The restaurant is crowded when Y/N arrives, people already starting to finish work and meet for dinner.

"I've got a table booked for two, under the name Y/F/N."

The hostess smiles as she retrieves three menus from beneath the podium.

"Welcome to Jihwaja, will your guest be joining us shortly?"

"Yes, she's just running late." YN responds as she fiddles nervously with the strap of her bag.

What if Kiko doesn't come?

"I'll show you to your table, if you'll please follow me."

Y/N gives a nod, trailing after the older woman as she heads through the busier section of the restaurant.

"I hope this table is to your satisfaction, I'll give you a few minutes to peruse the wine menu."

"I'll be good with just water thanks." Y/N smiles as she removes her jacket, happy to be seated towards the back where it wasn't as crowded.

"Bottled or tap?"

"Bottled please."

"Still or sparkling?"

"Still please." Y/N drapes her jacket over the back of her chair.

"Ice and lemon?" The hostess sets down both menus as Y/N gets settled in her seat.

"Yes please."

"Okay, I'll be right back with your water."

Y/N thanks the older woman, letting out a sigh when she's finally alone.

She was honestly surprised to get a response from Kiko.

It was about a week after she sent the message when her friend replied, just a simple....

I miss you too. How about dinner next week, Friday at Jihwaja....book the table for five?

Y/N was obviously relieved to hear from Kiko, she missed her desperately and wanted to get their relationship back to normal but what if Kiko didn't want that?

What if Kiko wanted to meet only to tell Y/N things couldn't go back to the way they used to be.

It would break her heart.

Y/N replied with a....

Sure! I'll book the table now, see you Friday!

Kiko never replied.

Then just as Y/N arrived at the restaurant....

Running late, get seated and I'll be there asap.

So here she was, nervously waiting to see if Kiko would actually show up.

That wasn't the only thing making her feel nervous either.

Y/N was so happy about her pregnancy but after telling Taehyung a week ago things since had been a little tense and it wasn't just Taehyung who was feeling that way.

She was too.

It just happened so fast and wasn't planned either, the two had only been living together for just over two months and had only been a couple for nearly a year.

At first it came as a shock, then over time the happiness and excitement kicked in but then when the two sat down a few days ago to discuss living arrangements and finances the reality hit them both.

Like a fucking truck.

They were going to be parents.

Things weren't going to be the same once the baby arrived, there would be things they've always wanted to do placed on the back-burner as their child would rightly so take priority.

This would also mean less time for them to do things they enjoy as a couple....what if their relationship changes because of this? What if they start to resent each other or grow distant?

Taehyung was trying his best to deal with the tension, always smiling and showering her with love and endless amounts of support but she could see he was struggling too.

They would need to sit down and talk about this eventually.

But one thing at a time, first she will deal with Kiko then Taehyung.

It was during her inner monologue that a young waiter approached the table, he flashed her a dazzling smile.

"Afternoon, how are you doing today?"

"Great thanks, yourself?" Y/N never was the type to exchange pleasantries, socially awkward to the core but she was starting to improve.

"I'm very well thank you." His smile widens, hand holding the tray lowering as he reaches for the glass.

"One still water with ice and lemon?"

"Yes."

Y/N thanks the waiter as he sets down the sealed bottle of water and glass of ice with lemon, the younger man then asking if she needs anything else.

"I'm good thanks, just waiting for my friend before ordering food."

"Of course." He gives a nod before approaching another table and Y/N feels herself relax again.

It was almost fifteen minutes after the time they originally agreed to meet and Y/N was starting to lose hope.

Maybe Kiko had changed her mind?

Maybe this was too early for them to meet?

What if Kiko wasn't over what happened?

Y/N pulled the chilled bottle of water closer, twisting the cap and filling her glass.

She needed to do something....anything to keep herself calm and focused.

It was after her fourth sip of water, when another five minutes had passed that Kiko arrived at their table.

"Hey." Y/N shot up, eyes nervously falling across Kiko as she removed her coat.

"Hey back, why are you so nervous?" The older woman chuckled, cocking a brow playfully as she sat opposite.

"I guess....well.....wasn't really sure what to expect, it's been six months." Y/N sits back down, smiling as Kiko takes her hands.

"Is this okay?" She asks, tone cautious.

"It's okay." Y/N replies, entwining their fingers.

"First I need to say sorry....sorry for taking so long to finally meet with you."

"You don't need to be sorry for anything, you needed time to get over everything and besides....it should be me saying sorry. I promised not to contact you, said I would wait for you to reach out to me but then I had a weak moment and sent that message."

Kiko chuckles, eyes fond as she gently squeezes Y/N's hands.

"It's okay, wanted to contact you for weeks now but just couldn't find the courage....you did what I couldn't."

"So, how are you?" Y/N asks, heart racing.

Please don't say we can't go back to normal.

"I wasn't good, for a long time everything sort of.....dragged me down. I was angry at myself for confessing, disappointed at myself for that moment of weakness....then I was heartbroken over the rejection even though I knew that was the way it was going to go." Kiko pauses, takes a moment to gather her thoughts.

"I went back to Japan, stayed there with my family for four months and did a lot of soul searching and plenty of self reflection. I missed you, missed you so much but knew that I wasn't ready to be part of your life just yet. Then I came back home, spent the next two months getting myself back to work and picking up a more healthy routine. It was about three weeks ago when I knew something had shifted, that it was time to see you again and try to build our friendship back up to what it was."

"What shifted? What made you decide to try again?" Y/N asks.

"I met someone in Japan, a friend of my mother actually." Kiko smiles.

"I honestly feel like I don't deserve her, she's been so patient with me. I finally said yes, poor thing has been asking me to have dinner with her since we met and I kept saying I wasn't ready but then eventually three weeks ago when she asked me again....I said yes."

"I'm so happy for you Ki, you truly deserve this....you deserve to be happy and to have someone care for you. I hope one day you'll introduce us, that we can maybe all have dinner together....Taehyung too." Y/N hopes that mentioning Taehyung won't sour the atmosphere, that's the last thing she wants especially after waiting six months to see her friend again.

"Y/N it's fine, you can mention Taehyung." Kiko chuckles, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Speaking of Taehyung, how is everything with you guys?"

Y/N smiles, takes a deep breath and then tells Kiko everything.

Finally getting her tattoo (even the part where she freaked out and locked herself in the bathroom)

The exhibition, Taehyung's dedication to her (how she cried after, how Taehyung did too)

The weekend with his family (even the weird ghostly encounter that she still hasn't told Taehyung about)

Finally getting herself a job.

Moving in with Taehyung.

Finally feeling more like her old self, finally feeling happy.

Kiko smiles through it all, even sheds a tear or two.

"I missed so much, sorry that I wasn't there."

"Don't you dare be sorry, there's nothing to be sorry for. This isn't just about me Ki, this is about you too. It's not your job to constantly take care of me, you did that for years after the accident. Think of it like this....you split the job with Tae." Y/N smiles.

"You were there to help me start the healing process, Tae was there to help me finish it....the two most important people in my life."

The two women smile, eyes glassy.

"Fuck off, stop making me all emotional and shit." Kiko laughs as she pours herself another glass of wine.

"So what about you? What did you do in Japan besides self reflection and soul searching?"

"I spent time with my family, they infuriate me at times but they're a good distraction." Kiko pauses, swallowing the last mouthful of her steak. "I walked....walked most days actually. I took my camera with me, got some nice shots. I worked on some designs, kept in touch with my assistant manager at the store to make sure everything was running as it should. I also spent lots of time with Ichika, just talking."

"So Ichika is the one you finally agreed to dinner with?"

"Yeah, she's older and so fucking feisty....perfect for me really."

The two laugh, atmosphere now much lighter as they order dessert and the waiter from earlier clears their plates.

"So, why haven't you told me that you're pregnant yet?"

Y/N freezes.

How did she know?

She wasn't going to mention anything yet, it felt selfish to do so.

"I....how did you know? I wasn't going to mention anything yet, wanted to take things one step at a time."

Kiko laughs.

"Y/N, you're my best friend....I know everything about you. Didn't you think I would find it strange that you're not drinking wine with me? That you've got this weird glow going on?"

"I have a weird glow?" Y/N chuckles, that was a first.

"Yeah, you look all radiant and shit."

The two laugh again.

"Well...you're right. I found out last week, told Tae the day after. It wasn't planned, definitely took us by surprise and the last few days there's been some tension but we're happy and we both want this."

"So what's with the tension?"

"I can't speak for Tae but for me personally.....I'm scared I guess. It's only been two months since we moved in together and now we're having our first child together....guess I'm scared of what it'll do to our relationship, to what it'll do to our healing process."

Kiko nods in understanding.

"I know it's happened pretty fast but then....that's just how you and Taehyung are. I mean, you were pretty much besotted with each other from the very first meeting and everything since then was quick to follow. I mean....even planned having a kid is a scary process, you're not the only woman or couple for that matter to have doubts and insecurities but you love each other and I have no doubt you will work through this and be fine. Just talk to him, be open and honest about how you're feeling."

Y/N smiles, she's right...of course she's right.

"I've missed this, I've missed you." Y/N breathes out.

"Ditto."

Kiko is back.

They're okay.

Now all she needs to do is talk with Tae.

((Another update! Plenty more coming for Siren and my other books over the next few days, really want to get things moving. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, Kiko is back! How did you guys think it went? Is Kiko truly okay? Are we ready to see how Taehyung is dealing with Y/N's pregnancy in the next chapter? Only four more to go before Siren is over 😭 I am going to miss these guys so much but we do have Jungkook's spin off! I will also be adding sweet bonus chapters to Siren on occasion especially for you guys. Hit that star button if you enjoyed and please leave your thoughts. I love you guys, hope you're all safe and well, please don't think I don't appreciate or read your comments, I always do! I just don't always get chance to reply but will try harder 💜💜))