Riko's toes dug into the sand she stepped on, feeling the soft pebbles on her skin as she stretched her tired body. The cool and breezy winds accompanied her as she pulled at her cardigan around her body more to warm herself up.

Riko wasn't one to usually take morning strides along the beach on the days she didn't work and could essentially sleep in, but when she woke up to an empty bed she knew this was the first place she had to go.

And her hunch was correct, for right in front of her was just the person she was looking for. Grey wavy hair just barely touching her shoulders gave away the women standing before her. The shoreline she watched was beautiful, but Riko's eyes stayed focused on the person who had been on her mind since her first thought could process that morning.

You stood against the sea breeze, not even letting the winds phase her. She looked tall and free, as if she were always meant to be there. The scene was so familiar to Riko, she felt she could almost place her finger on the déjà vu of it all, that was until she saw movement by You's arms.

With her small finger pointing over You's shoulder, the movement in You's hands was shown to be a child and out from her mouth was a yell of,

"Miss Riko!"

She attempted to climb over You's shoulder before You finally set her down as she was starting to get too excited.

She ran over through the sand, long brown hair pinned back in her bright red bow, courtesy from Riko, as her bangs were pushed away from her face by the wind. Riko kneeled down, holding out her arms to catch the young girl. Colliding with no mercy into her chest, Riko was slightly moved back from the force.

"Waaah, you're getting so big Shizuku. Also I told you, it's Mrs. Riko."

Shizuku smiled as Riko lifted her up with a strain in her voice from the effort it took,

"Sorry, but I am getting big aren't I! That means I can go and play with Kasumi and Rina on my own, right?"

You jogged along over beside the two as Shizuku pleaded with Riko,

"She's been begging to go but I told her to wait until you were awake to ask."

Riko laughed, knowing that was You's way of saying she didn't want to get in trouble for always giving into everything Shizuku wanted.

Riko hummed in her perfect tune as she tapped her chin,

"Okay, but be back before lunch. And don't play by the water!"

Shizuku gave a salute with a terrible attempt at a wink that resulted in her blinking both of her eyes. It was her best imitation of You's signature greeting and farewell. She wriggled her way out of Riko's grasp before taking off towards their little home across the street from the beach.

The couple watched Shizuku, making sure she looked both ways before crossing the street and safely making it inside the house. You was the first to smile at Riko as they turned to one another.

"Really had to bring up the 'Mrs.' part, huh?"

Riko arched her eyebrow as she gave You's shoulder a little tap,

"Hey, I hope you're correcting people too."

You puts her hands up to surrender with a laugh,

"I don't know how official Mari claims she is, but yes I make sure to bring it up often."

Riko let out a giggle as she slipped her hands around You's shoulders, bringing their bodies closer together. It was amazing how a year ago You would flinch at a single tap, now it was nothing but a familiar touch to her once more.

You wrapped her hands around Riko's hips, holding her delicately,

"You know, I kind of thought our wedding would take place on my ferry, not in the garden of a springs hotel. Isn't it funny how things turn out?"

Riko rested her head on You's shoulder, closing her eyes to the sound of You's heart,

"Yeah, but then again we had close friends, so I think that should count for something."

You nodded her head before slightly swaying Riko and her side to side together, beginning a little dance as she kept their soft conversation going,

"Say, do you think it's weird Shizuku doesn't call us 'mom' yet?"

You asked as she drew soft circles on Riko's back,

"I know it's only been half a year, but her little friends already claim us as her parents."

Riko sighed at You's question, as she too was well aware of how everyone was warming up to them except the one they wanted the most,

"We just have to give her more time, I'm sure she'll come around."

Riko shrugged her shoulders with her response, almost unsure of her own answer. You kept to herself though, still thinking it over. Heck, even Kasumi called any older women her mother, Shizuku was not so easily persuaded. Riko continued on, as based off of You's silence she was overthinking things,

"She's been through a lot. The most we can do is prove to her we won't be leaving any time soon. Maybe then she'll open up."

You closed her eyes, holding Riko a little closer,

"Yeah, you're right."

You kicked up her feet slightly in an attempt to lighten the mood, swaying Riko with her more and more before she too joined in on her fun.

Their little dance for two soon turned into them kicking around at the sand and laughing at everything and nothing at the same time. A joyous pure bliss with the morning sky just bright enough for their eyes to only see each other.

Considering it was sand though, Riko was the first to start losing stamina, slowing down her pace. You soon followed, holding her gently though as she was suddenly reminded of something.

"You know, Kanan just asked me a few days ago if I could teach her how to dance for her first date with Mari."

Riko laughed out a bit tiredly,

"I hope they aren't dancing on the beach. I do think it's nice they're finally together, Dia was just about ready to make an announcement at the next town meeting if they didn't make things official yet."

You laughed along with Riko, well aware of how painfully obvious Kanan and Mari would sneak around with one another, not a moment apart, yet deny everything when the proof was written all over their unbuttoned clothes and messy hair. You wondered if she and Riko looked that way when they were younger as well.

Before You's mind could go down that memory lane though, Riko spoke up,

"You know, speaking about Dia, she told me her and Ruby are on much better terms than before."

You backed away a bit baffled at that statement,

"Really? Their relationship looks the exact same. Like, I can not think of a single difference in their dynamic."

Riko pushed lightly on You's shoulder,

"Come on, you know Dia has a hard time being vulnerable."

"Sorry, sorry."

"But anyways, from what I got, the two have been getting through the leadership process well. Dia actually even cut back on a few things to not be too overwhelmed at times."

You hummed, impressed that Dia would ever even think a moment of relaxation,

"What are those kids Ruby hangs out with up to nowadays? Still running the library?"

You asked curiously. She had seen the teenage trio around the village, but having to tend to her own tasks didn't leave her much time besides common small talk.

"Yeah they're still there. Last time I went by it seemed like they were doing a great job at keeping it going. I guess with so much time there they just grew to like it."

"Ah, so they have Stockholm syndrome."

Riko laughed at just how serious You looked into the distance,

"Yeah, something like that. They actually showed the mikan tree to me last time I went over."

You smiled at the idea of those kids growing up without a falter in their bonds,

"That's great to hear for all of them. I was scared that one with the bun was going to go down the wrong path and create a portal to another world or something."

"No, no, I think Hanamaru has hidden those books from Yoshiko."

You took one hand from Riko's waist, grabbing her hand to hold. She played with Riko's fingers as they continued their small update conversation,

"Since we're on the topic of people, Tsuki has been doing great too. She's getting along well with Chika, and by that I mean she's just doing all of the dirty work of carrying around her orders for her."

Riko smiled at the way You played with her fingers yet stayed focused on her when she spoke,

"Sounds like something Chika would make Tsuki do. When are you going to start following me around and carrying my medical supplies?"

You laughed at the idea. Sure You occasionally delivered food to families when staff was short-handed but to also carry Riko's things was a bit much. Still though, she let go of Riko's hand to flex one of her arms jokingly,

"Well, these muscles have been healing well, but I've been busy guarding the gates, cooking in town, and learning new sewing techniques to help out really. Maybe on my next day off I could squeeze by if you want?"

Riko poked at You's muscle in awe. They weren't as strong as before, considering there wasn't much need for intense training in their perfect village, but it was definitely much more toned than Riko's in comparison.

"Wow, those guns are pretty nice, but I'm going to need you to be lazy with me and Shizuku on your days off. No work, doctor's orders."

Riko poked You's chest to make sure her message was clear before they both laughed it off. Of course, You spent every free moment she could with Shizuku, if anything the doctor's order should've been 'spend more time with your wife.'

Riko placed her head back onto You's shoulder with a soft sigh, not truly recalling a time when it was just them. They had both put their full effort into letting Shizuku know they were always going to be with her, as that was the major deal Dia had them agree upon before they could even think about caring for her. Now though, time without Shizuku felt a bit lonely.

"You?"

You, who kept them swaying in the sand, hummed in response.

Riko closed her eyes, asking the question she repeated to herself every night,

"Do you think we're going to be good parents?"

You mentally paused for a moment, thinking of a proper answer. She wasn't sure what made her own parents great, nor others. There was no instruction manual on a child's happiness.

You shrugged, backing away just enough to kiss Riko's forehead.

"I don't really know."

You stopped their swaying, looking directly at Riko. She could see the doubt in her eyes, as her eyebrows were scrunched together in worry of that answer.

"But, we can try and figure it out. Learning as we go is kind of our thing, right?"

You smiled as Riko couldn't help but return it as she thought of exactly what You was referring to.

Riko always remembered the both of them not even knowing what love should look like before trying to figure it out and find it within one another. But the thing they came to realize much later was that they didn't have to search, it just came naturally.

All things they did without a second thought later meant much more for the other than they realized. So who knew, maybe they were already doing things that meant the world to Shizuku.

Riko relaxed at the thought. You's words were always so simple yet reassuring.

The couple stared at one another in a calm silence of the world around them. Riko reached her hand upwards, easing her fingers into You's curly hair.

From up her shoulders to by her jawline, Riko felt every nook and cranny of You, as she had many times before. Still, each touch was something she never wanted to forget.

Riko's graze drops to You's lips, and just like every morning and every night, You's lips found their way onto hers.

The same feeling since they were 18 always sparked in Riko's heart. Back when everything was so brand new to them.

Each day they learned new things about each other, and even now, as people change, they always fit to one another adjusting for what's new.

Luckily though, Riko's desired wish would come true within the month. Shizuku would soon come to start calling You and Riko her moms. And even through her future teen rebellion, she'd be sure to tell You and Riko they were the best parents she could've ever found.

From two teenagers whose hearts would skip a beat whenever they were near each other to a couple who still felt that spark with every lingering kiss, You and Riko made it through each hurdle right by one another.

They'd always find themselves in each other's arms after every good or bad day, wanting to be close in every way they could since they were all they had for a while.

Now though, their once two-person family had grown beyond that with even friends joining in on the never ending warmth You and Riko provided.

And that love they held close would only keep growing for many, many, years to come.