And

And;

Is when you know—it's not the end.

____________________________

"Marry me?"

The words filled his ears, and Chip swore he could feel his heart right there—loud, and very clear indeed. He was trembling; from shock or from the weight of the other's words, he did not know.

But there was one thing he did know—and that was of the beautiful present he resided in.

Strangely, it did not feel like a dream, no.

What he felt was something different, as if he was entirely aware of where, how, and why he stood in front of a kneeling Xander at that very moment.

And as the words reached in to touch his heart, the young man could not help but let slip a teary smile of sincere happiness that he hadn't felt for a very long time.

For there was a tiny velvet box before his eyes in which the one he so loved had opened—to reveal the sparkling ring that he had spoken of before.

But did the ring really matter to Chip?

Really, now—the reason why he was smiling wasn't because he had been proposed to.

The reason why his eyes couldn't seem to focus behind the flowing tears wasn't because of the beauty of such a tiny object like a ring.

But perhaps; it was really—

"W-We're in public, silly..." The small frame wiped his wet eyes with the back of his sleeve, sniffling with a blush as his gaze darted round the station.

Xander laughed, taking his hand. "Is that a yes?"

"You're so mean! You...you just wanted to embarrass me didn't you? Such a...a..."

There wasn't room for another word; for the space was filled with a very warm feeling that Chip hadn't felt in a very long time.

It wasn't far away, out of his grasp like it was before—but right here, beside him.

He could feel it;

As Xander slipped the ring onto his trembling fourth finger.

Xander's angel wondered if his other could feel the strong beat of his heart; hear it race with a start—

"Shit, my heart's beating so fast," The tall figure rose with a single nervous laugh, pulling his angel towards him for a warm embrace.

"That's...that's because this isn't good for the heart," Chip protested into Xander's chest, as he felt it shake from the low laughter.

"Really?"

"Un."

"Well then, I guess you'll be having a bad heart forever."

Chip blinked, and for some reason, both hearts couldn't seem to hear the applause that surrounded them in the station.

"What do you mean?"

"That I'll be here,

Beside you—

For...an annoyingly long time."

And with that, in this big, wide world—there were two tiny, somewhat insignificant existences that seemed to have found their way beyond existence.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Chip]

"Um, Xander? Where are we going?" I asked tentatively, trailing behind as I let him lead the way with my hand in his.

"Giselle's Art School. My father put her in the hostel before asking me to leave," He turned back, smiling reassuringly. "We'll pick her up and go home for today."

I felt my heart twist uneasily.

"H-Have you told your father then? About this—that you're not leaving?"

We arrived at the main road outside the train station, and Xander scanned the oncoming traffic for a taxi. "No, actually."

I raised my gaze to meet his—anxious.

"Why not? W-What if he gets mad?"

Xander laughed, leaning down to plant a chaste kiss on my forehead. "Don't worry Angel. He probably doesn't agree with anything I ever do, anyway."

"And besides," He went on—for once, warmth in his grey eyes that had seemed to stop raining—

"I didn't think that miracles existed.

But who knew?

There was you."

The heart stopped for a while, taking in the loving smile. I couldn't seem to feel the ground, for it was a strange thing to hear those words from the one you loved.

H-How can he say those things so easily?

And what were the chances that both of us gave Love not just a second chance, but a third, fourth—even fifth?

What is it—when one can live without them, and yet, choose not to?

What are the odds of choosing the path filled with pain and sorrow—when you can choose to be free?

And this is how I knew that the person in front of me;

Was perhaps the only one that had the strength to put his faith in this useless being that I was—that we'd go down the path, together, and maybe, just maybe;

It wouldn't be so painful after all.

"Scared?" He asked, glancing down at me as he flagged down an oncoming taxi.

I could see the slight worry in his eyes—that I might have my doubts, that I might not be as willing as he was.

But Xander was wrong.

"No. Not at all," I smiled, knowing that it was no lie.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Giselle didn't seem to believe her ears when she heard Xander's voice—and neither did she seem to believe them when she heard mine.

I think, for once, she wished that she could see. So that perhaps, she could confirm that this wasn't a figment of her imagination.

And if she could—if she had eyes—I was sure that they'd be brimming with hope that was larger than the world itself.

"Xandie? Chocolate Chip?" Her arms loosened from clutching her knees that she had brought close to her chest—something that she'd always do when she was uncomfortable.

"Yeah."

I didn't respond; for there was an ache in my chest as I felt her uncertainty and fear of the new environment. How lost she might have been at the orders of her father without Xander, thinking that she'd have to live alone in this place—

"How are you?" She asked, for that was what she had been taught at school—that this was how we should greet people. "Are you okay?"

And that questioned yielded an answer that, despite being painful to say, was in some sense the present truth.

Xander was silent, standing quite a distance apart with a sad smile traced on the edge of his lips.

"I-I'm good, Giselle," I smiled tentatively, reaching down to give her one of those warm cuddles she adored.

"Good is...good," Xander's sister nodded with a giggle. "I missed you and cupcakes."

I laughed small, feeling the heart soar.

"Okay! Let's go home and we can bake some cupcakes, alright?"

"Dokie okie," Giselle held on to my hand tightly—

As if afraid that I'd disappear.

.

"Chip!"

I turned at the familiar voice, surprised eyes meeting my sister's. "Gretel?"

"Oh gosh you look so tired! Did you receive my card? Happy Birthday!" She smiled, reaching over to give me a quick hug. "What's going on? I just got a call from the office that Giselle's not going to stay in the hostel anymore. Is she quitting school?"

My head spun slightly at the barrage of questions, but that was just how Gretel loved to greet others.

"Uwa slow down Gretel!" I protested, turning to check on Xander and Giselle who were in the General Office of the school, sorting out some documents.

"Well, um...it's a long story, but Giselle's not going to stay in the hostel anymore. I don't think she likes it there either..."

"Ah, I see. Well then, she'd still be going to school, wouldn't she?" Gretel asked hopefully. "A-Apparently she's not been paying her school fees. I was wondering if there was something amiss—she's...she's not going to quit, is she? She's got talent, that girl—"

"I...I'm not too sure either, Gretel," I played with my fingers uneasily, gaze lowering. "I think it's up to Xander and Giselle."

There was a growing darkness that ate at my heart; and I began to wonder what it was. Uncertainty? Of what?

The path ahead?

"If! If she can't pay the fees, I can always—"

"Uwa Gretel! I'm sorry, but I really, really don't know what's going on either," I fidgeted uncomfortably.

"A-All I know is that we have to trust Xander and Giselle. I'm sure they'll make the right decision—I...I have faith in them."

Gretel paused.

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she smiled. "Look at that; my little brother's all grown up."

I pouted. "H-Hey, just because we haven't seen each other in a long time doesn't mean that I haven't grown at all."

"I'm taller too," I made sure to add happily.

"...really?" Gretel frowned, and I gave her a look.

"But you know what? You're right. I shouldn't... shouldn't worry too much," She glanced towards the door of the office. Trust them huh? Guess I can do that."

"Just...just really worried about Giselle."

There was a certain warmth in her words; and it radiated a sincere glow.

"Hehe, thanks Gretel," I closed the distance to hug my sister. "You're a good teacher."

I reached over to put my arms around her—

"Ow—omg stop something's caught in my hair," Gretel yelped, reaching behind her head.

I felt a strange resistance on my ring finger; and that was when I noticed that my ring was caught in Gretel's long hair.

"U-Uwa! I'm so sorry," I hurried to entangle my ring from her hair carefully, knowing that Gretel was very particular about her appearance.

"What is it? How did you even—" Her eyes widened at the sight of the accessory. "Wait. What?"

My sister was silent.

"Uh—Chip, is that...what I...think..." Her gaze flitted between the door of the General Office and my hand; and then it clicked.

The sides of her lips curved—then widened into a full blown smile that resembled a creepy Cheshire cat's.

"O.M.G. Chippy. I can't beeeelieve it!" She giggled, unable to contain her excitement as she nudged me in the ribs.

"I SEE YOU GOT THE D!!"

This explains why we were getting so many strange glances.

This also explains why Gretel is Hansel's twin.

This also explains why Gretel doesn't know how to say things at the right time and right place.

Naturally, I felt the need to hide myself in a hole and never ever surface again—

Especially when Xander emerged from the Office, Giselle trailing behind, just in time to hear my sister's embarrassing exclamation.

The tall figure shrugged, a hint of a smirk on his lips, "Glad you approve."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was late by the time we arrived back home. Quiet; and slightly overwhelmed by the events of the day, I bid Xander and Giselle goodnight, tottering over to the apartment next door.

"Angel?"

I paused, strangely, unused to the name.

It seemed different;

Different from how he would usually say it.

"U-Um, yes?" Turning, I raised my gaze to meet his. How...how strange. He didn't look tired at all.

Xander unlocked the door for Giselle, then closed the distance between us.

Leaning down, he spoke beside my ear; as if there was a secret he didn't want anyone else to hear.

"I'll call you later?"

"Ah! Okay, I'll be, um...waiting," I finished lamely, feeling the tips of my ears grow hot.

Xander laughed lowly, his finger tracing the edge of my ear. "A-And stop that, it tickles!"

"Don't worry Angel, I'll make sure to do that more often."

My lips parted in shock, proceeding to give my best glare.

"Alright, that's enough teasing for today," His arms dropped to the side—and for some reason, I felt a dull sensation rise in my chest. "Rest well Angel."

Xander turned, making his way back to the unit beside mine.

H-He's going already?

Was it something that I said—

Then, he turned;

As if he had heard the unspoken voice of the heart.

Am I really—

"Come here," Arms opened, calling.

Am I really going?

His warmth drew, and I was drawn.

Towards the beat; of what?

Perhaps just the sound

Of his heart.

Are we really going—

To remain by each other's side forever?

This is happening, isn't it?

It's not one of my dreams again, is it?

.

The cold floor felt less welcomed than usual after a hot bath, and for some reason I simply felt like snuggling under the covers with a hot water bottle.

Drying myself and slipping on my favorite pajamas with cute cupcake prints on them, I flopped onto the fluffy pillows—grabbing my phone from the bedside table.

"Oh, a text," I blinked, speaking to myself. Unlocking the screen, I realized, once again, that I had yet to change the wallpaper. Xander's full-glory abs were in complete view.

Fortunately, there was no one to see how red my cheeks were at that point of time.

Well you could always change the wallpaper you dummy, my brain chided.

Yes, but after looking at the text...? My heart asked hopefully.

You always say that! I swear, you're never going to change it.

O-Okay okay, I'll do it now...but what if the text is from Xander? I'll just check to make—it is! It's from Xander!

...I give up.

______________________

[22:11] Your Mortal:

Subject: Hey

Can I call you? Just to check if you're okay. You looked very tired.

______________________

My heart beat slightly faster; and slightly stronger.

At the same time, I wasn't exactly in the right state to have Xander's voice beside my ear.

_______________________

[22:12] To: Your Mortal

Subject: Uwa

Nu

________________________

His reply was almost immediate.

________________________

[22:13] Your Mortal:

Subject: :(

Why not Angel?

________________________

[22:14] To: Your Mortal

Subject: Uwa

Cuz your voice sounds really low on the phone! /.\

Not good for the heart.

Plus, it's beside my ear!

So, no

_________________________

Placing my phone on the bedside table, I couldn't help but wonder what the strange bubbling emotion that resided within my chest was.

I felt restless—despite my efforts to contain the smile on my face, it was turning out to be quite a flop. I resorted to rolling on the bed, hoping that it'd get rid of the bubbles in my heart.

It felt like an urge to squeal.

________________________

[22:16] Your Mortal:

Subject: Great, now I'm horny.

You've got a point.

_________________________

The moment my eyes glanced at the subject title, I hid my face in the pillows—taking quite some time to recover.

_________________________

[22:17] To: Your Mortal

Subject: ???

!!!

__________________________

[22:18] Your Mortal:

Subject: You are not helping

That aside Angel, I wanted to ask if you'd like to move in with me. ;)

We can move somewhere nearer to the bakery. Less trouble you know?

___________________________

I blinked.

Move...?

That's pretty sudden...

Then, I caught myself. It's not as if we've never lived together before. Is it really that sudden?

____________________________

[22:20] To: Your Mortal

Subject: /.\

Xander are you free to talk at the balcony? >_ I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I really missed Chip and Xander.

On another note, I'll try my best to update the rest of my books soon ^^ I've got a couple of days to do so, anyway. Hope you'll look out for it! ^0^/

Thank you so much for your support in this series, and coming with me on this journey once more. It means more than the world for this tiny cupcake over here.

Thank you.

-Cuppiecake.