She had nearly collided into three families during her run to the gate. Please, Ryu, don’t leave yet! Not until I tell you that I’m sorry for the way I treated you…

Chun Li hurried to the gate…nearly stumbling as the agent closed the door and the jet was pulling away from the airport.

“No…” she whispered. “I’m too late.”

She stared as the jet left the gate to move onto the runway. Chun Li swallowed as the jet disappeared from view. Uncertain of what to do…she plopped down into a seat in the waiting area, burying her face in her hands.

Minutes later, she heard running footsteps.

“He’s gone,” Chun Li announced, before looking up at Yun and Yang.

Lien’s eyes widened. “No…” She was set on the floor.

Yang sat beside Chun Li. “It’s okay. You can still catch him. You know where he lives, and…”

“Forget it. It’s useless…” she whispered.

“To heck with that!” Yun exclaimed, breathing hard due to his exercise, remembering that a young one was present. “I didn’t drive you here…run all this way…for nothing!”

“There’s nothing I can do…” Chun Li stated.

“Get your butt down to customer service and book the next flight…on any airline…to Tokyo,” Yun ordered. “I’ll take care of Lien.”

Chun Li looked up at him bleakly. “Yun…I appreciate it…but no thanks. I can’t…”

“If it’s about Lien, don’t worry. Yang and I have her taken care of.”

Chun Li’s intuition went into overdrive. “Where’s Lien?”

The three looked around wildly. There was no sign of her. Yun cursed.

“We have to find Lien,” Chun Li announced, panic rising in her voice.

She was trembling. It was bad enough that she couldn’t catch Ryu. But losing a child was a parent’s worst fear…

They stood up, but Yang gestured her to stay put.

“Yun and I will look for her. She couldn’t have gotten very far.”

Chun Li felt her throat tighten. “Hurry. I’ll never forgive myself if anything has happened to my baby…”

Yun and Yang turned to walk away.

“Excuse me,” came a voice. “I believe you three are missing a little girl…”

The three turned around. Lien, looking sheepish, was holding a man’s hand. The man was dressed in black trousers and a gray collared shirt. Even though he was dressed in casual clothing, there was no mistaking his identity.

“Ryu…” Chun Li breathed a sigh of relief…part because he was here, the other because her daughter was safe.

Chun Li dashed to Lien, giving her a hug. “Sweetheart, don’t scare me like that, okay?”

“I’m sorry, Mommy.”

Chun Li stood up to gaze at Ryu. Yun and Yang took that moment to usher Lien aside.

“Thank you,” Chun Li said softly. “I…thought we lost her.”

Ryu nodded, shifting his duffel bag to his other hand. “So…what brings you here?”

Chun Li looked at the floor. Ryu didn’t miss the sheen of tears that threaten to emerge from beneath her lashes. But he chose not to say anything. She had been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours.

“I came here…to…” Chun Li swallowed. “Say ‘thank you’. For the gift.”

Ryu nodded again. “You’re welcome.”

Chun Li swallowed her pride. “Ryu, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did last night…”

“Your behavior is understandable.”

“No…you don’t understand…when you left, you hurt me so much…so I wanted to make you feel the pain that I did…only…” The tears began to flow.

“Only?” he prompted.

“I felt miserable about hurting you.” Chun Li wiped at her tears impatiently. “I’m sorry. I forgive you, Ryu. I’m stubborn and…hardheaded…”

Ryu smiled slightly. “You stand by what you believe in. That is why you’re an admirable person.”

His gaze slid to her left, where Yun, Yang, and Lien had inched their way within hearing distance. His eyes focused on her again.

“Chun Li…thank you for coming here…I needed to hear that you have forgiven me.”

“When…when do you leave for Tokyo?” Chun Li asked, her lower lip trembling.

Ryu gazed at her, knowing that he wanted to drop to his knees and ask her to let him be a major part of her life again. He’d even beg if she wanted him to. But she wasn’t giving any signs…

“I leave at two p.m. The morning flight was full…so I thought I’d be here early…so it would give you a chance to have your home to yourself again.”

“Oh…”

“Is that all you have to say to me?” he asked gently. “Or did you wish to wait with me until I got onto my flight?”

Chun Li dragged her lower lip between her teeth. “Ryu…I…” she closed her eyes before opening them again. “I…I have a daughter to raise. I don’t intend to raise her in the forest in the middle of nowhere…no interaction with children…people…”

Ryu studied her carefully before replying, “So we can compromise. Is there property outside the city…in a quieter area?”

Chun Li’s eyes widened. “Are you saying…what I think you’re saying?”

Ryu cleared his throat. “I believe so…Don’t…most…married people compromise, anyway?”

Chun Li’s breath caught in her throat. “I…I’ve loved you for a long time…I still do…”

Ryu smiled tenderly. “As do I.”

Chun Li smiled back, her eyes filling with tears of joy. “I…guess it’s worth a try…it’s always been my dream to be your wife…”

“This will take a lot of work, but I think-”

Suddenly, Chun Li cut him off as her lips met his. She basically jumped into his arms, knocking his bag out of his reach. He was surprised, but he embraced her, responding to her affection with all the love and passion he had held inside. He forgot what he was supposed to say. Not that it mattered, anyway. The couple didn’t hear Yang’s applause or Yun’s groans of disgust. Ryu felt someone tugging his shirt. He turned his head slightly, feeling his cheeks burn in embarrassment at showing such physical affection in front of a four-year-old. A quick glance at Chun Li indicated she was just embarrassed.

“Um…” Lien’s cheeks were pink, and she tried to keep from giggling. “Ryu? Are you gonna be my daddy now?”

Ryu released Chun Li and kneeled. “Only if you want me to be.”

Lien nodded shyly. “Yes, please.”

Ryu grinned, giving his future stepdaughter a hug. He then lifted her and gathered Chun Li close to his side. His gaze shot to a pillar, which stood ten feet away. Behind that…a man peered at them…a man with a white beard and balding white head. He winked at Ryu.

Happy holidays. And thank you, Ryu thought. For everything.

You’re welcome. Happy holidays, Ryu…the old man smiled.

But only Ryu heard the words.