"Hey, thanks for bringing Yuri today, " Minji tells me.

We sit upon the couch watching our children interact with smiles. Taehyung seems to have taken quite the liking to Yuri, and Yuri to Tae. I have no doubt that if little Jun were to see this, he'd probably be jealous.

"Thank you for watching her today, " I murmur. "You really didn't have to."

"Do you still have no idea what Jin has up his sleeve?"

The way she asks me that, combined with the conspiratorial look in her eyes, tells me that she knows far more than I do. I'm not really sure for who's benefit I shake my head, but I quickly reply.

"No, he still won't tell me anything."

Minji chuckles, a wide smile gracing her beautiful features. Somehow, I get the feeling that she knows more than she's letting on. But if Jin won't tell me, it's unlikely that his sister will either.

"Don't give me that sour look!" She exclaims cheerfully. "Trust me. It'll be worth it."

The sound of the door opening signals Jin's arrival.

"Are you ready to go Anna?" He calls out.

"Yes!" I reply. "I'm coming! Just give me a moment!"

I stand, and hold my arms out for Yuri. She barrels into my arms and hugs me tightly.

"Be safe mommy, " she tells me seriously. "I'll be a good girl, I promise."

My lips split open into a genuine smile. How did I get so blessed?

"I know you'll be a good girl Yuri-bug, " I return proudly. "And I promise I'll be safe, so you just worry about having fun, okay?"

"Okay!" Yuri exclaims happily. "I love you mommy!"

"I love you too Yuri-bug."

Yuri gives me a big hug, and then scampers away to play with Taehyung and Minji.

I make my way to the door, smiling as my eyes meet with Seokjin's. He's dressed casually today, in a tight fitting black turtle neck that shows off the broadness of his chest and shoulders, and a clearly tailor made pair of jeans. The sparkle in his eyes takes my breathe away, and I am suddenly struck all over again with the knowledge of just how lucky I am.

"Still not gonna tell me where we're going?"

He shakes his head.

"Nope. I can't ruin the surprise for you now. I went through so much effort to put this day together."

I huff, but truthfully I'm not really irritated. If anything, I'm a little excited, I've always loved surprises.

Hand on my lower back, he leads me to the car. I still find it adorable that he opens the car door for me, and as I get buckled in he makes his way around to the driver's side. Of course, he slides in with far more grace than I ever could, and buckles so quickly that I have to wonder if he's excited too.

I watch the world outside of the window as it speeds by.

We pass building after building, the soft sound of jazz coming from the stereo as we exit the city and head into the country side. I'm half tempted to ask him again about where he is taking me, more curious now than I was when he'd first proposed this trip. But I know he won't tell me, so there's no sense in wasting the effort.

When at last the car begins to slow, we are surrounded by flowering trees. Plum blossoms, and cherry blossoms alike line the sides of the road. Just a few moments ago we'd taken a left turn off of the highway, and anticipation leaves me feeling giddy. We must be getting closer to our destination. I can't wait too see what kind of surprise Seokjin has prepared for me.

In the distance, I can make out the vague shape of a building of sorts. And as we grow closer, I realize that it isn't just any building,  but a house. A miniature mansion at that. It is much smaller than his sister's manor, for sure, but nearly twice the size of Jo's home. I'd expect for such an extravagant home to feel imposing, but instead, it radiates a gentle sort of charm.

I can't deny that it is beautiful, but I also can't help but wonder why he is bringing me here. Are we meeting another part of his family? It certainly looks like the sort of home that a wealthy family might live in, at least, if that family were more on the down to earth side. There are no lavish statues or marble pillars, though there does seem to be a well kept garden and a small, unassuming pond.

After parking the car, Seokjin unbuckles his seatbelt hastily. He's been so calm this entire drive, but now seems to be filled with a frantic sort of anxiety. I can sense it in his movements, normally poised and refined, but now awkward and hesitant.

He rushes to my side of the car before I can even open the door, opening it for me with one hand held out for me to grasp. I smile, and take his proffered hand. Ever the gentleman, no matter how rattled he seems to be.

He tucks my hand into the crook of his elbow, and escorts me towards the front door. We pause for a moment, just before the threshold, and he digs in his pocket for a moment before fishing out a conspicuous looking key. My mind is racing a hundred miles an hour as he unlocks the door, and leads me inside. But the sight waiting for me within nearly steals my breath away.

The house looks much smaller on the outside than it does in here. As he leads me through the foyer, and into the living room, I gasp. It is wide open, decorated in a charming, nearly fairy tale-esque manner with antique furniture and expensive silks. The paintings that hang upon the walls look as if they might cost more than my entire apartment, and the fireplace is a lovely pale brick masterpiece that conjures images of nights spent cuddled by the fire with a glass of wine.

"This place is beautiful!" I cry delightedly. "Is this your home?"

It occurs to me in this moment that I've never actually been to his house, and given the fact that he unlocked the door with his own key it seems like a plausible conclusion.

"Actually, " he replies, "if you like it, then it's our home."

I turn sharply to face him, surprise written clearly into my features.

"Up until now, " he explains, "I've lived in a condo in the city. But, I wanted to find a home for our family that you would love. So I talked to Jo, and and she told me that you like-"

I slam my lips onto his, overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. At first my kiss seems to take him by surprise, but he quickly melts into it. And when I pull away, he is smiling so brightly that my heart squeezes pitifully in my chest.

"So you like it then?"

"Like it?" I reply earnestly. "I love it! It's perfect!"

With a chuckle, he gently squeezes my hand.

"You haven't even seen the rest of the house, " he murmurs playfully. "How do you know it's perfect?"

He leads me through a detailed tour of the house, and each room is more impossibly beautiful than the last. In this place, with this man beside me, I feel like some sort of fairy tale princess. It seems so incredibly surreal. We survey the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and the sitting room. In the back of the house there is a grand staircase that leads to the second floor where there is a study, four bedrooms, and an art room completely stocked with all of my favorite supplies.

I can tell that he put a lot of thought into this place, and my heart absolutely melts at the realization.

When at last we have run out of rooms to view, he leads me back downstairs and towards the back door. I follow him out of it, and we step into a portion of the garden that had been hidden by the house upon our approach.

Dainty and delicate flowers of many differing shades and varieties bloom here, and in such abundance that I almost feel as if I have stepped into another world entirely.

Several tall trees are scattered about the garden, but it is one in particular that catches my attention. In the middle of the garden rests a gigantic oak, and tied to it's lowest hanging branch is a handcrafted swing.

"Oh, " I coo happily, "Yuri is going to love that!"

Jin smiles.

"I thought so too, " he admits.

The fact that he'd thought of Yuri like this is overwhelmingly touching. I've become so used to being a single mother, so used to being the only person that Yuri had to think about her. Sure, she's always had Jo. But it isn't the same.

As I glance up at my husband to be, I am struck with the realization that he really is like a father to Yuri. Though I've known for a while just how much he cares for Yuri, it hadn't really sunk in. With this marriage not only am I gaining a life partner, someone to love and be loved by...

Yuri is gaining a father. A loving, doting father.

Unbidden, tears spring to my eyes and I am overcome by the purest joy.

"Oh no, " Seokjin croons softly, "don't cry. I thought you said you loved it?"

"I do, " I reply, sniffling pitifully. "I love it so much! I'm just so happy..."

He reaches out and, with his thumb, he wipes the tears from my cheeks. His gentle smile washes over me, and I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him and crushing myself to his broad chest. For a moment, he staggers. It seems that I have caught him by surprise.

"I love you! " I ardently exclaim.

"I love you too, " he chuckles happily, wrapping his arms around me in return.

We stay like this, locked within our shared embrace, for some time before we finally release each other. And as he leads me through the garden, I smile brightly.

We come to a stop before an old cherry tree, petals drifting through the air around us. One of those very petals lands softly upon Seokjin's hair, and I giggle slightly as he reaches up to brush it away.

But then, as he gets down upon one knee and reaches within the confines of his pocket, the mood between us shifts. My giddiness increases, and the tears that Seokjin had so diligently wiped away only a little while ago return in full force as he pulls out a small, black box.

Through my blurry eyes, I watch as several more petals drift down and land upon his hair. Though this time, he doesn't reach up to brush them away. Instead, he pops open the lid of the box. And there, resting inside a tiny cushion made of purple velvet, lies the most gorgeous ring I have ever seen.

"Anna Lee, " he somberly speaks, "I promise to love you, and Yuri too, for as long as I live. I want to grow old beside you, watch Yuri grow and flourish. I want to raise her with you, and the little one growing in your belly too."

I press my hands to my mouth, trying to stifle the strangled sound of excitement that suddenly slips from my lips.

"I want to be the shoulder that you lean on when you are having a bad day, and the first person you think of when you are sad. I want to hold you tight, and proudly tell the world that you are my woman. My wife. So, will you do me the honor of marrying me, and make all my dreams come true?"

Despite the fact that I've already said yes, I am stunned speechless by his grandiose confession. A great sob is pulled from my throat as I begin to cry in earnest. How did I ever get so lucky?

Confusion spreads itself across Seokjin's beautiful features, and if I could stop crying long enough to regain control over my voice I might actually laugh.

"Yes!" I finally cry, laughing merrily as he rises, and lifts me into an almost too-tight embrace.

The weight of the ring as he slides it upon my finger is nothing compared to that of his lips as they crash against my own. And the feeling in my heart as I realize that there will be many more kisses just like this one, is utterly indescribable.

His lips slide eagerly against mine, and the world around us falls away. In this moment, there is nothing but him and I, and the beginnings of our future blooming brightly in our hearts.

A/N: Egads! I'm so sorry that it took me so long to update this story. In truth, I've been struggling with the fact that Princely is nearly over, and that made it a little difficult to get my head in the right place for this chapter. We have one more chapter left for this story! And then, as always, an epilogue.

I hope that my Nimlettes are all well, and taking good care of themselves. And I hope too that this chapter was worth the wait.

Sincerely,
Nim