Woaah, holy freak, I didn't think I'd get more than one review even if I was lucky! Thanks for the reviews, guys, it really means a lot to me! Sorry I haven't updated in like five million months, but I wasn't sure how to continue the story. I ended up on this, though. It's not my best, but it'll have to do.

Thanks again for the reviews! Cookies will be distributed xD and if you reply now, I'm giving away chocolate cake!

-Syra

1. To Go Back or Come Back

"Byeeeee, Akari! Bye Owen! Bye Hunter! Come back to visit!" "Don't forget to write!"

I waved stiffly back at my two elder siblings, Molly and Kasey, who had come to see us off. Owen placed one of his man hands on my shoulder, waving heartily with the other. To my side stood my only son, Hunter, waving timidly. He had never known Waffle Island, at least not like I did, and especially not like Owen did. The city had been his one and only home, and now he was leaving. Taking a trip out of his comfort zone for the remained, most likely, of his child and teen years. And why? He assumed it was both of us, both me and my husband.

But that was a lie. Not long after I had received a letter from Kathy was the idea planted in Owen's head. And that idea only grew with each day that came. The day we received the damned thing was only last week, and already I was being pushed to venture back to the land I had been desperately trying to forget for the past decade. Sure, I enjoyed hearing from my best friend. I hadn't spoken to her since we got on Pascal's ferry and left for the city. That was nearly ten years ago.

Waffle Island… the thought of the unknown little place brought back gloomy memories. Clips of moments that I didn't want to think of. I clenched my eyes shut tight.

"Akari, honey, what's wrong?" Couldn't Owen just look the other way for once? I thought. He meant well, yes, but sometimes, he just got on my nerves. But I never let on the fact that he did. "…I'm fine. I just can't believe that… I won't see my siblings for awhile." I looked up at him, a troubled expression spreading across his face. Then, it cleared, and he simply shrugged. "Whatever you say!" He grabbed Hunter's hand and led him to the front of the boat, obviously unable to contain his excitement of our coming back to his hometown.

I walked to the star of the ship where Pascal was steering and took a seat next to him. "A little uneasy, eh?" I nodded. "Well, you're probably just anxious. Or you just don't got any sea legs. You passed out when you first came here, remember?" His deep voice shook my insides. The scruffy, white-haired captain reminded me of my own grandfather. He always knew what I was feeling. Pascal was right, but only partially. I was anxious. But only because that returning to the island meant someone could probably find out my secret.

It wasn't hard to cover it up. Hunter looked very much like his father. The same peachy, reddish hair, and those violet blue eyes were unmistakably the same as the man's.

Owen had done a fine job of playing daddy for awhile, but it wasn't like he had to pretend. He truly believed that Hunter was his own.

But I knew otherwise. Chase, I could see him in my head now. Average height, skinny, strawberry blonde hair. The way he always wore hair clips, to keep his bangs out of his eyes while working. The faded apron he wore over his clothes while at work or in the kitchen. The scuffling of his sandals as he slowly meandered through the cobblestone pathways of Waffle Town, searching for something to do. And, like Hunter's, the piercing, strong violet hue of his eyes.

The way I loved him, so strongly and genuine, and he loved me – or so I had thought. The way I discovered his true feelings. And the way I had felt when I realized – I was carrying his baby.

My eyes teared up, and I turned away from the captain. "Um, excuse me. I'm tired… if Owen or Hunter asks, tell them I'm taking a nap." And with that, I headed quietly for our cabin below deck.

Coming back to Waffle Island wasn't going to be good for me, for Owen, for Hunter, and for Chase. I knew that when he took his first glance at our son, he would know. His eyes would narrow coldly, he'd tense up and walk away. If he got me alone, he'd lash out. Yell.

Oh, Goddess. What the hell was I getting myself into?

xxx

"Land ho!"

Well, this was it. No turning back now.

I had been regretting caving into Owen's wishes for the past week. The horror and fear had been gnawing away at my insides for the past forever. Shit, shit, shit.

I ascended the stairs back up to the main deck, shielding my eyes from the glaring sun from above. It was only the mere beginning of Spring, and already it was painfully hot. I took my place in between my husband and son, murmuring a soft apology. "I was feeling a little out of balance and tired." Owen flashed a knowing smiled. "It's probably just your nerves. Pascal even said that you don't fancy sea travel."

Well, wasn't that the truth? Late afternoon had crept up upon the island, so the bar would probably just be opening, which meant Chase would be beginning his shift. And lucky for us, that was where we were staying until our house got put back into order.

It's a wonder what a ten-year hiatus could do to a home.

Owen easily grabbed our luggage, working his muscles. I thanked Pascal, and Hunter just slipped by without a word.

"Now, uh, I haven't told anyone you're here. I figured you'd want to surprise them. I told Colleen and Jake to keep it a secret. Alright, see you young people around."

The trek from the harbor to the Sundae Inn wasn't long, not that it would have mattered to Owen – he was a natural muscle man – and before I knew it, we were in front of the very same place.

It looked just like it had ten years ago. Tall, faded and colorful. Owen put our suitcases down and glanced down at me, a grin covering his entire face. "Ready? One… two…three…!" Here goes… He threw the doors open, picked up our stuff again and strode inside, me right next to him and Hunter behind us.

"Hello, and welcome to the Sundae Inn and Bar. Can I he- OH MY GODDESS!" A shrill shriek came as our greeting, and I could identify the source in my sleep. Kathy ran up to us, embracing Owen briefly and then tackled me to the floor. "Kathy!" I screamed happily with her, unable to stop my huge smile. "And my favorite nephew Hunter!" She noticed him behind me, bringing him into a big hug. Hunter shyly returned it, not one for showing emotion. Heck, if I even kissed his head goodnight he'd clam right up.

"Oh my Goddess! Akari! I didn't know you guys were coming back! Oh, that's what Jake and Colleen must have been talking in hushed tones about! I can't believe you're here! How long are you staying? Did you know they're fixing you're house back up? I've missed you so so much!" It all came as a jamble, making me laugh.

"KATHY! We get it. Neither can I! I missed you so much too! And, to be honest… we're moving back! That's why they're fixing my house, idiot. Duh." I flicked her head affectionately.

"Hey! What's with all this noise out here?" Out of the kitchen came Yolanda, queen chef of the Inn. An annoyed expression was written across her face, but when her eyes set on us they brightened. "Akari! Owen! Hunter!" Owen shook her hand but then drew her back for a bear hug. I gave Grandma Yolanda a hug, but she had to embrace Hunter herself.

Then out came Colleen and Jake, more reserved but still filled with joy due to our arrival. "Hey, how have you guys been?" Owen went over to talk to them while Kathy ushered me to a table. I took Hunter's hand and we sat down.

"Akariii! So much has changed! Ugh, I've missed you so much!" "So you've told me." We both chuckled.

I felt a tug on my sleeve. "Mommy, it's so loud in here… who are all these people?" I gave Hunter a sweet smile. "Honey, you were born in this town. They're all my old friends." "Old? Who are you calling old?" Kathy teased from across the table.

"How am I supposed to sleep with all this noise?" A starry-eyed Maya came out from the back room. The room I discovered … They were probably back there just now. Spooning. Pathetic. "Hi, Maya." I never knew the girl that well, but I knew her enough to know she had had a huge crush on Chase, and was a horrible cook. "Oh, hi, Akari..!" She was still as airheaded as ever. "Hi there, Owen. Long time no see!" She glanced at the boy sitting next to me. "Oh, is this your son, Hunter? He's so cute." Hunter's cheeks reddened profusely, earning a giggle from me. "Hmm, that's weird. He looks a lot like …" I tensed, blood curdling strongly in my veins. Shit, she had noticed already? It hadn't been five minutes since she came from the back. "Well, that's probably just a coincidence. Maybe I just miss him too much…" She gazed at literally nothing. What a ditz. "Oh, Maya, honey, Chase will be back working soon. Don't you worry." Colleen came over and rubbed her daughter's back.

Well, that had definitely caught my attention. "Am I missing something?" Colleen and Maya turned their attention back to me. "Oh, no big deal. Chase went back to the city, studying more culinary I suppose. But he did say he was looking for someone important."