FLASH BACK ON
Aster's weak body lay on the hospital bed. Beside Aster there were her husband, three children, and her childhood best friend, Rachel. Rachel returns to Ireland after hearing about her best friend's critical condition.
"Rach, I entrust my kids with you. They still need a mother. I'm sorry that I can't take care of them anymore. Represent me when they get married. When my Ozora comes home please give this to her." Aster wanted to open the nightstand drawer but Jacob immediately did it for her.
"Give it to Rachel, please. I want her to give it to Ozora," Aster asked her husband for help in a weaker voice.
Jacob gave the object in his hand to Rachel. He sat on the edge of the bed while rubbing and kissing Aster's hand. Even though it was hard, Jacob had given up if Aster met her death.
"Ozora will definitely be sad because after she comes home I'm gone. Please stay with her, honey. The girl is always trying to be strong and keep her burden. Stay with Ozora whenever she cries alone in her bedroom. Please do that for me. I'm also sure that Geona and the twins will not lack love. I'm sure you'll always be there for them."
"Yes, honey. I will do all your wishes. Do not talk too much. I don't want you to get tired." Jacob tried to hold back the deep sadness in his heart. He really didn't want to, but the disease had made Aster suffer a lot. Jacob couldn't stand every time he heard Aster's scream in pain.
FLASH BACK OFF
"We never open it because it's yours. You can open the box in your own room if that's what you want." Rachel moved the box into Ozora's hand.
"I want to open this gift here. I want you to see what's inside too." Ozora looked at the last gift box from Aster. Ozora's eyes filled with tears and she couldn't hold back the water that was gathering there.
Slowly and with trembling hands Ozora opened Aster's gift. There was a pendant made of white gold. That's not all. She also found a pink envelope she found there. Ozora wanted to unfold the paper from the pink envelope but she hesitated.
"It is okay, sweety. You can open it." Jacob grabbed his daughter's shoulders from behind. Although not a biological child, Jacob's heart was attached to Ozora and loved her like his three children.
Ozora started to open the sheet of paper. She hadn't seen the contents yet but the tears won't stop flowing from Ozora's eyes. Her chest felt squeezed knowing only a letter she could find. During the trip from Africa to Ireland Aster's laughter was always in Ozora's mind. For three years she cultivated a longing for the woman who always prepared breakfast for her, accompanied her when she was sick, even supported her when she had to pass through the dark valley.
Dear Ozora, I'm sorry. I'm not a good person so I can't stand waiting for you to come home. I love you so much. The first time I heard your story from Jacob, my heart immediately trembled. It feels like you are an angel that God has placed in our family. Your three siblings learned a lot from you. Do you know? The twins are following in your footsteps by creating a child and youth protection movement. Geona became a play therapist because of your experience. You've done a lot for us. Thank you, sweety. I gave you the pendant. When Geona took me shopping at the mall, I accidentally saw this necklace and thought of you. This is all I can give you. If you miss me, take a look at our family pictures. I've hung it in your bedroom. Take care of daddy and your three siblings. I want to hug you but time won't allow it. I love you as much as I love your three siblings. Be strong, girl. Love from Mommy Aster.
"Let me put the locket around your neck." Jacob's hand grabbed the locket and put the jewelry around Ozora's neck. "Mommy is right, you are very beautiful wearing it."
"Daddy." Ozora's crying couldn't be held back anymore. She hugged Jacob's body and poured all her sadness there.
Rachel let them hug. She didn't want to force Ozora to accept herself as a mother. Everything was a process and they had to be patient.
"Can I hug you too?" Ozora asked, making Rachel gasp. It was Ozora who wanted to hug her when she doubted how to conquer the girl's heart.
"Of course." Rachel stretched out her arms and was ready to receive a hug from Ozora. Her life was complete. She had four children from Jacob, one biological daughter who was married, and has been blessed with a good son-in-law.
***
Daphnee felt like she needed a snack. She came out of her room. She didn't know about Ozora's arrival at all because their bedroom was on the second floor. Their parents haven't told them anything either.
"Whose suitcase is this?" Daphnee was confused to see a suitcase perched near the sofa. But her curiosity was immediately answered when the guitar bag she knew so well was next to the suitcase. She rushed back to the second floor and banged on her twin brother Daven's room.
"Dav, Ozo is home. Get out quickly!" Her loud voice made the door open because Daven immediately opened the door for her.
"You are so noisy!" Daven did not hear clearly what his sister said. Only Daphnee 's shrill voice disturbed him while he was engrossed in his laptop in the room.
"Ozo is home Daven!" Daphnee raised her voice to let her twin know.
"Ozora is home?" Dave gasped. They immediately swung their legs and descended the stairs. They really couldn't wait to hug their adopted eldest sister who left without any news at all.
Their eyes saw Ozora out with Jacob and their stepmother. "Ozora!" They screamed and immediately rushed into Ozora's arms.
"Wow, you're all grown up." Ozora rubbed the twins' heads. When they left for Africa, the two children were fifteen years old and almost sixteen. However, Ozora did not have time to celebrate their birthday because she had to fulfill her calling in Africa.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going home? I can pick you up." Daven protested his adoptive sister.
"Do you already have a driver's license?"
"I have it. Daddy already gave me a driver's license. He said college students should be able to drive without a driver." Ozora was made to laugh because of the behavior of the twins.
***
Othniel and Geona deliberately arranged a dinner at their house. The two of them would invite Nicko and his little family, Eldrick, and Ozora. Eldrick had been unwilling to return to the orphanage for eleven years. As a result Nicko and Othniel always left without him.
"Who knows, with dinner tonight he can hear an explanation from Ozora and the man wants to come to visit the orphanage again. It's been too long since this misunderstanding has occurred between them." Otniel said to Geona who was sitting beside him.