had to get back to Lalivero and assure Faran that she was well. To nobody's great surprise, Felix elected to accompany her and spend some time in the city they were forced to rush through while lighting the lighthouses.

Ivan had left not long after that to visit his sister and become re-acquainted with his only hereditary family member, making sure to pay a visit to Kalay on the way. Piers left at the same time as Ivan in order to return to Lemuria and bring news of the completion of their quest to his king.

Ivan eventually returned to New Vale to study alchemy under Kraden while Felix and Sheba stopped by to visit as often as they could. Jenna and Garet were still around and had finally admitted their feelings for each other after literally years of dancing around the issue. Mia smiled as she thought about the pair. They were made for each other. Jenna's energetic and fiery personality perfectly complements Garet's bold demeanor…

And then there was Isaac. He was dedicated to helping to rebuild Vale as a way of apologizing for the damage caused by the completion of their quest and spent his days assisting in the craftsmen of New Vale. It had taken a while for the basic necessities the town needed to function to be built, but once they were, Isaac and Mia had moved into Isaac's new home together and had been living happily with each other over the months that followed.

Mia smiled, knowing that if she could be anywhere in Weyard she would have chosen this exact spot in order to spend her days with the boy she loved. The construction of New Vale was almost complete and though she had no idea what that meant for her, Mia knew she wanted to face the future with Isaac at her side.

She finally reached the house and opened the door, calling out to Isaac: "I'm home!"

Mia was greeted by a smiling Isaac who appeared around the corner and wrapped her up in a hug saying, "Welcome back." She felt her body relax in Isaac's arms as he kissed her softy on the check and asked her, "How was work at the sanctum today my angel?"

Mia giggled and rolled her eyes at the nickname he used, saying, "Thankfully nobody really got hurt today. I spent a lot of time speaking to Jenna and Garet when they came by to visit."

"Well that's nice. At least you weren't completely bored then," Isaac said. "We finished up the house we were working on early so I decided to make dinner tonight. It's ready whenever you feel hungry," he told her.

Mia smiled and pecked him on the cheek saying, "Thanks. Let's eat then."

The two enjoyed a pleasant meal together while discussing the plans they had to visit Mia's hometown of Imil in the next few weeks and wondering what had happened in the lives of their other friends that had already left Vale a while back.

Isaac explained that he had just a few more houses to work on before they took their trip and could finally spend some time together in Imil without the threat of the lighthouses looming over them.

The pair sat talking to each other about everything that had happened since the end of their quest, speculating about what all of their friends were up to these days, until the sun dipped below the horizon and it was time for bed.

Mia donned her favorite blue nightgown and slipped into bed next to Isaac, who wrapped her up in his arms, holding her close. Mia felt comfortable and safe while in Isaac's arms, just as she always had. He's always been there to comfort me and protect me from harm, she knew. A serene smile graced Mia's face as her eyelids closed and she thought about the boy she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, who even now, held her in his loving embrace.

Isaac…

If you asked me to marry you…I'd say yes.

And so it begins. This kind of story that occurs after the events of the games is completely new territory to me, so I would appreciate any kind of feedback from readers to help me improve and motivate me to write more!