“Then what now? Don’t tell me you’re going to take her to the civil affairs office first thing in the morning and have a flash married.” Zaki teased and Sei fell silence for a long while. Since five years ago, Sei has been wishing that if he could go back in time, he would change what happened that day. He always imagined how perfect it would be if he was there in that church, waiting for her at the altar as she walked down the isle towards him. However, he knew there’s no way he could change the past, that was why he swore to himself to do the right thing this time. He wanted both of them to experience what was every happy normal couple in the world were experiencing. For the second time around, he wanted everything to be proper and perfect. It must be the kind of wedding that both of them will remember with lots of fond memories to last a lifetime.
Thinking about it, Sei finally calmed down. He breathed deep and his clenched jaws loosened up. Well, he realized there’s no use regretting over spilled milk. He can’t undo what had been done now even if he will smash the wall behind him with his fists.
“Hey… still alive? Answer me. Are you going to marry her tomorrow?” Zaki asked once again and Sei weakly leaned on the wall as he raised his head.
“That’s… not proper.” Sei finally replied. There’s no way he’d do such a thing. He wanted to rush things but never that way again.
“Ohh… are you perhaps planning to follow the classic sacred steps towards marriage?” Zaki asked, sounding as mischievous as usual.
“This time, I will make sure everything will be done in the most proper and perfect way.” Sei answered, with firm resolution. He seemed as though nothing could ever change his mind anymore.
“Ohh… but Sei, since you want to do it properly, are you saying you won’t sleep with her until your wedding night? Well, that’s among the proper way you’re talking about, right?”
“…”
“Well, you swore to do everything properly… But of course, I will understand if you back off with your word when it comes to that. I understand that you held it up for five years and besides you both have a child already. You can’t possibly restrain yourself. Don’t worry, I didn’t hear a thing.”
Zaki’s voice obviously sounds like a tease and Sei knew he was already grinning wide as he spoke.
“So? Are you going to start your plans tomorrow?”
“Mm.”
“Oh… as expected. You really are in haste. Haha. So? What’s the first move?”
“Zaki…”
“What.”
“It’s 3 AM there, right?”
“Ah, yeah. Why are you asking?”
“Why are you still awake?”
Upon that question came out of Sei’s mouth, he heard Zaki coughing as though he just choked.
“Ehem… I just drunk a coffee with really strong caffeine so… I can’t sleep.”
“When did you started drinking coffee?”
“J-just tonight. I suddenly had the urge to try it that’s why.”
“…”
“I’m telling the truth.”
“…”
“I said it’s the truth!” Zaki’s voice went louder but when Sei was about to reply, the man on the other side of the phone sneezed. Not just once but thrice, causing Sei’s forehead to crease. Well, he knew that this Zaki had a strong immune system. He won’t even catch a cold for an entire year even if he was beside Sei while he was sick, except for those times when he was doing a mission under the cold rain for hours.
“Cold?”
“Ah, I think so. I’ve stayed in the shower for too lo—” For some reason, Zaki stopped. “I mean I…”
“So, you’re with her right now, huh. That’s good. Make sure you’ll take her back tomorrow.” Sei cut his words. Well, this Zaki awake at 3 AM, suddenly calling him like this, obviously lying to him and caught a cold because of showering for too long, Sei could finally deduce what was going on with him.
“H-how di—”
“Also, Zaki… this is an advice from your big brother. Don’t forget you guys aren’t married yet. Be a gentleman.”
“H-h-huh? W-what are you…”
Sei hanged up on him with a smile on his face before he breathed deep again. He slipped his cellphone back in his pocket and he stared at the dark sky. His eyes were full of intense excitement as though he couldn’t wait to begin whatever plan he had in mind.
…
Sei slowly entered Little Shin’s room and as expected, she was there, peacefully sleeping as she embrace their son.
He quietly sat beside her and watched her for a long time. His heart was so warm. He remembered how he always loved watching her like this before. Her peaceful face was just so soothing for him that he couldn’t help but stole a kiss from her.
His hand carefully landed on her face and caressed it. His eyes were glowing but there was no lust in them anymore. He was just too happy seeing her finally back to him. At that moment, he simply felt that he can’t ask for anything more. His heart was just filled with happiness that there’s no more room for other emotion and desire.
After another long moment, Sei bent and kissed her forehead before he carefully laid beside her.
In the next few seconds, Sei spooned Davi who was also spooning Little Shin. And in just a matter of minute, Sei who always spent two hours or more counting sheep before falling asleep every single night for the last five years quickly fell into a deep slumber. He felt that his lullaby was back and he could finally sleep blissfully again.
The three of them sleeping in a single bed was a sight to behold. It was so lovely as though magical bubbles and fireflies were enveloping them. That precious moment, they were a perfect family simply sleeping soundly in each other’s arms.
