A.N.: Thank you for your reads, reviews, favorites and follows. They make my days. Have a great day.
What's one thing that you did today to make someone smile?
Disclaimer: I don't own these BOF characters but the new ones.
Published: July 31, 2018
Chapter 10: What Now?
Mrs. Chu was stunned to see not only Yi Jeong but Jun Pyo and Woo Bin standing outside of her house. The three prominent young men of South Korea and with Ji Hoo already inside, the F4 was complete.
"Ahjussi!"
"Ahjussi! You're here again."
The children immediately took Yi Jeong's hands and pulled him in.
"Please… come in," she stuttered, still reeling in the surprise of seeing the three.
"Thank you," the F3 bowed simultaneously.
"Ahjussi, my name is Chu Eun Ae." The little girl introduced herself to Woo Bin and Jun Pyo.
"And my name is Chu Beom Jii."
"Hello, Chu Eun Ae and Chu Beom Jii. I'm Ahjussi Song Woo Bin and this is my friend Ahjussi Gu Jun Pyo. We are your Omma's friends." Woo Bin playfully pinched Eun Ae's cheek and the little girl giggled. She was cute.
"Omma's friends too?" queried Beom Jii.
"Yes, we are," Jun Pyo confirmed.
"Everybody is in the living room," and Mrs. Chu led them to the said room.
"Annyeonghaseyo." The three men bowed to Mr. Chu.
The older man and Ga Eul were very surprised to see all of them there but not a second after, Ga Eul rushed to Yi Jeong and threw her arms around him tightly, nearly knocking him down and cried louder.
Her unexpected action earned gasps and shock from the others. The twin looked puzzled as they looked at each other and their Omma. Yi Jeong then freed his hands from the twin and wrapped them around Ga Eul. He, too, cried with her. He did not why she hugged him and cried but he could feel her love in the hug. The feeling was ineffable and only God knew what.
Jan Di could no longer hold her tears and Jun Pyo went to his wife to calm her down but Mr. and Mrs. Chu were still shocked to see their daughter and Yi Jeong in an embrace.
"Ga Eul."
Mr. Chu's voice was firm.
"Chu Ga Eul." His call was firmer when there was no response from his daughter and Yi Jeong.
Beom Jii pulled on his Omma's skirt.
"Omma…"
"Ga Eul," Mrs. Chu softly called her daughter.
Ga Eul broke the hug and wiped her tears but was instantly replaced by more. Her left hand then found Yi Jeong's right one and she interlaced their fingers. They looked at each other with longing eyes as she cupped his cheek and thumbed away his tears. Yi Jeong's lips curved up to a smile.
"Ga Eul." Mr. Chu called again. His eyes were fixed on Yi Jeong.
"Step away from him, Ga Eul."
"What?"
Everybody turned to look at the Master of the House. This was not the reaction that they were expecting, not after what Jan Di and Ji Hoo had told him earlier.
"I said step away from him." His voice had raised.
"No!" protested the young woman. She tightened her hold on Yi Jeong.
"Sir, please. I love Ga Eul. I mean no harm."
"Honey?" Mrs. Chu needed to understand what her husband was thinking.
Mr. Chu stood up and approached the two, eyes not leaving the man.
"Appa…" Ga Eul stepped closer to Yi Jeong.
Mrs. Chu tried to pull the twin to her for fear of what was going to happen but they somehow stepped forward and stood in front of their Omma and the Ahjussi making Mrs. Chu gasped and The F3 and Jan Di could not believe their eyes. The children seemed like they were shielding the two adults from their grandfather. The room became unnervingly silent.
"Harabeoji, are Harabeoji mad at Omma?" asked Beom Jii. Usually, when Omma was upset at them, Omma's voice was a little raised and Harabeoji did the same.
"Omma, are Omma in trouble?" added Eun Ae as she looked up at Ga Eul but Ga Eul just shook her head and smiled a little at the little girl.
"Eun Ae, Beom Jii, let's go back to your room. We haven't finished building the house," Mrs. Chu did not want the children to witness any inappropriate and unpleasant situation between the adults.
"No, Omma. Let them stay. It's time for them to know the truth." Ga Eul firmly stated.
"Ga Eul, no. They don't have to know. They won't understand it anyway. No. Not yet," objected her father.
"Appa…"
"Sir," Ji Hoo need to do something and quick.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Yoon but this is between Yi Jeong-shii, my daughter and me."
"I don't mean to be rude but now this matter involves all of us as well, Sir. Whatever you have to say to Yi Jeong, you have to say to us too."
"Yes, Sir." Woo Bin seconded while Jun Pyo and Jan Di nodded in agreement.
Mr. Chu frowned at the F4, contemplating on what to do.
"Honey," Mrs. Chu grabbed her husband hand and whispered: "I need to talk to you."
"What?"
"Please, just follow me."
"Why?"
"Come on, Honey. Please excuse us for a moment," and dragged her reluctant husband out.
The elders went to the guestroom.
"What are you doing, Honey?" Mr. Chu was getting upset by his wife's interruption.
"What am I doing? What are you doing?" Her hands were already on the hips.
"What was that? Step away from Yi Jeong?"
"You didn't hear what Jan Di and Dr. Yoon said about him. All those years, making our Ga Eul suffer for four years, Honey. I'm not going to let him near Ga Eul and the kids."
"I may not be in there earlier but if Ga Eul reacted like that, that must mean something. What really happened years ago? Why did it take him so long to find Ga Eul? His mother passed away three months after we left, surely he'd be able to find us?"
Mr. Chu did not answer.
"Surely Jan Di and Dr. Yoon know why. What did they say?"
Mr. Chu paced back and forth, left and right. He did not want to be judgmental but he was very concerned about his daughter and grandchildren.
"What is it, Honey? Tell me."
"He was not stable, Honey. Mentally. He got into severe depression."
"What? Wait. Hang on a second. I thought severe depression doesn't mean mentally unstable? I don't know. But that was before, right? What about now? He doesn't look like a depressed man. Desperate? Yes, for Ga Eul, us to forgive him. Hopeful? Yes too. For a second chance with Ga Eul. But depressed? I don't know. I don't think he is."
"Honey, think about it. All that he's done since he came here; going to the school and lying to take the children from their class and stalking Ga Eul, the club incident. I'm worried for Ga Eul and the kids."
"You're not telling me all. What you really feel. Out with it, Chu Yong-Sun."
Mr. Chu sighed heavily.
"Now he was in severe depression. What if, if we allow Ga Eul to be with him and in the future he falls into it again? What will happen to Ga Eul and the kids? And his late mother was also mentally unstable, from what we heard. Don't you see it? It's hereditary. I can't take the risk."
"Chu Yong-Sun! You are crazy and irrational, do you know that?"
"I am what?"
"I can't believe you. Are you my husband? This is not my husband. Sure, my husband cares about Ga Eul and the twin and will do anything to protect them but being judgmental and making a rash decision is not how he is. My husband takes time to think about things, to analyze situations and you are not making any sense that it is so ridiculous."
"But I have thought about it. I don't want Ga Eul and the kids to be subjected to his… his… unpredictable and unexpected behavior. What if he hurt them physically?"
Mrs. Chu shook her head.
"Look. I need to hear the truth from Yi Jeong and the others. I'm not getting much from you here. We are going to go back inside and you are going to be civil and not go dictator on Ga Eul."
"You don't believe me? Why do you have a change of heart regarding him? You equally agreed with me about him before."
"Because when I saw Ga Eul hugged him and was protective of him, I know that she really loves him. I can see it in her eyes, Honey, and she would not be like that if she doesn't believe him too."
"Aish! I… I don't want her to get hurt again. Can't you understand that? Do you know how hard it was… no… is… to be strong for her and not cry every time she cried thinking about what he had done? Going through motherhood without the father of the twin? And four years…"
Mrs. Chu wrapped her arms around her husband's waist and laid her head against his chest. "I know, Honey. I was there too and I felt the same. But it's different now. So Yi Jeong is back and he seems determined to be in their lives. I'm torn too but what if all these lead to a happy ending?"
Mr. Chu enclosed his wife in his arms. What should he do? He still thought that four years was too long for him and his friends to find them. Weren't they people with connections? Why couldn't they find them? But the most worrying was for his daughter's and grandchildren's safety. What if Yi Jeong falls back into depression? Furthermore, whatever reason Yi Jeong had for hurting Ga Eul years ago still hurt him. Should he forgive the young man?
"Please don't overthink, Honey." She tightened the hold on her husband.
"I… I'm afraid… for them."
"I know. As a mother, I don't want anything bad happens to my daughter. I'm scared too for the unknown future but what if this is what is meant to be? Their long separation and now, reunited. What does this mean? It is fate and destiny. Some things are just not meant to be understood on why they happened but there's something that all of us should learn from."
Mrs. Chu looked up to her husband and kissed his lips.
"You are an amazing and wonderful, loving father and grandfather. Do you know that?"
He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"What do you say? Shall we go back in there? I'm sure they are all nervous and anxious."
"Please give me a few more minutes."
She raised her eyebrows but then softened. "OK, Honey. I love you."
"I love you more."
Meanwhile, in the lounge, everyone was now seated. The moment the elders left they talked about Mr. Chu's surprising reaction. Why did he react that way? Ji Hoo and Jan Di had told him the truths about everything and yet, he did not seem to believe them and was still angry at Yi Jeong. Each voiced out his and her thoughts on what the elder was going to do next. They were indeed nervous and anxious. They hoped that Mr. Chu would be much calmer so they can continue discussing on the next move.
But they could not discuss much since the children were there. Eun Ae and Beom Jii sat on Yi Jeong's and Ga Eul's laps, respectively. They asked why Omma was crying and why Harabeoji was upset but Ga Eul simply told them that something got into Omma's eyes and that Harabeoji was not upset, only a little misunderstanding.
It was an elating feeling for Yi Jeong to be with Ga Eul and his children, without Ga Eul being angry at him. He felt complete, something that he hadn't felt since the day his Omma threatened him and when he made that worst decision. He was with family now and vowed to make it official as soon as possible.
"Ahjussi," Eun Ae pulled on his suit sleeve.
"Yes, ba… Eun Ae." It was on the tip of his tongue to call her Baby. Everybody had their attention on the two now.
"Do you bring lollipops?"
Yi Jeong chuckled at the unexpected question as the rest raised their eyebrows, puzzled.
"Yes, Ahjussi. The lollipops Ahjussi gave the last time were delicious," added Beom Jii.
"I'm sorry. I don't have them now. Maybe later when we go out I can buy you more?"
The twin clapped their hands excitedly but Ga Eul looked at Yi Jeong with a frown.
"Why did you say that?" A little coming to a whisper.
"Say what?"
"Maybe later when we go out?"
"Don't you want to go out with me? Us?"
"I… I…" She did not know how to answer. Surely she wanted to but they would have to see how it would go with her parents.
"Eun Ae, Beom Jii," Jan Di waved for them to come to her and the two immediately get down and went to her. Yi Jeong then took Ga Eul's hands in his.
Jan Di picked up Beom Jii while Jun Pyo, Eun Ae. The couple agreed to wait for another year before they tried for a baby. They wanted to really settle down with their jobs first.
"They are cute and pretty, Ga Eul, Yi Jeong," praised Woo Bin.
Ga Eul and Yi Jeong smiled widely. "Thank you, Woo Bin Sunbae."
"It's like seeing Yi Jeong's and Ga Eul's mini-me. Amazing," he further stated.
"Jan Di, let's not wait anymore. Let's have a baby," Jun Pyo said as his head tilted a little from Eun Ae's hand playing with his curly hair. She had never seen hair that curly.
"Eun Ae, don't do that. It's rude." Ga Eul scolded.
"That's alright, Ga Eul. I need the practice when my baby comes."
"Jun Pyo…" Jan Di's face went redder.
"Ahjumma, are you sleeping here?" asked Beom Jii.
"Awww. I wish I can but sorry. We're staying at the hotel in town."
"A hotel? Is it big?"
"Yes, it's big, Sweetheart."
"Omma calls me Sweetheart too." He smiled widely.
"Do you want to go to the hotel?" asked Ji Hoo.
"Can we?" Eun Ae's eye went wide in excitement at the thought of going to a hotel. They had never stayed at one. Not that she could remember.
"Why don't you ask Omma?"
The children looked at their mother with hopeful eyes.
"Can we, Omma?"
"Can we?"
Ga Eul looked at Yi Jeong and he was also hopeful.
"Sure. We'll go."
"Yeayyyy!"
The little ones then bombarded Jan Di, Jun Pyo, Ji Hoo and Woo Bin with questions about the hotel, where they came from and told the adults about their kindergarten and friends. They were quite chatterboxes.
As the four were enchanted and kept busy by their children, Yi Jeong leaned toward Ga Eul and whispered.
"Am I forgiven?" and blew into her ear, sending shivers, not unpleasant, throughout her body. Their kisses in his hotel room assaulted her mind and she shivered more. He tightened his fingers with hers.
"I don't know. Should you be?"
"Ga Eul…" He was taken aback by her answer. Why? Did he misunderstand her actions now? He looked at their entangled fingers and then her eyes, searching for the answer. His heart hammered faster. What if she rejected him?
"It won't be that easy, Yi Jeong. There are more for you to prove but for now," she looked at their hands and back at him. "I'm giving you another chance. The last one."
"Ga Eul… I promise you. I won't repeat the same mistake. I love you. I..."
"Let's do this later, OK. I don't feel comfortable whispering like this."
"OK. I can do that. But I really mean what I said, Ga Eul."
She gave him a sweet smile and leaned her head against his shoulder. He rested his head at the side of hers and they then watched their children still animatedly charming the four adults. It was a blissful feeling watching the little ones. Their little ones who they created together. Their children. His love for them was already brimming to the full.
The clear of a throat made everyone suddenly stopped whatever they were doing. The two elders came in and took their seats. Eun Ae and Beom Jii then went to their grandparents and climbed on the latter's laps. Mr. and Mrs. Chu kissed their grandchildren's foreheads.
The young people straightened their backs and paid attention to the elders sitting across them. Mr. Chu directed his frown at Yi Jeong and Ga Eul. Their hands were still glued together.
Yi Jeong, Ga Eul, Jan Di, Ji Hoo, Jun Pyo and Woo Bin held their breaths. Even the twin was quiet.
"It's a lot to take in these few days and especially today." Mr. Chu held his stare at Yi Jeong.
"But it's not just these few days' events, it's since that day."
Everybody understood what he meant and Yi Jeong felt like he was punched in the gut. Ga Eul then squeezed his hand as if she knew how he felt.
"It's not easy to ignore what had happened and it's definitely not easy to forget the pain, hurt, suffering and everything."
Mrs. Chu glided a hand along her husband's arm. The gesture had always had a calming effect on him.
Yi Jeong lowered his head, ashamed and guilty for he was the cause of them all. Ga Eul then leaned against his shoulder, ignoring his father's questioning eyes when she did that.
"I don't want my daughter to go through it again, and my grandchildren should never experience them."
"Honey…"
Mr. Chu looked at his wife and nodded.
"I'll be honest here, Yi Jeong-shii."
Yi Jeong looked up at the older man. His heart was thundering wildly.
"If I was to have it my way, today will be the last day that you're seeing Ga Eul and the children."
"Appa?"
"Sir…"
"Ga Eul, you are my daughter. Although you are an adult and a mother now, you are still my daughter. You are still my responsibility and my responsibility is to keep you safe, to protect you. I hate to see you get hurt again."
"Appa…"
"Sir…"
The F3 and Jan Di kept quiet but silently prayed for a good news. Yi Jeong had suffered enough and it was time for him to be happy, even if this whole thing was caused by his wrong decision. He deserved a second chance.
"I still don't trust you, Yi Jeong-shii."
"Sir…"
"Appa…"
"Uncle… he…" but Jun Pyo placed a hand on Jan Di's, not wanting her to say anything else. There were still more that the elder wanted to say.
"There are still a lot of things that I worry for my daughter and grandchildren… if I let you in our lives again."
"Sir, I promise you with my life that I will not hurt Ga Eul again."
"Please don't make promises that you can't keep, Yi Jeong-shii."
"Appa!"
"It's alright, Ga Eul." Yi Jeong softly patted her hand.
"I know that I screwed up badly. My wrong decision had hurt you and your family, Sir. But I've learned my lesson well and have been punished for the mistake. I assure you that I won't have it repeated. I admit. I was depressed for so long and that scared you. You're afraid if I'd go back to that person. I myself don't want to be that person again, ever. So I still have sessions with the psychiatrist to keep me in check. Other than them," he gestured to the four people there. "Talking to my psychiatrist helps me tremendously."
Yi Jeong then let go of Ga Eul's hand and approached her father. He then knelt down in front of the man and bowed.
"Yi Jeong?"
All the other adults gasped at his unexpected action.
"Yi Jeong-shii. Please, get up." Mr. Chu was uncomfortable.
But Yi Jeong kept his position.
"Please believe me that I will do my all to keep Ga Eul and the children safe. I promise that I will take care of them as best as I can and I will not hurt them. And I will prove it to you even if it'll take me my whole lifetime. Please, all I ask is a second chance. I will not disappoint you again."
Mr. Chu put Eun Ae down and held the kneeling man's shoulders. "Please stand up, Yi Jeong-shii. You don't have to do this."
The older man helped the younger one up. They were now face-to-face. Mr. Chu looked straight into Yi Jeong's eyes. He badly wanted to see a sign of an assurance that his fears for his daughter's and grandchildren's future were unnecessary.
After what felt like an eternity in the room which was deathly silent, Mr. Chu shifted his gaze to his nervous daughter. She was pleading with her eyes, he could see that. He then looked at his two adorable innocent grandchildren. He smiled lovingly at the two who definitely did not understand what was going on.
He then placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder.
"Yi Jeong-shii. I don't want my daughter and grandchildren to suffer in the future. They are my family and my responsibilities. I won't let them get hurt. I don't care if she's married to the richest man in the world or the king of the world. Nobody hurt my family."
"Sir…"
"Appa…"
"Honey…"
"Uncle…"
"What you said earlier about my fears? It's all true. I'm afraid that you'll turn back into that man. I don't want to risk their safety."
"Sir, I assure…"
"Let me finish."
"I'm sorry, Sir."
"What I'm going to do is one of the few hardest things in my whole life. After all that they've been through, Ga Eul especially, I need to have the peace of mind that they are going to be alright and happiest."
"Appa…"
Ga Eul could not hold the tears anymore. She understood her father's ground and loved him for it but her heart wanted a different thing. She wanted a second chance with Yi Jeong. What Jan Di and Ji Hoo told strengthened that want. She believed what they told about Yi Jeong. Jan Di and Ji Hoo would never lie about something this serious. Yi Jeong deserved a second chance. She deserved another chance to be happier with the man she loved. Even if she earlier insinuated to Yi Jeong that she might not forgive him, she had actually had.
"With the heaviest heart, I'm going against my tenet and principle here."
Everybody held their breaths.
"But I'm doing this for my daughter and grandchildren."
Yi Jeong could only nod.
"Ga Eul,"
"Yes, Appa."
Mr. Chu nodded for her to join them. Ga Eul wiped her tears away and went to them. She stood next to Yi Jeong, facing her father. Mr. Chu smiled at her lovingly and cupped her right cheek. Her tears rolled down again.
The father then took her right hand and Yi Jeong's left hand before joining their two hands together. Gasps, hitched breaths and chokes were heard around them. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul looked at each other and then at the older man.
Mr. Chu's voice quivered.
"I give my blessing. Yi Jeong-shii. I'm trusting you with my daughter's happiness once again but this will be the last time. The moment you make her cry and hurt her, you will never see her and the children again, ever."
"Appa…" Ga Eul disentangled her hand from Yi Jeong and hugged her father tightly as she cried and cried. Mr. Chu held her and cried too. It was so hard for him to come to this decision for he still had some reservations. He prayed that he would not regret this decision in the future.
Jan Di and Mrs. Chu were also in tears while the men held theirs. At long last, Yi Jeong was going to get his happiness back. He had suffered enough, a kind of punishment for his wrong decision.
The twin started to cry too when Omma, Halmoni, and Harabeoji cried. They then came to Omma and hugged her legs, one on each side. Mr. Chu then broke the hug and kissed Ga Eul on the forehead.
"I love you, Ga Eul."
With tears still flowing, "I love you too, Appa. Thank you."
Ga Eul then knelt to her children's level and put her arms around them. She kissed their cheeks and held them tight.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chu turned to Yi Jeong. The potter bowed low but the elder surprised him by pulling him into a hug. He was stunned before slowly braving himself to hug him back.
"Please don't make me regret this, Yi Jeong-shii. I'm putting my daughter's happiness in your hands now. Make her happy."
Yi Jeong choked and nodded. "I promise, Sir. I promise."
The F3, Jan Di, and Mrs. Chu all stood up and gathered closer to the five of them.
Mrs. Chu placed a hand on her husband's back and smiled.
The two men broke apart and the F3 hugged and congratulated Yi Jeong while Jan Di knelt down and enclosed Ga Eul and her children in her arms. Mrs. Chu then leaned her head against her husband's shoulder and whispered: "Thank you, Honey. I'm so proud of you. I love you."
After a while, the crying stopped and they took their seat. This time, the twin sat on Ga Eul's laps.
"Omma, why did Omma cry? Omma make us sad when Omma cry." Beom Jii rested his head on Omma's chest and Eun Ae nodded.
"Omma cried because Omma am happy." She gently stroked her children's hair.
"Omma cry because Omma are happy?" Eun Ae did not understand why. She had never cried because she was happy. Only when she was sad, hungry, fell down or when Beom Jii hit her or when she hit him in their many fights.
"Yes, Darling. Because Omma am very, very, happy." She then kissed their foreheads.
Meanwhile, Yi Jeong could not keep his eyes off of the three; the three most beautiful human beings in his world. The feeling was overwhelming, in the above the best way that it could be. Ga Eul caught her father's eyes and Mr. Chu gestured the twin. Ga Eul nodded. It was time.
But before she could say anything, Mrs. Chu spoke up.
"Please excuse me. I'll go make some tea."
"I'll help you, Auntie."
Jan Di then followed Mrs. Chu to the kitchen.
While waiting for the two ladies to come back with their drinks, Eun Ae and Beom Jii kept them occupied with their questions and talks. However, things were a little awkward among the adults, them still taking in the relief at what happened just a few minutes earlier but one thing for sure, a celebration for this wonderful news was on its way. A 100 percent positive.
Not long after Mrs. Chu came in followed by Jan Di. After a few sips and bites of some fruits and cookies, Mr. Chu signaled Ga Eul to proceed.
The twin was munching on the cookies; their favorite. Crumbs were all over their dress and shirt.
"Darling, Sweetheart." Ga Eul said after glancing at Yi Jeong.
"Yes, Omma." Both answered in unison.
"There is something that all of us want to tell you two."
The little ones kept eating while paying attention to their Omma.
"Do you remember when we talked about your Appa?"
They nodded though Ga Eul did not miss a hint of sadness in their eyes.
"If you have the chance to meet your Appa, would you like that?"
Both looked at each other such that Ga Eul wished that she could get into their connected minds and see what they were communicating about. Her heartrates doubled as she patiently waited for their answers. She knew that she had said something that night that made them sad but she hoped that they would be happy to hear the news.
Yi Jeong too was trying to keep his heart calm. He was excited yet nervous. The twin was taking some time to answer.
"Yes, Omma. We want to meet Appa. Does Appa want to meet us?" asked Beom Jii.
In an instant, sighs of relief were heard.
"Yes, Sweetheart, Darling. Appa can't wait to get to know you better."
"Did Omma meet Appa? Where is Appa now? When can we go meet Appa?" There was excitement in Eun Ae's voice and the twin's eyes lit up. They could not wait to meet him so that they could tell Hyo-Son and their friends at kindergarten that they too had a father.
Ga Eul looked at Yi Jeong and smiled.
"Beom Jii, Eun Ae." He softly called.
The two turned to him.
"I'm your Appa." Tears already welling.
But the two just gaped at him.
Silence filled the room.
Beom Jii and Eun Ae looked at him and then at their Omma, their eyes needing confirmation. Ahjussi? Appa? With them now?
"Sweetheart? Darling?"
But they then looked back at Yi Jeong who was sporting a nervous smile. What if they decided that they don't want him? His breath began to shorten but he held on.
"Appa?" Both spoke, unsure.
"Yes, Beom Jii, Eun Ae. I'm your Appa."
"Omma, this is Appa?" asked Eun Ae.
"Yes, Darling. This is Appa." Ga Eul could no longer keep her tears away.
Eun Ae came closer to Yi Jeong and her twin followed. Yi Jeong held his breath, and so did the rest. The feeling was intense yet this was a monumental moment in their lives.
Eun Ae placed her small hand on Yi Jeong's right cheek while Beom Jii placed his on the left cheek. Yi Jeong had to keep a choke down. He gently placed his hands on theirs.
It felt like an eternity.
"Appa are here. Where did Appa go?" Whispers by both Eun Ae and Beom Jii, and Yi Jeong immediately enclosed them in his arms, his tears flowed freely. "My babies. Appa am sorry for not finding you sooner. Appa am sorry. Appa love you very much. Appa love you."
There was not a single dry eye in the room.
And Ga Eul threw her arms around the three. Her family was now finally complete.
A few minutes later everybody had calmed down a little. The twin could not let go of their father's hands, worried if he would leave them again.
As a scientist in the name of a doctor, Ji Hoo pondered on how there were things in this world that were just unexplained and did not make any sense according to the human's logical mind and all the scientific experiments. When it came to feelings, even if scientists tried to connect them to the neurons, chemicals and what else in the brain, there were moments where these did not come close to explain certain types of feelings. Then the one word came to his mind: Miracles.
He believed that for what happened today here in this living room far away from their city, miracles played their magic in softening the hearts of the three Chu adults and to open the little children's young innocent hearts so widely to accept a father who had been absent from their whole lives. A family was now reunited after long years of suffering.
After a while, Mrs. Chu spoke up asking if everybody would like to stay for dinner. The F3 and Jan Di politely declined, reasoning that they did not want to further take more of the newly found family's time. Ga Eul insisted but they said no. She then looked at Yi Jeong, hoping that he would stay. There were so many things to discuss and by the look of the little ones, she did not think that they would be happy if he left.
Yi Jeong gave her a loving smile. "I'll stay," and a wide smile curved up her beautiful face.
The F3 and Jan Di then announced that they were leaving and made Yi Jeong promised to call them and that all of them should meet up tomorrow before they headed back to Seoul. Yi Jeong and Ga Eul could not thank their best friends enough for their help, Yi Jeong especially. If he did not call them here, he did not know how long and how else he was going to make Mr. and Mrs. Chu accept him. He was truly grateful and indebted to them, especially when they had to take leave from their busy schedules to help him.
After they left, Ga Eul wanted to help her mother in the kitchen but Mrs. Chu declined and told her to be with her children and Yi Jeong. Mr. Chu then went to assist his wife.
The children grabbed Yi Jeong's hands and pulled him to the stairs. "Let's go up and play."
His eyebrows raised as he looked at Ga Eul and she shrugged her shoulders. They then went upstairs to her bedroom.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes. This is their bedroom too. Come on in," as she opened the door.
It was a medium-sized room, white in color to give a more spacious feeling to it. On the floor were toy blocks, a half-finished what looked like a castle and other soft toys. The queen-sized bed was in the middle with lots of small pillows on it. The children immediately sat on the floor, selecting toys to show to him.
"Sorry for the mess."
"That's alright." He gently caressed her cheek, making her leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. She had missed this, his warm hand. When she opened her eyes, he had lessened the gap between them. Their eyes met and both felt like their hearts were about to burst. He leaned forward and so did she.
"Appa, look. A unicorn." Eun Ae held up the said toy.
"And this is my robot, Appa." Beom Jii too did not want his father to miss his toy.
Yi Jeong and Ga Eul chuckled at the interruption. They then joined the children on the floor. The room was filled with laughter. The children were so excited and could not stop talking and they played until Mr. Chu came to tell them dinner was ready.
Before Mr. Chu knocked on the door, he had observed them from the outside. They were happy playing together and Yi Jeong tickling the children and Ga Eul, earning laughter from them. Ga Eul had this beautiful glow on her face that Mr. Chu had not seen for a long time. It was different. It was like all those times before the 'tragedy' befell her. Mr. Chu then turned his attention to Yi Jeong. This man, the one whom his daughter loved after all that happened. This man was a complex person but looking at him right now, Mr. Chu wanted to believe that Yi Jeong would live up to his promise to take care of Ga Eul and the children. Mr. Chu rubbed his chest to not let his tears fall.
At the dinner table, Yi Jeong was sandwiched by the twin. Dinner time was lively with the children's chatters. The elders asked Yi Jeong about his work and all. Then, Mr. Chu asked the question: "What is your plan now, Yi Jeong-shii?" The three adults stopped eating.
"To be honest, I would love to have Ga Eul and the children with me but I understand that she has her job here and you and Madam. We will have to discuss this further."
He looked at her and saw that she was thinking deeply.
"Yes, Appa. We'll have to discuss this further."
"Whatever you decide, you know we will support you, Ga Eul," her mother said.
"Yes, Omma. Thank you."
"Appa, can Appa tell us a bed-time story?" Eun Ae asked.
"Sure, Baby." Yi Jeong lightly pinched her cheek, making her giggled. He was going to ask Ga Eul for a storybook later for he had long forgotten about any bed-time story.
"Appa, can Omma, Eun Ae and I sleep with Appa?" It was Beom Jii this time. His question rendered the adults speechless and Ga Eul's face went red.
Yi Jeong cleared his un-lumped throat.
"Appa have to go back to the hotel. All Appa's clothes are there but Appa will stay to read you a story."
Eun Ae's lips started to quiver and so did Beom Jii's.
No. No. No. No. No. Please don't start.
And then it happened. It started with the quivering of lips followed by sniffs that turned to sobs and ended with the cries.
Yi Jeong was panicking. What is happening? Was it something I say?
"Oh, Sweetheart, Darling, please stop crying."
Mr. and Mrs. Chu watched the twin crying and waited to see how Yi Jeong was going to handle his crying children with little smiles on their faces. It would be a good practice for him.
"Baby, Baby," now he had to have different endearment for the two. "Don't cry, please."
Failed.
"We want to sleep with Appa," cried Beom Jii.
"We want to sleep with Appa," and Eun Ae too.
"What do I do?" Yi Jeong mouthed to Ga Eul and she replied, "Keep talking to them. Reason with them."
"Let's make a deal. Tonight, Appa really have to go back because Appa's clothes are there but tomorrow, why don't you, Omma, Halmoni and Harabeoji come to Appa's place and we can play there and meet Ahjussi Woo Bin, Ahjussi Ji Hoo, Ahjussi Jun Pyo and Ahjumma Jan Di, and then all of you can stay overnight at the hotel? Then Appa can sleep with you two."
The cries started to lessen.
"We'll go swimming in the hotel pool. Would you like that?" He further offered.
"You're doing well," Ga Eul mouthed.
And the crying stopped abruptly. Their eyes went wide at the mention of the swimming pool.
"Can we?" asked Eun Ae.
"Yes, of course," he replied. Phew…Thank God that works.
"OK, Appa. Omma, Halmoni, Harabeoji, we are going swimming tomorrow. Yaayyy." Beom Jii and Eun Ae clapped their hands happily.
Mr. and Mrs. Chu just smiled. Yi Jeong had passed his first crying test as a father but there would be more and it would be interesting to see how he would handle them.
The children fell asleep half-way through the story. Yi Jeong carefully pulled up their blankets and kissed their forehead. His heart swelled at the sight of the peaceful sleeping faces. He was going to miss them. "Until tomorrow, my babies." He whispered.
He then went downstairs to say goodbye to Ga Eul and her parents. He also thanked them for everything today. Ga Eul then saw him to the door.
"How are you going back?"
"My driver is here. I called him earlier. He should be here in a minute."
"Oh…"
Yi Jeong took her hand and kissed the back of it, sending pleasurable shivers all over.
"I can't wait for tomorrow."
"Me too."
"I'll miss you, Ga Eul."
"Me too."
"I love you, Ga Eul."
"Me too."
Yi Jeong chuckled at her repeated answers. Truth was, his warm hand and their close proximity were wreaking havoc on her system.
"I love you, Ga Eul."
"I love you too, Yi Jeong."
Then, Yi Jeong's car stopped in front of the house.
"I'll pick you and the twin up for school, OK?"
"OK. See you tomorrow then."
He then leaned down and kissed her. At last. She did not want the kiss to end.
"You are killing me, Ga Eul. I want you so bad." He whispered in her ear and her face immediately reddened. She could feel his heart thundered under her palm over his chest.
"I… I… I want you too."
"I have to go before I do something that will embarrass us both out here."
"Yi Jeong…" and she reddened more.
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and said goodbye.
Tonight, his nightmare was replaced by a happy dream, of his Ga Eul, Eun Ae and Beom Jii, his heaven and earth.
The next morning Ga Eul brought along a luggage bag. Her parents were not going to join them for they had an invitation to a friend's anniversary party after work. The children jumped up and down when Yi Jeong came to pick them up. They could not wait to go to the hotel. They were going to stay swim, play and stay overnight.
Ga Eul was surprised to see two child car seats installed in the car. Yi Jeong said that he had requested for them. "For my children's safety," he said.
During the ride to school, the twin talked non-stop and asking lots and lots of things that Yi Jeong wondered where they got the energy from. Ga Eul just laughed and said: "Now you know how I feel."
After he dropped them at school, he went back to the hotel to meet up with the others. Also, he had an appointment with a client in an hour.
Ten minutes before school ended, he was already outside waiting for them. In the car, he could not wipe out the smile that had been plastered since he left the hotel. This is the life of a father. Definitely different, something that he had never thought possible before he met Ga Eul yet it was the most elating at the moment.
Five minutes before the school bell rang, he exited the car and leaned against it. A few parents who were also waiting for the children noticed him and wondered who he was. He was a new face there but he just smiled and waved at them.
After about fifteen minutes, Eun Ae and Beom Jii came out running with opened arms, calling "Appa!" "Appa!" repeatedly while Ga Eul tried to keep up with them, reminding them to be careful and not fall. The few parents and staff looked at them, addled. This was the first time that they saw Ga Eul and the children with the handsome man. Ga Eul just smiled at them when their eyes met.
Yi Jeong knelt down so that he could 'catch' the twin. They give him big hugs and kisses on the cheeks and immediately launched into bullets of stories of their day. Ga Eul laughed when Yi Jeong could not catch up with their stories.
"Hi."
"Hi," she gave him a quick hug.
Yi Jeong opened the passenger door and helped the children in. Next, was for Ga Eul. She teased that he was such a gentleman to do so and he pinched her nose for the remark.
They went back to the hotel since the others were waiting for them. When they arrived, the F2 and Woo Bin were waiting for them in the lounge. The children remembered them and hugged them. They ordered some drinks and assorted sandwiches. The children loved the hotel's signature chocolate vanilla smoothies.
The whole group was complete again and a lot of catching up was due. Jan Di could not leave her best friend's side and vice versa. They chatted with sporadic tears here and there during the gathering. They had missed each other very much.
The children managed to make the men follow them when they started to explore the hotel's area to burn off the sugar rush from the chocolate vanilla smoothies. Moreover, everything in the hotel was huge, pretty, amazing and mesmerizing for them. This was the biggest hotel that they had been at, not that they remembered much.
While the men were having a hard time chasing and keeping up with the children, Jan Di and Ga Eul continued with their conversation.
"What now, Ga Eul?"
"Hmm?"
"Are we going to hear the wedding bells soon?"
Ga Eul choked on her drink and Jan Di quickly gave Ga Eul some blows between her shoulder blades with the heel of her hand.
"I'm alright now. Thanks, Jan Di."
"You scared me."
"It's your question."
"Well?"
"It's too early to discuss it."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I mean, we just got together yesterday. Yi Jeong and the children need to get to know each other better, and Appa… I don't think Appa needs any more surprises in this very short time."
"But Ga Eul, from what I saw yesterday, and I'm sure the others did too, Uncle has sort of given you his blessings."
"I… I don't know."
"Ga Eul, please don't tell me that you're having a second thought."
"No. No. No. That's not it. I love Yi Jeong."
"So? What's there to wait for?"
"Jan Di, it's not that easy."
"Enlighten me, then."
Ga Eul sighed and slumped back. What was it that she really wanted?
"It's just too early. I know I want to be with him and marry him… someday but not in the nearest future. I need to really see that he is living up to his words. I need time… I think…"
"Oh, Ga Eul. I know that Yi Jeong will not break his promises and have you really look at him? He loves you and the children. Just trust him, OK?"
Ga Eul simply nodded.
"Both of you had suffered equally, I believe. Maybe you more during this four years, which I apologize for not being here with you, but that is all in the past. It's today and the future that matter now. If you want to have this as a long distance relationship until YOU are ready, just think about the children. They have just found their father."
"I do think about them."
"Then please discuss this with him soonest."
"I'll try."
"No, Ga Eul. Don't try. Do it. Later. Tonight. Just do it. Soon. Today."
"Oh, Jan Di."
"Hey, what are you two discussing? Looks serious." Jun Pyo plonked on the chair next to Jan Di's.
Woo Bin had Eun Ae on his right hip while Ji Hoo carried Beom Jii. Yi Jeong was right behind them.
"Just catching up," Jan Di answered with a smile. The visual of Woo Bin and Ji Hoo carrying a child each was rare yet heartwarming.
Jun Pyo looked at his watch. "Oh, look at the time. The flight's in three hours. We'd better get ready."
"Oh, right. Eun Ae, Beom Jii, come. Ahjussi Woo Bin and Ahjussi Ji Hoo need to go back to their rooms." Ga Eul stood up to take the children from the two but Yi Jeong beat her to it.
"And we are going to our room," said Yi Jeong.
"Yaaayyy!"
Everybody then proceeded to the lift lobby. They promised to meet back in the lobby in an hour.
"Yi Jeong, my bag." Ga Eul just remembered about it when they were outside of his room.
"I already called the concierge to bring it up."
"This is a different room than…"
"Yes, with the children here, we need a bigger room." He whispered and gave her a wink. Red hues instantly colored her cheeks, remembering their last encounter in his room.
"Wow!"
"So big!"
"It's huge, Yi Jeong."
The twin ran and explored every space in the suite. There were two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and the living room. It was like a little house in a room. On the dining table was a basket of fruits and a box of assorted chocolates.
Then the doorbell rang. The children rushed to the door but Ga Eul was the nearest and she opened the door. A bellboy brought their luggage in and Ga Eul thanked him after she gave him some tips.
"You don't have to do that, Ga Eul."
"It's alright. Now, Darling, Sweetheart. Let's get you changed into your swimming suits."
"Yaaayyyy!"
Before she could go into one of the bedrooms, Yi Jeong caught her wrist. "What about you?"
"Ey?"
"Are you going to change too?"
"I don't know. You'll just have to wait and see," and she winked at him. He immediately pulled her for a kiss, something that he had been dying to do since he picked her up from school.
"I'm going to change too," he winked back.
"Ga Eul…" He swallowed thickly. She was in a simple one-piece swimsuit with cutouts on both side of that slim waist which she covered with a light yellow sheer cardigan and a pareo knotted around the waist yet she was a vision.
"Hi. You look nice." She was reminded of him in New Caledonia, the time when they had that soulmate conversation on the paddle boat. No, Ga Eul. He doesn't look nice. He looks incredibly hot.
"Appa!"
"We are ready, Appa. Let's go."
They left the suite and went down to the lobby. Ji Hoo and Woo Bin had already checked-out and they were now waiting for Jun Pyo and Jan Di.
"What?" asked Yi Jeong. Ji Hoo and Woo Bin were giving him the look.
"Swim rings and water wings?"
What a sight.
"Oh, these. Yeah."
"I never thought I'd see this day comes." Woo Bin laughed and joined by Ji Hoo.
"Yes, go on. Laugh as much as you want. Wait till it's your time." Yi Jeong rolled his eyes and Ga Eul tried to keep from giggling.
"Ahjussi, why are Ahjussi laughing?" asked Beom Jii.
"Oh, your Appa here looks like a child with the swim rings and water wings."
"But Appa is big. These are ours," defended Eun Ae.
"Someone's protective of her Appa," teased Ji Hoo.
The adults could no longer contain their laughter.
"What's going on here?" Jun Pyo's voice could be heard from far.
"Yi Jeong?"
"Sure. Laugh it out, Jun Pyo. I know you want to," said the father.
"These suit you." The Shinhwa boss patted the potter's shoulder.
"Hi Eun Ae, Beom Jii."
"Hi, Ahjumma."
"Well, let me check us out first and we can go."
Ten minutes later they said goodbye and the two adults and two children headed to the swimming pools. The weather was nice and the breeze made it more pleasant. There were already a few people at the pools. The children's pool was large and three other children were splashing around.
They chose two pool loungers with a large umbrella and deposited their things on one of the loungers. Ga Eul and Yi Jeong helped the children with the water wings. They then took off their outer clothes and Yi Jeong had to control himself but so had Ga Eul. The children impatiently pulled their hands. The little ones could not wait to jump into the water.
It was super fun. Yi Jeong swore that it was one of the best moments of his life, so far. The children were like fish in the water. They were not afraid of the water that for a few times, his heart nearly stopped when the children refused his hands or Ga Eul's to hold them. Thank God for the water wings and swim rings.
If they were to let the children decide, they would be there forever but when Eun Ae and Beom Jii started to shake and their teeth chattered, it was time to get out of the water. Moreover, it was almost dinner time.
They decided to just have the buffet dinner at the hotel's café since the children were too tired to go out. Dinner was delicious, according to the twin. They wanted cakes but Ga Eul said no. No more sweets or else they would be like little Energizer bunnies the whole night.
Back in the suite, Ga Eul changed the kids into their pajamas and prepared their milk in the bottles. Everybody climbed on the super king sized bed, with the children sandwiched between their parents. Ga Eul passed the children's favorite bedtime stories book to Yi Jeong and he then chose a random story. In no time, the children were fast asleep.
Yi Jeong closed the book and put it on the bedside table. He then kissed the children's foreheads and stood up. He went to the other side of the bed and held out a hand to Ga Eul. Her heart beat faster as she took his hand and he helped her get out of bed. He pulled her closer and gave her a light kiss yet easily sent her to cloud nine. They then walled the twin with pillows.
Gently, he scooped her up and headed to the other room, seated her at the edge of the bed and went to the door.
"Should we leave the door open a little?"
"No, they usually wake up for milk at four."
And he closed the door.
"Are you sure about this?" He sat next to her, tucking some hair behind the ear. She was beautiful.
"Yes. I won't be here if I don't want to."
He then kissed her, gentle at first and she responded equally. Her arms enclosed his neck and his hands rested on the sides of her waist.
"You're so beautiful." His hands moved up along her sides until they rested at her back. He felt her shivered and she shifted closer.
"I love you, Ga Eul."
"I love you too."
And his lips captured hers. They moaned against each other's lips as he bit her lower lip to deepen the kiss. She obliged and they were gone. The kiss turned more passionate and hungrier. Both were pouring everything into the kiss; love and desire. His hands were now roaming all over her back and hers in his hair.
Lips still on each other, he pulled her up to standing position. He leaned back to catch a breath and looked into her eyes. They mirrored his, and he at last yield to them. Clothes flew all over the room in lightning speed.
After more than four years, they re-explored each other and became one, fast and rough, slow and loving, giving and taking pleasures, flying up high to euphoria together, moaning and screaming each other's name for hours to come.
Spent yet deliciously sated, he held her tight, her back to his front. He then kissed her hair.
"Marry me, Ga Eul."