Chapter 26: Forever and a day

- What a nice day!, Shirayuki streches her legs.

Zen lies next to her with his sleepy face cuter than ever. She places a kiss on his lips, caresses his white hair and stays still to look at him while Zen sleeps peacefully. Is it possible for a human to be that handsome? Well, Zen isn't just a human but a god who has come to save her. The sun rays get into the room shyly to not ruin the moment between the couple. Zen opens his eyes slowly and turns his glance to his lovely wife. She is too beautiful to be true! The sunlight makes him close a little his eyelids until he gets used to it. He upholds his head on his arm and Shirayuki continues kissing him with her eyes all over his adorable face. Today is Sunday so they have their day off to do what they want. After all it's not as if they sit around all day doing nothing. They lie on their bed hugged and Shirayuki has her head on Zen's chest.

- What do you want to do today?

- I don't know. I was thinking of lying here all day in your arms.

- Yeah but I want to spend a little time with you outside of the castle.

- Okay Zen, look what we'll do. We will stay here a few more minutes and then we are going to walk in the forest. How about that?

- Let's do it!, he kisses her forehead.

Shirayuki (P.O.V.)

Ugh, I have to get dressed and eat breakfast. Why can't we just stay cuddled in our warm bed? Nevermind, either way we will have fun. I stand up and head to the closet to grab my blue dress and my heels. Zen said he was going to take a shower before going out. I take off my pyjamas, I fold them neatly as Zen gets out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist. I can't help but staring at his abs. Oh, those abs... Ahem, what am I thinking? I grab my dress and I am ready to put it on.

- Do you really have to dress? I prefer you just in your underwear.

- Yeah, and I'd say the same for you and the towel.

I turn my flushed face away from his perfect body and concentrate on what we are going to do for the rest of our day. We finally get dressed, kiss for the thousandth time this morning and go to eat breakfast. After that, Zen tells Mitsuhide to get ready our horses to go to the forest, just me and Zen. We need a little time for ourselves, away from everything and everyone's eyes. The ride is calm while the fresh air fills my chest and my eyes can't have enough of this amazingly beautiful landscape.

The lake is peaceful and the mountain reflects on the blue waters. Birds fly all over the place while chirping and the sun smiles above our heads. I can't do otherwise, I smile as well. I know Zen looks at me with a smirk but I really enjoy it. We reach a place full of high trees and strap the horses on a branch. Zen takes my hand in his and walk side by side. I couldn't care less about everything that's going on around me, I just focus on his royal blue eyes that I fall for them even harder.

- I know that I'm handsome. You don't have to remind me of it every time you look at my beautiful face.

- Hah, you'd wish. I have seen men more beautiful than you.

We both know that I lie so we start laughing. Why does he have to be so... so attractive. I know that every young girl wants him on her bed but I'm sorry. He's mine!!! He's all mine... I turn to face him and immediately plant a kiss on his full lips. Zen deepens the kiss and I happen to live in heavens. I pull back and stare at his eyes without saying a word.

- I want to kiss you so badly, he licks his bottom lip. Why did you pull back?

- I have no idea. I just wanted to see you.

I realize that it doesn't make sense so I open my mouth to explain it better but he has other plans. His lips stick with mine and I close my eyes. After about thirty seconds or thirty minutes, I don't know, I lose control over time, I grab his hand and walk a little too fast with my face burning. I don't know why I'm being shy when we have kissed like that before but I surely acknowledge that I want him, whatever that means. Okay Shirayuki, don't think about these things.

We stop walking and sit under a tree's shadow to cool ourselves. The sun is a little more warm than usual so it's not wise to stay under it for long. Zen still has my hand in his and I squeeze it to show a part of my love for him. He brings it to his mouth and kisses gently my palm while his face has a foxy smile that sends me chills. Oh, I don't know how am I supposed to hold myself back before... before kissing him. Yeah... kissing him. Ugh Shirayuki, think of something else. Why do my hormones have to make me act like this? Just calm down girl.

My lovely boy helps me stand up and then he puts his arms around my waist making me come closer and rest my head on his chest. He holds me tight like to never let me go for any reason. Aww Zen, if you knew how much I love you... I really am lucky to have you in my life and I'd do anything to keep it that way. In a sudden move, he grabs me and lifts me up in the air twirling round and round. It makes me feel so free and happy, I imagine of flying along with the butterflies, like those in my stomach for example. He lands me slowly on the ground and my heart beats so fast that I can hear it in my ears. I lean on him to look at his charming eyes and after two seconds I decide on kissing him on his forehead, his nose, his cheek, his lips. But I don't end it there. I continue drawing a line of small kisses across his neck and finally I pull him for a very firm cuddle. We stay there a little more and then we part. It's time to go back to the castle and choose what to do next.

I want this day to be one of our favourite.

I wonder what he's thinking. He has a weird look on his face and I try to read his eyes' expression. Zen realizes I've been staring at him and a smile is put across his face in order to assure me that everything's fine. I believe him and continue walking. When we reach the castle, I ask him to visit the greenhouse. I haven't been in there for days. Once I enter the door, a nice scent welcomes me. I look around to find the source but instead I spot Ryuu. This kid never stops surprising me by discovering new kinds of flowers.

- Ryuu!, I wave excited to see him again.

- Hello, Princess. How are you?

- Finer than fine... Thank you! How about you?

- I'm okay. Here I am watering the plants.

- Nice. Can I help you with something?

- No but thank you. I have everything under control. You can go and enjoy the rest of the day. It's sunny so a walk would be ideal.

- We just returned from the forest. It was great!

- Good to hear that!

I say goodbye to Ryuu and Zen leads me to the library. Why would he take me there? I mean I thought that such places weren't for dates and stuff. But I guess we're not a normal couple so we don't go to ordinary places. And Zen isn't an ordinary man. He knows how much I love books and yes, I find library a lovely place to be with the person I love the most in the world.

- Come here!

I approach him and stand in front of a specific library's section. I look carefully and notice that we see books related to love. Love books, love quotes, love everything. I didn't even know there was such part on the library, this is the first time noticing it and I wonder how did it slipped from me when I have come here a billion times. Zen looks at me and I sense he reads my mind. And that's exactly what he does.

- This is a new section I personally created just for us. No one has the permission to come here except from us. Just consider this a gift from me, he slightly blushes.

- Aawww Zen, I'm so moved. Thank you! This is lovely, really awesome! You are the best my man, I kiss him and try to keep my voice low to not disturb the others in here even though we are alone in this section.

We grab a book before sitting on one of the couches. We spend the next two hours together being side by side or having my head on his legs and vice versa. It is soothing to exist right next to your love and saying no words but the silence between you is the only thing you have to communicate. Words with deep meaning are told during silence. Only then you finally understand the importance they carry. Everyone can say a simple "I love you" but a few people mean it with all their heart. I am sure, as well as Zen, that we belong to the second category. It's something you need to find in you to blurt out the words that can make someone the happiest person in the world. Not only that, but it needs courage. Whenever I say "I love you" to him, I feel a little nervous even though I've said it many times.

The clock bird announces that time is 4 pm and I look really sleepy according to Zen. Oh, he's right... I just rubbed my eyes and try to stay awake. After all it's not my fault. This silence, this feeling while being together, his touch. Oh no, I think I fall for him harder than before. Someone would say that once I'm married I love him and I'm not in love with him. Well, that's not true. I love Zen but also I'm in love with him. I continue feeling butterflies in my stomach when he kisses me or just looking at me. I continue thinking of him every moment and he's the only person whom I want to have beside me.

- Well, it'd be better if we went to our bed. I feel sleepy too...

- Yeah let's go...

Without a second thought we stand up and head down to our bedroom while holding hands. We haven't seen any of our parents, friends or Izana. It just happened I guess. We put on our pyjamas before laying on the bed and I put my head on Zen's chest with him putting his arm around me making me shiver from his touch. I guess I really need sleep and that's the right time to do so.

Skip time*

It's already 10 pm and there is no sign of the sun in the dark shades of blue in the sky. The moonlight flows through the open windows because someone could say it is a warm night. Zen and I think of walking in the garden and sit under the apple tree, our own spot. Of course we go there with our fingers intertwined and view the amazing landscape that exists in front of us. I know we have done this too many times but each time feels like the passion between us grows and that's why each time is unique and different. I wouldn't change anything from our little moments together!

-Hey, Shirayuki.

- Yes?

- I love you...

- Me too...

We haven't taken our eyes from the night sky but this word exchange means so much to me... I am sure I couldn't find another husband besides Zen. He is everything I need, everything I miss when he's away, everything I love in this world, everything I want to complete me... Zen doesn't knows completely my affection for him but I hope day by day I'll show him. My heart flatters every time I look at him, even if it's just a glance. But the most beautiful feeling is when he already stares at me. Oh sweet heavens, I can't help but thinking his lips on mine. All I want for us is to be together through good and bad things. I wish there will be someday when he can finally understand that my love for him has no boundaries... Because Zen is the lost piece of myself!

Twelve Years Later...

- Kimiko, don't run in the corridors...

- Yes Mum, a beautiful 6-year-old little girl laughs while running on the red carpets.

The little child with the white hair and little red strands here and there stumbles on her lilac dress and lands in front of a young boy with white hair who holds a green book.

- I told you that you would fall. You didn't hear me, he seems to enjoy it.

- Mum... Hinata is teasing me, her blue eyes water.

- Come on kids. Be good to each other, Shirayuki smiles.

Shirayuki takes her little girl along with her handsome son from their hands and head to Zen's office. Hinata knocks on the door and a voice welcomes them.

- Oh what a wonderful surprise...

Zen stands up from his chair and hugs his family. Shurayuki explains that they came to get him to go for lunch.

- You did the right thing my love. I really am hungry, before you came my stomach growled.

The whole family smiles and Shirayuki feels so proud for her lovely family. Zen has taken Kimiko on his shoulders and Hinata walks by his mother. Kimiko has white hair with red strands and blue eyes while Hinata has white hair and green eyes. The 10-year-old boy loves reading like his mother and Kimiko is more... adventurous like her father. Zen looks glad that in the end everything worked out. He married Shirayuki, his dear childhood friend, he has many unique memories with her, he has two nice children and now they all live happily... maybe "ever after" but nothing is standard. Things can get bad anytime but the important thing is to overcome it all together. That is the power of love, let alone the love between family.

I wouldn't change anything from my life. I would live it from the beginning just to feel those familiar emotions again... To feel love from my parents, from my other half, from our children. I will remember everything - from day one up to the very last day - till the last detail forever... I want to be with them forever and a day!

Both Zen and Shirayuki think the same thing... That indicates the great bond they have developed in the many years of being together.

After all, who said that childhood friends can't end up together?

THE END

And... here we are!!! Helloo everyone... That's the end of my first fanfiction for one my favourite anime "Akagami no Shirayuki-hime". I hope you liked the last chapter of my story and I welcome any thought/comment/review you have in mind about it and for the whole story. I want to thank each one of you for favourite/following/commenting/ reviewing. You really made me better as an author and I'll try to be as active as I can in writing.

Well, as for that, I won't be able to write anything until the summer of 2020 because of final exams which are very important for my future. Until then, I would ask for your patience and I promise I'll write more stories in the future.

Again thank you for just reading my very first online story and I hope you are all happy and with a big smile on your face!!!

See you in a year...