Yoongi gently coaxed me off the floor and into a seat at the table. While the others excitedly chattered about his romantic surprise arrival, his attention remained solely on me.

"Why was my beautiful girlfriend crying? Did you miss me that much?" he asked, his voice laced with a playful smile.

I mumbled something into his chest, refusing to pull away. My head moved with the soft vibrations of Yoongi's laughter. He slid his hand into my hair, his thumb resting gently on my jaw as he tilted my face upward to meet his gaze.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you from how deep you're trying to burrow into me."

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I met his eyes. "They were bittersweet tears, Baby. I was overwhelmed with joy because, for the first time, I was about to experience a Christmas lunch like the ones I've always dreamed of—the ones you see in movies. I've never had a proper roast turkey, and my Christmases have always been quiet. They've always just been me and maybe a few others."

I glanced at him, hoping he understood without me having to mention Grandpa Red, Seokjin, or Louisa. Yoongi's slight nod told me he did.

"But at the same time," I continued with a sigh, "I felt a deep sadness because you weren't there with me. You were stuck in Europe, and every time I thought you'd be coming home, something else went wrong."

Just as Yoongi was about to respond, a loud, "What?!" echoed from the end of the table. Wooyoung stood frozen, his knife hovering over the turkey as he stared at me in disbelief, horror, and sadness. "This is your first-ever Christmas turkey?" He turned to Yeosang, glaring. "Why didn't you tell me it was her first proper Christmas lunch? I would have gone all out to make this the best Christmas ever instead of just this ordinary bird!"

A chorus of "Hey!" rang out around the table. Though my friends tried to look annoyed that Wooyoung hadn't put in more effort, their fake annoyance quickly melted into laughter.

"Ah, you guys know what I meant," Woo laughed, returning to carve the turkey.

"Woo, I would have been happy with a PB&J and a Dr Pepper," I teased through the occasional sniffle.

"Not that I'm complaining, bro," Jimin said, adding another setting to the table for Yoongi, "but I didn't think you'd make it back in time."

Yoongi gave my arm a reassuring pat, and once I disentangled myself from him, he stood up. As he moved around the room, hugging family and friends, he shared how he had managed to persuade the other CEO to fly him back on their company's private jet.

Leilani eased herself into the seat Yoongi had just vacated, groaning as she adjusted her large belly. It was hard to believe she had a little under two months left in her pregnancy. "You doing okay, Bon?" she asked, her smile warm as she watched her husband and my boyfriend bicker over how to carve the turkey.

"Yeah, I am now," I replied, finally feeling like I could breathe easily for the first time since Yoongi left for business.

"Have you told him yet?" I looked at Leilani, puzzled by her question. Part of me hoped she hadn't figured out my secret, but when she leaned in and whispered, "You know, how you're in love with him," I let out a relieved sigh.

Leilani had always been the perceptive one in our group. Despite her loud demeanour, she had a knack for observing those around her. It didn't surprise me that she'd noticed the shift from my initial feelings for Yoongi to knowing I was in love with him. I had only come to this realisation myself a week ago when I was overwhelmed by how much I missed him.

"Not yet," I replied. I was about to say more but sealed my lips when Yoongi draped his arms over my shoulders and pressed a soft kiss on my head.

"How's bub doing?" he asked Leilani, reaching over to grab my glass of red wine. "Has Woo managed to break you down about finding out the baby's gender yet?"

Leilani laughed, shaking her head. "He tries all the time, but after all these years of marriage, I'm immune to his pout." She gently caressed her belly. "The baby's doing well. I'm so ready for it to stop using my bladder as a punching bag."

"That's not on your list, Beautiful," Yoongi teased, taking a sip of my wine. I tensed, hoping Leilani hadn't caught his comment.

"What list?" she asked, intrigued.

Yoongi's body stiffened, his arm tightening around my waist as he realised what he'd just said. My heart pounded with nervousness as I looked at Leilani. "Umm... my list of reasons for not wanting children," I murmured.

I sent a silent prayer to every deity, hoping she wouldn't react like others had in the past. I didn't want her to become defensive or to distance herself from me like I'd experienced before. Instead of being offended, Leilani burst into laughter.

"Baby," she called out, her voice carrying over to Wooyoung. "How many reasons did it take to convince me to keep trying for a baby when I wanted to give up?"

Wooyoung looked at his wife with evident affection. "I don't know about the number of reasons, but it took me about four years of pleading."

I looked at Leilani, understanding she had been in a similar place once. "After my third miscarriage, I couldn't bear the thought of all the countless negative tests and losing more babies," she admitted. "So, I decided I didn't want to have kids."

Wooyoung set down the carving knife and fork, came around the table and wrapped his arms around his wife. His hands lovingly rested on her growing belly. Seeing them together, I couldn't imagine a couple more deserving of becoming parents.

"I would never tell her what to do," he said, glancing at me before looking back over his wife's shoulder to where his hands rested on her belly. "But I knew in my heart that if we didn't try one last time, it would be something she would always regret. Just like you, my Lei-Lei had a list of reasons why she didn't want to try again and why she thought kids weren't in our future." He placed a tender kiss on her temple, and the way she nestled into him was heartwarming. "I would never have left her if she had decided she couldn't handle any more miscarriages. But looking at our little miracle growing inside her, I'm so grateful I was able to convince her to try again."

"Woo, as much as I'm enjoying the tales of your impending fatherhood, could you hurry up and finish carving the turkey?" San said with a playful hint of frustration. "We're starving, and I'm worried Jongho is going to eat someone if we don't feed him soon!"

♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸🖤¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

"Merry Christmas, baby," I whispered in my most sultry tone, my breath brushing against his ear. My arm slid around his neck, pulling him closer with a gentle but insistent pressure. Our lips met in a deep, lingering kiss that left us both breathless.

When we finally pulled apart, I looked up at him with a smile, my heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you for the beautiful locket," I murmured, my fingers lightly tracing its intricate design. Carefully, I slid my nail under the clasp and opened it. Inside was a tiny photograph of us. We were forever frozen in time with our lips locked in a passionate kiss. On the other side, our initials were delicately engraved, separated by a small heart.

"You're welcome, Angel," he whispered, his lips brushing softly against mine. "It looks perfect on you. Just like I know the lingerie you bought for me to enjoy will look breathtaking on your body." His gaze swept over me as if he was imagining the sight and a low, hungry growl escaped him. "I can't wait to tear it all off you. And that book of vouchers you made? I'm so glad I didn't open my gift at the party. I don't think anyone would want to see my raging erection from picturing everything I am going to do to you."

Every part of me savoured being alone with Yoongi, together for the first time in over three weeks. While I'd thoroughly enjoyed my first real Christmas celebration, all I'd craved since he came home was to be wrapped in my boyfriend's arms. Now, sitting on his couch in the soft glow of candlelight and the moonlight streaming through the windows, it felt like we were in our own little world. The lights of Diamond Head sparkled in the distance and the moon's reflection shimmered on the ocean, adding a magical serenity to the night. I leaned into Yoongi, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.

Everything about this evening felt perfect—romantic and special. It was just the two of us with nothing to disrupt the quiet intensity of our connection. As we kissed, what began as pure and unrestrained desire gradually transformed into something deeper, something that enveloped us completely.

Between tender kisses on my jaw and neck, he murmured, "I can't begin to describe how much I missed you, Angel."

Each word was a soft caress against my skin, making my heart race with every delicate touch. The gentle brush of his lips, the teasing nips of his teeth, and the occasional sting of his marks blended into a sensual symphony that left me breathless and trembling. I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging. It was as though our connection reignited with every touch and whispered word.

"I missed you more, Yoongi," I all but moaned as he nibbled on my earlobe.

Yoongi pulled away from my neck, taking a deep breath. His eyes softened as he gazed at me with a tenderness that made me feel like the most cherished person in the world. At that moment, it felt as though I was the centre of his universe. His look held an unspoken promise of endless love and adoration.

"I guarantee that's not possible, Beautiful," he said, his voice rich with warmth and sincerity. "I missed the way your laughter lights up a room and how you always know exactly what to say to make everything better. I missed the magic you bring to the most ordinary moments, the way you curl up next to me on the couch, and the gentle touch you give my arm when you're excited or anxious. I missed the sparkle in your eyes when you talk about something you're passionate about. I missed the comfort of your presence, the soothing sound of your voice when you call my name, and the simple joy of just being with you.

"But most of all," he continued, his gaze growing even softer, "I missed the way you make me feel. You have this incredible ability to turn everything into something special, just by being yourself. Every moment apart made me realise that my world is infinitely brighter with you in it."

By now, tears of joy were streaming down my face. No one had ever spoken to me like this before. Yoongi's thumbs gently brushed away my tears as he lifted my chin, ensuring I met his gaze. The breath I had been holding slipped away when he whispered, "I love you, Chloe Harlowe."

As his words settled in, my heart swelled in a way I had never known before. Every wall I had carefully built to protect myself from being hurt or used began to crumble, leaving me vulnerable yet secure in Yoongi's presence. When I was with Taehyung, I thought I understood love; but now, with Yoongi, I realised I had only been chasing shadows. What I felt for Tae wasn't love—it was a mirage, a reflection of the image he projected from the moment we met. But Yoongi... he was real. He truly saw me and he loved me for who I was, imperfections and all.

"I love you too, Yoongi," I whispered, my voice trembling under the weight of the truth. I gently brushed my fingers along his cheek, my gaze softening as I met his eyes. "I never really felt like I belonged anywhere and since coming to Hawaii, I know why. You're my home, Yoongi Min. Every time you smile, every time you hold me—it feels like this is where I've always meant to be. I never thought I could feel this way... like I've found the other half of my soul."

Tears welled up in my eyes, not from sadness but from the overwhelming warmth in my chest. "I'm so grateful and proud to be your girlfriend. Loving you is like breathing. It's effortless and natural, and it fills me with life. I know that whatever happens in our future, it will be okay because we'll face it together. You're all I'll ever need."

I finally understood the true meaning of the phrase, 'Home is where the heart is.' My home would forever be wherever Yoongi was, with my heart nestled safely beside his, and his entwined with mine.