ᴇᴄʜᴏᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴜꜱ

Epilogue: Our Forever

A Few Years Later...

The warm morning light streamed through the windows of their cozy apartment, casting a soft glow over the kitchen where Izuko was busy making coffee. Sarah leaned against the doorway, her eyes following every move Izuko made. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a rush of warmth in her chest. Even after all these years, just watching Izuko move around their shared space filled her with so much love.

Izuko turned around and caught Sarah staring. "What?" Izuko asked with a playful smirk.

"Nothing, just admiring the view," Sarah teased, but her eyes were soft, filled with all the emotions she had for this incredible woman she got to call hers.

As Sarah stood there, a flood of memories washed over her, reminding her of all they had gone through to reach this point. She couldn't believe how much had changed since their college days—the laughter, the challenges, the love that had only grown stronger.

She remembered the first time she had met Izuko's family, how nervous she'd been, and how, in the end, they had all welcomed her with open arms.

Flashback: Meeting Izuko's Family

Sarah had never been more nervous than the day she met Izuko's parents. It felt like she was back in high school, about to give a presentation she hadn't prepared for. Dressed in her best outfit—a chic but respectful look she designed herself—Sarah clutched the flowers and chocolates she had brought as a gift.

"Okay, you've got this. Just be yourself," Izuko had said, squeezing her hand for reassurance before ringing the doorbell.

But the moment the door opened and she found herself face-to-face with Izuko's dad, her nerves went into overdrive. He was tall and imposing, his eyes sharp as they looked her up and down.

"You must be Sarah," he said in a deep voice that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Yes, sir. It's an honor to finally meet you," she stuttered, feeling her palms get clammy.

Izuko's dad nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, and Sarah felt like she was about to be put on trial.

The dinner that followed was an intense interrogation session. Izuko's dad asked about her job, her intentions, her future plans—everything. Sarah tried her best to answer confidently, but the more questions he asked, the more she felt like she was sweating bullets.

However, as the evening went on, she started to loosen up. When Izuko's mom asked about how they first met, Sarah told a funny story about their first date, which had been an absolute disaster but ended up being one of the best nights of her life.

Izuko's mom and dad both burst out laughing, and even Izuko's dad seemed to warm up a bit after that.

The turning point came when Sarah passionately talked about how much she loved and cherished Izuko, how she would always support her no matter what. Izuko's dad's stern expression finally softened, and he leaned back in his chair, nodding in approval.

Izuko and her mom exchanged glances, giggling quietly behind their hands at how Sarah had managed to charm the hardest critic in the family.

"Alright, Sarah. I think we can trust you with our daughter," Izuko's dad finally said, clapping her on the back, and she felt like she had just won an award.

Flashback: Meeting Sarah's Family

A few weeks later, it was Izuko's turn to meet Sarah's family. Unlike Sarah, she was cool as a cucumber.

"You're seriously not nervous at all?" Sarah asked in disbelief as they drove to her parents' house.

"Not even a little," Izuko replied with a confident grin. "I'm just excited to meet the people who made you, babe."

When they arrived, Sarah's family greeted them warmly, but Sarah couldn't help but feel a little anxious. Her parents could be tough to impress, especially her dad, who was notoriously protective.

But Izuko handled it all like a pro. She complimented Sarah's mom on the delicious food, bonded with her dad over their shared love for music, and even managed to win over Sarah's cousins with her witty sense of humor.

At one point, Sarah's dad pulled Izuko aside for a "private chat," which had Sarah biting her nails in the hallway. But Izuko emerged with a big smile, and Sarah's dad patted her on the shoulder, saying, "She's a keeper."

By the end of the night, Sarah's mom was already making plans for future dinners, and Sarah's dad was praising Izuko's maturity and kindness. Sarah was amazed at how easily Izuko fit in with her family, and as they left, she realized just how deeply she had fallen for this incredible woman.

"You were perfect," Sarah whispered as they walked to the car, holding Izuko's hand. "I think my parents love you more than me now."

Izuko laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Well, they have great taste," she teased, kissing Sarah's forehead.

End of Flashback

Now, standing in their shared apartment, Sarah felt a wave of gratitude for everything they had built together. It hadn't been an easy journey, but it was worth every single challenge. Today was the annual family gathering, a tradition that brought both sides together in celebration of love and unity.

The Family Gathering

The house was alive with laughter, the sound of kids playing, and the smell of delicious food cooking in the kitchen. Izuko's parents were chatting with Sarah's relatives as if they'd known each other for years. The bond between their families had only grown stronger, making these gatherings something they both looked forward to.

Sarah looked around the room, her heart swelling with happiness. Izuko caught her eye from across the room and smiled that smile that always made Sarah's heart flutter. They stole a moment for themselves on the balcony, away from the noise and chaos.

"Can you believe it?" Sarah whispered, her voice soft as she looked up at Izuko. "We really made it, didn't we?"

Izuko nodded, leaning down to kiss her softly. "I knew we would. You and me, forever."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that this was just the beginning of a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and countless more beautiful memories.