A/N: This is the final chapter for this story. I want to thank each and every one of you that have been with me from the first chapter until now. This is the most fun I've had in writing fanfiction. It was challenging sometimes, but it was worth it because of you. I hope that you've enjoyed reading it just as much, if not more. It's been a great journey. So, one final time - here's installment # 21.

Love Conquers All Ways

Chapter 21

"Yong Joo. Are you ready yet?" Mi Young asked.

"Yes, mom! I just need to get my backpack."

"Ok. Hurry. The bus will be here pretty soon!"

After a few moments, a young lady emerged in a classic school uniform with a bumblebee designed backpack on her shoulders. With a ready smile, Yong Joo certainly looked like someone ready to tackle a new challenge.

"Wow! My princess is looking really sharp today! Are you sure you're ready for your first day of school?" Joong Hee asked.

"Yes, daddy!" Yong Joo said with a slight giggle.

"Ok then. Let's get you to the bus stop." Mi Young replied.

"Daddy, Mom, you don't need to take me to the bus stop. I'm a big girl now!" she pleaded.

"Oh, so being 6 years old makes you a big girl now, huh?" Joong Hee inquired.

"Yes. I can go by myself." Young Joo insisted.

"When you're older. Today, you're stuck with us" Mi Young said. With that, the trio made their way hand in hand to the bus stop which wasn't too far away. They seemed to make great time because they arrived just about the same time as the bus. Just before Yong Joo boarded, her parents left her with some final words of wisdom.

"Have fun today. Don't be nervous. Meet new friends" Mi Young offered.

"Listen to the teacher. If you have any problems, you can always call us" Joong Hee seconded.

"I know. Bye, Mom. Bye, Daddy!" She found a seat next to a window where she could clearly see them. As the bus pulled away, the trio exchanged waves of love as Yong Joo embarked on her first day of school.

Mi Young and Joong Hee could only marvel at how much their daughter had grown up. Her initial shyness had long since vanished once she experienced the love of family for the first time. She also proved to be a highly intelligent girl for her age with a deep, natural curiosity for life. Most importantly, her behavior was exemplary as she rarely, if ever, gave them any major trouble. They couldn't help but feel blessed that this same little girl was now their child.

Of course, it wasn't just Yong Joo that had changed the last few years. Both Joong Hee and Mi Young shared a life altering experience – they had become Christians. In fact, Joong Hee ended up going to seminary and eventually became an associate pastor in the "Light of the World" church working alongside Pastor Yoo. Meanwhile, Mi Young worked as part of the church staff. As part of this transformation, Joong Hee decided to step down as host of his popular hit show, "Helping Hands, Helping Hearts". Although the show continued to air with a different host, it was clear that the viewers still connected strongly with Joong Hee. Somehow, he didn't seem to mind moving away from the small screen in order to focus on work with the church.

As they made their way back home, they were cheerful not only about their daughter but also because of a special gathering later that day.

"Are you really excited, Mi Young-ah?"

"Of course. It's always great to see our family!" she beamed.

"Well, we should slowly get ready."

Within a matter of hours, Joong Hee and Mi Young exited their home and traveled to a restaurant where they would meet the rest of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Lee had recently decided that it was finally time to close "Father's Snack Shop" and enjoy retirement. As part of the celebration, all of the children wanted to take the remarkable couple out for a special lunch to launch their new life forward.

As they entered the restaurant, they could see that everyone else was already present. Soon, the warm greetings began in earnest. Success is truly contagious as it seemed to land on every member of the family in some small way.

Uncle Young Shik and Aunt Bo Mi opened their own pizza restaurant with some secondary funding. Thanks to their unique recipes, the shop grew more popular by the day. Mi Na enrolled in the university studying applied mathematics. All the while, Grandma watched with pride as she continued to be a welcome presence in the home.

The siblings also enjoyed great success. Jun Young received a promotion and became manager of the same department in which he once started out as a clerk. Yoo Joo started her own entertainment agency thanks to her eye for fashion. Hye Young's law practice grew by leaps and bounds as she established herself as one of Korea's finest lawyers. Jung Wan stayed on with Mark One as a contributor to various projects. Ra Young became a manager in the Sales and Marketing team at Good Base Inc. while her husband, Cheol Soo, successfully integrated soccer and athletics with the company. In all, everyone seemed happy in finding their calling.

"So, was Yong Joo feeling nervous this morning?" Hye Young asked.

"Not at all! She seemed to be embarrassed by us taking her to the bus stop." Mi Young said with a laugh.

"That's because you two spoil her so much!" Jun Young offered.

"We don't spoil her at all. What are you talking about?" Joong Hee inquired.

"You don't, huh? Then why do you keep calling her 'Princess'?" Jung Wan asked.

"Oh, leave them alone. I think the way they raise Yong Joo is cute!" Ra Young retorted.

"I know. It's better to love too much than not enough." Yoo Joo said.

"We think Yong Joo has turned out very well. We're happy." Mi Young replied.

"That's right. She's a precious little girl. I'm just so pleased that I can be her grandmother" Grandma said.

"Well, if she ever needs help with math, she can always ask Mi Na here!" Uncle Young Shik offered.

"I don't think she'll need help. She's a smart one herself!" Aunt Bo Mi said.

"If she's any smarter, then she'll be taking classes with me" Mi Na said to a chorus of laughter.

Once the laughter subsided, Mr. Lee took the opportunity to speak.

"I want to thank all of you for planning this lunch for Young Shil and me. I never thought that I'd ever retire, but I'm warming to the idea more and more. I'm so glad that she talked me into doing this."

"That's right! What would you do without me?" Mrs. Lee retorted with a grin.

"So, Mom and Dad, where are you off to?" Mi Young asked.

"We're not sure yet. But, we're thinking that it will require a pretty good drive." Mr. Lee answered.

"Seeing that your father needs more work on his driving, it may not be that far after all!" Mrs. Lee said as the family laughed some more. As the lunch progressed, it became clear that the love of family spreads thick no matter where they gather. Although they would've liked to remain together a while longer, the unmerciful demands of schedule forced them to say goodbye as each couple went their own way.

For Joong Hee and Mi Young, this meant being home in time to meet Yong Joo when the bus came to drop her off. As they stood at the bus stop, they could see the familiar vehicle making its way towards them. Soon, Yong Joo emerged from the bus into the waiting arms of her parents. After they thanked the bus driver, they turned their way homebound.

"So, how was your first day?" Mi Young asked her daughter.

"Fine!" Yong Joo replied.

"What did you do?" Joong Hee asked.

"Not too much. I met my new classmates. We learned how to write our names. We played. We ate lunch. And I made some new friends" Yong Joo said with great pride.

"That sounds like a full day! Let's see what kind of snacks we have for our schoolgirl!" Mi Young wondered.

As the day turned to night, they spent some quality family time just talking about the day. Yong Joo's blossoming curiosity sparked great discussions between the three of them. Their current conversation fully captured their attention that they didn't realize at first that it was already past Yong Joo's bedtime. Despite her protests, she soon found herself happily in dreamland. With that, the happy couple decided to have a conversation of their own.

"Joong Hee-shi"

"Yeah?"

"I have something to tell you"

"Ok. I'm listening."

"I didn't want to say this in front of the whole family because I wanted you to know first."

"Know what?"

"Joong Hee-shi"

"Yes, Mi Young-ah. I'm listening"

"I'm . . . I'm pregnant!"

"Really? I mean, really?!"

"Yes. Yong Joo is getting a sibling"

As he was about to let out a yell of joy, Mi Young put her finger to his mouth to remind him that their daughter had already fallen asleep. So, he did the next best thing and hugged her tightly.

"This is great news, Mi Young-ah. I can't wait for us to tell Yong Joo"

"Me too. The rest of the family will be excited too"

"So, how should we celebrate?"

As if on cue, she extended her arms out to signal a slow dance. Though he knew he'd have to be a little quieter than normal, he still found a song that seemed to fit the occasion – Lionel Richie's 'Still in Love'. As he played the song on a lower volume, they soon started moving in unison to the music. It's remarkable that so many years after their first slow dance together, they still exhibited incredible synchronicity. Naturally, they ended their little soiree with a long, passionate kiss.

"I love you, Mi Young-ah!"

"I love you too, Joong Hee-shi!"

As they continued to hold each other tight, the world seemed to pause around them. That's useful for the casual observer trying to understand how each of them got to this point.

For Mi Young, she could look back at her younger self and wonder how that young, bullied, uninspired girl ended up becoming a Christian, wife, and mother. For Joong Hee, he could likewise laugh at his former self in realizing that it's a long way from being a failed idol and actor to a beloved TV personality. It's an even bigger leap to go from TV host to a Christian pastor, husband, and father. Yet, one thing was certain – they didn't just love one another. They needed one another.

The upcoming years would see them experience more joyful moments. As they neared their zeniths, they marveled at how blessed their lives had become. Although they had to endure some painful moments, they both agreed that they wouldn't change anything about their lives. Who could blame them? After all, Ahn Joong Hee and Lee Mi Young together proved one very simple truth. Love conquers all ways – now and forever.

THE END