It's been more than a year and still Lan Zhan cannot enter his mother's workroom.  He still cannot pick up the shattered pieces of his broken heart since his mother passed away from a lengthy battle with cancer, leaving him all alone in this world.

Her last request was to visit her workroom filled with the colored glass that she had once transformed into beautiful stained-glass windows. She knew deep in her soul this would be her last time, her last moments to share with her beloved son.

So, Lan Zhan had carried her weightless body in his arms and carried her down the stairs and placed her in her favorite chair.  All the while trying not to think that this may be the last time, he will hold his mother in his arms. So, he tried to convey all his love for her in the way that he embraced her.  She looked up and smiled at him, knowing as a mother would, what he is trying to say.

She slowly looks around her happy place and knew she would greatly miss her workroom with her son working by her side.  Her eyes then spotted their unfinished stained-glass window. She stroked her son's hand with her waning strength.  

"It appears I will not be finishing this one.  Will you finish it for me my son.  Just let the glass sing to you.  Listen to what it's saying, they will tell you where they want to be placed."  Lan Zhan cannot stem the tide of tears any longer.  

"Please mother, do-don't leave me. I have never heard the songs of the glass, maybe I never will.  Please I- I'm not ready." sobs Lan Zhan 

"I truly don't want to leave you alone, how I wished you had found someone to love before I left this world."

She holds him close then she whispers, "Listen to your heart my son. Someday the glass will sing for you too and if you open your heart, you will find love and you won't be alone any longer.  Promise me, promise me you will try."

He doesn't answer at first, both their eyes are filled with desperation. Finally, he grasped her hands and looked deeply into her eyes.  

"I promise mother" with tears and a pain-filled voice.

His mother embraced him with the last of her strength and left him with a gentle smile on her face.

Remembering all this, he has never wanted to go into this room again, but a promise cannot be broken especially one given to his mother.  So, he has finally agreed to meet someone who makes and repairs stain glass windows, who will help him complete his mother's last wish. His uncle had made the arrangements because he couldn't, he wouldn't.  

The day arrived and he was angry more than anxious.  He can't abide the thought of a stranger touching his mother's things. He had had every intention of letting this person know, his mother's workroom was a sacred place to him.  Just as he was getting himself worked up, the doorbell rang.

He walked slowly to the door, hoping the person would just walk away, however it was not to be.  As he opened the door the sunlight was framing the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life.  

"Hi, I am Wei Ying, I believe you are expecting me."

Lan Zhan didn't move nor speak; he could only stare at the beauty in front of him.

"Um, Mr. Lan?" says Wei Ying

Lan Zhan clears his throat then gruffly says "Follow me."

Wei Ying unbothered quickly follows while studying his surroundings.  He watches as Lan Zhan grips the door handle tightly and takes a deep breath.  Slowly, so slowly as if unwilling to disturb anyone within, he opens the door. His eyes sweep across the room fully expecting to see his mother working with her colored glass.

When his eyes do not see her, his legs grow weak but before he collapses Wei Ying grabs him and places him in the nearest chair.  It is here that Wei Ying can see the pain, fear and loneliness in the beautiful amber eyes of Lan Zhan.  At this moment he wants nothing more than to erase all those emotions and replace them with happiness instead.  Giving in to his impulses he embraces Lan Zhan and he in turn grabs Wei Ying as if he is his lifeline.  He remembers his mother's voice "Open your heart my son, listen to the song."

Lan Zhan leans back and looks into Wei Ying's eyes and sees concern and kindness there. 

"Are you alright now?", whispers Wei Ying

Lan Zhan nods, not trusting his voice at the moment.

"May I look, I won't touch anything without your permission, alright?"

Lan Zhan nods once more and quietly watches as Wei Ying inspects the workroom and the unfinished stained-glass window.  Wei Ying turns around with his most dazzling smile and says "The glass is singing to me here, begging to be placed where they are meant to be.  Will you allow me to help you?"

Lan Zhan slowly rises and looks at Wei Ying, clearly stunned. "Y- You can hear the glass?"

Wei Ying nods, he gently asks "Did your mother?"

"Yes, I never could", whispers back Lan Zhan.

Slowly Wei Ying walks closer to Lan Zhan and looks into eyes straight into his soul. He then touches his cheek gently "Then let me help you."

Together they sorted the broken glass to finish the window.  It took longer than planned, maybe secretly they didn't want to finish it.  Being together seemed more important.  Lan Zhan realized if he touched Wei Ying while touching the glass, he could hear a whisper of the colored glass song.  

When he finally realized his love for Wei Ying and that Wei Ying loved him back it was magic in more ways than one.  After the first time they whispered I love you to each other, Lan Zhan could finally hear the glass sing to him, and Wei Ying sang against his lips "I love you forever and beyond."

So together they finished the stain glass window and together they fell more in love with each other. every day.  Once the window was completed, Lan Zhan's uncle presented him with a letter. It was from his mother.

"My beautiful son, as you are reading this letter, I know you have finally completed the stain glass window.  I know you have finally heard the glass sing to you as your lover sings to you now.  You are no longer alone. Always keep your heart open and always listen to the song of the glass and your love. My last gift to you my son is the completed window was never intended for anyone but you.  Take this window and place it in your new home, the home you make with your love.  Through the glass window I will watch over the both of you. Be happy my son, love you always mom."

Both Lan Zhan and Wei Ying looked at the stained-glass window as the sun was shining brilliantly through, bathing them both in the colored lights.  

"Thank you, mother, for your blessings" Lan Zhan said softly.

Lan Zhan and Wei Ying stood together and clasped hands. Ready to brave the world, together.  They had each other and the colored glass, they needed nothing more.

The End