Page 108 of From Rivals to I Do

Our walk continues, the street bathed in the gentle twilight. It is as though time slows down, and the rest of the world fades away. The sensation of mochi ice cream on our tongues is sublime, sweet and creamy with just the right amount of chewiness.

Derrick’s laughter is contagious, and it fills the evening air. His eyes sparkle with an unmistakable warmth, and he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter.

We meander down the street, savoring every bite of mochi ice cream, enjoying this moment of tranquility amid the bustling city. It is an ordinary evening, yet it feels extraordinary.

At a certain point, Derrick stops and turns to me. There is a certain gravity in his eyes, a deep sincerity that catches me off guard. “Amber,” he begins, his voice filled with emotion. “I never expected any of this. But over the past month, over these weeks, I’ve realized that I’ve come to love you deeply.”

I feel a rush of warmth and affection wash over me. My heart races, and I meet his gaze, my voice unsteady. “Derrick, I’m right there with you. This all happened so fast, yet it feels so right. I love you too.”

Our candid admission of love seems to hang in the air like a promise, with an embrace of the Japanese street and the world that surrounds us. There is no need for grand gestures or elaborate words, the simplicity of our shared feelings is more than enough. It is in this moment, amid the allure of Japanese culture and the sweetness of mochi ice cream, that our love story unfolds, unique and undeniable.

***

***

Chapter nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

The flight from Japan to the United States felt like a bridge between two worlds. My heart was filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. I had reached out to my younger sister, Clara, and informed her of our impending visit. As the plane touches down, I feel the weight of the decision to bring Amber and Alex into the fold.

We make our way through the airport. Alex’s excitement is palpable as he marvels at the change of surroundings, but Amber and I share a sense of uncertainty. The familiar yet unfamiliar faces that surround us are a stark reminder of the life I left behind.

A car waits for us outside the airport. We get in with our luggage, and the vehicle begins to move. I can feel the nervous energy in the vehicle as we near my family’s home. It has been years since I saw my family and the prospect of facing my past fills me with a sense of unease.

After almost two hours, we pull up to the house, and my heart pounds as I look at it. Memories flood back, both good and bad. The driver parks the car, and I’m out of it in an instant.

My mother and Clara are standing by the door. I open the door and step out of the car as soon as it comes to a halt. I rush up to my mother, pulling her into a hug, and the floodgates open. Tears stream down both our faces as I hold her close. The years seem to melt away as I feel the warmth of her embrace. She has aged, her once vibrant hair now streaked with silver, and lines etched on her face, but her eyes hold the same love and pain that have always been there.

I release her and look into her eyes, unable to speak for a moment. The distance of years is too great, and words feel inadequate. She holds my face tightly in her hands and draws them in for a kiss.

Then, I turn to Clara. She is no longer the little girl I left behind. She is now a young woman, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions that mirror my own. I pull her into a tight hug, overwhelmed by the need to hold my family close.

It is Clara who finally breaks the silence, her voice filled with emotion. “Derrick, it’s been so long. We’ve missed you.”

I respond with a nod. “How’s Jack?” I ask, regarding my junior brother.

“He’s out of town,” Clara responds. “But his family is doing well.”

“Family?” I exclaim, thinking of how much time has swept past me. I clasp my mother and sister in another hug; I had missed them so much, and did not realize it.

I turn to see Amber and Alex step out of the car. They watch this reunion with a mix of curiosity and respect. To my family, they must appear as strangers, and I know there is a lot to explain. As my family glances at Amber and Alex, I can feel their curiosity.

“Are they your. . .” my mother begins to ask.

“Oh no, no,” I say, laughing while I wipe the tears that have pooled in my eyes. “Mom, Clara, this is Amber, my new love, I met in Japan,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “And this is Alex, her nephew.”

The moment of realization and comprehension is clear on their faces, and they greet Amber and Alex warmly. My mother is the first to break the ice, and she smiles at Amber, her eyes filled with kindness. “Welcome to our home, Amber. It’s lovely to meet you.”

Clara echoes the sentiment, her gaze shifting to Alex. “Hi, Alex. We’re glad you’re here.”

The ice has been broken, and we are no longer strangers. It is a testament to my family’s understanding and warmth that they accept Amber and Alex without hesitation. We enter the house, leaving behind the weight of uncertainty, and instead, embrace the sense of homecoming and reconciliation.

We decide to spend some time together. So, in the days that follow, my mother and Clara share stories of what happened in my absence. We talk about my father, who had just passed away a few days before my arrival, and the grief we have all experienced, each in our own way. They also learn about my time in Japan, the tsunami, the earthquake, and the unexpected bonds I have formed. It doesn’t take long before my mother and Lisa have grown fond of Amber and Alex.

We use the time to plan my father’s burial. We fix the date for a week later. We decide it’s going to be a small, family event. In the course of preparation, my brother, Jack returns. We spent some time bonding and getting over all the time we’d missed out on in each other’s lives. Amber and Alex are involved in the preparations and when the burial happens, it comes and goes in a blur. I have so many mixed emotions, a part of me is glad he passed before I got back, but there is a part of me that wishes I could have seen his face and made my peace with him before he left.

After the burial, we put on a little party. We invited a few guests and friends. Gently glowing lanterns and soft music create an ambience of both solemnity and hope. The room is filled with familiar faces, some I haven’t seen in years, and others who’ve been part of my life in Japan—Amber and Alex.

---