They slowly turned their heads at the exact same time.

Sophia and Cassius stood there, full of excitement... holding a cake, balloons, and a banner.

The four of them stared at each other.

Silence.

Sophia blinked.

Cassius blinked.

Then they both realized what they had just walked in on.

Sophia’s smile stiffened. "...Oh."

Cassius’ expression also froze. "Ah."

Meanwhile, Kendrick cleared his throat and casually leaned back as if nothing happened. Zephany looked away with a burning-red face, suddenly extremely interested in the wall.

The air turned undeniably awkward.

Sophia silently reached out, grabbed Cassius’ sleeve, and gently pulled him back inside the kitchen.

"Let’s... uh... prepare this first."

"Yes. Yes. Kitchen. Good plan," Cassius muttered awkwardly while still clutching the cake.

Once in the kitchen, both of them finally exhaled.

Sophia placed the cake down and let out a helpless sigh. "You know... those two used to hate acting like a couple during missions. They would complain every time we told them to act affectionate. They would literally cringe at the thought of pretending to be lovey dovey."

Cassius let out a small laugh. "Now look at them. Ever since that incident with the Chief, they have been inseparable. Always lost in their own little world."

Sophia smiled faintly. "Seems like love really hit them hard."

Cassius leaned back slightly, a satisfied smile on his face. "If that leads to lovely grandchildren soon... I have nothing to complain about."

Sophia stared at him blankly. "Already thinking that far?"

He simply shrugged proudly.

Meanwhile in the living room...

After recovering from the shock and embarrassment, Zephany gently smacked Kendrick’s arm. "That was embarrassing."

Kendrick only grinned.

Then, without hesitation, without shame, he leaned forward and quickly stole a kiss from her lips.

Zephany’s eyes widened. "Kendrick!"

He only laughed softly, eyes filled with affection. "Sorry. I waited days for that one."

She glared... but her cheeks were red and her lips were smiling.

"I’ll go help those two in the kitchen first," Kendrick said, gently brushing her hair before standing.

Zephany nodded, watching him fondly as he walked away.

Inside the kitchen, Cassius was already quietly telling Sophia, "Hmm, I think we should go now. We already interrupted once."

But Kendrick stepped in before they could decide.

"Dad, wait. Stay here first. I’ll cook dinner for us."

Cassius froze.

Even now, the word "Dad" still hit deep. For a long time, Kendrick struggled with what to call him after learning everything. But in the end, he chose to call him the same way he used to as a kid. No anger. No hesitation. Just warmth.

Cassius’ eyes softened instantly. "...Are you sure you want us to stay?"

Kendrick nodded firmly. "Yes. Stay."

Cassius smiled broadly, almost like an excited child. "Do you need help? I am pretty good at cooking, you know."

Kendrick paused... then laughed softly.

He remembered.

Back then, his mother was always busy with work, so his dad—Patrick, now Cassius—was the one who cooked, teaching Kendrick little by little. The scent of warm meals, the feeling of a complete family... those memories still lingered in his heart.

"...Sure," Kendrick said quietly. "Let’s cook together."

Sophia watched the two men begin preparing dinner side by side. She smiled softly at the sight, then decided to leave them to their moment and returned to the living room to sit with Zephany.

Soon, the house was filled with peaceful warmth. The sound of TV playing softly. Soft chatter from the living room. Quiet laughter from the kitchen.

Until suddenly—

THUD!

A loud noise echoed.

Zephany immediately shot up and rushed to the kitchen. "Hubby?"

She stopped when she saw Kendrick standing there, clutching his hands together, his expression slightly pained.

She rushed toward him in worry. "Hubby, are you okay? What happened?"

Kendrick winced slightly. "I’m fine. I think I cut my finger... but it’s not that deep."

Zephany frowned even more and gently held his hands. "Come on, let me see."

He slowly opened his palms.

There was no blood.

Only a ring.

Zephany blinked.

Kendrick looked at her with nervous, hopeful eyes... then lifted the ring toward her.

"Will you marry me?"

Zephany just stared at him.

Her brain short-circuited.

A second later, instinct kicked in. Her hand moved up, ready to smack him for scaring her like that.

But Kendrick flinched and immediately panicked. "Wife, be gentle! I am sorry! I did not mean to scare you!"

She stopped midway, realizing how much strength she had unconsciously put into that swing. She sighed deeply and glared at him.

"This is your fault. Why would you even propose like that?"

Kendrick smiled sheepishly. "Well... I am good at many things. But not this one. I honestly did not know how to do a proper proposal. The idea just came to me while cooking... and... I just really want to marry you soon."

Zephany stared at him quietly before muttering, "Aren’t we already married?"

"Yes," Kendrick nodded. "But I want a real one."

"Our certificates are real," Zephany countered flatly.

"I know," Kendrick said softly. "But the contract was the reason before. This time, I want to marry you without it. No condition. No obligation. Just because I love you. Just because I want a life with you."

Silence.

Then Zephany sighed helplessly.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile.

"Fine," she said teasingly. "I’ll marry you."

Kendrick’s eyes instantly brightened. Happiness flooded his face as if the entire world suddenly belonged to him.

He carefully took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.

It fit perfectly.

Cassius and Sophia, who had silently stood to the side watching everything unfold, clapped happily. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Cassius’ eyes were misty with joy. Sophia smiled warmly.

Kendrick softly leaned his forehead against Zephany’s, voice barely above a whisper.

"Thank you... for choosing to stay with me."

Zephany held his hand tighter.

"Always."

Dinner that night was warm and lively, the kind of peaceful scene none of them thought they would experience again.

The dining table was filled with dishes Kendrick and Cassius worked on together, and it somehow tasted better simply because of what it represented: life, family, and a future that finally felt real.