“So where are we going next?” I ask, slightly apprehensive about the answer.
“South,” he says. “To a village on the outskirts of Kerala.”
“Okay. And what are we going to do in this village?”
“For starters, we’re going to build a school. Sandeep says there are quite a few children there who have special needs, but no one seems to care about them or their education. So, we’re going to help.”
I feel tears prickling my eyes. “You want to help kids like Austin?” I’m overwhelmed by his decision. And I love him all the more for it.
“Of course I do. And it would never have occurred to me if I hadn’t met you.” He takes my hand and kisses it gently.
“Have I told you today that I love you?”
I blush at his words. “You have. But I’m happy to hear it multiple times a day.” I lean in and place a soft kiss on his lips. “I love you too, magic man.”
He kisses me back. “So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“I thought I’d break in that new bikini you bought me and sit by the pool.”
Sam raises his eyebrows suggestively. “That sounds like a perfect plan.” He settles our bill, and we walk back to the hotel, Austin sandwiched between us, holding our hands. My heart is so full, I think it might burst.
Bonus Epilogue
New Life
Arielle Nygard
The sun streams into the small kitchen and I’m almost tripped up by a large bundle of gray and white fur twining around my ankles that meows insistently.
“Yes, yes, breakfast. I’m on it, Bart,” I say, collecting his dish from the table and filling it with kibble. Like Munchkin, Bart was a scrawny stray kitten roaming the village, running from local dogs, when he stumbled across our path on our third week in the village. He almost leaped into Sam’s arms, and after a warm bath and a good meal, he fell asleep on Sam’s chest. He doesn’t appear to play favorites – he’ll take food and affection from anyone willing to offer it – but he and Sam have a special bond. Sam says Munchkin sent him to us.
I ruffle Bart’s head as he lowers to eat, and then I turn to the coffee machine. Life is simple in India, but neither Sam nor I are willing to forego good coffee. And the beans that are grown locally are absolutely delicious. I place a cup on the grille, press a button, and inhale the scent of grinding coffee beans. There’s a cry from down the hall and a minute later Sam enters the room.
“We smelled coffee,” he says. He spies the cup in my hand. “Any chance you’d be willing to trade?”
I smile and put the cup on the table. “Come to mama, little man.” I hold out my arms and Sam places our son in them. I nuzzle Colt’s downy head, and my heart leaps at his perfect baby scent. “I definitely got the better end of this trade.”
Sam kisses Colt and then me before taking a sip from the cup. “This is good coffee, but yeah, I think you got the better deal.” Bart, having finished with breakfast, walks over to us and bumps Sam’s leg with his head. “Morning, bud,” he says and rubs the cat’s ears affectionately.
“Where’s Austin?”
“Watching cartoons,” Sam says. “But I’m sure he heard Colt crying.” Meaning he’d be in the kitchen soon.
Since Colt was born three months ago, Austin has barely left his side. He adores his little brother and watches over the baby as much as he can. With Colt on my hip, I pop some bread in the toaster while Sam gets out plates and cups for breakfast. Austin arrives as we’re sitting down to eat. He goes right over to the highchair and kisses Colt’s fat little baby cheek. I ruffle his blond hair, which has grown rather long, I note.
“Morning, honey,” I say as he takes his seat. Sam sets a plate of toast and a glass of orange juice in front of him. I smile at the picture-perfect family moment.
“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” I ask.
“The equipment and supplies for the clinic should be arriving this afternoon, so I’m going to oversee the offloading and sign the paperwork. And I thought I’d take the boys for a walk this morning. Give you some peace and quiet.”
I love my family. I love the life I’ve built with Sam in this friendly and welcoming village, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. But an hour to myself is priceless. “The guys are going to be so happy to finally get all of the things for the clinic. They’re going to be so much more efficient now.”
“I’m really excited to see their faces,” Sam admits. “For a while, I didn’t think it was ever going to get here.”
Nothing in India happens too quickly. The pace of life is slower and the sense of urgency common to western culture is definitely not embraced here. Things happen when they happen and no amount of begging, pleading, cajoling, or threatening changes the outcome. As a result, I’ve learned infinite patience.I know now that I needed it. It’s good for my soul.
The slower pace of life also suits Austin down to the ground. He’s so relaxed now, his meltdowns have almost disappeared. He’s much more easygoing and copes better with change. And while he is still withdrawn, he does interact with us a lot more. He’s even made friends and my heart swells with pride every time I see the group of local boys welcome my son into their activities. They don’t shun him because he won’t play by their rules, or even play at all sometimes. They just gently and quietly include him in whatever way he needs at the time.
