Here is the epilogue. I am surprised I was able to get it posted but I wanted to get it up today for you all. I have loved writing Protective Power of the F4 and the sequel. It is one of the works I am most proud of so thank you all for the encouragement. I still have stories for this couple in my head so I will probably have a new story up soon if anyone is interested. Please let me know what you think as we finish it here!

Ga Eul snuggled down deeper into his chest and Yi Jeong rubbed her arms, "are you cold?"

"No. This is perfect," she practically purred and he agreed. They were sitting in the hammock on the beach in Caledonia. Ga Eul was laying between his legs, her head resting on his chest while Yi Jeong tried to point out the constellations to her. After hanging around Jun Pyo most of his life, he had a pretty good understanding of astronomy. Ga Eul pretended to listen but Yi Jeong knew she preferred to just enjoy them rather than dissect the stars. It was a much-deserved break after everything and allowing themselves to take their first real deep breath of air.

It had been over a month since the confrontation with Seo Jun and his cousin. They had stayed in Korea just long enough to for her wrist to heal and make sure there was no fallout over their disappearance. Although, there was no need to really worry. Song Li Bin had covered their tracks well and no-one seemed to mind Yi Seo Jun and Gi Hyeon not being around.

Jun Pyo had officially bought out the Dae Corporation revealing a deeper corrupt business than he initially suspected. Hwang Dae had been pocketing money for years from donors in the cancer research field and supplying poor supplies to field hospitals. Ji Hoo had thought he uncovered all of it last time but apparently not. Both him and Gu Jun Pyo were working together to figure it all out but it was taking a while. After Jun Pyo had proposed to Jan Di last week, she had agreed to take over long enough to clean up the mess for Shinhwa so they could find a new buyer who would provide the right kind of pharmaceutical care.

Yi Hwang Dae was currently facing charges of fraud and with all his money now in the hands of Jun Pyo, he would be facing quite a hefty sentence. Yi Jeong didn't care anymore about any of them but he was grateful his friends were fixing it. The minute though Geum Jan Di had said yes to the proposal, Yi Jeong had Ga Eul on a plane for Caledonia with plans of his own.

Yi Jeong had driven to the countryside a few days earlier to finally meet her parents and spent the weekend at their place. It was nice to spend time with a normal family with a mother who doted on him and her father trying to show him how to grow a vegetable garden. He enjoyed them immensely and finally worked up the courage to ask for Ga Eul's hand in marriage. They had readily agreed and Yi Jeong was grateful that his future children would have at least one set of loving grandparents.

Since Ga Eul's kidnapping happened before they could send them away, he treated them for a month-long trip in New York with Jae Kyung. Woo Bin had also sent Dal Hwan for an extended vacation to thank him for all help with Kim Choi and apparently, he was hitting it off quite well with Monkey. Woo Bin was slightly terrified by even the remote idea of Ha Jae Kyung being a part of his family but Ji Hoo thought it was hysterical. They were currently betting on who would win in a fight, Dal Hwan or Ha Jae Kyung? Woo Bin was placing money on Dal Hwan but Ji Hoo and Jun Pyo were betting on Monkey. Yi Jeong had refused to get involved but was secretly rooting for them both.

They had only been in Caledonia for a few days and already the tension from everything that had happened was slowly falling off them. Yi Jeong didn't panic if Ga Eul was not in constant sight and Ga Eul had stopped dreading going to sleep. It would be a long time before they both forgot but it wasn't hanging over them so severely any longer either.

He shifted so her back rested more comfortably against him, "Are you asleep?"

"No," Ga Eul replied, "Just happy."

He grinned and took her hand playing with her fingers, "Do you see the ship?" Ga Eul asked pointing to a figure out at sea.

Yi Jeong squinted his eyes, "barely." It was foggy on the water and the craft seemed swallowed whole by the thick mist.

"I bet it's a ghost ship."

Yi Jeong raised his eyebrow surprised, "a ghost ship?" Ga Eul nodded emphatically, "Yes. He has been trying for over a hundred years to return home to his lover who walks the beach every night waiting for him but he can't ever get past the fog. They are doomed to only see each other from a distance but never reunite. Don't you think?"

"What I think is that you read too many books," Yi Jeong answered teasingly and Ga Eul stuck her tongue out at him before continuing her fantasy. "He left her to make his fortune because her family would not allow them to be together. His love never wavered though and neither did hers. She refused to even talk to the other men in town. They all wanted her because she was so beautiful but she could not bear to let anyone else hold her but him. He was finally on his way home to her when the fog caused his ship to crash against the rocks. Now he wanders every night just outside port unable to ever come into land but she still waits for him."

Yi Jeong crossed his arms tightly over her front with a deep laugh, "Or it could just be a regular fishing boat."

"Where is the fun in that?" Ga Eul said with a pout and let her gaze go back to the sky. "What is this one called?" She asked pointing to a set of stars, "Is it apart of Orion's belt?" When she didn't hear his answer, she nudged him slightly, "Yi Jeong?"

"Marry me," Yi Jeong said in reply, his voice low in her ear. He felt her breath hitch and she slowly twisted around in his embrace, her eyes wide.

"I had a big speech planned," Yi Jeong went on somberly, "with flowers, music and candlelight, the whole thing but it didn't feel right." He nodded to the hammock and the night sky, "this feels right." Ga Eul ran her hand down the side of his face, "Sunbae."

"I love you. Yi Jeong told her huskily, "I loved you even when I was afraid too but I am not afraid anymore. The only thing that scares me now is you realizing how much better you can do than me."

"I am pretty sure it's me who is waiting for you to figure that one out," Ga Eul whispered as tears fell freely. Her heart was full but Yi Jeong's eyes blazed down at her with intensity, "Trust me, you are the only one who doesn't know what a lucky son of bitch I am to have you in my life. You are the best person I have ever met Chu Ga Eul and I don't deserve you. But I am hoping you love me enough not to care."

"I love you more than anything," Ga Eul told him, "I am always going to love you, no matter what. I've already told you that nothing will ever change my heart for you."

Yi Jeong took her hand and slid his ring off her finger ignoring her subtle protest and placed the large diamond onto it. It was the ring he had been waiting to give her for four years. Actually, since the moment he walked into the porridge shop and kidnapped her for the first time. He pulled her in closer, wiping her tears off with his thumb, "Marry me, Ga Eul."

"Yes," Ga Eul choked out and his lips seized hers before she could finish. He was half tempted to scoop her up into the Cabana so he could properly show her how much he loved her all night long but she pulled back before he lost control. Ga Eul rested her head against his breathing heavily, "I am going to be your wife So Yi Jeong."

He closed his eyes, running his fingers through her hair, "I love you."

"I love you more."

He pulled her back down and hugged her tightly, smiling as she played with her new engagement ring. "Your father only had one condition," Yi Jeong told her with a chuckle.

"What was it?"

"That I learn how to make your favorite meal for your birthday."

Ga Eul snorted and buried her face into his chest, "It is his tradition with my mom. He is a terrible cook so my mother handled all of our meals except on her birthday. He would make her this chicken soup every year. She hated it but always pretended it was her favorite." Yi Jeong frowned confused, "Then why? "

"Because he made it for her," Ga Eul said with a knowing grin remembering a drawer back home which housed a bag of broken pottery. "It didn't matter to her that the dinner was not any good. It only mattered that it came from him."

Yi Jeong kissed her on the forehead understanding. He hesitated before telling her the rest of his permission seeking, "I talked to one other person before we left."

"Who?" Ga Eul asked bewildered.

"Your brother."

"My- "Ga Eul stopped as recognition flooded over her and her smile turned bright, "Woo Bin".

Yi Jeong nodded remembering the conversation he had with his best friend right after they had rescued Ga Eul.

Woo Bin drained a long sip of whiskey crashing onto the sofa. He felt exhausted, guilty, and no idea how he was going to look Ga Eul in the eye again. It was one thing not to notice Seo Jun and his cousin switching places but he would never forgive himself for missing Kim Choi's involvement. He rubbed his eyes tiredly as the door clicked open and Woo Bin looked up into the haggard face of Yi Jeong.

"Hey."

"Hey," Woo Bin replied quietly.

"Mind if I have some of that?" Yi Jeong asked pointing to the bottle.

"Help yourself." Woo Bin told him taking another deep swallow. He waited for a few beats as Yi Jeong fixed himself a drink. "How is she?"

Yi Jeong shrugged wearily, "All-right. Her body finally gave out about an hour ago and she seems to be sleeping pretty deeply."

"No nightmares?" Woo Bin questioned worriedly and Yi Jeong shook his head. "Not yet. I think she is too exhausted."

They sat in silence as the events of the last few days flashed over them. "I wanted to thank you," Yi Jeong finally said, his voice soft. Woo Bin shot him a horrified look of shock, "For what? This is all my fault. Soon Kim Choi – "

"We all trusted Kim Choi," Yi Jeong interrupted firmly, "none of us suspected him until Ji Hoo figured it out. You should not blame yourself for any of this and if Ga Eul thinks you are, she will be the first one to hit you."

Woo Bin chuckled, "Yeah, she would." He paused before turning to face Yi Jeong, "I won't be able to forgive myself though until I talk to Ga Eul. I need to personally tell her how sorry I am."

Yi Jeong nodded understanding but still cautioned him, "just don't do it on a day when she is wearing heels. She will probably stab you in the foot once you even start trying."

Woo Bin winced, "good to know."

They sat in comfortably for a while relaxing. "Why were you thanking me before?" Woo Bin asked curiously and Yi Jeong twirled his drink. "I know what it took for you to go to your father for his help." He looked over at his friend, "In all the years I have known you, you have sworn never to use his power. Never wanting to cross the line too deep into that world, determined to keep somewhat of a moral compass." He took a deep breath, "I can't say I am sorry because that would mean Ga Eul- "

"I would do it again," Woo Bin told him firmly, "I love Ga Eul too, Yi Jeong. I wouldn't let anything hurt her when I had the means to stop it." He shrugged trying to play it off, "My father won't allow them to live for this kind of betrayal. He has his own moral compass on certain things." He tilted his glass at him, "It was worth it to ensure she is truly safe."

"Still," Yi Jeong clasped his shoulder, "thank you."

Woo Bin looked away uncomfortably, "No problem."

Yi Jeong got up and fixed himself a second drink, "but there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."

Feeling better knowing Yi Jeong didn't hate him, Woo Bin reclined in the seat, "What's up?"

"I want your permission to marry Ga Eul."

Woo Bin picked the wrong moment to take a sip of his whiskey. He choked as warm alcohol went straight up his nose and down the front of his shirt, "Yah!" He exclaimed loudly once he stopped coughing up a lung. Yi Jeong stared at him amused, "Are you all right?"

"Why on earth would you ask me for permission?" Woo Bin stood up, "her father- "

"I plan on asking him as soon as Ga Eul feels up for a drive down to see them," Yi Jeong said smoothly, "but in a lot of ways, I think I need your blessing more."

Woo Bin started to protest but Yi Jeong pretended not to hear, "You have been the one taking care of her these past four years. You were the one who got her through her recovery after the first encounter with Seo Jun and buying her that apartment. I know Ji Hoo helped but you were the main one who put up the money for it. I can see how close the two of you have become and how much Ga Eul depends on you. She is my woman but she also belongs partially to you too. Which is why," Yi Jeong looked him square in the eye, "I want permission Woo Bin to marry your little sister."

Woo Bin took all of this in carefully. He had been responsible for Ga Eul for so long and he couldn't deny it had been a strange adjustment relinquishing some of that control back over to Yi Jeong. He knew though that her heart only belonged the potter and he accepted his role in her life. Woo Bin felt incredibly humbled by Ga Eul's love for him, ignoring the slight pulling inside that wished it could be more.

"Ga Eul has become one of the most important people in my life," Woo Bin answered slowly. "I am always going to protect and care for her. So with that being said," He drew himself up to full height, "I will give you permission to marry my sister but don't you ever hurt her. If you even make her cry, I will be the first in line to kick your ass."

Yi Jeong smirked, "If I ever make her cry, I will be the first in line begging you to kick my ass."

"I'm serious Yi Jeong." Woo Bin told him gravely and Yi Jeong held out his hand, "So am I."

They shook on it and then grinned at the other sheepishly. "Come on," Woo Bin gestured over his shoulder, "Let's go raid Ga Eul's ice cream supply."

He laughed at his friend and followed him to the kitchen, "What about your grandfather?' Woo Bin said with a touch of concern, opening up the freezer.

"What about him?" Yi Jeong asked taking out two spoons.

"Have you talked to him about marrying Ga Eul?"

"No, and I don't intend too." Yi Jeong said firmly and Woo Bin stared at him, "Bro."

"I am not going to put Ga Eul through that. She has already gone through hell and I will not allow anyone to hurt her further. Besides, I don't need his blessing." Yi Jeong scooped a big piece of ice cream, "I have made enough money in my own right to provide for Ga Eul. My name is too big in the art world for him to disown it and even if he does, I have made a lot of connections with various museums these past few years especially in Sweden." He shrugged not really concerned, "So, he can accept Ga Eul as his new granddaughter or not but he won't get a say either way."

"What if he tries to threaten you two?"

"Then I will walk away from the So dynasty without a backward glance," Yi Jeong confirmed without hesitation, "Ga Eul is more important than my family or career."

Woo Bin grinned, feeling proud of Yi Jeong. Not that long ago, he would have never thought about going against his grandfather. His name and career being the only thing he truly cared about except for his friends. "Good for you man."

Yi Jeong rolled his eyes, "thanks."

They clacked spoons and tackled the chocolate ice cream spending the rest of the night betting on whether or not Jan Di would actually accept Jun Pyo's proposal.

"So that is what happened to my ice cream," Ga Eul said poking him good naturedly in the ribs.

Yi Jeong kissed the back of her neck, "I will buy you more."

They fell silent enjoying the moment for a while before Ga Eul spoke up curiously, "Do you think Gu Jun Pyo and the others could fly out here on our last day?" Yi Jeong frowned, "Probably but we are staying for almost two months. Why?"

She brushed her lips over his softly, "I have one request for our wedding."

"Anything you want." Yi Jeong said seriously, "I mean it, Ga Eul. Don't worry about the money- "

"I don't want one," Ga Eul spoke over him and noticing his panicked expression, she hurried on, "I want to marry you now. Right here."

Yi Jeong blinked surprised, "Huh? Don't you want to plan and do the whole girl thing?"

Ga Eul shook her head with a loving smile, "I'm not Jan Di, Yi Jeong. I knew you were the one for me the moment I met you." She rubbed his knuckles, "She is going to take this engagement period with Gu Jun Pyo to see if their lives can really mesh together. Along with figuring out how to let Ji Hoo Sunbae truly go or if she even wants too."

Yi Jeong agreed with her, it would be interesting to see how the three of them negotiated this new phase of Jan Di's and Jun Pyo's relationship but he was still unclear on what this had to do with them.

"Ga Eul," he started to speak but she laid her fingers over his lips, "let me finish." She buried her body deeper into his embrace, "I don't need any time to figure us out. I want to be your wife more than anything. That dream is what kept me sane during our separation and when Seo Jun had me for those few hours. Now, I don't want to wait any longer for it to come true. If Jan Di and the others can fly out here the week before we leave, I would like to just exchange our vows on the beach. We can do a celebration later for our families."

He tightened his hold, "Are you sure? I don't want you to regret anything or not get the day you have always wanted."

Ga Eul nodded in confirmation, "I have never wanted a big wedding. I would rather have something small with only our friends. Here," she gestured to the shore, "where it all started for us." She stared at him nervously trying to gauge his reaction, "Unless you are not okay with all that?"

Yi Jeong kissed her, "I love it. I will call Woo Bin in a few days to make the arrangements for them to fly down at the end of next month."

Ga Eul wrapped her arms around his neck, "Good." She gazed around before looking at him with a sly smile, "but right now, I would rather celebrate our engagement."

He smirked moving to pick her up but Ga Eul pushed him back down, leaning until her mouth teased his, "the hammock is sturdy enough."

Yi Jeong gave a low growl and flipped her over with ease as her laughter filled the night air. Pretty soon though Ga Eul could only gasp declarations of love as Yi Jeong whispered his own vows along her skin. Letting the sound of the waves carry them through the night while they started their new beginning.