I apologize if this took a while. There was a major and sudden change in our workplace that took up all of my time so I couldn't write until my Christmas vacation. But here's a chapter to celebrate the holidays and to celebrate the Christmas update of Mystic Messenger.

Chapters will come less frequently now due to the shift in my workplace that has made things significantly more hectic for me so I hope you bear with me.

-.-.-.-

Chapter 12: Celebratations

Saei-rye

The baby's well-being is celebrated 21 days after the birth with a meal. By this time, the baby and mother are still recovering from birth, so people were not allowed to see them. However, close family members are met and prayed for the healthy recovery of the baby's mother on this day.

-.-.-.-

Things have been entirely too hectic around this house that you honestly forgot about the occassion. It wasn't until Zen placed the Miyeok guk and the Baekseolgi in front of you at the dining table for dinner that you were reminded about the celebration.

"Congratulations." Zen whispers with a smile, all charm and gentleness. He was still the same guy you've known for the past few years, same sweetness and care. If you were the least bit assuming, his feelings would have been plain as day to you but you were too caught up in your own whirlwind romance to ever suspect him of more than friendship. Besides, you didn't have much of an ego to assume someone as handsome and naturally caring as Zen being in love with you.

Unfortunately, now that you've been made aware of his love for you, you have been extremely easy to embarrass. Zen tosses you a charming smirk which makes your blush deepen.

"You really are cute when you're being shy." He's enjoying the fact that he can affect you at all. The idea that he can make your heart beat a little faster by just being more open excites him.

You're sore about it though, so you mumble, "Well it isn't fun for me when you're doing it on purpose."

He waves a hand in appeasement. "Okay, I'll stop for a bit, only because today is Haneul's Saei-rye." Your daughter is sleeping in her pram near the dining area where you can keep an eye on her more closely. "And in celebration…here…"

Zen produces a bouquet of two dozen roses, bright red and in full bloom. You don't know where he hid it and how it escaped your view all this time. Your eyes widen. The phrase 'You shouldn't have' was at the tip of your tongue but you stop yourself from blurting it out.

Instead, you say, "Thank you Zen. This is such a lovely gift."

"You've been such a wonderful mother, making sure that Haneul has all she needs. That she's showered with affection. That the tears in her eyes don't stay there for long even when you're hurting or tired. You always put her first." He places a hand over yours. "I've seen the sacrifices you've made for her and marvel at how one person can be so strong."

You've honestly come to hate how easy it is to make you cry these days, but you can't help how your eyes are suddenly so watery at his words and how they're soothing all your insecurities. You can no longer accuse him of not understanding them, not when he's been here all this time.

Seeing how distressed you seem to be, he then bends forward intently and stage whispers. "You're making it so hard not to fall even more in love with you every day you know." The blush comes back in full force before he adds. "Besides, it's a small thing to do for the woman who has done everything for my favorite little girl." He winks at you, trying to lighten the mood. Before you can respond, Haneul gives a soft little mewl signaling that she's now awake. You move to stand but he shakes his head. "Let me get her. You go rest a little."

Zen stands and you watch him. He bends over Haneul and presses his mouth on her tummy, blowing air against her skin which makes her laugh. You're not in love with Zen. And you don't want to conveniently fall in love with him either just because he's here and he's wonderful. You still long for Jumin with every fiber of your being. But you think it wouldn't be so bad if one day you would.

-.-.-.-

I've already given my heart to you.

My love won't stop until the day my heart stops. – Jumin Han, Day 10 Phonecall

-.-.-.-

You bury your face in the pillow, squealing like an overzealous female. You just got off the phone with Jumin, having finally come back into the apartment from an extended stay in his penthouse. The past few days have been the start of your own whirlwind romance. Who knew that the corporate heir you just read about in magazines and occasionally saw in TV is now your boyfriend!

Jumin Han. Your boyfriend.

You scream into the pillow, your voice muffled and your heart in overdrive. This is beyond anything you can ever dream of. Meeting him you thought he was so much colder than you expected. But the more you talked to him, the more you think he was plainly misunderstood. It was easy for you to see right through him and know that behind the emotionless veneer was really someone that just never really confronted his was probably why you were able to be so patient and understanding with him even when, at some points, his possessiveness became a little too overbearing.

And your reward? His heart.

You replay the phone conversation again in your head, replaying the cadence of his deep, sultry voice when he said 'Yes, I love you my beautiful soul.' You scream again at the memory, kicking your legs in an overflow of excitement and joy. With a red face and a wide smile, you open the messenger to log on hoping he was online.

-.-.-.-

Jumin: Zen. Someday, if something happens to me, protect MC for me. You'll become more famous now. Sometimes popularity can be more powerful than money. I….trust the power you'll acquire soon…so you'll be able to protect MC if something happens.

Zen: Don't worry. I protect my friends.

-.-.-.-

The first time the rumors get to Zen, he was caught a little bit off guard. He still can't believe that people are interested in him enough to dig around his personal life. The news came from one of his female coworkers during the cast celebration of his new drama.

"Seonbaaeeee…" Zen smiles politely at the girl. She has always been too clingy and obvious with her affections and he's had a little bit of trouble dodging her advances without being impolite. "I've heard something worrisommeee…" She pouts up at him.

Zen smiles, making sure to watch her unstable form carefully in case she topples over. He really thinks it's a bad idea for girls to get really drunk while wearing high heels, no matter how much he appreciates the aesthetics of it. "Oh? What is it?" His manager keeps telling him that he's too nice and that it's okay not to humor girls like Mi Sun but it isn't in Zen's nature to be so harsh.

Which is why he leans forward when she motions to whisper in his ear. "That you're having sex with Jumin Han's widow."

Her speech is slurred and the sound of the party underway made her words a little bit difficult to understand, but Zen is always extremely sensitive when words like 'Jumin Han's widow' is mentioned. And he couldn't prevent his wince at the crudeness of it. Patiently and still ever so politely, he pulls away and waves his hands to dismiss the thought. "That's certainly not true. When have I ever slept around, with a friend's wife, no less?" His heart twinges a little at the thought. Though he isn't all that traditional, he also isn't promiscuous despite the number of propositions he gets on a regular basis (which exponentially increased now that he's famous). And until you're in love with him, he certainly does not want any claim to your body. Even if it was so hard to practice self control around you especially when...okay, he needs to stop these thoughts right now or else the best in him will awaken.

He misses Mi Sun's babbling with his train of thought until she squeezes his arm and starts pouting up at him, wide eyed and coquettish. "Buutttt Yu na-ssi kept talking about it at our table. She saysss that's why you've stopped flirting with her. Were you flirting with her, Zen Seonbae?"

Zen admits that he was a little bit attracted to Yu Na, his co-lead. During filming especially before Jumin's death, he was being extra attentive to her even though he never asked her out on a date. However, he's made it a personal rule, especially after that Echo Girl debacle, to not date co-stars during filming but he did have plans of pursuing something more after. Thankfully the schedule of this drama is a little bit different in the sense that the director and the studio opted to film all episodes before airing which is part of why he was attracted to the project in the first place. It meant that ratings and fan service would be a secondary priority over story telling. His plans changed though, when he suddenly found you once again single. It was the last thing he ever wanted. Even up to now, he'd want to spare you the heartache if he could at the expense of his own (still theoretical) happiness.

Seeing his silence as an assent and feeling a little neglected, Mi Sun grabs Zen's arm and shakes it, "Sunbaeee, tell me it isn't true."

Zen decides that it would be best not to add fuel to the fire by admitting the complete truth. "Yu na and I are just friends. MC and I are the same. Similar to you and I, Mi Sun-ssi." He smiles and gently pats her on the arm. "I'm sorry, I hope you excuse me. The director is waving for me to come over." He gives her his most charming smile before heading over to the table of the director and the crew.

From here on out, he has to be extra careful. If anyone finds out that the both of you are living under one roof, your reputation would be in tatters and he doesn't want to dishonor you in any way.

-.-.-.

Baek-il

The 100th day celebration for children and mothers . Long ago in Korea childhood diseases were common and the survival rate for new born babies was very low. The 100th day is considered a milestone for babies and families traditionally celebrate them by presenting offerings and praying for the child's wellbeing.

-.-.-.-

No one talks about the propriety of holding a celebration during the grieving period because despite how Jumin treats his employees, everyone also knew how much of a family man he is. Honoring his and your wishes, however, your Father-in-law desisted from throwing a huge party with all his business associates to introduce his granddaughter to his world (securing a promise from you to do so on Haneul's first birthday instead). Instead, you held a small, intimate gathering of close family and friends at the penthouse instead. Your own parents, unfortunately, are unable to make it being old in age and living far away

The small party of 25 meshed well and the joy and cheer was apparent in the household. Haneul, ever so curious, was primly observing the entire event, not being fussy at all as the center of attention. Now that she's gotten a little bit bigger it becomes even more evident how she's the carbon copy of her father. Her dark hair, grey eyes and aristocratic nose all very Jumin. Yet she inherited your openness, smiling wildly and freely, ever so trusting to anyone who picks her up. And she's especially attached to Mr. Chairman who spoils her completely. He picks her up and she giggles, moving her arms up and down in glee at being held.

"You seem happy." It was Saeyoung who, for the occasion, decided to wear cat ears with his usual attire.

"How can I not be? Everyone's having a good time, especially Haneul." You reach out and touch the left ear, feeling the felt fabric briefly. "Remind me again why you thought this was necessary?"

He rolls his eyes as if it was very cumbersome for him to explain probably because he had to repeat himself to every guest in this room. "Because Jumin loves cats and Jumin loves his daughter but Jumin can't be here. Ergo, to celebrate and teach Haneul about the wonderful world of cats is a responsibility that only Uncle Saeyoung can fulfill. Because clearly Zen is lacking in educating her." He takes a sip of his juice. "You really won't tell me where you've kept Elly?"

You shake your head. "Nope. And don't you dare try hacking into the systems to find out. I've given all the bodyguards your photo dressed as a man and a woman. Plus I hired snipers."

His eyebrows disappear against his hairline, "Snipers? Is that really necessary MC?" He's dragging out your name as a whine and it's obvious to you what he's up to.

"Yes, Saeyoung. If you don't behave, I'll tell both Saeran and Jaehee on you and you'll be stuck at a corner the entire night unable to move an inch."

He shudders at this. Saeran and Jaehee did get along, bonding over their mutual satisfaction in keeping him in line. "Fine, fine, I'll play nice. But one day, you'll see, I'll get my chance." He's doing the villain laugh now, making you giggle.

"See if Jumin won't start haunting you if you do." It's been over five months since your husband died. Every day, your heart still aches that he isn't around. You still reach out every morning on his side of the bed, hoping you'd grasp something solid instead of just cold air. Every time Haneul does something new, like push herself up with her fore arms or garble something almost coherent, you still get tears in your eyes wishing Jumin could be here to see. But you've also learned to grasp at the joy that is still around you and the love that you continue to receive.

You catch Zen's eyes, patient and warm, looking over at you. He gives a small wave and excuses himself from the conversation he was having with your college friends before walking over to you. "Hey, sorry I'm late."

You shake your head. "It's fine. I know you have press work nowadays."

"Gahhhh." Saeyoung sighs, shoulders crouched as if burdened. "And you left Jaehee, Yoosung and I do all the party prep. What's the point of your muscles if we can't use them to lift stuff?"

You slap Saeyoung's arm. "You didn't do any heavy lifting! You basically bossed Yoosung around to do it."

"But that's because I don't have any strength. Except finger strength. I hack, remember?"

You narrow your eyes at him. No one still knows what Saeyoung does but you're pretty sure he's much more physically capable than he lets on.

"So…if I challenge you to a thumb wrestle, you'd win?" Zen was already rolling up his sleeves in preparation even before Seven responds.

Saeyoung smirks, "You're on, narcissist. Let me whoop your ass."

You roll your eyes as they start. On round three, they were starting to get rowdy and the sound was attracting your daughter who almost commanded your Father-in-law through waving and loud sounds to carry her in your direction. When she gets there though, she reaches out for Zen instead of you.

"Baaaa" Haneul says, arms reaching up as she wriggles in her Grandfather's arms.

Zen forgets the competition immediately and turns to her. "Oh hello Princess. I'm sorry, I haven't given you proper attention yet, have I? Especially since it's your Baek-il?" He takes Haneul and bows to your Father-in-law in respect. The man claps him on the shoulder, good natured and relaxed before moving on to entertain his girlfriend.

Haneul happily gurgles at Zen. "I think Zen will be the one haunted by Jumin tonight seeing how close he's gotten to his daughter."

You smile as you tug Haneul's dress down, smoothing it out so it would look better. "I think Jumin would be happy someone is showering Haneul with the love he can't physically give." You smile at Zen, your gratitude in your eyes.

It is still hard to wrap your head around Zen's feelings towards you. And yet, it felt so natural that between taking care of Haneul and struggling with your grief, you barely give it much thought. You'd think you would be awkward depending on a man that has openly confessed to you and yet, Zen has been so integrated in your routine that it was hard to picture him out of it. You're pretty sure you would have had a much more miserable time if he wasn't around.

So, you say, "The Baek-il is his celebration as much as it is Haneul's and I."

-.-.-.-

Things are finally calming down, yes? And the format is a little different just because I wanted to touch base on what happened in the beginning and how it's affecting MC's present.

Definitions of the particular traditions quoted above are either lifted from Wikipedia or my own paraphrased from Google search to make it more stylistic. If I made a mistake on them, please feel free to point it out.

Also, Mi Sun was desperately trying to get Zen to tell her that no, he wasn't flirting with Yu na and no, he wasn't sleeping with MC because he only had eyes for his one and only Mi Sun. Poor Mi Sun.

Some Korean terms:

Seonbae – honorific used to address colleagues with more experience, of a superior rank or mentor figures

Miyeok guk – Seaweed Soup. Korean mothers often eat this with every meal so this wasn't really that surprising for MC.

Baekseolgi – White Rice Cake symbolizing sacredness