The Rise of the White Lotus

608 The end

Meanwhile...

"May I have this dance?" Soon, when the bride and groom already left for the honeymoon, Ethan Lu held his hand out towards Lexi.

"Jeez," Lexi chuckled as the guests were already going back to their hotel rooms. Yet, instead of doing the same, Ethan Lu had to ask her for a dance.

"I asked Mom and Dad to take the twins with them for a while." Raising his brows, Ethan Lu said that made her chuckle even more. Well, he knew his wife and her priorities were not him anymore but their children — that's fine though.

"How can I refuse?" Lexi shook her head sideways as she slid her hand in his.

Ethan Lu guided his wife to the center of the hall. The musicians should've also rested, but seeing that the two started slow dancing, they all silently agreed to give them background music.

Lexi leaned the side of her head on his shoulders while Ethan Lu placed his hand on her back. "I'm so happy..." Lexi whispered under her breath.

"Mhmm..." Humming a tune, a gentle smile formed on the side of Ethan Lu's lips as they moved gently with the music.

"Love, thank you for being my husband." All of a sudden, Lexi said as she felt she hadn't thanked Ethan enough for everything he had done for her.

"No, thank you for accepting me in your life and granted me the role of being your husband." Ethan Lu chuckled as he rebutted her thanks instead of saying 'you're welcome.'

To him, Lexi did more to help him grow than him helping her. All he just did was to express his undying love for her — that's all. Meanwhile, Lexi was with him through thick and thin, never thinking of leaving him no matter how tough things got.

Just that Ethan Lu was more than grateful to thank the heavens for bless him a wife like her. The beginning of the story was messy — actually, messier than he imagined.

But, look at them now; they were stronger than yesterday.

"I'm trying to be cheesy — why are you competing with me?" Lexi chuckled as she humored him which made him laugh.

"Sorry, but it's my natural response because..." Ethan Lu's already curved lips grew wider as he sang his next words. "You are the one I cherish more than anything..."

"How about the twins?" Interrupting the great mood, Lexi humored which made Ethan Lu stopped his singing for a while.

"Errr... Love, don't hurt yourself — you know I'm faking when I said you're number one, right? You don't want me to say you're actually number three in my list." Being brutally honest, Ethan Lu whispered that only made Lexi heartily chuckle.

No harm taken. Ever since the twins came into the picture, Lexi secretly admitted that she could leave Ethan Lu but not the twins. It was not she ever considered leaving him though.

Just a scenario if she ever has to choose between her children and husband. Perhaps Ethan Lu also thought the same.

Things had changed. Their priorities were not each other anymore and their life together wasn't as exciting as the beginning.

However, despite that, Lexi and Ethan Lu knew, deep down, that their love was deeper and stronger. Their bond as husband and wife was unbreakable.

It was not all happy and fun. They were days they argue with each other; they were times they wanted their personal space, and moments that the two were not okay.

Even so, wasn't that the main point of their vows? That they would stick together for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death.

"Don't start me with that 'don't hurt yourself, honey.'" Rebutting him, Lexi smirked as the two shared a few good laughs.

After some time, Lexi and Ethan Lu stayed silent as they indulged this moment of peace. Ethan Lu kept on humming with the background music until he decided to sing the lyrics.

"Think of me and know that I'll believe in you. There'll always be this precious time together. With every tear...

A love so strong, no words could ever say...

A love to last forever..." Ethan Lu caressed Lexi's back as she as every word he sang came straight from his heart.

Meanwhile, Lexi smiled as she could feel the sincerity in his words and from his warmth. Her heart could only melt, and a tear on a corner of her eyes fell unconsciously as her heart was moved.

The next stanza, Lexi also joined and sang with him.

"I love you more than you'll ever know

I love you more than you'll ever see

More than my heart could ever show

I love you more than you'll ever know~"

At this moment, Lexi and Ethan Lu's world revolved only for them. They only cared to dance together, sing together, fall in love again together, and let their hearts collide as one.

Just like the song, their love for each other... the two of them could not properly express how they love and cherish each other. Therefore, they let their hearts talk.

After some time, Ethan Lu slowly and gently pushed Lexi away to look at her beauty. He said nothing and just studied her features and stared at her eyes.

Slowly, the hall spun, time flew and Lexi and Ethan Lu, still doing the same, but now in the kitchen of their home.

"You still look stunning." Ethan Lu commented because even if his wife had a few wrinkles on the corner of her eyes, Lexi had aged gracefully and beautifully.

In his eyes, Lexi's grew more stunning over the years... but what made her more beautiful was because of her kind and loving heart.

"And you're as dashing as ever." Chuckled, Lexi shook her head as she stared at Ethan Lu who looked like a vampire — not aging even a bit. Aside from the little fats on his tummy, he could still compete with the hottest men currently.

"Mom!!! I hate my brother!!" Suddenly, a girl in her late teens stomped her way to the kitchen as she declared.

"Oh ho! Mom, your daughter hates me because I'm trying to be a dutiful brother! Hah! The nerve of this girl!" Following the young lady, another young man came as he peered at his sister in disdain.

The two siblings: Lady Lara Lu and Evan Lu also grew with undeniable glorious features. Not surprised, they got Ethan and Lexi's genes.

"Jeez! Can't you settle that with yourselves? I'm having a moment with your mother! Give her a break!" Grinding his teeth, Ethan Lu removed his eyeglasses as he pinched the space between his brows.

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Dad! Listen to me!" Realizing that their parents were having a date, Lara and Evan Lu shifted their focus to Ethan Lu.

Well, Ethan Lu said give Lexi a break but never added he was included.

"Mama, big brother said big sister looks horrendous!" Suddenly, a young teenager boy came in the kitchen and he reported flatly while eating his snacks.

"Evan..." Chuckling helplessly, Lexi glanced at the charming Evan Lu who seemed his little brother betrayed him.

"No, Mom. This is a misunderstanding! Lara is — " Just as Evan Lu decided to sell his sister out, Lady Lara Lu suddenly covered his mouth and widened her eyes — threatening his brother.

"Yes, just a misunderstanding! I'm just teasing him." To put an end to the matter, Lady Lara Lu admitted which made their parents shook their heads. Yet, they didn't probe on the matter any longer.

"Whatever, guys. Just join our date if that's the main point alright? Jeez!" Assuming that their kids were trying to join the fun, Ethan Lu offered halfheartedly.

He expected that they would refuse, but they didn't! Instead, they took each seat around the table and looked excitedly at the food Lexi and Ethan Lu prepared for this date.

"Ahh! My head..." Ethan Lu massaged his temples as his children completely joined the date.

"Shh... we'll have another date when they are not around." Leaning to him, Lexi chuckled as she tried to comfort the upset middle-aged man.

Despite Ethan Lu's displeasure at his children barging in, it soon vanished as he was able to catch up with his children and wife.

As Lexi watched her children grow into such beautiful individuals, and glancing at the man she was with for almost two decades, her heart was in pure bliss that showed on her eyes and lips.

'Lord, thank you for giving me a fortunate life. I won't say it's a pure happy ending or happily ever after, but thank you for letting me witness my children grow and love my husband everyday.' Suddenly, Lexi thanked the heavens as she appreciates the sight of her family sitting in one table.

Just then, as she watched them talked with Ethan Lu, the four of them turned their attention to her. "Mom?" They said in unison.

"I just realized that I had been having happy endings for the past two decades." As their eyes were on her, Lexi spouted with a smile which made them knit their brows.

Regardless, Lexi didn't want to explain what she meant. Therefore, she chimed in with their conversation as Evan Lu was competing in a basketball league while Lara Lu's was busy doing research. Meanwhile, Charlie, the youngest, flaunted his straight A's and the quiz bee he would join in his school.

As parents, Lexi and Ethan Lu felt proud and promised to attend all events. To them, these were all just bonus in their children's characteristics.

It never matter if they were smart or not so sharp, if they are talented or not, because what's important was how big was their heart. As long as they would grow as good people individually, that was enough for Ethan and Lexi.

"You guys are awesome! And because of that, I'm giving you guys a Dad's coupon!" To show how proud he was, Ethan Lu announced, which made the three cheered.

"Yes!!" they cheered.

The end.