042

It didn't take but a minute of you stepping into the house for the twins to come running down the stairs after hearing your voice at their front door. Time seemed to move so slowly, watching their expressions contort from shock into uncontainable excitement once they saw your presence standing at the end of the hallway.

Reiko was the first to reach you, her little arms wrapping tightly around your waist instantaneously— though Reiki wasn't far behind, the force of him joining the cuddle pile almost knocking you over as you tumble to catch your footing.

Your knees buckle immediately, kneeling onto the floor to meet eye level with the children that you've come to love as your own. You couldn't stop it even if you tried, the way your eyes prick watery tears at the sight of their precious faces— those faces that you missed so much; truly, you feared you'd never see them again. Now that they were standing here in-front of you once more, you couldn't stop holding onto them as if your life depended on their very existence.

"I'm so sorry." You mumbled through broken sobs, taking their sweet little rosy cheeks into your palms as you glance back and forth between the both of them. They look so relieved that you've returned, even Reiki, who you were sure would hate you for leaving.

"I knew you'd come back." Reiko smiled proudly, almost as if she was taunting her brother, who shifts his eyesight downwards in defeat. "Reiki didn't think so— he bet me 100 yen and a Pokémon card that you wouldn't come back."

You can't help but chuckle, wiping saline tears from your cheeks as the two habitually start to bicker about their little bet.

"Pay up, loser." Reiko grins menacingly, holding out the palm of her hand.

"I wasn't being for real!" Reiki shouts, slapping her hand away.

"Hey, stop that." Rin scolds, although he himself, can hardly prevent the laughter from escaping his lips— he's just so happy to see things back to normal, exactly as they should be; with you.

He takes a moment to corner you in the hallway, as the twins run into the kitchen to finish their dinner. He's dying to know what happened between you and Daisuke, though he can only hope it was good news since you've seemingly returned without a fight. Was it really that easy? He can hardly believe it, but hopefully you can fill him in.

"So, how did it go?" He asks with zero hesitation, his eyes scanning your form for any sign of discomfort.

"Surprisingly well— I'll tell you more after the kids go to sleep." You suggest, motioning to the pair who are quickly finishing their meal in hopes to spend some time with you before they have to go to sleep.

"I'm so glad you're here." He whispers, pulling you flush against his warm body as he wraps his arms around you in a tight squeeze. You can feel how much truth his words hold, in the way that he hesitates to let you go— burying himself into the crook of your neck as he breathes you in, placing a gentle kiss to your beautiful skin.

You glance at his face— his gorgeous features illuminated by the moonlight peeking through the curtains. He's breathtaking; and you can't even believe that he's yours, finally, without any obstacles in the way of your happiness.

Cupping his face in the palm of your hands, you delicately stoke his cheeks with the pads of your thumbs— flushed and warm just from your touch alone, it's easy to see how much the man adores you. Without thinking, you press your lips to his as he grips onto you even tighter, large hands holding you in place as he melts into your saccharine kisses.

"TOLD YA!"

Reiko's voice echoes into the room, startling the two of you as you've now been caught lip locked in each other's embrace.

Reiki folds his arms across his chest and scowls, not happy to see the woman of his dreams sucking face with his father. Either way, if he can't be the one to marry you, his dad would at least be second best.

"I told you daddy has a crush on y/n!" She shouts excitedly once more, a big grin on her face as you and Rin both drop your embrace— awkwardly wide-eyed and embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising position.

"I win again." She giggles, poking Reiki in the cheek as he scrambles away from her pointed finger. "You really suck at this."

"I— um..." Rin sputters, not even sure what he's supposed to say in this instance, looking at you desperately for help— though, you're in the same dumbfounded predicament.

"Come on daddy, you loOoOove y/n." She teases him in a sing-song voice, making kisses faces as a means to mock your earlier exchange. 

"Okay, you caught me." He grins, deciding there really was no point in hiding it anymore. After all, if he was planning on transitioning you into their family as his partner instead of the nanny, this was the best way to do it— just rip off the bandaid— especially relieved to find out that the kids had no qualms about the situation.

"Duh! I knew it 'cause you always made goo goo eyes at y/n when she wasn't looking." Reiko giggles again, enjoying the torment she's putting her father through.

"Oh? Were you making goo goo eyes at me, Rintarou?" You can't help but join in on the teasing, just for a bit.

"I—I was not..." He blurts, but the way he averts his gaze tells you he definitely was embarrassed for you to find out that he's been caught admiring you from afar for only god knows how long.

"I saw it, Reiki did too but he's stupid so he didn't know what it means." She states, matter-of-factly.

"Shut up!" Reiki responds, annoyed at his sister's constant desire to insult him. "I know what it means!"

"Oh— now that daddy and y/n are in love does that mean she can be our mommy now?"

Both of the kids look up at the two of you— innocent eyes silently pleading for you to say the answer they want to hear.

"Slow your roll, kid—" Rin smiles, patting his daughters head in adoration. "I know you're excited, but these sort of things take time."

He's right, ultimately— although you're just as eager to consider yourself their mother, you know they need time to heal, and you'll happily wait for however long that may take. You're just happy to be here with the Suna's that you've grown to love, and who love you just as much in return.

"Let's get the kitchen cleaned up, then you two have to get ready for bed." Rintarou announces, eager to change the subject from his more embarrassing moments.

"Do you need any help?" You ask out of habit, already preparing to clean the kitchen as you always did when it was your job.

"No, I can do it. Just relax and spend some time with the kids, they missed you." He smiles, giving you a small peck before sending you off with the twins.

You weren't here out of requirement; not out of duty or for a paycheck. You were here because this is where you belonged— with a family who cares for you, despite everything. For the first time in your life, you feel what you've been missing all along; love.

The woman who felt so unlovable, doesn't anymore.

"You look so pretty, daddy!" Reiko beams excitedly as she places one more bow into his thick, dark tresses. "I think he needs some more lip gloss— don't you, princess y/n?"

"Oh, most definitely." You smirk, much to Rin's behest— though he'll truly do anything to make his daughter happy.

You carefully squeeze his cheeks together, forcing his plump lips into an adorable pout as you paint on more of the sparkling, sickly sweet strawberry flavored gloss. You can't help but let out a snort at how ridiculous he looks— his response that of a murderous glare in your direction.

Though, you have to admit, Rintarou would make a beautiful woman.

"I think that color looks better on you than it does me." You tease, referring to the dark purple eyeshadow that Reiko insisted he wear. "Though, it really doesn't go with your outfit."

You whisper that last part, not wanting to insult a six year old's fashion sense. He gives you one last menacing smirk— one that lets you know that all of your taunting will definitely result in some form of payback later on— which makes you both nervous and excited for what's to come.

"Okay Reiki, you're the ugly monster that's keeping the two princesses in the dungeon— I'm the beautiful warrior princess that kills you and saves them."

"Why do I have to be the ugly monster?" Reiki grumbles, brows furrowed as he's truly tired of his sister's shit.

"Because you're ugly." She responds, little to no remorse in her words. "Now come here so I can stab you!"

You and Rin can't help but enjoy the sight before you— the twins chasing each other around the living room, atmosphere full of playful squeals and giggles. Suna looks over at you, his beautiful princess, and he can't help but realize how lucky he is to have met you.

When he first sent that email, he was desperate; desperately searching for anything to help take the stressful load off of his life as a single parent. He never anticipated that this is what he would find— a woman so kind-hearted, strong, intelligent, and so fucking sexy.

You're perfect, so fucking perfect.

He'd be a fool to mess this up twice, so he swears to himself— as he watches warrior princess Reiko attempt to save you from the tickle attack of Reiki the monster— that he'll do everything in his power to make you happy, just as you've done for him.

The man who felt so dejected...

doesn't anymore.