Hey guys! First of all I want to thank everyone so much for checking on me and asking me how I am doing after my surgery. I am doing a lot better! And I am hopeful in a few weeks, I will be able to resume my normal schedule. So thank you for all the warm wishes and thoughts :-) I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

Now this story has around two or three more chapters. I actually wrote the ending for this first one random night and loved it so much that I decided to create a story around it lol. So I am really excited to get to that part of it.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying and if you are waiting for the second part to the Seoul prequel I posted last week, I am hoping to have it up in the next few days.

Let me know what you all think!

Ha Ni peered at the recipe in bafflement. "De-bone the-- What does that even mean?" She frantically flipped through the pages as though there would be some secret cooking tip hidden on a different page. She looked worriedly at the clock and seeing that Eun Jo was supposed to be home any minute, she groaned.

"Why did Geum Hee leave this to me?"

Gazing at everything on the table which had been left for her, Ha Ni gulped with panic and prayed someone would miraculously come home and save her.

Normally, her mother-in-law handled this but she was currently away on a shoot and since her blog was being noticed, she tended to take longer to get the perfect shot. So dinner tonight was falling on Ha Ni which was making her head explode with dread. She knew that her cooking was less than edible and didn't particularly want to accidentally poison anyone.

For the past few years her family had discreetly ensured that she never had to cook or do anything remotely in the kitchen. Geum Hee normally did all their meals and if she couldn't then Baek Seung Jo cooked. And at the reminder of her husband who could take the barest ingredients and somehow make a four-course meal, Ha Ni plopped her head down hard on the counter with a deep whine.

"Why is this so hard?"

She sat there and wallowed for a second before she shook herself out of her panic. "Enough, Oh Ha Ni. It's just dinner for Eun Jo. Not a banquet for the tennis team."

She took a deep breath and deciding the cookbook would only confuse her, she quickly set it aside. "I probably can't do any worse by myself anyway."

Ha Ni eyed what she had set out for the recipe and decided to start with what made sense first. So, picking up the large knife and being careful to go slow, she began chopping up the vegetables. Aware to keep the chunks small enough to be cooked down. And while they didn't have the methodical precision of Seung Jo, Ha Ni felt like they weren't likely to cause choking either.

"Now what?" Ha Ni pondered and remembering that Geum Hee usually sautéed her vegetables first, she gingerly picked up the oil. "Please don't catch on fire, please don't catch on fire, please don't catch on fire."

With a frightened prayer, she dropped some oil in the hot skillet and was deeply relieved when it didn't automatically burst into flames. Letting out a shaky breath, she added the vegetables and began to carefully stir them. And as they started to fry without burning or resembling some charred bug, she slowly relaxed. Not wanting to push her luck though, Ha Ni quickly lowered the heat and deciding to just follow her instincts on the spices and the rest, she finished putting everything else into the skillet.

As the aroma began to rise in the kitchen, she was pleased to find it somewhat appealing. Maybe not the fragrant smell of a perfectly executed meal but at least edible. She heard the door open as she began to grab the plates with a small sense of satisfaction. The kitchen was still in one-piece and she didn't think anything she had made was likely to send someone to the hospital.

"Noona?"

"In here, Eun Jo."

He came around the corner and his eyes widened in alarm. "Uh… what are you doing?"

"Making dinner," Ha Ni told him and cringed at the pure horror in his expression.

"Your mom had to work." She exclaimed defensively. "It was either me or nothing."

"You could have just ordered in!" Eun Jo cried and Ha Ni inwardly slapped herself. Why didn't she think of that?

"But look," she rushed to hold up the pan. "It doesn't look so bad… Right?"

He scowled and gingerly took the food, smelling it carefully. "I guess it doesn't look terrible."

"See," Ha Ni pushed him to the table. "Progress."

"I don't think not terrible is progress, Ha Ni." Eun Jo grumbled before sighing in defeat and took a small bite. Ha Ni watched in trepidation as he swallowed and narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Are you sure you made this?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because I just took a bite and I don't automatically need to throw up."

Ha Ni gave an offended growl and reached over to swat him but so accustomed to his mother's quick hands, he easily ducked the blow. "It was a compliment!"

Seung Jo closed his eyes as the hot water beat down on his head. His body slowly de-thawing from the frigid air which had seemed to soak in everywhere today. Even being inside with thick sweaters had not generated any extra warmth.

"I hate winter," Seung Jo grumbled darkly. "It's wet and depressing. I don't know why Ha Ni always gets so happy about it."

He yanked a towel around him and hoped the coffee he had ordered from room service would arrive soon. Not just for the caffeine buzz to help him focus but maybe it would help him not feel like Frosty the Snowman.

Once dressed in two different layers, he settled into bed with his laptop and noticed an email from his mother blinking at him. Which immediately made him roll his eyes. While his mother had always been hyper and sometimes overwhelming in her enthusiasm for life, she had been even more so these past few weeks. Too excited and nervous by the rising popularity of her blog to have any normal semblance of control.

"The last time she emailed me was so I could help her decide over two different pictures about a twig in the park."

And when he dryly pointed out that each photo had been exactly the same, his mother had yelled in annoyance that one twig had been slightly off-center while the other was straight facing the camera. "Those little details are important, Baek Seung Jo!"

He shook his head and clicked on the attachment. "I don't know why she asks for my opinion anyway. It's not like she ever listens to me."

Except as he began to scroll through the photos, he was surprised to see they weren't of her latest photoshoot but rather off Ha Ni. His wife was in a fluffy purple coat which covered her nursing scrubs and was caught mid-laugh as she twirled in the snow.

"We had our first snowfall here yesterday," his mother wrote in the box. "Ha Ni was so excited that she didn't even bother to change her clothes first. The minute she got off the bus from Parang, she was dragging Eun Jo and me off to the park to play.

Seung Jo smiled slightly as he flipped through the images. There was one of her and Eun Jo making snow angels and while his younger brother didn't look as enthusiastic about it as Ha Ni, he still caught the pleased expression on his face.

However, the main one which caught his eye was one of her sitting cross-legged in the snow, her head facing the camera. She was smiling brightly but he noticed that her eyes look a little dark and she appeared pale. He frowned at the image and reached for his cell to call her but catching the time, he stopped with a sigh. Unsure if he should bother her which immediately irritated him.

They had not really talked much since he had left for his trip. For one thing, he had been so consumed by the conference it had not left a lot of time for anything else. Usually, he was so exhausted by the time he reached his room at night, he just went instantly asleep. They messaged each other a few times but they were more quick checking in with each other rather the actual conversations.

Seung Jo did not really know why there seemed to be a distance between them. He figured it was simply because he was having to be gone for so long and the physical distance. After all, he mused thoughtfully… They had lived together for almost two years before they were even officially a couple. So, they had never really been a part for long periods like this before. Except for the random few months when he pitched an epic fit and moved into his own place.

He grimaced at the memory. Despite what his family may believe, Seung Jo did regret his leaving the way he did. He should have at least been honest about why he was running away. It had nothing to do with his mother's meddling or his father's pressure to join the company. Which if he thought about it, Soo Chang had never overly pushed him about. Of course, he wished his son would take over the business he had worked so hard on creating but his father was too gentle and supportive to truly be angry over his son deciding to go to medical school instead.

No, Seung Jo was the one who just assumed his family was determined to dictate his life and become angry over a problem that didn't exist. Because deep down, it had always been about Ha Ni. About loving someone who didn't make sense to him logically. And for a man who had lived his whole life by his brain, the idea of doing something which went completely against his normal had thrown him for a deep loop.

He didn't like not knowing his own feelings and struggling with emotions he never experienced before… Such as jealousy over Bong Joon Gu or having someone pushing back at him like Oh Ha Ni. Maybe not intellectually but from the beginning Ha Ni had pushed him not to be so arrogant. Not assume other people's thoughts and feelings were somehow less because they lacked his intelligence. That logic had its place but he was also allowed to follow his heart.

Thankfully, his wife had forgiven him for his cold shoulder and running away which he knew had deeply hurt her. Nor did his mother and father seem to harbor any lingering resentment over his decision to cut them temporarily out of his life. But Seung Jo knew his behavior back then was partially responsible for his father's illness and that was something he would never fully forgive himself for. Not to mention the reminder to never take his family for granted again.

And with that particular thought, his eye once more drifted to his phone. Maybe he should call Ha Ni after all… So what if they only talked superficially or just for a few minutes? It would at least be a start.

Except as his thumb hovered over his contacts, he ended up pressing Geum Hee's name instead.

"Baek Seung Jo!"

He smiled at the cheerful call and once again amazed at the energy of his mother. Only his mom could sound just as bouncy in the middle of the night as she did in the early morning.

"Hi, mom. Did I wake you?"

"No. I was just editing." He heard her rustling in the background as she chattered about her latest shoot and her excitement over the work. He half-listened and replied appropriately when needed. "I'm happy for you, Mom."

"Thank you." Geum Hee laughed knowingly. "Now, why don't you tell me the real reason you called."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I highly doubt you called me this late all the way from China just to hear about your mothers latest rambling over her hobby."

"I was just wondering how Ha Ni was doing?" Seung Jo asked casually, pleased that his voice seemed normal. "She looked a little tired in the photos you sent me."

"Really? I didn't notice." Geum Hee replied before adding in confusion. "But if it is worrying you, why are asking me? Why not call Ha Ni?"

Seung Jo honestly didn't know how to answer that. It wasn't like he was nervous to speak to his wife… "I don't know." He finally admitted quietly, "I guess I am not sure she really wants me too."

He realized this was the real reason he wanted to speak to his mom. After all, there was no-one who knew Oh Ha Ni better than Geum Hee. But more importantly, Seung Jo squirmed in defeat, no-one knew him better.

"Seung Jo, why would you think that?" Geum Hee asked in concern. "Is something wrong?"

"She hasn't called me." Seung Jo finally blurted out in frustration. "Not really. She hasn't even messaged me or—"

"Or rushed to China to be by your side." His mother finished in sudden understanding and he heard the low amusement in her voice. "She is not following you like a puppy dog and it's bothering you."

"You didn't have to put it quite like that," he mumbled and she chuckled softly. "Well, isn't that what you meant?"

"I guess."

Geum Hee shook her head and leaned back in her chair with a small smile. "Seung Jo, for someone who has been married to Oh Ha Ni these past four years, you are still fairly clueless when it comes to her."

Seung Jo frowned and felt him bristling defensively. "What does that mean?"

"It means that despite everything, you still keep falling into the same trap," his mother explained patiently. "You're mad at Ha Ni because she is not able to magically read your mind and realize you miss her."

"She should know I miss her," he snapped in annoyance. "She's my wife."

"True," she agreed breezily. "But Ha Ni also knows it used to annoy you when she crowded you or tried to inject herself into all parts of your life out of jealousy. So this time she is trying to be respectful. Not to mention she is probably afraid of interrupting your work and figures you would prefer for her wait and let you call when you're free."

The truth over her words hit him like a ton of bricks and he inwardly cursed. His mother was right. Ha Ni probably assumed he was consumed by his research and didn't want to be disturbed. So, she was letting him handle the amount of contact between them right now. And instead of being grateful for it, he had been pouting on the phone to his mother like a two year old.

His poor wife couldn't win, Seung Jo realized in disgust. He was mad when she clung to him and mad when she didn't.

"You're right." Seung Jo finally admitted with a sigh. "I haven't handled this well."

"Of course I'm right." Geum Hee laughed. "Now would you please hang up and go call the person you really want to talk too."

Ha Ni was folding baskets of laundry and wondering how one person could own so many pairs of the same shirt when her phone rang. Seeing Seung Jo's name, she answered it without thinking. "Do you know I have the exact same t-shirt in four different colors?"

"What?" Her husband asked in confusion and she frowned in annoyance as she held them up to the light. "Pink, blue, and yellow… The same shirt. What a waste of fashion."

Seung Jo laughed and felt himself relaxing at the easy exchange. "That's what you get for only wearing scrubs now. You've stopped paying attention when you buy regular clothes."

"True." Ha Ni agreed but suddenly remembering the time and that he was calling from China instead of his office at Parang she let out a small gasp. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Seung Jo frowned at the question. "Does something have to be wrong for me to call you?"

"No," Ha Ni stammered in confusion at his offended tone. "Of course not but it's late so I just assumed—"

"I miss you."

This made her stop in such shock that she even took the phone away from her ear to stare at it before replying in slight awe. "I miss you too."

"Good." Seung Jo said briskly which made her roll her eyes. "Although, I don't mind sleeping without someone snoring in my ear all night.

"Yah!"

Ha Ni snorted as she returned to the laundry. "Like you miss me kicking you all night?"

"That's different," Seung Jo grumbled but grinned over the ice being broken and for the first time since he left, they didn't talk stiffly to one another or try to rush off the phone.

"I went to the bank today," Ha Ni reminded him. "I put in the deposit for the bills coming out next week."

Seung Jo nodded and fought with a twinge of guilt that she was also having to handle all the day-to-day tasks on top of everything else. Especially since he was the one usually took care of the bills.

"Any problems?"

"No. But I will send you the tallies just to make sure I added everything up correctly."

"Okay."

They talked casually for a few more minutes before Seung Jo remembered the photo which had alarmed him in the first place. "Mom sent me some photos of you playing in the snow yesterday."

"She did?" Ha Ni beamed at the memory of seeing the snowfall as she rode the bus home yesterday. "It was so pretty out."

"You looked a little pale." Seung Jo said softly. "Are you feeling all right?"

"Mm-hmm." Ha Ni answered with a yawn. "Just tired. Between Parang and the noodle shop, I have been busier than normal."

"The noddle shop?"

"My dad still can't find anyone to replace Bong Joon Gu." She let out another wide yawn. "So, I have been waitressing in the evenings so he can at least do the cooking."

No wonder she looked so tired, Seung Jo mused and felt a rising sense of concern. "Don't overdo it. You can always ask Eun Jo to help him instead-"

"Oh no," Ha Ni quickly protested. "He's so busy with school and soccer. Besides, this is the time in his life to have fun. I can't ask him to help out my dad."

I can, Seung Jo thought darkly. He had no problem sending his younger brother to work for her. Knowing how badly she didn't like to interrupt Eun Jo's schedule though, he decided to wait and see how she sounded in a few days.

He was about to remind her that she needed to take care of herself as well though when he heard her give a muted gasp of pain which instantly made him sit up in alarm.

"Whats wrong?" Seung Jo snapped and she grimaced. "Leg cramp." She gave a quick laugh so not to overly worry him. "I'm just a little sore. It's been a while since I've put on my waitress shoes."

"Do I need to come home?"

At the low question, Ha Ni felt her heart ache and she desperately wanted to say yes. She could feel her body trembling with how deeply she missed him. But she knew she couldn't drag him away from this. Not after he worked so hard for it. Besides, it wouldn't be much longer. She could manage a few more weeks.

"No, Seung Jo. Really, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Ha Ni said brightly in a tone that she didn't quite feel. "So, don't worry about me." Looking at the time she added a teasingly. "Now it's bedtime for Doctor Baek."

"You too," Seung Jo ordered quietly. "I mean it, Ha Ni. Get some sleep."

"I will." Ha Ni assured him but they didn't automatically hang up. Both feeling strangely reluctant to let the other go after not really talking for the past few weeks. "I'm glad you called, Seung Jo."

He closed his eyes and feeling like the world's biggest jerk for his previous annoyance, he rubbed his head with a low murmur. "Me too."

Ha Ni grinned at the husky reply and felt her heart beat a little easier after talking to him. Not realizing how deeply she had needed to hear his voice until now. "Good-night."

"Good night, sweetheart" Seung Jo whispered tenderly but as they finally hung up, he couldn't quite shake his lingering worry. For the most part, Ha Ni had been her usual bright and bubbly self but something still didn't seem right. Her constant yawning and simply brushing off his concerns with a few vague assurances not to worry. Which of course only made him worry even more.

Seung Jo grabbed his phone again, knowing only one person who would be more loyal to him than Ha Ni.

"Oh, Eun Jo."