Epilogue

At Jeff’s request, Rebecca and Ray flew to New York City to be married.

Though she and Ray discussed a no frills wedding, Rebecca was surprised and pleased at the effort her son put into ensuring the opposite. Her dress reminded her of fairytales and happily-ever-after endings.

The ceremony and reception were no less mystical.

Since Debbie could not attend, Ray suggested they delay the honeymoon until the spring when they could travel to France during Debbie’s semester break.

After a blissful weekend in the suite reserved for them, the newlyweds flew to Washington to finish packing, to ship what they could, and to rent a truck to transport the rest of their belongings back to Hammondsport.

In the course of the long flight and equally long layovers, Rebecca and Ray discussed what to do about Jin.

Since she’d been robbed of knowing her father, Rebecca was determined not to make the mistake her grandmother had. “You can’t blame the child,” she told Ray, to which he agreed, saying once again that he’d given his heart to the right woman.

When Jin showed up at her house three days after they arrived, she opened the door with a smile. “Hello, Jin Sinclair.”

He paled, and then flushed. “You know?”

Rebecca nodded. “I know, and I thank you for having enough consideration for my feelings that you kept the truth from me. But, as it turns out, my son knew of your existence. His father…” her words trailed off as the realization that Jim was also Jin’s father hit her with full force.

Her heart trembled nearly as much as the hand holding onto Jin’s. She swallowed hard, grateful when Ray slipped his arms around her waist. “I mean, your father told him of the relationship between him and your mother, and of you.”

Shock, worry, fear, flitted across Jin’s features. “Does he hate me?”

Rebecca’s heart went out to him. She smiled, gentle peace flowing through her. “No, he doesn’t hate you. He’s still a bit angry and confused, but he doesn’t hate you,” she assured as she silently promised to have a nice long talk with Jeffrey to ensure he also would not blame the child for the ill-conceived choices of their father.

Tears filled Jin’s eyes; he blinked them back. “I’m glad you and he know. Mother insist I not betray your kindness by telling you the truth. She be happy to know all is well.”

“How is your mother?”

He shook his head, the tears escaping. “She die while I home.”

Rebecca felt his grief as though it were her own and pulled him into her arms, grateful when Ray embraced them both. “I’m so sorry.”

“And n-now y-you l-leave,” he sobbed.

The weight of her decision warred with her emotions, tearing at her mother’s heart, but Rebecca knew she couldn’t change her entire life for this one child. “Yes, I’m leaving, Jin. But you’ll always be welcome. I gave you my New York address, do you still have it?”

He nodded.

“Good. I’ll write as soon as we get settled, and I’ll give you our phone numbers. Ray and I are flying to France to visit with my daughter”—Again, she hesitated, the knowledge that Debbie was his half-sister filling her with mixed emotions. Her vow to not blame the child reiterated itself in her mind, grace filled her soul, love ruled her heart. She smiled—“your sister, and while we’re there, I’ll tell her about you.”

“Do you think she hate me?”

“No one will hate you. What happened between your mother and my husband was a long time ago, and it was not your fault.”

“Was my father a good husband, a good father?”

Rebecca considered her answer with care. “Yes, both. But there was always this sadness deep inside him. I think it’s because he couldn’t be the kind of father to you that he wanted. I’ve gathered a few things together for you,” she said. “If you’ll wait a minute, I’ll get them.”

Rebecca went to the bedroom and then rejoined them, her arms wrapped around the large box filled with pictures and mementos of Jim and the kids that she had prepared for Jin.

“Jeffrey said Jim sent money to your mother. Did you know that?”

Jin nodded. “Yes. And he visit a time or two. But I young, not really know him.”

“Well, maybe this’ll help you get to know him,” Rebecca said as she handed him the box. “I never knew your mother, but I did know my husband, and I’ll tell you this much, I believe he loved you. Even though he couldn’t show it or tell you himself, I’m sure he loved you as best he could. I know he did as much as he was able to take care of you. He was that kind of man, an honorable man who lived up to his responsibility as a father.”

Taking a deep breath, she determined to be obedient to what God had shown her when she chose things to pack in the box. “As a Christian, I am commanded to look after orphans. You’re not only an orphan, but my husband’s child, and brother to my children. So I’ll honor my husband and my Lord by welcoming you into my family and by providing for you as Jim, and God, would expect of me.”

She handed him an envelope with a savings account passbook in it. “I’ve opened you a bank account with the equivalent of each of my children’s trust funds left to them by their father. I’m sure he would have wanted you to have the same.”

Jin’s eyes widened when he looked at the amount. “This is fortune, you sure?”

“Jim was a very wise investor. He set up accounts for me and the children early and added to them regularly. This is what was left in mine. We’ll go to the bank tomorrow and make sure everything’s legal and available when you need or want it.” She paused. “And Jin, you can always transfer from one college to another, even out of state. There’s nothing wrong with transferring your schooling to…say…New York, so you can be near family.”

Jin blinked. His expression was confused, wondrous, emotional. He struggled for a moment before speaking. “But what will you do? How will you live?”

Rebecca smiled at his concern. “My grandmother’s estate is more than adequate for providing for me, and I’ve been promised that the Bed & Breakfast Ray and I are opening will be a huge success.”

The joy of obedience filled her heart to overflowing, manifesting itself in irrepressible laughter. “Besides that, my new husband is a very wealthy man,” she teased, regarding Ray with a grin. She focused once more on Jin. “But you think about everything, OK?”

~*~

The October sky shone clear and crisp, the air ripe with the scent of grapes. Ray looked up from his chore to see his wife standing in the doorway of their cottage. A wealth of emotions filled his soul, poured through his veins. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined life could be this wonderful and love so sweet. Nor had he dreamed that one woman could become so much a part of him; his heart, his life; the very breath he took. Excusing himself he strode toward her, allowing everything he felt to come to the surface, show in his face, and be revealed in his walk.

He didn’t care if the rough-and-tough harvesters thought of him as henpecked or a sentimental fool; he loved her and was grateful and humbled that she loved him in return. And though her love was blessing enough, he had gained an entire family, which he cherished dearly.

Their belated honeymoon in France had been both celebration and reunion when Jeffrey joined them. He and Rebecca told Debbie of Jin’s existence and though initially upset, Ray was impressed with how quickly his new daughter had accepted she had another brother. Debbie’s poise and grace mirrored that of her mother.

That time of love, laughter and familial bonding was surpassed only by the blessings to come. Due to open in the spring, Becca’s Place’s first, unofficial guests would be Jeff and Debbie when they came home for the Christmas holidays.

Jin had called often, and would be joining them for the holidays and beyond, as he completed his semester and transferred to a New York college.

Ray reached the bottom step leading to the doorway where Rebecca waited, and hesitated, his gaze locking with hers in a tender embrace. No words were necessary as he closed the distance between them, lifted his hand to cup her cheek, and touched his lips to hers.