a/n: can i cry??? this is the last chapter....

OHMYGAWD!!!

“Zhang Yixing! Put another finger on that cake and I’ll make sure you won’t be able to play a guitar for a week.” Seirin reprimanded, slapping Lay’s hands away.

Lay pouted but let himself be shooed away anyways, making a beeline for one of the stools beside the island counter. “Jeez, so uptight! I only get to be over once in a while and you treat me like a kid.”

Seirin rolled her eyes, facing the soup she was cooking. “Oh, please, Lay. You come over like twice a week. You’re practically here more often than Kris.”

A small munching sound had Seirin sighing. Sure enough, when she turned back to the dimpled guy, he was eating one of the muffins she had prepared earlier. Lay just shrugged and finished up the muffin before picking another one and stuffing himself with it again.

Seirin shook her head, idly wondering how things had changed in the past couple of years. She admits that she was disappointed with Lay after she had discovered how he and Chen were practically brothers. But Lay proved to be a loyal friend nonetheless, the friendship he had started with Seirin being genuine even if the circumstances of how they had met was out of necessity only on Chen’s side. And the friendship between Lay and Seirin had actually helped in patching up Seirin’s and Chen’s relationship faster. And for that, Seirin could have never been more thankful.

And speaking of Chen, the guy was based in Korea now, along with his father. Although Seirin tries to avoid speaking or being associated with Kai as much as possible, she held no grudges towards the older man. His actions had caused drastic results but he was sorry and he regrets whatever wrong he had done. Even Joonmyun was already in speaking terms with his old partner so Seirin tries hard to be civilized whenever she gets to meet Kai. It is only polite because he was the one to help her after all.

Chen on the other hand had seemed to have gotten over his feelings for Seirin already. He’s back to being the troll king that he was, and him and Kris gets along better now, though they fight about the pettiest of things now and again. It’s actually fun to watch. Sehun and Tao would bet on them once in a while, causing for Joonmyun to always sigh in defeat since no one listens to him whenever Kris and Chen were on one of their heated discussions.

Joonmyun had resigned from the force and went to be an investigator instead. It was because Hyoyeon reasoned that he wasn’t getting any younger and she couldn’t keep on worrying everyday that somehow fate would be cruel and Joonmyun would come home in a body bag. Joonmyun couldn’t do anything more because Kris had agreed with his mother and even Sehun, who was clueless as to how the law works anyways, had also voted for his father to resign. Joonmyun didn’t want to resign completely and live idly for the rest of his life so he compromised by being an investigator. Luckily, it was good enough for his family.

And speaking of the whole family, Hyoyeon, Joonmyun and Sehun were about to arrive in a few minutes. Kris had been promoted, even after just more than two years on the force, and so they were going to celebrate. Tao, Lay, Chen, Kai, Minseok, and practically the ones closest to the family were invited, so Seirin had been busy preparing food the whole day, and tidying up the house.

As Lay continued devouring his second muffin, Seirin went to give the whole apartment another last minute check. The apartment was not that big, just enough for her and Kris. She still could remember that night when Kris had asked her to move in with him. It had been two years ago but it seemed like just yesterday.

She was surprised when she came back to Korea and was told that Kris was living on his own already. Apparently, Kris had gone through some emo period when she left him, causing for him to move out of the house and live on his own. She felt guilty for it somehow but Kris reassured her that he was doing fine.

Well, Kris was barely living to be honest. The first time Seirin had set foot on the apartment she immediately noticed how empty it was. Because there were no other furniture besides Kris’ bed, the old couch in the living room and the television; the whole apartment was stark and bare and empty. It changed gradually of course since Seirin started coming over more often, urging Kris to go furniture shopping with her until the house was filled with little knickknacks that they both had agreed to purchase.

Around seven months after Seirin had came back to Korea, Kris asked her to move in with him. Of course it took a lot of convincing Joonmyun, their father reluctant to letting Seirin go when he had just had her, but he agreed. Hyoyeon was harder to convince since she wanted for Kris and Seirin to get married first before living together, but eventually she relented.

Sierin sighed as she fixed the vase of flower sitting next to a framed picture of her and Kris, the one she had taken with the phone Kris had brought her back then. She’s actually a little sad. She loves Kris and she knows that he loves her back, maybe even more. They were as happy as the can be. But there’s something missing.

A ring on her finger.

Until now, Kris hadn’t proposed to her yet, or even mentioned anything about marriage. A wedding is just a superficial thing for Seirin; she believes that a piece of paper doesn’t symbolize the true connection between two people. But she can’t help but to dream about actually being married. It’s not that she wasn’t happy with how she and Kris were living right now, she just… she just want it to be official. She’s just like every other woman out there after all, wanting to walk down the aisle with her father giving her away to the man she loves. She wants to say her wedding vows in front of a priest and the whole world, declare her love for her husband in front of the people who means the world to them. She had almost done it once but back then it was against her will. How she longs to do it the right way.

Bending over to take the small box she had placed on the drawer beneath the table where their picture was, she retrieved the small unadorned box and held it closely to her chest. Inside it was another reason why she wants that ring on her finger. She was about to open it but was interrupted by the doorbell, followed by Sehun’s familiar voice over the speaker.

Sighing, she put the box away and went to open the door for Sehun, and unsurprisingly, Joonmyun, Hyoyeon and Tao were with him, Minseok tagging along too. Sehun’s still living with his parents, while Tao… well, he was actually forced by Hyoyeon to live with them since she claimed that the house felt so empty without Kris and Seirin. Tao couldn’t have decline even if he wanted to, he was practically family and he was living alone anyways, what with his family living back in China. Minseok became the head of the department Joonmyun had left, the two of them keeping close contact even if they weren’t working together anymore.

Soon enough, Sehun and the rest were enjoying themselves in the living room, talking about random things as they all waited for Kris to arrive. Kris was supposed to come late because of a meeting and Seirin wished that he won’t get caught on traffic. Chen arrived with Kai shortly after Joonmyun had done so, and Seirin could only be awkwardly polite toward Kai so much. She wished that Kris would come sooner so they could all get to dinner and expel the strangely awkward atmosphere, at least that between her and Kai.

She thanked her lucky stars because Kris arrived a quarter of an hour after Chen did. Soon, the whole apartment was filled with chatter as food and beverage were passed around. Tao and Sehun were making fun of those times they bet between Chen and Kris, the two older guys just keeping light smiles on their faces, setting aside their petty differences in favor of enjoying the night.

As they all enjoyed themselves, exchanging stories of their respective days, and reminiscing their past memories, Joonmyun called for their attention, raising his glass in the air while smiling at Kris like the proud father he was.

“Congratulations, Kris. Keep up the good work. And remember this… even if I don’t say if often as I should…” he sniffled lightly as his eyes moist up, earning him chuckles from his audience who knows very well how he’s an easy crier, “Just remember that I could have never wanted any other older son than you are. I am lucky to have you and be called your father. I am… very proud of you.” he beamed. “I love you.”

Kris stood from his seat and clank his glass with his father’s, smiling at Joonmyun, “And I am very lucky that I have you. I am lucky to be your son. Thank you, dad. And I love you.”

Hyoyeon and the others made fun at how sappy he two were and soon Joonmyun was back to his seat beside his wife.

Kris remained standing though. He looked at everyone in the table, smiling that soft smile Seirin loves. “Thank you for coming tonight. We’ve been through a lot, and I hope that we as a family, would continue walking side by side together. You wouldn’t know how happy I am that I get to know you guys and call you my family, and I thank God that he had given me such a wonderful gift even if I don’t deserve it.” there were tears that he desperately blinked away, earning him teasing jibes from Sehun and Tao.

Seirin smiled at the scene, feeling warm inside. She wished that they would be given more times such as this in the future. More time to spend together as a family, as one.

When Kris turned to look at her, she smiled at him, love radiating from her eyes. Kris beamed at her, holding out his hand for her to take, and she gladly put her hand on his. He gently tugged at her hand, causing for to stand beside him. He kissed the back of her hand, gazing at her eyes lovingly.

“And of course… I thank God for giving me the love of  my life.” Kris said in a quieter tone, caressing Seirin’s face with his free hand. “Thank you for staying with me, honey. I love you.” he murmured.

Seirin felt her cheeks get hot with the attention, never the one to be comfortable of showing intimacy in front of other people, even if it was her family. But Kris’ words just made her so happy that she couldn’t be bothered if the whole world was watching. Kris is hers, as she was his. And that’s what’s important for her.

“I’m sorry if I had you put up with me these past two years.” Kris continued, his eyes misting once more.

Seirin shook her head with a smile, squeezing Kris’ hand reassuringly. “I love you, you know that. I’d stay by your side forever, even if you get tired of me.” she grinned, not wanting to be too cheesy anymore.

Kris chuckled, hugging her tightly. They stayed like that for a while, swaying into the music inside their own world, and forgetting that their family was watching them.

And then Kris whispered something in Seirin’s ear that had tears forming in the back of her eyelids until she couldn’t help but let them fall in succession down her cheeks. She was smiling though, half sobbing and half laughing at the same time as she hugged Kris even tighter.

Marry me, Kris had whispered.

It was a question. A question that Seirin had been longing to hear from Kris. And hearing those words just makes her heart leap in joy.

“I know I have been making you wait for too long. But I wanted to make sure that I could give you the life you deserved. I’m sorry for making you wait and I hope that you will still accept me… Seirin… would you marry me?” he asked, a sweet loving smile grazing his lips as tears formed in the corner of his eyes.

“Of course I will.” she answered. “You can’t take your words back, okay? Because I won’t let you. I’ll stick to you like glue and I would never let go.” she sobbed into his shirt.

Kris let out a hearty chuckle, prying Seirin away from him a little so he would be able to get something out of his front pocket. Seirin waited with abated breath. When Kris opened the small round blue box and held out a ring in front of her, their audience gasped in delight before cheering happily, Lay even resorting to whistling boisterously.

Tears wouldn’t stop from falling from Seirin’s eyes as Kris put the ring on her, the circular object fitting her ring finger perfectly. She smiled at it and couldn’t help but to give Kris a loving kiss, telling him how happy she was.

Kris hugged her once again, burrying his face into her hair, just like how he loves to do.

“I want to tell you something too, you know.” Seirin muttered, looking up to Kris and wiping her tears away, reaching out and wiping his too.

“Really?” Kris smiled. “What is it?”

Seirin bit her lower lip, trying to contain the smile on her face. “It would be better if I show you.” she said, getting out of Kris’ embrace to fetch that little box she had been hugging earlier.

She had brought the little cute thing a couple of weeks ago. She had wanted to give it to Kris but they were both always busy with their respective works, so she decided to wait for the right timing. And there was no other better timing than now.

As she went back from fetching the box she could hear the congratulatory teases Kris was receiving from everyone, and she couldn’t help but smile. They were all overwhelmed with happiness, how much more it would be once she gave Kris her surprise.

Kris chuckled as he received the box, eyeing it curiously. He even shook it a little, making Seirin giggle at his silliness.

“What is it? It’s not some insect is it?” Kris gave her a mocked suspiciously glare.

Seirin laughed. “No, silly. How many times do I have to tell you that it was Sehun’s idea to give you that toy cockroach as a birthday present?”

Kris just shrugged playfully and slowly took the lid off the box. Seirin waited, barely breathing as Kris dipped his hands into the box and lifted the object from inside so everyone would see.

“What…” Kris trailed as he blinked at the object, or rather pair of objects, in his hand.

“Noona, why would you give hyung pair of small shoes?” Sehun asked, “They’re for….”

“Babies.” Kris finished. He looked at Seirin and then back to the shoes, then back to Seirin again.

Seirin nodded her head with a smile, holding her two fingers up. “I’ve confirmed it a couple of weeks ago… I’m two months along.”

There was a bit of silence on the apartment before Hyoyeon’s squealing voice permeated the air. Hyoyeon started jumping up and down her seat excitedly, giggling happily.

Kris seemed to get out of his stupor and he was embracing Seirin tightly, sobbing quietly into her shoulder.

“Hey… why are crying?” Seirin laughed, Kris’ hair. “Shhh… you look like I’ve just given you a death sentence or something.”

Kris sniffed, not caring if the other people looking at them were laughing at him or something, “I… I’m so happy. Really happy. Thank you.”

Seirin wound her arms on his waist as he straightened up and enveloped her inside his arms. “I love you. And I’m happy that I get to start a family with you.”

“I promised you that I’ll always be here for you and I will. For you. And for our child.’ Kris murmured into her hair. “Oh God, this felt all so surreal. I feel like I’m dreaming.” he sighed.

Seirin smiled. “This is not a dream, Kris. And I’m really happy that it’s not. Because you’re one of the very best things that happened to me.”

Kris held her face with both hands, smiling as he leaned down to press his lips on hers.

As they celebrated more into the night, Seirin could only think of one thing. She had been freed from her tower. She had been indeed the yakuza’s Rapunzel. And now, she has her happily ever after.

The End.

a/n: *wails* oh my.... it is really finished....

i had fun updatiing this.... 

A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU MY DARLING READERS!!! you stayed with me even if the updates were far in between!!!!

i lurv you darlings!!!!!!