I don't own Bleach or it's characters. OMG. This was a long time in the making and I apologize! I've been so lazy at updating. And by lazy, I mean that Pokemon Go! came out and I've been obsessed with it in my limited spare time, lol. Well, I hope everyone enjoys this, and I'm going to continue working on Bootycall and another project I've been simmering for a while now.

Epilogue: Happily Ever After

Grimmjow's hand desperately clutched his second double shot of whiskey as he brought it to his mouth and gulped it down. He tried to focus on how the amber liquid burned on its way down and tried in vain to relax his tense muscles that were aching from being on high alert for half a plane ride. Ichigo's warm hand took his and squeezed it firmly and Grimmjow's eyes cut over to the kind honey orbs that shone with concern and a touch of amusement. The plane hit turbulence and Grimmjow's entire body went rigid. He closed his eyes and held his breath until it was over.

"You have to relax Grimm. More people die in car accidents than planes," Ichigo said lowly, keeping his voice to a minimum as to not disturb any of the sleeping passengers. He ran his fingers soothingly over the back of Grimmjow's hand that was currently crushing his own.

"I know, Ich, but god damn it, we're flyin' over a fuckin' ocean! This is different than flyin' from Montana ta New York," Grimmjow hissed back.

Ichigo hid his smile by lifting Grimmjow's hand and kissing it. His big, brave cowboy was not fond of flying. He was much more comfortable with his ass in a saddle or driving a big, muddy truck. Too bad for him Karin was accepted onto the Japanese Olympic soccer team and they were flying out to Japan to spend some time with the family that Grimmjow had yet to meet.

"Do you want that sleeping pill now?" Ichigo asked, biting his lip to hold in his snicker at Grimmjow's instant nod of affirmation. Ichigo peeled his hand away and reached in his inner jacket pocket for the little white pill that would send Grimmjow into a deep sleep for the next eight hours. When he resurfaced to the conscious world, they'd be touching down in Tokyo.

Tokyo was gorgeous. Grimmjow tried to focus on the things Ichigo was saying to him but he was getting distracted by all there was to see. It was similar in ways to New York, but had a flavor and a movement completely of its own. The people seemed friendlier and the sidewalks teemed with people; the streets were packed with cars and bikes. There was color and chaos of daily life everywhere.

Ichigo held Grimmjow's hand firmly as he guided his awestruck boyfriend to the train station. His dad had offered to pick them up at the airport, but Ichigo did not want Grimmjow's first meeting with his father to be with the stupid goat face draped over Ichigo crying tears of unbridled joy at his homecoming in the middle of such a public place.

They climbed on the packed train and rode to the district where Ichigo's family home was. Luckily the old train station was just a short distance from his home, so they could walk even with their luggage. Nostalgia hit Ichigo hard as he walked the streets of his neighborhood, growing quiet as they approached the two story beige house with the green roof. Everything looked just as he remembered it; nothing ever changed. The bushes around the house were neatly clipped and brightly colored flowers grew in the window boxes by the clinic doors.

The twins must have been watching for their arrival from the windows because the front door suddenly burst open and out exploded a black haired girl. Ichigo abandoned his luggage to catch her as she all but leapt into his arms.

"Hey Karin! Oh my god how I've missed you! Let me look at you!"

Grimmjow watched as Karin stepped back to let Ichigo get a good look at her. He noticed her trying to keep a nonchalant face and hold back happy tears at her brother being home. Yup, this was the tough girl he'd heard so much about. The quieter blonde twin crept up to him, her big brown eyes fixed on him.

"Hello Grimmjow, it's a pleasure to finally meet you! Welcome to our home!" she said with a bow.

"It's good ta meet ya, ya must be Yuzu. I've heard so much about ya, I feel like I know everyone already," Grimmjow said with a wide grin.

Yuzu laughed.

"Well I'm glad to hear our brother hasn't forgotten about us. He doesn't visit as often as he should."

Ichigo came and scooped her close to him, kissing her forehead.

"Lay off the guilt trip, Yuzu. You know it's expensive to fly out here frequently. It's not like I don't want to see you!"

"Oh, I know brother! Well, I'm sure you are hungry from your long trip and I have been cooking all morning. Come in and see dad and I'll get the table ready!" she exclaimed brightly.

"Be prepared," Karin warned Grimmjow, "Our dad is an insane idiot."

"So I've heard," Grimmjow drawled slowly, looking to Ichigo, who sighed heavily and grabbed the handle of his luggage and followed Yuzu up the walkway as if he was walking death row.

Once inside, Grimmjow toed off his shoes and placed them next to Ichigo's in the neat line that was against the wall by the door. They left their luggage in the hallway and Grimmjow followed Ichigo toward the living room. He was surprised by how Western it was, with a comfortable looking sectional couch and a wall mounted flat screen. Karin immediately plopped down and picked up a controller and resumed playing what looked like Call of Duty.

"Weird, dad was in here when we came outside. I wonder where he got to," Yuzu said, looking around. "Well, I'll be in the kitchen. I've got to check on the food."

"I have no idea where my dad got to, so do you want to see my room?" Ichigo asked Grimmjow.

"Sure, I…"

Suddenly, a closet door burst open, and out came charging Ichigo's father.

"ICHIGOOOOOOOOOO!" he hollered, jumping into the air to deliver a flying kick toward his son.

"BAKA!" Ichigo screamed, shoving Grimmjow out of the way and effectively dodging his old man's attack. Isshin flew instead into a decorative plant and toppled over.

Grimmjow peered at Isshin from the couch which he had toppled over backwards when Ichigo saved him from becoming creamed by his father's large, hairy foot. On his face was a look of utter bewilderment.

"Keep it down, goat face! We have a guest!" Karin snapped, chucking the controller at her dad's head. She had great aim, Grimmjow noted, when it bounced off Isshin's head, who was righting the plant he knocked over. Ichigo stormed over and pushed the plant back on top of him.

"Really dad!? Could you be any more embarrassing when I brought my boyfriend to meet the family? I can't believe he hasn't ran out the door already!"

Isshin was up and across the room in record time, throwing himself on an absurdly large wall picture of who must be Ichigo's mother. Well, Grimmjow could see where Ichigo got his speed.

"MASAKI! Our children are so ungrateful! See how they abuse their loving and doting father! Especially our son, who hasn't been home in two years! Oh, how I've failed as a father!"

Ichigo face palmed and turned a lovely shade of red. Grimmjow got up and went to stand by Ichigo. He took his hand, grinning down at his embarrassed partner.

"Nah, they ain't nothin' like ya described at all."

Ichigo punched Grimmjow in his large bicep playfully, grateful he was in love with someone who could just go with the flow.

Ichigo stood from where he kneeled in front of his mother's grave. He had burned an incense and brought her a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Grimmjow had hung back a few feet while Ichigo visited and he could hear Ichigo murmuring soft words to her although he couldn't make out was said. Ichigo had that face on he wore when he was trying to be tough, but his mask could never reach to his eyes, which glimmered with slivers of sadness.

"We can go now, Grimm, dad and the girls are waiting," Ichigo said quietly.

Grimmjow leaned down and kissed Ichigo's forehead and squeezed his hand.

"Actually, I'd like a few moments if that's ok with ya."

Ichigo nodded and for a brief instant his small smile was radiant. He squeezed Grimmjow's hand one more time and turned to go join his family at the gates.

Grimmjow lit an incense and placed it in the stone holder on Masaki's grave. He knelt down and looked at her name written in Japanese on the stone.

"It's nice ta meet ya, Mrs. Kurosaki. I'm not good at this sort of thing, but I felt it was proper I introduce myself ta ya since I'm dating yer son. I don't know if ya would approve of me or of our relationship; it may not be what ya pictured fer yer son. I can tell ya that I may not be a smart man, and I ain't rich but I do alright fer myself. But every day of my life that Ichigo will have me, ma'am, I am the smartest and richest man when he's by my side. I will always try ta make him as happy as he's made me. You don't ever have ta worry about Ichigo, ma'am, as long as there is breath in these lungs. I love yer boy with everything I have in me."

He sat there quietly for a few minutes before standing to go join Ichigo. Suddenly, a slight breeze blew, rippling the grass and swaying the trees gently. Grimmjow smiled to himself. One parent down, one more to go.

It was a four days into their trip before Grimmjow had both the nerves and the opportunity to approach Isshin. Ichigo was outside shooting goals with Karin and Grimmjow had been helping Yuzu with the dishes from dinner. Grimmjow noticed Isshin going into the clinic and excused himself, going after Isshin while he had his chance.

Isshin was opening some boxes to restock medical supplies when Grimmjow stepped into the room. Isshin looked him over and went back to digging in the box.

"He's my only boy, you know. I nearly lost him in the accident that killed his mother. I never thought that the Kurosaki name would die out with me, but you know, he never showed romantic interest in girls. He had beautiful girls falling all over him and never seemed to notice. The last guy that hurt him was really lucky that he had ties to family and friends close to me and it would be noticeable if he suddenly went missing. I'm a fun guy Grimmjow, but never forget I'm a doctor and I know my way around medical tools that take bodies apart."

"I hear ya loud and clear, sir, but I will never hurt Ichigo. Ichigo is my whole world. I can't imagine life without him in it. I almost lost him once too, which was one too many times fer my taste. I'd like ta ensure our future together from here on out."

Isshin stared at Grimmjow for a long while before nodding.

"I knew the first time I met you that you were a good guy. Masaki and I approve, and I'd say his sister's do too. You are practically family now. You two need to promise to visit more though."

"We'll visit as much as Ichigo wants, and y'all are always welcome at Espada. Ya ever want to come out, we'll see that ya have a fabulous stay. I think the girls would love riding the horses, and if ya like fishin' we got a nice lake that's perfect for it. Montana would be a nice get away from the clinic every now and again."

Isshin considered that and laughed.

"I don't think I've had a vacation since Masaki passed. I've always tried to keep myself busy, you know? Well," he said, tossing an empty box aside and leaning against the counter, "let's see the ring."

Grimmjow booked them a tour of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji by way of a first class yacht. They dined on a superb four course Japanese meal as the beautiful scenery slowly floated by. Their meal had been so delicious, but Grimmjow barely tasted it and the food sat heavy in his stomach. Thankfully, the bar had a wonderful selection of whisky and Grimmjow polished off a double shot on the rocks to steel his nerves that were currently in a worse state than when you pulled your tangled mess of ear buds out of your pocket.

"Ya wanna go out on the deck? Looks like a real good view of the mountain is comin' up," Grimmjow suggested. Ichigo agreed and they ventured outside.

Grimmjow grinned to himself. He couldn't have asked for a better day. The sky was clear, allowing the sun to shine brightly and reflect off the pristine water. They were sluggishly sailing past Mount Fuji, getting a clear view of the mountain in all its magnificence. It was beautiful, but Grimmjow wasn't paying attention to the scenery before him; his attention was riveted on Ichigo.

Ichigo had sucked in a gasp, his eyes wide as they took in the sight before him. All his life in Japan and he had never come here and seen this beautiful visage that existed a short trip from his family home. He turned to share it with Grimmjow, his excited comment dying on his lips when he caught Grimmjow's eyes with his own. They were burning with a deep intensity that Ichigo only really seen during passionate love making.

Grimmjow took his hand and held Ichigo's gaze as he dropped to one knee. Realization lit in Ichigo's eyes and Grimmjow felt Ichigo start to tremble. Grimmjow's own hand shook as he reached in his pocket a procured the black and silver titanium band he had chosen.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, would ya make me the happiest man on earth and do me the honor of spending the rest of yer life with me?" Grimmjow asked, pleased his voice didn't shake despite the fact that his heart was in his throat and racing like a cheetah. He slid the ring on Ichigo's finger and realized somewhere in between Ichigo dropping to his own knees and Ichigo's answering kiss on his lips that he had been holding his breath.

"Yes, a thousand times yes!" Ichigo cried in between kisses. All around the deck people cheered and clapped. Grimmjow never felt happier or luckier than right then; he pulled Ichigo in close and buried his face in Ichigo's neck so no one would see the tears of joy leaking out of his eyes. With Ichigo's promise of forever, his life was finally complete. They would spend the rest of their days carving out their happily ever after.

End Story. 3 I hope this came of tender and sweet and not dripping with cheese and corn lol. Reviews and comments always welcome =)