The Turning Point

EPILOGUE

The sun hung over the vast expanse of land, tinting the sky with gold and blue. The wind blew gently, carrying with it the scent of fresh grass and the distant fragrance of apples in the orchard. This piece of the world was my home, and here, between the earth and the sky, I was free. Not just because I was far from the shadows of the past, but because I had found the true meaning of life: love.
Lisy.
Once, on his deathbed, Martin said something that makes perfect sense today: “Will... There will come a day when you will find someone. And she will be the cure for all your wounds, and on that day, my friend... you will be free.”
He was right. I was free.
She was my redemption, my anchor, and my healing.
It was she who taught me that love doesn't need to be earned, just lived. And by God, how I lived every moment by her side.
“Aren’t you going to have lunch?” Calvin asked, pulling the reins of the horse beside me.
“I’ll go in a little bit. I need to go back and take the truck to the barn.”
“Okay.”
“Are you having lunch at our place?” I asked.
“Do you think I should?” He laughed.
“Of course. Lisy said she’d make apple pie for dessert today.”
“Well, I can't refuse that invitation.”
“It would be a huge mistake.” I laughed.
“I think I’d better go take a shower. I smell like cow birth.”
I chuckled, knowing that my scent wasn’t exactly pleasant either.
Before I left, I let my gaze wander across the horizon.
I missed Wallace. He was a father to me, even when I didn’t want to show affection. And now, I understood the importance of telling people how much they mean to us.
“Dad!” I called.
Calvin stopped the horse and looked at me. He always had that sparkle in his eyes when I called him that.
“Tonight, there’s a bonfire. Bring the harmonica.”
“I’ll bring it.” He smiled. “Now I’m going to take my shower and head over there for lunch. See you soon, son.”
Son.
I took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air fill my lungs. I knew what it was like to live, and it was a good thing.
The past no longer shackled me.
After leaving the truck at the barn, I shook the dust from my boots and made my way home. A delicious smell enveloped me as soon as I entered, warming my heart even more.
And then, I heard it.
A tiny, high-pitched giggle full of joy.
"Who’s Daddy’s princess?"

Angelini raised her little arms, and I scooped her up, holding her close to my chest, kissing her soft cheek. She giggled, and her smile was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I set her down and took Davies in my arms.

"There you are, cowboy!"

He snuggled into me, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment, engraving that feeling on my soul.

And then, Lisy appeared before me.

My wife. My heart. My home.

She stepped forward and kissed me on the lips with affection, and I knew, as I had known from the very first day, that she was my undoing.

"I made ribs. Come eat."

"I’ll be right there. Just need to take a quick shower."

Angelini let out a joyful squeal, clapping her little hands, and soon I understood why.

Cielo and Eva walked into the room, bringing even more light into the home. They spoiled my kids, and I knew it, but I didn’t mind.

"Cielo came to have lunch with us," Lisy said.

"Then I’d better shower fast before everyone gets hungry because of me. God forbid I see the mother hungry," I muttered quietly. "She doesn’t act sane when she’s hungry."

"I heard that, Will. Keep talking about me behind my back and you can forget about the chili I was going to make for you tonight."

"I was just joking."

"You and Calvin deserve each other," she grumbled.

Cielo picked up Davies, while Eva held Angelini in her arms.