Sunlight streamed gently through the curtains, painting soft gold patterns across the bed. Meilin stirred, her hand brushing against the warmth beside her. For a moment, she thought it was a dream — the quiet breathing, the steady heartbeat under her cheek, the peace that wrapped around the room.
Then she felt Rui's arm tighten around her waist.
It was real.
She smiled faintly, tracing the line of his fingers over hers. In the past, mornings had been cold — full of silence and unspoken words. But now, there was laughter waiting outside, and love resting between them like fragile sunlight.
"Good morning," Rui murmured, his voice husky with sleep.
"Morning," she whispered back. "You were up late last night."
He chuckled softly. "Someone kept crying during her proposal."
Meilin flushed and hit his chest playfully. "I wasn't crying that much."
"You were," he teased, catching her hand before she could pull away. His expression softened. "But I like it when you cry for happiness."
Her heart fluttered — not with pain, but with warmth. She never thought love could feel this gentle.
A knock sounded on the door, followed by Yanyan's cheerful voice. "Mama! Daddy! Breakfast is ready! I made toast all by myself!"
Rui groaned, half laughing. "She's more excited than we are."
"Of course," Meilin said, slipping from bed. "You promised her pancakes, remember?"
He sighed, sitting up and ruffling his hair. "You mean I promised to clean up after her pancake disaster."
Meilin laughed, tying her robe and heading downstairs. The scent of butter and something slightly burnt filled the air. Yanyan stood proudly by the dining table, flour on her cheeks and a crooked stack of toast in front of her.
"Look! I made it!" she said, her smile bright as sunshine.
Meilin bent down, kissed her forehead, and said warmly, "It's perfect, sweetheart."
Rui joined them, pretending to examine the toast like a food critic. "Hmm… a little crispy, but I'll allow it."
Yanyan giggled. "Daddy! You have to eat it all!"
He laughed, picking her up and spinning her around. Meilin watched them, her heart full. These were the mornings she once took for granted — the simple, beautiful ones filled with noise, mess, and love.
After breakfast, they went to the garden. The cherry blossoms had started to bloom again — soft pink petals fluttering like gentle snow. Meilin reached out, catching one in her hand.
"Rui," she said softly, "do you ever think… what if I hadn't come back?"
He turned to her, his expression tender. "Then I'd still be waiting," he replied simply. "Even if it took another lifetime."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but this time, they were light — the kind that healed instead of hurt.
She leaned against him, whispering, "Thank you… for not giving up on me."
He kissed the top of her head. "Thank you for finding your way back."
Yanyan ran between them, holding two petals in her hands. "Mama, Daddy, look! Two petals together — that means forever!"
Meilin smiled and knelt beside her daughter. "Then let's make sure they never fall apart."
They placed the petals gently inside Meilin's locket — a tiny keepsake that once carried only pain, now filled with new meaning.
As the wind carried the blossoms across the yard, Meilin closed her eyes and whispered, "A new beginning."
And
for the first time in a long time, she truly believed it.