Ga Eul yawned and stretched lazily in front of the cozy, warm glow roaring in the fireplace. Fragments of the nightmare that had woken her quickly vanished as she curled her toes deeper into the dawny comforter and watched the little yellow flames dancing amongst the twin logs in the hearth across the room. They crackled and roared merrily, daring the room to feel cold even with the blizzard swirling around outside.

All safe and warm, she felt like a princess in a snow globe, watching the world outside slowly turn into a wonderland as the white flurries fell gently outside her window one minute, only to smash against it the next.

It could storm all night for all she cared, all was right in the world inside her little home.

Perhaps little wasn't quite the right word for the three-story, fourteen-bedroom lodge Yi Jeong had the nerve to call a cottage...yet, nestled in the snowy wonderland she now called home for several months of the year, Ga Eul couldn't help but feel it was a fitting word. Surrounded by only those she loved most in the world, her "little" home was a literal sanctuary of safety for her parched soul that longed for security.

She smiled, thinking back to that day, just a few months after there wedding, when Yi Jeong had sprung the idea on her. It'd be just a seasonal house, for the winter. Nothing extravagant (yeah right), she'd staunchly refused putting her foot down when she saw the floor plans drawn up for the massive house-she didn't need a big house to be happy-she'd happily live in an actual cottage thank you very much-but Yi Jeong had pouted with those big puppy dog eyes of his (strategically placing a hand over his chest for dramatic effect) and said it was his way of making up for their rushed marriage. As always, Ga Eul had melted, caving into whatever whim he decided to grace her with, but she refused to consider their less than lavish wedding a good reason for it.

It was true their marriage had been rushed and hardly met what most would expect from a man of his status, but Ga Eul wouldn't have traded that day for anything in the world. Yi Jeong had barely been out of the woods when she'd walked down the aisle of the little hospital chaplain to stand by his side, taking his hand in hers while the rest of the F4, Jandi, Yi Jeong's grandfather and Na Ri stood protectively around to witness. With her little white dress borrowed from Jandi and some flowers from the hospital's visitor garden, it was perfect and Ga Eul couldn't have imagined a sweeter or more intimate moment between the two.

Yi Jeong shifted, even in sleep reaching for her while Ga Eul smiled down on the man who'd once argued that she should wait to marry him until he was sure to survive—the gale of those F4 men. So stubborn. She brushed a stray strand of hair off his forehead—it was forever falling into his eyes but the man refused to cut it, "can't let my looks go completely to waste even if I've already married out of my league" he'd teased.

If only life could always be like this. Safe, warm, cozy. Away from all harm and painful memories—would she ever be free of them?

Ga Eul shook her head, clearing the unwanted thought and unconsciously shifting her gaze back to Yi Jeong, his steady breathing calming her. It had been 2 years since they'd almost both lost their lives…but the world had a funny way of righting itself just when all seems lost. Ga Eul had been happy, insanely happy, following the tragic events of her past. Some would say she'd earned it, but Ga Eul knew the truth. She and Yi Jeong had fought for their happy ending, tooth and nail, defying death and all its ugliness.

Yet, the bitter memories still haunted her dreams. The flashbacks often coming at night, making her dreams nightmares and her nights fitful.

Flickers of the dream she'd had scampered across her mind as she played with the ring on her finger, a slight frown creasing her brow. For a moment a cold chill shivered across her spine.

"What is it sweetheart?"

A warm hand stole across her round belly rubbing it lovingly, "little man keeping you awake again" Yi Jeong asked in warm husky tones still half asleep.

"No," Ga Eul snuggled back against him relaxing under the warmth of his touch, "he's quiet for once." She placed a hand on top of Yi Jeong's and glanced back towards the fireplace mantel where the little sketchbook sat with it's black hole through the center. "it was just a dream."

Ga Eul closed her eyes allowing the warm glow to lull her back to sleep. No longer tormented by the nightmare that had woken her. She'd dreamed fitfully of the events that had unfolded following that horrible day. The long recovery Yi Jeong had gone through, the emotional distress of finding out her family's history. How her father and older sister were murdered at the digging site, how most of her memories involving them still remained shrouded in mystery. How her uncle had talked for hours on the phone with them, apologizing and sadly breaking down what little he knew. Visiting their graves and mourning, looking at pictures and laughing. The journey was far from over, but Ga Eul knew with Yi Jeong by her side, they would get through it together.

"Just a dream? Hhm, let me give you a better one" Yi Jeong's strong arms encircling her was the last thing Ga Eul remembered. Her mind no longer adrift with anxious thoughts, she settling into a sweet sleep, grateful to forget the days of her past.

That was a long time ago and her little family was safe

End


Cant believe we've reached the end to this story, its been such a rollercoaster watching our favorite couple in their happiest and saddest moments. Thank you all for sticking with this story and encouraging me to continue along the way! You've truly been my motivation to keep going! I hope to write more fics in the future

See you again soon:)