Chapter 37: Poisoned Bloom

Tsukiko's eyes welled with tears, her heart swelling with emotion. She hadn't expected this. Her eyes blurred as laughter bubbled out of her, a mix of surprise and happiness. "What kind of proposal is this?" She laughed, the tears falling freely.

Kai reached up and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, his eyes full of love as he stared at her, mesmerized by her beautiful smile. "Your answer?" he asked quietly, his voice filled with hope.

Tsukiko smiled, "Sure… Let's get married." her heart overflowing. "I love you, Kai."

Kai's face broke into the widest grin, his eyes sparkling with joy. He pulled her close again, this time kissing her gently, softly, as if the world had stopped just for them. Between their kisses, he whispered, "I love you more, Tsukiko. Too much. You don't know how much I've missed you."

And as the night stretched on, they found themselves lost in each other, savoring the quiet, beautiful reality of their love, one that had stood the test of time and would continue to grow, every day, for as long as they both lived.

Their wedding was small and intimate, just as they had wanted. Surrounded by their closest friends and family, they stood hand in hand at the altar, ready to take the next step in their journey together.

As they exchanged vows, neither could hold back their tears. They had come so far—through long-distance, late-night calls, and moments of doubt, yet they had never wavered in their love for each other. Now, they were here, standing side by side, committing to a future they both believed in.

The ceremony was beautiful in its simplicity, and after, as they shared a quiet moment away from the guests, they knew they had stepped into a new chapter of their lives, one built on love, trust, and the quiet, everyday moments that made their relationship so special.

Life as a married couple brought its own rhythm, a balance between Tsukiko's demanding career as a high-caliber researcher at Lumen Flora and Kai's steady, supportive presence. Despite her intense workload, Tsukiko had learned the value of balancing her career with her personal life.

One morning, as the sun streamed through the windows, Tsukiko woke up to the sound of rustling in the kitchen. She glanced at the clock and saw it was still early. Kai had already gotten up, probably to make breakfast.

She pulled herself out of bed and padded into the kitchen, finding Kai standing over the stove, a focused look on his face as he cooked. He was wearing an old t-shirt and sweatpants, his hair still messy from sleep. Tsukiko couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

"Good morning," she said, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.

Kai turned, a small smile playing on his lips as he looked down at her. "Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?"

"Better than ever," Tsukiko replied, resting her head on his shoulder. "What's for breakfast?"

"Your favorite. Bacon and eggs."

"Yayy!" Tsukiko exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her favorite breakfast. "If you're thankful, then give your husband a kiss," Kai teased with a grin.

Tsukiko, feeling playful, tiptoed up and kissed him on the cheek. Kai, bending slightly to meet her, returned the gesture with a sweet kiss on her lips. "Have a seat. I'm almost ready," he said with a soft chuckle.

Tsukiko sat at the kitchen table, still feeling the warmth of his kiss, watching as Kai finished preparing breakfast. Despite her demanding career at Lumen Flora, where she had already made a name for herself as a young scientist with outstanding results, it was these small moments, these quiet mornings with Kai that made her feel truly at peace. 

The promise of a long, successful day at work was made a little brighter by the simplicity of starting the day with him.

Their wedding marked one year and the happiness they had built together only seemed to grow with time. 

Tsukiko was five months pregnant with their first child, and both she and Kai had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of their baby, their hearts full of dreams for the future.

Kai, ever the attentive husband, had been taking extra care of her since the pregnancy began. He made sure she rested, made breakfast every morning, and saw her off to work. 

One day after a long day at the lab, Tsukiko finally returned home later than usual, exhaustion weighing on her shoulders. Work had piled up, but she was determined to finish what she started. When she opened the door, however, a warm, familiar smell greeted her. Something that immediately comforted her after the grueling hours spent in the lab.

As she stepped inside, she saw Kai setting the table, his movements steady and purposeful. The soft light from the dining room lamp cast a gentle glow on his face as he turned to greet her.

"How was work today, dear?" he asked, his voice warm and steady.

"Busy, as usual," Tsukiko replied, a tired but genuine smile playing on her lips. "I finally got that analysis finished. I think we're getting closer to a breakthrough with the experiment."

Kai's eyes lit up with pride, his face softening as he looked at her. "As expected from my beautiful scientist."

Tsukiko felt her heart swell at his words. She had always been passionate about her research, but hearing Kai's praise made everything feel even more worthwhile. His constant support and belief in her gave her the strength to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult things got.

As they sat down to eat, Tsukiko carefully adjusted herself in the chair, the small bump in her belly noticeable under her blouse. She shared more about the challenges of her day, about the breakthroughs and setbacks, the little victories that made it all worth it. 

Kai listened intently, his gaze unwavering as he poured her a glass of water instead of wine, always mindful of her condition. His gentle smile never left his face.

"You know," Tsukiko began, a thoughtful expression crossing her features as she took a sip of water, "I never imagined how much I would love working at Lumen Flora. It's challenging, but I'm learning so much every day. Sometimes it feels like everything's moving so fast, and I'm just trying to keep up."

Kai's hand reached across the table, brushing hers in a simple, reassuring gesture. "I know it's a lot, but I also know how capable you are. You're going to do amazing things there, Tsuki. And I'll be right here, cheering you on every step of the way."

Tsukiko's eyes softened as she squeezed his hand, her heart full. "Haha… sometimes it feels like I'm juggling everything at once, but you make it all feel so much easier. You're always here for me when I need it the most."

Kai smiled, his expression tender. "Of course! Who else is gonna do it if not your husband? I'll always be here for you. That's a promise."

They finished dinner in a comfortable silence, the clinking of silverware and the quiet hum of their shared moments filling the space between them. Kai cleared the table, while Tsukiko rested on the couch, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift from her shoulders. 

Later that evening, as they prepared for bed, Kai's fingers lightly brushed over Tsukiko's growing belly. His touch was soft, full of love and tenderness. "I can't wait to meet our little one," he murmured, his voice filled with anticipation.

Tsukiko smiled, placing her hand over his. "I can't either."

Kai pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as they settled into bed. "You know," he said quietly, his voice low and full of warmth, "I think we're going to be great parents. We're a team, Tsuki. We've got this."

Tsukiko nodded, a peaceful smile on her face as she nestled into his embrace. "Yeah…" she whispered, her eyelids fluttering closed as she drifted into a restful sleep. With Kai by her side, she knew they could handle anything that came their way.