A/N: Well, Merry Christmas everyone, sorry for uploading this one a bit late; I was fixing some stuff. Anyways I want to thank IllusoryMist and YourBlandestNightmare for beta reading this fic. Without further ado, let's get waffy.


The Best Time of Our Lives

Shinji lied asleep in his bed. His eyes closed shut, with a smile on his face as he dreamt of something pleasant. A hand ruffled his hair, and some blue orbs watched him. The hand soon found its way to his lips and began to touch them, playfully, before other lips embraced his, making him wake up.

"Having a nice dream, Shinji?" a female voice asked.

"I was remembering our stay at that hotel during summer," Shinji replied with a smirk, which prompted Asuka to hit him playfully.

"If I recall, that was our first time in bed. Have you been keeping count?" Asuka asked playfully.

"Probably lost count from how good they were."

Asuka laughed and flicked his nose. "Idiot." She kissed him on the lips and got up from bed.

"Now, wake up, Shinji. We have to prepare for today," she said as she put on her bra and pants.

"What party?" Shinji asked, which made Asuka a bit mad.

"Come on, Shinji, don't be a smartass. You know what day it is," she replied with a bit of anger as she left the room, leaving him in bed. He lazily grabbed his phone from the sleep counter and looked at the date.

24th of December 2028

He quickly realized why she was in a hurry. "Shit, it's Christmas Eve." He sprinted out of his room and got ready to make this night the best of their lives.


Shinji went into the living room to find his partner placing decorations up. He forgot why he had come out and stood there, admiring her. She had grown a bit taller but not enough to overtake him in height. She wore some dark blue jeans and a long red sleeve shirt. Her hair had become long. Shinji looked at his partner from head to toes. She truly is something else. I can't believe after so many years, I am doing this. It feels like only years ago when we moved together. Sometimes I think what would have happened if I had rejected-

"Hey, you going to stare at my ass all day, or are you going to help me out?" She said as she playfully looked at her boyfriend.

"Doesn't sound like a bad idea," he smirked.

"Idiot, get on with the cooking. Guests will arrive later in the evening. If you get everything done, maybe you'll get your early Christmas gift." She said as she shook her backside at Shinji. Even if they had been living for years together, she still found ways to make him blush for being the cunning idiot he thought he was.

"Okay, then, Asuka. Shout if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen."


Shinji prepared some small breakfast to at least gain energy before helping Asuka. He had the most critical task: food. He had practiced cooking for a while now, trying new recipes and styles. He wanted to make this Christmas meal feel like it was out of this world.

Shinji removed the toast from the toaster and placed butter on it before calling her. "Asuka, breakfast is ready."

Asuka walked into the kitchen, which wasn't that big. In fact, it was like the one they had when living with Katsuragi. The place they bought was around Tokyo-2, with one bathroom and two bedrooms. With the money they received from the U.N., they could have bought a mansion, but they decided to live somewhere modest.

"Thanks. Do you think we will finish everything before they arrive?"

"Of course, honey. Our guests will be in shock and awe when they see your décor."

Asuka pinched him in the cheek. "You idiot, I know my décor is amazing. I meant the time we have." She began to look at the boxes she took out of the closet and realized she didn't have all the décor. "Oh, Shinji!"

He stopped and looked at Asuka as he finished his toast.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"I think I am missing some things; they are probably in the attic. Could you please get them?"

Shinji looked at his girlfriend as she gave him puppy eyes. Not that he would fall to them because he already had, years ago. "Fine, I'll do it, but hopefully, it's quick. I need to start setting up the food."

"Thanks, Shinji." She leaned over the table, grabbed his face, and kissed his lips. She then left the room and kept decorating. Shinji went to the attic.


Shinji pulled the cord, which let the ladder fall. Dust filled his nose as he climbed up. He shined a flashlight around the place. He saw boxes everywhere. Well, it looks like that meal will be delayed for a bit—the things I do for love.

He looked everywhere until he found some packages marked ASUKA'S CHRISTMAS DECORATION. He walked over toward them and noticed a box next to that one.

It had red tape around it, so he assumed it was Asuka's. He decided to open it out of curiosity. Inside he found a bunch of stuff that brought him memories. Her red neural interfaces communicators, old plug suit, old yellow dress, and green dress. He smiled when he saw all these old things. He couldn't believe that so much time had passed since they stopped Gendo and SEELE plans. He kept looking around the stuff until he found something that quickly caught his attention. He picked the object up, and a big smile formed. My, my, it's been a while since I've seen this. You will come in handy later.


Asuka worked around making her house a Christmas paradise. She sang 'Stille Nacht' while she decorated. Christmas was the only time of the year she felt happy. Not only because her birthday was on December 4th, but because she got to spend it with her favorite idiot. Asuka placed everything in the right place. She gained a reputation with decoration and planning, so much so that Shinji enticed her into being a home designer. She kept thinking about it, but she preferred working at the pharmacy.

Shinji came down the stairs. Before he could close it, he got a call.

"Huh? Hello…Hey, long time no hear…Uh hu…really? Well, I could do something about that. I'll tell Asuka… Okay, bye." Shinji made his presence into the living room as he looked at his redhead, placing décor. She turned around and saw that he had a smile.

"You won't believe who is coming. I need you to do some stuff."


Shinji waited outside his car in the designated area for pickup. He had arrived at the airport at 5 or 6, after cooking the food, thus leaving Asuka with the easy parts. Hopefully, she can work it out. I still can't believe it. Maybe I can ask-

"Shinji, there you are," a voice came from behind. Shinji looked at the man; he was tall, had an unshaven beard, and had a ponytail. "It's been a while, Shinji."

"Good to have you back, Kaji."

Shinji and Kaji loaded the baggage into the car and drove off.

"You know, I am pretty hungry. Twenty-four hours on a plane sure does something to you. Let's stop here and eat."

Shinji drove into the parking lot of Burker King, which was still open. Once they finished ordering, they both sat down and began to eat. Shinji didn't like fast food that much, but he didn't say no either. Kaji had paid after all.

"So Kaji, how was your trip?" Shinji asked while biting his Whopper.

"It was great. The Caribbean is sure filled with great places. I might consider taking Misato and our daughter to Puerto Rico next year. Nice island with beautiful beaches, would have loved to see it pre-Second Impact, probably was more beautiful." Kaji drank from his soda and cleaned his mouth with a napkin before looking at Shinji with a smug face.

"Enough about me, tell me about you. Have you gotten Asuka a gift?"

Shinji blushed a bit. He wanted this year's gift to Asuka to be perfect, yet she outdid herself in ways he couldn't imagine each year. Last year she got him professional cooking equipment; these you would see being used by professional chefs like Gordon Ramsay.

"Uhm, yes, I got her what you told me. I am going to give it to her during Secret Santa," Shinji replied with a smile, "she won't steal the thunder this year."

Shinji's phone began to vibrate. "Speak of the devil. Hello baby…What I like calling you that…Fine honey…uh hu… okay, love you. See you later."

"I am guessing that was Asuka?" Kaji asked with intrigue as he slurped his soda.

"Yeah, Misato arrived. We better get going. Also, Kaji… you don't happen to have wine in your house, would you?"


Asuka verified the food as they waited for the guest to arrive. She wasn't the best, but she practiced what she learned from her boyfriend. As she made the last adjustments, a bell rang in the distance. She looked through the peephole.

She walked over to the door and opened it, finding her old caretaker in front of her. "Hello, Asuka."

"Hey, Misato. It's been a while," the former pilot said as she hugged Misato, "and who might this be?" A little girl stood next to Misato, no older than five. She had brown hair and had brown eyes. "Is this little Usagi? My has she grown a lot!"

"Yeah, five years old already; say hi, Usagi."

The little girl began to approach Asuka. "Hi." She then ran behind her mother.

"Aww, she is scared of me. Come on, Usagi, I don't eat children; that's only at 9 pm." The little girl was frightened by her comment. Asuka began to laugh as she looked at Misato, who wasn't impressed with the joke, "I am joking, come inside."

Misato entered and looked at Usagi, who was already ogling at some video games Asuka had left for her entertainment. She didn't waste time picking up the controller.

Misato sighed. "Those kids grow up so fast."

"They sure do, Misato. Speaking of kids, where is Kaji?"

"Oh, I thought you knew, he was sent on a U.N. mission in the Caribbean. The last thing he said was that he was in Cuba or Puerto Rico."

"He must be having some real fun over there," Asuka said, which prompted Misato to be a bit sad. Spending the holidays without her husband wasn't something she had expected. This made Asuka rethink her words, "but you know he will come back, don't you worry."

Misato smiled. "No worries, Asuka. As long as he doesn't drink without me, then we will be fine." They talked for a bit more until a doorbell caught their attention.

"I'll get that, Misato." Asuka opened the door to see Hikari and Toji. "Hey, you finally arrived." Asuka hugged Hikari and gave a glare to Toji, who looked worried.

"You look beautiful, Asuka, doesn't she, honey." She said as she bumped Tojis's shoulder to make him respond.

"Hmm, oh yeah, you look great. Anyways I brought the booze. Also, where is Shinji?" he asked.

"Oh, he is getting some stuff; he won't take too long. Anyways come in." Asuka closed the door as the couple entered; only then did she notice little Tsubame in her arms.

"She is charming, Hikari," Asuka said as she played with Tsubames fingers.

Hikari smiled. "Thanks, she certainly likes you; she is terrified of new people. Speaking of which, when are you going to have kids?"

Asuka became embarrassed at the response. "When the idiot proposes to me, maybe we can have some children." Unless our little sessions give us one before he does the proposal bit.

"He still hasn't proposed to you?" Hikari said, a bit upset. She had helped her friend with a lot of things, even when getting them together, so she was a little angry that he still hadn't done the steps.

Asuka leaned on Hikari, much to her surprise, whispered to her, hoping not to wake up little Tsubame, who had fallen asleep. "When Rei arrives, we are going to talk."

A doorbell rang in the distance. "Speak of the devil." Asuka went towards the door and opened it.

"Hello Asuka, hopefully, we aren't late," Rei said with a sheepish smile.

"We got caught in the traffic, after some Lillin- I mean people had an accident, we had to help them," Kaworu said while smiling.

"Well, if it isn't the homo boy," Asuka said while placing her hands on her hips.

Kaworu sighed at the comment. He raised his hand, showing a gold ring on it. "Unfortunately, Soryu, you can't call me that anymore since I am united with Rei."

"Fine, you win this time, but I'll come up with something else."

Rei looked all around while the two talked.

"Oh, Asuka, where is my brother?" Rei asked, a little bit concerned.

"Oh, he is getting some wine. He will be back soon."

Kaworu looked a bit confused. "Soryu, I brought the wine as you told me."

Ah shit, I forgot homo boy would bring it. Asuka began to laugh at Karl's comment. "Very funny, Nagisa," Asuka glanced at Rei. She gave her a look to make her husband shut up. Rei acknowledged and bumped her husband, confused him even more.

Asuka let the couple in while she glared at Kaworu. She walked over to Rei, who was greeting the other guest. "Rei, can you come with me," Asuka said while looking at Hikari, eyeing her to step aside to talk.

All three women left the room, and talking could be heard from the other room and then screaming from Hikari.


Shinji and Kaji changed and got some wine from Katsuragis secret compartment inside their apartment as they brought in Pen Pen, who was wearing a little suit. Kaji looked at Shinji while he drove. "You seem a little nervous about proposing. You know when I did it, I was in the same situation."

Shinji looked at Kaji while keeping his eyes on the road. "How so?"

"Well, for starters, I thought Misato would say no after everything that happened, but to my surprise, she leaped onto me and said 'yes' like a million times. I'll never forget her smile. Make sure your mind camera is working because that image of Asuka receiving the news will always be implanted on your head. Trust me; I always remember that day."

Shinji smiled at Kajis's remarks. The past years have been another worldly experience; they had done everything together. All those years ago, they had come together, holding hands and embracing their lips, when he tried to make her happy. He was sure she would say 'yes.' He just knew it.

"Well, Kaji, I hope you are right," Shinji said.

"Come on; it will all be fine." He responded

Pen Pen warked in approval. "See, even Pen Pen agrees, she will say yes."

Shinji chuckled and smiled; he knew everything would be fine; the fourteen years he had spent with her would give him the answer he wanted.


Shinji pulled up to the garage of their house. As they got out of the car and walked towards the stairs leading to the front door, Shinji spotted a man with glasses talking over the phone. "Hey, Kensuke, who are you talking to?" Shinji asked the man, who looked very nervous.

Kensuke turned to Shinji after covering his phone with his hand. "Oh, hey Shin-man. Can you give me a minute?"

Kensuke continued talking over the phone before saying, 'I love you too' and hung up. "Sorry, Shinji, that was my girlfriend. She had some problems making it here, so she won't join us." He looked a bit sad, being alone on such a beautiful night.

"Girlfriend?" Shinji questioned, "I didn't know you had one."

"Shinji! Yes, I have one, and she isn't a fake; she is from the U.K.," Kensuke said, a bit irritated because of Shinji's response. Before Shinji could even ask her name, the door swung open, and out came Asuka hugging him and kissing him in front of Kensuke and Kaji.

"You took a while to get here." She said to Shinji while pinching his cheek. Asuka turned her attention to Kaji, who she hugged tightly. Kaji had been there for both of them; his relationship with Asuka resembled that of a father and daughter.

"Nice to see you too, Asuka. Is she in there?" Kaji asked, always giving that smug smile.

"Yeah, I'll get her." Asuka went inside and touched Misato on the shoulder, "Hey Misato, Shinji just arrived; could you help me with the booze?"

"Oh gladly," Misato said as she stood up. As she walked through the door, she saw the man she had missed so much.

Her eyes began to tear up, and she gave a shocked look. "Kaji?"

"Hey honey, I am back." In an instant, the triple agent was enveloped by Misato as she kissed him. Usagi saw her dad, ran towards him, and hugged his leg.

"I missed all of you. Thanks, Shinji, and you too Asuka." Kaji said while smiling. Misato looked at both of them as they smiled at them.

"In all honesty, you were the one who did everything; I only delivered you," Shinji said.

"Oh, come here," Misato said as she began to hug both Asuka and Shinji, "thanks for doing this."

They kept hugging for a while. "Uh, guys, can we go inside? It's freezing," Kensuke said, prompting the others to look at him with a thanks-for-ruining-the-moment stare as they all went inside.


Once inside, the party had begun. Alcohol was given, laughs were exchanged, stories were heard, it was terrific. Shinji and Asuka laughed as they listened to the accounts of Toji and Hikari during their honeymoon; they congratulated the newlywed couple that was Rei and Kaworu. It was terrific, but now was Shinji's time to strike.

"Okay, guys, let us begin the secret Santa," Asuka said as everyone gathered around in a circle. Some sat in chairs and others on the floor. Asuka began to look for the names inside a bag; by sheer coincidence, the first one was Shinji.

He got up from his seat and picked a small box from the pile of gifts everyone had brought. He kneeled in front of Asuka. "Asuka Langley Soryu, you have been the best thing that has happened to me in all of my life. I couldn't have asked for a perfect partner; we went through hardships together, and our beginnings were rocky, but we never gave up. Because of that, I kneel before you to ask you one question," Shinji opened the box revealing a gold ring with a red gem, "will you marry me?"

Asuka was stunned by his request, but Shinji saw that Asuka was nervous and worried. She didn't look as happy as Kaji had said she would be. He began to worry. She is not saying yes; does this mean… However, Asuka got up, walked towards the tree, and picked a small box.

"Shinji, I am very grateful for your proposal and gift, and I do have to say that I am happy to be with you. You do not know how much I have wanted to hear this. All those years of love were probably the best I've ever had; you don't understand how happy you make me baka Shinji. To that, I ask YOU the question," Asuka opened the box, and inside was a ring as well, "will you marry me Shinji Ikari?"

Shinji couldn't believe his eyes; he hadn't been rejected by the woman he loved; she was asking him to be her husband. Shinji's heart raced at her question; the memories of their relationship passed through his mind as he figured out his answer. The nights at the hotel, their first kiss, their time during college, and their first time in bed. Shinji looked at Asuka as he placed his hands on her face. "I do," he said as he kissed her in front of everyone. Asuka then parted from his lips. "I do too." She quickly kissed him again as everyone cheered and clapped at the couple's proposal.


Some hours had passed, and the house was a bit messy. Only Kaji and Misato remained alongside Pen Pen and Usagi, who were tuckered out in the car.

"Thanks for everything. I wish the best of luck to both of you." Misato said as she hugged both of them.

"See, Shinji, I knew it would go great," Kaji responded as he hugged Asuka and shook Shinjis's hand, "we can't wait for the wedding."

Both adoptive parents left and waved at the two fiancés', Asuka closed the door, and now the room only had the two of them. Shinji had left her side and went to the Christmas tree. Asuka looked as he looked for something behind the tree.

"I am still in shock from your proposal," Shinji said as he searched the tree, "frankly, I don't think I'll ever forget that."

"Well, you took too long, though I am happy you asked me. I appreciate it a lot." Asuka said while smiling at Shinji.

"Ah, here it is," he said, pulling a medium-sized box from behind. He placed it in Asuka's hand. "Open it."

Asuka began to open the box. Her eyes glowed when she saw what was inside. Inside was an object of nostalgia. That faithful night decided what awaited both, years of love and care. They were scared that they would mess up and fall apart, but Shinji and Asuka got better over time, even if they had some rough times. She pulled out a crown, a burger king crown, to be exact.

"You…you kept it," Asuka said with a smile, tears of happiness forming in her eyes. She placed the crown on her head, prompting a smile from Shinji.

"I found it while looking for your stuff," Shinji said and smiled, looking into her eyes, "do you remember how it went?"

"Of course, I do. I did this." Asuka got closer to Shinji; she put her arms around him, looked deep into his eyes, and placed her lips onto his. She let go of his lips and continued. "Then you stood there like an idiot, and I told you, 'I liked it' is what you are trying to say, baka Shinji. You're welcome."

Shinji smirked at Asuka. "I remember, and then I did this." Shinji then placed his hands on Asuka's face and slowly put his lips on hers. She wrapped her arms around him as he did the same. Asuka felt his heartbeat, and as they kissed, she looked into his eyes, that moment she vividly remembered. They were at peace and felt whole, she had been through a lot with him, and he gave her something she had wanted all those years ago, the very reason she wanted him: love. Both adults stood there, passionately kissing each other till both continued their session in their bedroom. Sounds of pleasure and laughter could be heard. This was indeed the best time of their lives.