I look up at the stars and wonder, as I have many times before, where Jake and the others are. They have been gone nearly two years ago on a hijacked Yeerk ship. Have they found Ax and the Blade ship? Is he still alive? Are they safe? Will I ever see them again? Should I have gone along?
I miss them all deeply but especially Jake. It's not that I'm not happy. I am and I really do love Ronnie. I wouldn't have married him if I didn't. I love Rachel too, even if I have to take time off from work to take care of her. She such a sweet child and so well behaved, well as well behaved as six week old infant can be. I've moved on and found happiness. Of course, I'll always be Cassie the Animorph but I'm someone else too. I'm a government employee, a wife and a mother.
I know my place is here on Earth protecting the Hork-Bajir and their freedom. Even Jake said so. Yet I can't help but worry about my friends and wonder what would have happened if I had gone along. I've fallen in love again and married but I still remember what existed between Jake and I and wonder if we could have patched things up and started over. I will always miss him and wonder but our love is behind me now.
Rachel is crying. I turn away from the stars and go back inside.