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W inter could sometimes be a dreary time of year.

The sky was leaden. The air was frigid. A great deal of work was done to prepare the fields for planting when spring arrived.

But, holding the hand of his new wife as they approached the farm on which he'd worked so hard for so long, Isaac decided might just be the most wonderful season of all.

He had wed his darling Alice that morning in the humble chapel in Killeshandra.

Her grandparents had been there. Billy Kettle had as well.

And Isaac's neighbors had attended despite his having been a rather neglectful neighbor to them the past few months.

He'd been blinded by his ill-focused ambitions, thinking his future and his happiness could be found in Cavan Town.

But his future had been here all along. And happiness had always been Alice. His Alice.

As they reached the door, Alice looked up at him, her smile soft and tender. "We're home."

" Our home," he said. "’Tis the very best part."

"Followed closely by the céilí we're about to have." She motioned behind them to the neighbors and Alice's family who were approaching with dishes and musical instruments in hand.

"At least they let us get here first," Isaac said with an amused shake of his head.

"By almost an entire minute," Alice laughed.

Isaac took hold of the handle and opened the door. "Welcome home, Mrs. Dancy."

Alice stretched up and kissed his cheek. She'd begun doing that the day he'd confessed both his love for her and his stupidity in not realizing his feelings sooner. Isaac hoped she never stopped.

They stepped inside the tidy little home they now shared.

It was well-maintained and comfortable, but shockingly humble when compared to the Kilchrests' home.

How he had ever thought Miss Kilchrest would be at all happy with the life he had to offer, he couldn't say.

It had been utter foolishness, and that foolishness had almost cost him Alice.

"Are you unhappy, love?" Her voice pulled him back to the moment. She was hanging her bonnet on a hook by the door. "You look as though your thoughts are heavy."

He shook his head. "Only feeling full amazed at how very fortunate I am."

"Because you love a céilí ?" She smiled, teasing him as she loved to do.

He set his arms around her, holding her close to him.

"Because, at this céilí, I'll get to dance with you.

Because this céilí is being held at our home.

But, my darling Alice, my greatest happiness in this moment is you.

That you love me. That you're building a life with me.

That the road to Cavan Town led us here. Led us home."