Always And Forever

They sat closely together on the small family plane saying nothing. The Captains' voice came over the speaker announcing that they were about to start a long descent and should be on the ground in fifteen minutes breaking their thoughts. Wang sat up untangling his arms from her and reached under the seat for a small box.

"I am not going to ask you if you are ready. I don't think either of us ever would be," he smiled and kissed her. "Thank you. Lucy is right you are brave and beautiful and the best thing to ever happen to me," he said softly taking the soft leather collar from the box and wrapping it around her neck. The plane jolted over air pockets as it made it descent and Wang smiled. "Thank you for loving me this much."

Changying placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him then. She had no words and even though she had met and talked about the trial with Joseph, Wang's reaction to leaving her here seemed ominous, and her anxiousness only increased no matter how many times she told herself she had no need to be worried.

The plane touched down and taxied to a stop at the end of the runway rather than close to the gate of their home. Wang took her hand and led her from the plane crossing the small distance to where his father stood beside a second plane.

"I don't understand," Wang said from a few feet away gripping her hand tightly.

"It has been decided that she will undergo two weeks intensive training with the Battaglia before being presented to the Sitting. If she impresses that will be an end to it and she will return home with me and we can discuss whether she can return and serve the remainder of her time with you or here on the farm," Joseph said without emotion. "It was the best of the alternatives on offer to an outsider," he added letting a hint of softness colour his voice as he looked at his son. "I did my best to push pulling all credit due to our family.

"This will not be an easy task," Wang said softly to Changying. "I understand what it entails, and I won't stop you if you want to change your mind now."

"Tell me you love me," she said softly looking up into his worried face.

"Always and forever," he kissed her lightly.

"Then this is what has to be," she swallowed loudly and reached up to cup his cheek gently, "I love you more than that even." She let go of his hand then and walked to stand by Joseph's side.

"You may show her to her seat and prepare the flight for take-off," Joseph instructed the two men who stood with him.

"I will remain to watch over her trial and ensure no harm comes to her," Joseph reassured his son who watched her climb the steps and enter the plane. "Understand that my instruction technique is being called into question with a second daughter requiring rehabilitation." He tried to explain. "The question of an outsider in our family as well has made the chairs suspicious."

"I understand," Wang said woodenly, his whole body tense.

"That is all I can ask, I will keep you informed of her progress," Joseph turned and entered the plane himself leaving Wang alone on the tarmac. He watched the plane take off before wandering slowly up the tarmac to his home. He doubted that his mother was still awake, but maybe Carlo would have an open bottle of something at the ready to pour him a drink.