32 Belated Reunion (II)

Liang Jian Amal kept watch over the two women sleeping peacefully together. Chang's breathing became more light and even as she fell into a deep sleep. As soon as she had Li Hua's eyes flickered open, revealing her large black crystal eyes. Li Hua looked to her left to see her daughter sleeping on her bedside and the handsome man standing behind her. Tears welled up in her eyes as a smile crept onto her face.

"Thank you for keeping your promise Jian." Taking her hand from Chang's, LiHua stroked her daughter's head.

"Of course mother." Nodding his head, Liang JianAmal nonchalantly accepted her gratitude.

"You are a good man in every sense of the word. I'm relieved to know my Xiao Xi will be well taken care of in the future, even without her parents." Li Hua's hand paused for a moment in its motions. "Have you told her yet?"

"I have not yet. I only just managed to find her the other day." The younger man's smile quickly fell from his face as he answered seriously.

"Where was she all this time?"

"I do not know if she has been there the entire time, but I found her in Los Angeles."

"Hah, she didn't go very far from home at all. Still in the same state of the same country. My silly girl, so close yet so far away, you should have just come home." One of the tears rolled down her cheeks, and Li Hua swiftly brushed it away with one of her long, slender fingers. "I am glad that I got to see her, before...Thank you, Jian. Now that you've fulfilled one of this old lady's heartfelt wishes, now how about the other?"

Liang JianAmal chuckled hearing Li Hua's request. "You should be talking to your daughter about that. Are you ready to take me up on my offer now, mother?"

"Mm, yes. There are things I still need to see and do, like play with some grandbabies!"

----

In a beautiful dream world Chang sat on a grassy knoll, dotted with wild clover, beside her a small crystal clear stream burbled happily as it made its way along. The sunshine warmed her back brightening her spirits.

She was around 7 years old again, wearing what had been her favorite white sundress, making flower jewelry out of the clover blossoms. The breeze would rustle her hair comfortingly every now and then, even though she was alone in the wide field of her dream; she felt no loneliness. Soon an enticing smell wafted into her nose, causing her to salivate and her tummy to rumble. Pressingher little hand to her tummy to quiet it., she heard a familiar voice that she had not heard in a long while rang out in her dream.

"Chhaaang! Where are you sweetie? Time for luuuunch!" Her dad's rich sonorous voice called for her on the other side of a hill behind her, out of sight.

"Daddy!!" Chang rushed to the sound and the smell desperately on short legs. "Daddy!!" The closer she got, the further and further his voice sounded until she could not even hear it anymore. Running as fast as her little legs could carry her, she tried to catch the vanishing voice. Running as fast as she was, Chang tripped and fell. As her face hit the soft grass, Chang awoke with a start to her face on the hospital sheets.

Slowly she gathered herself, recollecting where she was. The dream had been so vivid it was disorienting. The tempting smell was still here though, confusing Chang as sat up slowly.

"Good you're awake, dinner is here." She heard Jian's voice from beside her, he was setting up a lap tray for Li Hua to eat in bed. The delicious smell was coming from a bag sitting on the chair next to her.

"Hi baby." She heard the voice in front of her and looked up to see her mother beaming at her. She looked like nothing so much as like an angel, her crystal eyes shining and dancing. Faint smiles lines danced around her mother's eyes as they shone full of love. When she smiled, Chang could see why her father had given up everything to be with her.

"Hi Mom, I'm sorry... I'm sorry I'm late."

"You're here now Xiao Xi, that's all that matters." Her mother patted her on her hands reassuringly. Chang smiled down at their hands.

'Wait how do I explain Jian?!' Just as Chang was brooding on how to broach the topic her mother spoke again.

"Xiao Xi, how come you never told me that you got married in the first pace? He's such a good man, and so caring, he's been taking care of me this past year while you were away. Why would you not tell me, especially since you found yourself a good husband?"

Chang was surprised hearing that he had been taking care of her mother this past year. Her heart felt like it was squeezed soft by the thought.

"You caught yourself a keeper Xiao Xi, now hurry up and give me some cute babies to play with!"

Chang choked on her own spit hearing her mother's demand and started coughing madly. Jian came over and patted her back until she thankfully gasped in air.

"Are you alright?" As he patted her back Jian whispered in her ear. Chang could feel herself turning bright red at his close proximity, especially right after her mother's words.

"Yes, fine, fine!" She tried to hurriedly wave him away to mask her embarrassment.

Li Hua and Liang Jian Amal shared a knowing, conspiratorial look over her head. Liang Jian Amal set up a small folding table for the two of them and started pulling out the dishes. She recognized them all as her favorites from a small restaurant near her Mom's house. Her family had used to eat there whenever they went out to celebrate something. The last time had been her college graduation ceremony, right before her dad had passed.

'He cares so much, how did I come to be so blessed?' Chang was beyond incredibly touched seeing this display. Smelling the comforting food Chang gratefully dug into the food he put on her plate, just enjoying the moment and atmosphere, as Jian doted on her and her mother.