Stephen is touched by all the loving details that Cindy had preserved in his honor ---the thirty-five year old van, the walled community, and now, in all her beauty ---she is sitting upon the sofa he had knelt beside when he proposed marriage to her.

It had been Cindy's sofa, but became their  sofa.   Anyone else would have discarded it ---it is truly an eyesore.  But talk about a sight for sore eyes ---it is not just a sofa, it contains all past tears.  And now it is being drenched in present ones ---tears of gratefulness, falling, yet rising to new heights, in heavenly celebration.  But best of all, it contains the one he truly loves ---his wife, Cindy.  

Stephen looks up and smiles. Shannon is video-taping the joyous reunion. He laughs through his tears, "Do you remember how I'd get agitated by all the video-taping? Well, I love it now …keep taping, Shannon!"

Cindy smiles, "Your memory hasn't suffered much through the years."  

     Stephen chuckles, "The memories kept me alive ---they kept me going.  That's all I had!  That's what helped me survive …and prayers, of course." 

Cindy wipes her tear-ridden face, "I can still remember that last day I saw you leave for work."

Stephen kisses Cindy again, "I can still see your loving face at the window, holding Josiah ---Leah holding Cody Komodo's little hand, making  it wave goodbye to me ---and Shannon's toes, with faces drawn on them, also waving goodbye to me."  

Shannon puts the video-camera down.

     Josiah and Leah join her as they kneel in front of Dad and Mom, encircling them with one big gentle group hug.

Shannon is so excited to be home again too, thinking of all the things she has missed in just the short time she's been gone ---and wanting Dad to share in everything he has missed all those years he's been gone, "Mom, can I see how you've been doing on your project?"

Cindy agrees, "Sure, I've only got a couple stitches left.   Leah and Josiah can hold it up, so you and Dad can see."  

They wait to hear what comments will be made.   Stephen responds immediately, "That's really beautiful, dear."  

Cindy smiles, looking at the children, who join in the excitement of anticipation.  Stephen suddenly bursts into a huge smile, "It's all my shirts! The designs are made from material from all my shirts!"  

Cindy laughs, "I didn't know if you'd pick up on that one.  Did you really miss your shirts that much?"  

Stephen leans over to kiss Cindy again, "The one material clued me in. It's the same material as the shirt I wore that last day of work.   How did you ---?"                                                                                                                          

Shannon laughs, holding back tears, "Everyone thought the shirt was so ugly, but you wanted to show me how much you loved me.  You wore the shirt because I bought it for you.  And after you disappeared, we came across the same shirt …we just had to get it!  It became my favorite shirt. I wore it all the time."   

Leah and Josiah turn the quilt around. The other side is a pale blue with only one design in the very center of the quilt.

Shannon raises her eyebrows, this other side proving not to be as tastefully done. The shape looks like a pair of …shorts ?  It has to be!  It can't be anything else ---bright red, with white hearts?

Cindy blushes slightly, "There's a story behind that!"  

     Stephen's laugh is soft, mostly dominated by his big grin, "I'm sure there is a behind story that ---I mean, a story behind it."

Cindy blushes more by Stephen's teasing comment, "I got that material out of Fernye's keepsake box. It was with her diary. You'll have to read it sometime."

          Shannon adds, "Speaking of reading ---." 

Cindy acknowledges that it's not quite time yet, "That story plus many more, I was able to obtain through Fernye's diary.  She turned over her keepsakes to me last year.  She had a feeling this would be her last year with us.  Josiah has helped me get some of the things together.  He will have to show you later."                                                                                                                                      

Stephen adds, "That's a good idea ---getting together some of Fernye's stories.  Few people are as interesting as Fernye was." 

     Being the oldest child, Shannon provides some leadership, "Come on, Leah and Josiah, let's let Dad and Mom become more acquainted.  Josiah, I know you probably want to get some things together at the print room.  Leah, how about you join me down at the barn?"                                                                   

     Shannon, Leah, and Josiah depart.  Shannon steps back in, just for a moment, "Sorry, I want to get the video-camera.  I'm gone now."