One More Chance

Epilogue: Always By His Side

 

*Love can make you crazy. Love can make you blind. And yet, love can make you complete.

 

5 years later…

"Naoki, get down from the coffee table this instant!" Mikan yelled at her five-year-old son as she cradled her infant daughter in her arms.

"I don't want to!" Naoki protested, a stubborn expression on his face. He stuck his tongue out on her.

Naoki Hyuuga, Mikan and Natsume's firstborn son, looked exactly like his father. He had inherited Natsume's raven hair, his facial features, and even his attitude and personality. He looked so much like a mini-Natsume. Well, apart from the eyes. Naoki had inherited Mikan's hazel brown eyes.

Mikan sighed grudgingly. She placed her baby daughter into the crib.

It has been five years ever since she and Natsume got married. She couldn't help but be surprised at how fast the events in her life had gone. After a few months of their marriage life, Mikan immediately got pregnant. Of course, she had to take a temporary leave from her work for a little while but not before she was offered to showcase LEX Studio's Fashion for Pregnant Women Collection. She appreciated her modeling agency's never-ending support for her. They even gave her the dresses as a gift for free! And even until now, when she was already in her thirties, LEX still had her as their top model.

And in those five years, it wasn't only her and Natsume's love that blossomed. A few months after their wedding, Hotaru and Ruka had gotten married as well, and later, they were blessed with a healthy baby girl. Anna and Kitsu also had their firstborn daughter. Also did Nonoko and Yuu. Sumire and Koko were blessed with a son, who was as playful as his father was. And this year, Mikan and Natsume were once again blessed with another child, their new baby girl, Ayami.

"Fine, be that way." Mikan grumbled. "But don't expect me to take you to Itsuki-kun's birthday party later." She said authoritatively.

"But that's unfair Mom!" Naoki protested once again. "I have to come to Itsuki's birthday!" He started to jump on the table in complaint.

"And why's that?" Mikan raised her eyebrows challengingly, crossing her arms.

Naoki's reaction shocked Mikan the most. Her son was actually blushing!

"Well?" She prompted.

Naoki jumped down from the table, his face still red. He approached Mikan and grabbed her hand. Mikan went down on her knees to her son's height and looked at his face.

"Will Uncle Ruka and Aunt Hotaru be attending the party?" Naoki whispered.

The question caught Mikan off guard.

"Of course they will be there." She replied. "But why do you ask?"

Naoki's face got redder, if that was even possible!

"Because," He started, looking down on the floor.

"Because?" Mikan coaxed.

Naoki looked into his mother's eyes. Mikan was shocked by how serious they were.

"Because I want to see Eri." He admitted.

Eri Nogi is Hotaru and Ruka's firstborn daughter. She looked a lot like Hotaru and even shared her features, but she inherited Ruka's blond hair and light blue eyes. Eri was only a few months younger than Naoki, so the two of them were classmates in the pre-school of Alice Academy. Since the Hyuuga family and the Nogi family were very close, Naoki and Eri have become close as well. But Mikan didn't expect that her son would end up having feelings for her best friend's daughter!

But, that didn't mean that she didn't like it. In fact, she was absolutely thrilled. She had to fight the urge to squeal with delight.

"Naoki, do you like Eri-chan?" She couldn't help but ask.

Naoki gazed at her with his determined hazel eyes, which were exactly like hers.

"Of course I do." He stated without any hesitation. "When we grow up, Eri and I will get married!" He declared.

Mikan couldn't help but smile. Ah, young love. So cute and so innocent!

"Aw, my little baby boy has already grown up!" Mikan exclaimed. She immediately grabbed Naoki and hugged him tight.

"Mom, you're squishing me!" Her son gasped.

Mikan immediately let him go. She gave him an apologetic smile.

"I'm really sorry about that. It's just that, you kids are growing up so fast! Before I even realize it, you and Ayami already have your own families, and I will be stuck here in an old rocking chair making mittens for my grandchildren." Mikan cried. "I think I'm getting old." She whined.

Naoki rolled his eyes.

"You're already old, Mom." He muttered.

"That's so mean Naoki!" Mikan cried.

Her son grinned mischievously.

"But that doesn't mean that you're no longer beautiful."

Now it was Mikan's turn to roll her eyes.

"You and your father are definitely alike!" She muttered. "Always thinking that your charms will always work on anyone."

"Well, doesn't it?" A voice spoke up from behind her.

Mikan turned and found her husband approaching them, a grin etched on his face.

"Dad!" Naoki immediately ran towards him.

Natsume grinned and scooped his son up in his arms.

"So, what were you and your mom talking about?" He asked.

"Mom thinks that she's getting old." Naoki laughed.

Natsume glanced at Mikan, examining her from head to toe.

"She doesn't look old to me." He chuckled.

Naoki grinned.

"Even if mom is old, she is still the prettiest mom in the whole world!" He cheered.

Mikan blushed.

"I couldn't agree with you more." Natsume smiled. He put Naoki down. "Why don't you go and get changed? We'll be leaving for the party soon." He said.

Naoki immediately ran to his room.

"You really have a way with words, do you?" Mikan grumbled, crossing her arms.

Natsume chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Is that bad?" He teased.

Mikan couldn't help but smile.

"No, of course not." She said.

Natsume leaned down and kissed her.

"I love you." He smiled tenderly at her, his crimson eyes loving and warm.

"I love you too." Mikan smiled contentedly.

And as they stared into each other's eyes, they knew that it was for certain. After all, even after all these years, their love never wavered. And it certainly wouldn't now.

Because they knew for a fact that their love was forever.

THE END