Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

116. Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Their three days together went by too fast. JJ and Eun Mi stayed in their room together for the entirety of that time soaking in the hot spring, lying in bed together making love or playing poker. JJ even convinced Eun Mi to give strip poker a chance. She'd been rather bashful to try at first but found it was a lot of fun and the end result was nothing to sneer at. On their last day they had to leave bright and early to return to the M.A.S.H so JJ could return to his post though he was remise to do so. They'd returned in enough time to give them a few minutes to properly say goodbye.

"When will you be able to come back to visit?" Eun Mi asked.

"I'll come back as soon as I can," JJ promised. "I'll put in a request to visit. Before the election at least."

"The election?"

"The presidential election. We vote in November. I think we'll be able to vote early, so we may vote in October, but I don't know yet. But don't worry, I'll be back before then. At least by May or June."

"Okay," Eun Mi said. "Definitely before October or November." They smiled at one another and shared a kiss, but they were interrupted.

"Come on Dauer!" one of the commanding officers called. JJ sighed and pulled away.

"I'll write as soon as I get there, okay?"

Eun Mi nodded and said, "I love you."

"I love you too," he answered and kissed her one more time before going to the truck and watching, waving goodbye, as they drove away. Eun Mi stayed on the side of the road waving back until JJ was no longer in view.

She sighed longingly and glanced down at her bracelet and ring. She wouldn't be able to wear it most of the time since she didn't want to ruin it while cooking, so she savored the sight of it missing JJ already and wishing to turn back to three days ago to relive their honeymoon all over again. Eventually she had to return to the kitchen, so she took off her ring, put it in the breast pocket of her uniform and went to the mess hall where everyone was already cleaning up from the breakfast rush and getting things ready for midday meal.

"There she is," one woman joked when Eun Mi came into the kitchen.

"How's life as a married woman?" another asked while Eun Mi blushed.

"I see you blushing," that same woman continued. "I take it you two had fun?"

"Oh, stop it, all of you," Yon said and motioned for Eun Mi to come over to her to help her with some vegetables to be prepped. "Has JJ left?"

"A few minutes ago," Eun Mi nodded.

"It's alright, dear," Yon reassured. "You'll see him again before you know it. We're making Yaksik for the men tonight, so we'll put some aside to send to JJ."

"He'll appreciate that," Eun Mi said, smiling a little.

"Ah, the newlywed smile," Yon teased. "I remember that smile. I take it you two had a good time?"

"Yes, Yon, we had a good time," Eun Mi sighed. "I dare say it was three of the happiest days of my life."

"That good?" Yon teased and Eun Mi swatted at her after putting down her knife and then returning to her task.

"A lady doesn't kiss and tell, Yon," Eun Mi said.

"Very good," Yon smiled and winked. Eun Mi blushed and did her best to ignore Yon's or anyone else's teasing. JJ was brought back to the parallel before the end of the day and was given a rest before he had to return to his post the following day. When he'd gone to the underground bunks ready to fall asleep, Hadley was there to greet him.

"Good to see you back," Hadley smiled. "So how was your honeymoon?"

"Over too quickly," JJ smiled and sat on one of the bunks. "Three days, just the two of us. Yeah, it was over too soon."

"I'll bet it was," Hadley chuckled. "You planning to put in another request for time off?"

"First thing tomorrow," JJ said. "I'd like to go back at least by June. I don't want to wait until October/November when we're voting."

"Ah, yes, that," Hadley said. "As far as I'm aware, we'll be voting in rotation. I doubt the North Koreans and Chinese would be so courteous to let us vote in peace."

"No kidding," JJ said. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but do you know who you're voting for?"

"I Like Ike," Hadley said and JJ chuckled.

"I'll bet," JJ said.

"Have you gotten to see his TV commercials?"

"I don't think so, but I know my relatives have begun seeing them. My uncles had already decided to vote for him the moment they found out he'd be running. My uncle Kevin would have voted for any Republican I think." JJ chuckled a little to himself. "My uncle's opinion of the democratic party has been frosty to put it mildly since President Roosevelt."

"Really? I would think Truman would have done that. His approval ratings tanked after he fired General MacArthur."

"I'm sure that didn't help with regards to public opinion, but with my relatives, they're more concerned about the fact that we've been in a stalemate with North Korea with nothing happening and me not coming home. That's soured their opinion more than anything."

"So what did President Roosevelt do to make your uncle dislike him?"

"He sent a boat of Jewish refugees back to Europe to their death," JJ said. "My Aunt Amber and her parents were on that boat and, by some miracle, all three of them were lucky to have survived, but not before suffering five years in the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Dachau. My uncle saved Amber from those camps and found her in the experimental ward starved and delirious. Before that, he and my aunt and her parents had busted their asses trying to become American citizens only to be sent away."

"I guess that would sour anyone's opinion," Hadley said.

"'Soured' is a bit of a misrepresentation. He was livid. During one of Roosevelt's Fire Side Chats where he says we need to look after one another or something like that, Uncle Kevin grabbed his radio and slammed the thing against a wall."

"Jesus," Hadley said. "So the fact that Eisenhower was his general during the 2nd World War makes no never mind to him?"

"No, that's a big reason," JJ said. "He's promising to end the war here and send us home, so he's got my vote."

"Amen to that," Hadley said. "Well, in your case more likely send you to Japan, but it's closer than Korea."

"Home would be better," JJ said. "I'd told Eun Mi about the possibility that we'd have to be in Japan for a while. She said she'd be with me and I know she's go without complaint, but she doesn't want to go. I know she doesn't. She hates the Japanese, so having to go to Japan would be her own personal hell."

"I've gathered the overall approval rating in Korea for the Japanese is rather negative," Hadley smiled. "At least if you have to be in Japan for a while, it wouldn't be for long, right?"

"Yeah," JJ sighed. "Still, I'd rather she not have to stay there at all but we'll see."

"So how do you like being a married man?" Hadley asked after a brief silence.

"I like it a whole lot," JJ smiled.

"Didn't I tell you?" Hadley said and nudged JJ's shoulder. "Didn't I tell you a wife has a way of brightening a man's spirits? And all it took was a winning smile from you, just like I said."

"Yes, Jared, enjoy your victory lap," JJ said and they laughed.

"I rather a victory nap right about now," Hadley joked.

As promised, the next morning JJ put in a request to be sent back to the M.A.S.H as soon as possible. In the meantime, Eun Mi received the pictures from their wedding and got a little care package together. She kept one of their pictures of just the two of them. It was the tiny picture and she kept that tucked into the frame with the picture of her with her mother. She made arrangements to send one picture of just the two of them to JJ with her next letter. The rest of the pictures she sent right to Natalie as JJ had requested. It took a little while, but they finally came in early May and Hailey accepted them at the shop.

"Those from JJ?" Salem asked, helping out at the store that day.

"Looks like it," Hailey said. "It says 'Dauer Family', so I'd assume we can open it."

"Maybe it's a souvenir," Salem smiled. Hailey tore open the envelope and pulled out all the pictures.

There were several inside and there were a few copies of each picture save for the small ones of just JJ and a young woman that Hailey assumed must be Eun Mi. It was of the two of them standing together at the altar. One of the larger pictures was of JJ and Eun Mi together surrounded by a few people. Another was a picture of those same people gathered at a table facing the camera with a big smile. Hailey turned the pictures and saw writing saying who was who.

"So this is Eun Mi," Hailey said and looked at the picture. "Why the hell does she have big dots on her face?"

"Maybe it's a Korean thing?" Salem said and looked at the pictures. "Jesus, she's short."

"Looks like Alice," Hailey agreed. "I'm keeping this one," Hailey said and took one of the bigger pictures of JJ and Eun Mi standing together with their wedding party in the chapel together. He looked at it a moment and smiled, feeling a little choked up. "I wish your father could have seen this."

"Me too," Salem agreed.

"I'll have to keep this framed in the front of the shop for a while. The whole town's been clamoring for more information about this infamous future Eun Mi Dauer."

"Same at the tribe," Salem said.

When it was time to close up, Salem took the remaining pictures back home with him and handed them over to Natalie first. The whole family met up at Jacob's and Renesmee's to see the pictures.

"Oh God, she barely reaches his shoulder," Nesia said. "Are we sure she's 20?"

"Nesia," Natalie warned firmly. "I think she's adorable."

"If you consider a 12 year old putting on her mom's make up for the first time adorable," Nesia mumbled and Natalie slapped her shoulder.

"You stop it," Natalie said. The picture then reached Jacob.

"Speaking of the make-up," Jacob said, "Why are there three dots on her face?"

"It's traditional wedding make-up," Edward said. "We have something old, something new, something burrowed and something blue. Korea has the three blacks, three whites and three reds. Black hair, black brows and black eyes, white face, white teeth and white hands, and then red lips, red nails and red cheeks."

"Oh," Jacob said. "I guess the black and white doesn't convey that very well."

"They got married in March you said?" Renesmee asked Natalie and accepted the pictures to see.

"March 26th I think it was."

"I look forward to finally meeting her," Renesmee said. "You've gotten to speak to her right? How do you like her?"

"She's a sweet girl from what little I was able to speak with her," Natalie said. "I had to find out from her how she and JJ met, but I already told you about that."

"It sounds romantic honestly," Rosalie said.

"Tell that to JJ's back," Jacob said. "Poor kid."

"He's already healed at least," Natalie said. "I suppose better burned and healed than have your middle finger forcefully amputated."

"That's amazing," Salem said. "I still can't believe he did that. I can't believe he survived being stabbed through the chest."

"Sounds like that tooth is working," Suerro said with a gentle smile. Natalie was already reading JJ's letter. "Did he say if your rings fit okay?"

"He said they did," Natalie smiled. "I'm relieved. I could tell she had tiny fingers but I was scared the size I'd sent was too small. I had asked for my ring to be resized to one size smaller."

"Seriously, are we sure she's not 12 or something?" Nesia said and Natalie slapped her arm again.

"Stop being rude," Natalie said.

Caevia and Embry Sr. finally got the pictures and Caevia was a little teary eyed. "He looks just like Jae. I haven't seen that smile in so long. I missed it."

"Me too," Natalie said. "One time when I was speaking with Eun Mi, I'd mentioned how JJ has his father's smile. You know what she said? She said she could see how their smiles are similar but JJ has a smile all his own."

"She sounds special," Caevia praised. "She is adorable. Sure, she's a little short, but that's hardly a shortcoming."

"Let's hope she feels the same once it's time for kids," Salem chuckled. "I swear, she'll be bedbound once she's far enough along."

"Don't be ridiculous," Kyle said. "Worst case scenario, she'll have a slight waddle."

"You ruined the joke, Uncle Kyle," Salem said and looked at his little cousin. "Your daddy has no sense of humor, kid." Evalina giggled a little while looking down at Evalynn. She was lying on her back in Evalina's lap sucking on her pacifier.

"Don't listen to your cousin, Evalynn," Evalina said to the baby who started wiggling around since she was being addressed.

"So when's baby number 2 coming along?" Salem joked.

"Later," Kyle said with a hint of irritation. He knew Salem was joking, but Evalynn was plenty at the moment. Evalina handed their daughter over to Kyle and he started playing with Evalynn's little hands. "Honestly, if you're so eager for another baby in the family, you get married and have your own kids."

"No, you're too young," Natalie protested, petting Salem's head.

"You can always wait until you're my age, Salem," Kai joked.

"That might be too old," Natalie said.

Now that they had those pictures, Natalie made sure they were all framed and a copy of each picture was mounted on the mantel of her fireplace right beside Jae's pictures. Natalie stared at all her pictures for a while alone in that living room. She looked between all of Jae's pictures from their wedding, pictures with the kids and pictures in his uniform and from England and compared them to the pictures of JJ growing up, his picture before he was deployed and now the wedding pictures. In those pictures of him as a child, he was smiling just like Jae. And then there was a long stretch where she had no pictures of JJ. Even if she'd been in a picture taking mood, JJ would never take a picture unless he had to like family photos. She looked at the last Christmas picture of the whole family before he'd joined the army. He looked solemn. He'd been so depressed back then and in his picture before he was deployed, he wasn't even trying to smile. He just looked serious.

Then she looked at the pictures of him at his wedding and with Eun Mi. It was like night and day. His smile was bright and vibrant and he was happy. Happier than he'd been since his father died. She felt tears stinging her eyes, but they were happy tears. Then she looked at Jae's picture again. She grabbed the tiny picture of JJ and Eun Mi standing alone before the alter and presented it to Jae's picture.

"Our son got married, Jae," Natalie said and touched his picture. "She seems like a sweet girl. You would have liked her. I think she's very pretty." Natalie picked up Jae's picture and just stared at him a moment. "He's happy, Jae. You can rest assured he's finally happy." She even kissed the picture and held it to her chest, rocking from side to side. "They'll come home soon. Then they'll start a family and you and I will have our first grandchild."

For a moment, the fact that Jae wouldn't meet his grandkids became too painful to bare and she retreated to the couch as tears continued to form, but now they were sad. She heard the front door open and it was Suerro who smelled Natalie's tears and rushed to her side.

"Natalie?" Suerro said. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm alright," Natalie nodded and rubbed her eyes. "I was just putting JJ's pictures on the mantel. I'd been thinking and my mind trailed to grandkids. Jae will never get to meet his grandchildren. It was just a hurtful thought."

"He'll meet them," Suerro said and sat beside her on the couch. "It'll be in his own way, but he'll meet them."

"But his grandchildren will never know him. Not the way we all did."

"Then we'll just have to tell them, won't we?" Suerro said. Natalie looked up at him and was finally smiling.

"I suppose we will," she said and looked back at Jae's picture. "I'll have to tell them all about their grandpa."

"I'm sure JJ will ensure they know who their grandpa was," Suerro smiled reassuringly. "They'll know him through your stories and his pictures. They'll know him as well as any of you did and they'll love him. I can promise you that."

"Thank you Suerro," Natalie said and looked at him again. They shared a brief kiss and Natalie rested her head against Suerro's shoulder. "Maybe by then, you and JJ will finally be friends."

"I hope so," Suerro agreed and kissed Natalie's head.

Back in Korea near the end of May, JJ finally got to return to the M.A.S.H but it was only for two days. He and Eun Mi made the most of it, though. He came in the morning and they spent the whole day together.

"Has anything else developed?" she asked when they were walking together hand in hand.

"No," JJ said. "Still sitting around just trying to hold our current position. When I'm not on my patrol shift, I'm playing cards with the guys talking politics. Haven't done that since the second world war."

"Still the presidential elections?"

"Yeah," JJ said. "Eisenhower's going to win. Stevenson just doesn't have Eisenhower's charisma or his outstanding military history. Besides, Truman's not helped the democrat's image. Most of the guys are voting for him as far as whom I've spoken to."

"Can I vote?" Eun Mi asked.

"I'd double check with administration. I don't know if having your green card means you can vote. But don't vote for Eisenhower because I'm going to. The whole point of the elections is to vote for the person that most accurately represents what you want for the country."

"I can always look into it," Eun Mi said.

"You have gotten your green card, right?"

"I got it a few weeks ago," Eun Mi nodded. "I'm still working with admin on some things, but they said I could go to America now if I'd wanted to. I told them I was staying here with you." JJ smiled and leaned down to give her a quick kiss. "I sent the pictures to your relatives like you asked."

"Good. Mom will be happy to have those. I take it we haven't gotten anything from them in response yet?"

"I haven't gotten anything. I would assume they'd send it to you."

"I'll probably get something in another month or so," JJ said. "So did you want to see that movie tonight? I think they're showing a monster movie tonight. A little early for that, but I guess it's what got sent to us."

"I admit I'm not really in the mood for a movie," Eun Mi said. "I thought we'd take advantage of the peace and quiet and play cards."

"Cards you say?" JJ said and laughed a little. "That does sound like a better idea." JJ got an idea and led Eun Mi with him in another direction. He eventually located a room near the admin building on base where movie reels were kept and found it was open.

"What are you doing? Are we allowed to go in there?"

"Probably not, but it's not locked," JJ said and opened the door stepping inside the small room. Once they were inside, JJ turned around so he was looking at Eun Mi and locked the little door.

"JJ?"

"I just thought maybe we could enjoy a movie now," JJ teased and leaned down. Eun Mi blushed and licked her lips a little.

"Here? JJ, are we even allowed to be in here? What if someone sees us?"

"I locked the door, so they won't walk in on us," JJ said.

"But what if someone tried to get in? Someone might have a key to get in." By now, JJ was kissing Eun Mi's neck and her protests were starting to wane. "Won't you get in trouble."

JJ shrugged, "At worst I'll have to serve a punishment or something."

"JJ," Eun Mi said hesitantly but sighed a little when JJ nipped her ear.

"I'll tell you what," JJ said, "If someone catches us, you can slap me and say it was my fault."

Eun Mi giggled a little and even wrapped her arms around his neck, "I wouldn't put all the blame on you."

JJ chuckled and lifted Eun Mi up so she was off the floor against a wall so JJ didn't have to bed down. They were abundantly lucky to not be caught, but they did keep their moment together in the film room brief and left the room without anyone ever being the wiser. As it turned out, there were several people that weren't all that interested in seeing a monster movie because that evening while Eun Mi and JJ were playing poker together, women were coming in and out of the women's bunk all afternoon and evening, giving them no time alone together. JJ stayed in the bunk with Eun Mi until everyone was ordered to sleep for the night and the next morning, Eun Mi saw him off. JJ promised that at latest, he'd return in either October or November when it was time to vote.

Upon researching it later that same week, Eun Mi found out she didn't qualify to vote just yet but was told if she kept up her hard work she'd be a citizen by the time it was the next election in four more years. The mess hall would be swarming with men and women all hours of the day listening to the radio or watching TV to listen to any commercials or speeches given by the candidates and arguing why they should be the next president. Several of the women in the kitchen that Eun Mi worked with would whistle the little tune they'd hear near every day from one of Dwight Eisenhower's commercials. They were infectious and "I Like Ike" would get stuck in their heads. Back home, Heather, Lulu and all the other kids would do their best to hum the little song and Kevin always laughed a little when that commercial would come on and Heather would clap and giggle to the music.

"Is it unpatriotic of me to say this song's starting to drive me insane?" Embry asked once day when Kevin and Embry were sitting outside together enjoying a beer when the commercial had come on during Heather's Saturday morning cartoons.

"No, it's starting to drive me crazy too," Kevin said and looked over his shoulder to see Heather clapping along bouncing up and down while sitting on her butt coloring on some paper on the floor. "A little weird he's trying to get the little kids given they can't even vote yet."

"Maybe they're hoping the kids will make their parents vote for General Eisenhower," Embry shrugged. "Shouldn't be hard if their daddy's are war veterans."

"No kidding," Kevin chuckled. A moment later, Heather forced herself to her feet and walked over to Kevin and Embry as fast as her tiny - still growing accustomed to walking - feet could take her.

"Daddy! Daddy! Cindy!" she said showing off a scribble of grey circles and lines on a paper in the crude shape of a four legged animal.

"You drew Cindy?" Kevin smiled and accepted the picture while Embry helped her up onto Kevin's lap. "I think it's awful cute," Kevin smiled and kissed Heather's head. "You should give it to your Uncle Nathan. He'd like it a lot I'm sure." Heather took back the picture and then tried to hand it over to Embry. Kevin made sure she didn't fall while she reached over more than she needed to. Embry accepted the picture and chuckled.

"Better artist than I am," Embry smiled and petted Heather's head. "When is Amber getting home?"

"She said around seven, so she'll be late," Kevin said. "It's their first wedding rush. You should see Amber and Anna. I haven't seen the two of them so happy in a long time."

"Did they hire someone to help?"

"They hired two people," Kevin said. "They're two high school kids working for the summer and they're manning the register and helping customers so Amber and Anna can focus more on carving. Amber asked me if I'd teach her how to drive so she and Anna can start doing house parties. Apparently a few customers have asked and Anna thinks that's a great idea."

"You know what they should do?" Embry started, "I could take down a little of the wall between their work area and the shop so customers can look in and watch Amber or Anna carve. I could move around the register area and people can even watch while they're in line if they want."

"That is a good idea," Kevin said. "I'll make sure I run it by Amber. I think she'll love the idea."

"It'll definitely bring in people that wouldn't have come in otherwise and they'll buy something small like those soaps or something."

"A really good idea," Kevin agreed. "It'll probably have to wait until after the wedding rush. Worst case scenario, we'll have to wait until January after the Christmas and Hanukah rush."

"I'll work on it when the shop's closed or something and get it down in two days tops," Embry said.

"I'm so glad you became a contractor," Kevin smiled and looked at Heather. "Isn't Embry so nice and helpful, Heather?"

"Yes!" she said and Embry laughed.

"Glad to know I'm appreciated," Embry said.

"So anymore news from Korea?" Kevin asked.

"Not really," Embry said. "Not since we got those pictures from JJ. Natalie responded but I don't think he's gotten her letter yet. We're planning to surprise him with a house. It'll be close to mine."

"I think he'll like that," Kevin said. "You started that already, right?"

"We've got the foundation down, and we're hoping to take advantage of the good weather to get more work done on it tomorrow."

"Not today?" Kevin teased.

"I had other plans," Embry said and they both laughed a little and sipped their beers. Heather tried to grab at the bottle but Kevin stopped her. "No, honey, you're too young for this stuff."

"Daddy," Heather whimpered and looked at Kevin with big eyes.

"Hold on, Heather," Embry said and covered his thumb in a little of the beer and brought it to Heather to try. She sucked Embry's thumb, winced and whined as she shook her head.

"See, honey? Just because daddy likes it doesn't mean you will," Kevin chuckled and patted Heather's back. "And don't tell mommy. She'd be furious." Heather shook her head again and nearly feel trying to get off Kevin's lap eager to go back to her cartoons. Embry caught her and helped the little baby back on the floor so she could waddle back to the living room and color while Kevin and Embry stayed outside. "Let's not make a habit of letting her try things like this okay?"

"Sorry," Embry said. "Figured that little bit wouldn't hurt, especially since she was bound to hate it anyway. Hell, I can't believe we like this stuff sometimes. Besides, she started making that face and it gets me every time."

"You're pathetic you know that?" Kevin teased and Embry laughed.

"Big talk coming from 'Daddy'," Embry said and sipped his beer.

"Hey," Kevin said, "I said no. You gave in right away."

"That just means she likes me more for today," Embry smiled.

"Watch it, Embry. Them's fightin' words," Kevin answered with a smile and Embry chuckled.

"So what's for dinner tonight? I don't figure Heather's started learning to cook since last I was over has she?"

"I'm afraid not," Kevin played along. "We're trying to keep her focused on mastering her motor skills before we let her hold any cutlery or handle fire. Don't worry, I'll fix something."

"I'm shocked you remember how to cook," Embry said.

"I remember," Kevin said defensively but with humor.

The summer wedding rush finally ended in August giving Amber and Anna a much deserved break. Wanting to surprise her, Kevin worked something out with Anna so he and Amber could go to California for a few days. Alphonse was back from New York by then and Harold would be going back soon so Kevin was able to leave the firm for a few days. Anna and Levi agreed to watch Heather, so the night before Kevin was planning to surprise Amber, they dropped off Heather with her grandparents in the guise of Kevin wanting to have a date night with Amber. When they got back home, Amber plopped onto the couch and kicked her shoes off.

"Thank you for having my parents look after Heather," Amber said. "I adore that girl, but sometimes I just need time away."

"That was the plan having them move in so close to us," Kevin smiled and sat on the end of the couch where he took Amber's feet in his lap and started massaging them. Then she released a contented sigh.

"You haven't done that since I was pregnant," Amber pointed out.

"I figured you could use it today," Kevin smiled. "I should probably confess why I asked Anna and Levi to watch Heather tonight."

"It wasn't for a date night?" Amber asked.

"More of a date week," Kevin said. "I told Alphonse and Harold I wouldn't be in work for the next several days. You and I are going to be in California."

"Oh, Kevin," Amber nearly moaned. "We haven't been back to LA in so long. But we can't leave without Heather. She's not completely weaned yet."

"Shit, that's right," Kevin said, realizing it himself. "And here I thought I was being romantic."

"It is romantic," Amber smiled. "We just have to bring Heather with us. She still gets her milk in the morning."

"Do you think she'd be alright without it for a week? Some mornings she doesn't get it."

"Yes, and those are the mornings she's crankiest," Amber smiled. "It's not the time to wean cold turkey. I think if she went a weak without her milk, she'd throw a fit."

"We'll take her with us to LA then," Kevin smiled. "Our little get away isn't going exactly as I planned."

"I appreciate the effort," Amber smiled. "Sometimes I actually forget we have a house there."

"Don't worry, the mortgage company is kind enough to remind me every month," Kevin joked and Amber giggled. "I thought you and I could go away for a while and spend some time together. I've barely gotten to see you since the summer started and frankly I miss you."

"I miss you too," Amber smiled. "At least with us not working for a few days, we won't be too tired by the end of the day."

"In theory," Kevin joked and pinched Amber's toe, making her giggle. "Hell, maybe we can even work on another baby," Kevin said with a wink and Amber laughed but shook her head.

"Oh, God, no, not yet," Amber said. "Not yet. I'm not ready for another baby yet. All that talk of Heather not being weaned yet and needing to bring her with us and you want to make another baby."

"We'll be careful then," Kevin said. "We can always just practice."

Amber giggled again, "I can deal with practicing. So when are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow," Kevin said. "Our train leaves at seven and we'll be in California by noon the day after we leave."

"I should get to packing then," Amber said trying to get up but Kevin stopped her.

"We can pack in a bit," Kevin said. "Besides, we have clothes there already anyway."

"Oh, yeah," Amber sighed and then had a thought. "That's where my white blouse is! I've been wanting to wear it with this nice weather and for the life of me I couldn't find it."

"You brought it to LA," Kevin said. "I specifically remember you saying you wanted to have it for California because of how warm it always is."

"I can't believe you remembered that and I didn't," Amber giggled.

"You've had a lot on your plate lately," Kevin smiled and rubbed a hand up Amber's calf then back down to her foot. "Not that you minded it I see."

"Oh, Kevin," Amber smiled, "It was amazing. I haven't felt like this in so long. It was like when mom and I opened our first shop in Berlin. Remember? We'd opened just in time for a wedding rush."

"I remember," Kevin smiled. "I'm proud of you, Amber. You've all earned this."

"Thank you," Amber smiled back. "But a few days away does sound amazing. Do you think Embry could start that window idea he came up with? I think it'll be perfect if we can have that done before November. Can you imagine? People can stare in and watch while they're out Christmas shopping."

"I'll tell Embry tonight," Kevin said. "He'll talk to Anna and work out two days the shop can be closed for renovations and Embry will have that done in no time."

"Maybe it'll be done by the time we get back," Amber smiled longingly. "How much would the renovation cost?"

"About a case of beer and a hot home cooked dinner," Kevin said.

"I can do that," Amber said. "I'll even make sauerbraten. He likes that right?"

"Loves it," Kevin said. "With extra gingerbread gravy. I swear he'd drink that gravy if he could."

"I'll make enough so he can," Amber smiled. "You call Embry and I'll get some things packed."

This time, Kevin let Amber stand up from the couch to go upstairs. He called Embry's house first and got him before he left for patrol for the night so he made the request to Embry about the window in the shop. They stayed on the phone a while talking while Amber got some of Heather's things packed first. Amber was rather confident any clothes they had at the house in LA for Heather were much too small so she packed as many clothes as she could and got their travel bag ready with any and all necessities. Kevin was still on the phone with Embry when she brought Heather's things downstairs and then returned upstairs. She remembered that she had a few bathing suits back in California because she'd shopped for them with Carol last they'd been there with Heather, so she didn't pack another. She finished packing her own things and started packing some clothes for Kevin when he finally came upstairs into their room.

"Embry said he'd talk to Anna in the morning about that window," Kevin said. "I also called Anna and Levi. We'll wake up early and stop at their house first to pick up Heather and get her fed before we all leave."

"Okay, good," Amber said. "You have a swimsuit at the house right?"

"Yeah, I do," Kevin nodded.

"Okay, good," Amber said then packed away the toiletries she'd brought out. "Come to think of it, it's a shame we can't take Embry. He could keep Heather busy for us."

"We'll get some time to ourselves; don't you worry. I'll make sure of it," Kevin said. He watched Amber a moment while she finished packing his suitcase and got it zipped up. Then he smirked. "We're alone now, of course." Amber didn't look at him, but he could see her smiling.

"That is true. We are," she played along and grabbed the suitcases. "Of course, we should get some sleep. We have to wake up early tomorrow right?" She walked past Kevin with their suitcases carrying them downstairs and Kevin followed closely behind.

"We do have an alarm clock," Kevin said. "I can set it for when we need to wake up. I don't mind losing a little sleep if it means we can enjoy these few hours alone."

After Amber had put down the suitcases, Kevin came up behind her and lifted her in his arms. She squealed with surprise and wrapped her arms around Kevin's neck giggling while he carried her back upstairs. Once upstairs and in their room, Kevin dropped Amber on their bed playfully and she backed away further onto their bed making Kevin chase after her. He followed after her and was about to kiss Amber when she put her hand between their lips to stop him with a mischievous smile.

"The alarm clock, darling," Amber whispered. Kevin growled a little under his breath while Amber laughed. Kevin sat up and grabbed the clock on the nightstand getting the alarm set for five in the morning. While she waited, Amber brought her hands up to Kevin's dress shirt and started unbuttoning it.

"Shit," Kevin said when he set the alarm for six on accident when Amber's nails tickled his skin through the cotton of his wife beater. "Now I have to start over again."

"It's alright. I'll wait," Amber teased and Kevin glared playfully at her. He continued turning the knob to get the alarm to the right setting while Amber laid back. She smiled and tugged on the wife beater so it was released from under his belt and ran her nails over his abs again which made Kevin turn the gear too fast again, setting the alarm for 7.

"You made me fuck it up again, Amber," Kevin said.

"Whatever do you mean? I didn't do anything," Amber teased. Kevin looked at her pretending to be mad while she smirked at him.

"I'll start over," Kevin said and started turning the knob again trying to get it to the right time for the alarm. While he did that, Amber finished removing the rest of his shirt and wife beater from his belt so they hanged loosely. Then she went to the buckle of his leather belt gingerly pulling the belt from the buckle. She waited for the opportune time and then trailed her nails over his groin which made him groan and turn the knob too quickly again. "God damn it," Kevin grumbled.

"What's the matter, dear?" Amber teased, biting her lip so she wouldn't laugh.

"You listen here, Amber," Kevin looked right at her and nearly lost his train of thought when he saw her biting her lip with a smile. But he remembered their play and continued. "Unless you want this alarm to stay at seven and you want to miss our train, I suggest you stop making me miss-enter the alarm."

"How dare you? I haven't done anything," Amber said as she forced back laughter. Kevin stared down at her a moment while she tried not to laugh, doing his best not to laugh himself. Eventually, continuing to glare at her playfully, he returned to the clock.

"I'll try again," Kevin said and started turning the knob again.

While he did that, Amber finished removing the belt from the buckle and pulled it from the hoops of his dress pants. Kevin kept turning the knob on the clock trying to get it set for five, doing his best not to let Amber distract him this time. Since pulling away his belt didn't get his attention, Amber ran her nails over his skin again as she'd done before. This didn't seem to get his attention either. Amber smirked and, instead, brought her hands to the buttons of her dress and undid them one by one. She saw Kevin glance from the clock to her several times, but he seemed determined. Once her breasts were in view, she placed her hands back on Kevin's hips then trailed down to his thighs and squeezed them just enough to make him groan and turn the knob too hard again. This time, she laughed out loud despite still biting her lip to stop herself when Kevin looked at her.

"That's it," he said and tossed the clock the clock to the side on the bed. It ended up bouncing on the mattress and then rolled onto the floor, but by then Kevin had already pulled Amber's dress over her head. Her laughter rang in his ears as he also forced off her panties and, just for fun, grabbed her hips so he could toss her onto her stomach so she was face down on their bed so he could lift her hips up to meet his. "That alarm is set for 8:15, so if we don't wake up in time to make our train, you'll have no one to blame for us not getting to go to California but yourself."

"I was waiting patiently for you to set the alarm," Amber protested with a humored smile. "You were the one that kept turning the alarm to the wrong time."

"Because you kept distracting me," Kevin said as he undid the button and zipper of his dress pants. "Seeing as we need to wake before that alarm, I'd say we better make this quick." Once his erection was released, Kevin touched Amber between her legs to make sure she was ready for him. She was wet and welcoming, so he slipped right in and she sighed and whimpered all at once.

"You could always try setting it again," Amber managed. "I can't very well distract you like this now can I?"

"That fucking clock can wait," Kevin said, having lost any and all interest in feigning any concern over the clock.

Amber was prepared to continue the game, but Kevin began to thrust and she too lost all interest in the clock. Kevin had her in such a position that her legs were close together with little to no room between her legs and Kevin had to keep her tilted upward so he could still thrust in and out of her. It made her entrance that much tighter. Soon Kevin had set a moderate and steady pace that left Amber moaning his name while she clutched onto their comforter. She reached one hand behind her to touch him and started tugging at his shirts wanting them off. Never slowing down, Kevin pulled off his dress shirt and wife beater then repositioned one hand on Amber's hip and grabbed her hand with the other. Kevin increased his pace savoring the feel of her around him and the sounds of Amber moaning and repeating his name.

He felt her starting to tremble and her hold on his hand tightened impossibly more, So Kevin thrust that much faster and harder until she was practically crying. Kevin trailed the hand he had on her hip down between her legs until he found her clitoris and started to touch her until she cried out his name and he felt her clamp down around him so tightly it was nearly his undoing. He slowed only enough to ease her through her orgasm until she was let go of his hand so she could keep herself upright. Once her orgasm subsided, Kevin pulled out and got on his back. Then he guided Amber to him so she was on top and slipped back inside her. He cupped her breasts to give her balance and once she was situated she started bouncing up and down. Amber kept up that movement until she started to feel the pleasure build in her again.

When she started to slow down, Kevin pulled her down to him so he could turn her onto her back so he was on top. Kevin brought Amber's legs up so they rested on his shoulders and tilted her in just the right way so that when he continued to thrust, the pleasure she felt was sharp and unrelenting as he increased his speed. While he still could, Kevin tried to remember what day it was and where Amber was in her cycles. It had been a while since he'd even thought about it with the two of them being so busy and now he was racking his brain to think. Meanwhile, Amber was whimpering his name and gripping his forearms tightly as he moved making it that much harder for him to think. Regardless Kevin kept moving relentlessly until Amber was shaking again until he felt her core clamp down around him again and he shook himself. He had to stop for a moment to get a hold of himself, so he brought a thumb between them to rub her clitoris again until her orgasm had ended.

"Amber," Kevin finally groaned. "Can I cum inside you?" he asked bluntly holding onto his composure by a thread.

"Yes," Amber answered confidently but breathlessly. "My period ended three days ago."

Kevin groaned an expletive and returned to his previous speed. Amber forced herself upright so she could wrap her arms around Kevin's neck and pulled him down with her as she leaned back. She could barely breath with her thighs pressed firmly into her body with Kevin's weight pushing onto her while he kept thrusting, but it felt too good for her to care to complain. It didn't last long anyway. After several hard and fast thrusts, Kevin slammed into her one more time as he came. He pressed his lips to hers in a kiss through his release and once he was finally spent, he pulled away to roll onto his back and brought Amber with him so she was resting her head on his chest.

"That was amazing," Kevin groaned, not bothering to open his eyes as he caught his breath.

Amber moaned a little, "I admit it was nice to be left uninterrupted."

"That was the best part," Kevin said and opened his eyes only enough so he could see Amber and give her a tender kiss. "Are you sure there's no way we can go to California just the two of us?"

"Sorry Kevin, but Heather isn't fully weaned. She needs to come with us."

"Ah, yes," Kevin said and looked his hand that had gotten just a little milk on them while they made love. "Kyle said it's alright to have her weaned by the time she's two right?"

"Kyle said it was fine," Amber said. "So long as we're replacing those times she'd have milk with solid food she'll be alright. Apparently Evalina has no intention of weaning Evalynn until she's two though."

"If it works," Kevin said. "Next year we'll go to California just the two of us. And we'll go on our anniversary. We barely got to enjoy it this year. We lit our candle and had dinner, but I think we just went straight to bed that night didn't we?"

"I think so," Amber said, displeased.

"Oh well. This'll be our belated anniversary trip."

Amber smiled again and kissed Kevin's chest. "Better late than never. Oh, and Kevin?"

"Yeah?" Kevin asked as he laid his head back on his pillow ready to fall asleep.

"The alarm," she said.

"What about it?" Kevin said with a smirk, not opening his eyes.

"Set it," Amber said.

"Amber, that alarm is set for 8:30, so if you want to make our train, you'd better hope you wake up long before it."

"No, set it for five like you were going to," Amber protested.

"I tried three times to set that alarm but someone decided they wanted to leave it to chance whether we woke up on time or not."

"Kevin," Amber glowered trying not to laugh and leaned over Kevin to the floor. Kevin put a hand on Amber's butt while she leaned down to grab the clock and even spanked her a little, making her squeak and drop the clock. "Kevin!"

"What? I didn't do anything," Kevin teased while Amber managed to grab the clock and slapped his chest playfully as she came back up. She set the alarm for five in the morning and nearly banged it against the nightstand.

"There. It's set," Amber said.

"Did you want a cookie?" Kevin asked and Amber shoved him while he laughed.

"Keep that up and you'll sleep outside like the dog you are," Amber joked.

"Wolf, darling. There's a difference," Kevin said.

"Same thing," Amber said.

"No, Amber. There's a difference."

"I beg to differ," Amber said.

"You keep this up, I'll break that alarm clock and leave it to chance whether we wake up in time," Kevin threatened and even started to reach for the clock.

"No you don't," Amber said and quickly reached the nightstand grabbing the clock before Kevin. She brought it around to her chest turning her back to Kevin and the two of them laughed as Kevin grabbed the clock while Amber held onto it. Kevin tried halfheartedly to force the clock from Amber's hold.

They 'fought' over the clock for a few minutes before Kevin called it truce and promised he'd put the clock back on the stand. Amber finally released it to him only for Kevin to turn the dial for the alarm two hours later. Amber yelled at him while Kevin laughed and watched her change the clock back again and, this time, put it on her nightstand instead of Kevin's. Amber feigned being mad at him by lying in bed with her back to him and Kevin came up behind her to win her forgiveness by holding her close and nipping at her neck. Then they made love one more time before falling asleep only to be awoken at four thirty in the morning by a call from Amber's parents telling her Heather was throwing a fit because she was hungry but wouldn't eat anything meaning she wanted her morning milk.

"Looks like we didn't need the alarm after all," Kevin groaned.

"Shut up," Amber said and Kevin chuckled, still half asleep while Amber got out of bed and quickly got dressed.

After a mostly relaxed morning, Kevin and Amber were able to make their train with Heather in tow and made it to California noon the day after just as planned. Kevin rented a car and they drove to the beach house letting themselves in only to immediately get into their swimwear per Heather's insistence upon seeing the beach. They went outside together and kept a close eye on Heather while she played in the water and finally relaxed a little when Heather parked herself in the sand playing with it.

"We need to call David and Carol," Amber said. "Let them know we're in town."

"I was planning to a little later," Kevin said. "Did you want to get dinner with them tonight?"

"I'd rather invite them over and cook something, but our fridge doesn't have anything," Amber said. "Maybe we can invite them over for dinner tomorrow night and we can get some things for the week beforehand."

"That'll work," Kevin said. He watched Heather a moment while she lifted the wet sand into an indecipherable shape and then looked at Amber while she leaned back on her elbows, head back, hair down reaching the sand wearing her favorite red two piece bathing suit. Kevin glanced at Heather again to make sure she was properly distracted and when he was sure she was focused entirely on the sand she was playing with, Kevin brought himself a little closer. When he could, propped himself up on his own elbow so he could look down at her.

"You're blocking my sun," Amber said but she was smirking when she said it. He couldn't think of anything clever to say, so Kevin just gave Amber a kiss that she accepted.

"Daddy," Heather's little voice came and then Kevin felt her tiny hands patting at his shoulder to get his attention. Kevin pulled away from Amber the moment he heard Heather and looked up at her.

"You alright, Heather?"

"Water," Heather said and pointed at the ocean and then grabbed his arm trying to pull him with. She wound up just plopping on her butt in the sand for her efforts and Kevin chuckled from the sight. He kissed Heather's little head and sat up so he could hold her.

"We'll finish this discussion later," Kevin said to Amber with a wink and then took Heather to the shore so they could play in the water.

They went inside eventually to put Heather down for a nap. When she was asleep, Kevin called David at his work phone to tell him that he and Amber were in LA for the week and invited them to have dinner with them tomorrow night. "Nonsense," David had said. "We'll have dinner tonight and it's on us." With a smile, Kevin agreed and they set a time to meet at six that night. Thankfully Amber had packed a nice little evening appropriate dress for Heather to wear, so she looked nice when they all met for dinner that night. Carol and Amber sat beside one another fussing over Heather while Kevin and David sat together talking about their work and politics.

They stayed out together talking well into the night until Heather was getting fussy and irritable from it being long past her bedtime. Amber removed Heather to calm her down outside when she started crying and they needed to part ways promising they'd see each other the following night. When they returned to the beach house, Amber took care of Heather while Kevin went to take a shower. Once Amber got Heather dressed and cleaned up, Heather fell asleep the instant she was in her crib. Amber stared at her a moment watching her sleep and smiled. She gently brushed Heather's soft little cheek which made the baby twitch a little with a small whimper from the disruption, but she didn't open her eyes and seemed to go right back to sleep. With Heather in bed, Amber went to the master bedroom hearing the shower still going. So Amber got undressed and went to the bathroom stepping into the shower right behind Kevin.

"Heather's in bed?" Kevin asked when he looked over his shoulder to see Amber.

"Sleeping like the dead," Amber said. There was still some soap on Kevin's chest so she approached him and got her hands wet before rubbing the soap away. "We may need to consider hiring a babysitter for nights when we'll be out that long. Heather was a good girl most of dinner, but she's vocal when she's tired."

"David and Carol will be over for dinner tomorrow, so we'll be able to put Heather down for bed on time," Kevin said. "I can always call Embry and he'll fly down here in no time. If he can get to New York in less than four hours, I'm sure he could get here in at least one."

"That will be the first choice," Amber smiled, cleaning away the last of the soap. "Thanks again for this. I hadn't realized I'd needed the sunshine."

"I figured," Kevin smiled and leaned down to give Amber a kiss. "We'll do this again next year but just you and me. We'll bring our unity candle and light it evening of the 18thon our patio staring out onto the ocean."

"No, our balcony," Amber said. "Just like when we were in Italy and we set the date."

"Even better," Kevin smiled and kissed her again. Amber wrapped her arms around Kevin's neck and Kevin lifted her so he could press her again the cold tile of their shower.

"Kevin," Amber moaned, "I need to take a shower."

"In a minute," Kevin replied and kept kissing her.

Amber giggled a little through the kiss and made no further protests to his affection. The remainder of their time in LA was spent that way: they would lounge on the beach together while Heather played, they'd have dinner with David and Carol or they'd spend the afternoon with them on the town, Amber would put Heather to bed and the rest of the evening she would be with Kevin in their bedroom. They hated to leave, but they got on a train back to Washington at the end of the week and returned to business as usual once they were back home. By the time they got back, the candle shop had been remodeled just as Embry had suggested and the new window allowed a full view of the carving room for patrons. The following weekend, Embry's efforts were rewarded in the form of sauerbraten.

The election continued heating up back home and in Korea, anything that happened or any news would always be slightly delayed. JJ was able to return to the M.A.S.H to vote at the beginning of November. After casting his vote, JJ wasted no time locating Eun Mi and requested Terry to let her off the rest of the day so they could spend the day together. She brought rice and sautéed vegetables that he could enjoy once they had found a place to be alone. They eventually went to the bunk Eun Mi used and the sat together on her bed. While they sat together, Eun Mi touched JJ's cheek and smiled gently.

"You're getting a little skinny," Eun Mi said.

"I eat everything you send me," JJ said.

"I know," Eun Mi said. "I'm just not sending you enough. Did you like the kimchi I sent you?"

"I only got to eat a little of it," JJ smiled. "A bunch of the South Korean troops stole some for their Budae Jjigae."

"Why didn't you say something? I could send you more."

"You don't have to. They'd just steal it again," JJ said and kissed Eun Mi's palm. "I'll appreciate anything you send me though."

"How long are you able to stay? I can make you something to take back with you."

"I have to go back tomorrow," JJ said. "We vote, spend the night at the camp and then return to the parallel. I did put in a request to return for Christmas. I'll get three days off so I can be here for Christmas."

"When will you know you got the time off?" Eun Mi asked.

"My commanding officer said he'd have the reply by the time I get back," JJ said. "I did beg, so hopefully I'll get the time."

"I hope so," Eun Mi smiled. "Is there anything you want for Christmas? I can make you Gamja-jeon."

"What's gamja-jeon?"

"Potato cakes," Eun Mi said.

"Oh," JJ said, "yes, I'd love that. Can you make them the way my mom makes them? She'd just mash potatoes and add diced onions to cook on a pan."

"Gamja-jeon is actually very similar to that but the onions get grated," Eun Mi said. "You'll like them. What about for a dessert? Is there anything you used to have that I can make you?"

"Virgin eggnog," JJ shrugged. "Of course, my grandma used to make it with some rice milk and no eggs. Just that rice milk with just the right spices."

"I can look into it," Eun Mi smiled.

"Can I make one request?" JJ said and Eun Mi nodded. "I don't know if you're familiar with it, but there's this one dessert they have in Japan. Mochi I think they're called. They're these race cakes things with some kind of red pudding in them."

"We call it Chapssal-tteok," Eun Mi nodded. "It's a red bean filling."

"Is it? I thought it was a fruit."

"No, but you can put fruit in there if you want," Eun Mi said. "I know how to make it. The Mistress used to ensure each of her guests always got a complimentary Mochi dessert with their tea but only if they paid for a comfort girl. Sometimes those men would come just to have tea and chapssal-tteok."

"I really liked it when I had them," JJ said. "Not too sweet but just sweet enough and they're chewy."

"Okay," Eun Mi said. "Write me as soon as you know when you'll be able to visit and I'll make something for you."

"I can't wait," JJ smiled. "It'll be a little soon but we'll do something for New Year's too."

"We'll celebrate same day," Eun Mi said. She moved aside the food so she could semi-sit on JJ's lap and brought the food back so it was in easy reach. JJ pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and tapped the tips of his chopsticks twice on her lips.

"The sad thing is you may have made me forget how to use a fork," he joked and Eun Mi smiled. She cuddled into his shoulder while JJ finished eating and when he was done, she piled the two dishes and chopsticks atop each other and put them on her nightstand while never leaving JJ's embrace. "No one's seen you do that right?" JJ asked.

"I don't use my power when people are around," Eun Mi promised. "Except with you."

"Okay, good," JJ said and kissed the top of Eun Mi's head. "When you're in Washington, you can be less restrictive with your power. At least when you're in our home or with the tribe. In town, try to avoid it, but at home you'll be alright."

"Good," Eun Mi said. "Not being able to use them is so foreign to me. I'm used to being able to stay in one spot and just grab anything I needed. Now I have to walk to the thing I need. I've nearly burned things because of it."

"I'm sure that's not true," JJ grinned. "Thank you for the early dinner. It's the best thing I've had in months."

"I'll make sure to send you back with some rice," Eun Mi said. She snuggled into his embrace and JJ held her close with a hand on her hip and the other on her thigh. "Do you think anything will change here when Ike becomes president?"

JJ chuckled a little, "That confident in him?"

"How long will it be before we know?"

"Election day officially is on the 8th of November, but you can vote early. I'm voting early for instance. There aren't many men that are waiting until election day. I think most of them that are waiting are still undecided. But we'll have the announcement of who won either by the end of the day or by the following morning. It'll be all over the news first thing in the morning for sure."

"So if Ike becomes president," Eun Mi corrected, "will he end the war?"

"Eisenhower's promising to," JJ said. "But then, both candidates are. That's the 'easiest' promise to make that would get easy votes from any American frankly. Eisenhower's the favorite as far as I know, but Stevenson also has a poster that reminds people about when Hoover was president and what a disaster that was and how much better things were under Roosevelt."

"Why would previous presidents matter?"

"Hoover was a republican and during his time in office, we suffered the Great Depression. I was really little at the time, so I don't remember its effects very well, but a lot of Americans lost their jobs, homelessness and unemployment was at a high, there were soup lines. It was a really bad time for us all. When Roosevelt came to the presidency, he started implementing programs to improve our economy and it was working slowly and steadily. Although, if you want the truth, a lot of that has to do with the fact that we got involved in the second world war and that turned out to be very profitable for us. Men were being sent overseas in droves and women at home needed to take over for the most part. That I remember vividly."

"Is the Korean War as profitable?" Eun Mi asked.

"Fuck if I know," JJ sighed. "If you want my opinion, we got involved because we have a written agreement and obligation with South Korea to do so and so that's why we're here. Also crush the commies. That sort of thing. Given how it's played out, we're not making as much progress as we should be. I got to meet you, though. So it's not all bad at least." Eun Mi smiled at JJ and they shared a brief kiss. "I'll be happy when we can go back to Washington, though."

JJ and Eun Mi smiled at one another before he leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss. Then JJ got on his knees on the bed so he could lower Eun Mi to the bed and kept himself hovered above her just enough that he wasn't crushing her but he could still kiss her. After a moment, JJ turned them around so he was on his back and brought Eun Mi on top of him so she was lying on top of him straddling his hips. When JJ had gotten them situated, Eun Mi rested her chin on JJ's chest while she smiled at him.

"Can I ask you something?" JJ asked and Eun Mi nodded. "Do you ever miss North Korea?" She appeared thoughtful a moment and then placed her cheek on JJ's chest.

"No," Eun Mi answered. "I miss my mother and grandpa. When grandpa died, it was just her and I. Then when she died…..this may sound strange, but when my mother died, I felt homeless. When my mom died, I brought her to our little house and buried her. Then I'd set the house on fire. I was literally homeless and had lost my mother so I had no one to live for or go home to. I don't miss that."

"You don't feel that way anymore, right?"

"No," Eun Mi answered and looked up at him. "This M.A.S.H might not be home, but we have a home to return to."

"Yes we do," JJ smiled back at her and pulled her closer to kiss her. "Just three more years of service and I'll be able to retire from the Army. Once I'm retired, I'll return to working at the General Store and we can start a family."

"Sounds like the American Dream," Eun Mi said.

They kissed again and enjoyed the remainder of their afternoon together. Eun Mi woke up extremely early the next morning going into the kitchen to put together a care package for him to take back with him to the parallel. They said goodbye to one another that morning before JJ had to return to the parallel with all the food Eun Mi had made him and when he returned he received the good news that he would be allowed three days off for the 24th, 25th and 26th. Just days later, the ballots had all been collected and Eisenhower became to victor of the 1952 election in a landslide victory becoming the 34th President of the United States. On the base, after the announcement, there was a little party celebrating the end of the election. There was a renewed hope that with a new president, the war in Korea would finally end. Back home, there was the same optimism that this would lead to the end of the war in Korea.

In Washington, November came and went with a big feast for Thanksgiving at the Cullen house. Evalina's family returned and stayed through until Christmas with no immediate plans of returning to Europe. When the Christmas/Hanukah rush hit Amber and Anna's shop, the window became a big grabber of foot traffic. People would be walking down the block leaving Macy's with their Christmas purchases only to walk past the shop and become mesmerized by either Anna or Amber carving in the window. They'd frequently step inside to get a better look which often resulted in purchases of tiny soaps as stocking stuffers or even small candles or even recently engaged brides who wanted to buy a Unity Candle whether they were Catholic or not. Often Amber would bring Heather with to the shop and she'd watch her mother or grandma carve candles or soaps quietly, distracted by all the pretty colors of wax.

The closer it came to Christmas, the longer Amber and Anna would be at the shop, but they loved the excitement and being so busy. Because they would be at the shop so late, Kevin and Levi would go to the shop with some food they bought on the way there and they'd light a menorah saying the prayers and then eat together at the shop. Heather would do her best to say the prayer along with them after Amber and Anna had coached her on the song, but she'd end up most frequently just humming along or just singing to note without the words. It always got a small laugh out of all of them. They closed early for the last day of Hanukah and had a giant dinner at Kevin and Amber's house to celebrate. Embry joined them for the last day of Hanukah, fumbling over the Hebrew song when the last candle was lit. Heather would pat Embry's cheeks and try to help him, but given she was having a hard time with her Hebrew too, she wasn't all that much help regardless of Embry's praises to the contrary while they all had dinner together.

"We can't install it until Spring," Embry said to Kevin when the two went outside on Kevin's back porch for some fresh, cold air, "but I got the equipment for a big play ground. I got a three piece swing, a funhouse with a metal slide and some things for a sandbox. I think we can put everything in that corner."

"Is that Heather's Christmas present from you?" Kevin asked.

"That's the plan," Embry said. "She might be a big young for a some of it, but it'll last through her childhood. I'm sure when she has a little brother or sister she'll happily share it."

"I'm sure," Kevin chuckled.

"Do you and Amber know when you'll start trying for another?"

"I'm not sure," Kevin shrugged. "Heather's work enough at the moment and having another baby now would put too much on Amber's shoulders right now especially with the Candle shop. I imagine we won't entertain the possibility of another baby until Heather's a little more self-sufficient."

"So earliest would be when she starts going to school or something?"

"Most likely," Kevin said. "Truthfully, I'm happy to have another baby whenever Amber's ready for it. In the meantime, Heather can enjoy being an only child."

"At least she'll get to enjoy it," Embry joked. "I got to enjoy being an only child all of a year."

"Do you even remember being an only child?"

"Not even remotely," Embry chuckled.

"This may be an odd question," Kevin said, "but when Heather is older – and I mean much older –" Embry chuckled a little at Kevin's warning, "are you wanting to have a lot of kids too?"

"Christ no," Embry chuckled. "I guess it depends on what she wants. Honestly, I'd be happy to keep it to one but who knows? When Heather's older – and yes, Kevin, I realize that means much older – she may want more than that."

"If she's anything like Amber, I suspect Heather will want to be independent, so a lot of kids isn't likely," Kevin said. "Aunt Caevia and Uncle Embry having a bunch of kids wasn't so daunting given both of them could always be around. Not really feasible in this day and age. Unless she wanted to be a stay at home mom and, once again if she's anything like her mother, it would be a cold day in hell before she'd agree to that."

"I guess we'll have to see," Embry said. "We've got at least 18 years to worry about it, right?"

"I suppose that'll do," Kevin said, half-jokingly and half completely serious, and Embry smiled.

"You know how this all works, Kevin," Embry finally said. "It'll play out the way it plays out."

"You will tell me though? When your feelings start to change?"

"You'll be the first to know," Embry promised. "I can't speak for her, but I can promise when my feelings change you'll be the first to know."

"I appreciate it," Kevin said. "I do know how all this works and I'll be as reasonable as I can be, but just remember to see it from my point of view okay?"

"You know I will," Embry smiled reassuringly and patted Kevin's shoulder. Moments later, the door opened and Amber stepped outside with Heather who was dressed up in her warmest clothes, a heavy jacket and thick gloves so she could play in the snow.

"What are you doing in the cold this late, Heather?" Kevin said.

"She wanted to play in the snow," Amber smiled. "She insisted."

"You did, did you?" Kevin chuckled.

"Daddy," Heather smiled and hugged Kevin's leg. Then she looked up at him. "Make semen! Semen!" she tugged at his pant leg toward the yard.

"What did you just say?" Kevin asked and gawked at her.

"She's trying to say Shcneemann," Amber sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Daddy was telling her that the snow is perfect for making a snowman but she just can't say it."

"Oh," Kevin sighed. He kneeled down so he was closer to Heather's level and gently took a hold of her chin. "Sch," he sounded out.

"She," Heather said.

"Close, baby girl," Kevin said and then repeated, "Sch."

"Shhhhhh," she tried, making a shushing sound.

"Good girl," Kevin praised. "Now, Schnee," Kevin said.

"She," Heather said again, not quite getting her tongue around the complex pronunciation.

"No, no, Heather. Schnee," Kevin repeated.

"Sheeeeeeee," Heather tried and Kevin chuckled, giving up.

"Try snowman," Kevin said.

"no man," Heather said slowly and with a big smile from Kevin's hand tickling her face.

"Close enough," Kevin chuckled and gave Heather a quick kiss before releasing her face and picking her up to put her in the snow without having to contend with the stairs. "Go ahead and make a snowman." Almost immediately, Heather tripped on the snow and plopped down, but she just got right back up only to fall over again. They watched her try a third time and then fall over again and Embry chuckled.

"I'll help her," Embry said. "At this rate, it'll be spring before she gets started."

"No!" Heather protested getting up again but tripping on the snow again. Now she was getting frustrated and was ready to cry, but Embry was by her side just in time to make her feel better and help her to a spot where they could start making a snowman together.

"She's started with the dreaded 'no' phase," Embry joked looking right at Kevin with a warning smirk.

"What do you mean 'started'?" Amber said with a light smile.

They stayed outside for about an hour while Embry helped Heather make a big snowman. Embry did all the heavy lifting once the balls of snow got really big but Heather was always pushing as though her ounce of strength was helping and Embry let her think so. By the time the three balls were stacked on top of one another in order of biggest to smallest, Heather insisted they get things from inside to give him a face and some clothes because 'he cold! Coat!' per Heather's youthful logic. Embry was happy to oblige and Amber retrieved a spare coat, a carrot and a box of raisins to give the snowman eyes, a mouth and a nose and then put the jacket on the middle ball. Heather was very proud of their hard work when they finally returned inside.

"Mommy! Mommy! No man done!" Heather announced pointing at the snowman as they walked inside.

"I see, Heather. You did a very good job," Amber smiled and kissed Heather's cheek. "Now it's about time you went to bed."

"No," Heather protested. "Hot cocoa," she said.

"Heather, it's 8. You need to get to bed."

"Mommy," Heather whimpered and snuggled to her. "Hot cocoa?"

"What do we say, Heather?" Kevin said from the kitchen admittedly already getting it ready.

"Please?"

"There you go," Kevin praised. "I'll tell you what: you let mommy get you ready for bed and you can have a little hot chocolate right before you go to bed."

"Yay!" Heather cheered as Amber looked right at Kevin, irritated but smiling.

"Spineless," Amber sighed in German with a light giggle. She went upstairs with Heather to get her ready for bed while Kevin fixed up the hot chocolate.

"If I make enough, will you want some?" Kevin asked everyone.

"None for us, thank you," Anna said. "We had better get going. We'll say goodnight to Heather and be out of your hair."

"You're welcome to stay if you would like," Kevin said.

"No, really, it's late," Levi said with a yawn. "Heather's not the only one with a bedtime these days."

"We'll see you again tomorrow?"

"Yes," Anna said. "You must be there bright and early. I'm finally making your mother's cinnamon roll recipe."

"Oh, yeah," Kevin said. "I can't wait."

"Neither can I," Anna said.

"Embry, did you want some?" Kevin asked.

"Put some brandy in it and I'll be happy to have some," Embry said.

"That doesn't sound half bad," Kevin said. "I think I'll have some."

Upstairs, Amber got Heather washed up and dressed for bed. Then she brought Heather downstairs to say goodnight to Levi and Anna. Once they'd left, Heather insisted on being put down and went right to the kitchen waiting at Kevin's feet for her hot chocolate, though admittedly not with a great deal of patience.

"Daddy," Heather said and patted his leg.

"Just a minute, honey. It's almost done," Kevin said and finished melting the chocolate. "Amber, where are those straws?"

"In the drawer with the forks," Amber answered from the living room. Kevin found the straws and added a little cold milk to Heather's drink so it wouldn't be too hot for her. He got two mugs for himself and Embry, filled them with the hot chocolate and put a splash of brandy in their drinks.

"Daddy," Heather said, tugging at Kevin's pant leg, growing more impatient.

Embry went to Heather and picked her up holding his mug while Kevin held his and Heather's while they went to the dining table. Amber came over and joined them so they could talk while Heather enjoyed her hot chocolate while she sat on Embry's lap so she could reach the table. By the time Heather finally finished her drink, she was half asleep and getting crabby having gotten down from her little victory of cocoa, so Amber got her upstairs for bed.

"Did you want to stay the night?" Kevin asked Embry.

"Only if I get cinnamon rolls and coffee in the morning," Embry smiled.

Embry stayed in the guest room for the night and early the next morning they went to Levi's and Anna's house for the fresh baked cinnamon rolls and coffee. As with every year, Christmas was hosted at the Cullen house with a giant tree, hundreds upon hundreds of wrapped presents for everyone and a giant dinner for anyone in the tribe that came and the family. The Call family made up a large majority of the family guests. A number of Caevia's children were still single, but she never made a fuss over the matter. Her grandson Wren was already married and he and his wife were expecting their first child soon and with JJ married, she hoped there would be another grandchild on the way though preferably once he'd returned home. With a fire blazing in the fireplace, everyone opened their presents together while enjoying their drinks.

From Embry, Heather only got a few pictures in an envelope but they were of the playground equipment he'd gotten her and would be installing for her in the spring which she was extremely excited for. As last year, JJ's presents were under the tree and saved for next year, the pile getting bigger each year he was gone. Natalie desperately hoped that with a new president would come an end to the war and JJ finally coming home, even if he stayed in the army and had to be stationed somewhere else in the states. So long as he was home, she'd take it with a big smile. It also meant another year that she and Suerro weren't married. Natalie held strong to her insistence that they wouldn't get married until JJ was home and Suerro complied. JJ expressed over letter that if she really wanted to, she could marry Suerro without him there but Natalie refused.

"Can I ask you something and you be honest?" Suerro asked that day when Natalie and Suerro were alone outside on the porch.

"Of course," Natalie said.

"When JJ says he gives us his blessings to get married, is he still not comfortable and that's why we keep putting off getting married?" Suerro asked. Natalie thought how to answer the question and took in a deep breath of cool air.

"He's supportive in the sense that he understands how we feel about one another and doesn't want to come between you and I," Natalie said. "If you're asking whether or not JJ likes you, then no. He's still not fond of you. Although I think it has more to do with realizing how….inappropriately he's behaved and he's embarrassed about it. If JJ were to have it his way, giving us his blessing and you and I getting married while he's overseas would be just fine. But that's not what I want. I want JJ to accept you and for the two of you to be friends. I know you could be."

"I understand," Suerro breathed in and smiled reassuringly at her. "I'm sorry if I'm being ungrateful or sound impatient. It's just been so long now."

"I know," Natalie said and rested her head against his chest while his arm was wrapped around her shoulder. "I want us to be a family. That's all."

"I know," Suerro said and kissed Natalie's head. "We should be a family before adding to it." Natalie smiled a little and sighed.

"I suppose I can handle having one more baby at least," Natalie said.

"When we have a daughter," Suerro started but Natalie giggled.

"You mean if we have a daughter."

"No. When," Suerro smiled. "When we have a daughter, I want to name her after my sister. Zurra. We'll even give her a middle name."

"What would her middle name be?"

"Leigh," Suerro said. "Zurra Leigh."

"That's beautiful," Natalie smiled. "And what if we have a boy?"

"When we have a boy," Suerro said and this time Natalie did not bother to correct him, "we'll need to think about it. Perhaps a traditional name. Or maybe a name after something in nature. I appreciate that trend your brother has. Scarlet Willow, Ivory Dahlia, Jaedynn Rose. We'll have to think of something more gender appropriate, but we have time."

"We have plenty of time," Natalie agreed. "Perhaps we could name a son after a town like Jae and I had with Salem."

"Depends on the town," Suerro said. "I do like that idea, though."

"I do too," Natalie said. "It'll be so strange having children at the same time I'm having grandchildren."

Suerro chuckled a little, "I hadn't thought of that. I suppose it's likely by the time JJ returns, he and Eun Mi will start having kids. Do you think he'll want a lot?"

"I don't know," Natalie said. "He never really thought about it before. I'm sure they'll talk about it when it's time."

"So long as they're happy," Suerro said. "I'm glad she makes him happy."

"Me too," Natalie smiled, thinking about JJ in his wedding pictures. "I can't wait to meet her."

"Me either. For JJ, she'd have to be someone special." Natalie giggled under her breath and gently shoved Suerro. "I meant it as a compliment."

"Sure you did," Natalie smiled and gave him a kiss.

Back in Korea when it was getting closer and closer to Christmas, the M.A.S.H was decorated and the snow only complimented all the Christmas decorations. On Christmas Eve, Eun Mi got the Chapssal-tteok ready. She filled most of them with red bean, but there were a few others that she filled with a surprise. She also prepared a homemade milk from soy beans that she infused with the appropriate spices and vanilla and lots of sugar. There was bourbon available, so Eun Mi put some in a separate container for later. Once all of those were done, she kept them in an icebox so they'd stay fresh for the next day. Everything else would be made on Christmas day. By the time Eun Mi left the kitchen that morning, JJ had returned from the parallel and the two greeted one another with a tight hug and kiss.

"I missed you," JJ said to Eun Mi after they'd shared their kiss.

"I missed you too," Eun Mi smiled. JJ kept holding Eun Mi up to his level so her feet tangled over a foot off the ground. "I know there is going to be a big Christmas party tomorrow. Everyone will be at the party, so you and I can have some time alone."

"Actually," JJ said and finally put Eun Mi down, "I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

JJ nodded, " I wrote Terry and asked for a little favor. Tonight, I'm taking you into Seoul where we can spend tonight and tomorrow at that inn where we had our honeymoon."

"Tonight?" Eun Mi asked.

"Yeah," JJ nodded. "Is that okay?"

"Yes," Eun Mi nodded quickly. "It's just…..can you give me about two hours?"

"Sure. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, of course. I just need to make a few adjustments to my plans. I have my own present for you is all."

"I'll meet you back out here in two hours then," JJ said and gave Eun Mi a kiss. They parted and Eun Mi rushed back into the kitchen where she found Yon.

"Yon, I need your help. JJ said we're going to that inn together and we're leaving tonight. Can you help me make the gujoelpan and kimchi?"

"You'll have to remind me how to make that gujoelpan without the meat and eggs," she said. "Honestly, it's like a duck without water."

"I made it happen," Eun Mi said rather proudly. "I also planned to make him gamja-jeon, but that's simple enough for the inn to make isn't it? Wait, no, I have to do it. His tribe has a very similar dish to gamja-jeon that's really popular, so I need to make it for him. It has fond memories for him."

"Are you sure?" Yon said. "The other things you can get away with keeping on standby until you make it to the inn, but the potato cakes are best eaten right away."

"It'll be okay," Eun Mi insisted. "We'll make those first and I'll just have to make sure they cool before packing so they stay crispy."

"I'll trust your judgment," Yon said. "Terry," Yon said.

"What is it Lotus?" Terry said, focused on what he was working on.

"I will help Eun Mi with her Christmas dinner she has planned for JJ. I'll have someone take over the beans for me."

"Fine," Terry said in his thick southern twang. "Just make it quick."

"I'll take as long as I take!" Yon said and then turned to Eun Mi, especially since Terry was content to ignore Yon's little attitude. "Is there a time this all needs to be done by?"

"I asked JJ for 2 hours," Eun Mi said.

"You're mad," Yon groaned but didn't complain further so they could get to work immediately.

It took everything in Eun Mi not to use her extensions to get more work done. Part of why she'd only asked for two hours was because she could get everything she wanted done easily in that time. Regardless, she just worked as fast as she could and directed Yon with whatever she needed her to do. Salting the cabbage was first seeing as that would take the longest though Eun Mi caught herself cursing the fact that JJ preferred kimchi when it wasn't pickled yet. They barely did it, but Yon and Eun Mi got everything ready within the two hours she'd requested and then they got everything packed away in a large carrier.

"Do you think he'll like everything?" Eun Mi asked, suddenly nervous.

"He'll love it because you made it," Yon said. "I can't believe you know how to make Mochi."

"I learned years ago," Eun Mi said. "It's actually rather simple. I'll teach you one of these days."

"Please do," Yon said. "What are they filled with? Red bean?"

"Some are red bean," Eun Mi said. "Some of them I filled with a surprise."

"Oh? What surprise?" Eun Mi told Yon and, when the woman salivated and moaned a little, Eun Mi hoped JJ would agree. "That sounds delicious."

"I hope he likes it," Eun Mi said. "I suppose I'll see you either tomorrow or day after Christmas."

"Have fun," Yon said and hugged Eun Mi while she dragged the carrier behind her. As promised, JJ was outside already waiting for her and in one of the jeeps no less.

"What's all this?" JJ asked.

"Your Christmas present," Eun Mi answered simply and got it to the back. JJ helped her get the carrier in the back even if she didn't technically need the help, and made sure it was secure. They got in the car and made the drive into town with the top of the jeep up to keep out the cold.

"I hope I didn't throw too much of a wrench into what you had planned," JJ said with a guilty smile.

"Just a little, but I got everything done," Eun Mi smiled. "Did you get a chance to call home while you waited for me?"

"Not this time," JJ said. "I'm planning to call before I go back to the border."

"Be sure to," Eun Mi said. "I think your mother will be happy to hear from you."

JJ smiled and rested a hand on Eun Mi's knee while he drove. Once they made it to the inn, they took their things in with them as the hostess showed them to the same room they'd had before as per JJ's request even if it did cost a little extra to secure that specific room. Once they were finally alone, JJ opened the door leading to the hot spring outside and was happy to see the water was still there and still very hot.

"Did you want to take a dip?" JJ asked.

"You go ahead. I'll be there in a moment. And close the doors?"

"Why?"

"Because I want to surprise you," Eun Mi said. JJ smiled and nodded.

"Alright, I'll close the doors."

JJ grabbed a large towel, disrobed and finally stepped outside shivering from the bitter cold all the more eager for the hot spring. As she requested, JJ closed the doors behind him leaving her alone. Once alone, she put together the spread she'd made for JJ, getting everything organized in just the matter she wanted it. She poked her head out to grab an employee to request an order of white rice and told the young woman where to put the rice once it was done as well as toasted gim (seaweed). Once the young woman left, Eun Mi got herself undressed from her winter uniform and grabbed a towel for herself before opening the doors, quickly closing them again behind her.

"Something in there you don't want me to see?" JJ teased.

"Yes and it will stay that way until it's time for your present," Eun Mi smiled and slowly came to the spring. She lowered herself into the water with her extensions so it appeared as though she were floating as she dipped in. She moaned once she was in the water and went right to JJ's side. "Thank you for this. I hadn't realized how much I wanted a nice hot bath."

"Same here," JJ smiled. "How about your face your back to me and I'll give you a massage?"

"Might I give you one? Just don't let my hands scare you this time."

"Sure," JJ said. Eun Mi turned her back to JJ and he brought his hands to her shoulders first and started squeezing and releasing to relax her. Eun Mi gently trailed a pair of ghostly hands up JJ's arms and she felt him shiver a little from the feel. "It's so strange feeling something there but not being able to see it."

"Did you want me to stop?" Eun Mi asked.

"No," JJ said. "I could use a massage myself."

JJ leaned down to kiss Eun Mi's neck for emphasis and continued rubbing her shoulders. Having his reassurance, Eun Mi continued moving those ghostly hands up JJ's arms and to his shoulders where she started mimicking the technique JJ used to massage her shoulders. JJ groaned and suddenly stopped. She almost asked if she'd hurt him but was stopped by JJ dipping his hands into the water and wrapping his arms around Eun Mi's waist so he could pull her up against his chest. Since that was his response, Eun Mi didn't stop rubbing JJ's shoulders. JJ could feel the beginnings of those ghostly extensions against his stomach as they came from Eun Mi's back.

At first, JJ only felt two but then he felt two more come forward and it was so strange to feel. It felt as though two hands were escaping from her back and the nails of those hands gently grazed JJ's stomach as they came out. Then he felt them move against him until he felt hands on his thighs. Those hands started rubbing his thighs and then another pair of hands protruded and trailed around to his back where he felt fingertips rub and press up and down his back. Yet another pair of hands protruded and went to his head, massaging his scalp with fingertips making circular motions. He didn't even care about the water that got into his short hair from it. All of it combined with the hot water was enough to make him nearly fall asleep. He started to daydream about Eun Mi doing this to him after a day at work. He pictured himself coming home from the General Store with dinner hot and ready just like what his mom used to do when his father would come home from work. Then he pictured, after dinner, taking a hot bath with Eun Mi giving him this same massage. After that, he would carry her to their bed and make love to her to complete their night. It was such a pleasant imagine. One he was eager to replicate.

JJ started kissing Eun Mi's neck while he dipped his right hand down over her belly until his fingers came between her legs. Eun Mi moved her head aside with a sigh and JJ's fingers found what they were looking for. He pressed a finger against her clitoris and all the hands on him tightened their grip or pressed down harder for a brief moment and it made JJ groan. Her touch softened again once she was used to his hand being between her legs, but he didn't relent on his gentle touch. While he rubbed her clitoris, JJ lifted his other hand to her breast so he could run his thumb over her hardening nipple. Meanwhile Eun Mi kept massaging JJ all over his body. She could feel his erection against her back as it became harder and the sensation made her shiver.

"Did you want to get inside?" JJ whispered in Eun Mi's ear.

"Not yet," Eun Mi shook her head. She used a set of hands to lift herself up enough so that she could turn around in JJ's arms to face him. He felt all her hands come off his body, but they soon returned once Eun Mi was sitting in his lap facing him. She lifted her hands to wrap around his neck, but hissed and immediately brought them back under the water and JJ smiled.

"Cold?" JJ asked. Eun Mi nodded her head and then JJ kissed her head. "You sure you don't want to just go inside?"

"But we just got in," Eun Mi said. "I thought we'd stay out here for a while."

"We'll just have to stay submerged then," JJ said and leaned his head down to give Eun Mi a kiss to the lips.

She reciprocated the kiss wrapping her arms around JJ's waist so she would stay under the warm water. Then JJ brought his hand back between her legs, returning to touching her intimately as he'd been doing before. Eun Mi moaned into the kiss and trialed her hands all over his back keeping her hands under water. JJ adjusted his hand so he could slip two fingers inside her while he kept his thumb on her clitoris and when he did Eun Mi moaned against the kiss. As they were kissing, a gentle knock came at the doors leading outside that startled them both.

"네가 요청한 쌀 가져 왔어," (nega yocheonghan ssal gajyeo wass-eo/I brought the rice you requested) came a voice on the other side. Eun Mi got out of JJ's lap and swam to the other side of the spring.

"고맙습니다. 내가 너에게 보여준 쌀을 남겨주세요," (gomabseubnida. naega neoege boyeojun ssal-eul namgyeojuseyo/ Thank you. Leave the rice where I showed you to) Eun Mi answered.

"Everything okay?" JJ asked.

"Yes, everything's fine," Eun Mi said. "I'd ordered rice for you and it just got here."

"Will it be okay to leave it for a few minutes?" JJ asked as he swam over to her and took her back in his arms, her back to his chest.

"It'll be fine," Eun Mi said in a moan since JJ had started kissing her neck.

Continuing to hold her, JJ gently got them back to the other side of the hot spring and got Eun Mi sitting on his lap as she'd been before. Once seated as before, JJ returned his hand to its previous task slipping two fingers inside her and rubbing her clitoris with his thumb. Eun Mi trembled in his hands and lifted herself up, ignoring the bitter cold that touched her wet skin for just a moment, so she could straddle JJ's lap. With his free arm, JJ brought her closer to him so her breasts were against his chest under the hot water. He continued to touch her intimately for a few minutes until she was nearing her release. When he could tell she was close, JJ removed his fingers and replaced them with his erection; slipping in as gently as possible given they were still submerged. JJ groaned into their kiss and brought both hands to Eun Mi's hips so he could guide her up and down. But moments later, it started to feel uncomfortable so Eun Mi pulled her lips away as she patted JJ's chest gently.

"You okay?"

"This isn't feeling as good as I thought it would," Eun Mi admitted.

"It's the water I bet," JJ said. "We can always take another bath later, so how about we go inside?"

"I'd hoped we could make love before I gave you your present," Eun Mi said.

"I thought this was my present," JJ teased and made Eun Mi giggle.

"This is only part of it," she said.

"I'll tell you what," JJ started as he stood up in the water, holding Eun Mi in his arms never leaving her body. "Grab one of the towels and wrap it around us so I can't see anything in my peripheral vision. You'll need to guide me so I don't trip, but I won't look at anything except you. We'll even keep the towel over my head until we're done if you want."

Eun Mi may have protested, but by the time he'd made the proposition, she was freezing and had already grabbed a towel with her phantom hands and wrapped them up just as JJ suggested. Guiding JJ back inside with her hand and even slapping the stone and then to wood so JJ could follow the sound, Eun Mi opened the door so they could go inside and closed the doors behind them making sure to guide JJ to the bed and getting them down all without JJ seeing the feast she had waiting for him.

Once she was on her back with JJ on top, Eun Mi wrapped her arms around him and the two returned to their kiss. JJ started slow as he moved inside her waiting to make sure there was no discomfort. When she started to moan and didn't make him stop, he knew he was alright to return to a stronger pace. She'd already been close before, so JJ just brought a hand between them to help her along. He kept touching her thrusting harder and harder the tighter she held onto him and the more fervent her moans and whimpers became. Soon Eun Mi's hands went right into his hair pulling at the roots as her whole body shook and she cried into their kiss as she reached her orgasm. JJ kept going, continuing to touch her so he could make her feel that much better until he finally reached his own climax, pulling out just in time so he came on her belly. He made sure he wasn't laying his weight on her, but JJ did wrap his arms around Eun Mi to hold her close and kissed her forehead, her cheek, tip of her nose and chin then finally giving her one more kiss to her lips.

"I love you," JJ whispered.

"I love you too," Eun Mi said.

"And Merry Christmas."

"Speaking of," Eun Mi said, "are you hungry?"

"Starving," JJ said. "That rice sounds pretty good about now."

"Save room for everything else," Eun Mi said and finally pulled the towel off them so JJ could see all the food. Eun Mi crawled out from under JJ wrapping that towel around her before going to all the food. "The rice is from here, but the kimchi was made this morning, so it hasn't had a chance to start pickling yet: just the way you like it. I made a gujoelpan spread for you with a mustard sauce I made it ripe persimmons. I thought you'd like the sweet and spicy. I made gamja-jeon for you that I hope will make you think of home. They only have the potato and onion just like the ones your mother made. I made milk out of soybeans and I flavored it with vanilla, clove, a little allspice, cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg. It has sugar in there too and I have some bourbon in another container so you can add it to the soy milk. It might not be eggnog exactly, but I followed a recipe of it as best I could. And," Eun Mi grabbed one of the platters to reveal all the Chapssal-tteok she'd made, "these are the Chapssal-tteok. Or Mochi as they're called in Japanese. Some are filled with red bean and some others are filled with a persimmon jam I made."

"You made all this?" JJ asked and Eun Mi nodded. JJ smiled and took a hold of Eun Mi so she was in his lap and gave her a big kiss. "Thank you. You outdid yourself. I don't think I ate this well when I was at home."

"That was your own doing to be fair," Eun Mi said, "but I hope this will be a good Christmas dinner. Even if it's Christmas Eve."

"Don't care what day it is. I'll eat it," JJ said and kissed her again. Then he got a little closer, not taking Eun Mi off his lap, and started with the milk and bourbon. "I've never had milk made from beans before."

"I tried to get rid of the soy flavor as best I could," Eun Mi said. "Yon said it tasted good when she tried it. It might not be exactly the same but I hope it'll be close."

"It's definitely thicker than the rice milk I'm used to," JJ said and made up a glass of bourbon mixed with the soy milk. "It smells amazing."

"Really?"

"Really," JJ said and took a sip. "Yeah, that's definitely thicker than I'm used to. It's less watery than the rice milk is too."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it," JJ smiled and kissed her. He finished that first glass and turned his attention to all the food. He started with the potato pancakes. They were thinner than the ones his mother made and smoother on the inside with no chunks, but the onion and potato flavor was stronger. "Don't tell mom I said this, but I like these better."

"Your secret safe with me," Eun Mi smiled while she cuddled against JJ's shoulder. He finished the cakes in no time and finally moved on to the rice and the contents of the gujoelpan.

"I don't think I've ever had persimmons before," JJ said.

"I would have preferred to use pear but those aren't in season right now," Eun Mi said. "I'd love to make you a roasted pear with nuts and brown sugar in it."

"That sounds perfect for a cold day," JJ smiled. He had some of the kimchi between bites of the gujoelpan and sighed when he tasted it. No pickling, just spicy and crunchy just the way he liked it.

He wound up finishing everything saving the chapssal-tteok for last. By then, he wasn't even sitting up anymore. He was too full to sit up. He'd brought the chapssal-tteok to the side of the flat bed and was eating at them with Eun Mi tucked under his arm. Eun Mi started gently rubbing JJ's belly after he'd finished all the chapssal-tteok and made him groan a little.

"You're too good for me; you know that?" JJ said.

Eun Mi giggled, "My mother was right."

"Right?" JJ asked.

"She used to tell me when I was a girl that the way to a man's heart was to feed him," Eun Mi said.

"For the record, I loved you before I knew you could cook," JJ smiled and kissed her head. "Was your mother ever married?"

"No," Eun Mi said. "I think she loved a man once, but he'd been a merchant I think. As I recall the story, he'd gone away for a long time and when he finally returned, he'd married another woman and already had a child with her."

"Were they supposed to get married or something?"

"I don't think so," Eun Mi said and then giggled a little again. "Grandpa didn't have nice things to say about him so I imagine grandpa made his point clear to the young man and he just moved on."

"She never met anyone else?"

"Not that I know of," Eun Mi said. "My mother was never really interested in getting married the way I've been told. She wanted a child more than she wanted a husband, but after the merchant grandpa didn't approve of moved on she didn't like anyone else enough to marry them. When she took me in, I had apparently negated any point of obtaining a husband."

"Did she try to marry after your grandpa died?"

"No," Eun Mi said. "I think even if she'd wanted to, most of the men in town knew of me and were scared of me and wanted nothing to do with me. It was the same story when I was old enough to consider finding a husband myself."

"I'd say I'm sorry, but given it ensured I could marry you, I can't say I'm grieving too much for their loss," JJ said and Eun Mi giggled.

"I should say you're too good for me," Eun Mi said. "You gave me a life I never dreamed I could have. All I do in return is cook for you."

"Never underestimate the gravity of everything you do for me," JJ said. He gently pulled Eun Mi up so she was on top of him. "I'm a better man because of you. You made me apologize to Suerro and you made me face how irrational and immature I was being. You've made it possible for me to finally move on with my life instead of dwelling on my father's death. You make me happy. Even if you couldn't cook, I'd still love you and I'd still be grateful to you. You gave me a life I thought I'd never have." JJ gave her a quick kiss and smiled at her. "So we're even."

Eun Mi giggled, "Fine. We're even." She kissed him for a moment and then rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too," JJ said. "And Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, JJ," Eun Mi answered as both their eyes got heavy and they fell asleep in each other's arms.