A a little past eight in the evening the cafeteria is filled with medical staff and patients. Moll is fluttering about along with Inola making sure that everyone is having a good time. The nurses of the pediatric ward thank them for including the children. Moll"s eyes shine with excitement watching the children dance and have fun. Seeing crystal enjoy the other children after being so worried for her mom. Her heart swells with longing .She hopes that she will be able to be a mom again with Inola . She looks across at Maureen seeing how happy she is her stomach starting to show now Onacona always staying so close. She says a little prayer of thanks that they were given the chance to have a new life with these wonderful men. Everyone is enjoying the evening. Yona is sitting beside Remi the entire night laughing and enjoying the antics of everyone. They had the music going and a slow song came on. He watches as the different couples merge onto the area they cleared for dancing. He puts his hand out for Remi. She looks up at him shyly , Yona is holding his breath hoping she isn"t going to turn him down. She takes his hand and they join the others on the dance floor. Softly swaying to the music he wants to finish what he started earlier. Pulling her a little closer he can smell the fragrance of her shampoo. And her breath on his chest . He feels so warm inside Closing his eyes he is enjoying the feeling of her close to him. Not wanting the moment to end he looks at his sister who is the DJ for the night. She nods as if she knows exactly what he is asking. So for the next three songs he gets to have this beautiful woman in his arms . When the music changes he is surprised when Remi starts to dance to the beat. He looks at her in surprise her hips are swaying in perfect rhythm. He stays close in case she gets tired. He looks around and he sees that all of the ladies are dancing. His straight laced sister in law is dancing like a stripper. His mouth pops open and his brother gently closes it. "This was the side of my wife I really wanted you to see. She is completely free when music plays. You should have seen my first reaction I was ready to fight every guys in the bar. "
Watching Remi and Aisling dance together was sheer torture for them. They both could only think of one thing while watching them dance.
Steve comes over to stand by them.
"Thank G.o.d John is not here he would be fussing at them about being ladies . I love watching them have fun. Reminds me of Aisling"s mom. She always was the life of the party. Looks like those two inherited her rhythm. Oh lord I have to go grab my wife she loves this song and will want to dance. " patting Astila on the shoulder he crosses the room to dance with his wife. Astila watches his friend grin adoringly at his wife as they dance.
"is it me or does the stern no nonsense commander. Who demands loyalty and respect becomes a wimp in front of these women. If someone had told me that such a commanding and strong man who makes killers quake in their boots. Could be such a marshmallow inside I would never have believed it. "
Yona nods his head in agreement. He personally has always been terrified of the man. Over the years of his brothers enlistment he avoided even talking to him afraid he would end up dead. Now to his greatest surprise they are family who would have ever guessed it. The nurses from the children"s ward have the children say good night since It is well past their bedtimes . Telling the parents to stay and enjoy the evening. At fifteen minutes to midnight Salali leaves to surprise Randy . Maureen is entertaining everyone in her absence. She brings a hat around asking everyone to place a wish inside for the new year. Moll, Inola, Astila,Aisling and Onacona all write they want healthy children. Remi writes she wants to get healthy for Crystal. Yona writes he wants Remi and Crystal to be happy and safe. Crystal writes she wants Yona to marry her mommy . Maureen mumbles a few words snaps her fingers and the papers go up in flames. She does a few more magic tricks till one minute to twelve. They turn on the tv to watch the new year ball drop. Standing beside her husband when the clock stuck midnight she grabs her husband for a kiss. Looking out of the corner of her eye she sees Yona kiss Remi and then Crystal. After the kissing is over they all let out a loud HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Hugs and best wishes as they all mingle for a few more moments. The rest of the patients are taken back to their rooms including Remi. The family stays behind to clean up as promised.
Salali makes it to Randy"s gig just in time for them to do the count down. When the bar erupts into cheers and hugs she is at the side of the stage. Randy jumps down from the stage to kiss her at the final stoke of midnight. Salali looks up into his eyes as he holds her closely. They both at the same moment say I love you. Randy begins to laugh Salali punches his arm playfully. Randy looks at the beautiful woman beside him and thanks the heavens that they saw fit to send her to him.
After the party mess is cleaned up they all head out for home. Yona stays behind after putting a sleeping Crystal in her seat. Aisling takes her home with them. Yona heads back upstairs to check on Remi. She is sitting by the window looking outside in her room. He knocks on her door so not to startle her. Looking at him she smiles. Yona is not sure what to say . He just knows he is not ready to leave her side yet. He goes and picks her up and carries her to bed. She looks at him wondering what is he doing . Her heart begins to race and her cheeks get flushed.
"Its late you are supposed to be resting. I wanted to make sure you will be ok tonight by yourself . I can stay if you like?" Nodding ok and gets settled in the bed while he pulls the cot out. Situating the cot close to her bed he gets a pillow and blanket from the nurse. While laying on the cot staring up at the ceiling Yona decides to tell her a few things.
"I know that Dean is Crystal"s father and that he raped you. I also know that Terry and his friends were there when he did it. None of that matters anymore. The only thing that matters is that you can get past it and be happy. You have a beautiful loving child and she wants to hear you speak more than anyone. I know you have been afraid all of these years that"s why you haven"t spoken since that day. He will most likely spend a long time in prison for what he has done. You will be safe now so you can get better now. You can let go of all the bad and concentrate on the positive things now . You can be happy and yourself. I want to get to know who you really are to hear your voice and to know your thoughts. I want to have long talks with you to know what you want and not have to guess. You have closed yourself off for so long it"s time to open your heart and let the world see who you truly are. You come from strong women I know you are strong I know you can overcome everything. Your family will be there for you so will Crystal. If you want me to be so will I but you have to tell me . I"m not going to a.s.sume that it"s what you want I need to know it"s what you want . Think about what you want and just do it. Good night Remi think about what I said please. He closes his eyes to sleep. Remi lays in bed quietly crying of all people she never wanted him to know what happened. Her heart hurts that he knows her shame. That he knows that horrible person ever touched her. She never wanted Crystal to know how she was conceived . It"s was always ok if people thought she was a s.l.u.t . Just so long as her nightmare never touched her child. How can she explain that to people that Crystal gave her reason to live . Gave her someone to put her love into without getting hurt again. She is frightened that she is starting to like Yona . How can she expect him or any man to love her child?