"What do you like about me?"
"Excuse me?"
That question was asked at the dead of the night. Alphen had nestled himself on his part of the bed and was just about to sleep, but that question from Shionne had made him sober again. He rolled to his right, and found Shionne's naked back behind a white layer of clothes.
It was rare for Shionne to relay her thoughts and feelings, despite being forward with everything else.
Silence soon came. Shionne didn't budge. She didn't so much as glance at Alphen; she was serious about what Alphen thought of her.
Why so sudden? Alphen thought. They had consummated their relationship before. Both of them already knew how much they mattered to each other before.
So why now?
"Shionne, I-" Alphen paused as his hand reached out for Shionne's shoulder. The gravitas of the situation seemed to suddenly hit Alphen. How could he be so blind as what was in-front of him right now. Hand finally on her shoulder, Alphen slid closer until Shionne felt his chest against her back, he reassured her. "I promise. No matter what happens I will never abandon you. Not now, not ever."
"I had a thought today."
Alphen moved his arms to wrap Shionne. Her whole body seemed so frail in his arms. As if letting her go would shatter her to pieces.
Feeling Alphen's warmth, Shionne continued.
"What if we'll never be happy together, Alphen?" Shionne mumbled through her phantom pain. "What if this doesn't work out? What if it fell apart before I knew or noticed it? What if you left me? What if I left you? What if in the end I'll always be alone? I'm too scared of those thoughts, Alphen."
"Shionne," Alphen rested his head against Shionne's, whose body jolted at that sensation. "Three hundred years I've spent remembering Naori. But my thoughts for you will always be eternal. I will never forget you nor will I ever leave you alone. Not now, not ever. You're my whole life, Shionne.
"I love you from the bottom of my heart. Truly," Alphen added. "And I hope that you feel the same way about me."
Shionne nodded weakly.
"Of course I do, Alphen," Shionne let out what sounded like a whimper. "But that what scared me the most. What if we love each other so much that we still don't succeed? What then?"
"Silly you," Alphen ruffled Shionne's hair. He smiled when Shionne seemed to regain her calmness. "I'm here, aren't I? I'll make sure we'll never fall apart. I'll be there for you whenever you need me to. Thank you for being with me, Shionne. You're the greatest thing a man like me could ever hope and cherish for."
Alphein could hear silent sobs from Shionne as she settled for a night of pleasant dreams. With that, Alphen followed suit to greet their wedding day tomorrow.
When Shionne stood before Alphen dressed in all white, he didn't know the meaning of beauty until now. She was brighter than usual, as if he was blinded by the light. What Alphen would do to relive that solitary moment in time only the Great Spirit would know.
"You look absolutely stunning."
"Do I?" Shionne looked bashful as she averted her eyes from Alphen's. "You're not saying that to flatter me, right?"
Alphen walked toward Shionne and grasped both of her hands. His face now a breath away from her, he proclaimed. "You're the most beautiful woman in this world."
"Stop it," Shionne said as her face became redder and redder. "If you say something like that while holding my hands so tight right now I might just faint."
Alphen immediately let go of Shionne's hands.
"Sorry."
"Who said you can let go of my hands?" Shionne demanded as she placed her hand before Alphen. "What I mean to say is-"
Alphen immediately held Shionne's hands.
"Mm."
At that moment, Shionne was the happiest woman in the world.
"I got it."
"What do you have in mind this time, honey?"
Alphen was musing about something while he was relaxing with Shionne in the living room. The sun was about to set when he had his moment of epiphany. Shionne wasn't too bothered by him as he almost always did that whenever something had bothered him.
"The name of our children."
To that Shionne stopped knitting her baby clothes and looked at Alphen. She could see Alphen was serious. Maybe she should humor him, just in case that he would come up with a perfect name for the child in her belly.
"Tell me then, but if it's not a good name I have the right to veto."
"If it's a boy, let's name him Zephyr," Alphen said. "And if it's a girl, then let's name her Naori."
"Oh, Alphen," Shionne smiled. It came as naturally as it did from the bottom of her heart. "That's perfect. Thank you."
"No," Alphen shook his head. He walked toward Shionne who was resting on her favorite rocking chair. "Thank you, Shionne, for always being with me. For staying by my side."
Their hands entwined, nothing bad could ever happen between them.
"You promised, remember?" Shionne teased. "Forever and ever after."
"And I will keep my promise, Shionne. You will never be alone again. Forever and ever after."
"Alphen, you big dummy," Shionne mused. "What will I ever do without you?"