The drive back home from Naya's family house was quiet at first, filled with the soft hum of the car engine and Tami's soft snores in the backseat. She had worn herself out from all the attention, food, and excitement.
Naya glanced at Kain, one hand resting lightly on his knee. "Thank you."
He turned his head briefly, giving her a warm smile. "For what?"
"For everything. You brought gifts that made my mom tear up, answered my dad's interrogation like a champ, and somehow got them both to like you within two hours. That's talent."
Kain chuckled. "I was terrified, honestly. I've never had to try that hard to impress someone's parents."
"You did great. My dad might pretend he's unimpressed, but if he didn't like you, you'd have known."
He nodded slowly. "I could tell. I respected how direct he was. It wasn't easy, but it was honest."
They fell into a comfortable silence again. The night sky darkened further as they drove past city lights, stars peeking out in quiet glimmers.
When they reached home, Kain carefully carried Tami inside, laying her gently on the bed in her room and pulling the blanket over her. She stirred for a moment, then relaxed into her pillow. Naya stood by the door, watching the scene with quiet affection.
She followed Kain downstairs, where he poured two glasses of wine. He handed her one and led her out to the balcony where the air was cool and the cityscape shimmered in the distance.
"So…" she said, voice soft as she took a sip of wine.
He looked over at her, his profile calm, eyes thoughtful.
"What's next for us?" she asked.
Kain set his glass down. "You mean after meeting your parents?"
She nodded.
He reached for her hand, his thumb brushing along her knuckles. "I want to make this official. Public. I want the world to know that you're mine—not just in paperwork, but in heart, in soul. I want a real wedding, Naya."
Her heart stuttered.
"I know this didn't start traditionally. But everything we have now… it's real. You, me, Tami—it's the life I didn't even know I needed."
She stared into his eyes, stunned into silence.
"I want to see you walk down an aisle," he said. "I want our families there. I want Tami to hold the rings. I want vows, Naya. Not because we need them, but because you deserve them."
Tears pricked her eyes. "You really want that?"
"I've never wanted anything more."
She leaned into him, resting her forehead against his chest. "I do too. I want that future. With you."
Kain held her tightly. "Then it's settled."
They didn't speak for a moment, content in the warmth between them. The night wrapped around them gently.
Later, after placing the wine glasses in the sink and locking up for the night, they retreated to their bedroom. It was quiet, the kind of quiet that came with peace—not emptiness.
She curled into him under the sheets, her back against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her like a promise.
"You know," she murmured, "when this started, I thought I'd be out in a year. I didn't even think we'd get along."
Kain laughed. "You mean after you judged me for wearing hoodies to business meetings?"
She smiled. "Exactly."
"I was trying to be cool. Obviously failed."
She turned around to face him. "No, you didn't fail. You grew on me. Like a really charming virus."
He leaned in, kissing her nose. "That's the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me."
They both laughed. Then the laughter faded into something softer—his hand brushing her cheek, her lips brushing against his. The kiss deepened, warm and slow. There was no rush. No urgency. Just connection.
Their lovemaking that night was unhurried. Gentle. Kain whispered against her skin. Naya clung to him like she needed the grounding. They moved together in rhythm, the kind that came not just from passion but from trust.
Afterward, they stayed tangled in each other, breath mingling, hearts slowing.
"I want us to grow old like this," he whispered. "Talking about politics, spoiling Tami, traveling… you and me."
"We will," she whispered back. "I believe that now."
As sleep crept in, Kain spoke again, his voice low.
"We should go visit your parents again soon. Maybe bring them something new. Your mom said she wanted more of that tea I got her."
Naya laughed sleepily. "You mean the one that cost more than a designer bag?"
"I aim to impress."
"You already have."
He traced slow circles against her back. "What kind of wedding do you want?"
She was silent for a while, then said, "One where I can see everyone I love smiling. One where I walk toward you and forget that anyone else is even there."
He kissed the top of her head. "Then we'll make that happen."
Naya thought about Tami—how she'd grown attached to Kain, how easily she smiled around him. She thought about the life they had now—calm, real, and slowly unfolding into something deeper.
"I want to involve her too," she said. "In everything. Engagement shoot, wedding dress shopping, even choosing a cake flavor."
Kain smiled. "Of course. She's part of us. Always."
They spent the next hour imagining the wedding. Beach or garden? Gold accents or ivory and blush? A small gathering or a grand celebration? They discussed it all, pausing every so often for a kiss or just to hold each other closer.
By the time they drifted into sleep, Naya's fears had quieted. The marriage that started from pressure had become something she never expected: a home, a partnership, a love story worth remembering.
She didn't need the year to decide anymore.
She already had.