Winter

"I understand, Mom. Patients need you." I say.

"Are you sure you'll be ok?" my mom asks.

I nod and then realize that I'm on the phone. "I'm ok, mom. Don't worry."

"We'll go to the temple together tomorrow, ok Ami?" Mom says. She sounds apologetic. I don't know why. It's not her fault that our new year is ruined.

I hang up the house phone. I'm glancing at my cell phone. His text is right there. "Sorry, Ami. I couldn't find a flight back. Happy New Year, Dad."

It's my own fault for getting my hopes up. How many time has he disappointed me? I gave up a long time ago that he would ever come back to my life. But this year, why did he have to get my hopes up only to destroy it a few days later?

I try to hold back tears. I'm stronger than this. I'm not going to let this get me down. I walk to the desk. Maybe I will read something. Then I see the New Year present and the card I got for dad.

I can't hold back anymore. Tears rolls down my eyes slowly. I wiped my face with the tissue. I can't cry for him. No, not again.

I walk to the glass door of the balcony. It's a cold night. So everyone says. I never feel it. I normally love the cold. But now that I'm alone again, I feel it. The cold, the loneliness, the emptiness.

I lean against the glass door, looking at the city, bustling with people. It's New Year's eve. Everybody's doing something fun. I usually don't get envious at people, but today I do. I thought I was going to have my family back together for the first time in years, but that didn't happen. Dad cancelled at the last minute, as usual. Mom stays at the hospital. She was going come home early, but not anymore.

I cross my arms, looking at the dark canvas of Tokyo's skyline. Sometimes I wonder if someone would miss me if I had disappeared.

Then I see a line of ice frosts across my glass door. It appears only for a second. Then the next one comes. Again for a second. Then again and again. All the frost lines seem to draw me somewhere. My eyes follow the frost, I think of the only time this had happened before. Then my eyes meet his.

"Zoicite" I almost yelled. There he is, in his shitennou uniform and everything.

"Good evening, milady" He made a hand gesture and bowed. I couldn't help but giggle. If anyone would make me smile in times like this, it's him.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"Oh no, Ami. That can't be the first thing you say when you see me. It should be this." He leans over and hugs me by surprise. He holds me tight. "I miss you." He says.

I hug him back. "I miss you too." I am tearing up again. What is it with today?

I part from him. I'm falling deep into his eyes.

"I want to surprise you. My flight just landed, and I came straight to see you."

He got a flight from Germany? My dad's in Germany but he said he couldn't get a flight out. That hurts a little. Am I not important enough for him?

Zac must have seen my reaction. "What's wrong?" He asks and follows my gaze.

"Nothing." I looked at him. He tilted his head slightly. Of course, he doesn't believe me. I should have given up trying to hide anything from him a long time ago.

"My dad was going to be here for New Year's eve, but he cancelled."

I must have looked like a sad puppy because he hugs me again. This time even tighter. It's great though. It's great to have someone who's always there for me.

He parts from me but still grabs my shoulders. "Let's go have fun. I'll take you to see the lights, the shops, the people in the city."

"I don't know, Zac. I don't feel like going out."

"No, no I refuse to let you have a sad start to the New Year. You are coming with me." He makes a few hand gestures in the air and the carriage made from ice appears.

I smile again. He sure knows how to make me happy.

"Ok, but we will go down the elevator and walk, like normal people."

He waves and the ice carriage disappear. "Your wish is my command."

"And not in that." I referred to his shitennou uniform.

He looks at me mischievously. "I thought you liked me in a uniform."

I guess I did say that, once, maybe. "I do, but I feel like being Ami tonight, not Sailor Mercury."

A whirl of ice circles around him and he is back in his normal cloth. He looks good in his black leather jacket though.

"Come on! Let's go" He pulled my hand. A few minutes and we are out the door.

—

"Here we go." He hands me an ice-cream cone.

"Thanks." I take it and start licking it without any hesitation. For some reason, I feel so free being with him.

He sits down beside me. We are in the middle of the walking street. Not a lot of people are hanging out here though. Most is just trying to get somewhere. Well, I get it. It's freezing right now. But I like it. I cherish it.

He starts on his ice-cream. "You know, people might starting thinking we are crazy. I thought you wanted to be normal today."

"What's crazy about getting an ice-cream?"

He widens his eyes. "Outside? in a below zero temperature? with this strong wind? We sure look crazy, Ami."

He has a point. But that's why I like it. I feel like we are the only two people in the world.

"But I'm willing to be crazy, if it makes you happy." He looks at me with that look again. I'm already in love with him. He doesn't have to try so hard.

I feel blood rushing my cheek, and not from the cold.

"Hey! The countdown's starting!" He points to the giant screen in the middle of shopping district. I follow his finger.

"3-2-1 Happy New Year" I hear the fainting sound of people cheering.

I feel his warm touch embraces me and his lips touch mine. I kiss him back.

We devour in the happiest moment for a few second. I never want it to end.

We part for air. "Happy New Year" he said.

"Happy New Year, Zac." I say to him with a big smile on my face. This year will surely be better than the last.

—

I am walking home with Zac. We are holding hands. I actually feel like I'm skipping. I'm that happy.

I see a shadow in front of the apartment.

I walk slowly, taking caution. I hold on to Zac tighter.

"Dad." I blurt out. He is in his giant overcoat, soaking wet.

"Why?…How?" My tongue is tied.

He takes off his hat. "I was on waitlist. Luckily someone didn't show up, so I got the last seat."

I cover my mouth with my hands. I can't believe it. He spent hours at the airport waiting for a flight.

I rush over and hug him. "Dad" I thought I didn't miss him that much, but seeing him here makes me realize how much I've missed him all these years.

I hear the sound of my mom's shoes clicking on the floor. I turn and see mom walking toward us.

I'm happy beyond words. Am I dreaming? I actually have my mom and dad together today?

I am in so much joy. I forget that Zac is there. Dad notices him though.

"Hi I'm Ami's dad." Dad tries to shake hand.

"Nice to meet your Mr. Mizuno. I'm Zac."

"You're … Ami's friend?"

"He's my boyfriend." Zac looks at me, not believing his ears.

Dad looks back at me. "You have a boyfriend? Did you know this?" He looked at mom.

Mom shook her head, of course, I haven't told her yet.

"Zac. This is my mother." I don't know what else to say.

Zac shakes hand with my mom. "Pleasure to meet you." He doesn't look scared one bit. So different from when he met my Mercurial parents.

"Where are you from?" Dad asks Zac. Of course, Zac doesn't look Japanese."

"I'm from Germany."

"Your Japanese is really good." Mom says. I make a mental note to thank her later for breaking the awkwardness.

"My father's Japanese."

"So how did you know each other?" Mom asks.

"I was an exchange student at Ami's school."

Mom looks at me like she can't believe what she's hearing. I know I'm not the type that gets a boyfriend this early, but Zac is an exception. He's Zoicite. We didn't just meet. We have been together, and I am determined to have him in my life, openly.

"Well, it's getting cold out here in the hall. Why don't we go inside and get some tea? Zac, would you like to join us?" Mom asks. She's polite as always.

Zac's out of word. It's kind of cute seeing him like this. It's rare for him. Usually he's go articulate.

"We are going to the temple in the morning. I'd love it if you can join us."

Zac hesitates for a moment there. He looks at me asking for an answer. I nod.

"Yes, Mrs. Mizuno. I'd like to stay."

Mom opens the door. Dad follows, leaving me and Zac in the hall.

Zac whispers to me "Are you sure we're ready for this?"

I give my determined look at him. "I started my new year with you, Zac."

"Now you'll have to be with me for the rest of it." I smile.

"My pleasure, milady."

—

AN. Happy New Year, everybody! Sorry for the absence. I have had the idea for epilogue for a long time but school gets super busy. I also tried out writing from the first character's POV. I hope it's not too confusing. I'm practicing and I hope I will get better this year :) Also thank you so much for the wonderful comments. It's great to know that someone's still reading this. You are my motivation to continue this epilogue. Next one is Makoto's spring! (which I will try to finish before the actual spring.) Happy New Year 2017!