Lennox POV

"Out of everything you've done in your life, what is your greatest achievement?"

The interviewer asked me in a very polite tone as he stared at me curiously, waiting for my answer.

But to me, I don't even need to think that deeply. I know the answer to that straight away.

"Honestly? It was meeting my wife, and having her as my life partner."

The interviewer seemed to be surprise, as he lost his composure for a bit. I guess, he must be expecting I that I would mention some policy or the other services that I've done in this country.

As he looked at me with a somehow confused gaze, I started to tell the journey that my wife and I had for the past years.

***

When I ran as a representative for our congressional district, Millen and I already had two little ones. Tarah just started elementary school while Neo was still a toddler.

It was a crucial election back then, since it was my first time running for a position outside of municipal government. Although my name was already familiar to a lot of people, it was still very risky to be overconfident.

Besides, I feel like it is my responsibility to campaign properly - by laying out the policies and platforms that I have envisioned if I was ever elected as a member of the congress.

But there she was, being the superwoman she is... she was helping me campaign properly while raising our little ones at the same time.

Even though we had house-help to aid us, we didn't want to rely fully on them. We wanted to spend time with our children, nurture them and make them feel our love. We didn't want to be too busy and eventually make them feel neglected.

Once I arrived at our home, I was going to go straight to the library area. But when I saw that the lights were still on at our room, I immediately went inside.

"You're still awake?" I asked.

Just wearing a white nightgown, she was laying down on the bed, reading research papers.

Even at this sight of her, it's still somewhat unreal to me. I could not believe that I am this lucky to have this woman as my wife.

Just by seeing her, all the headaches and problems I got earlier from work seemed to have dissipated. That's the magic that she had on me...

"Mmm. I was waiting for you." my wife murmured softly.

She placed the research papers she was reading on the bedside table and tapped the bed gently, signalling me to come over.

Without any hesitation, I laid next to her on the bed and took her in a tight embrace.

I held her tightly, nuzzling her neck. My wife's scent is really intoxicating... she smells so good and I just can't seem to get enough of her.

Just from holding her like this, I was able to get all the energy that was drained from me in the chaotic environment in work today.

"You don't have to be too tense. I'm afraid that you're overworking yourself, without knowing the limits of time and energy at all. Sometimes, you have to rest once in a while. Don't push yourself too hard." she whispered gently to my ears.

I loosened my embrace on her so I could see her properly and look at her intently at her eyes.

"You think so?" I asked seriously, my voice a bit low.

My wife nodded as she caressed my face softly, tracing my nose, lips and cheeks.

"Yeah. You're putting too much pressure on yourself. You don't have to worry, you know? I believe in you. I believe that it will turn out well in the end." she said.

Suddenly, my wife put a soft kiss on my cheeks.

"I'll always be here, supporting you and your vision for this country..."

Ah, really...

What am I supposed to do without this woman?

Because of the crucial election time, I knew that she had to step back on her research work for a while. All of that, just so she could give me the freedom to shape and pursue my vision for this country...

It is her love that takes the fears and anxieties of my everyday life and coats them into something more bearable.

"I love you. I really do. I'm nothing without you..." I murmured.

***

With years of hard work, Millen's research in lupus got published and she was invited to accept an award in a foreign country.

Although she was hesitant at first, she knew she had to go. It was her years of hard work and passion that was finally being recognised....

As we got on the plane, I still remember how she trembled and forcibly closed her eyes, terrified of the feeling of being on air.

She wouldn't stop shaking and I couldn't help but be disheartened over her vulnerable state. It was her suffering that would be the end of me. If I really could, I wish I had the power to take away everything that gives her anxiety and pain.

"It's okay, baby... You have me." I whispered to her softly as I held her hand.

As I kept whispering reassuring words to her and kept hugging her, she calmed down slowly.

Indeed, it was only right for me to come here with her.

Because she knew that I had to be present for our party-list meetings, she did not entertain the idea of me going with her in such a momentous event of her life.

But really, how could I miss this? It was her being recognised for her passion, for one of the things that she worked earnestly for.

And how could I leave her like this, if she were to fight against her fear on her own?

She's my wife. We're a team, and whatever she encounters, I'll be right beside her, giving her all the love that I have for her.

It is at this moment that I realised that love is really about sacrifices and selfishness as well. It was her well-being that was the most important to me, even more so than mine.

When she went on that stage and gave her speech, there were no words in this world to describe exactly how I felt. I was so incredibly proud, because she have juggled so many roles all at once - being my wife, the mother to our children and being dedicated to her research work.

As I heard her speak with her genuine passion towards her work, my heart was really full to the point that it would burst. I knew that she have always wanted that recognition for so long and finally, she achieved it.

"Thank you to my husband, who has never stopped supporting me and giving me comfort. You are joy, strength and courage." Millen announced in her closing remarks.

***

When at last, I took the presidency seat, there was an even bigger challenge ahead. We had to make sacrifices, not only for each other, but together.

At that point, it was no longer just about the two of us. It was all about the service to the country.

My wife is not only my dream come true, but my rock and everyday hero — dependable, reliable, resilient, sweet and in all ways, my constant.

Millen was able to do the role she never expected herself to be in and she did well on it, acting as the first lady of this country.

"Ultimately, I believe that it is the fundamental belief in the power of hope that allowed us to rise above the voices of doubt and division, of anger and fear that we have faced in our own lives and in the situations in this country. Serving as your first lady for the past years has been an honour... I hope that you will all continue to be informed and engaged as citizens. We need to serve, to lead and to stand up for our values and honour them in our daily lives."

While voicing her last speech as the first lady of this country, it seems like there is nothing that could smear off the wide smile on my face.

Without her, I really wouldn't be able to do anything.

When I took the heaviest job in this country, it is my wife that kept me sane, that kept me balanced and allowed me to deal with pressure.

I was able and am able to get everything I wanted and want to achieve in life because of her. All of this is because she inspired me to be the best version of myself that I could be...

***

I guess, what sustains our relationship is because my wife is completely familiar to me. I know that I can be myself with her, since she knows me very well and I trust her completely.

I didn't know it was possible, to fall in love with her even more, especially when I see her being a mother to our kids. She was a dedicated mum and was a great role model to our kids.

I saw her allow our kids have the space and freedom to be their selves. She listened more, rather than lecture. She empowered our children to express our views and just be their selves.

Ultimately, I chose hope over fear every time. I wanted to prove that the future is not something out of our control, but something that we can shape for the better through concerted and collective effort.

And it was my wife, and our three children, that gave me the drive and courage to do everything I can to make sure this country a sustainable place to live in.

All these years, Millen and I knew that we had to make sure that our children were going to be whole and cared for in the midst of the chaos that we entered. We knew that we had to provide them with a good foundation so they can be great people.

So with that, I'm very proud of my children. The three of them are all smart, beautiful and more importantly, kind. They have had the burden of being in the spotlight all these years but despite that, they continued to be their selves.

The fact that they were raised by our love gives me some confidence about their future...

***

"Well, up until now, my wife and I are still feeling the magic that brought us years ago." I answered sincerely to the interviewer's question.

The interviewer was about to speak but was a bit startled as he looked at the direction behind my back.

I raised by eyebrows a little, before being curious enough to turn my head and look behind.

Indeed, it is still the same feeling... or maybe, that isn't exactly accurate. I love her more today than I did yesterday.

My wife, with a small smile plastered on her face, walked closer to where I was.

"All done?" she asked with her sweet voice.

Maybe because of everything I've opened up in the interview, my emotions were a little bit heightened. I couldn't speak right away since I was just lost, staring at her.

She is the one I have prayed for, hoped for, and longed for. Marrying her and raising our family is really my greatest legacy.

Into this next chapter of our lives, I hope that my constant devotion nourish and sustain her until the end of time. In this world, I believe that it is my love for her that is endless and eternal.

________________________

Author's Note: When I read novels with kids in the epilogue, I was often curious what they'd be like in the future.

So with that, I wanted to fulfill that curiosity in this story and included 3 special chapters about their children, along with the last 2 special chapters focusing on them.

This is the last special chapter and again, thank you so much for reading Ryzen and Lennox's story! I hope you enjoyed the special chapters :)