Chapter 2: Jae Hwa's First Smack Down
A.N.: Hi, thanks for the reads, reviews, favs and follows. How are you today? Hope everything's going on well. Take care and have a great weekend.
Disclaimer: I don't own these BOF characters, other than the new ones.
The main characters and F4 children:
So Yi Jeong and Chu Ga Eul's children: So Dae-Hyun, So Jae Hwa, So Dae-Jung, So Dae-Hwan, So Jae Eun and So Jae Ji. Deceased/Miscarried: So Dae-Ho.
Endearment: Dae-Hyun – Baby (until 7 years old), Jae Hwa – Darling, Dae-Jung – Baby (until Middle School), Dae-Hwan – Hwannie/Sweetheart, Jae Eun – Eunnie/Sweetheart, Jae Ji – Precious, Dae-Ho - Precious.
Song Woo Bin and Ha Jae Kyung's children: Song Eun-Kyung and Song Won-Bin.
Gu Jun Pyo and Geum Jan Di's children: Gu Jung-Hee, Gu Jung-Hwa and Gu Jee Ha.
Yoon Ji Hoo and Yoong Ha Eun's son: Yoon Joo-Won
Published: 18 March 2017
"Appa… no… don't… ha ha ha ha… Appa… stop… Omma… make Ap…pa stop!"
Dae-Hyun, almost 4 years old, was laughing hard as he tried to stop Appa from tickling his waist, stomach, armpits and chest. But Appa was just too strong and had held him captive in Appa's arms. They were sprawled on the thick wool carpet in Appa and Omma's bedroom, with Dae-Hyun on top of Appa.
The seven-month-old baby Jae Hwa could not stop jumping up and down as Omma held her. She flapped her chubby arms energetically left to right, up and down. The sight of Appa and Dae-Hyun Oppa in front excited her. She shrieked and giggled every time Dae-Hyun Oppa shrieked and cried, ticklish from Appa's 'attacks'. Ga Eul grinned wide at the playful scene.
"Mammamma, Pappaaappa, Pappappaa, Mammaaa…"
Baby Jae Hwa wriggled to get free from Omma and pushed Omma's hands. She wanted to join in on the fun. Ga Eul then put her down and she quickly crawled towards Appa and Oppa.
"Honey, watch out… Jae Hwa is…"
"Ouch!" Yi Jeong cried.
Baby Jae Hwa giggled more and continued hitting Appa's face. "Darling… ouch!"
Yi Jeong stopped tickling his son and the boy quickly got off and leaned against Appa's chest. He watched his baby sister in amusement as Appa tried to protect Appa's face from the little girl's hits. Omma came near and wanted to pull her away from Appa but Appa said it was OK and grabbed the baby girl. Appa then held her up high and swung her like a plane, much to her delight, while Dae-Hyun happily clapped his hands and cheered for Appa and his sister.
Yi Jeong alternated the swings with blowing on baby Jae Hwa's tummy, causing her to squeal and shriek more. It was a happy playful time for the So family.
When his arms started to tire, Yi Jeong put baby Jae Hwa on his stomach and kissed her forehead. She cooed and babbled in her own language. Then, as if suddenly remembered what she saw earlier, she clawed Appa's chest. She thought that she was tickling Appa.
"Ouch… Darling… no. Stop. Ha ha ha ha… Ouch!" For a small little girl, Jae Hwa was quite a strong and rough one.
Ga Eul then took Jae Hwa from her husband and placed her on her lap. Yi Jeong sat up facing the mother and daughter, and Dae-Hyun immediately sat on Appa's lap. The big brother held his baby sister's hands and swung them left and right while he sang the Three Bears song.
"Jagiya, Darling's hits really hurt." Yi Jeong massaged his face, to which Ga Eul laughed.
"Jagiya? It's true. Look. Look. I got bruises all over." Yi Jeong leaned forward so that his wife could see his face better. Ga Eul leaned forward. She frowned, scrunched her nose and pouted as she inspected her husband's handsome face. She then pecked his lips and playfully pushed his face away while laughing.
"Aha… Yup. Lots of bruises….not." She laughed again, earning a pout from Yi Jeong.
Ga Eul rolled her eyes. "How hard can Darling hit? Look at her. She's so small."
"Yah! It's true." Yi Jeong protested.
"Darling," Yi Jeong called his daughter. The baby girl looked up at her Appa, she said something which only she knew what. She then tried to pat Appa's cheeks, but instead, it was more like a slap.
"Ouch! Darling. Not too hard. Poor Appa." Yi Jeong held his daughter's hands.
"Appa, Appa. Darling likes to hit Baby too. It hurts." Dae-Hyun did not want to be left out of his parents' conversations.
"See, Jagiya? I rest my case."
Ga Eul laughed out loud hearing her husband and son's 'cases'. Yes, she had her share of Jae Hwa's hits too, and yes, some of the hits were hard and rough, but she was OK because Jae Hwa was still a baby. Besides, she could always tell Jae Hwa about not being too rough when she grew up.
"You two are softies." Ga Eul further teased the two males in front of her.
"No, we're not." Protested Yi Jeong. "We're strong macho men, right Baby?" Dae-Hyun nodded in agreement and both father and son showed their biceps to the two ladies. Baby Jae Hwa shrieked happily and raised her arms up to mimic them.
"Appa, Omma."
"Yes, Baby." Both parents answered in unison.
"Baby's hungry. Can we go to Uncle…. hmmm. Uncle… Uncle Porridge shop? Baby want to eat pumpkin porridge. Baby love Uncle Porridge's pumpkin porridge."
Ga Eul and Yi Jeong grinned wide. Dae-Hyun was referring to the porridge shop where Ga Eul and Jan Di used to work. He loved the pumpkin porridge the first time Appa fed him when they went there two years ago.
"Uncle Porridge?" Yi Jeong asked.
"Sorry Appa, Omma. Baby forget Uncle's name." He lowered his head but Ga Eul placed a finger under his chin and lifted his face up. Her eyes showed love.
"That's OK Baby. Baby can ask Uncle for Uncle's name later, alright?"
His face brightened up. Omma and Appa were not angry at him for forgetting Uncle Porridge's name.
"Well, come on then. Let's freshen up and eat porridge." Yi Jeong excitedly exclaimed.
Dae-Hyun stood up from Appa's lap and Yi Jeong then stood up too. He took Jae Hwa from Ga Eul. Dae-Hyun helped Omma to stand up.
"Darling, do Darling like porridge too? Pumpkin, chicken, abalone, fish, kimchi, beef, vegetables?" Yi Jeong lightly pinched his daughter's cheeks.
"Mummum… kkiinnn ken kinn Appappa dabedaada..."
It was a Sunday. The F3 and their family, as well as Ji Hoo, were at the Gu Mansion. It was the Gu's first born's 4th birthday party. Gu Jung-Hee was the same age as So Dae-Hyun. The party earlier in the afternoon was a grand event with many guests from the high circle of society (upon Jun Pyo's mom's order), and Jan Di's close families.
At first, Jan Di disagreed with the grand party, reasoning that this was already Jung-Hee's fourth birthday and they had already held three birthday parties before. However, her mother-in-law insisted, saying that her new friends needed to know who Jung-Hee and Jung-Hwa were for future business opportunities. It was for Jung-Hee and Jung-Hwa's own good. Jan Di and Jun Pyo's jaws dropped upon hearing her reason.
Fortunately the birthday party went well and everybody had a great time. The adults were happy, and the children were as well. Jung-Hee was ecstatic to receive so many presents that piled up high on the presents table near the entrance of the grand hall.
When all the guests had left, only the F4 and families had stayed back for a more private session. They were in the Gu's huge family area. The F4 were at the leather sofa while the ladies and the children were on the playing mat at one corner of the room.
The ladies - Ga Eul, Jan Di and Jae Kyung watched their children; Dae-Hyun (4) and Jae Hwa (nine months), Jung-Hee (4) and Jung-Hwa (eight months), and Eun-Kyung (3) playing together, with Ga Eul and Jan Di paying extra attention to their still baby Jae Hwa and Jung-Hwa. Still, they let the two babies be on their stomachs or knees and play to their hearts' content. Eun-Kyung was really a good little girl and 'sister'. She occasionally patted the two babies.
Every few minutes or so, laughter erupted from the F4. They were still a close-knit group even when three of them were with families now. They made sure to get together at least once a month.
Screams, yells, laughs and cries were also heard from the children. It was a normal occurrence when they had such gatherings.
The elder boys were now roughhousing. Jung-Hee had his legs wrapped around Dae-Hyun's torso as he tried to lock the latter's neck. Their mothers did not mind at all since they always played rough.
Dae-Hyun tried to get free from Jung-Hee, but Jung-Hee's long legs were just too strong. For a four-year old, Jung-Hee was a tall boy. Jun Pyo was proud and said thank goodness his first born got it from his good genes and not from Omma i.e. Jan Di. That started a round of the Gu's banter, but Jan Di knew that Jun Pyo was just being Jun Pyo. The rest of the group just laughed at their antics.
The two boys laughed and squawked and shouted at each other. Eun-Kyung and Baby Jung-Hwa who were sitting next to baby Jae Hwa clapped their hands excitedly. They seemed to cheer the two boys on. However, Baby Jae Hwa suddenly turned quiet as she watched the two older boys. She had a little frown on her pretty chubby face. She then crawled towards the two Oppas and went closer to Jung-Hee Oppa. He did not notice her because she was behind him. She kept watching him. Out of a sudden, she stood on her knees and slammed her body forward on Jung-Hee, startling the boy. Fortunately, he did not pushed her out of reflex and surprise. She also slapped his back repeatedly and chanted "Paaa paaa paaa paaa."
"OW! OW! OW! Darling! Jae Hwa!" Jung-Hee had to distangle Dae-Hyun and tried to turn around, but Jae Hwa was still on his back, slapping him and trying to crawl over him.
"Ommaaaa! Ommaaaa! Appaaaa! Appaaa!" Jung-Hee cried.
Ga Eul, Jan Di, Jae Kyung and the F4 were shocked. The ladies were busy chit-chatting that they did not realized Jae Hwa had joined in the 'wrestling' session. Ga Eul quickly pulled away baby Jae Hwa and Jan Di pulled away her son. Jae Kyung lifted baby Jung-Hwa up while the F4 remained stunned. Dae-Hyun took Eun-Kyung's hand and went to Omma.
"Waaaaaa! Omma! Appa! Jae Hwa hit me! Waaaaaa!"
"Paappaa Ppaaa paaa paaaa."
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
It was Woo Bin. He was laughing hard and patted Yi Jeong's shoulder. The potter looked at him in puzzlement, and so did the others.
Woo Bin then patted Jun Pyo's shoulder and kept laughing. "Darling?" Jae Kyung asked her husband.
A few seconds later, Ji Hoo joined Woo Bin in his laugh. He now understood why.
"What?" asked Yi Jeong and Jun Pyo simultaneously.
"Well Bro," Woo Bin looked at Yi Jeong, then at Ga Eul. "Ga Eul, you got yourself a wrestler there. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Yi Jeong and Ga Eul's eyes widened in surprise.
"Wrestler?" They then looked at baby Jae Hwa who was still babbling and had bubbles coming out of her mouth. The others also turned to look at her. Jung-Hee's cry had lowered down and he was now in sniffs. He wrapped his hands around Jan Di's waist tightly.
"Jun Pyo, Jan Di," added Ji Hoo. Everybody shifted their attention to the doctor. "Better rough up your son there. Looks like he has a contender. Jae Hwa's going to beat him up when she's older." Ji Hoo grinned widely as Jun Pyo's jaw dropped while Jan Di was wide eyes by his comment.
"Yi Jeong, are you sure Darling's your daughter? Ga Eul's daughter?" teased Woo Bin. Yi Jeong lightly punched in on his arm. Yes, his wife was feminine and ladylike, and he was a lover.
"Ji Hoo Sunbae, Woo Bin Sunbae, Jun Pyo Sunbae, Jan Di, Unnie, I've never seen Darling like that. She never hurt Jung-Hee before, right Jan Di?" said Ga Eul. Baby Jae Hwa was putting Ga Eul's hair into her mouth. Jan Di nodded.
"Darling, say sorry to Jung-Hee Oppa." But Jae Hwa simply giggled. Ga Eul then gently caressed Jung-Hee's cheek. "Aunt Ga Eul is sorry, Jung-Hee."
Jun Pyo quickly went to his son and kneeled down. He turned the boy around to face him and wiped his tears.
"Jung-Hee, does it still hurt?"
The boy shook his head. Jun Pyo nodded and said "Good." He then pointed to baby Jae Hwa.
"Darling is just a baby and she doesn't understand that she hurt you. She thought it was just a play and she wanted to play too. So maybe next time, you don't play wrestling with Dae-Hyun in front of her, OK?"
"OK, Appa. But Darling hit hard, Appa."
Jun Pyo let out a small laugh. "That's because she was excited. She can't control it."
Jung-Hee pouted but nodded. Jun Pyo ruffled his son's bang.
"But, if it can't be avoided, make sure you win in the next wrestling session OK?"
"Jun Pyo!" "Appa?" "Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" were the responses from Jan Di, Jung-Hee and the F3 and Jae Kyung, while Ga Eul held her laugh.
Baby Jae Hwa was on her stomach on Appa and Omma's huge bed. She was still awake. She had a fluffy soft ball in her hands. Appa was next to her, also on his stomach. Omma went to put Dae-Hyun Oppa to sleep.
"So, Darling. Do Darling want to be a wrestler?" Yi Jeong brushed away some loose hair on her forehead that threatened to prick her eyes.
"Ommmaaa mummum dada brrrr."
"But Darling is a girl. A girl doesn't wrestle. A girl dances, ballet maybe? Do Darling want to be a ballet dancer?"
"Appaappaaa bbaaballl."
"Oh, yes. Ball. Good Darling." He kissed her cheeks and blew on the cheeks. Baby Jae Hwa giggled and cooed. He then took the ball from her, and immediately she grabbed it back. Yi Jeong laughed and did it again. Again, his daughter took the ball back while 'scolding' Appa.
"Having fun without Omma?"
Ga Eul sat at the edge of the bed. Baby Jae Hwa immediately crawled towards Omma. She climbed on Omma's lap and touched Omma's chest. Yi Jeong shifted to the other side of the bed to give space to his wife and daughter.
He watched the mother and daughter special bonding time. A smile never left his face.
"What, Honey? Why are you watching us like that?" Ga Eul noticed.
"I love you. I love Darling. I love Baby." He leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead.
Ga Eul smiled at him. "We love you too."
"Jagiya, do you think what Woo Bin said can come true? He seemed confident."
"About what?"
"About Darling, being a wrestler."
Ga Eul smiled again. "Do you want Darling to be a wrestler?"
He quickly shook his head. Ga Eul pinched his nose for his quick response.
"I don't think Darling will be a wrestler. It's normal for her to be a little rough but I don't think it's really rough. She's at this age, and her motor skills are developing. So she's in the phase of trying everything including being a little physical. I won't worry too much, Honey. As she grows up, we'll teach her to be more feminine." Ga Eul giggled at the last word.
"I'm just worried that she'll hurt herself if she's too rough."
"I know, Honey. I don't want that to happen too. But she's going to go through so many stages in her life. Somehow, I don't think she can avoid getting hurt. Maybe from that, she'll learn something. Like don't do the things that are going to hurt her?"
"I guess you're right. Mrs. So Yi Jeong is so smart. I love that." He leaned forward to steal a kiss, but accidentally squished the already asleep baby Jae Hwa, waking her up. She cried a little.
"Ooopsss… sorry, Jagiya."
Ga Eul smiled and continued feeding the baby. Not long after, when she was sure that her daughter was fast asleep, Ga Eul moved her to the pretty crib. It was Dae-Hyun's old crib repainted with baby pink color. She then went back to bed.
Yi Jeong snuggled closer, his hand over her waist.
"Jagiya. I think I know where Darling got her wrestling skill from." He muffled into her hair.
"Hmmm? From where?" She was tired and sleepy.
"Guess from where. No. Guess from whom."
Ga Eul turned her head to look at him. Her eyes immediately widened as she saw him wiggled his eyebrows and gave her the most charming sexy smile.
The room suddenly felt hot.