.

I hold my hands up to the fact I could not resist writing a final chapter, so Aydin could have his own adventure. He was such an enabler to Connor and Luc, I decided that he deserved it.

(Cough, Cough. You don't have to read it all at once, you know!)

Tess O-Meter Green.

NB: Remember, Aydin is pronounced Aye-Dun.

-X

Aydin leaned on the bar. His chin on his palm. His mind wandering.

He had been back nearly three weeks and was over the jet lag. But the pub was quiet, as in empty, and he felt a little blurgh.

Post holiday blues maybe?

Trying to cheer himself up, he cast his mind back to nearly eight weeks ago.

Luc had been back at work, although all of the regulars were careful not to let him talk too much, and he still had faint bruising around his neck.

Aydin was fine. Fabulous. Totally back to normal. If it wasn't for the crushing headaches, which still came at alarming regularity and felled him.

Connor had dragged him to the doctor three times, despite both the doctor and Gently reassuring them that it was normal post-concussion and would fade in time.

Another sudden headache and near collapse and Aydin had found himself waking up the following morning in the spare room. Again.

Only this time Connor had been waiting for him. He sat Aydin down and informed him that he was taking some time off. Taking a vacation. Having a proper rest.

Aydin smirked to himself in the quiet pub.

He had been so mad. Plus he had no spare money, so what was he going to do? Sit around in his apartment for a week.

Then Connor. Generous, amazing, sweet, Connor had told him his plan.

Since becoming business partners, Connor and Aydin had taken the pub on leaps and bounds. And Aydin wasn't shy to admit a lot of the money-spinners had been his ideas.

They had two funds for extra profit.

One went into extra loan payments, and they had already brought their estimated payment time down by nearly a year.

The other was a fund for emergencies, repairs, replacements, and new projects. It was their safety net. Their avoidance of new debt. And it was pretty healthy.

When Connor started talking, Aydin quickly realized that a late night, silly conversation a week before, had in fact been Connor and Luc sneakily fact finding.

What would you do if you won the lottery and had a month off work.

Damn it. He had fallen for it as well. It was those guileless big brown eyes of Luc's that were to blame.

Connor had apologized that he could only manage to give him three weeks. But explained about his friend, Lucy. A travel agent who had mapped out a plan. A flight plan that kept going in the same direction around the world.

Ireland, Thailand, and San Francisco. Three weeks.

Aydin had objected, of course he had, that's not what the fund was for.

Then Connor had played his ace.

In time, maybe a couple of years, he would do the same. Take a trip, take the time, fund it from their pot, and probably take Luc as he was thinking, maybe, honeymoon.

Which would leave Aydin holding the fort and short staffed.

Once he had got over the excitement that Connor was thinking marriage. And been sworn to secrecy. And made Connor cross his heart and swear on the ongoing reliability of their Guinness supplier, that Connor would take his turn.

Aydin had agreed.

Less than two weeks later, he was on his way.

-X

Landing at Dublin, Aydin had been completely unprepared for how he would feel. The heavy ache in his heart. He was trembling as he grabbed his bags (grateful they were all there).

When he walked into arrivals, he stopped in shock.

Nearly every member of his crazy family was stood, taking up half the available space.

There was a big cheer as he walked out, and no less than eight kids rushed him, darting around innocent bystanders, some of whom nearly went flying.

Apart from a few in-law's who probably had not been able to get time off work, pretty much everyone was there. Not his Pa, but then he hated car trips and it was nearly four hours.

They must have gotten up at arse-hole o'clock.

The older kids stayed with the adults and just waved, yelled, and cheered.

"Did you bring Hershey's?" Finn demanded, reaching him first and tugging at his sleeve.

In answer, Aydin just passed him the smaller bag that contained approximately 10 kg of American chocolate, "Share, be fair."

A chorus of 'Thanks, Uncle Aydin' etc rang out as all, apart from one kid with hair the exact same colour as his, dived into the bag. Disgruntled tourists weaved around them, dragging heavy cases.

Aydin spotted a Garda officer heading towards the large group. He dumped his bags and picked up his nephew. Also called Aydin, but known as Young Aydin.

"Hey, Handsome Aydin."

"Uncle Aydin. I love you." Young Aydin's arms gripped his neck.

Aww. What could be a better welcome than that?

His brother Charles (no one knew where the name Charles had come from, they all assumed their Ma and Pa must have been drunk) came over to grab his remaining bags, since Aydin had his arms full of his son.

"Hey, kiddo."

"What the hell you do? Hire a minibus?"

"Actually, we did!"

Aydin just laughed and headed over where his Ma was flirting with the officer. Flirting her way out of trouble.

At seventy-four, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He stood in a loose group hug with his siblings.

His parents had started quite young and gone, boy (Callum), girl (Aoife), boy (Charles), girl (Shauna), and then fourteen years later, along came Aydin (oops) when his Mom was 45.

It was always bizarre to Aydin to think that his eldest brother, Callum was fifty-two now, had a child only a year younger than him.

Speaking of, Aydin grinned as the twenty-eight year old Aidan (which had been Callum's idea of being funny when his son was born a year after his youngest brother), liberated the chocolate bag from Finn's greedy fingers.

"One piece for the bus," he told them. "Or you'll be sick."

"Aydin, are you going to choose some chocolate?" Aydin asked and watched as the lad carefully considered his options before pointing at a good sized bar. Smart kid.

"I'll keep it until you're on the bus," Aiden told him. "So you don't get chocolate all over your Uncle Aydin!"

Young Aydin nodded happily and laid his head on Aydin's shoulder.

"You sleepy?"

A nod.

"What time did you leave Ballycotton?"

"It was dark," Finn told him around a mouthful of chocolate, with a disgusted look on his face.

"You didn't have to come," Shauna told him, and the look turned to shock. Finn glared at his mom grumpily and slid his sticky hand into Aydin's.

"I wanted to see you, Uncle Aydin."

"See me, or check if I had brought chocolate?"

Finn smiled, all innocence. "Both."

Chuckling, Aydin turned back to his Ma as she raised her arms for a hug. Automatically including both Aydin's.

"Ma," Aydin felt his voice catch a little. He hadn't seen her in nearly two years.

"Ah, my baby," she kissed him. "Let's get this hoard out of here before this handsome young man has to arrest us."

The handsome young man in question, blushed but looked grateful. "Thanks, Mrs Flanagan."

"Welcome home," his Ma said, as bags and children were collected and swept towards the car park.

With the gang of adults and kids, all firing questions and wanting to tell Aydin their news, the trip went quickly.

Aydin was glad for the distraction. He had been expecting Charles, and possibly his Ma. He hadn't been expecting to be assailed by acute homesickness.

If it wasn't for the rowdy trip, he may have spent the whole journey sobbing in his ma's lap!

Emotion caught him, however, when they pulled up outside his parent's house.

Everyone laughed at him as his eyes went wide, and wet. There were balloons everywhere, dancing in the breeze. Shamrocks, and Empire State buildings, unicorns, and welcome homes.

Rainbow flags and bunting were draped all over (well, his parent's had never been subtle), and handmade pictures adorned the windows.

Charles beeped as they pulled to a halt and the door opened almost immediately. Aydin's dad hurried down the path as Aydin half fell out of the bus and into his arms. Burying his face in his dad's shoulder.

"Ah, it's good to see you, son." His dad pulled back and handed him an old fashioned handkerchief. "It's clean. I came prepared."

Aydin snorted. "Thanks, Pa." It was only after he wiped his eyes, he saw about thirty neighbours had also piled onto the street.

It became a party at that point.

Several hours later, and close to exhaustion, Aydin felt a hand on his arm and turned to see Father Donlevy.

"I wonder if I might have a word?"

Aydin excused himself and walked a few steps to privacy. Sneaking the remains of some cake to the neighbour's dog as they passed. He was stuffed from all the goodies that had been provided by both his family and the neighbourhood.

"How are you, Father?"

"Good. I'm well. I wanted to thank you again for introducing me to Father Michael."

Aydin had linked the two men and they played chess together online. Sometimes their games went on for several weeks as they contemplated moves.

"Maybe I'll introduce you in person one day."

"Ah, wouldn't that be grand." Father Donlevy smiled, but then turned more serious. "I just wanted to speak with you about a couple of things."

"Of course?"

"First of all. How are you?"

Aydin realized immediately that he was referring to the homophobic attack by his friend's brother. "I haven't told my family," he said quietly as he glanced around.

"Yes, I know. Father Michael said you didn't want to worry them."

"It's just," Aydin sighed a little. "I'm so far away, and it's something they particularly worry about."

Father Donlevy patted his arm reassuringly. "I understand, Aydin. But Father Michael told me you were injured."

"I had a concussion, but I'm fine now. Some headaches, but nothing for several days. It's partly why my business partner sent me on this trip."

Father Donlevy searched his eyes for a moment but then seemed convinced. "It's a relief to me that you have Father Michael to keep an eye on you."

"He's great."

Father Donlevy nodded. "He also tells me you haven't attended Mass in some time."

"Ah."

"As in, ever!"

Aydin winced. "Father. You know I've never been a big church goer. I have the greatest of respect for you, but please don't be offended, I'm just not religious."

"It's not just about religion, Aydin. It's about your roots. The familiar. It's about community and support."

"I see Father Michael regularly," Aydin defended.

"Yes, he keeps me up to date. It's good that you both have someone to practice your Gaelic with."

"He's much better than me!"

"Aydin!"

Aydin fell silent and bit his lip. Feeling like a child as he met Father Donlevy's eyes.

"Christmas Mass. That's all I ask."

"Christmas?"

Father Donlevy nodded.

"Yes, Father."

Father Donlevy brought him into a quick hug. "Thank you. You know where I am if you need me."

"Thank you, Father. I'm okay, I promise."

He hadn't had time to seek out Father Donlevy again. Only being in Ireland for four days.

It felt more like four minutes that Shauna and his brother in law, Colm, drove him back to Dublin.

Shauna crushed his ribs in a goodbye hug. "Don't be sad. You have Ma and Pa visiting in a few months, and then it's our turn."

Aydin gave a strange snort-snuffle into her shoulder. It was true that although this had been his first trip to Ireland since he left. His family hadn't let him go more than six months without a visit.

Last year, Connor had given up his bedroom to Charles and his wife, their three kids sharing the spare room. Connor had bunked down in the kitchen. It was a good thing there was a shower and bathroom shoehorned in next to the store room.

Connor wouldn't hear of Aydin's family staying in hotels. He was a good mate.

Aydin had his green card. He had known since he was ten that New York would be his forever home. His whole family did. Since the first time he saw a poster of the famous 'Lunch Atop a Skyscraper' image, he had been fascinated.

But he didn't think he would be able to wait another eight years before coming back to Ireland again. He hadn't realized how badly he needed this trip.

With love ringing in his ears, and a heart swollen with a whole confusion of emotions. Aydin caught his flight to Heathrow, and then transferred for Bangkok.

-X

And from Bangkok to Loei.

Aydin was hanging by the time he stumbled out of the airport and into the arms of his oldest friend.

He and Sean had grown up together in Ballycotton. Sean was the first person he had come out to, and had held his hand while he trembled and told his family. (Which actually had been totally fine. As they had, like, guessed already. DUH!)

He had also beaten the snot out of Kelvin Gallagher, after Kelvin called Aydin some names, that on reflection, Aydin very much doubted Kelvin had understood the meaning of at thirteen years old.

Aydin and Sean had left Ireland on the same flight. Parting at Heathrow. Aydin for New York and Sean for Thailand. They hadn't seen each other since, and both sobbed without shame as they hugged at the airport.

There had then followed an exhausting drive. Over an hour, the last half of which was on tracks rather than roads. Deeper and deeper into what seemed to Aydin to be some sort of untouched tropical paradise.

Until they pulled up and he left the air-conditioned truck. The humidity nearly sent him to his knees.

Sean had hurried around the car and half carried him into the house. Where he was greeted by Sean's wife, Mai. And his two children, Beam (who was like a miniature version of her Mom), and Sophon (who was more a mix of his parents, with clear western influence and curiosity in his eyes).

Aydin knew them all from phone video chats, but it was incredible to be able to touch and hug.

However, Mai had clearly seen his exhaustion and he had been fed, then sent straight for a shower and bed. Waking up a fraction over thirteen hours later.

Still yawning, but freshly showered, he had wandered into the kitchen to find Beam and Sophon. They had fetched him water and some food, and they had chatted. Aydin had asked about the correct greeting and been charmed by the five year old Beam coaching him.

Sophon, at seven, was more worldly wise. "You can shake hands too. No one here will mind."

Then they had smothered him in sunscreen and bug repellent, handed him a bottle of water, and led him out to find their dad, and into a whole new world.

Sean was a conservationist, and animal behaviour specialist, and at only twenty-nine, a renowned world-wide expert in elephant rehabilitation.

And this sanctuary was home to some of the most beautiful, awe inspiring, and wise creatures that Aydin had ever had the privilege to know.

Sadly, this (currently) twenty two strong herd, or as the keepers and Sean said, family. (Although the closest Aydin managed sounded like 'crackcrewah', and sent anyone nearby into hysterics.) Was made up of elephants who had all suffered injuries and/or trauma and could never live free.

Dealing with the traumatised animals was Sean's speciality, as well as giving them the best possible quality of life experience. Which meant re-creating as close to the wild as possible, while keeping them, and the humans around them, safe.

All were female. Their behaviour was too unpredictable due to their histories, to risk breeding or mixing. The matriarch (Sundara), was forty years old, and Sean said the wisest soul he had ever met. The two of them and his head keeper, Dusit, had developed together the centre to make it the best it could possibly be.

Watching Sundara, Sean, and Dusit together (they had a meeting every morning), Aydin was in no doubt that real communication was taking place.

Dusit, via Sophon as he spoke no English, told him of their creation of ponds around the reserve, where the elephants would take daily walks. They had, what Aydin thought of as pop-up ponds, at different areas at different times of year.

Within two years, Sundara had realized what was happening, and now, despite the fact they didn't have seasons such as Aydin knew seasons, she always changed their route when needed to go past the correct pond. And was teaching the younger ones.

Sean, amused, had admitted that he was sure Sundara had his number, but she appreciated being able to bring natural skills to the younger elephants she considered under her care.

After a day under Dusit's tutorage. Being taught how to behave around the large animals. (Sundara and the other fully mature ladies were pushing three tons. Not that Aydin would be rude enough to mention it.)

And drilled on emergency situations. Learning the Thai word for hold. Which meant he was to stand very still. Aydin just always thought of it as 'freeze' and had to resist putting his hands in the air.

Out. Which was when you ignored everything but getting out of the enclosure as fast as possible. Sophon, on behalf of a stern Dusit, had made it very clear that you did not look around to check what anyone else was doing. And Dusit, via Sophon, had deadpanned that he would be outside already. Allowing a smile when Aydin sniggered.

And Aydin's personal favourite. Hide. Or as he thought of it, bomb shelter. As all of the enclosures had a couple of small covered gully's where you could take shelter from rampaging feet.

They wouldn't protect you from an elephant intent on doing you harm, but would be okay for an accidental trampling.

Once Aydin was allowed to get going, cleaning the bomb shelters was one of his jobs. Due to the girls spooking so easily, they apparently got regular use. And no one wanted to dive to safety only to land on top of a venomous spider!

Nine days in, Aydin was very much lulled into a false sense of security.

He'd had yesterday off, and been taken to a beautiful waterfall and lagoon. They had gone swimming, eaten wonderful food prepared by Mai. And approximately every twenty minutes, Beam, who was very protective, attacked both him and her dad with the slippery sun screen and bug spray.

Sean had apologized that they couldn't do relaxing, touristy things every day, but Aydin reassured him that he was loving the experience.

And indeed he was.

Aydin was tall, a fraction under six foot, but he often forgot to eat when not at work and knew he often slid towards skinny. Although to be fair, it was more slender right now, as Luc's grandma had semi adopted him and was feeding him up.

Maybe for some sort of sacrifice, he wasn't sure. But he had joked to Luc that he would be avoiding her around Halloween, just in case. (Luc had actually snorted Pepsi out of his nose. It was awesome!)

But he was strong, which often people assumed he was not.

Here, surrounded by mostly Thai's, who also tended towards the slender. Possibly due to working so hard. But they just assumed he could do it, instead of worrying they were asking too much.

It had made a refreshing change.

He probably wouldn't want to do it as a forever job though.

Take today. He was in the section of enclosure allocated to a lovely lady called, Lawan.

The design of the enclosures, where everyone hung out when not out in the reserve, was such that elephants such as Lawan had their own space if needed, but were always within sight of their family.

There were a few in the group that really did need to be able to retreat to their private area. Other's lived in small groups. The enclosures all fed into a central space, where even before the keepers had opened everything up in the morning, the elephants could put their trunks through and touch.

So they were separate for safety, but not apart.