HOMECOMING:

The young couple went through immigration then waited to retrieve their car. Once they got their car out of the bowels of the large ferry, they were on their way……well once they filled the gas tank. They had a two and a half to three hour drive from Rosslare to the area surrounding Blarney. At first, their conversation flowed and they had much to talk about. However, the closer to Blarney they got, the more reserved Joe became. About 45 minutes before they got to their destination, Jess was afraid she had done something.

"Joe?"

"Hmm." responded a preoccupied Joe.

"Are you okay? You're very quiet all of the sudden."

With those words, Joe pulled the car over on the side of the road. He didn't say anything, he just looked straight ahead. Something was definitely wrong. Jess put his hand in hers and just held it lovingly. She decided it was best to let Joe speak first. They sat there for about five minutes, with only the sound of the engine in background.

"I'm scared Jess. I've been away so long…and I left on such a bad note, that I don't know if I can do this."

"Joe…they're your family. And regardless of what happened in the past, they will always be your family. And love of family is stronger than anything."

"I'm not so worried about my mom or my brothers and sisters…it's my dad. He was such an important part of my life growing up…and we shut each other out for the past four years…I don't know if we can repair our relationship. And I'm afraid, that I'm just throwing you into the middle of this mess."

"Joe, you're not throwing me into the middle of anything. And if anyone is prepared for family issues like this, it's me. I had to face my parents about football, about you…and look how it all turned out. You just see…the love of a family can fix many problems. It will just take time…time that you must be willing to spend."

"You're right…but it doesn't change the fact that I am scared to death. I feel like I am facing the demons of my past. However, being that it is Christmas, I have a feeling that my dad and I can put aside our differences, in order for those around us to have a wonderful holiday. I can't tell you how much I've missed my mum and siblings. I can't imagine how much they've changed. My sister Fiona is just a little bit younger than you. She and I used to be so close. Even when I was playing in all those tournaments and she was dancing, we always made time for each other. And then there's Moira, Ian, and Sean. Moira is 16 now, Ian is 14, and Sean 12. I'm glad that my mom has had them around, because I know my absence has been very hard on her. I have many fences to repair…"

"Joe, look at me." Jess requested quietly.

Joe turned and looked at Jess. His eyes were on the verge of tears.

"I understand that you have relationships to mend. And the sooner that you begin that process of reconciliation the better it will be for everyone, especially for you. As much as we don't always get along with our families, we will always need them…and sometimes this is one of the hardest lessons we ever learn. I will be there for you when you need me…that much I can promise you."

Joe took the hand that was holding his, and kissed it. He thought to himself, "How did I get so lucky?" Joe didn't say anything out loud for another few moments. He needed to compose himself, and Jess' presence made that so very easy. There was an aura about her, that made him feel so at peace.

"I suppose we should get going…" Joe said somewhat absently.

Jess smiled at him…a smile that was returned, and this time the smile reached Joe's eyes. And now it was time for Joe to lighten the mood. He did this as they pulled back onto the highway.

"Are you ready to meet the craziness that is the O'Sullivan family?" teased Joe.

"Can they be any crazier than my family?" laughed Jess in response.

"You'd be surprised. You haven't met my Uncle Seamus yet."

"Hmm…sounds mysterious, but then we all have a weird relative or two. I guess that is what makes families so interesting. Of course they should seem less bizarre to me than my family seems to you."

"I don't know about that. Wait until you hear my Uncles and Great-Uncles arguing with each other in Irish after dinner at Nana's. It's not a normal O'Sullivan family function without the men all trying to outdo each other."

"In Irish?"

"Yeah, the old native Gaelic language of Ireland…they tend to slip into Irish when they have had a bit too much to drink, and so that us kids don't understand what they're saying. Of course none of them realize that Nana taught us enough Irish growing up to know exactly what they're saying. Well at least Nana taught my siblings and I, and I assume she taught some of my cousins. However, we learned the most because she lives across the road from us. I can't wait to surprise the "old men" when I cut into their conversation…"

"So that sign there…'Nollaig Shona Duit' is that in Irish?"

"Yes."

"What does it mean? I can't tell you how many times I've seen that exact one, but have no idea what it means."

"It means 'Merry Christmas' so I suppose that's why you keep seeing that. There's a push in various parts of Ireland, as well as Scotland and Wales for that matter, to put road signs into the various Gaelic languages. Some areas this is common, such as in the highland areas of Scotland or out on the Islands, but the pushes start in the areas where there are strong Gaelic speaking populations. Did you not see the signs in Wales?"

"No, I was too tired…and excited about this trip."

"Well, we'll be going through Wales during the day when we return…so you'll have to check out the signs. I think they've have the strongest cultural push to get back to their roots. Just about every town in Wales has two names…their English name and their Welsh name. It's pretty cool, but even to me, Welsh makes no sense. Besides, I can speak Irish better than I can read it."

"That's pretty interesting. I actually look forward to hearing this great family argument then." laughed Jess.

Jess noticed that the car was slowing down. They made their turn off of the main highway. Jess was amazed by the beauty that surrounded them. It was like they stepped into the pages of a fairy tale. She saw the signs for the ever famous Blarney Castle…she sort of hoped that Joe would take her to kiss the stone. Eventually, they turned onto a quiet road. As they came around the bend in the road, Joe broke her silence.

"There it is."

In front of her, was a large stone house with a thatched roof and a cheery red door. There was what appeared to be a wreath of holly on the door, and simple candles in the windows. The outbuildings were neat, and set further back from the house. All in all the house had a sense of welcoming all who came to its door. Joe pulled up to the door.

"You ready?" Joe asked as he turned off the ignition.

"As ready as you are."

As they opened their car doors, the red door opened, and running out came a woman.

"Joseph Ciaran O'Sullivan…" the crying woman said as she pulled her son into her arms.

The other occupants of the house spilled out. All Jess could do was watch the scene unfold before her. Names were called out, and hugs given. Eventually the patriarch of the house greeted his prodigal son. He took one look at his son, and pulled him into his strong arms.

"It's nice to have you home son." the man was on the verge of tears, but he kept them under control.

"Patrick, let you son introduce his guest…I'm afraid we've been ignoring her." smiled a cheery Mrs. O'Sullivan.

"Jess," Joe said as he grabbed her hand, "This is my mum, Molly…my dad Patrick…my sisters Fiona and Moira, and my brothers Ian and Sean. Everyone, this is Jess."

"It is wonderful to finally meet you Jess, we have heard much of you since Joe said he was coming home. 'Jess'…is that short for 'Jessica' or something else?"

"No ma'am. My full name is 'Jessminder' but just about everyone but my parents call me Jess. Thank you for having me here…it is absolutely lovely here, I've never seen anything like it."

"Please, call me Molly…I feel old when people call me 'ma'am'…and if you think it's beautiful here, wait until we take you to explore the countryside. I take it that you've never been to Ireland have you dear?"

"No I haven't…and I can see I've been missing out. Unfortunately the only places I've been is England and America."

"Well after your few days here Jess, you'll never want to live anywhere else…oh, we Irish are a bit partial to Ireland, can you tell?" Molly said as she winked at this beautiful girl. "Oh dear, what are we all doing standing out here in the cold? Joe, Patrick grab the bags and let us get into the house."

The large group piled into the house. Love and laughter surrounded them, and Jess knew this was going to be a true homecoming for Joe…it would heal him, to degrees that none of them knew. Tea was poured and Christmas cookies shared.