Passion and Power

Chapter 70

Minji watched in surprise as Hanni went down on a knee in front of her.

"Hanni, what's going on?"

"Kim Minji." Hanni said, reaching for her hand. "Will you marry me?"

"Hanni..."

It was Hanni's turn to watch as Minji's face went through a range of emotions - confusion, then turning to an almost suspicious expression, and eventually to a happy, hopeful look as she scrutinized the look in Hanni's eyes.

"You're...serious?"

"Of course I'm serious." Hanni said as she reached for Minji's hand and pulled it to her lips for a quick peck. "I couldn't be more serious. I wanna marry you! Please say 'ye..'"

"Yes." Minji said simply, unable to hesitate or question it a moment longer.

Hanni continued holding Minji's hand, using it to pull her close as she leaped to her feet and wrapped her up tightly as she cried out "Yes!"

"Thank you." Minji murmured into Hanni's ear, still not really believing what had happened. "For believing in us."

"Thank you." Hanni said, kissing the side of Minji's face. "For making me the happiest soccer player in the world."

"And the most successful." Minji said with a smirk.

"That doesn't mean anything without you."

"So cheesy." Minji laughed, feeling a bit giddy.

"I mean it." Hanni nipped at her ear. "And besides, you love it when I'm cheesy."

"What I love is...you." Minji smiled. "Everything about you."

"Aww...now who's being cheesy? But are you sure this isn't too old-fashioned - getting married?"

"Why would you say that?"

"I don't know. People don't really "wait" until they're married anymore, do they? I thought you might think it was silly. We could exchange bites, have a party later, make things simple. In this day and age, doesn't a wedding seem so...sentimental and unnecessary?"

"Hanni. If there's something you want, something that will make you happy, then it's entirely necessary for me." Minji said, leaning in to kiss her.

They leaned together for a long, leisurely kiss, then Hanni leaned back to look into her eyes. "What about, waiting? You don't think it's silly that we wait before...mating bites?"

"At the risk of repeating myself...If there's something you want, something that will make you happy, then it's entirely necessary for me! I've waited this long. I can wait longer. I'm here for the long haul, Hanni. As long as it takes."

Hanni looked at her hopefully, but still not looking entirely convinced.

"Hanni. I love that you want to honor your birth family. And I'm honored that you asked me. Being your wife...it would be the honor of my life. Will be the honor of my life."

"Thank you, Minji." Hanni's eyes teared up, then she smiled and said lightly, "And who knows. Maybe there's someone here on the island that could legally marry us. You know, you can get a license to marry people over the Internet now."

"Well, I suppose we can ask at dinner whether anyone here has the qualifications." Minji laughed again. She was starting to feel a bit giddy at the thought of standing up and exchanging vows with Hanni.

"What about Karina? Aren't pilots allowed to marry people?"

"I think that's ship captains, Hanni." Minji chuckled. "And now that I think of it, I'm not sure what country has authority here. That was one of the reasons my family chose it. Jeongyeon thought it could give her a legal loophole if she ever needed it. I don't think it's really ever been settled."