chapter 69: from here to eternity

Bose POV:

I parked my car in front of Chapa's childhood home, exhaling as I stared at the familiar front door. It had been a long time since I'd been here.

I knocked, and within seconds, her mom opened the door. Her expression flickered between surprise and curiosity before she smiled.

"Bose! Oh, come in, come in!" she said, stepping aside to let me in.

"Hey, Alejandra," I said, giving her the sunflowers I bought for her. Then I stepped into the warm, familiar house. It smelled like cinnamon and something sweet baking in the oven.

Her dad was in the living room, flipping through a newspaper, but he looked up when I walked in. He gave me a curt nod, but nothing unfriendly. Just... observant.

"Have a seat," her mom said. "Oh! I made jelly cake earlier, do you want some?"

My face probably lit up more than it should've. "Jelly cake? Are you serious?"

She laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."

I sat down on the couch, trying to compose myself as she brought me a plate with a generous slice of the wobbly dessert. I wasted no time digging in. It was perfect, just like I remembered.

"So," her dad started, watching me as I swallowed my first bite. "To what do we owe this visit?"

I took a deep breath, setting the plate down. "Well, uh... I guess you already know that Chapa and I have been together for a while."

Her parents exchanged a glance before nodding. "Sage told us," her dad said, making me chuckle. Of course she did.

I leaned forward, rubbing the back of my neck. "I should've properly introduced myself before. As her boyfriend, I mean. I realize now that I should've made more of an effort earlier, and I wanted to apologize for that."

Her mom waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, Bose, you don't need to apologize for that. We've known you for years."

I nodded, appreciating her warmth, but I wasn't done yet. "I'm actually here because... I wanted to tell you both that I asked Chapa to marry me."

Silence. Her dad's expression was unreadable, while her mom's lips parted slightly in surprise.

"She said yes," I added quickly.

Her mom smiled first. "If that's what you both want, then we're happy for you."

Her dad sighed but nodded. "You're a good kid, Bose. We'd be happy to have you as part of the family."

Relief washed over me, and I smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot."

Her mom tilted her head. "But why didn't Chapa come with you? Or tell us herself?"

I sighed, already anticipating that question. "She, uh... thought you wouldn't care."

Her mom's expression fell slightly, and even her dad looked down for a moment.

"But she does care," I continued. "A lot, actually. She just doesn't like to show it. If you two as her parents show her more affection, I promise you, she'll return it. She just... needs to know it's real."

Her mom shook her head with a small chuckle. "She'd ignore us."

"That's just how she is," I admitted. "But trust me, she cares more than she lets on."

Her parents exchanged another glance before nodding, as if silently agreeing to try.

"Thank you for telling us that," her dad said.

We talked for a bit longer about the wedding and future plans. They asked if Chapa and I were planning to live together, and I told them we had already met with a real estate agent the day before.

Finally, it was time for me to go. I stood up, shaking her dad's hand and giving her mom a warm smile before heading toward the door.

Just as I reached for the handle, the door swung open, and Sage walked in.

She froze mid-step, her eyes widening. Then her expression twisted into something between a scowl and a pout.

"Oh, so you just show up now, huh?" she huffed, crossing her arms.

I sighed, already feeling guilty. "I know, I know. I should've said goodbye before I left. That was messed up."

"You think?" she shot back, glaring at me.

I gave her a small smile. "How about I make it up to you?"

She raised an eyebrow. "How?"

"Anything you want," I said. "Just name it."

Sage narrowed her eyes like she was debating whether to forgive me or not. Then, finally, she smirked. "I'm keeping this promise in my back pocket, just so you know."

I chuckled. "Fair enough."

With that, I finally stepped outside, exhaling as I walked back to my car. One step at a time. That's all I could do.

Miles POV:

I hadn't seen Aunt Didi in months. Ever since she got assigned to a police job in another state, she'd been too busy to visit, and I hadn't exactly been free either. She also had to skip Andrew and Mika's wedding. But today, I finally made it to her place, along with Mika and Andrew.

It was nice catching up. Aunt Didi was still the same—sharp, loud, and way too good at reading people. We laughed, talked about everything she missed, and I even let myself enjoy the moment. Well, until Mika and Andrew started acting like a disgustingly in-love married couple, which was just another reminder that they were still fresh off their wedding high. Andrew tucked a strand of hair behind Mika's ear, and she smiled up at him like he'd hung the damn stars.

"Oh, you're so cute," Mika teased, pinching Andrew's cheek.

"Not as cute as you, baby," he replied, kissing the tip of her nose.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm gonna be sick."

Aunt Didi chuckled, but before she could comment, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw a notification light up the screen:

Blaise. With a red heart emoji next to it.

Aunt Didi's eyebrow shot up so fast I thought it might fly off her forehead. "Blaise?" she repeated, her gaze darting between me and the phone. "With a heart?"

I quickly locked my screen. "It's—uh—it's nothing."

"Wait, hold up." She leaned forward. "Have you broken up with your girlfriend Maddie? Or..." her eyes narrowed. "Are you cheating?"

I choked on my own spit. "What? No! Of course not."

"Then explain."

Mika and Andrew exchanged amused glances before standing up. "Yeah, good luck with that," Andrew said, smirking as he dragged Mika away to the kitchen.

I shot them a glare. Traitors.

Before I could even attempt damage control, the doorbell rang. I practically lunged toward the door, yanking it open.

Blaise.

She stood there with her arms crossed, raising an eyebrow at me. "Hey."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, stepping outside slightly to block the view inside.

She tilted her head. "You weren't answering my texts, so I asked Mika where you were. She said you were here."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Blaise, this really isn't the best—"

Before I could finish, she stepped inside anyway.

Aunt Didi turned from where she sat on the couch, her eyes widening the second she saw Blaise. "Oh my God. So you are cheating!"

"I—what? No!" I groaned, turning back to Blaise, whose expression had darkened considerably.

She gave me a look that could kill. "You still haven't told her?" she muttered under her breath.

"Told me what?" Aunt Didi's eyes narrowed. "Miles?"

I sighed heavily. There was no escape. "Alright. Everyone, sit down."

Blaise crossed her arms and sat beside Aunt Didi, who was watching me like I was about to confess to murder. I took a deep breath and sat across from them.

"Okay," I started, running a hand through my hair. "So... remember I told you I have a girlfriend named Maddie?"

Aunt Didi nodded. "Yeah this Maddie. Who you brought to my birthday party?"

I winced. "Yeah... so, um. She isn't actually Maddie."

Aunt Didi's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

I exhaled sharply. "This is Blaise. She was just pretending to be Maddie."

Aunt Didi blinked. Once. Twice. Then she turned to Blaise. "You... pretended to be his ex?"

Blaise gave me an I will murder you in your sleep look before turning to Aunt Didi. "It's a long story."

Aunt Didi scoffed. "Well, I'm all ears."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "It was Miles' idea," Blaise said, throwing me under the bus immediately.

I shot her a betrayed look. "Wow, thanks."

She shrugged. "Well, it was."

Aunt Didi just shook her head. "Boy, I swear, you get yourself into the dumbest situations. And you got this poor girl involved in your mess?"

"Poor girl?" I scoffed. "She agreed to it."

Blaise gave me a pointed look. "You begged me."

I threw my hands up. "Okay, maybe I did. But it worked, didn't it?"

Aunt Didi groaned. "I leave for a few months and come back to this insanity." Then she turned to Blaise. "And you're still with him after all that?"

Blaise glanced at me and, despite everything, smiled a little. "Yeah. I am."

Aunt Didi sighed, shaking her head with a small chuckle. "You two deserve each other."

I smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Chapa POV:

The sun had barely started to set when we stepped into our home, leaving Bose's father's house next to ours behind us. Italy had wrapped itself around me in a way I never expected—it felt like home, but in a different way than Swellview did. The air smelled of cypress trees and distant sea salt, warm and familiar, and the faint sounds of a passing Vespa hummed in the background. It has been seven months since Bose proposed to me, and about a month ago they started with our future home.

I kicked off my shoes and jumped onto our bed, sighing as I sunk into the soft mattress.

Bose chuckled behind me. "That tired?"

"Not tired, just comfortable," I said, stretching my arms above my head.

He climbed onto the bed beside me, but instead of lying next to me, he hovered over me, resting his weight on his forearms. His body pressed against mine, warm and solid, and his dark eyes held that familiar mischievous glint. I reached up, brushing my fingers through his hair.

"Still not over my hair?" he teased, dipping his head closer to mine.

I smirked. "I just miss pulling on it."

Bose raised an eyebrow. "Oh, we can still find things for you to pull on."

I rolled my eyes, but he didn't give me a chance to respond before kissing me. It started slow—his lips soft, moving against mine in a way that made my stomach flip—but the heat between us built quickly. His hands traced the sides of my body, lingering at my waist, then moving lower. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer as his body molded against mine.

His lips traveled to my jaw, then to my neck, where he pressed lingering kisses that made my breath hitch. My fingers found the hem of his shirt and slid underneath, feeling the warmth of his skin. He let out a soft groan against my collarbone, his breath hot against my skin, and it sent a shiver through me.

He pulled back just enough to meet my gaze, his hands still resting on my hips. "When are you up for mini versions of us?"

I blinked at him, caught off guard for a second before laughing. "Bose."

"What?" He grinned. "You don't think about it?"

I shook my head, still laughing. "I do, but... I want to wait until after the wedding. I don't wanna walk down the aisle with a fat belly."

Bose let out a deep laugh, tilting his head back. "Oh, so that's the reason? Not because we're young, not because we have time—just because you don't want to look pregnant in wedding pictures?"

"Exactly," I said, smirking. "Gotta look my best."

He shook his head, still grinning. "Fine, I can wait. But in the meantime..."

I arched an eyebrow. "In the meantime?"

He leaned in again, pressing his lips to my ear as he whispered, "We can still practice."

Heat flooded through me, and I bit my lip, fighting back a smile. "You pervert."

"But you love me."

I rolled us over so I was on top of him, grinning down at him. "Yeah," I murmured, leaning down until my lips were just barely brushing against his. "I do."

And then I kissed him again, deeper this time, knowing exactly where this was going—and not minding one bit.

Bose POV:

I adjusted my tie in the mirror, exhaling slowly. Today was the day. A year had passed since I proposed to Chapa, and now, in just a few hours, she would officially be my wife. The wedding was small—just close friends and family, nothing extravagant. That was how we both wanted it. It felt more personal this way.

Andrew stood beside me, straightening the collar of my suit. "You good?" he asked, eyeing me through the mirror.

I let out a breathy chuckle. "I think so. I mean, I should be, right?"

Andrew smirked. "Nope. I was a nervous wreck before my wedding. It's completely normal."

I turned to him, watching as he effortlessly fixed my tie, his hands practiced, steady. "How did you manage to stay calm?" I asked. "Because I swear, my brain feels like it's about to short-circuit."

Andrew laughed, stepping back to check his work. "I didn't. I was just good at pretending. The second I saw Mika walking down that aisle, though, I swear, it was like my whole world stopped. Everything made sense after that."

Before I could say anything, a sudden wail cut through the quiet. Andrew turned his head, immediately rushing over to where his newborn son, Jay, was lying in his carrier. The baby's tiny fists flailed as his cries grew louder.

I watched as Andrew picked him up effortlessly, bouncing him slightly in his arms. He sighed, offering me an apologetic look. "Sorry, man. I know I said I wouldn't bring him, but Mika had to handle some last-minute details, and—"

I held up a hand. "It's fine. Really. I like little kids."

Andrew let out a dry chuckle, rocking Jay gently. "Yeah, they're great... until they decide to scream at three in the morning."

I smiled, watching as Jay's cries softened, his little face pressing against Andrew's chest. My expression shifted as I exhaled slowly. "I've been thinking about something," I said, my voice quieter now.

Andrew glanced at me. "Yeah? What's up?"

I hesitated for a second before meeting his eyes. "I'm planning on leaving the academy behind."

His eyebrows shot up. "Wait... seriously?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I've thought about it for a while now. My life's different from what it was back then. My priorities have changed. And I don't think my heart's in it the way it used to be."

Andrew was silent for a moment, processing my words. Then he nodded slowly. "Okay... I mean, I get that. But what's next for you then?"

I took a breath. "I want to give it to you."

His eyes widened. "Bose, I—"

"I know what you're going to say," I cut in. "But it makes sense. You've got the leadership, the strategy, the patience. You've already been handling a lot while I was gone. And let's be honest, I trust you more than anyone else with it."

Andrew blinked a few times, staring at me. "I... don't know what to say."

"Say yes," I said simply. "Say you'll take care of it."

He swallowed, adjusting Jay slightly in his arms. "Bose, this is huge. The academy was your life for so long. Are you sure about this?"

I nodded. "I am. My dreams are different now. And I want to build something new with Chapa."

Andrew was quiet, then finally, a small, grateful smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "Seriously. I won't let you down."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "I know you won't."

Jay let out a tiny noise in Andrew's arms, and we both laughed. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely sure of my decision. Today wasn't just about starting a new chapter with Chapa—it was about moving forward in every way possible.

Chapa POV:

The small, simple white dress fit perfectly—nothing too extravagant, just enough to make me feel like myself in a dress. I exhaled, pacing lightly in the small room, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my dress. Then, the door creaked open, and my mom stepped inside.

"Mom—"

"Wow," she interrupted, looking her up and down with a small, proud smile. "You clean up nice. Who knew my daughter could look this elegant?"

I snorted. "Gee, thanks, Mom. Just what every bride wants to hear before walking down the aisle."

She smirked, stepping closer, her voice softening. "You look beautiful, mija. Bose won't know what hit him."

I rolled my eyes, but a small grin tugged at my lips. "You're supposed to say something wise and heartfelt right now. Like, I don't know, 'Love is a journey' or whatever moms in movies say before their kid gets married."

She chuckled. "Alright, wise words: Don't trip. And if Bose takes too long saying his vows, just kiss him mid-sentence and get it over with."

I laughed, shaking my head before taking a deep breath. "Hey... would you—" I hesitated. "Would you walk with me? Up the aisle?"

Her teasing expression softened immediately. "Oh, Chapa." Without hesitation, she pulled me into a warm hug. "Of course, I will."

I hugged her back, tightly, feeling steadier than I had all morning.

When we stepped outside, the guests turned, and I felt the weight of their attention settle on me. But my eyes were only on Bose.

He was smiling at me like I had just given him the entire world. It almost scared me how happy he looked—how deep and raw the emotion was in his eyes. He looked like he had been waiting for this moment forever.

As I finally reached him, I leaned in just slightly, whispering, "I swear, if you cry, I will run away."

Bose immediately straightened up, clearing his throat and blinking rapidly like he had just remembered how to hold back tears.

Our vows were simple, full of soft laughter and quiet sincerity. He spoke about how I had always been his home, no matter where he was. I, in turn, told him that he was the most annoying person I had ever loved—but I couldn't imagine my life without him.

And then, finally, we kissed.

Cheers erupted, but I barely heard them. I felt Bose smile against my lips, his arms wrapping around me tightly, as if grounding himself in this moment. When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine for a second, whispering just for me, "Told you I'd come back to you."

I rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, yeah. Took you long enough."

And with that, we walked back down the aisle together, hand in hand, stepping into forever.