The cold hit them first.
The moment they stepped out of the airport doors into the American night, a sharp gust of wind swept across their faces.
Grandma gasped.
"Why is the air attacking me?"
Michael burst into laughter.
Lucas immediately helped adjust her scarf.
"It's just winter, Grandma."
"Winter is rude," she muttered.
Beside her, Jasail looked around dramatically, his hands buried deep inside his tiny jacket pockets.
"China is cold," he declared thoughtfully.
Everyone turned to him.
"But America…" he paused for effect.
"…America is professionally cold."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Even Lina, who had wrapped both arms around herself and was clearly regretting not bringing a thicker coat.
Michael stood there smiling.
Watching them experience America for the first time felt unexpectedly emotional.
This was his world.
And now—
his people were inside it.
Then he saw him.
Daniel.
Standing just beyond the arrival gate.
Hands tucked into his coat pockets.
Waiting.
Michael froze.
Then smiled.
Then I moved.
The hug was immediate.
Warm.
Familiar.
Grounding.
"Welcome home," Daniel said softly.
Michael pulled back, his eyes bright.
"It's good to be back."
Lucas stood a short distance away, watching quietly.
No jealousy.
No insecurity.
Just quiet respect.
Because he knew—
Daniel mattered.
Then Lina saw him.
And froze.
Her steps stopped.
Her breathing changed.
Her heart jumped so suddenly she almost laughed at herself.
She had not known Daniel would be here.
And suddenly—
everything else disappeared.
Daniel was still speaking to Michael.
But he was distracted.
Because he had already seen her too.
And now his mind was only half-present.
Their eyes kept meeting.
Then avoiding.
Then meeting again.
Both smiling like teenagers.
Michael turned.
"Daniel—this is Lucas."
The two men stepped forward.
Finally,
Properly.
Daniel extended his hand.
"So you're Lucas."
Lucas smiled and accepted it.
"And you're Daniel."
Firm handshake.
Polite.
Measured.
Mutual understanding.
Both men instantly knew one thing:
Michael was deeply loved.
By both of them.
Just differently.
Then Daniel greeted Grandma warmly.
"It's an honor to finally meet you."
Grandma smiled.
"So you're the famous Daniel."
Before he could respond—
Jasail stepped forward.
Hands on hips.
"Your coat looks good"
Daniel blinked.
"Thank you"
Jasail continued:
"And why are you looking at Aunty Lina somehow earlier?"
Silence.
Lina nearly stopped breathing.
Daniel coughed.
Michael turned away to laugh.
Lucas looked delighted.
Grandma covered her face.
"That child will kill us one day."
While the others began loading luggage into the large six-seater van, Daniel quietly walked toward Lina.
She was standing near the curb.
Still smiling.
Still shy.
"You came," he said softly.
Lina looked up.
"Of course I came."
A pause.
Then both laughed awkwardly.
It had been too long.
Too many video calls.
Too many unfinished conversations.
And now—
They were standing in front of each other.
Real.
"I didn't know you'd be here," she admitted.
"I wanted to surprise Michael."
Daniel smiled.
"…and maybe someone else."
Lina looked away immediately.
Her cheeks warmed.
"You still do that," she murmured.
"Do what?"
"Say dangerous things casually."
Daniel laughed.
"And you still blush too easily."
Lina shook her head.
But she was smiling too much to deny it.
From a distance, Michael noticed.
And smiled to himself.
Good.
Finally,
Inside the van, the city lights reflected beautifully against the windows.
Grandma stared outside in wonder.
"So many lights."
Jasail pressed his face against the glass.
"The roads are bigger here."
A pause.
"And the buildings are louder."
Michael laughed.
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know," Jasail said honestly.
"But it feels true."
Everyone laughed.
Then Michael suddenly leaned toward the driver.
"Can we stop at my law school first?"
Lucas turned.
"Now?"
"I need to collect something important from one of my lecturers."
Daniel nodded.
"That's fine."
And so they changed direction.
The moment Michael stepped onto his old law school grounds—
something shifted.
Pressure.
Dreams.
His old lecturer met him outside.
And smiled immediately.
"Michael."
"Professor."
They shook hands warmly.
"You've made this school very proud."
Michael smiled humbly.
"Thank you."
Students nearby began whispering.
Some recognized him.
"That's him."
"The Ghana case guy."
"He's here."
Lucas watched quietly.
And once again—
felt his chest tighten with pride.
This was Michael's world.
And Michael belonged here beautifully.
Confidently.
Brightly.
Daniel noticed Lucas watching.
And smiled to himself.
Yes.
He understood now.
When Michael and Lucas finally returned to the van—
Jasail folded his arms dramatically.
"You took forever."
Michael laughed.
"I'm sorry."
Then—
to everyone's surprise—
Jasail shrugged maturely.
"It's okay."
Michael blinked.
"What?"
Jasail looked out the window.
"Important things deserve time."
He turned back.
"And today was important for you."
Silence.
Daniel stared.
Lina looked emotional.
Michael's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Lucas didn't react.
Neither did Grandma.
Michael noticed.
"You two aren't surprised?"
Grandma waved her hand.
"That child changes personality every six business hours."
Everyone laughed loudly.
Including Jasail.
Who looked very pleased with himself.
At the hotel—
new chaos began.
Jasail ran inside first.
"I claim the best room!"
"No!" Grandma shouted.
He had already opened three wrong doors before anyone caught him.
"I want the bed near the window!"
"You're sleeping wherever we put you," Grandma replied.
Michael laughed so hard he nearly dropped his bag.
After settling in, everyone went downstairs to the hotel restaurant.
They were starving.
Food arrived quickly.
And for the first time in recorded family history—
Jasail finished an entire plate.
Grandma stared at him.
Suspiciously.
"Who are you?"
Jasail swallowed proudly.
"America changed me."
Michael nearly choked laughing.
Across the table—
Lucas kept stealing glances at Michael.
And Michael kept catching him.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Lina and Daniel were doing exactly the same thing.
Their smiles had become uncontrollable.
Jasail noticed everything.
Of course he did.
Later that night, everyone gathered in the hotel living room.
Lucas had opened his laptop.
Working.
Michael immediately frowned.
"No."
Lucas looked up.
"What?"
"No work."
"It's important."
"No."
Lucas smiled.
"Yes, sir."
Across the room, Lina and Daniel were smiling at each other.
Again.
Jasail noticed.
Then looked at Michael and Lucas.
Smiling at each other.
Then looked at Grandma.
Watching Netflix alone.
He stood up dramatically.
"I have an idea."
Everyone turned.
"Game time."
They played Truth or Dare.
And chaos followed.
Grandma revealed that Lucas used to cry when his childhood goldfish died.
Lucas protested loudly.
"It was emotional!"
Michael laughed until his eyes watered.
Then Michael was asked:
"When did you know you loved Lucas?"
He froze.
Blushed.
Then answered quietly:
"The seminary."
Lucas looked at him softly.
Lina dared to compliment Daniel.
She looked directly at him.
And whispered:
"You look very handsome tonight."
Daniel forgot how breathing worked.
Jasail applauded.
"Excellent."
The room was filled with laughter.
Warmth.
Belonging.
It felt like family.
Eventually it grew late.
Grandma stood.
"Bed."
Jasail yawned.
Daniel walked Lina toward her room.
Quietly.
Neither wanted to separate.
He wanted to ask—
Can I stay?
But I couldn't.
Lina noticed.
And smiled gently.
"Not tonight."
Daniel looked embarrassed.
"The others would notice."
He laughed softly.
"You read my mind."
She touched his hand briefly.
"Tomorrow."
Daniel smiled.
That was enough.
Inside their room—
Michael and Lucas began unpacking.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Then Michael noticed something small.
A box.
Hidden inside his luggage.
He frowned.
Then opened it.
And froze.
Inside—
was a beautiful pure gold wristwatch.
His dream watch.
The exact style he had once mentioned years ago—
back in seminary.
Michael turned instantly.
Lucas was calmly hanging shirts in the wardrobe.
Michael walked over.
Then wrapped both arms around him tightly from behind.
Lucas smiled immediately.
"You found it."
Michael pressed his forehead against his back.
His voice is soft.
"Even in my next life…"
Lucas turned slowly.
Michael looked at him.
"It will always be me and you."
Lucas' expression softened deeply.
Then Michael looked at the watch again—
and suddenly screamed:
"GOLD?!"
Lucas burst into laughter.
"My dream watch since seminary!"
"You talked about it once," Lucas said.
"I remembered."
Michael's eyes filled.
"You remembered."
Lucas nodded.
"Always."
Michael kissed him deeply.
Emotionally.
Their hands found each other.
Their foreheads touched.
The room grew warmer.
The distance between them disappeared.
The air filled with heat.
Longing.
Love.
Then—
Michael's phone buzzed.
Both men froze.
Michael sighed dramatically.
"Saved by technology."
Lucas laughed.
Michael answered.
"Grace?"
Her voice came immediately.
"Don't oversleep."
Michael smiled.
"Why?"
"I land tomorrow morning at 6."
Michael sat up.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"Good," she said.
"Someone has to make sure you don't embarrass the family."
He laughed loudly.
Then the call ended.
Michael smiled.
"This is getting better."
Lucas pulled him back gently.
"I agree."
A minute later—
Michael's laptop pinged.
He frowned.
Opened his email.
Read it.
Then he froze.
Lucas noticed immediately.
"What happened?"
Michael slowly turned the screen toward him.
The message read:
Congratulations. You have been selected to deliver the graduation speech.
Silence.
Michael stared.
Lucas stared.
Then Lucas smiled.
"Oh…"
Michael swallowed.
"…now I'm nervous."