The next morning, Kepa awoke and turned, watching Maite sleep peacefully next to him. Her dark curls splayed out across her pillow and her lips were slightly parted as she breathed. As he watched her, a wave of happiness overcame him. He felt like the luckiest man alive. 

He lay there for a few moments, just watching, until Maite stirred. She opened one eye and glanced his direction. 

“Hmm,” she mumbled. “How long have you been staring at me?”

“I’m not staring,” Kepa protested. “Just… watching.”

“Ok, then,” smirked Maite as she turned on her side to look at Kepa. “How long have you been watching me?”

Kepa blushed. “Only a few mintues…” 

“A few minutes, and you just laid there?” Maite’s smirk turned into a grin as she scooted over, throwing her arms around Kepa and pulled him to her lips. “You restrained yourself from this?”

When Kepa and Maite finally made their way downstairs, they found Mari Carmen in the kitchen, coffee on the stove and breakfast on the table. She looked up as they entered. Raising an eyebrow, but with a smile, she said “Egun on” when she saw Maite.

“Egun on, Mari Carmen,” replied Maite, giving her a small peck on the cheek.

“How was dinner last night?” asked Mari Carmen as she placed two cups of coffee on the small table that filled the kitchen.

“It was awesome!” exclaimed Kepa. “Koldo is turning into a master chef.”

Maite nodded. “I agree. I was more than pleasantly surprised.”

“Koldo’s always been good at whatever he sets his mind to,” replied Mari Carmen. “He just has a problem focusing on what he wants to do. He has too many things he is interested in.”

Maite looked at Kepa, silently pushing him. Kepa sighed.

“Ama, speaking of focusing on what to do,” he began before pausing. “Ah!” he exclaimed, exasperated. “I didn’t think this would be so hard.”

“Zer?” replied Mari Carmen. “That you are moving to Donostia with Maite?”

Maite and Kepa looked at each other in shock before looking back at Mari Carmen.

“Nola jakin zenuen?” Kepa asked in disbelief. “How did you know?”

Mari Carmen chuckled. “It’s a small town. The ladies like to… talk”

There was an awkward pause as Mari Carmen, returning to her routine, let them digest the situation. 

“Well…” began Kepa.

“Well, what?” asked Mari Carmen, innocently.

“Well, what do you think?” he blurted.

Mari Carmen sighed as she put down her dish towel. She came over to sit at the table across from Kepa and Maite.

“Look,” she said, “I can’t say I won’t miss you. This baserri is already too big for the two of us, and by myself…” She looked around, as if to survey the whole building – the foyer and the barn, the upstairs, the loft. “But, I knew this day would come, that you would need to strike out on your own, build your own life. I do hope you come to visit often – Donostia isn’t so far away – and maybe one day you will come back here with your family.” She shrugged. “Who knows. In any case, I’m happy for you.” She looked over at Maite and smiled before returning her attention to Kepa. “I can’t imagine anyone better for you.”

Kepa stood up and walked around the table, embracing his mother, a tear running down his face. “Eskerrik asko, ama. Maite zaitut.”

“Bai,” replied Mari Carmen, tears also welling in her eyes. “Maite zaitut ere bai.”

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