Epilogue

"All right, I'll admit there are still some wrinkles to be ironed out, but I really believe this is an opportunity worth pursuing." Izzie paced the hotel room, talking on her phone while Ji-hu sat patiently in a chair, reading a French paper. Izzie smiled when she heard the response she was waiting for on the other end of the line.

"Excellent, then I will bring the paperwork for you to review tonight. Yes, I know it's the wedding, but surely with Jan-di's current state you didn't plan to stay all night? As I thought. I'll see you then." Izzie disconnected the call, a satisfied grin on her face as she tossed her phone onto the nightstand.

"Finished plotting your billion dollar merger?" Ji-hu asked without ever looking up from his paper.

"Well, there's still a lot to be done, but the majority of the work is done, yes," Izzie answered as she crossed to the closet, going through the dresses neatly hanging their, some with brand new tags still attached. She jumped when she felt his hands on her hips and his lips kiss her shoulder.

"Have you eaten anything since breakfast?" he asked and Izzie closed her eyes as a shiver ran from her neck to her toes.

"Ji-hu, please, I have to figure out what to wear to your ex-model ex-girlfriend's wedding. Plus I still need to organize the notes for Jun-pyo to review and make sure Jan-di's dress arrived from Dior. Do you know how hard it was to find someone willing to create a maternity dress on such short notice?"

He ignored her protests, pulling her away from the closet and pushing her toward the balcony doors. She didn't resist, her stomach acknowledging that the pastry and coffee she had offered it had not been enough for it to survive the day. Her breath caught when he opened the doors, revealing a café table set with a variety of breads, cheeses and fruit, a bottle of wine open and waiting to be poured. She ignored the glorious view of Paris and turned to Ji-hu.

"When did you do all of this?"

"Just before you came back from your shopping trip with Jan-di. Now, sit and eat. Doctor's orders."

He guided her to one of the chairs and she grumbled good-naturedly about finding a new doctor. He poured her a glass of wine while she began to fill her plate, closing her eyes and relishing the flavor of brie on fresh baguette. She sipped her wine, her eyes curiously following Ji-hu back into their hotel room. She returned her attention to the food in front of her after a moment, but her ears perked up when she heard him return to the balcony.

"What are you doing?" she asked before taking another sip of the rich pinot noir.

"Helping you decide what to wear tonight," he said as he set a large crimson box in front of her. Her eyes focused on the gold 'Cartier' written across the top and her pulse began to race.

Izzie shot him a curious look as she set down her wine glass. He merely nodded toward the box as he buried his hands in his pockets, standing just over her shoulder. She hesitated a moment before she slowly opened the box, her breath catching as light from the setting sun hit the necklace inside, catching the diamonds on fire. She tilted the box, dazzled by the large gem-encrusted orchid with a giant diamond at its center and two tear drops dangling from its lowest petal.

"Ji-hu," she finally breathed, unable to take her eyes away from the glistening jewels.

"It took a long time for the jeweler to find the right stones; none were quite flawless enough to have the right fire," he explained as she traced her finger over the velvet beside the necklace, afraid to touch it directly.

"Ji-hu, it's too much. I can't accept this. It's so beautiful, it's...it's just too much." She looked at him, praying he wouldn't take offense. He merely tilted his head slightly and gave her a soft smile.

"It's yours, whether you accept it or not. But...would you accept something simpler?"

Izzie looked back to the necklace, still shining proudly from its crimson throne.

"You have something else?" she asked before turning back to find his hand extended, a small ring sitting in his palm.

Izzie's racing heart slowed as she took in the small gold band inlaid with tiny diamonds, then looked up to meet his eyes. He slowly lowered to one knee, and Izzie thought for a moment she might faint as he took the ring between his fingers, holding it out for her inspection.

"I tried to give this to the wrong girl once, but thankfully she refused. I hope, this time, when I say 'please marry me' the answer will be – "

"Yes! Yes, a million times yes!" Izzie launched herself from the chair, her arms encircling Ji-hu's neck as she practically knocked him to the floor. He managed to keep his balance and closed his arms around her as she peppered his face with kisses. She finally pulled away enough that he could slip the ring onto her finger, chills running up her arm as he pressed a kiss over the band on her finger.

"I love you," he murmured and, though he had said it many times before, Izzie's heart soared like it was the first time she had heard the words.

"I love you," she repeated, setting her hands on either side of his face as she kissed him deeply.

After a few moments their breathing became ragged and the comfort of the bed began to seem far more appealing than the convenience of the balcony floor. They rose, but Ji-hu held her hand to keep her from moving inside, his attention returning to the café table.

"What is it?" she asked as he released her hand and picked up the jewelry box. "Ji-hu," she pressed when he didn't answer, and she noticed his cheeks slightly flush as he stared intently at the box.

"Will you wear it, at least once? The jeweler worked so hard and I...I sort of had the thought – "

"Of me, wearing nothing but diamonds?" she asked, a wicked smile on her lips as she watched her lover's face turn completely red. Slowly, deliberately, she took the box from his hand, amazed by its weight as she held it in front of her.

"You know, I think that can be arranged," she said with a grin as she stepped back into the hotel room, leaving him frozen on the balcony. "I'll need some help, though," she called, laughing when he immediately followed her, closing the door and pulling the curtain just as the first garment fell and giggles turned into sighs.