Epilouge

In the VIP waiting room at Epilogue Airport, there was no one but a man and two children. The man stood by the glass wall, watching planes land as if mesmerized. Behind him, a boy and a girl ran wildly through the spacious waiting room.

"Peter, give that back! It's mine!"

A rather big boy darted away, a ribbon with a hair ornament perched on his head. The girl, fuming, chased after him. But she was smaller in stature, and no matter how much she stretched out her arms, she couldn't reach him.

"Papa! Peter took my ribbon!" she wailed.

"Peter, give it back," the man said indifferently, his gaze still fixed outside.

Cecil wheezed and turned to Peter, holding out her hand.

"Did you hear that? Give it back now!"

"You idiot, you're a boy. What are you doing with this on your head? Are you a girl?"

"Give it back! It's different!"

"You're the one who said you're a girl."

"You asked for it!"

Finally, Cecil burst into tears. Seeing this, Chase turned his head and hurried over, scooping Cecil into his arms.

"Papa, Papa," she sobbed.

"Yeah, yeah, you're okay," Chase reassured her, patting her back gently. He then turned to Peter, who had already sensed the change in mood.

Advertisement

Privacy Settings

"Peter, you can't make fun of Cecil," Chase said.

"But Cecil is a boy," Peter protested.

"Boys don't wear stuff like this. They don't wear pink dresses either."

Hearing that, Chase suddenly recalled his own childhood.

"Dad wore one too, Peter."

Peter froze at those words. Chase felt a little embarrassed, but he spoke honestly—Peter would find out eventually anyway.

"When I was older than Cecil… maybe around four, I wore one too. I even filmed a commercial in it."

Peter's eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly open as if at a loss for words. Chase grew a little concerned, wondering if he had disappointed his son. He crouched down to meet Peter's gaze.

"Are you disappointed in Dad?"

Peter didn't answer at first. His wide eyes darted around in hesitation, making Chase's heart sink. But suddenly, Peter gasped and shook his head furiously.

"No, no! Dad, I'm not disappointed! If you want to wear it, it's okay. Cecil can wear it too! So don't cry!"

Chase wasn't crying, but the misunderstanding made him chuckle. He ruffled Peter's hair, feeling proud.

"Yeah. Thank you, Peter. I won't cry."

"Okay."

As Chase patted Peter's back, the boy nodded and finally handed back the ribbon he had been holding.

"Thanks," Cecil said, taking it before turning to Chase.

"Before Daddy comes, tie it properly, Papa!"

"Okay."

Chase skillfully tied the ribbon. Holding Cecil's waist, he adjusted it in front of the mirror. Seeing her satisfied smile, he asked,

"Cecil, do you like wearing dresses?"

"Hmm?"

Cecil tilted her head in thought for a moment before answering casually,

"Not really!"

"Then why do you always want to wear them?" Chase asked, genuinely curious.

Cecil grinned mischievously.

"Because Daddy says I look pretty in them. Maybe it's because I resemble Papa a lot, right? Daddy really, really loves Papa."

Chase raised an eyebrow.

"Really? That's the reason?"

Cecil seemed to think about it again, then smiled playfully.

"It's a secret."

"What?"

Chase gaped, but Cecil had already lost interest and was running off toward Peter again. With a sigh, Chase turned back to the glass wall. Another plane was landing.

His eyes caught a familiar mark, and he hurriedly checked his watch.

"Peter, Cecil! Daddy is here!"

At once, the children, who had been preoccupied, turned their heads.

"Daddy!"

"Daddy?"

With excited shrieks, they rushed toward the gate. Chase scooped Peter into his arms and lifted Cecil onto his shoulders before dashing through the airport at full speed.

"Wow, wow!" Cecil squealed, bouncing on his shoulders.

Chase, using his long legs to his advantage, reached the private gate in record time. The area was empty except for security personnel.

His heart pounded as he waited for the door to open. And when it finally did, he nearly stopped breathing.

Peter and Cecil shouted excitedly, but Chase couldn't move—he just stared.

The man on the other side stretched his neck tiredly as he stepped out, then spotted them. His face immediately brightened.

"My treasures!"

He dropped his bags and ran, wrapping all three of them in a crushing embrace.

"Did you wait long? Wow, Cecil is still adorable. Peter, you look bigger."

After greeting the children, Josh pulled Chase in for a kiss. When he pulled away with a smile, a chaotic chorus erupted.

"Daddy, Daddy! Peter wore my ribbon earlier!"

"Daddy! Papa—no, Cecil—!"

"Josh, listen! You won't believe what happened!"

"Okay, okay! One at a time!" Josh laughed, trying to calm them down.

"Daddy, how long are you staying this time?" Cecil asked anxiously.

Everyone fell silent, all eyes on Josh.

"I'm taking a break for the next three months," Josh finally said with a smile. "This last job was exhausting."

The relief was palpable. He didn't need words—he could see it in their faces.

He gently cupped Chase's cheek and said,

"Let's go home."

"Yes!"

"Yay!"

Peter and Cecil cheered in unison as Chase beamed.

Their lips met again, lingering a little longer this time. When they parted, Chase's face was slightly flushed. In a soft voice, he whispered,

"I missed you."

Josh smiled and kissed him once more. When they pulled apart, he chuckled.

"Next time, let me say it first."

Chase just laughed.

As they walked together, listening to the children's excited chatter, Peter suddenly spoke up.

"Listen, Daddy! Cecil is a girl… she's wearing a dress!"

Josh laughed, shaking his head as he pulled his family closer.

– END –

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! The author has written more novels, such as the well known "Roses of champagne" if you want more works similar to this one!