The three days with my brother and Cheng passed very quickly. And that although we actually did nothing more than help at my brother's house with the preparations for his move. Actually, he wanted to do that when he went to the US with Cheng. But because they were told to stay there for the time being, they waited to do it.

So we packed boxes for three days and in addition, my brother and I already signed the purchase contract for my apartment. He transferred the money to me on the same day. Then Zhan and I called the manager for the apartment next to my office and asked him to mail us a contract of sale.

He did so immediately and we processed the purchase of the apartment online. Zhan and I then paid for the apartment equally. He had enough savings for it. From the rest of the money left over from the sale of my apartment and what is still in Zhan's account, we want to buy new furniture for the new apartment.

In one month my brother will move to Beijing with Cheng. Until then Zhan and I have time to furnish our new apartment and move. We should be able to do that without any problems. We will donate the old furniture to a social department store, except for my kitchen, which we will take with us. Otherwise it's just small things and my clothes. Zhan hadn't brought much of himself into the apartment so far.

As expected, my mother had not contacted me. Well, either she decided not to be our mother anymore, or she needs longer to think about it. Either way, I don't care right now. I have Zhan, my father, my stepmother, my brother, and the Xiao family, or rather, that whole pack of Xiao's. I can manage without my mother.

When Zhan and I were on the plane home, I was excited like a little boy. I was so excited to get home that I was wide awake the whole time, chattering non-stop until Zhan rendered me speechless for a moment.

All the while I was chattering so chirpy and happy, Zhan looked at me smiling. No matter how long I talked, he smiled. And at some point I asked him, "Why are you smiling so much all the time?"

And Zhan replied, "Because I have the cutest husband in the world and I just have to smile when I look at him."

"Um..."

"I can't even describe how much I love you Yibo. I'm thankful for having you in my life and feeling your love every day."

"ZhanZhan, I feel the same way about you. I am really more than happy with you. I just love you so, so much." I replied. Zhan hugged me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. After that, I was silent for a few minutes before I started chattering excitedly again.

When we finally landed in Beijing, we grabbed our suitcases at the airport, went outside and got a cab. Finally, we were going home. And finally I would be able to see my Yizhan again.

Half an hour later, we arrived at our apartment. We were standing in front of our apartment door when I heard Yizhan already meowing. He was standing on the other side of the door, obviously calling for us. And then when I opened the door, he meowed loudly as he walked around and rubbed against our legs.

I put my suitcase down and picked him up in my arms, where I first kissed him and cuddled with him. He has grown so incredibly tall. And much to our delight, he immediately recognized us, despite the long time we were gone, and was really happy that Mommy and Daddy were back.

Zhan also cuddled with Yizhan while I greeted the twins who came out of their room quite sleepy. Even the two of them have grown in the last few months. They were also quite excited because we are back. And they were happy when we gave them some presents. A few little things we bought for them here and there during our long trip.

Just an hour after we got home and told the twins all about our trip, the doorbell rang. It was Grandpa Xiao and Zhan's parents. My in-laws greeted me with a tight hug and my mother-in-law said, "You're even cuter in real life than in the pictures. It's nice to finally meet you."

My father-in-law hugged me tightly and said, "Again, welcome to the family my boy. We are happy that you are now one of us."

I then greeted Grandpa Xiao, who also hugged me and told me that he had already missed me and that he was glad that we were back. It's just great to be a part of a big and loving family now. I was accepted by all with open arms in the family, even if I am a vampire and not a werewolf.

Then when we were all sitting in the living room, at first everyone was talking in confusion. Until I asked Grandpa Xiao, "Tell me, how did Oleg and Mira know our names?"

Grandpa Xiao smiled and after clearing his throat, he replied, "I knew them. I met them when I was a young boy myself and kept in casual contact with them. Then when Zhan was born, I wrote them a letter about the newborn white wolf. Shortly after, they came to town to see Zhan. And when they were convinced that Zhan was really a white wolf, they told me about the legend. However, they forbade me to tell anyone about it. Zhan, in order to fulfill his destiny, would have to find his own way to them later with his partner."

"So on the other hand, our destiny would not have been fulfilled?" I asked.

"Well, that at least was what they said. They said you must find your way to them without help. Because that was the only way your destiny could be fulfilled."

"Did they actually tell you if there are any records of them? Diaries or anything other than these many pictures we found?"

"No, they didn't say anything about that. I don't think they ever kept any records. With the long life they had, I'm sure there would be hundreds of diaries. As far as I know, they just traveled around for most of their lives together. It's hard to imagine that they would have carried all those diaries around with them then."

"That's really too bad, because Yibo and I would have loved to know more about their lives. There are so many unanswered questions. Like how they survived for centuries without anyone finding out the truth about them. Or who wrote the book about the legends. It's not even half as old as they were. So they might know the author of the book." Explained Zhan.

"Who knows, maybe they wrote the book themselves. They knew the first book that contained their legend. Maybe they wrote a second book that told about your legend."

"And how did they know about the second legend?" I asked.

"I don't know that Yibo. As I said, they didn't tell me everything either. Maybe because it's not important to know everything about the past."

"Because maybe only the present and the future matter?" Asked my father-in-law.

"Yes, maybe." Replied Grandpa Xiao.

"That makes perfect sense. But it still would have been nice to know more about Oleg and Mira. And I'd also be interested to know what's true about the legend that Yibo and I will eventually have offspring." Said Zhan.

Grandpa Xiao looked at us thoughtfully and replied, "Well, Oleg and Mira told me at that time that the legend said that the white wolf and the vampire, would have offspring. But Oleg and Mira never had children of their own. Mira could not get pregnant. So it could well be that you are meant."

"But we are both men. How could I, as a man, give birth to a baby?" I asked.

"Well I don't know that either. But not knowing doesn't mean it's not possible. You two told me that you changed after the ritual. Yibo has become more human again and can even eat normally, go out in the sun, and be around people. Who knows what has happened or will happen inside you?" Grandpa Xiao replied.

To be honest, by now I have become comfortable with the idea and am looking more for confirmation that Zhan and I are really going to have a baby. Somehow, I want it to be true. Even though I still can't imagine how that could be.

The thought that there could be such a little being that is from Zhan and me is no longer frightening. Rather, this thought is forming more and more into a wish. I wish for a baby with Zhan. This has become clear to me over the past few weeks. Not right now, but sometime in the future it would be nice if we could have offspring.

Zhan and I then told Grandpa Xiao and my in-laws about the rest of our trip and also about the conversation with my mother. Then my mother-in-law said, "You know Yibo, you don't need her. Sure, she's your mother, she gave birth to you. But you also have me now, and you have your stepmother, who cares a lot about you. And you can contact me at any time. Even if we are out of town, I will always have an open ear for you. And the same goes for your brother. You are now part of our family and I consider you both my sons as well."

"And I'm always here for you guys, too. We are a family and we stick together. Even though my wife and I are often on the road and usually for a long time, we are always there for you. And in case of emergency, we would come back home immediately." Said my father-in-law.

It is really overwhelming how great this family is and how loving they are to me. I am glad that I am now a part of them. And my mother-in-law was right, I have my stepmother and I have her now too. However, I have to say that it bothers me less than my brother that our own mother is so unloving. But who knows, maybe there will be a rapprochement with her after all.

Afterwards, Zhan and I showed everyone the original peace treaty. Zhan and I had laminated it in the meantime because the paper was so old and had tears in several places. The ink on it was also fading more and more. So, to protect it, we laminated it and thus protected this important old document from decaying.

"Strange how this old piece of paper can keep the peace between our two species." Wondered Grandpa Xiao. Zhan and I were thinking the same thing. It is an old piece of paper, but the importance of it, is still very big and essential, like when Oleg and Mira signed this document. And I hope it will never lose its validity and continue to keep the peace.

It wasn't until the evening, after spending the day with Grandpa Xiao and my in-laws, that Zhan and I were alone in the apartment. Well, almost. The twins went along with Grandpa Xiao. But our Yizhan was still there. We also cuddled with him on the sofa until he had enough and retired to his basket, which is now back in our bedroom, leaving Zhan and me alone.

It's nice to be home again. Although I enjoyed being on the road with Zhan, it is still nicest at home. Today and tomorrow we will rest before we start to prepare our move and go back to work. And soon the "normal" everyday life will start again. Well, what is normal when you work as a private detective and you are a vampire married to a werewolf.