The next morning, a gentle rapping echoed through Lilly's home. As she approached the door, the unmistakable sound of hooves and the gentle bleating of goats reached her ears. She threw the door open; and there in the brilliant morning sunlight stood Yorik riding Charcoal, his kind eyes reflecting the same warmth as the day. Behind him, attached to a makeshift harness, were Astra and Nova, her beloved goats.

Astra, with her black coat tinged with purple, nuzzled at Yorik's hand, her amber eyes sparkling with mischief. Nova, slightly larger than Lilly remembered, was starting to gain a purple hue matching her mother. Nova pranced around, a small bell around her neck tinkling with every step.

Lilly's eyes instantly welled up with tears, the weight of gratitude and relief heavy in her chest. As Yorik dismounted and tied Charcoal to the nearby fence, she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Yorik in a tight embrace. She almost knocked him over, but he smiled anyway. He returned the embrace, making her feel even more at home than her house made her feel.

"Yorik," she choked out, "thank you...thank you so much."

How would she ever thank this man for taking care of everything important in her life while she was fumbling around without memories?

He chuckled softly, patting her back reassuringly. "It's all right, Lilly. They missed you, but I made sure they were well taken care of."

Lilly knelt down, opening her arms wide. Astra and Nova bounded toward her, their bleats filled with excitement. They bumped their heads against her, vying for her attention, their tails wagging furiously.

She ran her fingers through Astra's coarse fur, her touch gentle and loving. Turning to Nova, she gave her a tender kiss on the forehead.

"Oh, my little mischief-makers," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion, "I've missed you both so much."

Astra responded with a playful headbutt, making Lilly laugh, while Nova simply leaned into her, relishing the affection.

Yorik cleared his throat, drawing Lilly's attention. "They were a handful; I won't lie. Especially Astra here," he said with a playful smirk, pointing at the mischievous goat. "But it was my pleasure to care for them."

Lilly stood up, wiping away a stray tear. "Yorik, I can never repay you for all that you've done. Taking care of them, searching for me—it's more than anyone could ever ask for."

He waved away her gratitude with a sheepish smile. "You would have done the same for me, Lilly. Besides, it's what neighbors do."

Lilly cocked her head and studied him. “I think you have gone way above your neighborly duties. I’m not sure that I could count on a single one of my friends from my old life to search the wilds for me like you did.”

Yorik’s cheeks turned pink. He coughed and changed the subject. "You know, Lilly," Yorik began, "I've organized a barn raising for today. With everything you've been through, it's the least we could do. The neighbors should be here soon to lend a hand. I even have a bunch of boards going to waste in my own barn we can use."

Lilly looked at him, her little crush on him definitely turning into something a lot more serious. This was a man she could count on to care for her and treasure her until the end of their days. Flying pig farmer or not, Yorik was unlike any man she had ever known. She didn’t think she would ever find such a man again. She would have to face her fears and tell him how she felt—and soon. Losing your memories and your life really put things into perspective.

Holding back the urge to rush forward in their relationship and give him a large kiss on the lips, Lilly placed a hand on her chest over her heart. "Greta stopped by last night and mentioned it. You didn't have to...but thank you. After all that happened, it'll be nice to have somewhere safe to keep my animals."

Yorik nodded. "You deserve some help to get your farm working again."

Lilly felt the blood beginning to pump faster through her veins as she thought about the plan she had come up with last night. "Yes, I was actually thinking of turning this place into a unicorn ranch! I've been giving it a lot of thought. I mean, Snow and Charcoal are such extraordinary creatures. I could focus on raising them; and maybe, with time, others will want to learn about them, too."

Yorik seemed to mull over the idea, his fingers tapping against his chin thoughtfully. "It's a brilliant plan. And you know, with the right barn design, we could ensure that they have the freedom they need yet still be safe."

Lilly eagerly nodded. "Exactly! I want them to have access to the pastures, to roam and graze freely. But they also need shelter against harsh weather or any potential threats."

Yorik gestured toward the expansive land that stretched out before them. "Imagine a large paddock, connected to the barn, with multiple access points. The unicorns can move between the sheltered barn and the open pastures as they please. Yet if ever there's a need, you can securely close off sections for their safety."

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Lilly's eyes sparkled as she visualized it. "And within the barn, we could have separate stalls—spaces where they can rest or be isolated if they need medical attention. Or if, you know, when Snow has a baby."

A mischievous grin tugged at the corner of Yorik's lips. "Starting a unicorn family, eh? Now, that would be something. I still can’t forget the image of you holding little Nova, so proud of your first farm birth. You’re a natural at this, Lilly."

Lilly chuckled. She could feel the excitement bubbling up inside her. "It's a dream, but one I'm hoping to turn into reality."

Yorik stepped forward and placed a hand under her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his. Her chin tingled where he touched her, and his intense gaze took her breath away.

"Lilly, I don’t think anything could stop you from reaching for your dreams. I’m just glad I get to be a part of it.”

Lilly didn’t know how to respond to him. It was the perfect intimate moment with an opening for her to tell him how she really felt. There was so much she wanted to say, but the neighbors would be arriving any moment. Voices coming up her driveway gave her an excuse to turn away. It was Elandro, Tunni, and their two boys arriving.

Dropping his hand and taking a step back from her, Yorik adjusted his hat against the sun’s glare. “I'll be back soon. I’ll grab that batch of lumber just waiting for this barn."

Lilly gave a nod of appreciation. "Hurry back, Yorik. I’m not sure how to direct people in building a unicorn barn. And, Yorik? Thank you."

Just as the dust from Yorik's departure was settling, Lilly saw Greta walking up, pulling a small horse cart behind her like a handcart. The cart looked to be weighed down by large baskets and a handful of tools. The aroma wafting from those baskets made Lilly’s head turn and stomach growl. She met Greta, Elandro, and Tunni near the remains of the burned down barn.

"Ah, Greta!" Elandro called out, her face lighting up. "You always know how to make an entrance."

Greta, showing off her long, yellowed ogre teeth, smiled and replied, "Well, hard work should always be rewarded with a hearty meal. And trust me, this one's special. I brought enough for a quick breakfast and lunch."

With everyone gathering around, Greta dramatically pulled back a cloth from the top of one of the baskets. Beneath the cloth lay meat pies that were a spectacle in themselves. Designed in the shape of a detailed dead fish, the scales of the fish were a crust of blue maize that brought out the deepest blue, lending the pies an almost mystical hue.

Tunni picked up one, his eyes widening in surprise. "Blue maize crust? Elandro and I talked about growing some, but I didn’t want to travel across Briarhaven to get them."

Greta grinned. "Oh, don’t worry, I have some more seeds that I didn’t cook. You can have them. But wait till you taste the filling."

Taking her own fish in hand, Lilly tried not to show disgust as the glassy eyes of the dead fish looked back at her. Lilly took a bite, and it was a sensation like no other. The roasted vegetables melded seamlessly with the unexpected delight of something sweet in with the chicken.

Pip, after taking a big bite, exclaimed, "This is the best thing I've ever tasted! What's this sweet taste with the chicken?"

"That, young Pip," Greta said with a chortle, "is the magic of harpy fruit. Hard to harvest but oh, so worth it."

As if the pies weren't enough, Greta had an ace up her sleeve. She revealed a jar filled with a golden liquid that glinted in the sun—a tangy sauce made from golden berries, which perfectly complemented the pies.

Elandro, after dipping his pie into the sauce, sighed contentedly. "Greta, you've outdone yourself. This is absolutely divine!"

After finishing their meal, Finn and Pip ran off in a tornado of enthusiasm, their laughter echoing through the air as they dashed about. The boys found an instant companion in Feather. After a good petting, they ran around as the griffy flew figure eights as fast as she could in the air, only pausing to play fetch.

As the sound of an engine approached, all heads turned to see Yorik's truck pulling into Lilly's farmyard, laden with a mountain of rich, freshly cut timber. The smell of the wood was intoxicating, a blend of earth and nature that filled the air with its fresh scent.

Tunni walked over, inspecting a piece of wood, and whistled appreciatively. "Yorik, this is some top-grade timber. The grain is absolutely beautiful!"

Yorik grinned, hopping down from the driver's seat. "Only the best for Lilly's barn. Took me a while to pick out the best ones. Quality always stands out, doesn't it?"

Walking over, Lilly ran her fingers over the smooth surface. "It's perfect, Yorik. Thank you. I can't believe you managed to get so much in such a short time."

Yorik scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile on his face. "Well, I've got some more on reserve. Figured we might need it. I'll shoot back and get another load once we've used up most of this."

Elandro laughed. "Always the planner, huh, Yorik? Racing off in a cloud of dust!"

While Pip and Finn kept Feather occupied, Tunni set to work. With gentle hand gestures and whispered words, she made grass sprout and grow, transforming the scorched land into a lush carpet of green. It was mesmerizing to watch, her magic a dance between nature and intent.

To Lilly’s surprise, she was interrupted by the young couple from the nearby alpaca farm where she had returned Aura. The woman spoke first, and Lilly took a moment before her name came to her mind: Lorraine.

“Excuse me. We heard about the barn raising, and we thought you might like two extra set of hands. The little alpaca you brought back to us is thriving, and we wanted to say thank you for taking care of her.”

Lilly smiled at her neighbors. “I’m glad she’s doing well. I was wondering about her, and I’m very glad she has good people looking after her.”

Peter and Lorraine loaned their strong hands to the task of clearing debris. Their synergy was evident; they moved with a practiced ease, their love for each other shining through their actions.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the skeletal structure of the barn started taking shape. Greta, with surprising strength, held up the heavy boards as if they weighed nothing more than a feather. Yorik, with hammer in hand, and Elandro, with his precise measuring, worked side by side, nailing the boards into place. The rhythmic sound of hammering melded with the voices and laughter.

Lilly had truly found her home, her family, and her purpose. She would never forget it.