Coming home was sweeter than Lina remembered.
Kai waited at the airport, holding flowers—her favorites, peonies. When she emerged through arrivals, his whole face lit up.
"Welcome home, Mrs. Kang."
She ran to him, dropping her bags, not caring who watched. He caught her, held her, kissed her like they'd been apart for years instead of weeks.
"I missed you," she breathed. "So much."
"I missed you more. Checked the calendar every day. Crossed off each one like a prisoner marking time."
She laughed. "That's dramatic."
"You inspire drama."
The first night home was perfect.
They ordered takeout, caught up on shows she'd missed, fell asleep tangled together. Lina woke in the middle of the night and just watched him—the rise and fall of his chest, the softness of his sleeping face.
"Thank you," she whispered to whoever might be listening. "Thank you for bringing me back to him."
Kai stirred, mumbling her name.
"Go back to sleep," she whispered. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
He smiled in his sleep, pulling her closer.
The next morning, they talked about the future.
"I've been thinking," Lina said over coffee. "About what's next. For us."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Sounds serious."
"Not serious. Just... next." She took a breath. "I want to try. For a baby. If you're ready."
Kai's expression shifted—surprise, joy, wonder. "You mean that?"
"I've been thinking about it for months. On tour, alone in hotel rooms, I kept imagining what it would be like. You and me and a little one." She smiled nervously. "I know it's soon. We've only been married a year. But we've waited so long already. And I don't want to wait anymore."
Kai came around the table, pulling her to her feet.
"Lina." His voice was rough. "I've wanted this since I was seventeen years old. Wanted you, wanted a family with you, wanted everything. If you're ready, I'm ready."
She kissed him, tears on her cheeks.
"Let's do this," she whispered. "Let's make a family."