A/N: I know this was supposed to be a one-shot, but I was so deeply honored and touched that so many of you seemed to enjoy the story. So I decided to create a little epilogue and wrap things up. I really hope you like it.

The following morning Ichigo woke up early. He could feel his body more properly, now that some medications have worn off, and it hurt. "Damn…" He whispered to himself. "I forgot my body could ache like this, usually my soul is the one that gets banged up, but that usually heals quickly." He was going to be pretty much useless for a while. Ugh…this is gonna suck.

He looked over at Chad, still asleep with his legs up on Ichigo's bed so their feet were touching. His hand still lay on the bed, long brown fingers mere centimeters away from his own. He smiled at him as his heart filled with a burst of so much love for the sleeping man next to him, it almost burst. He lay there in the silence, just marveling over his partner, and their last few years together. From the day they met as high schoolers to now, four years together, two years living in the same home. How it all had passed so quickly, like a dream. But it wasn't Chad was real. He was here. He was real. They were together. And would be, forever.

An hour later, Chad woke up just before his father and sisters arrived to visit. Yuzu came in with a huge bouquet of fresh orange, white and yellow wildflowers. She immediately began buzzing around cleaning the room up and fussing with his sheets.

"Those are pretty." Chad rumbled, standing up and helping her arrange them in a vase.

"Thank you." She replied brightly. "I picked them myself. The orange ones make me think of Ichi's hair."

"They do match." The tall man said with a smirk. He glanced over at the young man in the bed. Ichigo sarcastically glared at them.

"My hair isn't orange. It's red. Get it right."

"Hey!" Isshin came in yelling and mockingly throwing a punch at his son "Your sister spent all morning picking those, you ungrateful brat! Say thank you!" Ichigo merely rolled his eyes and they all laughed. Except Karin. In all this, she didn't say a word. She didn't even come into the room.

"Hey loser." She finally broke in spitefully. " How about you don't walk into any more cars. Kay?" She was nonchalantly leaning against the doorway, her eyes glinted at him angrily.

"C'mere." Ichigo replied holding his un-casted arm out to her. She didn't move. "Come here Karin. And you too Yuzu." Both of his sisters moved toward him. "Come here, and give your big brother a hug."

He gave Yuzu a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Yuzu. I'm sorry I didn't come home to eat your dinner the other night."

"It's okay Ichigo. I'm just glad you're okay." She replied and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Please get well soon."

"You know it." He said, giving her a wink. Yuzu moved away and Karin was standing behind her. She looked so angry…and scared. Ichigo has never seen that look on her face. Not even when their mom died.

"Karin…" He reached out to her. She inched closer to him. "I love you Karin. I'm sorry."

His younger sister began to cry silently, furiously wiping away her tears. "You stupid idiot!" She finally yelled at him and hitting him on his uninjured shoulder. "You freakin idiot! How could you go and get yourself almost killed? What would we have done…without you? We lost mom, how could we handle losing you too! I hate you! I hate you!" With a small sob she allowed him to wrap his arm around her as she cried against his neck.

"I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry Karin. I love you so much, and I promise I won't leave you guys. You aren't going to lose me…shhh…it's okay…shhh" He whispered gently stroking her hair and shoulder.

Yuzu stood next to her father in complete shock. Her sister had never broken down like that. Ever. It was usually her that was the one who cried. Never Karin. Tears were running down her own face, and when she gave a small sniff, her father put a hand on her shoulder, while Chad busied himself with the flowers. After a minute, Karin calmed herself down and pulled away from her big brother. With a slight hiccup, she went over to her father who hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head.

"Yuzu. Why don't you take your sister to the cafeteria to get something to eat and drink? Maybe some fresh air. Go take a walk guys."

"Okay dad. That's a good idea." Yuzu took her sister by the hand and lead her out of the room. Down the hall, they could hear Karin say something and earn a laugh from Yuzu. She was going to be just fine.

"Hey Chad…why don't you on home and get some sleep?" Ichigo said from his bed. "Take a shower too. You stink." He added with a laugh.

"You sure you don't need me?" Chad asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Nah. I'm fine for now. Go and take a shower…and please for god's sake change your clothes. I can smell ya from here."

"Okay." He quietly left the room, knowing full well his boyfriend needed a minute with his father, and he was being discreetly dismissed. But damn…he noted, smelling his shirt. He did need a shower. And he could use a few hours of sleep in a bed rather than sitting in an uncomfortable chair.

"So son…" Isshin started casually, sitting in the chair that Chad had previously occupied. "Why didn't you to tell me that you were in love with him?"

Ichigo choked a little bit. His father went on, "Don't lie to me son. Chad and I talked last night. He loves you with all of his heart, and I know that you love him. So why didn't you tell me?"

"Dad…" Ichigo started. "I didn't want to disappoint you. I know you had so many hopes for me. Especially after mom..."

His father stood up, and hit him on the shoulder.

"Why is everyone always hitting me?" Ichigo demanded. His father interrupted him loudly.

"What have I been telling you since childhood? I have always wanted you to be happy. I have always wanted that for you and your sisters. If Chad makes you happy, then I want you to stay with him." He stopped and thought for a second. "Oh and take care of him. He's way too good for the likes of you." He smirked at him. Ichigo stared back in stunned silence. His father was okay with it. He wasn't a disappointment. He could be with his partner and not hide anymore...

Finally after a full minute of quiet, he said softly "…thanks dad. For everything."

"Don't mention it son." He replied sitting back down. Finally an evil grin spread over his face...

"So um…who pitches?"

"DAD!" He spluttered sitting up and feeling an explosion of pain his ribs and legs.

"I'm just kidding. Don't pop your stiches." He put his hands up defensively. "I don't really wanna know…although the safe money is on Chad…"

"DAD!"

Xxxxxxxxxxx

After another week in the hospital, Ichigo was deemed well enough to be sent home. The doctors marveled at just how quickly their red headed patient's many injuries were healing. The bruises were gone, and his bones that had broken, were quickly mending themselves. "We haven't seen anything like this." One of them had said to him in amazement. "It's as if your body is willing itself to heal faster." Chad and Ichigo merely looked at each other and laughed. Orihime and Uryu visited every day, bringing flowers and cards and one day some homemade soup. (After taking a sip and tasting chocolate and eggplant and fish, Ichigo decided that if he wanted to heal more quickly, he wouldn't drink anymore) Uryu made him a really nice embroidered pillow that said "Get well soon!" He was genuinely touched at all of his friend's and family's concern, yet a little frustrated. He wanted to get up and do something damnit, laying here was making him crazy.

On his last day in the hospital, when he and Chad were alone, Urahara and Yoruichi popped in to see him. They explained the Renji was taking care of any Hollow that came their way for now, and that he should take it easy. They also promised to train him up more after the casts were off, so his muscles wouldn't atrophy.

"Just cause you're hurt, don't think we're gonna take it easy on you." Yoruichi said smiling, indicating Kisuke, who was standing to her right. "We're gonna kick your ass." They looked at each other and two identical evil grins spread across their faces.

"Oh fuck…" Ichigo replied, rolling his eyes, Chad laughed. "An ass kicking may just be what he needs. He's going stir crazy in this room…and it's only been a week since he woke up."

Ichigo threw him a dirty look, but said nothing. He was right of course.

Xxxxxxxxx

"Chad!" Ichigo called, "They're gonna be here any minute!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Chad replied, coming into the kitchen to join his boyfriend. It had been three weeks since coming out of the hospital. It really was amazing to see the level of progress Ichigo had made in such a short period of time. His leg was still broken, but his arm was now well enough to support his weight. Unfortunately, he still had to use a wheelchair because his collarbone was still broken and he couldn't use crutches yet. His ribs were fine by this point. It really was a miracle.

Chad bent down and planted a kiss on his lover's lips. "It's cute how nervous you are."

"I'm not nervous!" He saw the disbelieving look his boyfriend was giving him. "Yeah, okay I am kinda nervous. But this is the first time my family has seen this place, and it's gotta be right. Kay?"

He kissed him again. "Kay."

Today was an important day. His father and sisters were coming for dinner. Because Ichigo was still injured, his sister was cooking it at home and bringing it over to them. They had spent the morning cleaning up and making sure everything was in its place. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Chad answered it.

A sudden foot came aiming for Chad's face. He blocked it easily and sent the man attached to the foot flying through the small kitchen.

"Dad!" Ichigo moaned from his chair. "Do you really have to do that?"

"Well since I can't kick you, Chad here will have to suffice." He replied, picking himself up off the floor and grinning. "Although, he is providing a great challenge. Maybe I'll have to keep it up, even after you're okay."

"I look forward to it Mr. Kurosaki." Chad said taking the food bundles from Karin's and Yuzu's hands and setting the table.

"Please…call me Isshin." The older man held out his hand. "It's nice to see the place finally." Chad shook his hand "Thank you."

They sat around the table and began to eat. Dinner was far from a peaceful affair, with all the yelling and throwing rolls around and Ichigo swearing, and his father trying to get a sparring match started at the table. But as Chad noted, this was his partner's family. And it was starting to feel like his own.

Later on that night Ichigo and Chad lay in bed together, nuzzling and kissing.

"That went well. They seem to like you." The strawberry blond said, cuddling into the taller man's chest.

"That's good. I liked them too." Chad replied, brushing a kiss on Ichigo's forehead.

"For now. They'll grow on your nerves soon. Then you'll regret wanting them to know at all."

"I look forward to it."

"Hey Chad." The Soul Reaper said looking into his lover's eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Chad took his cheeks in his broad hands and kissed his lips gently. "Tienes mi Corazon."

"Always and forever." Ichigo replied, kissing him back softly.

The two men fell asleep like that holding each other close, each of them confident that they will always be just like that. A family.

The End. (For real this time)