The Perfect Happy Marriage (probably!)

by Ulquiorra9000

Epilogue

"You did it? For sure? You did?"

Ichigo couldn't help pestering Renji with questions on the day after his bed and breakfast trip as they headed back to Ichigo's house from Isshin's place. Evening light bathed the crowded sidewalks and a taxi motored past on the street.

"Yes, I already said I did," Renji said, amused, hands in his gigai's pants pockets. He clearly meant to sound off-handed, but Ichigo could sense his glee. "It worked out fine."

Ichigo did his best to give Renji a bro-hug while walking. "This is great, Renji. I wish I had been there. She must be pretty stoked, man."

Renji grinned. "Stoked? Carrot top, I proposed to a Kuchiki! They like to act cool and lofty, but their emotions run red-hot. Rukia was blubbering with joy harder than you are!" He chuckled.

Ichigo nodded. "How did Byakuya take it?"

"I'll never fully figure out the Captain's mind," Renji admitted as they rounded a corner, "but I like to think that his stoic expression was hiding pride and happiness for his sister-in-law's future. And mine."

Ichigo clapped Renji firmly on the back. "Yeah, you keep on thinking that."

Renji made a face. "Ichigo...!"

"Just messing with you, man. Okay, here's my place."

Ichigo stopped at his front step. "So, uh... got any more business here in the living world?"

Renji shook his head. "Not for a while. I might drop by someday to see how you and Candice are doing, but other than that... we've got wedding prep to do. Gonna be a real handful."

"I hope Giselle doesn't try to crash it."

"Don't sweat it, Ginrei and Byakuya Kuchiki has an airtight security system." Renji hesitated. "But I might feel generous later and invite her anyway. With double supervision."

Ichigo laughed. "You'll need it. See you another time. And seriously... congrats."

Renji merely gave Ichigo a tight grin and whipped up a senkaimon gate. He stepped through.

Man, we're all growin' up, aren't we? Ichigo shrugged and unlocked his front door, and stepped inside.

"Finally!" Candice waltzed over from the TV, which was on a cooking channel (once again starring Gordon Ramsay). She wrapped her arms around Ichigo and gave him a welcoming kiss on the cheek. "Did you have a good time visiting your dad and sisters?"

"Yeah, I did," Ichigo said casually, once Candice let go of him. Seeing that cooking channel... it solidified a few thoughts in his mind. He took a deep breath. "Hey, um... Candice?"

Candice smiled. "Yeah?"

"That bed and breakfast trip... it was chaos, wasn't it?"

Candice nodded. "Sorry about Gigi. She never listens to me."

Ichigo felt his heart race and he tried not to fidget. "It's not her. Look... I really did have a good time back at the inn, and when we finally got some time to ourselves in our room, I realized... we don't need some big flashy show to prove our marriage's worth." He took hold of his wife's shoulders. "I think it's just the everyday moments together that make it worth it. When we slack off and lay in bed together in the morning, or make a messy breakfast, or watch a cooking channel, or window shop, or whatever else... that's all I want. It's perfect."

Candice's smile widened and she went pink. "I-I think you're right, darling. I do like sharing all those moments with you. Especially when my crazy friends don't nose in."

Ichigo gently squeezed Candice's shoulders. "All we have to do is stop and listen, and appreciate what we have. Like they say, the simplest solution is the best."

"Very smart, darling!"

"Thanks." Ichigo took another deep breath. "It helped me realize that I love you."

Candice's eyes widened. "Ichigo, you -?"

Ichigo leaned forward and kissed his wife long and deep. "I love you, Candice, and I can't wait to see where our marriage takes us. It'll be fun."

"Y-yeah." Candice smiled and fidgeted. "I've waited to hear you say that, Ichigo. Best day ever!"

Ichigo chucklled and smiled back. "It sure is."

"Ichigo, I love you more every day, you know," Candice breathed into his ear. "Will you love me more tomorrow?"

"I will."

"And the day after that?"

"Yeah."

"And way into the future?"

Ichigo kissed her again. "I will." What he was feeling... it wasn't spontaneous, erotic lust like he and Candice had done during their dating period. It was... deeper, something self-assured and bright, something honest. Something he'd never let go of. And he felt the same thing radiate off of Candice, every bit of her.

Ichigo hesitated for just a second, then decided, yeah, this was the time. He took Candice's hand in his and led her back to their room, where he gently shut and locked the door.

Ichigo didn't say a word, nor did he have to, as he resumed his deep, hot kiss with his wife as he tore off all his clothes and scattered them on the floor. Getting the idea, Candice fumbled to get her own clothes off, her blouse, skirt, and lingerie falling to the floor in no time. Then, Candice lay flat on her back on the bedcovers, her legs wrapped around her husband's waist, their skin already slick with sweat, their breaths coming in heavy gasps.

"D'you think..." Candice swallowed. "Aren't your roommates coming back soon? They're usually around by now..."

"Don't worry about them, hon." Ichigo traced a line of kisses down his wife's neck, his nude body quivering with excitement as he gently lowered himself on Candice. "As far as I'm concerned -"

"Yeah," Candice sighed, catching on. "We have all the time in the world."

The end!