September 19, 2015

Things had slowed slightly since their weekend getaway.  Jihoo didn't pull as many all-nighters and since her husband was now home most nights, Ilana couldn't either.  The husband and wife lay snuggled in bed, their last morning, technically afternoon, together.  Her husband's sleepy head tendencies were rubbing off on her.  It was already past noon and they still had no plans on waking up.  JungMin and she had come home late from the office as they made sure everything was in order prior to their departure to Seoul.  It was even later by the time Jihoo and Ilana had dinner and attempted to help Nana clean the kitchen, even though they always lost the argument they still tried.

 - " Sarang is already packed, what should we do the rest of the evening?”  Ilana had left half of her luggage on their last trip to Seoul as well as already having a full set of toiletries there.  There wasn't much she needed to carry with her.  He wrapped his arms around her waist.

 - "Media room?  Movie?  Listen to music?  Or we can tinker on the piano?"

Jihoo thought about their favorite indoor pastimes, other than those activities carried out in the bedroom.  Those could wait until the morning when they weren't tired from a long day at work and could take time to enjoy those activities to their fullest measure.  They liked to play music together or listen to music while curled up in the king chair and occasionally watch one of her favorite old movies.  He wouldn't be seeing his wife for almost five days, not even in passing.  He wanted to just spend time next to her, holding her, feeling her body against his in any form.  "Let’s listen to music and I can hold you tight against me."  Giving her a demonstration of his plans, he squeezed her tightly against him.

Ilana laughed, "Ani, na can hold nampyon tightly against me."

 - "Mmm, are we going to pass the entire night standing in the hallway?"  He bent to give her a quick kiss.

Ilana released his mid-section and brought her arms up around his neck.  "If nampyon wants too?"  She teased.

 - "Shiro," he quickly picked her up into his arms and carried her to the media room, dumping her playfully into the chair.  "Movie or music?"

 - "Music!  The Broadway piano medley."  Show tunes were at times lively and at times emotionally stirring, perfect for a stay at home Friday night.  Suzy and JungMin, being more adventurous, left not that long before to dinner and dancing out in Orange County.  "Sarang, grab the blanket, juseyo?"  The media room was always just a little chilly for her.

Jihoo the music and sat bringing her close to him.  "Gwenchana, na will protect you from the air conditioner.”

 - "Gomawo," he already had one warm hand around her arms.  She cuddled as close as she could without actually being on top of him and entwined her legs with his.  Dressed casually for work that day in a light cotton white button-down shirt, with sleeves rolled up over a grey undershirt; he was always the perfect temperature. 

They rested comfortably in each other’s arms, listening to the music.  She loved to caress his hand with hers and she did so with an absent-minded smile.  Jihoo had come to feel comforted by this particular action of his wife.  Her touch was so soft, he found himself getting drowsy.  "Sarang is making me fall asleep.  Wae does anae always play with my fingers?"

Ilana smiled widely but didn't stop.  His hands were beautiful, elegant, and even softer than hers.  His fingers were long to curl over piano keys, handle the bow of the violin or conduct an orchestra and to caress her face and body.  She began to blush and still had not answered him.

He took his hand out of hers and tilted her chin to face him.  This made her blush even more.  "Wae is Sarang blushing?"

 - "Ani," she played it off.  "Sarang's hands are yippeun.  Umma always said you could tell a musician by his hands."  She took his hand again and ran her fingers through his.  "The fingers are long and elegant to curl over the keys of a piano," she played piano on his hand "or to draw a bow over a string instrument," she laughed as she ran his finger over two of hers in the simulation of playing the violin.  "And last but not least, conduct an orchestra," she waved his hand about as she laughed.

Jihoo's lips twitched in amusement.  He took her hand in his and studied her fingers for a bit before bringing them to his lips.  "Nae Sarang has nails that are too long for playing the guitar and jogeum (small).  Deh, the overall hand is slim and gives the appearance of being long."  He began to tease one knuckle with his teeth.

 - “Aigoo, Joy Appa begopah again?"

Jihoo smiled, he found her very cute when she said that.  "Deh Ajumma."  He pushed her back against the side of the chair and caught her lower lip with his while releasing her hair from its clip and running his hand through it.  She made a sound of protest at the back of , but he continued nipping at her lips and letting his tongue tease at them as well.  His fingers danced under her hair, along her neck, making her oblivious to anything other than him and his touch.

Jihoo chuckled at her pink face as he terminated the kiss.  Smiling, she molded herself back against him and buried her face in his chest.  "What am I going to do without you?" Ilana held him tightly.  The ten days he was gone and couldn't hear his voice were torture.  She knew this day was coming and it would only be five days apart, yet still couldn't accept it.

- "Sarang will be fine," he nuzzled his wife's cheek.  "Park JungMin will be able to distract you on the plane.  If Sarang is not asleep two hours into the flight, you'll need to take the anxiety medication, deh?"  Ilana didn't respond.  She still hated taking any type of medication, unless she absolutely had to.  "Sarang..., promise you'll take care of yourself?"

 - "Deh!"  She sulked.  "Na don't want to be scolded if Na arrive exhausted, JanDi Unnie won't hesitate to call you."

 - "Maja," he stole a few kisses from her.  "It's only four days; Na will be there Friday afternoon.  Sarang must do her job well on the new development.  Be a source of encouragement for your staff and not be intimidated.  Sarang is their leader and they have to look to you for direction."

 - "It's almost five Days!"  She was not to be distracted from the topic, even if it was true she was nervous about the groundbreaking for the new building.  They had finally received all the necessary permits to begin construction.  After this building was complete they would acquire a construction company, but for the moment, they were still profitable sub-contracting.

Ilana woke with a Sigh.  Tonight, she would be sleeping on a plane, without her husband.  She couldn't even sleep in his pajamas or embraced by his scent from the pillow and sheets.  It was enough to almost make her cry.  She supposed it reminded of her of when she left him in Barcelona.  A tear ran down her face at the memory.  Without a second thought, she climbed half on top of him, burying her face in his chest.

Jihoo had been sound asleep on his back, his right hand under his head, the left resting somewhere around his stomach.  He felt a weighted pounce that could not possibly be the cat.  Startled awake, he met with his wife's head on his chest and her arms wrapped around him in a squeezing grip.  "Sarang?"  He brushed her hair out of her face and felt the dampness.  "Gwenchana?"  He tried dislodging his wife to see if she was having a nightmare, but she had a vice-like grip on him.  "Yah, what's wrong?"  He tried getting her to look at him, but wouldn't.  Her cycles were usually four to six weeks, so he thought it was about time for her period to start.  "Is it your period?"

She relaxed her grip and took a nerve-calming breath.  She slid off him but remained snuggled up next to him with her arm slung over his stomach.  "Ani.  That will probably catch me on the plane, with my luck.  Gwenchana, Sarang, that doesn't worry me anymore."

 - "Greon?" he rubbed his hand up and down her arm, wondering what could be bothering her.

 - "Na Don't want to leave you."

Jihoo Smiled, "na promise to keep busy at the hospital and call you every morning and night.  Na won't have a moment to be sad and before I know it, it will be Friday and Na will have Sarang in my arms again."  He felt and saw her smiling against him.

 - "Na want to shrink you and put you in my pocket.  Then I'll carry Sarang with me everywhere."

 - "Sarang already carries me everywhere," he tapped lightly over her heart.

 - "Deh," she smiled.  "The yeoja promised to not let me miss you."

 - "Ah, deh?  Will they be successful?"  He kissed the top of her head.

Ilana made a very typical Korean noise with her tongue.  "Mollah?"  To his surprise, she sat up and straddled him, rubbing her lips against his and laid her head on his wonderfully bare chest.  She let her fingers trace, the visible veins on his arm.  Jihoo back, lightly raking his fingers up and down her sides, especially along her s.  As pleasant tingling sensations began to course through her body, she lifted her head to run her lips on his chest, teasing one with her finger.  Working her way up to his face, she lavished his collarbone with love, then his neck up to his lips.  Letting one hand curl in his hair, she moved to his ear, nibbling playfully on his attached lobe.  "Sarang is sure he can't come with me?"  She whispered.

 - "Mmm," his wife was winning this round for the moment.  "Na will be there before you can miss me."

 - "Not soon enough," she nuzzled his cheek.

 - "Sarang is being naughty, trying to dissuade me from my responsibilities."

 - "Is it working?"  She smiled as she fit her lips against his, slowly and tenderly.

Jihoo answered her smile and kiss, loving his wife's playful mood that morning.  He enjoyed her kiss a little longer and held her tightly against his body, waiting for her to be completely distracted before making his move.  She had left his lips and was now back at his neck, just under his ear.  Without warning, he sat up.

 - "Ah!"  She clung to his neck, not wanting to fall, needlessly as he had a tight hold on her.

 - "My turn," he secured her firmly on his lap where his hips were in perfect alignment with hers and she knew this well.  He adjusted her legs to have the maximum impact, she was already blushing.  He was done teasing and demanded satisfaction from her lips.  Her nightgown was removed soon after.

JungMin postponed his trip to Peru since he'd be going to Seoul with Ilana.  Friday evening he'd be bringing his parents’ home for a few weeks.  Even if he and Suzy had to work, he wanted to show them their home and show them they were doing well.  Another time, they would bring Suzy’s parents.  Suzy had already arranged it with Nana to celebrate the Chuseok meal in the Main house with them and was looking forward to it.  The year before, they ate out, since it was just the two of them but if her in-laws were coming, and she had to cook anyway, she would include Nana, Jessi, and Brendon.  They were just as much a part of their family as Ilana was.

Suzy woke before her husband as usual and she s her arm and leg around him, while she thought of what to do.  Thankfully, his legs were away from her, in the event that he suddenly woke up.  She'd seen and experienced firsthand, her husband’s frightening way of waking up, but other than being thrown from the bed a few times, she had never gotten hit.  Jihoo and Ilana would most likely not come out of their room until one or the other was starving to death.  Suzy giggled at the pair.  Of course, given the time, her husband was the same way.  She'd be lonely without her husband for a week.  HyunJoong's next pre-trial was that week, she would make sure to light a candle and go to the chapel to pray every day.

 - "Begopah," she decided.  Untangling herself from her husband, she gave him a nibbling kiss to dream about until he woke and gave an affectionate bite to his ear.  Removing his earplugs and eye mask, she left to find nourishment and would come back later with a cold glass of carrot juice.  Perhaps after they had a little fun indoors, they could spend the rest of the day in the pool and have a dinner date before Brendon drove them to the airport.

Jihoo and Ilana as predicted by Suzy were still wrapped in their post lovemaking cocoon at one in the afternoon.  "Sarang, what do you want to do this afternoon?"  Ilana asked.

 - "More of this?"  He slid her from him and kissed her slowly and with full promise of more to come if she complied.

 - "Yoon Jihoo!"  She smacked him playfully on the arm when he ended the kiss.

 - "Wae?"

She smiled lovingly at him.  He still leaned over her, so she cupped his face in her hands, drinking in his features.  The way he smiled, the way his eyes shone with the hint of mischief but narrowed cutely when he smiled.  She traced his perfect eyebrows with her finger and then slid it down his perfectly angular nose and his beautiful smile.  “Saranghae,” she said voice full of emotion.  Wrapping her arms around neck, she pulled him down for a needy kiss.  She missed him already and he too knew it would be hard to be apart again.

They each wanted to consume each other with their kiss, neither wanting it to end.  Soon their hands roamed freely on each other’s bodies.  Her touch gentle yet determined, his fervent.  “Sarang,” Jihoo paused momentarily.  “Sarang is going to be in trouble if we don’t stop.”

 - “Na will suffer the consequences,” she boldly admitted her tongue into his mouth and continued where they had left off a minute before.

Once Ilana realized what had just happened she walked after him with a smile.  “Gomawoyo, Maeje (younger Sister’s husband) is a gentlenamja after all.”By the time they landed at Incheon and deplaned it was just before 6.A.M.  Ilana was still a little groggy from the anxiety medication, even if she did eat a little when she woke up.  She tried to endure the flight without any unnatural help, just prayer and tea, but it was of no use.  She fell asleep readily but woke in a panic.  Her heart rate felt as if she’d been running a marathon.  When she had looked around it appeared as if she hadn’t woken anyone.  Too tired to figure out what time it was or where they were, she got up for a walk to the lounge.  She’d kept an anxiety tablet handy, just in case and ordered a tea.  One good thing about international flights was their wide variety of tea.  Ilana went through immigration while JungMin waited for her and they went for their baggage and customs together.  JungMin saw Ilana struggling with her laptop bag.  “Here, let me take that,” he removed it quickly from her and continued walking.

 - “Don’t tell anyone, especially that Maknae.”

 - “Deh,” she laughed.

After twenty minutes, they had their luggage and had successfully cleared customs.  “Oh!  There come Harabeoji and JanDi!”  Ilana waved, getting their attention.

 - “Abeoji is not that far from them.”  He handed Ilana her laptop and took off toward his Father.

Ilana shook her head and walked to JanDi and Harabeoji.  “Annyeong hasseyo Harabeoji, Unnie!”  She bowed respectfully for each of them.  JanDi wrapped her in a hug and Harabeoji grasped her hand with both of his.

 - “How was your flight, child?”  Harabeoji said with his gentle smile.

 - “Choah!  Hajima, you shouldn’t be up so early!  Eottoke with Nana and Harabeoji, you work too hard.”

 - “Ilana-yah, he doesn’t listen to me.”

 - “Unnie looks tired too!”

 - “Jeogumyo.  I’m used to getting up early, even if I’m tired.”

 - “Guam-ssi, should I bring the car around?”  Secretary Jang asked.

 - “Deh, Ilana will want to rest today.”

 - “Actually, na sent Chi TaeYoung an email, letting him know I want to be at the new building site with him."

 - "Chincha?  Ilana-yah doesn't want to rest?"  Remembering how she passed out from exhaustion, her first visit, she was a little worried.

 - "Gwenchana, I need the experience.  Na haven't been on a job site since my intern days at the company.  Plus, this way I'll be so exhausted by the end of the day, I'll sleep well."

 - "That's a good idea, child.  Housekeeper pressed the suit you wanted.  What time will you be meeting geonchugga (architect)?”

 - "Ahop-shi (9 o'clock)."

 - "Let's get you something to eat and a little rest before your day, deh?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji!"

JungMin came over to introduce his Father.  Having met Harabeoji at his son's wedding, he was extremely honored to meet him again.  "Ex-President Yoon, mannaseh bongobsubnida."

Harabeoji smiled at the man and addressed JungMin.  "How is anae?  Is JungMin-ssi treating her well?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji, Ilana is my witness."

Ilana laughed.  "Abeoji, mannaseh bongobsubnida."  Ilana bowed to JungMin's Father.  "JungMin-ssi is a valuable asset to our company."

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo," JungMin said in mock modesty.  Ilana shook her head at him.  "Chinchayo, Abeoji, he keeps me on my toes, having to keep up with him."

 - "Abeoji is proud of adul," his Father beamed in pride at his son.

 - "Ilana-ssi, we're leaving first, Na will meet you at the office later and I'll help Mina-ssi with the interviews until Ilana-ssi returns."  They decided to keep things formal whenever necessary.

 - "Arraseo!"

Once in the car, Ilana lost no time sending a text message to her husband.

Ilana:  In the car, on our way home.  Gwenchana.  Saranghae.

They had lost their awkward 'your home, my home’; now both homes were 'ours'.

Jihoo had been praying for her safety every time he woke during the night and during Church service that morning and every chance he got.   He refused to eat, much to Nana's consternation, until he learned of her safe arrival.

Jihoo:  Choah!  Nado saranghae.  Greet Harabeoji and JanDi for me.

Now that he knew she was safe he could let Nana know and break his fast.  He closed his Bible where he'd found one of her notes and left the study to let Nana know of her arrival.

 - "Nampyon says annyeong hasseyo," Ilana told Harabeoji and JanDi.

 - "Atch and here Na thought nae granddaughter’s radiant smile was for me."

Ilana laughed at his teasing.

 - "Harabeoji, doesn't know Jihoo and Ilana's smiles for each other blind everyone around them?"  JanDi said.

 - "Maja, maja."  He chuckled as Ilana blushed at their teasing.

Once they arrived at the house, the housekeeper was already preparing breakfast.  "Contreras-ssi, your clothes are hung in the closet, freshly pressed," she said to her employer’s wife.

 - "Kansamnida!"  Ilana bowed, thankful.  "I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

 - "Anieyo!  Kayo, Contreras-ssi will want to get ready for work and rest."

 - "Deh.  Harabeoji, I'll be out in a little.  Harabeoji doesn't need to wait for me to eat."

 - "Gwenchana child, na won't starve."

Ilana smiled as she left them to get ready.  Harabeoji smiled after her.  He was truly happy to see her; he didn't realize how much he had missed not only Jihoo, but his wife as well.

 - "Ex-President, sir?"  The housekeeper asked.  She waited for Harabeoji to acknowledge before continuing.  "Ex-President should return with Yoon Uissa and Anae for a time."

 - "Deh, hokshina (perhaps)."

Ilana was a little tired, but after a shower and a light meal she felt energized.  She chattered the entire way to the clinic, where she and the driver would drop off Harabeoji and she would go on to the job site.  "Harabeoji, the housekeeper said she would help me cook the Chuseok feast.  Jihoo said it was fine to invite Mina, I hope Harabeoji doesn't mind."

He inclined his head with a smile, marveling at the change in the young woman.  "Kansamnida, Yesu," he said silently.

 - "Harabeoji, the heat back in Los Angeles has kept Jihoo and nae from visiting my parents.  We’ll need to do that soon."  Even if she knew Nana, the only one awake before the heat, went at least every other week to the cemetery, she wanted to go.  It wasn't that she thought they were there, but now that she had been a few times, it was a comfort to her.  "Jeongmal, haenbohkayo Na can be with Harabeoji and Jihoo this holiday and pay nae respects to Eommoni.  Na have dreamt her and na have felt her...Na don't believe in ghosts or how I would have wished the spirits of my parents would have visited me.  It's almost just like an essence of her."

 - "Jihoo favors his Umma and Ilana feels everything Jihoo feels, that is why you feel drawn to Jihoo Umma."

 - "Chinchayo?  Na have never thought of it that way.  Those months we were parted," it still made her sad to think of that time.  "Na couldn't feel him, but I heard his voice and occasionally saw his face."  She grinned to herself, "and when Na hear the Holy Spirit, he has a very similar speech pattern to Jihoo.  Na paboya, majayo (I'm a dork, right)?"

  - "Anieyo, it's that great love the two have for each other and your faith that has made miracles happen."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji."  She was quite certain, Harabeoji was a closet romanticist.  They had arrived at the clinic.  "Aww, Harabeoji, we're here!  Nae will cook dinner for you tonight, I'll ask the housekeeper to give me a recipe."

 - "Anieyo, child, you'll be exhausted come the afternoon.  Tomorrow, if you like, you can set it up with the housekeeper."

 - "Deh.  Jeon haru dweseyo, Harabeoji."  She gave him a kiss on the cheek before he exited the vehicle.

Harabeoji smiled as he walked into the clinic.  He could get used to her American ways.

Ilana waited until Harabeoji disappeared through the door of the clinic before letting the driver take off.  She didn't know why, but it seemed he was a bit thinner than last they were here or perhaps it was just that she hadn’t seen him in a few months.  She'd have to ask the housekeeper if he was eating well.  She laughed at herself.  "Who am I to tell someone to eat well?!"  She was much better than before, Jihoo told her she was out of danger but could stand to gain a few extra pounds.  It wasn't that she didn't eat, she just couldn't eat that much and sometimes she was so busy, she forgot to eat, even if the food was right in front of her.  Perhaps the stress of trying to run the project in two different countries didn't help either.

When she arrived at the lot, they had already demolished the old dilapidated buildings.  Chi TaeYoung had just arrived and was going over the blueprints on the laptop.  "Annyeong hasseyo," she greeted him.  "Your apprentice for the day is reporting for duty."

 - "Annyeong hasseyo!  Let's go over the blueprints once more and make sure we agree."

 - "Deh!  Ah, as soon as the contractors have a pause, let's gather for a prayer, as I want to make sure Yesu is overseeing everything.”

By the time Ilana made it back to the office to change out of her jeans and boots and into her suit, she was exhausted.  JungMin and Mina had interviewed four candidates that day for the Marketing Assistant, they had four Architects to see the next day, and Ilana would have any follow-up interviews on Wednesday and Thursday, if necessary.  They were hiring another Architect, an assistant for Mina and an admin.  TaeYoung already had a solid reputation and tenants who have sought Mina's expertise have been extremely happy with the results and their building owner come handyman was very efficient in his work.  They all had way more work than they could manage on their own.  Thankfully, her marketing team in Los Angeles had been able to help Mina.  That could not work for TaeYoung, she'd never heard of a virtual architect.  She supposed maybe in the distant future an Architect wouldn’t have to physically be at a job site.

By the end of the day, Ilana was worn out.  She laid her head on the desk and closed her eyes.  "Yah, boss!"  JungMin yelled.  "Go home and sleep."

 - "Na promised to wait for Harabeoji; he said he wouldn't work too late this week since I was here."

Mina laughed, "Ilana, you better go home or you're really going to fall asleep."

 - "Deh, I know I'm jet-lagged, but I feel even more tired than the last trip and we relaxed all day Saturday, ensuring I was well rested for the trip.  Friday, was a different story."

 - "Yes, you guys were still emailing me just before lunch here, so I know it was late over there," Mina said.

 - "Kaja or I'll call Jihoo," JungMin tugged at her arm.

 - "Yah!  I'm going!  I'm going!"  She slowly began to get out of her desk.

 - "Going, going, going...," JungMin began to sing and bounce along.

 - "Is he always this way?"  Mina laughed.

 - "Unfortunately for his anae, yes."

JungMin continued to sing to the music in his head and scowled at them, which only made them laugh all the harder.  TaeYoung had to go to one of the other job sites, so since they were all alone they took advantage and spoke casually.  Ilana supposed that would all change once there were new people in the office.

Mina came with Ilana to the clinic as she would be having dinner with her and Harabeoji.  The clinic was not that far, even in the Seoul traffic, but far enough for Ilana's eyes to start closing.  The car came to a stop and the driver opened the door for the two.  "Contreras-ssi, we've arrived at the clinic."

 - "Ah, deh," she yawned and stretched.

 - "Ilana-yah!!  Mina-ssi!”  JanDi greeted them exuberantly.

 - "Unnie, Annyeong hasseyo!  We came to persuade Harabeoji to close early,” Ilana greeted.

 - “Na will hang the closed sign and take care of the remaining patients.  Take him with you; he shouldn't be putting in twelve-hour days anymore."  JanDi looked at the examining room door to make sure it was closed.  "He takes a nap after lunch every day," she whispered.

 - "Chinchayo?  Na will make sure to let nampyon know when he arrives."  Harabeoji had always been an unstoppable force, for him to suddenly be slowing down was cause for concern.

Harabeoji walked his patient out of the examination room.

 - "Child, you’re early?”

 - "Deh, Harabeoji.  Pigonhaeyo."

 - "Min JiSeon-ssi, Na will see you now,” JanDi called the next patient.  "Harabeoji, kayo with Ilana-yah and Mina-ssi.  Nae will take care of the rest of the patients."

 - "Atch, JanDi has a family to go home too."

 - "Aish Harabeoji, everyone is preparing for Chuseok and doesn't have time to be sick, deh?"

 - "Deh Harabeojiii, juseyooo?  Come with us?"  Ilana tried hard not to burst into laughter at her shameless pouting.

Harabeoji chuckled at his new Granddaughter.  "Is this how Ilana won over nae stoic Grandson?

 - "Anieyo!  Chinchayo!"  She laughed; waving her hands and shaking her head ‘no’.  "Kajayo Haraboeji!"

JanDi ran into the office and quickly packed up Harabeoji's briefcase.  "Jaljayo," JanDi began pushing Harabeoji out the door while Ilana pulled his hand and Mina carried his briefcase.  Yes, it took three people to get one stubborn woman to get one stubborn Grandfather out the door.

 - "Harabeoji, na will call housekeeper and tell her we'll help her with dinner.  I need to learn how to take care of Harabeoji," Ilana said, as they all entered the car.

It was a short ride to the house from the clinic, but at the first pause in conversation, Ilana was asleep.  "Omo!  Ilana!  Come on, you need to wake up!"  Mina yelled at her.  "Your husband's not here to carry you."  Mina was pulling on her arm to no avail.  "Fine!  You're getting drenched in water!"  Mina had to result in using tactics from her own childhood.  Her Mother would douse her with water if she refused to wake up.  "Harabeoji let's leave her in the car, I'll go get a glass of water."

 - "Aigoo, the poor child is still tired from her flight."

 - "Tired or not, she still has to walk in the door," Mina said with no pity.

The driver didn't know if Dr. Jihoo would appreciate his wife being doused with water.  "Na can help her in the door," he offered once Mina was back with water.

 - "Gwenchanayo, it's only water, it won’t hurt."  Mina splashed a good amount of water into Ilana's face.

 - "Nana!!!"  Ilana sat up abruptly to see Mina laughing.

 - "Yah!  You can take the bus home," Ilana rubbed her face, feeling like she could go back to sleep any second.

 - "Mollah!!  That's what you get.  Kaja."

Ilana somehow managed to help the housekeeper with dinner and play a round or more of stop-go with Harabeoji and Mina, before claiming defeat at about ten P.M.  "Harabeoji, Mina, I can't stay awake anymore."  She'd felt her eyes close after each of her last few turns.

 - "Deh, child, get your rest.  Jalja."

 - "Jaljayo Harabeoji, jalja Mina."

 - "Jalja!"  Once Ilana disappeared into her room, Mina also excused herself.  "Harabeoji, na will take my leave and let you rest."

 - "Mina-ssi is always welcome, even if nae Granddaughter is not in town."

 - "Deh Harabeoji, na will remember that.  Jaljayo," she bowed and headed out to find the driver.

September 23, 2015

Ilana and TaeYoung had been conducting second interviews all day and trying to get other work done in-between.  Ilana felt herself feeling stressed again and she didn't know why.  She thought perhaps it was that time of the month.  The time, if she was truthful to herself, she hated most.  She didn't worry about it, if it came it came if it didn't then she'd be absolutely grateful.  The only thing she did worry about out was its irregularity.  The more irregular her cycle the more difficult it would be for her to get pregnant.  But, God gave Mary a birth and Elizabeth, Sarah, and Hannah all children, when it should have been impossible; so worrying was not surrendering, and surrendering is what she wanted to do.   "Soo JeongHyeok-ssi, thank you for coming in, we will make our final decision before the holiday," Ilana told the candidate in front of her.  All the interviews were conducted in English; it was an absolute must for their office.  As a courtesy, she and TaeYoung rose to the man to the main office entrance.  This was their last interview for the day.  "What does Chi Geonchugga think?”

 - "If we only have one position available, it's between Soo JeonHyeok and Jang YooJin."  YooJin was another candidate for Tae Young's assistant.

 - "Deh, let me pray tonight and tomorrow and Na will make a decision by Friday."

 - "Na will take my leave for the day; Na should go back to the job site's."

 - "Deh, Kansamnida Chi Geonchugga (architect).”  TaeYoung walked back to his office for keys and wallet, while Ilana walked to hers.  The rest of her staff had a mysterious air about them, but Ilana did not immediately notice until she walked into her office.  There on her desk was a lovely bouquet of stargazers, cream and light pink roses with a splash of purple.  She stood smiling like an idiot and she felt tears falling down her face.

Mina came up behind her, "Gee I wonder who they’re from?  Ilana-ssi has a secret admirer in the Republic?"

Ilana chuckled but remained frozen in place, while Mina took the card from the bouquet and handed it to her.  Opening the envelope, she began to read:  Bogoshipo, Na keep finding your 'I love you' notes everywhere, they bring a smile to my face and make nae heart burst with sarang.  Don't be nervous tonight when you sing for a new congregation and don't forget to warm up your voice, saranghae.

It was Monday and he'd been without his wife two nights already.  Jihoo had found another note hidden in his briefcase.  His wife had been busy hiding 'I love you' notes in every pocket she could find and in as many drawers as possible and every nook in the car as well.  He sighed; Friday could not come soon enough.  He had had a meeting with the director that morning.  His contract expired at the end of the month and he had yet to be able to give him a definitive answer as to whether he'd be able to stay in that position.  He had been in prayer about it and was sensing that God had other plans for him, but didn't know what those plans were yet.  His position had been created just for him, it wasn't crucial to the hospital.  He had reorganized each department in the short time he had been in charge and the benefit of those changes was evident throughout the hospital.  During this time, he had been able to bring their score up considerably.  He had no doubt it would continue to increase with or without him.

Again, he thought of his wife, whom he missed.  He hoped she was resting well, eating well and not working too hard.  She had been invited to sing for Pastor Victor's congregation and thought she might get nervous.  Signing on to his laptop, he pulled up a flower delivery service.  He may not have hidden a thousand little notes in her things, but he could send her a bouquet of flowers letting her know she was missed.  He let his mind wander to their last day together.   He didn't know quite what took over them, but perhaps it was that they'd be apart for five days that stoked their passion.   He remembered how she clung to him tightly as they made love, meeting each other’s need again and again.   It had to have been midafternoon that they finally stumbled out of bed long enough to shower.   Neither wanted to be apart and they climbed back into bed and talked and laughed while they lay in each other’s arms, if it weren't for the mini-refrigerator in their closet, that Nana kept stocked with fruit, yogurt, and nonperishable snacks, they would happily starve.

Juan Carlos walked into Jihoo's office and found his cousin's husband staring at the computer in front of him with an unseeing gaze and absent-minded smile.  "Only two days and you're this bad already?  Dr. Jihoo, I'm afraid you might need to be admitted."

Jihoo was surprised out of his thoughts by Juan Carlos' voice.  "I think I'll survive until Thursday night."  That was the Los Angeles time he arrived in Seoul.

 - "Nana says you aren't eating and pining away at work."

Jihoo laughed out loud.  "Nana would think a binge eater, needed to eat more."

 - "Well, I can't argue too much with you there."

 - "Come on, let's go to lunch before she calls and asks me if I made you eat.  Does Panera, sound good to you?"

 - "Sure."

The two Doctor's had a pleasant lunch talking about their wives and of Jihoo's future plans.  "Will you extend your contract with the hospital?"  Juan Carlos asked.

 - "Anieyo.  I've already told the director, this was my last week.  I can't neglect the foundation for so long.  Ilana and I will both be in Seoul for at least a month and I've been in deep prayer as to what I'm supposed to do while in Los Angeles.  I can't sit around and do nothing and let anae work.  The Lord hasn't told me to extend the hospital contract.  I am sensing I need to be flexible again."

 - "The back and forth between countries will be difficult to maintain a regular position at a hospital.  Have you considered your own practice?"

 - "Deh...but if I did, I'd want it to have a clinic like we have in Seoul.  Actually, when I'm not at the foundation na really wanted to be involved in our mobile clinic."

 - "We have a mobile clinic, your pay wouldn't be as good as working at the hospital, but it's not like you need the money."

 - "Deh, that does sound appealing.  I will pray about which direction I need to take.  And Sunbae?  Is Chief Medical Officer calling your name?"

 - "Perhaps; perhaps more than the Director’s title.  If I were the director, I wouldn't have time to practice.  That's the reason I've only gone as far as head of the board.  I don't want to step into the business side and forget the medical side."

 - "Algesseupnida."

 - "I guess we both have a lot of praying to do.  What is in the best interest of the family?"

Ilana looked at the time.  She wanted so much to call Jihoo and let him know she got the flowers, but it would be past midnight in California and was afraid he'd be sleeping.  She took a picture and sent him a text, hoping she wouldn't disturb his sleep.

Ilana:  Gomawo sarang, nomu areumdan.  Nado bogoshipo.  Two more days!  <3"

Ilana got back to work; she prayed over their candidates, the way SungRyung had told her she selected all her staff.  Ilana yawned.  It was taking her a while to recover from her flight.  Harabeoji had given her ginseng the night before or she would have fallen asleep instead of practiced with the band at the Church.  There was so much going on, Chuseok, JaeWook's 100th day and IlWoo and YuJin would be celebrating their hundredth day with another wedding.  Not much bigger than their first wedding, but this time, their families would be able to attend and so would Jihoo and Ilana.

Ilana's phone rang, and a smile immediately lit up her face.  "Sarang!  Yah...!  You're supposed to be sleeping."

Jihoo had been asleep but vaguely heard his phone announce a message.  Thinking it could only be his wife.  If it had been urgent, the person would have called and not sent a text.  He was greatly pleased to see it was his wife and returned the call immediately.  "Mmm, someone should have waited to text me later."

 - "Nomu Mianhae!!!  That's why I sent you a text."

 - "Gwenchana, Na didn't turn off the notifications just in case Sarang needed me.  Na went to bed not that long ago."

 - "Yah, Sarang was working?  You're not resting?  Are you eating?"

Jihoo laughed, "Overprotective ajumma," he called her.

 - "Deh!  Na won't be able to rest until Sarang is in front of me again."  Jihoo inadvertently yawned into the phone, causing Ilana to yawn as well.  "Oh!  Sarang!  Don't do that!"

 - "Jeongmal?  Sarang is not resting?"

 - "Deh, deh!  Nah just haven't recovered from the flight.  Harabeoji gave me Korean ginseng last night and I was able to stay awake through practice."

 - "Do well tonight, Sarang."

 - "Gomawo!  Saranghaeyo, Na can't wait to see you.  Jalja"

 - "Jalja, nae sarang."

 - "Deh," they both stayed on the line, neither wanting to hang up first.

 - "Sarang can hang up."

 - "Jihoo-yah can hang up."

 - "Ani, Sarang needs to hang up."  They went back and forth a few times.  Ilana was doing some work and had the phone in speaker mode.

Mina rolled her eyes at the husband and wife.

The line had been quiet for more than ten minutes, "Sarang?"  Ilana whispered into the line.  When no answer came, she grinned.  "Saranghaeyo pabo.  Jalja."

An hour later, Ilana's head was going to explode if she didn't look away from the computer.  Lifting her hands to the back of her head, she slid her hands over her ponytail and continued stretching her arms high.  "I can't do this!  My eyes are going to close and never open again."

 - "Until your white knight comes on Friday to wake you with a kiss?"

 - "Mollahyo," JungMin walked into her office in time to overhear their conversation and roll his eyes.  As if he wasn't sending Suzy messages every chance he got.  "Here's the info you wanted, I'm going first.  Suzy's parent's invited me to dinner."

 - "Deh, I need to eat before Church.  JanDi promised to get Harabeoji out the door early.  The F4 clan wanted to hear me sing tonight.  I don't know what's worse a room full of strangers or the F4.”

 - "Yeoja, you've already sung for some of the Church members and you had no problems singing at the beach for Jihoo Uissa's friends."  JungMin impatiently pointed out.

 - "Deh, ara, but for them to hear my complete testimony is a bit overwhelming."

 - "Gwenchanayo, just open your mouth and let God come out like he did at the camp.  Annyeong!"  JungMin inclined his head and left the same way he came.

 - "Deh!"  Ilana smiled after him.  "It's easy for him to say, he's not the one singing."

The night went on without a hitch; Ilana gave her all to the Lord as she sang, like always.  With her thoughts focused on Him, she couldn't see the faces of those she knew in attendance.  She sang her two theme songs that her team back home had affectionately dubbed ‘Remember’ and ‘Oceans’.

Ilana retold her testimony just like she always did, interspersed with the ‘Remember’.  The F4 ladies were hearing Ilana's entire story for the first time ever and the F4 men sat in silent shock, hearing the story from her point of view was different than seeing it on paper.   There weren't many dry eyes in the house once she was done.  It hit the three ladies especially hard.  Two out of the three had pregnancy hormones spurring them on, but JanDi couldn't figure out why she couldn't stop crying?

After the message and their final song, Ilana thanked Pastor Victor for inviting her and also the band for including her.  It had been a pleasant experience and one that she thought wouldn't mind repeating on occasion.  She hadn't done that much with her testimony, other than the song.  She wanted to reach 'every scared and broken heart' as the song said.  She would pray about it and also ask Pastor JaeRim to pray for her direction in that regard.  Before she left the altar, many of the small congregation came to greet her and tell her that her story gave them hope to keep their eyes on Jesus, no matter what the trial.  Ilana was always left in shock when they told her that.  What she had thought was a curse; her entire life was a blessing.  Her story touched so many areas, the parentless, those shamed by ual sin and those that were just plain stubborn just like she had been.  As she walked to the back of the sanctuary, she was accosted by a pair of strong arms.

 - "JaeKyung Unnie!"  JaeKyung was silent for a change but clung to Ilana fiercely.

 - "We're so happy to have you as part of us," GaEul said, trying to keep her emotions in check.

 - "Deh," JanDi said, a tear leaking from her face.  "We'll never let you go again."

Ilana felt her face wet with tears, "Unnie-deul are making me cry too."  The tears were falling faster as she felt their love surrounding her.  It was overwhelming to her that they not only accepted her for Jihoo's sake, they liked her and even loved her as one of their own.

 - "Eeliwah (Come on), let's get something to eat," JunPyo awkwardly patted Ilana's back.

She smiled at him, his eyes were suspiciously glossy.  Here she'd always thought of him as the staunch unyielding one of the group and now she was seeing that he was actually the most tender-hearted, next to Jihoo.  The two just showed that side very differently.  "Anieyo gwenchanayo.  I had dinner early with Harabeoji."

 - "Go on with your chingu," Harabeoji said.

 - "Na wanted to spend my evenings with Harabeoji," Ilana tried to protest.

 - "Na will just go to sleep when we get back to the house.  Na will suffer Ilana's coddling tomorrow evening.  Spend some time with the young ones."

 - "Harabeoji loves the attention," JanDi teased.  "Harabeoji doesn't see his own smile?"  JanDi teased.

 - "Atch!  Go on with you and let this old man get some rest."

Ilana was rather tired herself, but she supposed she could hang out with the F4 for a little while.  "Chinchayo Harabeoji?"

 - "Deh!"

 - "Arraseo," she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.

He harrumphed at her and walked off, making everyone laugh.  Ilana’s affection for him grew more and more each visit.

September 25, 2015

Ilana lay restlessly in bed.  Her stomach felt like it was in a knot.  She didn’t know why?  Was it over-excitement at her husband’s arrival today?  Or was it yesterday’s revelation.

The day had started off like the previous day; due to her jetlag, she arrived at the office closer to nine, than eight.  Something was definitely wrong, Mina was cursing at the computer screen in front of her.

 - “Mina-ssi!  Gwenchana?”  Ilana came to stand behind her.  “Oh!  HyunJoong-ssi?”  What does it say?”  Although Ilana could read Hangul, she wasn’t quick enough to decipher it right then and there.

 - “Gwenchana, Ilana-ssi, you don’t want to know.”

 - “This has to do with that trial he’s going through?  The false accusations?”  Mina nodded.  Ilana was beginning to make out a few words here and there.  “Mwo?  Baby?  This is a lie right?”  Ilana took over the mouse from Mina and hit the google translate.  Not having the patience to sit and figure it out.  She read about how this woman was accusing him of having assaulted her and causing her to miscarry.  Ilana’s hand began to shake as she read the other headings, links to previous articles.

 - “Ilana it’s not true!  She’s a liar who is probably getting paid by someone to malign his name.  He has finally filed his own suit against her and she’s considered a criminal banned from leaving the country.  If all she said was true, then he would be the one banned from leaving, not her.”

 - “I know it can’t be true, gwenchana.”  Ilana covered her face to try and steady her emotions, but it was too late.  The tears were pouring down her face.  “He’s been dealing with this for a year?  And yet, he still could smile and give me words of advice as to how to deal with Oppa and sing at my wedding?  No wonder his poor Mother started to cry when I called her to tell him about the wedding.  Oh God please put your hedge of protection around him and his family.  Guide his attorney in the right way to wage this war.”  By this time even Mina was a little misty-eyed but Ilana still shook with tears for her friend.

 - “Attorney Lee is exposing all her lies, but the media is still being paid to downplay his side.  He’s at peace in the army.  He doesn’t have time to think about that witch.”

A thought occurred to Ilana, knowing a little more about the culture now.  “Did he...,” she breathed.  “Did he want…to you know…take his life?”

 - “It’s possible…by the time Attorney Lee came on board; he wouldn’t leave the house and passed his days in a darkened room with only a candle for light.”  Ilana suddenly felt ill.

JungMin had been out, picking up some marketing supplies when he walked in to see Ilana looking like she was going to faint and both she and Mina in tears.  “Yah!  What’s going on?”  He asked a bit alarmed.

 - “Min!”  Ilana reacted.  “Your sunbae?  How did this happen?  Who is this woman?  Why is she trying to hurt him like this?”  She’d begun in just a whisper, but her voice became louder after each question.  “I didn’t know, I’ve been praying non-stop for him, but I didn’t know why?”

 - “Aish!”  JungMin rubbed his nervous hands together.  “You weren’t supposed to know.  It was a relief to him that you didn’t know.  KyuJongie thought it best you didn’t know.”

Ilana’s tears flowed freely for her not quite close friend, but a friend all the same.

Harabeoji had scolded her in the morning for not eating, but already running late it wasn’t fair that her staff was at the office before she was.  This was probably why her stomach felt funny.  She didn’t even have an appetite after yesterday.  She had sent a message to KyuJongie that evening, asking for the address of HyunJoong’s parents.  She would try to visit while they were in town, but first and foremost she wanted to send his Mother a card and letter.  After all, most of her life she had thought the world would never care if she were gone.  He and his Mother needed to know that those were tricks the unseen enemy used.  She praised God for Attorney Lee that came in just in time to believe in him and give him hope.

Ilana’s mind wandered as she ran some reports for the Los Angeles office.  “Contreras-ssi, what time are you leaving?”  Sung DongChoe, their handyman and all-around assistant asked.

 - “Tu-shi (2 o’clock).  Na promised to take nae Harabeoji to a late lunch.”

 - “Contreras-ssi must be excited at receiving her nampyon.”

Ilana smiled, “deh!”

 - “Happy Chuseok to Contreras-ssi and nampyon.  Na have some work orders to fill at the building in Jongno.”

 - “Kansamnida, enjoy the break.  I will pray nothing breaks between now and then.”

 - “Majayo!  Happy Chuseok Mina-ssi, will I be running into your namja chingu at the building?”

 - “Mworago?”  Mina startled.

 - “Mina has a namja chingu?  Does Tío (uncle) know?”

 - “Anieyo!  Mollan anjji!  It’s not true.”

 - “Chinchayo?  Greon wae does Mina-ssi disappear to Jongno every week?”

 - “It’s not every week!”

Chi TaeYoung was working in his office and heard the commotion.  “Majayo, she always has to meet with a potential client and on the same day each week.”

Mina was turning bright red.  “Arraseo, let her be.  She’s too embarrassed to tell us.”  Ilana defended Mina from the teasing of the men.

 - “Na think Mina-ssi hasn’t yet declared herself to him,” JungMin just had to have the last word.

 - “I’m going to check the inventory in the conference room and make sure it’s still well-stocked.”  Mina ran off with a pen and pad of paper.

The rest laughed as soon as she left.  “Ow, bae appayo (my stomach hurts) from laughing.  Leave her alone, Na don’t want any of you picking on her.”

 - “Deh!”

Mina ran into the conference room to cool her flaming face.  At least she had managed to speak to him yesterday; if only to offer him a cold drink.  It was a bit warmer the day before and she had bought the group of singer’s cold drinks after their performance.

-“Agassi is here every week, deh?”  One of the men asked her as she ordered drinks and he helped her carry them to the rest of the group.

 - “Ah, deh.  Nomu choayo.”

 - “Chinchayo?”  He thought he’d seen her eyes look at one of the members, but wasn’t sure if her gaze was directed at the entire table or just one.

 - “Officer, why don’t you start at that end and I’ll start at the other?”

 - “Gueraeyo," the officer began passing out drinks but kept his eye on Mina.  She smiled and acknowledged all the 'thank yous' but didn't look up or make eye contact with anyone until Heo YoungSaeng.  The vitamin water accidentally slipped from her hand, landing with a loud thump on the table.  "Jwosongmnida!  Jwosongmnida!”  Mina had cried out.  The officer continued to look in her direction.   He was pretty sure she wasn't faking it.  She was generally upset and embarrassed.

 - "Gwenchanayo," YoungSaeng flashed a gentle smile.  "Anjayo, agassi was nice enough to buy the drinks, the least we can do is pass them out."

 - "Deh!"  Someone else said.  "We should be giving fan service to our number one fan."

 - "Anieyo!!"  Mina was blushing even more so.

YoungSaeng was trying not to stare at her, but she suddenly looked very familiar to him and didn't want to embarrass himself by asking.  It must be because he was used to seeing her in the crowd each week.

Little did Mina know that YoungSaeng had had to endure his own teasing as soon as they were back on the bus, heading to the next venue.

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi has an admirer," the same officer who had been observing Mina, spoke.

 - "Mworago?  Nae?"

 - "Deh!"

 - "The agassi is yippeun...," someone else said.  "...for a foreigner.  If YoungSaeng-ssi doesn't want her, I'll take her."

 - "Mworago?  Pabo!  Agassi must work close by, that's all."

 - "Deh, but she didn't look at any of the namja until YoungSaeng-ssi spoke."

 - "Mollahyo!  Get a life!"  YoungSaeng was increasingly uncomfortable with this line of questioning.  But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help wonder if he'd met her before being in the choir.

 - "Namja, maybe we'll be singing at a wedding when we're done serving."

YoungSaeng ignored them and his IPod blocking them out with his headphones.

 - "We'll see if she's there, next week," someone couldn't resist keeping the joking up.

Ilana arrived at the clinic shortly before two, her stomach or actually side had begun to really throb.  It just had to be hunger, she thought.  Not having an appetite, all she had was water, hoping that would still the strange pain.  "Contreras-ssi?  Gwenchanayo?"  The driver asked.  She looked to be in some sort of discomfort.

 - "Deh, Na didn't eat this morning and my stomach is just protesting," she tried to smile.  As soon as the driver opened her door, she stepped out, but her side was really hurting.  So much so, that she needed to vomit and she did, right against the tire of the SUV.  "Mianhaeyo!  Mianhaeyo!  Ow!!"

 - "Contreras-ssi, gwenchana!"  There was really no mess at all since Ilana hadn't eaten anything solid, the only thing she threw up was water.  "Lean on me, I'll help Ilana-ssi into the clinic."

Harabeoji was in with a patient and JanDi was about to take the vitals of another patient when she saw the SUV arrive, but didn't understand why Ilana had yet to come in after a few minutes.  She was even more surprised to see the driver supporting her as they came in.

 - "What happened?"  JanDi asked, immediately running up to them.

Ilana had to throw up again and ran to the bathroom.

 - "Mollahyo, she did look to be in discomfort, but all she said was that she hadn't eaten.  She vomited as soon as we arrived."

 - "Ilana-yah, eeliwah, let me check your vitals," JanDi, gently raised her from her position in front of the toilet and guided her to where the medical equipment was.  "Gwenchana, just tell me what happened?"  She saw the tears beginning to form in Ilana's eyes.

 - "Mollahyo, it hurts."

 - "Ilana-yah, can you relax for me?"  The girl was going to hyperventilate if she didn't control her breathing.  Ilana nodded and tried to comply until she remembered the stabbing pain again.  JanDi spoke soothingly and completely in English as she worked, commenting on every vital she took.  "Where does it hurt?"

 - "The right."

 - "Ilana-yah has a low-grade fever and pain on the right side of her abdomen?  It could be appendicitis.  When was your last period?"

Ilana shook her head, not being able to think clearly with the pain.  "Sometime before we went to the beach."

 - "Ilana-yah, show me on the calendar.  This is the weekend we went to visit you," she pointed at the weekend of the twenty-seventh.  “Was it the week before?"  Ilana shook her head 'no', she was pretty sure it wasn't that week. “The week before that?"

 - "That was the weekend Jihoo came back from Haiti.  Deh.  That was it."

JanDi immediately worried Ilana was pregnant and having a miscarriage.  "Ilana-yah, do you know if you're pregnant?"

Ilana's eyes widened in worry, "mollahyo?  My periods are irregular."  The more she worried; the more pain she was in.  "Ow!!"

JanDi thought, if she was pregnant, it could be ectopic from where the pain was located.  Also, in the back of JanDi's mind, she tried to remember when her own period had been.   "Could I be...?"  JanDi shook the thought off; Ilana was her concern at the moment.  "Ilana-yah, does the tip of your shoulder hurt or any bleeding?"

Ilana was able to answer 'no' to both questions.  "Ani," she grimaced from the pain.

Harabeoji had finished with his patient and saw JanDi with his Granddaughter.  "Ilana-yah?!"  He was immediately worried.

 - "Gwenchanayo, Harabeoji," Ilana tried to reassure him, but it was obvious by the tears in her eyes and how she bit her lip to keep from crying out, that she wasn't alright.

 - "Anngwenchana," JanDi said firmly.  "Harabeoji, we need to get blood work, should we send her immediately to Shinwa Hospital or have someone from the lab come here?"

Ilana shook her head at the idea of the hospital.  "Anieyo!  Gwenchana!  Chincha!"  Ilana tried to stand and was immediately seated again due to the sharp pain in her side.

 - "It's best child, we need to find out what's causing your pain.  How long have you had it?  Since this morning?"

 - "Not...long before I left the office.  I felt uncomfortable all...morning, but no pain."

 - "Once the blood work results are returned, there will be more tests to run."

 - "Hajiman..."  Ilana's protest was half-hearted.  She was used to the migraine pain that felt like her head was going to split in two, but this stabbing pain was different, it hurt to even breathe.

 - "Harabeoji, Na will call the hospital, you sit with her," JanDi ran off to make phone calls among them; she needed to tell Roe HyunSu, the one who oversees all their clinics, that they would be closing the clinic early.

 - "Gwenchana child," Harabeoji did what he could to calm Ilana.  "Take deep breathes, ara you know what to do."

 - "It hurts, Harabeoji, wae?"  Harabeoji held her hand in his and it really was comforting.  The hand was not the smooth and elegant hand of his Grandson, but it was cool and smooth with a few cracks, like a stone that's been smoothed in the river.  It gave her strength to fight the pain.

 - "Mollah, child.  Our bodies are complex machines and at times things break or become out of balance.  Na will pray that we discover the source of the pain quickly."  He closed his eyes and held Ilana's hand tightly in his.  Silently, he brought his petition before the Lord.  "Yesu created this child and know each and every crevice, Yesu can remove her pain.  Guide the physicians at the hospital that she may be well again.  Yesu, nae Grandson will be here soon, keep him calm when he learns that his wife has taken ill.  May he draw from Yesu, strength, and comfort?"  By the time he opened his eyes, Ilana was concentrating on her breathing.  Still in much pain, but doing what she could to help herself through it and not let fear control her.

Jihoo had landed and sent a text to his wife.  "Just landed, na will see you soon.  Saranghae."  He'd had an uneasy feeling a few hours before that woke him from his sleep.   It had dissipated somewhat but still lingered faintly in the air.  Just the idea of seeing his wife again kept that feeling away.  Once he'd gotten through the proper security measures, he looked about for his wife's smile and she was nowhere to be seen.

WooBin had gotten the call from JanDi; they were taking Ilana to the hospital.  They only had a suspicion of appendicitis but needed to get blood work done before any further testing could be done.  He did not want to be the one to have to tell Jihoo his wife was in the hospital.  But out of the other three, WooBin was the best suited for the job.  He had been keeping a sharp eye out for Jihoo and finally spotted him searching for his wife, he presumed.  He sent a quick prayer for help in any shape or form and hoped his prayer would be heard.  “Jihoo-yah!”  WooBin shouted and ran up to him.

Jihoo’s eyes widened but then refused to panic.  His cool mask came back on.  “WooBin-ah?  Where is nae anae?”

WooBin didn’t beat around the bush.  “She’s at Shinwa hospital, kaja pali.  One of my men is already getting your bag.”  WooBin had his contacts at LAX find Jihoo on the CCTV and send him the picture of his bag.  WooBin was already walking away, while Jihoo stood rooted to the same spot trying to control his fear.  “Yesu, wae?”

 - “My power is made perfect in weakness,” came the soft reply.

WooBin was already out of site and Jihoo felt himself move unconsciously forward.  “What happened?”  Jihoo finally asked in the car as WooBin sped toward the hospital.

 - “Mollah, JanDi said it could be appendicitis, hajiman they were still waiting for the blood work to come back before they did more tests.”

Jihoo knew as a Doctor, he had to keep it together.  There was no use getting worked up before getting all the facts.  Also as a husband, he needed to be her comfort and strength.  He didn’t know if he would boast gladly at his wife being ill, but he did pray that Christ’s power would rest in him.  “Yesu, I need your help, it’s only you that will keep me from breaking down in fear right now.  It was only by Yesu’s Grace that I was able to withstand being apart from her those months.  Na will hold on to your promises.  Yesu gave her to me, he won’t let anyone or anything take her from me so soon.”  Jihoo could not focus on anything other than his wife, oblivious to WooBin speeding through traffic, he called JanDi.  He needed to know what he was up against before he got there.  Only knowing the facts, could he be strong for her.

JanDi was with Ilana keeping her calm, while they did an internal ultrasound.  She was still in a lot of pain, but for now they couldn’t do anything about it.  As soon as the blood test results were done and JanDi saw Ilana was at the end of six weeks of pregnancy.  They were fortunate the ultrasound technician was not busy.  JanDi hadn’t said anything to Ilana yet, the pain was enough to worry her without adding the fear of a miscarriage before they even knew that’s what was happening.  Although, JanDi didn’t think that was the case.

 - “JanDi-yah, what’s happening?”  The internal ultrasound was most uncomfortable, physically and mentally for Ilana, on top of the pain.  She kept singing in her head to ward off the panic, but at times JanDi had to remind her to take deep breathes or risk hyperventilating.

 - “Ilana is doing a good job, just breathe, arraso?  We’re trying to see if the ultrasound will tell us where the pain is coming from.”

 - “It’s really uncomfortable.  How much longer do we have to do this?”  JanDi saw the tear that had escaped her eye and squeezed her hand, letting her know she was there for her.  “What time is it?  Jihoo will be worried if I’m not there to pick him up.”  She didn’t want Jihoo to find her like this.  She needed to know what was happening.  “JanDi-yah, tell me what’s wrong, juseyo?”  Ilana’s breathing had become shallow again.

 - “Ara appayo, but you need to stay calm for the technician, arraso?  Ilana doesn’t want Jihoo Sunbae to find her panicking, majayo?”  Ilana shook her head; that was the last thing she wanted.  JanDi felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, it was Jihoo.  The technician had just finished the internal pictures and was now beginning the topical.  “Ilana-yah, she's done with the internal portion of the test and is going to look around from the outside, arraso?  I have to take this call, gwenchana?”

Ilana took a deep breath as the pain was increasing, “gwenchana.”

 - “Sunbae!”  JanDi eagerly answered the phone as she stepped away from the door of the technician’s office.  “Are you on your way?”

 - “Tell her we’ll be there in ten minutes.”

 - “WooBin says we’ll be there in ten minutes.  JanDi-yah, how is she?”

 - “In a lot of pain and worried that you’ll be worried.”  Jihoo actually felt comforted by this news.  If she was worried about him, it meant she was still fighting and not panicking.  “Sunbae, we don’t know where the pain is coming from yet, but she’s almost seven weeks pregnant.”

Jihoo took a deep breath, not letting this fact startle him.  JanDi said they didn’t know where the pain was coming from.  “Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have been ruled out?”

 - “Sunbae, nothing was immediately visible in the ultrasound, but that’s not my specialty.  The fetus appeared to be where it should be and the heartbeat could be seen.  She’s still with the technician; na came out to answer your call.  Na haven't told her yet."

 - "Gwenchana, na will tell her."  Jihoo had been staring out the window without actually seeing anything.  He now realized they were exiting the freeway.  “We’re getting off the freeway; we’ll talk more when we get there.”

WooBin had been flying down the freeway, swerving from lane to lane and was now doing the same on streets, not bothering to stop for trivial things like lights.  It was almost rush hour on the Friday before Chuseok and the drive from Incheon to Seoul Metro should take about an hour usually.  They pulled into Shinwa hospital forty minutes after leaving the airport.

Ilana was sitting up in the Emergency room bed, hand pressing into her side, in too much pain to lie down.  JanDi was reviewing all the test results with the Doctor on duty, while Harabeoji stood sentry by Ilana’s side offering words of comfort here he and there.  “Jihoo-yah, you’re here!  Choah!”  As Ilana’s eyes were closed, trying to concentrate on her breathing, she didn’t see Jihoo walk in.  He didn't waste time, sitting on the bed and wrapping her in his arms.  She was shivering from the cold and pain and with Jihoo's warmth around her; the emotions she had fought to subdue took over.   Unable to control tears any longer, they flooded Jihoo's white 'Adidas' shirt  "Mianhae!  Mianhae!"

 - "Wae?"  He kissed her forehead and moved his hand to wipe her tears.

 - "M-mianhae," she sniffled.

 - "Wae..?"  He asked her again and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

Ilana was losing control of her breathing again.  “Sarang, it hurts," her breath caught.   "It really hurts,” she cried.

 - 'Ara, ara," he rubbed her back soothingly.   "Just endure for a little longer until we find out what's wrong, mmm?"  He pressed his lips against hers.

 - "But what is wrong?"

 - "Mollah Sarang, chincha.  JanDi is contacting a Uissa in obstetrics."

 - "Wae...obstetrics?"  She had to fight through the pain that was getting worse.

 - "Sarang," he pushed her away from him in order to look into her eyes.  He smoothed her pain-induced furrowed brow with his thumb and then cupped her cheek.  His smile was warm and caring and full of love.  "Sarang, Yesu is answering our prayer."   He placed his hand over hers that was clutching her stomach, hoping to stop the pain.  "Sarang is almost seven weeks pregnant."

- "Sarang, I don't understand?  Is something wrong with the baby?  With me?  Why does it hurt so much?"

He held her against him and made shushing noises while smoothing her hair and back.  He knew she would panic, but better she panics in front of him, than alone.  "Yesu promised me our child, we need to trust in him.  Things happen within our bodies.  This can be something very simple, we won't know until the specialist arrives."

 - "Sarang, I'm scared."

 - "Ara, Sarang.  Ara.  Can anae be strong for our child?"  He kissed her face repeatedly and hugged her tightly.

 - "Annyeong Ilana-yah,"  JanDi knocked on her door.  "How is your pain?"

 - "It's getting worse," Ilana's answer sounded muffled against Jihoo, who hadn't let her go, nor did she want to let go.

 - "None of the obstetrics Uissa-deul are in the hospital now.  We've paged our Uissa, he's the best in the hospital.  Na trust him."

 - "Kansamnida, JanDi," Jihoo said.

 - "Na will send a nurse with pain medication for Ilana."

 Ilana shook her head.  "Na don't want to hurt the baby!"

 - "Gwenchana, JanDi will not bring you something that would hurt the baby."

 - "Deh..."

 - "Sarang needs to rest.  Sarang can't do that in the amount of pain she is in.  Sarang can't even lie down because of the pain, deh?"  Ilana nodded her head 'yes'.  "Gwenchana JanDi-yah, bring pain medicine."

Ilana was placed on an IV that included morphine for the pain.  The rest of the F4 was already assembled and making a fuss.  Harabeoji tried to calm everyone down.  "Children,  nothing will be solved for all your complaining, we've called the obstetrician, but due to the holiday weekend, he was away from Seoul and is trying to get back, but traffic is at its worse.  He informed us that if he will be severely delayed, he'll try to find someone who is closer and can get here before him.   Gu JunPyo first selected this Uissa for his qualifications, deh?  GaEul-ah, child, this Uissa delivered your first born and in his care even now?"  GaEul nodded.   "JaeKyung-ah, he will also deliver your child?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji."

 - "Everyone needs to stay calm for Ilana's sake.   The yeoja should be home resting and not stressing over that which is not in our control."  Harabeoji scolded.

 - "Harabeoji, why is she still in the ER and not in one of the VIP rooms?"  JunPyo demanded.

 - "Gwenchanayo, she'll be moved soon, but that was the best place to conduct any tests."

 - "Harabeoji?" JaeKyung asked.  "She and the baby will be okay?"

 - "Deh, nothing alarming was discovered in any of the tests.  Hajiman, your prayers would not be wasted."  Harabeoji thought they would also serve to calm everyone down

 - "Na will go to the chapel," GaEul said immediately.  "Unnie, come with me?"

 - "Deh."

Once the wives were out of the way, JunPyo asked:  "Harabeoji, chinchayo?  Ilana and the baby will be fine?  How's Jihoo?"

 - "Deh, deh," Harabeoji didn't just utter brave words, he truly believed this was just a minor hurdle.  First pregnancies could often have different complications and Ilana hadn't always been in the best of health.  Jihoo believed in God's promise of a child and that was good enough for Harabeoji.  He'd witnessed the way those two were brought together.  God kept his promises.  "It's possible she will need a minor surgery to see where the pain is coming from.  Because of the pregnancy, certain tests cannot be done.  As for nae Grandson, he's able to keep calm in any situation and he has to keep her distracted from the pain."

Two hours later not much had changed.  Ilana's pain got progressively worse; the morphine took a slight edge off, but didn't remove the pain and even made her nauseous as she hadn’t anything in her stomach.  Anything stronger would hurt the baby and she'd rather endure the pain.  Jihoo's famous patience was running out.  How was it that in the entire city there were no OB's?   Even as he thought it, he knew even if they called their own woman's clinic, it would take that Doctor an hour to reach them because of traffic.  All he could do was pray and hold his wife as she buried her head in his chest, enduring the pain the best she could.  Most of the time it left her on the verge of hyperventilating.  He kept up a one-sided conversation with her giving her hope for the child she carried, even though in her fear she didn't want to hold on to any hope.

 - "This child will be special, deh?   We'll have to give her a special name."

 - "What does Sarang think?"

 - "Does Sarang want to give her a western name and I'll give her a Korean name?"

 - "We'll have to plant a tree for her on the estate, deh?"

Ilana remained silent, wanting to have her husband's hope and yet afraid.

"This fear does not come from God," he had told her several times.

Things happened, people got sick.  As much as humans wanted to be immortal, they weren't.  She knew this and understood it and knew God was working even in sickness.  She knew this in her head, but at the moment, it was hard for her to know it in her heart.  The enemy was shooting his fiery darts at her and she was getting tired of fighting them.  She racked her brain for the Bible verse about God covering you under his wings, but couldn’t get past the pain.

Jihoo wiped the tear that had fallen, he knew when the pain medicine was wearing off, her breathing would change and she’d try and bury herself further into him if possible.  If she weren’t suffering, he’d find it endearing.  “Don’t let the enemy use this to shake your faith, remember the promise I received.”  She nodded her head in Acknowledgment.  “Let me get the nurse, the pain medicine is wearing off again, deh?”

 - “Ani, just hold me.”  Perhaps her husband was like the wings of God.  She could take refuge in his arms.

 - “Ara, but concentrate on your breathing.”  He praised God that she always suffered from panic attacks and knew how to use breathing patterns to calm herself down.  “If Sarang starts to hyperventilate again, na will get angry.”  He felt her nod.  “Sarang, if you didn’t already suffer from panic attacks; you would be having a harder time with the pain.  Count your blessings.”

Ilana realized this was true, anytime she panicked, anytime she had a painful migraine, the breathing exercises helped her through.  “Count your blessings…name them one…by one,” she drew in her breath sharply at the pain.  “Sarang is my…blessing.”

 - “Deh, as long as we’re together, we can face anything,” again he pushed her off of him and gave her a kiss for emphasis.

JanDi came running into the room, “Uissa is here.  He’ll go over her blood work and the ultrasound and then come and talk to you.”

Jihoo felt an overwhelming relief; he just didn’t like to see her in this pain without knowing why.  “Kansamnida, Yesu, we’ll have answers now.”

As for Ilana's situation, this actually happened to me.  I had just found out I was pregnant a few days prior.  It was Easter Sunday and the hospital I managed to drive to was closing down, short staffed, and none of the Doctor's on call were answering.  I didn't have Jihoo and Ilana's faith back then and nampyon didn't have Jihoo's patience.  I think they finally transferred me to another hospital after being there for almost twelve hours.  Even then I still had to wait for an OB to answer the page, get there, review everything, and examine me.

Interesting fact about miscarriages causing pain at the tip of your shoulder.  It's happened to me but all I remember was the pain of the actual miscarriage.

Arraso, my lovelies, as usual, I had not a clue what to name this chapter.