Truly Madly Deeply
Chapter 7; How Do I Love Thee

*Awwww, isn't love grand?*


Oh can you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause its standing right here before you
All that you need will surely come

"Check mate. Ha ha!! I win again!" Mei-Ling smiled at Shin over the chess board

"You're getting better." Shin replied "Thats the 3rd time you've beaten me."

"I think you're letting me win." The lovely 18 year old said as she flipped a lock of pink hair out of her face.

"Now what makes you think that?"

"Cause you had plenty of chances to win, but you over looked them."

"Like I said, you're getting better."

"Not hardly." Mei-Ling laughed "You're just getting careless."

"If you say so." Shin smiled as he picked up the chess board.

"I'll get that." Mei-Ling said. She started to take the board when her hand brushed against Shins. It was like a bolt of electicity went through the both of them causing Shin to drop the chess board.

Chess peices scattered across the floor as Mei-Ling and Shin stared at each other. "What was that?" Mei-Ling asked.

"I don't know."

"Heh." Mei-Ling looked down at the chess peices that were now all over the floor "I hope we didn't lose any."

"If we did, we'll find them." Shin replied. He bent down to pick up the game.

"Don't worry about it." Mei-Ling said "I'll get it."

Shin started to get up again, just as Mei-Ling was bending down, and the two of them hit heads.

"Ouch!" Mei-Ling laughed as she rubbed her head "That kinda sucked."

"Yes, it did." Shin laughed too "I hope I didn't hurt you too badly."

"Nah, its ok."

"Well then, lets get these chess peices picked up before your mother has a fit."

******************************************

The both of them got to work picking up the peices and it wasn't long before Mei-Ling tosssed the last pawn in the box.

"I think thats all of them." she said as Shin helped her up.

"I guess we should be more careful." Shin smiled.

"Hehe, yeah." Mei-Ling laughed slightly. She was starting to feel kinda weird, and she didn't know why. Maybe it was because Shin was still holding her hand from when he helped her up.

Shin glanced down at their hands and blushed. "Oh....uh" he started to pull away. He was feeling slightly funny himself.

"Whats the matter?" Mei-Ling asked "Is something wrong?"

"Oh no." Shin shook his head "Nothings wrong."

"Are you sure? You seem like somethings bothering you."

"Yes I'm sure." Shin sighed.

Mei-Ling moved closer to him and tilted her head to one side. "You're lieing." she said "Something is bothering you, I can tell."

Shin closed his eyes and shook his head. "Its nothing." he replied. Mei-Ling was standing very close to him now, and it made the strange feeling stronger. 'Kiss her.' A tiny voice inside of him whispered 'Kiss her!'

Shin shook the voice away. 'I can't.' he thought to himself 'I shouldn't feel this way for her.'

'But you do.' The voice taunted 'You love her.'

"Shin, sweetie, are you absolutely sure you're ok?" Mei-Ling asked.

"Huh what?" Shin blinked out of his trance and stared at the girl "Yes, I'm fine."

"Alright." Mei-Ling sighed "If you say so dear." She started to turn around when Shin stopped her.

"Mei-Ling?"

"Yes?" she turned back around.

"I..."

"What?" Mei-Ling blinked "Is there something on your mind?"

'I don't believe I'm doing this.' Shin thought. He took a deep breath and pulled Mei-Ling closer to him. "Mei-Ling, I.....love you." he whispered.

Mei-Ling stared at him in shock. "Oh Shin!" she cried as she threw her arms around him "I thought I'd never hear you say that. I love you too."

"I've loved you for so long." Shin said as he held her "But I was so afraid to say anything."

"I know." Mei-Ling smiled "I've felt the same way."

They stared at each other for a moment before he kissed her. Mei-Ling closed her eyes and sighed as he pressed his lips against hers. They remained like that for a few minutes, completely lost in each other, when Sarahs voice interuppted from the other room.

"What do you guys want for dinner?" she called as she appeared in the doorway.

Mei-Ling and Shin quickly pulled away from each other and glanced at Sarah. Sarah just stared at them, a small smile playing across her lips.

"Mama!" Mei-Ling gasped "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." her mother laughed "Forgive me for intruding."

"Its quite alright." Shin smiled "We were just uh...."

"No need to explain." Sarah smiled "Shin, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Yes." Shin nodded and followed Sarah to the other room.

Mei-Ling sat down and burried her face in her hands. "I hope mama doesn't say something dumb." she said to herself.

******************************************

In the next room Sarah and Shin were sitting down to have a little chat.

"Please forgive me for what I...." Shin started to say, but Sarah stopped him.

"Don't apologize." she said "Just tell me one thing. Do you love her?"

"More than life itsself."

"Would you hurt her?"

"Never!"

Sarah smiled. "Then if you're both happy, you have my blessing. I do hope I'm invited to the wedding."

"Wed.....wedding?"

"Well yes, I'd like to be a grandma before I die."

"Oh...ahhaha." Shin smiled "I'm not sure either one of us is ready for marriage."

"Well get ready." Sarah laughed "Cause it won't be long. I can tell."

"I uh..."

"You've thought about it, haven't you?"

"Many times. But I'm afraid it may be the wrong time."

"Its never the wrong time if you're in love." Sarah told him "So why don't you ask her?"

"Right now?" Shin asked.

"Why not? You love her, she loves you, and I'm not getting any younger. Like I said, I'd like to be a grandma before I die."

"If its alright" Shin said "I'd like to wait a little while. I don't want to move to fast."

"I understand." Sarah nodded "Take your time."

"What did mama say?" Mei-Ling asked when Shin had returned.

"Nothing important." Shin replied "I have to go. But I'll be back."

"Alright." Mei-Ling nodded "I love you."

"And I love you."

******************************************

That night as Shin lay in bed, he thought about what Sarah had said. Was it too soon? Should he wait to ask Mei-Ling to marry him? Perhaps it wasn't too soon. But what would he do about the aging thing? Mei-Ling wasn't immortal like he was.

"Oh well." he sighed "I'm sure I'll think of something."