Summary (full): After finding out Junpyo has a daughter-from a past mistake-he sets out to find her. So he can raise her. Can Junpyo find her? Or is it too late?
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters from this drama. All other characters are mine {Rae Na, Jae Min, Akira, Jae Ni, Jae Na, Sun Ah and more.
Chapter Five
. . .
. . . JD . . .
"Oh! Jan Di! Are you and Rae Na okay?"
Jan Di smiled. She placed a hand around her daughter, trying to calm her if only for a second. "Yeah, she got over excited when she saw that you were here." With a smile, Jan Di released her grip on Rae Na and watched as the younger reached out impatiently for her grandmother.
Rae Na squealed. "Grandma! Grandpa!" She giggled and held her arms out for Jan Di's mother to take her.
Jan Di smiled, "Come on mom and Dad, let's go home!" She grabbed her parents luggage cart and began to push it while the elder two played with her child. A wide smile played with the edges of JanDi's lips as she listened to the animated chatter back and forth between her father and daughter. Her shoulders relaxed and any weight she had been inadvertently carrying seemed to slip away.
"She is going to be a very beautiful young woman." Her mother cooed softly as she linked arms with her daughter and helped push the cart with luggage. "She might not be yours," She murmured barely above a whisper. "But she is yours, I can see it in the way she acts like - she favors you very much Jan Di."
Jan Di beamed. "You think so?"
"You don't see it?" Her mother nodded softly. "Oh, darling - she is yours blood be damned."
The brunette giggled softly. "It's been a very long time since you cursed." She smiled and batted her lashes innocently. "Grandma better not teach my RaeRae some of those words."
"Jan Di!" Her mother scolded. "You know me better. I believe the last time I used words was when I found out you called AeMi before me." She crossed her arms and pouted. "Your own mother!"
Jan Di smiled sheepishly. "You were the first one to hold her? Besides me?" She bargained.
"I better have been little girl." Her mother tried to be stern. But it didn't work. The two had always had an easy flowing friendship between them as Jan Di group up into a young independent woman. "She's grown so much." Her head tilted. "I was so happy the day you called."
Jan Di smiled at the memory, an overwhelming happiness bubbled within her.
Five Years Earlier
Jan Di smiled as she walked into her daughters room - she needed to phone her mothers before she busted with joy. Nervousness churned within her stomach. Such a tiny little being and it was hers to care for. The smile that had covered her lips since the child had rested in her arms had yet to leave her face. And at this very moment, Jan Di was ninety-nine percent sure it was going to stay for forever.
She placed the small bundle into the pale light pink, brown and white baby crib. It was a special crib. It had been her crib as a child. her mother was a sentimental woman - good thing too. Jan Di's mother had kept quite a few things from her childhood. And the moment she had found out Jan Di was adopting, she packed everything and mailed it to her.
Jan Di hummed softly and smoothed out the baby's thin black hair. So tiny. Yes, the word tiny was on repeat in her mind. But she couldn't be helped. The little girl was the smallest most precious person in her world. Jan Di had never known that someone so tiny could possibly have this strong of an impact on her life this quickly. Her lips formed an 'o' shape as she cooed softly - soothing the child back into a fitful sleep.
She was beautiful. Her skin was a creamy tan - no blemishes. Her eyes, oh her eyes, they were a huge puppy style doe eyes - icy blue in color. She'd never thought about having a little girl with blue yes. It was a rare genetic trait, and surely she'd out grow them. Jan Di heaved a small sigh, she'd miss those blue eyes when the time came. A smile crept on her lips - she'd enjoy them till then though. Her nose was short and pixie like - with a slight flare to the nostrils. Her lips were plump and heart shaped. She was perfect. The most perfectly perfect being in the world.
Stepping out of the room, Jan Di walked into the kitchen and picked up her phone. "Ai Momma!" She bounced in place trying to yell her excitement in a whisper form. It was . . . sort of working.
"Yes?" Ai Mi giggled softly. When Jan Di called like this . . . It was better just to wait her out and see what she said. She held her breath. From what she had gathered, the lady that had called that morning was a very important person in Jan Di - not Amara King's - life.
"She's beautiful." It was all she'd need to say. The other woman would understand perfectly who she was. Jan Di giggled softly as Ai Momma squealed on the other side of the phone. Both girls giggled in quiet glee.
"Did you get her? What does she look like? Does she resemble you? It's a girl right? How old is she? Her eyes, are they pretty?" Ai Mi went off in a tangent, excitement rolling through her in addictive waves.
Jan Di smiled. Ai Momma! Ai Mi! . . . one at a time." She laughed.
"Sorry, sorry," Ai Mi answered in reply. "I'm just to excited."
"Yes, I got her. She's beautiful. Yeah she does kinda - her nose looks like mine; so do her lips - though they are plump; her skin does to." She sighed softly, "so soft and creamy white." Jan Di giggled softly. " Yeah, it's a girl and she is 3 months old."
Ai Mi cooed softly over the phone. "OH! What did you name her?"
"Geum Rae Na."
Ai Momma squealed before yelling. "YUN! HER NAME IS GEUM RAE NA!" She giggled. "Don't shush me!" She growled softly, her nose wrinkling as she glared at her husband - slapping him on the arm."
Jan Di smiled, "I got to go. . . I need to call Mom."
"What!" Ai Mi gasped. "You called me first?" Anyone would be able to pin-point the unabashed shameful glee that was churning within the other woman. "Haha, okay. Stay safe and warm - I'll see you two soon."
Jan Di smiled. "Bye bye." She took a few deep breaths while poking her head into her daughter's room. Her daughter's room. The smile was going to become a permanent fixture. She glanced down at her phone while pressing the touchscreen keypad.
Ring. Ring.
She chewed on her lower lip as she waited for her mother to answer.
"Hey baby," Her mother cooed softly over the phone. She was most likely preparing for the worst. After sending her a quick text Jan Di hadn't spoken to her since then. "How are you?"
That smile was back again. She was going to have to have a really long talk with that smile. She couldn't go around smiling like a loony person all day. That would be bad for her reputation. "She's beautiful." It was really all she could say. Forming complete and long coherent sentences where Rae Na was concerned was not a real option this early in the game.
"Really?" Her mother gasped out in a watery reply. "Is she really?" A hard swallow could be heard over the phone. "I'm so glad for you baby." She sniffled softly. "So very happy. Happy and proud."
Jan Di giggled softly. "She's. . . I don't know how to describe her."
"Oh, don't worry. We were the same way the first couple of months with you." Her mother's soothing voice washed over her. "What did you name her?"
Jan Di glanced down at the baby sleeping in the crib. "Geum Rae Na."
"That is a very pretty name."
Her mother was smiling, she could tell from over the phone. "Ai Mi thought so to."
"Did you call AI Mi before me!" Her mother gasped in scandalized horror. "Geum Jan Di! How dare you."
The brunette giggled softly and murmured soft apologies. "There was some . . . complications," all happiness left as Jan Di thought about the time leading up to Rae Na and her adoption. "The first time I left, I left without . ."
"Baby you don't have too," Her mother cooed lovingly. She would never let her daughter hurt.
Jan Di swallowed. "I spent that night with Ai Momma and Yun. This morning I got a call." She glanced down at the baby. The light of her new world. "This little bundle had arrived on their doorstep." She ran her fingertip over the plumpness of Rae Na's cheek. "This little bundle is mine."
"I'm glad baby."
Present Time | Saturday: 12:45:05 AM
Rae Na giggled as her father snuck Rae Na another piece of candy behind her, Jan Di's, back. She shook her head and continued her work to complete lunch for them all. Jan Di smiled and rolled her eyes softly. As if she didn't know her daughter was eating sugar. She glanced at her daughter from the corner of her eye as she prepared lunch with her mother.
"She has gotten to so big!" Her mother cooed softly. A small giggle falling from her lips as her wrinkled face lit up with a smile. Her light hazel eyes glistened with complete happiness.
Jan Di smiled brightly. That little girl had become the light of her life. "Yeah momma, yes she has." She glanced over once more to see her father tickling Rae Na mercilessly. Her head tilted to the side as she embedded that memory into her mind. "So how long are you both staying for?" Her dark chocolate eyes stared down at the Jelly sandwich she was cutting into small squares for her daughter.
Rae Na liked her jelly sandwiches. No, not peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Jelly sandwiches. She'd fought long and hard, only for Rae Na to bat those little dark eyelashes surrounding blue eyes and lose. So, jelly it was. Don't look at her like that! You would cave too! Long black hair, deep blue eyes and a dimpled smile. Everyone caved when she smiled. It was the law.
Her mom shrugged, "not too long dear . . . your father has to travel to Incheon for work." Her nose scrunched lightly, before smoothing out as her lips quirked at the edges. A slight bounce in her step as she rinsed the lettuce.
Jan Di nodded, "You're going with him?" Her eyes widened slightly, "you never go. Don't tell me . . . you're gonna . . ." She lifted her eyebrow suggestively and swiveled her hips slightly. A cackle slipped from between her lips.
"Guem JAN DI!" Her mother's cheeks tinted a red. Her lower lip was pulled between her lips as she worried it.
She laughed, "dang! Momma is still getting some and her daughter is still not getting anything . . . That's kinda sad." She heaved a put-off sigh and slumped against the counter. "Can I do the whole 'woe is me' yet?"
"No." Her mother chuckled, "oh! I have the perfect guy." She fanned the air as she went into high school 'crush' girl mode. "He is so~ handsome, intelligent, kind...he'd be perfect. And he loves kids! Kya~ He'd be perfect!" She giggled softly and grabbed her phone. "He just got back to Korea - he's been travelling."
Jan Di heaved a small sigh. "Mom, no."
"Why not?" Her mother outed slightly, "Ugh! Fine - but take his number just in case. His name is Woo Bin." She shrugged softly. "Who knows, it might he might be the one!" She smiled widely as she chopped the lettuce.
Jan Di nodded and took the piece of paper her mother had offered her - sticking it to the fridge, out of the child's reach.
"Rae Na! Dad! Dinner time!" Both Jan Di and her mother called.
.
Jan Di sniffled softly. "Do you really have to go? I thought I was going to get you for a whole two days . . . at least?" Her lower lip wobbled slightly. "Can I use RaeNa against you?" A sad smile curled on the edges of her lips.
Her mother laughed softly and pulled her into a tighter hug. "I do wish so darling. But your father has to make this." She pulled away reluctantly. "We do plan to stop back by on our way back?"
"Pwomise?"R ae Na clung to Jan Di's leg as she sniffled quietly. She used the back of her hands to remove traces of tears as she blinked imploringly up at her grandparents. "Will you?"
Jan Di's mother nodded. "Yes, I will call your momma a day ahead so that you will be prepared for when Grandpa and I pop in. Okay?" She leaned down to scoop Rae Na up into her arms. "You be good for your momma okay?"
"I will." Rae Na smiled. "I am a big girl!"
They laughed softly.
"That you are baby." Jan Di cooed lovingly. She patted the little girl's back before taking her from her mother. "Come on sweetheart, we have to let Grandpa and Grandma leave now." She soothed the younger girl gently. "You don't want them to be late do you."
Rae Na shook her head quickly. "Oh, no!" She smiled sweetly and waved. "Come back soon." She giggled softly as her attention was caught by the tv. Wiggling her way out of Jan Di's arms, Rae Na ran towards the living room.
"Amazing how quick she changes gears." Jan Di shook her head. "Where the heck did my energy go?"
Her mother laughed. "I asked myself the same exact question with each year that you grew up." Her eyes sparkled brightly. "You two be good and keep safe." She wrapped her daughter into another hug before attaching her arms two one of her husband. She pulled his arm closer as she used it for an anchor. "Come on darling."
Jan Di's father smiled gently and placed a chaste kiss on Jan Di's cheek before pressing one to his wife's head. "We will see you two soon." His eyes twinkled as he stared down at the beautiful woman his baby girl had become. "And don't worry. You don't have to dial the number on the paper that your mother gave you."
"Yah!" Her mother exclaimed with a laugh. "You had better give it a real good thinking before you toss that paper."
Jan Di laughed softly as she listened to her mother gently berate her father as they moved towards the elevator.
. . . JP . . .
Junpyo shifted in his leather chair. His hands rising instantly to massage his temples at the oncoming headache. His dark chocolate eyes flickered to the large circular clock on his office wall. 12:13 pm. He heaved a small sigh. What if...what if she actually is my daughter? Can it really be that simple? Could she have always been this close to me? Without me even noticing? Could She really be? Junpyo groaned. His scrunched his eyes closed before blink repeatedly to clear his blurry vision. He ran his fingers through his soft hair and pulled at it gently. There was no way it was that simple, just...no way. He leaned forward - letting his elbows rest on the desk while his face rested on his hands.
A head of thick dark hair peeked in. A small smile on his features. "Well look at that! The "Great Goo Junpyo" has returned." He smiled cheekily. Eyes flashing brightly as he strolled into the room with an air that belonged to only the close friends of Junpyo.
Junpyo chuckled softly, "Yes, I am here. Hello - Yi Jung."
The other smiled and plopped down in the leather chair facing the huge desk. "The other's should be here soon." He stretched out in the chair and groaned easily. "At least I think so. You know what happens when Woo sees something shiny. Or Ji Hoo sees a couch." He smiled easily and winked.
Junpyo nodded. "I fig-"
"Yoyoyo!" Woo Bin exclaimed as he stepped inside - followed by a sleepy looking Jihoo. "The prodigal one has returned to us!" He smiled cheekily like Yi Jung had done earlier and plopped down next to Yi Jung.
Jihoo nodded at the boy before claiming the leather couch. What it was comfy looking and that shiny leather chair was not easy to sleep on.
"So what are you up too?" Woo Bin smirked. "You use to hate work. Now after being gone so long the first place you go is to your "office" to work?" He stood and leaned over the desk placing a hand on Junpyo's forehead. He cocked his head to the side. "No fever . . ." He chuckled and moved back to his seat after Junpyo swatted his hand away from him.
Junpyo smiled sadly.
"Your still thinking about her aren't you?" Jihoo questioned - his eyes closed while his caramel colored hair fell across his face.
Junpyo gave a mirthless laugh. You know me to well don't you? "Yea . . . I saw Hye Su. Had to sit by her on the plane." A tight smile covered his lips as a hiss slipped from between his teeth.
The others frowned softly.
"Sorry man. So very sorry Junpyo." Woo Bin whispered softly.
Junpyo scoffed and shook his head. "No . . . I did this to myself." He smiled sadly. I should have been better...a better son, a better lover, a better human. Do I even deserve that little girl? He closed his eyes and swiveled his chair around - facing away from the guys as a tear slid down his cheek. No, no I don't. He gulped - swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat.
"You'll find her." Jihoo spoke softly. Each of them knowing the torment the elder had put himself through.
He scoffed once more. Another - kinder - smile slid onto his lips. "I think I did . . ." he whispered, loud enough for the others to hear.
"Did you really?" Woo Bin questioned.
Junpyo turned back around - all traces of tears gone. He nodded, "I have Jaemin looking into it for me." He sighed, a dazed look filled his murky dark chocolate eyes. "Her eyes . . . they were the same. The same as Hye Su's." He smiled. "She had my lips, thank God she got her mother's nose though." A playful glint lingered in his eyes as the others registered what he had truly said.
The other three laughed softly.
"Yea, I agree . . . your nose . . . that would have been bad." Yi Jung stuck his tongue out at the other one.
"Yah!" Junpyo smiled brightly, laughing softly.
They all paused.
"Enter," Junpyo commanded.
Jaemin stepped inside, bowing deeply. "Good Evening Flower 4. Sorry for the intrusion. . . I will come back later." He stood to leave.
"Stay." Junpyo waved it off. "Do you have the files?"
Jaemin nodded and walked briskly towards Junpyo's desk. "This is everything, sir." He smiled tightly and bowed formally.
"We were never one for such formalness - don't start with us now." Junpyo nodded, "Oh! And Jaemin? I need a new phone - I dropped the other one."
Jaemin nodded and turned to leave. An easy smile covered his lips. "With pleasure sir."
Jihoo sat up and moved to the third chair that faced Junpyo's desk. It wasn't like he was going to sleep with the curiosity that was coursing though him. He wanted to know just like the rest of them all did. Where was Junpyo's daughter?
"You gonna open it?" Woo Bin questioned as he cocked his head to the side.
Junpyo bit his lip and nodded. He grabbed the manila folder and opened it. His dark chocolate eyes scanned the pages.
"Well? What does it say?" Yi Jung exclaimed after a few minutes of silence.
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