The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第39章 Homecomings

     The Chicago skyline shimmered against the dusky horizon as Eden's plane touched down. It had been months since she'd last set foot in her hometown, and as the jet taxied across the runway, a wave of nostalgia rolled over her. The familiarity was grounding, yet strange now that her life had expanded so far beyond these streets.

At the arrivals gate, her parents were waiting. Eden's mother, arms already open, nearly barreled past security. Eden laughed as she was pulled into a tight embrace, her father joining with his quieter but no less steady affection. Mia stood off to the side, smiling warmly at the scene.

"My baby girl," her mother murmured, cupping Eden's face. "You look so radiant. Must be all that love in Japan."

Her father gave her shoulder a firm squeeze, his voice deep with pride. "You've done well, Eden. More than well."

That evening, they gathered around the dining table at her parents' house. The comforting smells of roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and fresh bread filled the air. Conversation flowed easily—Mia asking questions about Eden's childhood, Eden's parents laughing as they shared old stories.

But inevitably, talk turned to the wedding.

"So," her father began, leaning back with his glass of wine, "tell us, how are the plans coming along? Do we have a date yet?"

Eden smiled softly. "May 5th. We've started planning, but it's... a lot. I still haven't even picked a dress."

Her mother's eyes sparkled. "You'll find it. It has to be perfect."

Her father reached into his jacket pocket and slid a white envelope across the table. "And this," he said, "is for the wedding of your dreams."

Eden hesitated before opening it, her breath catching when she saw the check inside. One hundred thousand dollars.

"Dad... Mom..." Her voice broke, eyes stinging. "This is too much."

"Nonsense," her mother said, brushing a tear from Eden's cheek before kissing it. "You've worked so hard for everything. Let us do this for you. we have been saving for this moment since you were a little girl."

Her father kissed her other cheek, his hand firm at the back of her neck. "Take it, Eden. Make the day unforgettable."

Mia looked on with quiet awe as Eden hugged her parents tightly, the check pressed against her chest.

Later, as they prepared to leave, her parents tried to insist they stay the night. But Eden shook her head gently. "I need to be near the townhouse, and Mia has to be close to the office in the morning. Kenji's assistant, Sam, already booked and paid for the hotel."

Her mother sighed but kissed her one more time. "Fine. But promise you'll be back before you leave town."

"I promise."

At the hotel, Eden and Mia checked in, both exhausted but grateful. Eden opened the door to her room and froze. On the desk, a vase of crimson roses sat waiting, their fragrance immediately filling the air. A small card leaned against the vase.

With trembling fingers, she opened it.

To my Eden,
Distance is temporary. My love is constant. Sleep well, and know I'm with you in spirit.
—Kenji

Her heart swelled, the stress of travel melting away. After a long shower, she slipped into bed, the city lights glowing faintly through the curtains.

She typed out a message before setting her phone on the nightstand:
Thank you for the roses. I love you. Goodnight.

Moments later, his reply lit up the screen.
Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams.

Eden smiled, pulling the blanket tighter around her, and drifted into sleep with his words in her heart.

     The hotel was quiet, the kind of silence that made every shift in the sheets sound amplified. Eden tossed and turned, the city lights casting restless shadows across her room. By 2 a.m., she finally gave in and reached for her phone. Her fingers hovered over Kenji's name before she pressed call.

He answered on the second ring, his voice low but alert. "Eden?"

She sighed, sinking deeper into the pillows. "I can't sleep. I'm tired, but I just... I wish you were here."

Kenji exhaled softly. "Funny, I was having the same problem. Couldn't sleep either, so I got up to work. My desk lamp's been burning since midnight."

Her lips curved faintly, comforted by the thought of him awake on the other side of the world. "Of course you'd bury yourself in work."

He chuckled. "And of course you'd call me instead. Balance."

There was a pause, then his voice shifted, more serious. "By the way, did you ever deposit the funds from the engagement party? The checks and cash people gave us?"

Eden frowned in the dark. "No... I thought you would handle it."

"Someone called me earlier," he said evenly. "Said the money hadn't left their account and wanted to confirm we'd received it."

Her brows drew together. "I believe all the gifts are in your walk in."

"No worries, I'm going to send Sam to deposit it tomorrow." He said. 

"Thank you!" she said, satisfaction lacing her tone. He laughed into the call at her excitement.

 "Just trying to take the load off, but please get comfortable accepting help and asking me for help." he responded. 

There was a moment of silence between them, not uncomfortable, but charged with something unspoken.

Then Kenji asked, almost teasingly, "If we ever had children, have you thought about names?"

Eden laughed softly, caught off guard. "You're asking me this at two in the morning?"

"I'm awake, you're awake. It's as good a time as any."

She chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I always liked the name Angel for a girl. Something elegant but strong. For a boy... maybe Camron. Short, simple, but meaningful."

Kenji hummed approvingly. "Angel and... Cam... I like that. Beautiful, just like their mother will be."

Her cheeks warmed, and she whispered, "And with a father like you, they'd be unstoppable."

They lingered in the soft glow of the conversation, painting futures they hadn't fully stepped into but both could feel drawing nearer. Eden finally closed her eyes, his voice the last sound she heard before drifting to sleep—comfort, love, and promise woven together across oceans.