A.N: Annyeonghaseyo! It's been a crazy week but I had to endure. Hope yours was great, as well as the coming weeks. Loads and loads of thanks for your reviews, reads and support. Take care everybody ^_^

Disclaimer:

I do not own all these BOF characters, but the children.


Chapter 12: After Sweden Part V

"Mr. and Mrs. Chu?" A young nurse was standing at the door.

All four awaiting people promptly stood up and went to the nurse. "We're here," said Mr. Chu.

"Miss Ga Eul is awake. She asked for both of you." The nurse then looked at Yi Jeong. "And you too, Mr. So Yi Jeong."

There was a collective sound of sighs from the group. It definitely was one of the best news for the day. Mrs. Chu wiped her tears of happiness and gratefulness.

"Can all of us go in?" Yi Jeong asked the now blushing nurse.

"Errrr. Yes, sure. The patient is stable now." She answered Yi Jeong before glancing over to Ji Hoo.

"Thank you Miss." Ji Hoo said on behalf of the others.

Yi Jeong's heart broke again at the sight of his fiancée. Ga Eul's face was as pale as a ghost. A tube was attached to her right hand. An outline of bandages on her stomach underneath her hospital shirt could also be seen.

"Omma, Appa." Ga Eul weakly called for her parents as she extended her left hand to them. None of the four people missed the fallen tears on her cheeks. Yi Jeong had to push away his own tears while Ji Hoo put a hand on Yi Jeong's back. He understood the sorrow that Yi Jeong was going through.

Mr. and Mrs. Chu quickly went to her side. Mrs. Chu took her daughter's hand with her right hand and wiped her own tears with the other. Yi Jeong and Ji Hoo went to her right side of the bed.

"Hi Sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Mr. Chu asked his only child with a slightly trembled voice. He needed to put up a strong front.

"I'm OK Appa, Omma. Just a little pain on my stomach." Ga Eul pursed a smile but everybody saw that she was trying hard not to show that she was in pain.

"Omma and Appa are here now to take care of you Sweetheart. Don't worry." Mr. Chu gently caressed Ga Eul's arm as Mrs. Chu kissed her forehead.

Ga Eul nodded and then turned a little to look at her fiancé. She thanked the heaven above for still granting her another chance to be with this man, the man whom she loved with all her heart. Her tears which had just stopped came down again.

"Annyeong Honey." Her voice was soft, almost whispery.

Yi Jeong was surprised. What did Ga Eul just call him? Did he misheard her? He looked at her, his eyes were questioning hers.

"Hello Honey." She whispered again.

Yi Jeong wanted to take her into his arms that instant and never let go. This was the first time that Ga Eul called him Honey, and he told himself that he loved it very much. He had asked her for so many times before to call him other than Yi Jeong, maybe a more intimate endearment but she was just too shy to do so. Now that she had said it, he was not about to complain. Yi Jeong's smile stretched wide that it might hurt his face if he had it much wider.

"Annyeong Jagiya. I miss you."

Ga Eul closed her eyes as she felt his warm soft lips on her forehead. Her tears were still trailing down her cheeks.

"I am so, so sorry Honey for making you worry." She then looked at her parents "Omma, Appa, I'm sorry that you had to miss Uncle's party." Then to Ji Hoo, "Forgive me Ji Hoo Sunbae, for being so troublesome."

"Hey, hey, it's not your fault, Jagiya. Please don't blame yourself." Yi Jeong wiped away her tears. "What's important is that you are here. You are safe here with us now."

Mrs. Chu squeezed Ga Eul's hand tighter as she, her husband and Ji Hoo nodded in agreement.

"Sweetheart, have the Doctor seen you?"

"Yes, Appa. Right after I woke up. He said that I can go home in two days if everything goes well. He's coming again tomorrow and before I go back, he wants to talk to me about something." There was a note of worry and curiosity in Ga Eul's voice.

"Don't worry Ga Eul. That's a normal procedure." Ji Hoo patted her arm softly as he tried to appease her anxiety. Mr. and Mrs. Chu exchanged glances which did not go unnoticed by both young men. Yi Jeong was determined to know what the Doctor had told the elder Chus earlier. However, the question had to wait for the most suitable time.

"Sweetheart, Omma will stay for the night and take care of you. Would you like that?" Mrs. Chu caressed her daughter's pale cheek. Ga Eul smiled, happy.

"Auntie, I can stay here tonight with Ga Eul. I already have my bag in the car. Auntie and Uncle should go home and rest. Auntie and Uncle must be tired from the long drive."

Ji Hoo smiled. He knew that that was what his best friend had wanted to do the moment all these happened: to be with his fiancée.

The elder Chus could not argue more. They stayed for a little longer. Mr. Chu conveyed Ga Eul's uncle and relatives' well wishes to her, while Mrs. Chu shared the story of the beautiful scenery along the way. Ga Eul smiled the whole time, with occasional nods and small laughs when something funny came up. However, her laughs only made her winced in pain. Yi Jeong and Ji Hoo too, chipped in here and there, minus jokes or anything funny. What they were really doing was diverting Ga Eul to focus on other things than her guilt feeling for worrying them.

Half an hour later, Mr. and Mrs. Chu as well as Ji Hoo bid good bye with the promise to return tomorrow. Yi Jeong went to take his bag and laptop from his car.

When he came back to the private room, Ga Eul was already asleep. Yi Jeong gently kissed her forehead, cheeks and lips before settling down on the chair next to her bed. He held her hand and watched her sleep.

"Saranghae Ga Eul. Saranghae Jagiya. Good night my love."

Not long after, he too, succumbed to his own tiredness.


"OMMAAA! APPAAAA! YI JEOONNGG!"

Ga Eul's eyes flew opened. She was sweating profusely despite the cool air conditioned room. She felt a firm grip on her hand and turned to see Yi Jeong next to her. He had a concerned look.

"I'm here Ga Eul. I'm here Jagiya. It's just a bad dream. He won't harm you anymore."

"He won't?"

"He won't. Never anymore." Yi Jeong assured his fiancée.

Ga Eul looked around her. "Omma and Appa?" Where are Omma and Appa?"

"They went home. They'll be here later. Do you want to talk to Omma and Appa?"

Ga Eul nodded. Yi Jeong took out his phone and dialed for Mr. Chu. Once the line went through, he gave the phone to Ga Eul and went to the bathroom. When he came out, Ga Eul was in tears. She had just finished with the call. He rushed to her and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Jagiya, what's wrong?"

She looked at him. "I miss Omma and Appa. I want to go home."

"We'll tell the doctor when he comes in, alright?" He stroke her hair tenderly.

"Do you want to wash your face?" Ga Eul nodded. Yi Jeong went to the bathroom and then brought in a small bowl of water, a small face towel, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Ga Eul blushed. She thought that he was going to help her to the restroom and not do it on the bed. She never brushed her teeth in front of other people. This was embarrassing for her, and what more in front of Yi Jeong. Yi Jeong chuckled when he saw her rosy cheeks.

Not long after, a staff came in with her breakfast. Yi Jeong insisted on feeding her. It was quite a playful breakfast time for both of them. Ga Eul was touched at how Yi Jeong was treating her. He was so loving and caring. Ga Eul held back her tears of happiness. When they were done, Ga Eul leaned towards him and kissed his cheek, surprising him. "Thank you Honey. I love you."

"I love you too Jagiya, with all my heart," and claimed her soft lips.

"Ehem." Someone cleared his throat, startling the young couple. They quickly broke the kiss. Ga Eul's face was red while Yi Jeong just grinned and greeted "Good morning, Doctor."

"Good morning. How are you feeling today Miss Chu?" The doctor started his checks on Ga Eul.

"Good morning Doctor. I feel good, but sometimes my stomach hurts, especially when I bend or turn."

"That is because of your wounds Miss Chu. Please try not to make big movements. If the pain is unbearable, do inform us. Do you feel anything else like hazy or nausea?"

"No, Doctor."

"Very good. The nurse will give you your medicines after this."

"Doctor, can I go home today?"

"I'm sorry Miss Chu. Not yet. We still need to make sure that there's no infection with your wounds. If everything is OK, I think you'll be able to go home tomorrow."

"OK. Thank you Doctor." Ga Eul and Yi Jeong bowed at the doctor. A nurse then came in with her medicines.

Ga Eul lied back on her bed as Yi Jeong sat next to her.

"Honey, don't you have work today? Meetings?" she tenderly held his hand.

"I do, but Appa said that Appa will cover for me."

"But…"

"No buts Miss Chu. I'm going to be here this whole day whether you like it or not."

She nodded in defeat. "Honey, I'm sleepy."

"Must be from your medicine. Rest and sleep now Jagiya." Yi Jeong placed a kiss on her cheek and adjusted her blanket to make her more comfortable.

"Please sing for me, Honey. I love… your voice..." She was beginning to drift off.

Yi Jeong hummed her favorite song until she was fast asleep. He then went to take a shower and changed. He went out for coffee and came back as soon as possible to do some work on his laptop. Once in a while, he glanced up at his sleeping fiancée. She looked peaceful. His heart went out for her. He was extremely devastated at the fact that she was here and had to suffer for being his fiancée but it was something that he could not erase from his and her life. All that he could do right now and after this was to protect her with all his might. Yi Jeong wiped away a stray tear.


All So children hugged their Omma. Jae Hwa, Dae-Jung and Dae-Hwan cried aloud while Dae-Hyun, in silent. Eun-Kyung too, was in tears. Yi Jeong put his arm around his goddaughter.

Dae-Hyun and Jae Hwa knew that Omma had scars on her stomach. They saw it when Omma was changing into her night dress long ago, when they were smaller. But when they asked about it, Omma just smiled and said that when Omma was young, Omma had an accident because Omma was too careless. It never came to their young innocent minds that something as cruel could happen, and it did happen to their wonderful kind Omma.

"Omma, do Omma have the scar? May Baby see it Omma?" Dae-Jung asked after he broke the hug.

"Hwannie want to see it too, Omma." Dae-Hwan was curious as well.

Ga Eul glanced at Yi Jeong. He nodded twice.

The children shifted a bit from Omma. Ga Eul pulled out her silk blouse from her skirt and lifted it up a little, enough for the children to see. The two youngest children and Eun-Kyung gasped. There they were. Two three-centimeters-long scars next to each other on Omma's right side of the stomach. Dae-Hwan traced the scars with his chubby fingers.

"Do they still hurt Omma?" He asked with tears glistening in his eyes. Dae-Jung too traced them up and down.

"No Sweetheart, Baby. They don't hurt anymore." Ga Eul caressed his two sons' cheek, Dae-Hwan first, the Dae-Jung.

"Omma," It was Dae-Hyun. His voice sounded firm and Ga Eul and Yi Jeong sensed a note of anger in it. "Yes, Dae-Hyun." Omma answered as she looked at her first born, lovingly.

"What happen to the people who did this to Omma?"

"Yes, Omma. Did the police catch them?" Jae Hwa added to her Oppa's query.

"Yes, Dae-Hyun, Sweetheart. They did serve their time in prison. How long were they in, Appa?" Ga Eul could not remember for how long.

"They are in for 30 years. They are still there." said Yi Jeong. Yi Jeong noticed an expression of content on Dae-Hyun's face while the rest of the children sported mixed emotions: shock, worry and relief.

"Let us all pray that they have regretted their actions and that they won't hurt other people again." Ga Eul continued, to which Dae-Hyun was surprised. "Omma, aren't Omma angry at them? They hurt Omma."

Ga Eul smiled at her eldest son. "Yes, they hurt Omma but after some times, Omma am not angry at them anymore."

"Aunt Ga Eul? How do Aunt Ga Eul do that?" Eun-Kyung was amazed at Ga Eul's ability to forgive people who had every intention to kill her.

Yi Jeong, too, waited for his wife's answer.

"I'm not very sure, Eun-Kyung Sweetheart. I guess there is no point to keep hating them. They are being punished for their crime, are they not?" Ga Eul then looked at all her children. "Also, what was done, was done. Omma can't turn back time even if Omma hate them for the rest of Omma's life. Omma don't like to live with hatred in Omma's heart. Harabeoji once told Omma that we must forgive people who hate us. Yes, it is hard to do so but we must try. And, there must be a reason why they hate us in the first place. Maybe it's something that we've done to them, something that hurt them without us realizing it. Harabeoji also said that we should send our best prayers to them and hope that they will forgive us too."

The children all had their jaw wide opened. It all sounded too ideal to them but might also be possible. They had seen throughout their not so many years of living that Omma/Aunt Ga Eul was a very kind person. They had never seen her scold their staff at home. They too always saw Omma gave her best smiles to the strangers outside. The children wanted to be like Omma.

Yi Jeong stood up and went to Jae Hwa's table. He took a fresh red carnation from the vase on the table and snapped the stem short. He then put the flower on Ga Eul's right ear and kissed her cheek. Everybody was pleasantly surprised at his unexpected gesture. Ga Eul had the widest smile as she held her husband's hand and said thank you Honey.

"Omma, did Appa take care of Omma after Omma came back home?" Jae Hwa was still curious about Omma and Appa.


Mr. and Mrs. Chu arrived at noon. They wanted to come earlier but Mr. Chu was not feeling so well. Ga Eul told her Appa and Omma to stay at home and rest, but they wanted to see her. When they entered her room, the whole gang except Jun Pyo was there. He had a meeting in Gwangju. Ga Eul looked much better. Gone was her pale face, replaced by a healthier glow. Jan Di held her hand most of the time. She stood up and offered her seat to Mrs. Chu, while Woo Bin who was on the other side of the bed offered his to Mr. Chu. Ji Hoo asked if Mr. Chu had gone to see a doctor about his fever, to which the elder Chu said no. Ji Hoo then suggested that he would take Mr. Chu to see his doctor friend later. Mr. Chu agreed.

They talked and chatted but not once any of them brought the subject matter up. They did not want anybody to feel bad, guilty or sad anymore, especially Ga Eul. It was too late to feel any of those. What they needed to do after this was to be more alert and wary about their surroundings.

Half an hour later, Mr. and Mrs. So arrived. Mrs. So immediately approached Mrs. Chu and Ga Eul. She kissed Ga Eul's forehead and wished for her to get well soon. The ladies chatted away and so were the men. At two p.m. a nurse came in to remind them that the visiting hour was over. All but Yi Jeong and Ga Eul's parents stayed back.

Mr. Chu was coughing non-stop. Following Ji Hoo's order, Yi Jeong took Mr. Chu to see his doctor friend at the outpatient clinic on the ground floor of the hospital while Mrs. Chu stayed with Ga Eul. Ga Eul was tired. Her Omma patted her hand gently and hummed a song that she used to sing to Ga Eul when she was little. Ga Eul closed her eyes and slept. When she was sure that Ga Eul was fast asleep, Mrs. Chu silently cried for her only daughter. She dreaded for what was to come tomorrow.

When the men came back, Ga Eul was still sleeping. Her Omma had also fallen asleep at her bed, her hand still holding Ga Eul's. Mr. Chu softly touched his wife's shoulder to wake her up. She quickly stood up and held her husband's arms. Yi Jeong offered for his driver to send the elder Chus back home for Mr. Chu needed to rest. His fever was running high. However, the Chus wanted to wait for Ga Eul to wake up. They did not want to leave before saying good bye to their daughter. While they waited, Mrs. Chu helped her husband to lie and rest on the couch in the room after he took his medicine. Yi Jeong requested for an extra pillow and blanket from the staff outside.

An hour later Ga Eul woke up. Her Omma helped her to the bathroom. By that time, Mr. Chu was also up. He said that he felt better. Mr. Chu also asked for Yi Jeong's forgiveness because they could not stay with Ga Eul tonight due to his condition. He felt that he had burdened the young lad, to which Yi Jeong quickly interrupted and said that he was alright with taking care of Ga Eul. He did not feel burdened at all. The elder Chus thanked him for the n-th time today and then said good bye. They promised to come early tomorrow. Ga Eul was finally going home.

As much as Ga Eul was happy that Yi Jeong was there with her, she was also feeling guilty especially every time he received a call from work. He would go out of the room to answer the call. However, after the tenth time that he had to do so, his phone stopped ringing for the rest of the day, except for the times when his F3 brothers and parents, her parents and Jan Di called to check on them. It seemed that Yi Jeong sensed her sad and guilty expressions every time he glanced her way to tell her that he was going outside to get the call. Yi Jeong told his assistant to stop calling and any arising matter that was not too important was to wait or emailed to him.

Ga Eul told him that he should go home too. The hospital's couch and sofa bed were not something that he was comfortable with to sleep on. Furthermore, she was OK with spending the night alone. She could always called for the nurse for help. However, he strongly refused, and so, Yi Jeong spent the night attending to his fiancée tirelessly until she fell asleep.

The next morning came early and bright. Ga Eul was very happy. She eagerly waited for her parents to come and take her home. Yi Jeong pretended to sulk and said that she did not want him to take care of her was the main reason why she could not wait to go home. Ga Eul playfully hit his shoulder as he said that. She said that he would have to ask for her parents' permission if he wanted to stay at their home to be her caretaker. Yi Jeong replied by saying that he would ask for it.

Mr. and Mrs. Chu came in exactly at nine a.m. Mrs. Chu did not need to do much with Ga Eul's bag since Yi Jeong had already packed most of her belongings. She then helped to push her on the wheelchair to her doctor's room. Outside the doctor's room, Mr. and Mrs. Chu looked at each other before turning to Ga Eul and Yi Jeong. Ga Eul was kind of nervous but at the same time happy. When they were about to enter the room, Ga Eul grabbed Yi Jeong's wrist. She wanted him to come in too, and he obliged. He had been wondering on what the doctor had to tell since two days ago.

The doctor was surprised to see Yi Jeong there, but respected Ga Eul's decision. He started with the usual, asking her about how she felt today, what to expect when she got home, how long would she needed to stay on leave before resuming her work, anything that she should avoid doing, when her next check-up would be, etc etc etc. The questions were routine.

Ga Eul and Yi Jeong were happy. Ga Eul was recovering well. They were about to thank the doctor when the doctor cleared his throat.

"Miss Chu, there's one more thing that you should know."

Mr. and Mrs. Chu grasps on each other's hands were tight.

"What is it Doctor?" Ga Eul looked at Yi Jeong who sported the same expression as hers before turning her attention back to the doctor. Yi Jeong squeezed her hands a little too firm.

"This also concerns you Mr. So since you are her fiancé and I assume that you two are getting married soon?" The doctor was trying to find the appropriate words to tell the young couple in love in front of him.

"We're listening, Doctor." Ga Eul's heart began to drum a little faster. So did Yi Jeong's.

"The stabs, Miss Chu, unfortunately were deep that they had caused damage to your right ovary. I'm afraid that you will depend on your left one to have children. I am so sorry Miss Chu, Mr. So."

Yi Jeong instantly let go of Ga Eul's hands and went quiet. He was trying to compute the doctor's words.

Shocked, would be an understatement to what Ga Eul was feeling. She could only stare at the doctor. She could not think properly. Her Omma was already sobbing as her Appa tried to comfort Omma.

"Damage… ovary… children… sorry… damage…" The words kept chanting in Ga Eul's mind. Her tears came down free flowing. Her chance of bearing children was cruelly reduced into half from whatever unknown chance that she previously had. What if she could not bear children? She had always loved children, and dreamed of having some of her own, with Yi Jeong as their father. Would Yi Jeong love her still, now that he knew about her condition? Would his parents be OK without any grandchildren from their son? Could they handle their son with no heir? Would they still accept her as their daughter-in-law? Ga Eul's heart felt like bursting, and her head throbbed in pain. She suddenly realized that Yi Jeong had let go of her hands. Ga Eul turned to look at her fiancé.

His expression crushed her heart in an instant. Was that disappointment in his eyes? Ga Eul screamed inwardly.

"Yi Jeong…" she whispered his name.

He looked at her. His stare was intense. He shook his head, stood up, bowed to the doctor and her parents, and ran towards the door. He was gone.

"Yi Jeong!" Ga Eul cried uncontrollably.


It had been three days. Three silent days without him. He ignored her calls and messages. Ga Eul was heartbroken. She lost appetite and her parents were worried about her. When she missed him, she touched her ring, necklace and earrings that he gave, and looked at his numerous pictures. Mrs. Chu wanted to inform Jan Di about her but she forbade. She did not want to disturb Jan Di since her best friend's exam was near.

"So this is it, Chu Ga Eul? Is it over with So Yi Jeong?" she finally asked herself. She got his unsaid message loud and clear.


Woo Bin banged on his studio door.

"So Yi Jeong! You'd better open this door or I swear I'll kick it down. So Yi Jeong!"

Two minutes later the door opened.

"What the hell? Yi Jeong? What happened to you?"

He was miserable. His hair wild and uncombed, he was not wearing any upper garment. He had panda eyes and had not shaved for a few days.

"What happened Yi Jeong? Why are you like this? You don't answer our calls and reply our messages. Your parents are worried, for goodness sake."

"Just leave me alone, Woo Bin."

"Why are you doing this to Ga Eul?"

Yi Jeong's ears perked up by her name.

"I went to visit her this morning. She's sick Yi Jeong. She lost a lot of weight."

Yi Jeong's expression turned worried, but he still kept mum.

"Auntie and Uncle told me the whole thing from the hospital until now." Woo Bin paused and inhaled, deeply.

"Are you crazy Yi Jeong? How could you do this to her? I thought that you love her?" He yelled at his best friend.

"I don't know!" Yi Jeong yelled back.

Yi Jeong was suddenly on the floor. Woo Bin had punched him hard.

"You don't know if you loved her?" Woo Bin roared at the potter.

"No! Yes! No! Yes, I love her, I love her. But I… I…"

"But you what?" Woo Bin was ready to punch him again.

"I don't know. I'm frustrated. I'm confused."

"About what?"

"If she can't have children!"

Woo Bin punched his best friend again. Yi Jeong tasted blood at the left corner of his lips.

"I can't believe that you are my brother. I thought that you have changed Yi Jeong."

Woo Bin helped Yi Jeong up and they sat on the wooden bench, facing each other.

"We are going to talk about this once. You need to make a decision at the end of this discussion, Yi Jeong." Woo Bin had set the rule.

"Do you still love Ga Eul?"

"Yes!" It was an instant reply.

"Why do you love Ga Eul?"

"Because she's my soul mate. Because she's kind, funny, wonderful and she's my everything."

"Do you want to marry her?"

"Yes, I do. But…"

"Do you have a condition before you can marry her?"

"I… yes. No. I…"

"Why are you stuttering Yi Jeong? I asked a simple question. Do you have a condition before you can marry her? If you do, did she know about this condition?"

"I want to have children, Woo Bin. You don't understand."

"Then make me understand."

"Our family demanded an heir to the family business. If I can't give one, the So family will lose the Museum. All those hard work from my ancestors will go to waste. I…"

Woo Bin put up his hand. "Stop! Is this you talking or is this your Appa or Grandfather or your ancestors talking?"

"What?"

"You really disappoint me Yi Jeong. I truly believed that you are a changed man. I can't believe that you lied to us, to Ga Eul that you love her. It seems that you are only using her to get an heir. She's not a baby making machine, Yi Jeong. If you want an heir, you can always get it from one of your many whores before."

"Woo Bin!"

"Moreover, from what I understand from the doctor, she still has chances to have children. She only lost one ovary. Her other one might be healthy. Even if she can't bear children, you would not mind it too much if you really do love her for who she is, perfect or flawed. Oh! Don't forget that Il Hyun Hyung already has a daughter. She is also a So heir."

"…"

"I love you Yi Jeong, but I love Ga Eul too, like a sister. I really do hope that this is only your confused, shocked self, talking. Please think about it hard and properly. But if this is the real you, please do the right thing. Be a man. Go to her parents and break off your engagement. Don't leave her hanging and wondering. She deserves someone much, much better than you."

"I… I…"

"If you need me to come with you, just give me a call." With that, Woo Bin left Yi Jeong alone.

"Ga Eul… I'm sorry…"