Epilogue

(Kotoko POV)

Two years…

It's been two years since I woke up from the coma. One year, since I was finally told that I have made a complete recovery. The deadly disease was at last defeated.

I still remember this day a year ago, clear in my head. Words had failed me and I was overwhelmed with pure happiness. It wasn't like I didn't expect this. I knew I would recover. I believed it. I had my full faith on Irie-kun. I knew he wouldn't give up on me. I knew he would save me.

Nonetheless, I was extremely relived when Dr. Ayano finally allowed my discharge for the last time. I could literally hug him. I was just so happy!

Instead I flung myself on Irie-kun who immediately warped his arms around me and held me tightly. I didn't even realise when I started sobbing and he rubbed on my back to sooth me.

"You did it. You did it Kotoko. You fought and won the war." He had mumbled to my ear.

"It was you who made it possible Irie-kun. It was all you." I had pulled back to meet his eyes. He gave me a heart-stopping smile.

"We won." He simply said.

I was breathless and could only smile in answer at him.

"I love you Irie-kun."

"I love you more Kotoko."

...

You can't imagine how I was welcomed home that day. Oka-san made sure it was a grand welcome. Although I was really grateful, that the welcome party only consisted the family including Konomi-chan. Well she is already considered family by us. But I'm pretty sure that our loud cheers and laughter were heard by our entire neighbourhood. I love my family.

After that dreadful confrontation about my accident, Irie-kun and I promised each other that we would never hide anything ever. I actually made sure I keep that promise. I always opened up to him for everything and he did that too. Talking things out was much easier than keeping things in.

My treatment had progressed positively since after the coma. Yes, it took nearly a year for the full recovery but the research was a success. I was the first Neuroshia patient in the entire Japan who was cured from the disease. Even though many patients in the states has also made a total recovery but still I was an exception as my condition didn't trigger due to pregnancy.

So, yes it was a huge deal. Several medical conferences were held throughout Japan and Dr. Ayano even attended conference in the states at which Irie-kun refused to join. I told him it was okay for him to leave me for a few days but I guess he was still not ready to let me out of his sight. It probably required a while.

Who am I kidding? It's already a year and he still isn't prepared.

Not that I'm complaining! Nope. Not at all.

I love him around me. Every minute… every second is precious.

Now that I have been so closer to my end, I love him even more. I love my life even more and I try to appreciate every single thing in it. I try to take things positively all the time. Life is too short to give attention to the negative energy. Life is too precious to get depressed over the depressing stuff. So I try to stay simple and I enjoy my life and accept whatever it has to offer me.

Too deep? Am I blabbering too much?

Haha. Sorry about that. Let's not talk about me for a while.

Irie-kun.

Always my favourite topic to talk about.

Well he is busy as usual. What a real surprise!

But it really isn't his fault. He had to write several papers on the research of Neuroshia with Dr. Ayano. He also had to focus on his work back in Tonan too as I was okay now. But on the plus side, I had also resumed my work back at Hope.

Moreover, I was a volunteer nurse at Tonan. This means, if they requires extra help during crisis I would be on call.

Everyone else back at home was also busy with their own things. Otou-san is busy with his business and oka-san with us. She makes sure I eat properly and always gives me extra attention. I don't mind that. I know where this is coming from. I know she is still worried about me. Same goes for my otou-san. He is busy with the restaurant but nevertheless finds enough time to spend with me.

One of the best things that happened during the year is that Yuki-kun finally managed to confess his feelings for Konomi-chan. At least he took less time than his older brother! I'm so happy for them.

Mio introduced Hana to his family recently and they are engaged now. They wanted to get married early next year.

That's not all! Kinnosuke and Chris also got married. Although, it didn't happen without some drama! Chris was hospitalized as she got burnt in the leg by hot oil. And out of all the time of the year, Kin-chan chose to propose her in the hospital. Then guess what! She refused!

Shocker, right?

Apparently she was insecure about the burn and probably her hormones kicked in. But Kin-chan managed to win her heart in the end, assuring her that no matter what, she is always the most beautiful woman in his eyes.

The previous year was actually full of good news. Well accept probably one thing. I was still unsure about the possibility of being pregnant. My complexity was not certain and all the uncertainty always bugged me. Irie-kun told me not to worry but I just couldn't get it out of my mind. It always stayed at the back of my head and gave me stress from time to time.

.

Now was one of those times.

I was currently sitting on my bed tightly clutching on the pregnancy test kit and staring at the result it displayed.

Positive.

And I was freaking out.

Don't get me wrong. It's not that I am not happy or anything. Because I am happy. But I am scared too.

What does that actually makes me?

Happily scared?

I'm not even making any sense to myself!

I wanted to test again just to make sure but I ran out of the testing kit.

I sighed. Looks like I have to go and see the doctor. But I decided to keep the news to myself in case it was a false bell. Last time I didn't use my brain enough and broke everybody's heart. Okay that may sound exaggerating. But yeah everyone was so happy and then bam… false alarm… obviously they were sad.

I decided not to wait. I was still not sure if I was prepared to conceive. What if the baby undergoes some kind of problems due to my previous condition? I know I was fully cured but still I couldn't help feeling uneasy. I needed to be sure.

Irie-kun. I need to tell him.

I had morning shift at Hope today. My afternoon was off. Irie-kun was also at Hope in the morning but went to Tonan for the afternoon. I decided to go there straight way.

And I exactly did that. Irie-kun was surprised to see me.

"Kotoko? Why are you here? Is everything okay?" he sound concerned.

"Everything is great. Relax Irie-kun." I offered him a smile. He smiled in answer.

"I… um… actually…" I felt loss of words suddenly. His smile faded.

"What happened?" He creased his forehead. There. Back being worried again.

"I may or may not be pregnant." I blurted out.

"Sorry?" He blinked.

"I took a test at home just now, and it says positive?" My statement sounded more like a question which I'm sure further confused him.

I sighed. But before I had to open my mouth again he realised what I said and immediately grabbed my hand dropping the file he was holding on his table and pulled me out of the room with him. I didn't have to ask him to know where he was taking me. We were going to the OB GYN department for sure.

It took a while. This time we waited for the result in silence. Although, I was dying to know what he was thinking. But I was too anxious with my own thoughts. So I didn't pry on his.

Irie-kun held my hand and squeezed it. I looked up at him and then followed his gaze and saw my doctor. She was smiling.

"Congratulations to both of you. You're 3 weeks pregnant."

A smile broke into my face. I immediately turned to look at Irie-kun and was relieved to see my expression reflecting on his face.

Then I was stunned when he pulled me into a hug suddenly. Irie-kun rarely does that in public. But I relaxed immediately and hugged me back.

"I love you." He whispered in my ear.

Well I was way too much happy to be able to reply anything to him.

When we pulled apart we saw the doctor studying my file. She was being considerate and giving us space. That was sweet.

We discussed about my current condition for a while and then left. I suggested dropping by at Hope and he agreed. We wanted to be absolutely sure about my condition before announcing it to the family.

Dr. Ayano assured everything will be fine. Also just in case any problem arises, the whole Neuroshia team will be prepared. They decided to monitor my condition until the baby was born.

I felt grateful. I felt calm. Everything will be fine. I decided to hope for the best.

The party was smashing. Everyone back at home was unbelievably happy. Each and every face was radiant with pure happiness. I felt so much lighter. Finally my family was happy again.

...

It was night time. I was lying in Irie-kun's arm. My mind was still reeling and my breathing was yet to become regular. Irie-kun poured so much passion in the way he loved me, I might have fell for him deeper if that was even possible.

"You know I love you right?" I mumbled when I caught my breath.

"You made sure that I do know that just now." He smirked playfully indicating my constant love confessions that I repeated while he made me crazy with wild sensations.

I smacked on his arm and smiled. He laughed at my reaction and pulled me closer.

"I love you."

He told me softly looking at my eyes and then smashed his lips against mine.

I smiled on his lips before I matched with his movements which exploded fireworks all over me.

He just couldn't get enough of me.

And that ladies and gentlemen, is our eternal love story.

A/N: This is it people. End of my story. I hope the ending is not rushed. But I thought a lot and I feel that I have told everything there is to tell in the story. There is nothing left to tell. But it's a happy ending, yeaiii.. :D

Since my story is focused on the romance and not on the medical stuffs, I decided to skip the whole treatment part. The therapy and everything, it will only complicate the story. Besides, I don't know much about the medical processes so it's better this way.

Anyway, I still can't believe I have done it. I actually finished the story! Although it took a lot longer than I thought it would, I mean more than a year! It's a long time! But I'm so happy that I finally finished it and it wouldn't be possible without you all. Each and every one of you has been such a wonderful inspiration. I loved writing it. Thank you so much for everything… every comments… It's absolutely trilling to have someone who appreciates your work except your best friend. :D

I love you all. Thank you again!

Shomon