"Well Leah... tonight's the big night. Are you ready to revisit your past?" Dr. Barlow asked as he and Leah were cleaning some of his medical instruments during a break. She expected the week to inch slowly with her fear swelling and her anxiety and anticipation steadily growing however, the week had flown by and before she knew it, Friday night's arrival soon came.

Leah's stomach churned at the thought of conversing with the Longacre family, specifically Ethan. The Longacre family had always been very polite and kind to me but there has always been a wall of distance separating me from them but it made sense since we were very two very different worlds, she thought. "Well... even if I wasn't ready, I don't have a choice now, right?"

"Yeah. I'm sure everything will run smoothly. You'll speak to Ethan... and everything will be put to rest and have a final and proper end. Tonight will be fine, there's nothing to worry about," said Dr. Barlow in response as he smiled kindly to her.

"I hope you're right Doc!"

He looked up at the clock and it said four o'clock. "Hmm... maybe you should leave now and get ready for dinner. It's going to take a few minutes to get there anyways and there's not much work left here so you should call it a day and go back to the house."

"Are you sure Doc? Because I can stay for a bit longer, it's not a problem!"

"Don't worry... go on now!" He began to make a shooing motion as Leah slowly gathered her things and went to her car.

When she drove up to the driveway, she was quickly greeted by Maxine. "Finally! I've been waiting for you since I got home! I was wondering when you were coming home to get ready for your big dinner... so what are you going to wear? Simple? Fancy? No wait... they're Amish... simple folk... What about -- What?" Her endless babbling and rambling was interrupted by Leah's overwhelmed look.

"Look Max... slow down now! It's just a normal dinner. I'm going to wear a pair of black jeans and a plain white t-shirt. That's it! It's not rocket science... just a dinner. We'll talk in my room. Come on..." They both walked into Leah's room as she began to wash up.

"So... is it going to be weird tonight? Facing your past?" Max sat down on the bed as began playing with the pillow Charity had made for Leah.

"I guess it would be... it's been four years of no communication and we left on very... very unexpected terms. But I think the faster I get through tonight, the faster everything to be put to a final end."

"Yeah... I'd be freaking out right now if I were you. I'd be so nervous and start pacing the room and become very paranoid."

"Thanks for the great advice." She laughed and began to brush the soft locks of her dark brown hair.

"I mean I, personally, would be freaking out. Not you! You're a pro! You'll do fine tonight. You have nothing to worry about." She smiled innocently, hoping she did not worry her friend.

They both laughed as Leah gave Max a hug and was out the door. She began to drive to the Longacre farm towards the past that has now become the present. Who said turning back time was impossible?

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"You did what?! Papa... but I do not understand. I thought you wanted me to stay away from the world of the English... away from Leah. Now you're telling me you've invited her to dinner tonight? I am confused." Ethan always wanted to please his father but this news went against everything he believed his father wanted.

"I want you to choose and live in the ways of our plain people but I do not want you to pursue a life when you're heart, mind, and soul belongs somewhere else. I want you two to talk and clear things up before we begin to make arrangements for you and Martha. By inviting her here tonight, I am not encouraging you to leave with her. Be clear of that," said Mr. Longacre sternly as he finished the last few chores for the day in the barn.

"Very well Papa." He nodded and returned to his work.

Before long, the men of the Longacre family were done their day's chores and were cleaning up for tonight's supper and the women of the house were busy cooking and preparing the food. When Charity's parents were focusing their attention away from her, she quickly ran out of the house towards to barn to talk to her older brother. "Mama told me about tonight. Is it true Leah is coming tonight for dinner?" It had been many years since she has seen her dear friend and she had greatly missed their talks together.

"Yes it is. Sister, I do not know what I should do. I feel like running away but my heart aches to see the gentle curves of her face and touch the soft surface of her arm." He sighed as he sat down on a nearby chair.

"I am sure you are confused right now but everything will clear up. You must be honest about your feelings and do not try to pretend anything."

"I will be honest. I could never pretend with her. I hope you are right sister."

"Right about what, dear?" With a sudden jolt to his mind, Ethan was shocked to see Martha walk in the barn.

"Oh nothing. What are you doing here tonight?" He suddenly realized what he had just said and quickly tried to cover it. "I mean... You look so beautiful tonight... you should be out!" He smiled unconvincingly as he swiftly flew a worried glance at his sister.

"Oh I just dropped by to see you. I would have thought your mama would invite me to stay for dinner but when I entered the kitchen, she almost looked like she was going to have a heart attack. And your father looked as if he was going to faint. It was very odd... is there something wrong, dear?"

"Oh no! My parents were probably surprised to see you because they weren't expecting you... that's all... sweetie." He smiled trying to look innocent as he glanced towards the door trying avoiding Martha's eye contact.

"Well okay then. I'll be off then. I'll see you later dear." She gave Ethan a quick kiss on the cheek and walked out of the barn.

Once Martha was well out of earshot, Charity let out a huge sigh of relief. "Ethan... if she stayed for dinner... well... you can imagine what would happen! I still don't understand why you're with her!"

"I wonder sometimes myself... but it is the right choice," he said but he had many doubts and questions about his relationship with Martha.

They talked for a few more minutes before they heard Elizabeth calling for them to come inside for supper. "Well sister... here goes!" And with a deep breath, Ethan began to walk towards the house with Charity quickly following.

Once Ethan entered the house, he was surprised but also, disappointed to see that Leah had not arrived. "Papa... I thought you said you invited Leah for supper..." He sat down between his father and Simeon.

"Yes Son, I did. It seems she is running late I --" Mr. Longacre was interrupted by the gentle knocking on their door. It was Leah. Charity quickly went to answer the door and hugged her friend immediately.

"It's great to see you again! I have so much to talk to you about! I simply cannot wait!" She had promised her brother that she would not keep in touch with Leah but seeing her again after all these years was too emotional for her to ignore. Both girls began to tear up as they hugged each other with laughs and smiles.

Once the girls finally let go of each other, Leah explained, "Sorry I'm late. When I was driving up to the farm, I bumped into Martha and I wanted to drive on because I didn't want to be late but Martha insisted on talking for a few minutes. I'm really sorry I'm late."

"It's quite alright Leah. It's good to see you again. Please have a seat." Mrs. Longacre came up behind her and smiled politely.

Soon the entire Longacre family plus Leah were eating quietly around the dinner table. There was little to no conversation as everyone ate, which was normal for an Amish family during a meal, Leah had learned after the first time she stayed for dinner when she working in Nappanee for the summer. However, this dinner seemed very tense and awkward. Leah tried to avoid everyone's eye contact, most of all Ethan's. Fortunately, she was comforted by Charity's smiles and encouragement to eat some more.

After dinner was finished, the men retired to the sitting room while the women began to clean up in the dining room and kitchen. Leah helped out but after a few minutes, Charity took her outside as they began to catch up with everything they've missed.

"Oh Leah! It's so good to see you again... it has been so long..." She smiled endearingly as she began to sit down on one of the steps on her back porch.

"It has... I would have written to you but I didn't know what to say... it became so complicated after everything... you know..."

"Yes... but how have you been? Are you still in school?"

"Oh yeah... I'm in college... studying to become a nurse."

"Wow! Molly must have influenced greatly but she was very kind to you when you were in the hospital... even to Rebekah! I'll never forget her thoughtfulness." Her eyes began to tear up at the thought of her late sister but held back her tears but it was evident that she was shaken.

Leah quickly put her arm around her and consoled her. "She's in a better place... she's happier watching over us..."

"Yes I know..." She sniffed and collected herself. "Don't worry... I've adjusted to not seeing her but once in awhile it'll get to me. I'll be fine."

"So what's new with you? Are you still with Jonas?"

Charity smiled and began to blush at the mention of Jonas' name. "We are engaged now."

"Wow! That's great! Congratulations! When's the wedding?"
"We're still unsure. Amish weddings usually take place during November or December... after the harvest when there is less work to do on the farm. However, it is too late now to make preparation for a wedding this year. So it will probably take place next year in the late autumn. I cannot wait until I am married to Jonas."

Leah could see the sparkle in her friend's eye and knew she was in love and very happy. "That's great to hear! I'm sure you two will be extremely happy!"

"Thank-you! You must come! You cannot miss it! Will you please come? It'll mean a lot to me."

"Of course I'll come! How could I miss it!" She smiled and was glad her friend still wanted her to be in her life after such a long time apart.

"But there's also something must happen before I can get married."

"Oh, what is it? Can I help?"

"Ethan is engaged to Martha... And..."

"He is? Oh... I never knew that..." After four years of not seeing him, she thought she had gotten over their love but her past came back to haunt her. With this news, her heart took another blow as her feelings began to go up and down on an emotional rollercoaster.

"But they're not REALLY engaged..."

"You just said they were though... They are or aren't? You're confusing me here..."

"Ethan has gotten baptized yet... he was close but something happened that stopped him. And now... Papa wants him to be baptized and he can make the engagement official. And Papa wants Ethan to be baptized before I get married to Jonas."

Leah wondered about what happened that made Ethan change his mind about not getting baptized but she didn't ask her friend, she didn't want to pry. "Oh... but why does he have to be baptized before you get married? His baptism doesn't affect you though..."

"Papa wants both of to have a double wedding... that's why."

"Oh... I see... Well... is he planning on getting baptized anytime soon?" She was very confused in her own thoughts and feelings.

"I don't know. He speaks very little about it."

Their conversation was cut short when the back door soon opened and Ethan appeared. "Charity, Mama needs your help with the dishes. Come back inside!"

"Oh! I've lost all track of time." She smiled and glanced at Leah as she said, "We will talk some more later. I need to help Mama now..." And she swiftly went back into the house towards the kitchen.

Leah stood up, planning to go back into the house when Ethan walked towards her. "Please Leah. Come take a walk with me... I want to talk to you..." Ethan's heart beat quickened to a million times per second as his nerves began to tremble frantically.

Here goes, Leah thought. "Errr... Okay. I guess we should talk."

They both began to slowly walk as they both prepared to have their talk.