Epilogue

"No, Ana. For a million times, he didn't propose." Emilyn huff

"Really? I thought he would." Ana said through the phone. "It has been like five months since he brought it up."

"So?" Emilyn asked. "What if it doesn't happen? I'm in no rush to get married. Enough about me, what about you? How's married life?" Emilyn asked.

"Not much difference, but it is just that we are bound together forever. Ana told her. "Ana, let's get going." Emilyn heard Finley shouted in the background. "Coming," Ana shouted back. "I got to go; we got to head to the airport for our honeymoon." She sings the word.

"Alright, have fun and be safe," Emilyn told her before ending the call. Speaking of Christopher, Emilyn doesn't even know where he is. He disappears in the morning. Picking up the laundry basket and some loose socks Christopher always missed while throwing his laundry and forgetting to pick them up.

Emilyn carries the basket to the laundry room; while she was putting the laundry detergent into the machine, a hand wraps around her waist, which causes her to jolt and shriek.

Emilyn turns around and found the culprit; she slaps his arm around her waist and continues pouring the detergent. "I thought I've told you there's no need to do the laundry?" Christopher told her. "Martha will do it."

"I know, but you can't let Martha do all the housework." Emilyn presses the start button of the machine. "She is not getting any younger, plus she also has been taking care of your house for quite some years." Emilyn turns to face him. "I just want to help out, and I'm not used to someone doing my laundry."

"Alright, I'll let you do whatever you want to." Christopher smiles.

"That's right."

Before Emilyn can continue, Christopher's phone beeps; he took it out of his pocket and said, "Uhmm...I got to head out to do something."

"What? Didn't you just went out?" Emilyn asked.

"Yeah, but this is important," Christopher told her. "I'll be back soon," Christopher told her and kiss her on the forehead.

"Will you be back by dinner?" Emilyn asked.

"Yeah, probably," Christopher said. Emilyn frowned at his answer. "Alright, I got to go now." He cups her face and lifts it to capture her lips. "See you later," Christopher said and left.

Emilyn doesn't know why Christopher is so busy, but she put that thought aside for now and focuses on what she came to the pottery class for.

"Hey, Sophie." Emilyn greeted her and sat down next to her. Sophie is Emilyn's new friend/co-worker. After a month of torture from Savannah, she finally quit and found a new job.

No matter how much Christopher hates the fact that Emilyn is only 20 minutes away from his office, he still let her do what she loves, and seeing her happy is his main goal.

"Hey, Emilyn." Sophie greets her while placing a new clay on her pottery wheel. "Your previous work is complete; who are you giving it to? You made so many of them."

Emilyn turns and looks at the cups on the shelf; she smiles, "Those are for Christopher's family and his friends."

"Are you really giving one to his dad? Didn't you say that he dislikes you?" Sophie asked.

"Yeah," Emilyn fidget in her seat and clear her throat. "But, I got to let him like me somehow. Can't have him hating on me for life."

"Yeah, that's true." Sophie nods her head. "So, what is today's project for?" Sophie leans towards Emilyn.

"Christopher's birthday is coming soon; I want to make him a special mug since I broke some of his mugs."

Sophie chuckles, "Some? I'm pretty sure is plenty." When Sophie met Emilyn on her first day of work, Emilyn bumped into Sophie, and the documents in Sophie's hand flew everywhere.

"Fine, most of it." Emilyn huff and start the machine.

***

One Month Later

"Ana, those pictures you send me are so beautiful." Emilyn flicked through the photos while on speakerphone with Ana. "It makes me want to go there too."

"Then you should go and get married," Ana told her.

Emilyn sigh, "I don't know if Christopher wants to get married to me. It seems these few months he is more engaged with his work." Emilyn told her. "He is always rushing out somewhere out of the blue." She shakes her head while swiping through the photos.

"Have you asked him about it?" Ana asked.

"Uhm... every time I tried to say something, his phone vibrates," Emilyn answered.

"Just lock him in a room and throw away his phone without him knowing," Ana said. "Asked him until he finally tells you."

Emilyn laughed, "Only Anastasia Conner will think of a forceful method to let someone spill." The door unlocked, "Ana, talk to you soon. That's Christopher." With one last goodbye, they end the call.

"Hey, my Angel." Christopher walked towards her and sat down next to her on the couch. "What are you doing?" Putting an arm around Emilyn's shoulder.

"Just looking through the photos Ana sends me." Emilyn showed him the photos. "This place is pretty, right?"

"You want to go there?" Christopher asked; Emilyn nods. "Alright, we can go one day."

Emilyn turned to face Christopher and asked, "Rist, are you hiding something from me?"

Christopher is shocked to hear this, "No, why did you ask?"

"Because you have been running out of the door or just walk to a corner of the house that I can't see or hear you," Emilyn told him. "What are you hiding from me?"

"No, I not doing anything for you to worry about."

"Rist, I thought we said no secrets." Emilyn reminded him of the deal they have made. "Only the exception of birthdays or anniversaries." She crossed her arms and turned her body towards Christopher. "Last I check, it is neither our birthdays or anniversaries," Emilyn said.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you right now," Christopher said. "I promise you I'll tell you soon."

"How soon?" Emilyn asked.

"Uhm...in a few weeks?" Christopher said, unsure.

"Is it about your work?" Emilyn question. "If yes, I can help you."

"No, you don't need to." Christopher shakes his head. "I've everything under control for now."

"Then why are you so secretive about it? What are you hiding?" She narrowed her eyes, staring directly at him.

"Nothing." Christopher's voice wavered.

"Yeah, right, I don't believe you." Emilyn pout. "I promise I can help. I've done all the filing for you; I know what and where the documents are."

"Angel," he put his hands on her shoulder. "Just be patient, okay? I'll tell you soon."

"Rist, I've been waiting for two months for you to tell me. But you haven't." She shrugs off his hands from her shoulder. "You said no secrets, you hypocrite." She shouted at him.

"Angel, this is not the right time. I promise I'll tell you soon." Christopher said in a soft tone. "For now, just be patient, alright?"

Emilyn stood up from the couch, "you know what, why don't you just married to your work instead." She shouted and turned around, walking towards the stairs. Once she reaches upstairs, she slams the door shut.

Christopher winced at the sounds of the door. He starts to get worried and pulls out his phone. "We will have to get the operation start by tomorrow."

***

The movement of the bed made Emilyn wakes up. She opens her eyes to see Christopher getting up from bed and head into the bathroom.

She rolls towards the side table, unlock her phone and found out that is only 5 am. "What is he doing up at 5 am?" She asked herself, Emilyn waited in bed once she heard the shower turn off. She quickly shut her eyes and pretends that she is asleep.

She can hear the sound of footsteps walking towards her. "I'll promise to make up to you," Christopher said as he kisses her forehead and then left the room.

Once Christopher left the room, she heads out of the bedroom and sees what he is up to. Quietly, she creeps out. She tiptoes out of the room and sitting down at the top of the stairs watching his every move.

Finally, he left the house when his phone rang.

"Who is calling so early?" Emilyn asked herself. With a sigh, Emilyn walked back to the room and got back to bed.

Meanwhile, "all right, guys, we have 9 hours to get this done." Christopher said. "Let's start."

"Pierce, get up!" Christopher shouted. Pierce jolted up from his sleeping position on the grass. "We don't have much time; move it."

"Chill, I'm in charge of the food," Pierce said. "Is only 7; the store is not open yet."

"Then, please don't sleep here. You are disrupting the others."

"Fine! I'm heading in to sleep." Pierce said.

"Christopher, we need your help here." Daxton waved him over.

***

9 hours later

"Good job guys, this place looks amazing." Everyone in the backyard hollered and clap. "You guys can get some rest before she arrived." He dismissed everyone.

"Is time." Jax pat Christopher's left shoulder. "When is she arriving?"

"Gabe is on his way to get her; she should be here in about an hour," Christopher said, looking at his phone.

"Great, you said that she started questioning about this?" Jax asked

"Yeah, last night. She kept bugging me; of course, I couldn't tell."

"Obviously, she will get suspicious. You have taken a long time planning this." Jax chuckles and shakes his head. "Told you to do it quickly, but no, you want it to be perfect," Jax mimics Christopher.

"Whatever at least is happening today."

"Daddy!" A little boy rushed out, and both of them turns around.

"Jason." Jax caught him in his arms and lifted him. "Hi." He cooed and tickled him.

"Wow, this place looks amazing." Summer said. "I hope she'll like it."

"Hey, don't jinx it." Christopher shoved Summer lightly by the shoulder.

"When is she arriving?" Summer asked.

Before Christopher can answer, his phone rang. "Yes, Gabe." Christopher frowned at what Gabe was saying. "There's no way; try ringing the bell again."

"Okay, I'll go there. Meanwhile, can you get her friends from the airport? I'll text you the details. Bye." He ended the call.

"What's wrong?" Jax asked.

"Gabe said she didn't answer the door."

"Are you sure? Maybe she went out somewhere or still sleeping?" Jax told him.

"No way, and if she heads out, she would have told me." Christopher frowns and calls her, but she didn't pick up. "She's not answering."

"Try a few more times," Jax told him. Christopher kept trying, but no answer. "Calm down; maybe she just didn't hear it."

"I'm going back to my house to find her." Christopher ran out of the backyard.

"Hey, guys. I got the food." Pierce holds a ton of paper bags. "There's more in the car." Christopher ignored him and got into his car.

Pierce looks at Jax for an answer, "Emilyn didn't answer the door." Jax told him. "And he can't contact her."

"Damn," Pierce said.

***

"Emilyn!" Christopher shouted throughout the house, opening every single door.  But nothing, no one is at home.

He pulls out his phone, "Sophie, is she with you?"

"No, is something wrong?" Sophie asked.

"She's not at home, and she is not answering my calls."

"I'll call her and try to look around places she might go," Sophie said.

"Thanks." He ended the call and rushed out again. Christopher starts to get worried as he when to every place when could think of. Her house, the graveyard, the coffee shop, the last stop was the orphanage.

"Mr Evans, hi." The head of the orphanage greets him.

"Did Emilyn drop by here?"

"She just left a few minutes ago." She told him.

"Did you know where has she gone to?"

"No." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay. Thanks." He rushed out again. Christopher honks at every single car that is in his way, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

His phone rang, he quickly stops the car by the side. "Hello?" He picked up without looking at the caller id , hoping that the caller is Emilyn.

"Christopher, what is the meaning of not finding Emilyn," Ana shouts; Christopher pull the phone away from his ear. "I just arrived, and you tell me you lost my best friend."

He rubbed his hand down his face and sighed, "She won't pick up my calls."

"Did you go looking for her?"

"Of course I did; I went to every place I could think of," Christopher told Ana.

"What did you do last night?"

"She was getting frustrated about the secret I've been keeping from her. She demanded me to tell her." Christopher told Ana.

"And how did she react when you didn't tell her?"

"She slams the door."

"For goodness sake, I told you not to keep hiding it from her. Now, this happens well done." Ana scoff. "Shouldn't have given you the permission to married her."

"Ana, please help to call her. She will answer your calls."

"Fine," Ana said and ended the call.

***

Christopher drove around the city, hoping to spot Emilyn on the streets but nothing. He stops the car at the side and hopes that she will pass by.

His phone rang, "Hey, how's the search?" Jax asked.

"Still no sign of her or calls." Christopher sigh, running his hands through his hair a billion times.

"So, should I call off the event? Everyone here is getting restless, especially the kids." Jax told him.

"No, I have to do it today. If you guys want to head back first, that's fine with me." Christopher told him. "Jax, hold on one sec. Ana is on the other line." He said and answered Ana's call.

"We found her," Ana said.

"Really?" Christopher backs straighten. "Where is she?"

"She told me she is back at your house now," Ana said.

"Okay, I'll meet you at the event place. I promise that I'll bring her there." Christopher ended the call and told Jax. Turning on his blinker and make his way back to his house.

"Angel!" He shouted as he opens the door. He spotted her in the kitchen and ran to hug her. "Thank goodness you are safe; I was worried." Emilyn frowned and pushed him away.

"Where were you? Why didn't you answer my calls?" Christopher asked, watching Emilyn taking a cup and filling it with water.

"I want to have a quiet day; I switch off my phone, that's why," Emilyn told him before taking a drink.

"You should have told me." Christopher frown at her action. "What if something happens to you?"

"Don't worry; I didn't run into any trouble." Emilyn took the cup to wash. "Why are you back so early? Nothing going on with work?" She quotes the word work.

"I was worried about you. You didn't answer my calls or text."

"Well, I'm here now." She said. "I'm going to go shower." She walks past Christopher without sparing him a glance.

But Christopher caught her wrist, "let go." She struggles to pull her hand from his hold.

"Come with me." Christopher tugs her close to him.

"Why? Are you going to show me what you are hiding?" Christopher nods; she let Christopher pull her out the door.

Christopher drove her to the location, "Where are we?" Emilyn looked out of the car window.

"Come." Christopher puts out a hand for her when he opens the passenger door.

"Rist, what is this place?" She places her hand in his.

"You'll find out soon enough." He leads her to the front of the house.

"Whose house is this? Are we breaking in?" Emilyn question.

"No, we are not breaking in. Trust me." He unlocks the front door. "Careful, not to trip on anything," Christopher told her while holding her hand.

"I can't see; why can't we on the lights?"

Christopher cups her face and kisses her, "you asked too much question, Angel. Just follow me." He continues to pull her to the backyard.

"Wow, this is beautiful," Emilyn said once she steps into the backyard. It is decorated with some fairy lights. "What's over there?" She pointed.

"Why don't you go and check it out?" Christopher told her.

With a cautious step, she made it. She gasped at the sight of all the pictures they took. "This is all of our pictures." She looks at each picture. "Hey, what's this? Why is there a picture of me sleeping?"

Christopher chuckles, "this is my favorite picture of you."

"Rist!" She slaps his chest playfully. "So this is your secret; you know you don't have to be so secretive."

"No, this is one part of it."

Emilyn glance at Christopher and frowned, "what do you mean?"

"Is the camera on?" A familiar voice said. Emilyn knows that voice; she turns around and saw her grandma on the projector screen. "How do I look?" She sat on the couch of

"Beautiful as always." The video Christopher said. "Shall we start now?"

"Yes." Grandma Lou fixed her sitting position. "Uhm...hi Emilyn, Christopher made me do this. What should I say?" Grandma asked.

"Talk about how great I am?" Christopher said. Emilyn turns around, laughing, shoving Christopher's shoulder.

"So, Christopher is a good guy, pretty handsome and rich." Grandma Lou chuckles. "I'm just kidding for the last part. But, you struck gold on the love section, Emilyn." Grandma said. "He is the best. Marry him." The video ended.

"What?" Emilyn frowned, turning around to asked Christopher, "Rist, what did grandma said." She turned around and gasped.

"Emilyn, this is the reason why I've been so secretive." Rist kneeled with one knee, and a ring box in his hand opened. "I'm sorry that I took so long to ask you this but, will you do me the honor of marrying me."

"No."

"What? No?" Christopher's face went blank, his mouth open, but nothing came out. He stood up, dropping shoulders and sigh closing the ring box. "Is okay, I'll just ask some other time." Emilyn chuckles; Christopher looks up and frowns.

"I'm just kidding with you," Emilyn said. "Of course I will marry you."

"Really?" Christopher's eyes lit up. Emilyn nodded. Christopher smiles brightly and opens the box again, taking out the ring. Emilyn gave him her hand, and he takes it, sliding the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand.

"That's gorgeous, Rist." She takes a look at the ring.

"I love you." Rist cups her cheeks, pressing his lips on hers. capturing her soft lips, moving more passionate, he breaks away breathlessly, "Thank you for agreeing; I promise that I'll never stop loving you." He said before capturing her lips again.

A/N: Here is the final chapter. Thank you for following the journey of Christopher and Emilyn.Don't forget to checkout the sequel.