Chapter 10: Revival

"It's been so long since I've come here," Jin sighed.

He and the kids stood before their old abandoned home. He dug out his old keys and unlocked the door, leading them inside. Nami sneezed almost immediately as they walked along, the thick layer of dust that had developed rising into the atmosphere with each step.

"You know, if you don't count the creepy feeling and the dust, it really hasn't changed much," Alex observed.
"Optimism isn't really your thing, bro," Nami scoffed, "Dad, you really let it go…"
"Well…it's been hard to return here," Jin sighed, "At least it's better in here than outside."
"You -really- need some fertilizer, dad," Alex sighed.

Jin shook his head and led them up to his room.

"Believe me, I could never maintain it," he sighed, "This place won't be seeing much revival without Rei's hands, that's for sure."
"You could do it, dad," Nami protested, rushing under his arm as he opened the door and jumping up in front of him, "Mom's not the only one can run a farm!"
"Yes, you're right," Jin agreed, patting her head, "Alex could probably do it, too."
"DAD!"
"He's kinda right, Nami."
"Shove it, Alex!"

Jin chuckled and threw his arm around her, leading her into the room. They looked around slowly, the eerie feeling lingering high in the air. All of Jin's books still lined the book cases. All of Rei's photographs still adorned her vanity and night stand. Alex looked over them all, knowing that while things couldn't have possibly changed, he'd simply expected them to. That's just what he thought should happen after such a long absence. He just couldn't bring himself to think of this old house as so empty and still. Nami had similar thoughts, her own poking around the room revealing she was just as off-guarded as her brother.

"It's weird, isn't it?" Jin asked, reading their looks, "This place always had visitors. Animals. It was always so busy…"
"So weird…" Alex murmured.
"Let's go to our room!" Nami announced firmly, breaking their conversation and bolting back downstairs. Jin and Alex shrugged and followed. She opened the door to the room she used to share with her brother and walked to her bed. The same pink and white sheets still covered it. They had little sheep on them.
"My old race car sheets," Alex laughed, shaking his head, "Ugh, childhood…"

Nami opened her old toy box. Tons of coloring books and assorted crayons lined the bottom. Animal figurines. Dolls. Her eyes widened in shock.

"I didn't even realize I had so many toys," she murmured, picking up one of the old dolls and observing it, "I don't even remember this one."
"Your mom didn't know too many of your interests, aside from the books," Jin explained, kneeling down beside her, "She'd pick up these little things all the time. She hoped to see you play with some of them, to get a clue. She really only managed to strike gold with the coloring books, though."
"I barely remember those."
"Yeah. You grew out of them really fast. Before you should have, honestly."

Alex snuck a peek too, then scowled and reached in.

"This was my pig," he grunted, "I looked for this for a month after we moved."
"I didn't take it," Nami muttered.
"I think you did."
"Why would I want a pig?"
"It's little and pink. Why else?"

Jin watched in silent, hopeless awe as his two children bickered over a small plastic pig. Unable to deal with it anymore, he stood and walked around aimlessly, taking in the sights, remembering all the little stuffed animals and small things he and Rei had bought to decorate their room. He chuckled lightly as he took a big plush sheep off Nami's old dresser, and he remembered how Rei was so convinced that her daughter would grow to adore sheep.

But it had always been Alex. Her daughter, unfortunately, simply wasn't born with a passion for farming, nor did she have a particular touch with animals, aside from one…

"Have you kids seen Rosie yet?" he asked.

Nami and Alex immediately ceased their argument, and the former's face exploded into a wide grin.

"More than just seen her, dad!" she announced.

Minutes later, they were in Flute Fields again. Nami brought Rosie out, saddled and all, and pulled herself on top of her with ease.

"Watch, dad," she said proudly.

She and Rosie tore across the fields. Jin watched proudly, applauding as she skillfully guided Rosie through the tall grass. He glanced to Alex, who glanced back and winked. His smile grew even larger, and he gently nudged his son in the arm.

"That's my boy," he whispered, returning the wink.

They watched Nami ride, her hair flowing out behind her like a cape, and she looked like a superhero flying. She pulled to a halt in front of them and hopped right off, doing a little twirl when she landed, unable to help showing off just a little for her already proud father. He scooped her up and spun her around more, and they laughed until they fell to the ground, the world spinning around in their dizzy eyes. Alex sat beside them, ruffling his sister's hair.

"I finally learned…" she panted, giggling.
"I'm proud," Jin murmured, petting her hair and throwing his arm around Alex, "of both of you…"

He brought them both into a tight hug. Rosie neighed gently, and she playfully nudged Jin's back. He and the kids got back on their feet, and he walked over to the horse, throwing his arms around her.

"You beautiful girl," he whispered, "I'm sorry I don't come to see you more often…"

Nami moved up beside him, petting Rosie's flowing mane. She gently tugged at his sleeve.

"You should ride again someday, dad," she said, grinning.
"I may," he whispered, smiling, "Though I was never very good…"
"Alex can teach you."
"From what I've seen, he'd teach me well."

They smiled and lay in the grass at Rosie's side. The sky was clear and bright, the sun almost seeming to smile down at them.

"So how did you two occupy yourselves?" Jin asked, "You mentioned visiting others?"
"Luna, Candace, Anissa, Kathy, Renee, Granny Shelly…" Nami listed off, counting them on her fingers.
"Anissa…?"
"She was the fun one," Alex muttered sarcastically.

Jin cocked a brow.

"What did they tell you?" he asked.
"Everyone said you'd gone reclusive," Alex said, plucking grass out of the earth, "Said you were sad, quiet, didn't open up to anyone…"
"They told us mama had a lot of secrets," Nami continued, petting Rosie, "We were trying to piece things together. Alex was the one who figured out that…well, things might not be mama's fault."
"Was he, now?"

He pat Alex's head and smiled.

"I'm sorry you kids had to wait so long," he sighed, "Samson had broken his leg, so I stuck around for a few extra days to help him out. It was mostly just to help him adjust, but a free getaway was kind of nice, too…"
"We understand, dad," Alex said.
"Yeah, totally," Nami agreed, "It's not like you knew we were coming."
"Still…"
"You needed the time away, dad," Alex sighed, "Don't apologize. It's okay."

Jin nodded and looked to Nami.

"I'm sorry you had to find things out through others," he said.
"It's okay," she said, "Looking back, playing detective was kinda fun, and it was nice to see everyone. Speaking of…"

She eyed Alex mischievously.

"Are you gonna say goodbye to little Miss Vivian?"
"No…"

He turned away from them, curling himself into a ball.

"I don't want to hold her back," he murmured, absentmindedly playing with his scarf, "I've put her through enough. I don't want her to think she needs to wait for me…"
"Wait wait wait…" Jin said, sitting up, "You and Vivian?"
"They kissed," Nami announced.
"She kissed me…"
"Alex…"

Jin gently nudged his shoulder. He turned back over, his face gloomy.

"If she loves you, she will wait for you," he said, smiling, "That's what people do for the ones they love. They wait. It's worthwhile…"
"I just don't want to force it on her," Alex sighed, "and…"

He buried his head into Rosie.

"…I don't want to say goodbye…"

Nami crawled over to him and hugged him.

"Sorry, bro," she whispered.
"It's fine, it's fine," he murmured, shaking his head.

They chatted until the sun began to set. They returned Rosie to her barn and walked back to Jin's home, still chattering happily along the way. When they reached his home, he looked in the mailbox. Sure enough, he saw the telltale envelope that would contain Rei's instructions. The kids caught the vibe and immediately went silent, and he gazed back at them sadly.

"Well…shall we?"

He led them inside and they sat at the table. He opened the letter and read it over.

"I need to have you at the pier by eight," he said, "Your mother's friend will be waiting. We can't be late. She needs you home before Ren's lookout returns."
"Where was he?" Alex asked.
"Don't know, but she learned she wouldn't be watched this week," Jin explained, "That's why she took the chance and sent you kids off. But if you're gone when he returns…"
"He'll know exactly where to look," Nami finished solemnly.

She walked over to him, gently throwing her arms around him and giving him a tight hug.

"I don't want to leave," she whispered, "but if it means keeping my Papa safe, I'll deal with it for as long as I have to."

Jin was silent for a moment, then slowly embraced her, smiling as proudly as any father could.

"My dear daughter…you've grown up so well…"

=^x^=

They watched the boat pull in together. Jin stood between his children, one arm around each, their bags sitting by their feet. Once docked, the boat's owner sauntered out, and he limped onto the pier. He looked them over with old, tired eyes.

"Jin," he said, nodding, "Hope you enjoyed the week."
"We did," Jin replied, nodding respectfully, "We're very grateful to you. Without you…"
"Aw, save the grovelin' old boy," the old man said, chuckling lightly and waving his hand at him, "Rei is a special girl. Any favor for her family is my pleasure."

He reached into his long coat and pulled out an envelope. He handed it to Jin and tipped his hat.

"Say your goodbyes and get on board, you two," he said, buttoning the long coat up, "Not that I wanna rush a good family reunion, but our schedule's tight."
"Thank you, sir," Nami said, bowing her head.

He grunted out a small laugh and walked back onto the boat. Jin slowly knelt down, his eyes level with hers. She hugged him, the tears already spilling down her cold and rosy cheeks.

"I love you, Papa…" she whispered.
"I love you too, Nami…"
"I promise I'll be better…"

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. He rubbed her back and rested his head atop hers, holding himself together as well as he could.

"How you are is fine," he said softly, kissing the top of her head, "Nobody can tell you the right way to feel, or the right way to be. Just be you."
"I know…but I think I can at least tell Mama I love her…"
"I think that would be a very good thing…"

She gently pulled back and smiled at him. She missed seeing the warmth in her father's eyes, missed the praise, missed the absolute certainty he always had in her. He held her hands in his, felt the tears coming. She gently wiped one away from his eye.

"We'll come back soon, Papa," she said confidently, "I promise. We'll find a way."
"I know you will…"

He gave her one final hug. She kissed his cheek and moved back a little, giving Alex his time. Jin stood and turned to face him, holding out his arms and inviting him into a hug. Alex jumped into him, holding him tight, feeling his own eyes growing heavy as he realized how much he already missed his father.

"It'll be okay…" Jin whispered, ruffling his hair, "It'll all be okay."
"I know, dad…I know."

He took a few deep breaths, composing himself.

"I am so proud of you, Alex," Jin whispered, "You've become such a strong young man. Stronger than I could ever hope to be."
"Dad…"
"I don't lie, son. What you've taken on, what you've done for your sister, for your mother, is very special. You have done so much for a family that has made so many mistakes…"

He looked his son in the eye, his hands on his shoulders.

"Every day, I wish I could be there for you and your sister, and it pains me beyond all else to know that I've been absent. What helps me sleep at night is knowing that I have raised two wonderful children, and that my son is not only protecting his younger sister, but raising her as well as I could have ever hoped to. I look at you, and I see this young man who managed to grow up so well and so strong."

He patted his shoulders and smiled.

"I see so much of your mother in you. I see somebody who dealt with a dreadful hand and refused to crumble beneath it."
"It's not all her," Alex murmured, "You taught me a lot, dad. Family always came first for you. I can't do anything in life without considering Nami and mom."
"I am glad…because that is the mark of a brilliant young man, and I am so proud to call him my son…"

Alex smiled and hugged him again.

"Love you, dad," he murmured.
"I love you too, Alex…"

He patted him on the back.

"Just keep hanging in there, dad. We'll figure it all out. We're not going to go so long without a visit again. I promise."
"Just be safe, Alex."
"We will. I promise."
"You keep hanging on too…I know this has been hard. I know it's a constant test. But I know you can do it."
"I will, dad. For us."

They parted, eyes welling up with tears. Alex held out his hand, and Nami took it, giving her father one last kiss before she was led onto the boat. Jin silently watched them board, watched the boat move away from the pier and drift along the current, slowly disappearing into the horizon. He watched and waved until his children were nothing more than silhouettes in the mist, and he fell to his knees on the pier when they were gone, that wonderful euphoric feeling of togetherness slowly drifting away as the realization crashed down upon him.

For a little while, he simply stayed there, shaking as the tears finally forced themselves out. Already, he longed to see their faces again, to talk more with them, to watch them ride through the fields as if they were flying. Already, he missed their hugs, their warmth, his daughter's little kisses, his son's smiles. For a little while, he couldn't stand, and he remained a pitiful crying lump on the pier.

But he couldn't stay that way forever.

He didn't know how long it had been, but he slowly dragged himself to his feet and dried his eyes. He stared back at the water, reaffirming their absence. He clutched his jacket against a rush of cold air and felt the letter gently scratch against him, reminding him of its presence. He took it out and opened it, moving under one of the street lights so he could see.

My darling Jin,

I wish I could have given this time to you sooner. I know it was brief, but I hope the three of you were able to enjoy yourselves. I hope your time was happy, that you managed to reconnect, maybe even have a few laughs. Most of all, I hope you have seen for yourself how wonderful our children still are. They are both growing up so beautifully, despite it all. It's you, Jin. It's all you. You are the hope that helps them get through each day, and what helps me get through each day, as well. I wake up every morning not just for them, but for the day that I can come and see you again.

I miss you. I miss you so dearly. I am almost jealous of my children, but I can't bring myself to be. The three of you needed this. I can wait for their sake, for yours…

I promise…I am doing all I can. Every day, I am coming just a little bit closer. Planting seeds, making small moves that will eventually point Ren in the opposite direction. It's a slow process…

But I promise, I will succeed.

Jin, my love, please don't stop being the beacon of hope for our children. Keep going. Keep living. Even apart, we will still work together to keep this family strong.

I love you, my dear.

Thank you…

Thank you for remaining faithful and strong to someone like me, who has put you through so much pain. Thank you for being so strong for our children.

Thank you for being you

All of my love, Rei

He read it a few times. He thought of his beautiful wife, how sad she must have been writing this letter. He thought of her delicate face, her lovely eyes, how long her hair must be now. He thought of waking up beside her, thought of their old bed, their old room, their old home…

He pocketed the letter and walked back to their old house. He dug the keys out and walked over to the old shed where Rei kept all of her supplies. He opened it up, his eyes rolling over the tools, the bags of feed and fertilizer, the numerous seeds stowed away. He picked up a few of the tools in his hands. They were heavy, yes, but it wouldn't be impossible…

He looked back out over the old farm. He thought back to sunnier days, when all had been so warm and green and colorful. Spring was only a few months away. Perhaps, by then, he could have this place just a little more fertile. Perhaps, by then, it could reclaim some of its former beauty.

He left the shed and locked it. He walked into the barn, gazed at the empty feedboxes, and thought of how nice it would be to have a few animals again. He missed brushing the cows, missed playing with the sheep Rei so adamantly thought Nami would adore, and he really missed the horses. He missed little Rosie.

He wondered if Rosie would want to come home, as well.

Finally, he walked into the house. It seemed just a little brighter now that it finally had some visitors. He ran his fingers along the surfaces and thought of how just a day's work could bring a little happiness back. He would have to take care of this place, first. The house, then the fields, then finally the barn and coop. It was all doable, he was sure of it.

He walked upstairs and to his old bed. He sat down on Rei's side and picked up one of her photographs. It was taken the day Nami was born, the first day they finally became a family. He sat beside her on the couch, Alex in his lap. Nami lay asleep in her mother's arms, so tiny and pink. It was one of the few pictures where Nami was in her arms and not his. He smiled and hoped that tonight, Rei would hold her daughter again.

As he departed from the farm, he felt revived. The past six years had left him empty, mentally and physically. They had left him hopeless and depressed, the thought of seeing his family a mere dream that ended each morning when he awoke.

But he had seen them. He had held them. And they still loved him, still longed for better days as much as he did. The desire burned bright within them all.

And that's why tomorrow, he would start reviving his old home. When they returned, he wanted them to come to their home, their wonderful home that he and Rei had built from the ground up. He wanted his kids to sleep in their own rooms, for his wife to sleep in his arms in their old bed. He would make it happen.

It was a promise.

-The End-

Author's Note: Hey guys…so to those of you reading this, you've reached the end of my story. I hope it's been an enjoyable read for those of you who have granted it your time, and I hope it's a worthwhile end~

To those who enjoyed this, there will be two other stories. Next will be Path of Sorrow, which I will probably start in a few weeks after A Song for Lyric is finished, and maybe I do another story in between. I'm toying with a few more ideas, so who knows what I'll end up with…

For anyone interested, though, Path of Sorrow is going to take place when Rei is forced to leave Jin, and it will document the challenges that they and their children face right after the move. I'm not completely sure on how it will be structured yet (I haven't even planned it out as of yet) but I am excited to continue and finish this trilogy.

So I promise it won't be long~

Finally, in closing, thank you to those who have read and reviewed this. You guys have kept me going, and I am so happy to share this story with you all, whether you simply stopped by once or many times, whether you reviewed or not. Just having a little of your attention truly means the world to me, and I hope at least one of you can walk away from this story with a smile, and maybe you'll come back and re-read it someday and smile again…

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I hope to see you all again soon~

-Serif