This is Not My Obituary

We'll meet at my house

Hanyu moved crate after crate in preparation for their arrival. Hanyu, unlike most of the others, had only moved a few towns over. Enough space for him and his wife to be free from their parents, but close enough in case they needed anything.

Hanyu moved around all the fiddles and flans of his garage to make sure the room was up to his wife's expectations. And because of it wasn't, him and the guys would  most likely be sleeping in it while the boy's wives stayed in the house. So he worked like she asked.

"Baby! When are they coming? It's already 4." The lovely little lady came waddling into the garage, big baby bump cutting her speed down by about half. When she finally made it over to her husband she was out of breath and leaned on him for support.

"I wouldn't worry too much about that my love," Hanyu rested a hand on the bump out of habit, "they've always been late." He chuckled as memories of all the times they had as kids came back to him. All the summer nights that Xinlong held the party up because he was facing his hair, or the times he'd have to take a few minutes to whoop Shuyang out of his premature smoking habits before a football game.

All good memories.

That is until everyone got married and left.

Shuyang stayed. So did MingRui. But MingRui didn't last.

They all knew that small hick town would kill them if they stayed too long. Shuyang stayed because he knew, and he could beat it, and they all knew he could. MingRui stayed because he was curious. But he had no idea.

Hanyu shook his head of the thought and looked down at the love of his life in his grasp and thanked the good Lord he made it out with her under his arm.

"Hanyu you're destroying me." She mumbled against his chest as he squeezed her tighter. "Mmm but you're so cute. I can't help but want to destroy you." He said, slapping her behind and causing her to squeal. "Now you stop that Jia Hanyu! I'm about to pop and you're acting like a teenager." She giggled, still pressed into his chest. "What if I help you pop." He grinned evilly. "No. I can't keep up with you anymore." She sighed in defeat. Hanyu simply hugged her close to himself and kissed the top of her head.

"Okay I'll quit teasing. You just work on making that baby as cute as you can." Hanyu said with a smile as he turned her loose.

The screech of brakes filled the air as Hanyu's little wife scuttled back into the house to prepare a few last things before guests entered her house. She was very particular.

It was a wordless interaction as Zihao stepped out of the wagon and went to open the door for his wife.

Hanyu looked down at the holes in his jeans and the blue flannel shirt that hung around his waist. His white t-shirt was stained with oil and grease while Zihao walked up to the garage dressed as if he were going to a business meeting. The paths life had taken them on we're very different.

Last thing Hanyu remembered hearing from Zihao, besides the news about GouGou of course, was that he was getting hitched to one of his father's business partner's daughters.

Hanyu had never once questioned if he really loved his wife, and he felt bad for Zihao who had been thrown into some marriage to a total stranger. They exchanged a few hurtful words during that discussion about each other's partner, and hadn't spoken since then. That was a very long 3 years ago.

Hanyu didn't move a muscle as Zihao made his way up to him. The woman on his arm smiled brightly as she held out her hand.

"I'm Lona, it's so nice to finally meet you." She said, a genuine look of joy on her thin face. The couple was built similarly. Tall, slim, and uninterested looking, but both of their faces changed with a smile.

"Nice to meet you." Hanyu obliged and shook her hand as the door to the house opened once again. "Why didn't you tell me they were here?" Hanyu's smaller wife said as she hurried towards them, hand perched on her swollen abdomen. "Well I-"

"I'm Dela. It's so wonderful that both came!" Hanyu's wife enthused, reaching out to lead Lona towards the house.

"It's good to see you Dela. You look.... Pregnant." Zihao said with a real smile, one he hadn't had for awhile. "But lovely." He added.

"Why so formal Z? But yes I do look lovely." She laughed. Dela had known the boys since they were in school. Hanyu had been the only one fortunate enough to marry her.

"Sorry, just a habit." He defended, dropping his jacket on the garage floor and not caring one bit if it got dirty. It felt so right to be back in such a small town. It wasn't the one he grew up in, but it was close enough.

"So, how's... the suburbs, I guess." Hanyu asked as soon as Lona and Dela had disappeared behind the door. He made himself comfortable on his work bench that he had built himself.

"They're... nice." Zihao said awkwardly.

Never in their 20 something years of knowing each other had they been this awkward and uncomfortable. They used to be the best of friends.

"C'mon Z. What's the low down? Tell me everything." Hanyu slapped his knee as if to drive his point.

"Well... I got married as you can see. And we live in the fourth quadrant-"

"No kidding, I heard it's beautiful up there." Hanyu interrupted.

"Yeah it's gorgeous." Zihao smiled and the two finally engaged in a real conversation after 3 whole years of radio silence from each other.

It could've been hours, days even that they talked about where life had taken them when they weren't in contact.

"You guys are so rude! Help me!" Xinlong cried out as their heads snapped to meet the familiar voice. The man had three suitcases and a carry on handing from his body. The two men just laughed, remembering how often this sort of thing happened with the younger.

"Okay okay just a second." Hanyu snorted, slothly making his way to the hunched man. "You're making my life hard Hanyu. Hurry up." Xinlong grunted, dropping the luggage at his sides and dramatically popping up from his crouched position.

"Where's the wife?" Zihao called from his seat on the little work bench.

"We haven't seen each other in years and the first thing you ask is where's my wife?" Xinlong sassed, hand on his hip to drive his point. The younger had always been a drama king of sorts, and by the looks of it he hadn't changed a bit.

"Well I'm fine. And if you must know, she's coming a little later." Xinlong explained, teetering over to the bench and plopping down next to Zihao.

"It's good to see you." Hanyu said as he pulled the rest of the luggage into the middle of the garage and joined the two men. "I just wish we were here under better circumstances." Xinlong sighed deeply, a true air of sadness surrounding him. The other two agreed in unison.