It seemed like everyone was happy about that. Aaron was still watching me a little like he did at the party, as we all rose from the couches. It was clear he couldn't get his fill enough, and I was okay with that. I had appeared out of nowhere, but as we started to walk towards the dining room, someone grabbed my hand. I stopped and looked over my shoulder while the rest left the room. It was Mary.
"He blames himself a lot," she said.
"Sorry?"
"For not knowing you existed," she said.
"Oh ..."
"I am not going to pressure you into anything, but I can tell you your forgiveness did a lot for him," she told me and smiled sweetly.
I smiled a bit embarrassed and looked at the ground before I found the courage to look at her again.
"And know neither Aaron nor I were happy about our union. It was our families that chose it," she said.
"It was?"
She nodded.
"I didn't blame him for falling in love with someone else, and I know how much it pained him to leave her behind."
I was so surprised she was saying all of this, but I clung to every word because it meant so much to me.
"I know it pains him, even more, to know he never got the chance to meet her again. Therefore, I do hope that you two get the chance to grow closer, and do not fear that any of us will stand in the way, because we won't. We just want him to be happy," she said.
I smiled at her, feeling so relieved hearing this, and I began to nod.
"I want the same," I whispered, surprising myself as I said this, but I noticed, as I said it, how true it was.
I wanted to learn more about him too.
"I'm happy to hear you say this. Now, let us go find the others. I am sure they are confused that we have disappeared."
I chuckled a little and walked beside Mary, as we walked back to the dining room. Everyone asked where we disappeared off to, but we just smiled secretively at each other as we sat down and enjoyed the dinner. Dominic sat beside me, and whenever he got the chance to touch me, like stroking my hair or cheek or holding my hand, he took the opportunity, and I could only say I loved it. I loved it all and I loved him. I might have tried to run in the beginning, but Dominic had been right. All that I had been looking for, my freedom and the love and the feeling of home, was right here, even more so, as I looked at the people around the table.
I was home.