Chapter 127. Together

“The firm is continuously growing and expanding. Without your support this year wouldn’t be a success that it has been. So, on behalf of my family, my wife, my children Joowon and Yuri, Joohyun and Yonghwa and our granddaughter, Euna, the future of this firm, I would like to extend our appreciation to all of you. I hope that with the Seoul Branch, we will be able to help more people and reach farther than we’ve ever been.”

He only felt how tensed he was that split second he caught Seohyun throwing him a gentle smile. The fact that her father included him in their family was a big deal but he couldn’t shake off his conversation with his older brother. But all he could do was to hope that Seohyun’s parents have no hidden agenda against his— considering his Appa’s health.

Yonghwa set those thoughts aside when she leaned to him whispering, “What do you say we go home after the speeches?”

He nodded kissing the top of the baby’s head, “That’s a good idea. This one is way past her bedtime.”

They got home a few minutes later with Euna still wide-eye and giggly it was making her mother upset. But Yonghwa was just contented, spread out on the bedroom they seemed to be using to sleep and also as the baby’s playroom with all the toys around. He sighed thinking of all the other toys they have in the lake house and knowing Seohyun, she wasn’t the one who bought all these for their baby. Euna is definitely a spoiled baby, getting lots of toys from both sides of her family. His thoughts got distracted with their baby’s antics and her persistence to not sleep.

“It’s late for you too, Appa.”

Then he heard her say nudging him with her toes but he only smirked closing his eyes, living this not-so-quiet moment with these two that he loves like crazy.  

“You still have your gym bag in your car, right? Why don’t you sleep over? It’s too late to go home now…”

It was only then that he flipped on his side grinning silly up to her, “Really?”

“Don’t get the wrong ideas, mister,” she laughed throwing a stuffed toy at him but laughed some more when Euna did the same only that it missed him.

“Ideas, really?” Yonghwa chuckled, playfully throwing the toy back at her, “How many of them I shouldn’t be having? Oh wait, am I allowed to have just one idea? I swear I’ll make it a good one.”

Seohyun rolled her eyes, “One idea… sleep over. And you better get that bag now before I change my offer.”

“Arraso, Umma…” he chuckled pushing himself up until Euna started whimpering while crawling towards him. Yonghwa couldn’t help but smile at his baby who appeared to be upset with the thought that he was leaving. Turning to her, he cooed, “Aigoo, didn’t you hear Umma? I’m staying tonight sweetheart.”

Her mother picked her up from the floor taking her with her as she followed behind him, “We’ll go to the parking lot with Appa then.”

Hearing that sent ripples all over him that he just had to turn and give his woman one big kiss on the lips, “Thank you…”

She laughed, her eyes twinkling playfully, “Any time, Yonghwa-ssi.”

There were moments during the night where he was feeling doubtful with her parents’ sincerity as well as worried by how this was affecting his father’s health. He knew how his old man could be very stubborn and insistent with his own judgement which was really ironic. The only comfort that he had now was knowing that Seohyun seemed to be all in with him, and also with the support of his mother and aunt. Once they got closer to the car, Euna threw herself to him making them laugh.

“Really, Euna,” Seohyun spoke flatly once her baby was in her appa’s arms, “You’re stopping Appa to go or you want to go with him?”

“I vote the second one,” he replied instead with a chuckle while squeezing Euna gently in his arms, “Which is actually a good idea to get her to sleep, drive around for a bit.”

Seohyun clicked her tongue as she shook her head, “No, she will only get used to it. It’s me who will suffer in the end.”

He nodded in understanding then kissed his daughter’s cheek as a quiet apology that she wouldn’t get her way this time. Because Euna clung to him almost desperately, Seohyun got his bag instead and they went back to the house. To her umma’s relief, Euna started yawning loudly once her appa started swaying her slowly.

“Your dance skills is getting better,” Seohyun said with a smile when she went in the room.

“Yeah,” he chuckled throwing her a look in the corner of his eyes, “My skills will be perfect by the time the second one comes.”

“The second one?” She asked with a small laugh and gave him a faked innocent look, “What are you talking about?”

Yonghwa could tell that her good mood remained that even his light joke was taken with amusement. While he swayed their baby gently to sleep, he was watching her quietly as she picked up the toys that were scattered on the floor. He smiled realizing how much Euna enjoys throwing her toys around and it reminded him of the others she owned in the lake house. “You’re not working tomorrow, right?” Yonghwa asked and saw her looked up from where she was kneeling.

“Uh-huh,” Seohyun nodded then smiled, “What’s up?”

He shrugged, “Just thinking if you might want to drive up to the lake house with me for the weekend.” He wasn’t expecting too much but the relief flowed through him when she gave him another smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Seohyun replied dropping her gaze back to the basket of toys she was filling while she continued to speak, “I need to check my plants any way.”

Yonghwa couldn’t help but chuckle, “They surely missed you…”

She turned to him looking slightly appalled, “Don’t tell me you’re neglecting them.”

“Aigoo… I told Ajumma to look after them since I’ve been busy at work. I usually go home late and leave early,” he sighed shaking his head instead of revealing that he hadn’t been home for quite a while now and had been camping on his office couch so he wouldn’t really know about her ‘plants’.

“Really?” Seohyun spoke softly her demeanor changed. He chose not to call her out on that and waited until she continued, “I miss the house…”