This story serves as a sequel to my story, "Endless Love" (Jeremie X Aelita story). This takes place shortly after Aelita told Jeremie how she felt for him. There is some good drama in this story, and of course a great message as well. SPOILER: This story takes place after X.A.N.A. is destroyed. Note: I do not own Code Lyoko or anything affiliated with Moonscoop Productions.


(Part three)

(Ulrich P.O.V.)

As I walked to our special spot, my heart was beating faster than the rate it took me to destroy X.A.N.A.'s monsters. However, this was a feat much more challenging that just fighting a simple Krabe or Kankrelat; this was a matter of the heart. All the way over, I kept trying to think of the best way of how I could tell Yumi I loved her, but then I remembered what she told Jeremie about how a man should just be upfront with a woman he cares about. I just hoped I wouldn't start talking endlessly and say something stupid or offensive. Suddenly, my heart rate jumped 10X more as I finally reached our spot. In that moment of anxiousness I said to myself, "Well, it's now or never Ulrich. You can do this."

(Yumi P.O.V.)

I was so happy that my mother had give her support for mine and Ulrich's relationship, that I began to dance around the whole time I walked to our spot. During that time I had a thought, "Did that little prayer I said earlier really get answered? After all, my mother couldn't have possibly had a change of heart so quickly unless God really did intervene." However, my focus suddenly shifted as I saw Ulrich standing underneath our tree. I began to feel a little light-headed as my heart was racing seeing him waiting for me. The only thought that grabbed my attention at that moment was whether he would say it first or me. Either way I realized I would never forget this night.

(Normal P.O.V.)

Ulrich immediately noticed Yumi as she walked into the illuminating light of the moon, and walked towards her a little hesitantly, perhaps due to the major leap of faith he was about to take. "So," he began a little sheepishly. "You got my message huh?" In the same manner, Yumi replied, "Yeah. It's funny, I was thinking about seeing you before you sent that text." Ulrich's cheeks went scarlet as he heard those words. Although he and Yumi had experienced these kind of "one on one" moments many times before, this time was completely different considering the setting and circumstances. Finally, after about five seconds of awkward silence Ulrich took hold of Yumi's hands making her coo under her breath and blush slightly. Taking a deep breath, Ulrich said, "Yumi… I," the boy was suddenly silenced as Yumi put her finger to his lips. "Ulrich," she said. "Before you say anything, I want to say something I've wanted to say to you for a long time." Placing her hands on his red cheeks Yumi said, "Ulrich, when we first met I had thought of you as this tough 7th grader who seemed afraid to show who he was to anyone. Then, as time went on, even when we fought on Lyoko I began to see a different side of you; a side that wasn't afraid to reveal your true self and allowed your emotions to show. That is the side of you I became more and more attracted to each day. And it wasn't till that day on Lyoko when we… well… you know… (Referencing to them almost kissing on Lyoko in the episode "Routine") I finally saw as more than just a friend, but as something more. Unfortunately, while X.A.N.A. was still alive I didn't think we could be anything other than friends, otherwise things would be complicated with our fighting him." Beginning to tear up, Yumi continued, "And yet, you still managed to find some way to express how you really felt about us, even if it wasn't in words. Ulrich, I truly believe that after everything we've gotten through, we can get through anything life throws at us." Ready for his turn to speak, Ulrich said with care in his voice, "I agree. And it's ironic, even though X.A.N.A. put all of us through so much grief I wouldn't trade any of the moments we've shared together over these last years. Yumi, words couldn't even begin to express how much I care about you. But if I had to use any they would sound like this: Everyday I wake up, you're the first thing I think about, and you're all I dream of as I sleep. If I had to create the perfect girl for me, she wouldn't even come close to you. What's even more ironic is that I reflected back to that day when I recited Matthew 21:22 with you." Suddenly, Ulrich's voice became broken up with emotion as he spoke. "And I think what it taught me that day…" he continued. "…Was that God answered my prayers the day he brought me to you. And I know we're only 14, but what I'm about to tell you is from my heart…" And just like Aelita, Ulrich's became swept up in emotion as he said those special words, "I love you Yumi." Surprisingly, even though tears fell from Yumi's eyes the raven-haired girl smiled and asked rhetorically, "Are you sure?" "I'll prove it," he replied as he reached into his pant pocket and pulled out what looked like a small jewelry box. As he opened it, Yumi's tears of joy increased, as she gazed upon a white gold ring with her exact birthstone as the setting. "U-Ulrich," Yumi said choked up. "Yumi, this is the exact same promise ring my father gave my mother when they were in high school, and my mom told me to give it to the girl who I knew I loved with all my heart." Yumi looked at the ring and noticed a message on the interior of the ring. "Ulrich," she said still emotional. "What's that message in the ring?" Ulrich's face lit up as she noticed the inscription and he asked her to read the message aloud to him. Even though her vision was slightly impaired from the tears, the message appeared to read, "Prayer is the voice of faith… (Matthew 21:22)." "So, I guess this our verse now huh?" she asked. Ulrich smiled as he held Yumi's hand and said, "Yumi, I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, we'll be together forever." With no hesitation, Yumi said, "I promise." Finally, once Ulrich slipped the ring on her finger, the boy wrapped his hands around Yumi's waist, pulled her towards him, and leaned in slowly to experience something both of them always dreamed of sharing, the first kiss.

(Yumi P.O.V.)

I couldn't believe it; Ulrich finally said he loved me. I don't know which moment stood out more to me: his loving words, the ring, or the feeling of his lips pressed against mine. Finally, all of those moments collided in my mind with the feeling of Ulrich's hands around my waist, creating an incredible sensation that ran through my whole body that I just didn't want to end.

(Ulrich P.O.V.)

Talk about fireworks, not only did Yumi tell me she loved me, but she and I were finally experiencing that moment Jeremie told me was like nothing else. As Yumi and I made out, time felt infinite and the world around me seemed to disappear, leaving only me and her standing in the middle. Just the feeling of running my fingers through her jet-black hair, the smell of lavender from her shampoo, and the feeling of her arms around my neck left me completely speechless. However, I also got the feeling that there was "somebody" else present in that moment, and I thought to myself, "Thank you God." Even though I eventually had to, I had no intentions of ever letting Yumi go from my arms.

(Normal P.O.V.)

After about a minute of straight, uninterrupted make-out time, human nature took effect, and reality returned as the two separated to obtain oxygen. Gazing into her brown eyes, Ulrich said with confidence only God could bestow, "I love you Yumi Ishiyama, and I always will." With clear vision, Yumi looked back in Ulrich's eyes and said, "And I love you Ulrich Stern, with everything I am." Finally, Ulrich took hold of the "promised" hand of his Japanese angel, and the two walked off underneath the bright, shining light of the moon, as if it were a match made in Heaven.