5 Years Later

       "Well um..." Kristopher cleared his throat before releasing a deep chuckle. "It kinda took a while for her to finally say yes. But um... ah. She said yes." He grinned enthusiastically upon side-hugging his new fiancée. "We're finally getting married."

      Reporters immediately proceeded with their questions as soon as he finished his statement. Multiple voices mixed with the clicking sounds of the cameras, resulting to a rather noisy kerfuffle. "How did you propose to Miss Jennings?"

     He couldn't help but laugh internally at that question. How did he propose? Well, that took a lot of time and effort. Daniella was such a tease. He actually proposed a year ago already, and he asked her the same question every single day since then. And every time, she would just stick her tongue out goofily and wink at him. Like he said. She was the biggest tease ever.

       "Let's just say... in many ways possible."

     Dozens of questions followed after that, but one reporter's question stood out from the rest and that was the last question the couple answered. "What are your plans after the wedding?"

     Daniella smiled sweetly at Kristopher and replied for the both of them. They had to end this interview already or else they'd miss their flight. "Tops is gonna take a break from show biz and we're going to have a long vacation. You know, visit some old friends, catch up and stuff."

       "What about Daniel Curtis? Nobody's had news about him right after his wedding. Where is he and his wife hiding and what are they up to? How are they?" a persistent young reporter managed to squeeze out from the rumbling noise.

     Kristopher and Daniella just looked at each other and laughed, choosing not to reply. Marking that gesture as their conclusion, they pushed their way through the crowded airport as their personal bodyguards led them towards their plane.

       "Aaw! They finally announced their engagement!" Ella squealed in delight as she watched her best friends' live interview on the news. She was currently sitting on the floor, feeling giddy and excited about the two of them. Chie appeared from behind and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her shoulder as he hugged her even tighter.

       "Yeah, so when are we gonna announce ours?" he quipped.

     They were currently at Chie's new house. He decided to move in America to expand their business and strengthen their partnership with the Curtis Corporation but the real reason was to be with Ella. Everybody knew that despite how many times he reasoned out.

     She flicked his arm and scrunched her nose. "After theirs of course. We don't want to steal the spot light from those two airheads now do we?"

     Chie playfully groaned as he placed his girlfriend between his knees, minimizing their distance. "Mari and Sean might beat us to it though."

       "What's the rush?" Ella laughed. "It'd be great if we could have the wedding at the same time as theirs. Isn't that just romantic?"

       "Hell no," he mockingly shivered from disgust, but then chortled right after. "I mean, my sister's alright, but Sean? Your ex? Isn't that like awkward?"

     She broke into a fit of giggles as she turned around to face his chest, gently hitting it repeatedly. "Chie, Sean and I worked things out years ago already. Both of us moved on and found the right persons for us. I'm guessing you're just jealous?" she teased.

     He snorted and scoffed at the same time, earning him a smug look from Ella. "Me? Jealous? You kidding?"

     Ella planted a small kiss on his nose before lying down comfortably on his chest. "You're cute. Ah, I really miss Tina and Anne. It's been a while since we've last seen each other." She reminisced their childish and utterly unbelievable high school days. She was missing it all.

       "Then," Chie snuggled from behind. "Wanna go and find out what everyone's been up to?"

     Meanwhile at London, Mari was busy designing new clothes for her wardrobe. Drawing sketches of dresses and blouses became her hobby, and she even got to make a living out of it. Since she was quite popular and her sketches impressed the best fashion designers, she got the opportunity to make her own clothing line. Her designs always became the latest fashion trends but she still treated it as a hobby anyway.

      Hearing a small sound from her laptop, she stopped working immediately and checked her email. She smiled up to her ears when she saw that it was from her annoying twin brother, Anne and Ella. Reading it quickly, she jumped from her room and dashed downstairs to where her boyfriend was resting.

       "Sean!" she squealed. "I got an email from Annie and the gang!" she jumped on the couch beside him and bounced up and down like a small child. Sean chuckled amusingly.

       "What did they say?"

     Richard actually gave Sean a high-ranking position in their business a few years ago. He finally realized his goals in life and grew into a fine young man, the complete opposite of the kid everybody knew back in high school. He was now currently living in London with Mari.

     She hugged him tight as she spilled the exciting news. "We're flying back to America next week for a reunion! I can't wait to see everybody again!"

.........................................................................................

     Daniel and Kristina already settled down in Daniel's old house. Three months after their wedding five years ago, he had already resumed his work as the CEO of the Curtis Corporation's main branch here in this country. Jonathan decided to stay in London and handle their company there, get things organized before he retires and finally pass down the business to his son.

     Daniel was financially capable, too capable, to support their daily needs. After all, he was already used to this type of work. Even though the situation was like that, his oh-so-lovely wife still hated being a housewife. Knowing her personality, she hated to be useless.

     Leaving him no choice since she kept going on and on about it and he couldn't say no, he gave her a position in his company. A high position no less— she was given the title as the Vice-President of the Curtis Corporation. It didn't take long to train her since she seemed to be so enthusiastic about her job, and they got to spend most of the time together as well seeing that they shared the same office.

     So much has happened over the last five years. Despite all the pointless arguments and childish name-callings (they stuck with Butthead and Poopy), they were happy.

     From across the living room, parallel to the kitchen, soft mumbles could be heard. Those inaudible sounds undoubtedly belonged to those two.

     She whimpered as a soft moan released from her lips. "Daniel..."

     He grunted. "Do you still want to continue?" his voice sounded low and husky. "If you can't take it, when can still do this another time."

     Kristina shook her head vigorously as she pulled his shirt. "No! I want to do this now! Teach me how to do this properly, please?"

     He ran a hand through his hair before sighing helplessly. "Why are you in such a hurry? We have all the time in the world to do this."

       "I want to learn." She said simply and honestly. "You're the one always doing it; I want to do it too."

     Daniel snorted when a small blush crept into her cheeks. She cleared her throat before mumbling under her breath. "Besides... you got me excited as soon as we started."

     He cupped her cheeks and pushed the loose strands of hair away from her face and tucked them gently behind her ear. He smiled as he saw the hopeful look in her eyes. He really couldn't say no to this girl. Pressing his lips unto her forehead, he sighed again before releasing her from his embrace.

       "Fine," he said. "We'll start over."

     He took the pan from the stove and scraped the most dangerous-looking piece of meat man has ever seen (courtesy of Kristina's awesome cooking skills) and threw it to the trash. Taking a new frying pan from the cabinet, since the one they used earlier looked too sad to use now, he placed it on the electric stove once again and turned on the heat.

     "I keep telling you to adjust the temperature and flip the meat when the edges are golden brown," he said. He pressed a few buttons and showed his wife for the nth time on what to do. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he was teaching her how to cook, not what you all dirty-minded people were thinking.

     Kristina groaned as she tightened the knot on her apron. "Why can't I even do something as simple as that? It's the meat that's refusing to be cooked by me, I tell you. I'm not that stupid in cooking."

     He laughed softly as he sprayed non-stick oil all over the pan. "Just keep practicing. You'll get it."

     After another hour of teaching her the most basic techniques of cooking meat, she actually got it right. Well, a fraction of the meat looked edible enough to eat and not kill a person but she was improving.

     She put aside the horrible dish and decided to try again tomorrow since she was already exhausted. As she untied her ponytail, releasing waves of dark brown hair and settling them over her shoulders, she noticed Daniel pull out his phone. She knew what he was doing. Whenever he took out his phone, it was either related to work, or Chie was annoying him again.

       "Hey," she called out to him. You're almost late for work. Technically, I am too." She said as she glanced at her wrist watch. "We should get going."

     Daniel turned around and lazily shrugged his shoulders. She cocked him a brow. "I'm not going to work today."

      "Why not? Should I go in your place?" she suggested. She was thinking that he was probably burned out or something, and needed to rest for a bit. She was the one usually covering for him. All the employees in their company respected her just as much as they respected Daniel, and that was not just because she was his wife, but because of her personality and leadership.

       "No," he replied. "I left James in charge. For the whole day today, we get to do anything we want."

       "Right," Kristina smirked at him as he slowly closed the distance between them. "Are you even allowed to do that? Slacking off. What a useless butthead."

       "Of course," he grinned mischievously, holding the back of her waist and pulling her closer to him. "I'm the boss aren't I?"

     She took a small breath before gazing into his eyes again. God, was she really married to this man? It seemed like it was just yesterday when they were still bickering about some things in their school rooftop. Time sure flew fast.

     Daniel poked his nose on her own and flashed quite an attractive smile that Kristina couldn't help but compete with by showing off her radiant smile as well. "So what do you want to do now?"

     She teasingly smiled, already knowing where he was going with this. "I don't know. Eat?"

     "Alright." The smile on his face just got wider as he gently pushed the back of her head and helped himself with her lips. His hand trailed up to her cheek as they continued kissing like they couldn't get enough.

     He felt her smile in-between kisses and that made him giddy. He still can't believe she was his wife already. And it's been five years already. She entangled her fingers in his hair and responded by pushing the back of his head closer to her face, stepping on her toes as well so she could compete with his towering height.

     Feeling foolishly hoity-toity, Daniel lifted her waist up and set her down on the counter. He trailed sweet kisses from her lips, to her earlobe and down to the nape of her neck. Kristina sighed and giggled when she felt his breath tickling her skin. In the heat of the moment, the door bell rung.

     For a few seconds, they ignored it and continued making out like any young wedded couple would, but the person behind the door was just so persistent that it was hard to ignore. Daniel groaned. "Oh c'mon!"

     Kristina laughed lightly as she teasingly pushed his chest away from her, ordering him to get the door. Daniel reluctantly agreed, but not before giving her a last peck on the lips.

     He walked down their hallways with a foolish grin on his face. Opening the door, he did not expect to be attacked by three hideous beasts—Kristopher, Chie and Sean. They tackled him into the floor by hugging him tight like little girls who just missed their daddy. "What the?!"

       "WE MISSED YOU DANNY!" They all screamed in unison. The girls behind them kept giggling at that unexpected form of greeting. Kristina came out of the kitchen and was surprised to see her best friends. As soon as they saw each other, they all squealed and ran to form a group hug.

       "Oh my gosh!" she laughed gleefully. "You guys didn't tell us you were coming!"

       "SURPRISE!" Daniella, Mari and Ella chorused.

     Daniel on the other hand didn't happy that he was pinned down on the floor by three gorillas. But of course, he did feel quite glad and nostalgic to see them again. He sighed as he succumbed wholly to the ground, unable to get up because of the three grown men sitting on his stomach and legs. "I feel so violated."

     Chie grinned wickedly. "You never change Danny-boy!"

     He laughed. "Like any of you did."

       "So!" Mari knelt down in front of Kristina and pressed her ear against her flat stomach. "Is there a baby here or what?"

     Kristina's eyes widened with that unexpected question. Daniella and Ella were holding both her hands, anticipating a reply. Nervously, and shyly, she shook her head. Mari gasped in mock horror and pointed a finger at Daniel, who was still lying on the floor of their living room. "Danny-boy, you fail as a man."

     The boys laughed at him and poked his face to annoy him. They did a pretty damn good job. Shaking them off, he finally released himself and patted the dirt off of his clothes. He glanced at Kristina, who was currently flustered with their friends' sudden actions.

      He approached her and casually wrapped his arms around her stomach, placing his lips on her ear. "Do I need to prove it to them or?"

     She felt tickled again and let out a breath of laughter. "You butthead."

       "EEEH. Flirting in broad daylight! Sweet eye-candy!" Lizzy suddenly appeared with Jonathan and Jacob behind her. Everybody exchanged warm greetings and nostalgia filled the air. It was quite an unexpected visit, and Daniel and Kristina were really caught in a surprise. It had been so long since they've last seen each other—specifically two years, since they were all busy with their lives and jobs in different areas in the world.

       "We brought fresh ingredients." Lizzy started. "Now to get this party started, let's have our favourite chef cook us some good food!" Obviously, she was pertaining to Daniel. He just smiled in reply and took the paper bags on her arms. The boys, including the fathers, decided to prepare the food while the girls catch up in the dining room.

       "I can't believe you're only getting married now!" Ella said. They were now all around the dining table, chatting while eating the lovely food prepared by the boys. "Anne, what took you so long to answer?"

       "I just wanted to test his patience that's all," she jokingly replied. Kristopher made a face when she said that and poked her hips, causing her to squeal and shake the table. Daniella pinched his leg in revenge, but she still waasn't satisfied.

       "She gave me a pretty hard time," he complained like a kid to Daniel, Sean and Chie. They just laughed at his lame attempt to pout. Seth even cringed at his son's expression, thus making Jonathan and Jacob burst into laughter as well.

       "How'd you get this grumpy lady to finally say yes?" Chie asked, stealing a small glance at Ella.

     And with that, the red travelled up Daniella's ears. A lopsided grin formed on Kristopher's face as he folded his arms victoriously. "That story will be told on the reception. Right, honey?"

       "Die," she stuck her tongue out.

     The others just smiled at them. Nothing much has changed – they were still their silly selves after all these years. Chie and Sean both had something to say but spoke at the same time. When they realized this, they both stopped abruptly and stared at each other like awkward turtles.

       "You first mate," Chie said.

       "No you," Sean too.

       "No, seriously. Go ahead."

       "It's okay, you go first," Sean insisted.

     They both looked at each other and broke into goofy laughter. This wasn't getting anywhere. Chie looked at Ella and shrugged his shoulders while Sean concealed the smirk he was sending to Mari. The boys chorused:

       "Ella and I are getting married."

       "Mari and I are getting married."

     The whole room was silent for a few seconds. After that, as usual, Lizzy was the first to react. "SO EVERYONE'S GETTING MARRIED NOW! OH MY GOSH!" she then turned to Jacob. "Honey, we should get married too!"

     Her husband gave her a confused look. "But we already are?"

     Lizzy giggled. "Let's do it again then!"

     The children laughed at Lizzy's weird proposal before congratulating each other. So much good news all in one day! Could their lives get any better than this?

       "Oh I can't wait until all of you have babies and when those babies grow up maybe they'll all be childhood friends again and we'll do this thing all over again too!" Lizzy squealed.

       "NO," Kristina flatly replied. "No more arranging marriages for our children."

     Daniel nodded his head in agreement with his wife. Lizzy just smiled sweetly at them.

       "But you two turned out fine?"

       "Mom!" Kristina complained.

       "Kidding! I was just kidding!"

     The rest of the evening went well. Everybody had their own share of stories to tell and experiences to share. Because they were having so much fun, they didn't realize the time. Dawn was already near and some of them had early flights the next day. Hesitantly, they exchanged goodbyes and promised to see each other again next week to plan for their weddings. For sure they would have to spend a lot of time together again. They were all looking forward to it.

     When everybody finally left, the house was quiet. Kristina had just finished washing the plates and arranging the chairs around the table. She decided to take a little break because she was feeling a bit nauseous and sweaty. Maybe she was just tired after such a long day.

     She walked towards the living room and looked at one particular photograph set above the fireplace. She smiled at the happy couple in that photo, and it seemed like it was just taken a few days ago. It was her and Daniel's wedding photograph.

     She didn't notice him sneak up behind her. He quickly snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her ear. Kristina wasn't surprised so she just laughed. "What do you want now?"

     He made a silent sigh. "I've been thinking about what aunt Lizzy said."

     Kristina raised her head a bit so he could gain access to her earlobe and neck. "And?"

     He