When you got back to the room, your shock had turned to anger and you were shoving your clothes into your suitcase as Kio leaned against the doorway, watching.
You: *in a fury* "Can you believe her? I haven't talked to her in months and she's still obsessed with my life."
Kio: *staying calm* "I think it's specifically your leftovers that she seems to not be able to stay away from."
You shot him a dirty look and he realized the joke was lost in your frustration. He moved to behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist.
Kio: "Baby... why are you so worried about what she does? As you said, we hear from her every few months at best."
You: "I just want to go home. I'm happier than I've ever been with our life together at home. I just want that... only that... forever."
Kio: "Do you mean that?"
You: "Of course! I know you aren't really ready for anything official or if you'll ever be-"
You spun around, worried that you had scared him with talk of forever, and found him digging through his luggage.
You: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to freak you out."
Kio turned back to face you holding a small velvet box: "I have been carrying this around with me, everywhere for weeks. I was scared to ask you because I didn't know if you were ready."
You were in absolute shock as he opened the box to reveal the most perfect pear-shaped, antique ring.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Kio: "If you don't like-"
You interrupted him by jumping into his arms and knocking him over backward onto the bed. You kissed him over and over as you squealed: "Yes, yes, yes. 1000 times, yes!"
After showing Kio a proper thank you and acceptance, you laid in his arms admiring your new ring. You were interrupted by a knock at the door and Kio jumped up: "It's probably the room service I ordered-"
He opened the door to see his mom smiling up at him from the hallway: "I came to talk."
Kio: "We were kinda in the middle of something..."
Kio's Mom: "That's okay. I want to talk to you both."
You moved to the end of the bed as she sat between you: "I have no explanation for what your sister does most of the time. We all are just as shocked as you are."
Kio: "Mom-"
Kio's Mom: "No, you need to hear this. I know you and your sister will need to work this out on your own but I just don't want how you're feeling right now... or even down the road to affect you coming home more. We miss you so much and it hurts barely seeing you."
You: "You are always welcome to come to see us. It's just hard coming ho- here."
Kio's Mom: "... because this isn't home anymore."
After Kio's Mom hugged you both and left, you and Kio finished packing up and headed to the airport. When you landed, you immediately spotted Zach and Jared waiting by the luggage claim.
Zach: "As good as I look, was there a reason you requested we pick you up in dress clothes?"
Jared: "Yeah, and why did I need my camera?"
Kio: "How do you feel about giving us a ride to the courthouse?"
Instead of answering, you simply flashed your ring at them and Zach scooped you up off the ground, shaking you back and forth.
Jared: "About time!!"
You stood outside of the courtroom waiting for the judge's first appointment of the day. Your flight had just landed a few hours before and after stopping to grab last-minute things like flowers, you'd made it just in time for the courthouse to open. Jared had gone with Kio to make sure all the paperwork was ready and filed and Zach had stayed with you. The two of you always had a very brother/sister bond.
Zach: "Hey, don't be nervous. You look beautiful."
You: "Are you sure it's not awful that we are doing this without our families?"
Zach: "Hey, when have you ever done things like everyone else? What matters is that you and Kio are doing what is best for you. You can always celebrate later with them."
Kio: *jogging up with Jared right behind* "Ready to do this, baby?"
You: "And then forever?"
Kio: *kissing you with a smile* "That's the idea."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: And with those final words this is the grand finale of Boy Next Door's revival. Next up will be Room 241, my first Josh story's revival. Stay tuned! XOXO~Christy
