seven eleven - choi chanhee

50{final chapter}

1 YEAR LATER...

the adoption process was long, but it was what lexie would have wanted. chanhee now had eight children and a wonderful grandson adopted by mirae and jaemin. watching them all grow up was a gift in itself, everything they had accomplished made chanhee so proud. he had his eleven best friends by his side, his amazing family, but he was still alone. 

"today was such a great day, my darling. hyejin's group won an award, jaemin and mirae are getting married in a few weeks...i can't wait to see them on their wedding day. i'll save you a seat, though. next to me...like you always have been," chanhee said, looking across from his armchair to the empty one opposite. the cushions were still full and rounded, the soft material of the chair brushed over with no sign of dust. "hyejin is coming home for the wedding, with mark as her plus one. you know i never approved of him, but hyejin says he makes her happy. our nieces, kevin and jacob's daughters...they're starting middle school in one month. i know they're going to do so well. and younghoon bought this new dog...it won't shut up at the moment. but i know that's just the beginning, it will soon settle down. just like when we first had mirae and we didn't have a clue what we were doing. she wouldn't stop crying...now she's all grown up. tomorrow we're going shopping for suits and dresses. i'll make sure to get a mint green boutonniere and a navy suit, just like our wedding day. anyways, i should probably get going my love. tomorrow is a big day, i know mirae will look beautiful in whatever she chooses to wear. i love you so much, yeobo. i'm going to get some rest now, so there's no need to worry about me,"

chanhee put down the glass of water he poured on the table beside lexie's chair. "drink this before bed, sweetheart. it's important to stay hydrated,"

he walked over slowly to the bed and shuffled onto lexie's side. it still felt like her, somehow. her smell lingered somehow, sweet and refreshing. this was the only way chanhee could sleep at night ever since, he couldn't sleep on his own side of the bed, it made him feel so empty and alone. 

"does he do this every night?" changmin whispered across to kevin who was standing at the door beside him. 

"yeah..." he said, trying to hold back the tears but failing. "i'm sorry, changmin. can i just have a moment alone please?"

changmin nodded and said 'of course', patting kevin on the back lovingly and walking down the corridor. 

kevin walked into the bedroom, chanhee was asleep on the bed as he walked over and put a hand on lexie's chair. 

"goodnight, sis...i love you,"

A/N 

IM SORRY IF YOU ARE CRYING RIGHT NOW, I AM LITERALLY CRYING AS I WRITE THIS. thank you to everyone who read! this marks the end of the byuntae & seven eleven stories. thank you so so so much for the support and i really hope you enjoyed it as much as i did. stay safe & healthy, and look out for more books and updates in the future!

love author-nim xx