Strings Attached (Sequel)

Calm Morning

March 10th

Faye Calinao

"Faye," Lei said, walking up to me and wrapping his arms around me. He placed a soft kiss on my cheek as I sat comfortably at the bar stool in the kitchen having a small breakfast before heading to campus.

Cha looked towards us and smiled before returning to the newspaper he was reading. Today was the last day of classes before our week-long break. I knew Lei would have a few errands to run this morning, his Bridge competition, then to head to the airport to wait for his parents arrival. Little did Lei know I would be surprising him later at the competition to support our team.

"Morning," I smiled and turned slightly.

"Are you going to be alright today? My parents don't arrive until late. You may be asleep before we get back."

"It's alright, I have Cha, Jin, and my friends," I smiled. Surely things should be alright. Cha would bring me to the completion later. "Should... I sleep in your room or the guest room tonight?" I asked shyly, knowing by morning Lei's parents will be here. Throughout the week I have grown nervous about meeting them. Ximen and Meizuo continued to reassure me there was nothing to worry about.

"You can sleep in my room," Lei spoke and tightened his arms around me slightly. He laughed lightly and leaned his chin on my shoulder. "Hmmm... we're having a baby Faye, they already know what we've been up to."

"Lei," I mumbled, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Faye, they're going to love you. They already love you. They knew about me proposing to you and they were very delighted to hear they're having a daughter in law and a grandchild on the way all within the same time frame of my senior year."

"Really?" I asked unsure.

"They want to meet the woman who has made me happy, Faye. Nothing can be more awkward than your father telling me you were pregnant after your accident and asking me what my future would be with you. That... stressed me."

Cha chuckled from across the table and Lei shot him a glare. I smiled up at him and leaned against him for a moment.

"And here we are," I smiled.

"Here we are," Lei spoke softly. "As much as I'd love to stay, I should go."

"Good luck today Lei," I beamed and he thanked me. We exchanged 'I love you's' before he left, leaving me with Cha.

"You guys are cute," Cha said and put the newspaper down to give me his full attention. "You two were meant for each other and it was something I knew when I first met you in Paris. I'm surprised Lei proposed to you two and a half months more than planned, but I see now this was a good choice he made."

"Did you know all along?"

"No," Cha shook his head and folded his arms. "I found out not too long ago and was shocked when you two came back that night. Lei's original plan was graduation day. I think he did not want to wait."

"I'm still... shocked Lei is going to be my husband." Cha smiled widely. "He's... going to be my partner and we're going to be starting our life together... my last name is going to change."

"Future Mrs.Huaze," Cha said. "I think it fits you well. I'd say you both are really happy about this outcome."

"I am happy. It... doesn't seem real sometimes when I think about it."

"Lei really cares for you Faye. You are the luckiest girl in the world."

"Of course she's the luckiest girl in the world," Jinjin spoke as he entered the kitchen. I looked towards him and he seemed to be in a good mood this morning as well. "She's marrying her man and is having his child while graduating in a few months. I would be feeling pretty lucky too."