The Samurai That I Loved

Epilogue

Eliza laughed hysterically, running away from her son with a wooden sword in hand and a paper hat on her head. Ducking behind the table inside the family kitchen, she waited for little Haku to burst through the doorway with his sister, Saki.

The endearing pitter patter of scampering feet mingled with giggles greeted her ears before the two rambunctious, hafu children charged into the room with their own swords and paper hats.

"Mama!" Haku exclaimed in jubilation. Saki charged past him, swinging her sword as her russet black-brown hair flowed freely down her back. Eliza screamed and launched to her feet, blocking her four-year-old daughter's sparring attack with her own sword.

"You can't defeat me that easily! I'll have you know, I am the greatest swordsman in all the land! Besides your father, of course." She announced dramatically before dropping her sword and picking up Saki, spinning her around in circles.

"I can take you on!" Haku ran over in a fit of giggles, "Saki, I'll protect you!" His tiny six-year-old self wrapped his skinny arms around Eliza's legs through the heavy folds of her skirts and apron as he tried meekly to free his little sister.

Eliza laughed, using her left arm to scoop him up by the waist and spin them both around inside the kitchen while their musical laughter filled her ears.

A horse's whinny came from outside the house Eliza and her husband had built with their own two hands, from the circular drive lined with peach trees. Eliza gasped at the same time Haku and Saki jerked their heads up.

"Papa's home!!!" Eliza announced excitedly, making her children's eyes widen as they began to squirm relentlessly in her arms.

"Papa, papa!" Saki burst, freeing herself  from Eliza's hold and running out the door. Haku ran out right after while Eliza laughed and followed them, settling one hand on her stomach protectively, knowing a new little one would soon be on the way.

Walking out the front door onto the covered veranda porch, she beamed at the sight of her two children dashing forward to greet their father down the pink-pettled path. Spring was in full bloom, casting peach blossoms through the air and all around: a vision very much like the one of cherry blossoms back in Japan.

Her blue eyes sparkled when she saw Yoru dismount his black steed and run towards his children with both arms open and a delighted smile on his face.
With his hair pulled back in a loose, wavy pony tail, his almond eyes shone with pride. His sleeves were rolled up beneath his dirt-covered suspenders and boots, yet he never looked happier than he had before in these last six beautiful, golden years.

Hugging and laughing with his children, he threw Saki onto the horse's back and Haku onto his shoulders. Leading them back up to the two-story house, his eyes found Eliza and a broad smile spread across his face.

Eliza returned his smile with bliss, hastening down the porch steps to meet him.

"Look at you." He gasped happily, his gaze full of adoring love and pride, "My beautiful wife."

"I've missed you so much. A week is too long to go hunting, come back sooner." She mewled, settling her body against his as he chuckled and leaned down, smothering her words with fervid kisses.

"Ew, gross!" Haku burst from atop his shoulders, "No kissing!"

Yoru eased back, laughing. Eliza scrunched her nose at little Haku as she chided, "I've got plenty more kisses for you too, little mister."

Saki giggled from atop the horse, piping up, "Mama loves Papa!"

"And Papa loves mama. With all his heart and soul." Yoru murmured, kissing Eliza once more on the cheek while they cast each other knowing smiles.

"Alright now, let's hurry in before Hopkins and Beth arrive with the little ones, it's almost time for dinner. I've already got the food prepared, I just need help setting the ta--"

"Ahoy!" Hopkins' voice bellowed from down the drive amongst a clattering of rolling wagon wheels. Yoru and Eliza turned around to see Hopkins and Beth barreling up the drive inside their open wagon, four little ones loaded up behind them in the back. Beth waved her hand happily in greetings as Eliza laughed and waved back.

"We made it all in one piece! Only had to stop thrice for potty breaks!" Beth called out while Hopkins steered the horse team up beside Yoru and Eliza.

"Tommy, Tommy! I got new swords!" Haku exclaimed to one of the little boys as Yoru lowered him to the ground to run to him. Hopkins and Beth climbed down, exchanging greetings with Eliza and Yoru before turning and pulling out covered dishes and pies from the back of the wagon.

"I can't believe it's that time of year again." Beth gasped to Eliza happily while they walked inside together.

Eliza nodded, casting her eyes back to Yoru and Hopkins behind them surrounded by the rambunctious children. "I know. Another year, another reason to celebrate. I can't believe it's already been close to seven years since we left England." She answered happily.

Placing the covered dishes onto the great wooden table inside the kitchen, Beth turned and hugged Eliza.

"Every day is a blessing. I'm so thankful for having a best friend like you. And I'll always be thankful in meeting you, Yoru and Hopkins. Just look at the life we've all started. Happy sunday, Eliza."

"Happy Sunday, Beth."

The rest of the group scrambled into the kitchen in a throng of chatter, laughter and chaos. Settling the children around the table, Yoru took his place beside Eliza, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. Looking around the room at his closest friends and family, he smiled with unbidden joy and peace.

"I just want to say before we eat, we should all take a moment to stop and appreciate how far we've all come." He spoke loudly over the children, casting Haku a brief sharp eye to settle down, "I never knew the blessings we have found together could be true. I never even realized how important it was to be surrounded by the people we love, cherish and find joy to be with, until I met my wife, then my closest friend."

Hopkins and Eliza both looked at him with pride and deep reverence. Yoru looked around the table as joy filled his heart from the sight.

"We must remember to treasure each day that comes to us. We must never forget where we came from, to see where we are going. Every battle, every heartache, and every struggle have brought us here together. And we are strong. There is love within this group and inside these walls. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. May our days be filled with hope, happiness and celebration always. May our lives forever be enriched by the bond we all share." Turning to look at Eliza, he smiled and slid his hand down to wrap around her waist as his other settled over her full belly, "And may this new little one arrive safely and on time to torment the others."

Everyone laughed and nodded as Eliza beamed up at Yoru. Chuckling, he pressed his lips to her forehead gently before turning back and saying to their family and extended family, "Now, let's eat!"

Amongst the falling peach leaves that drifted through the breeze outside the open windows, the sound of love and laughter filled the house and land leaving a beautiful flow of memories and peace that would forever fill Eliza and Yoru's hearts. Life had continued, was expanding and flourishing. Happiness was the shining grace that permeated through the walls of their home and the hearts of their children. Love was the treasure they had found, nurtured and created into something more grand and beautiful than either of them could have ever imagined and life...

Life was beautiful in every way, every single, blessed day.