October 1, 2015

Ilana had been discharged from the hospital for twenty-four hours and was already going stir crazy.   She did not see why her husband hadn't taken her JaeWook's 100th day.  How could she possibly exert herself going to a three-month old's party?  True, the incision still ached a little, but it was manageable.

 - "Sarang, ara Uissa was telling anae she needed to rest this week and could do more walking the next week or was it nae imagination?"

 - "Hajimann..."

 - "How can you possibly get hurt?   Nae sarang will find a way."  Her face was set between anger, hurt and sulking.  He saw her blink back tears and decided to leave her be.  Slipping his hand in hers, he massaged the back of it with his thumb while their driver continued on toward their home.

Arriving at the house, Jihoo helped his wife from the car and held her in his arms, smoothing her hair.  The driver got busy taking all her flowers and gifts inside.  "Sarang, sometimes the desires of our heart come at a small sacrifice, deh?"

She nodded against his chest.  "Nah was just looking forward to seeing everyone again."

 - "Deh, Hajimann Sarang was just discharged from the hospital.  If Na say yes, Sarang will want to shower, do her hair, makeup, and get dressed up.  Sarang will be exhausted before we even leave.  Will you enjoy just sitting only in one spot at the party?  Not only will you be uncomfortable, but anae will not be getting up to help?  Anae will not hold JaeWook or even play with the children."  He knew that was more important to her than being able to socialize with the other woman.  Again, he felt her nod against him.

 - "Sarang is right as always," she mumbled in his chest.

Jihoo smiled, he had a feeling his poor wife would have to concede many things before this pregnancy was over.  He lifted her chin to meet his eyes.  "Saranghaeyo, did you know?"  He pressed his lips to hers softly; kissing her slowly and savoring her lips as if they were a long-awaited treat.  Treasuring them as if not knowing when he'd be able to treat himself again.  "Does that make up for not going?"  He ended the kiss and was enjoying her blushing.

 - "Hokshina,” she teased back.

 - "Mmm, let's get in the house and Na will kiss you again...," he kissed her forehead.  "...and again..." he kissed her cheek.  "...and again...," he brushed her lips with his, "until anae is satisfied."

 - "Deh."

 - "What if I'm not satisfied?"

 - "Mmm, that could be a problem.  Sarang will have to take this as a deposit until Uissa says you are well enough.”

- “Sarang!  That’s not what I meant!”

- “Ara, but Sarang is gwiyopda when she’s flustered.”  She was so lovely to him, not beautiful.  Beautiful seemed too of rigid of a word.  She was not unattractive, but her beauty was as soft and delicate as her heart.  You wouldn’t notice her right away, but when you did, you couldn’t take your eyes off her.

- “Sarang enjoys making fun of me.”

 - “Ani, na can’t get enough of you,” he bent to give her another sweet kiss before making her go inside to rest.

Jihoo worked in the morning from home and took care of his wife, making sure she didn’t overexert herself.  At night she was in a little more pain than during the day, but the soreness had subsided since the first day.  After lunch, they settled in for a nap, which was just an excuse for cuddle time.  He hadn’t been able to really hold her in his arms since before she left for Seoul.

Ilana had dozed off and he continued to hold her against him.  It took some maneuvering not to hurt her, but he wanted to do this for her.  He never asked her why she enjoyed resting her head against his chest so much, with her arm around his middle.  He preferred spooning her from behind and holding her tightly against him.  He had been running his fingers up and down her back when he received a text from Jaejoong.  Abigail wanted to visit Ilana and they were on their way over.  Jihoo sighed.  He’d let his wife nap a little longer, knowing she would wake up upon feeling he was gone.

- “Chica!”  Abigail hugged her long-lost friend as soon as Jihoo had brought her from their bedroom.  She’d woken up with enough time to make sure her braid was straight and add a light dusting of makeup.

 - “I’m sorry, we weren’t able to go yesterday.”

 - “Na would have kicked cheoje (wife’s younger sister) out and asked dongseo (wife’s younger sister’s husband) what he was thinking bringing you to a party after being just discharged from the hospital,” Jaejoong interjected.

 - “Deh, deh, even if I had convinced nampyon, hyeongbu (older sister’s husband) wouldn’t be happy.”

 - “So, we heard everything from JaeKyung, you’re pregnant and so is JanDi!  ¡Felicidades (Congratulations)!

 - “The F4 wives are all pregnant at the same time, wau!  Watch out Shinwa,” Jaejoong envisioned all kinds of chaos happening.

 - “Anieyo, our child will have to be homeschooled because she…” Jihoo finally drilled it into her head that their child was a girl.  It was easier to concede that their baby was a girl than to argue with her husband.  “…will be going back and forth between California and here.”

 - “Gwenchana Sarang, something can be arranged with Shinwa while we’re here.”

 - "Sarang, won't that be confusing?"

 - "Gwenchana, we still have time to think about it."

 - "Wookie-ah, did you enjoy your party?"  Ilana asked.

 - "JaeWook not love attention?"

Ilana smiled at the baby, asking him with her hands if he wanted to come to her., which he did.

 - "Coqueto (flirt)," his Mom called him.  "Te quieres ir con Tía Ilana (Do you want to go with Aunt Ilana), mmm?"  JaeWook bounced in his Mom's lap.  Abigaíl kissed her son’s cheek, "ay te va (here he goes).”

Ilana eagerly received the cute little boy.  "He looks more like Abigaíl each time I see him.  Where's Noona? Ah?"

 - "Noona was invited to spend the afternoon with InHei.  The two are already crying that we leave Saturday."

 - "That's so sweet.  What about Wookie, did you make any friends, mmm?"  JaeWook was fixated on uncle Jihoo's hands that were tickling him in different spots.

 - "Is Ajussi teasing JaeWook?  Mean Ajussi."  JaeWook let out a loud gurgling laugh as he tried to catch Jihoo's teasing hand that was too quick for him.

 -  "Adul likes to play with Ajussi?"  Jaejoong asked JaeWook.

 - "He takes after Umma, he knows how to focus his attention to get the job done."  Jihoo slowed down long enough for JaeWook to catch him.

 - "Yah!  I focused my attention long enough to get Abigaíl."  He kissed his wife teasingly.  "And focused a little longer to get JaeWook," he whispered in her ear.

 - "Jaejoong!"  She smacked her naughty husband.

 - "Wae?!"

 - "You know what you said!"

Jihoo and Ilana grinned at each other.  Jaejoong was very much still Jaejoong.  Slowly the conversation turned to what the Lord had been placing on their hearts.  Jaejoong had been given a heart for wayward young men like himself and began to share a bit about his passion.  "I've taken up a young men's Bible Study, ages sixteen to twenty-six."

 - "Wau, how did that come about?" Jihoo asked.

 - "Na wanted to reach out to these young men before they reached the bottom like I did."

 - "Sometimes you need to reach the bottom before you will listen," Ilana said.

 - "Deh, but at least seeds can be planted and maybe their fall won't be as hard as yours or mine."

 - "Majayo."

 - "I usually go to the same places I used to hang out and wait.  The Lord usually shows me who I'm there for."

 - "I've been praying about going back to work only part-time and spearheading a ministry for unwed mothers," Abigaíl said.  "We know there are plenty of them in the city.  I can always run myself home to nurse JaeWook and I'll be home by the time Isabel gets home from school.  The only thing Jaejoong doesn't like is the fact that we'll have to ride separately to and from work."

 - "Appa will miss His carpool buddy, deh JaeWook?"  JaeWook was completely comfortable on his 'auntie’s' lap.  Entirely too comfortable; Ilana suddenly felt a rumbling on her leg.  "Con permiso, Señorito (Excuse me, young man)?"  Ilana laughed.  The effort to laugh was no longer as painful as it had been.

 - "Well, gosh, aunty Ilana, sometimes you just can't help it," Abigaíl laughed.  "Is there somewhere I can change him?"

 - "Our room is fine, I'll go with you."  Once she was upright, she managed quite well on her own, but still needed Jihoo's support sitting and standing.

 - "Adul," Jaejoong admonished his son.  "Is that any way to act in front of a lady?"

 - "Excuse us," Abigaíl waved one of JaeWook's hands.

 - "JaeWook hasn't his Appa's skill yet," Jihoo commented as the wives left the room.

 - "Deh, let's pray he turns out like his Umma.  He's already showing promise of being a flirt."

Jihoo chuckled.  "Greomyo, he prefers yeoja as they coddle and fawn over him all day long."

 - "Maja!  His 100-day celebration was simple compared to the stream of visitors we get a home from Abigail's Aunts and cousins.  In a way, you'll have it quiet, being just a small family.  Has it hit you yet, that you'll be bringing a part of you and Ilana into this world?"

Jihoo smiled as he glanced toward the direction of the bedroom.  "Na have dreamt of that child for almost a year and now that she's on her way...Na can't put it into words.  Na just pray for their health.  Ara, the Lord has shown me I need to be strong in my faith for them.  Anae will need me to hold her up when she's too tired and perhaps frightened."

 - "How is her spirit?"

 - "Haengbokhaeyo (Happy), It’s only been a day since her release from the hospital, Hajimann it relieved her stress almost completely.  Each day the fear had slowly gone away and now she's looking forward to seeing our child growing inside her, feeling her move and finally holding her."

 - "Does Uissa foresee any complications due to her past health?"

 - "Mollah, we haven't discussed it, these past few days were just about making sure the pregnancy progressed, which it has been.  Her hormone levels were increasing normally each day.  If Na can ask, keep her anemia in her prayers.  It could easily come back during pregnancy."

 - "Deh, I was thinking the same thing.  Hajiman, she'll never be hemolytic again.  Most likely she'll get a form of Iron deficiency.  The morning sickness can take a toll on the body.  Praise God, Abigail's wasn't as severe.  We'll see what the next child brings."

Jihoo chuckled.  "Did Jaejoong just hear himself?  Jaewook is three months old and you are already anticipating the next one?"

 - "Mwo?  You need to be open to these things.  JaeWook is a good baby, he sleeps most of the night now, and the pregnancy was mild.  What's to fear?"

 - "Abigail-ssi feels the same?"

 - "Mollah?  She's feeding anyway, we'll just enjoy ourselves until the Lord gives us another one."

 - "Ara you know that's not birth control.  And if the Lord gave you another child tomorrow?"  Jihoo grinned.

Jaejoong shrugged.  "I'm just an instrument."

Jihoo rolled his eyes at him and tossed a throw pillow at him.

In the bedroom, JaeWook was now sparkly clean with a baby fresh scent.  Ilana couldn't stop looking at the sweet baby.  "He's got so much hair, girl!"

 - "Yes, I had heartburn thanks to that hair."

 - "Really?  JaeWook gave Umma heartburn?"  She cooed at him.  "He's such a smiley baby, is he always like that?"

 - "Mostly, except when he's hungry.  He'll cry and be impatient and try to find the opening of my shirt."

 - "Aprendiste de Papá, verdad (You learned from Daddy, didn't you)?"

Abigaíl laughed, "I think they are born that way.  ¿Verdad que si (Isn’t it true)?"  Abigaíl playfully swatted her son's rear.

Ilana suddenly remembered something.  "Chica!  ¡Feliz Aniversario (Happy Anniversary)!  I can't believe a year has gone by already.  What a beautiful anniversary gift."  Ilana kissed JaeWook's happy foot.

 - "Gracias (thank you).  Well, when you're pregnant almost the entire year, it kind of goes fast.  And then this one came out and I can't believe he's almost four months?  Just wait.  Between doctor's visits and trying to work when you just want to sleep...you'll blink, and it will be over.  With Isabel, everything was new and frightening, so I think I felt the pregnancy went on forever, but my baby girl is seven!"

 - "Oooh!  That's right!  I completely forgot!  With work and looking forward to Chusseok and ending up in the hospital, and all I could think of was I was missing JaeWook's 100th day.  How did she feel sharing her birthday with the holiday and JaeWook?"

 - “Jaejoong surprised us with dinner on the top floor of a building somewhere?"  Ilana laughed at her friend's vague description.  "He bought us matching dresses and shoes, treated us to a day at the spa, getting our hair and nails done.  You know how he is, he just goes all out and sees to every detail.  When we arrived in Seoul, he told me to make sure I stocked up my milk for emergencies, if for some reason, we were visiting or running errands and left Jaewook with his parents.  This was what he was planning.  I can't be away from JaeWook that long and still had to pump a few times that day anyway.  He bought Isabel a tiara and diamond studs.  He even got her a corsage.  The view was spectacular, the food was delicious, and we walked along the river after.  It was just a beautiful evening.  The restaurant staff even sang Happy Birthday to Isabel."

 - "Chica, if you grin any wider, you're going to look like a jack-o’-lantern."

 - "Que Mala (You're so mean)!"

Ilana ignored her. "JaeWookie-ah, did you miss Umma and Appa?"  Abigaíl had placed him on his tummy and Ilana patted his bottom as he tried to scoot himself across the bed.

 - "No, he didn't!  I was ready to burst by the time we got back to his home and JaeWook was already fed and sound asleep."

 - "I'm sure your husband found a way to spend the rest of your evening."

 - "Nothing you need to know about."

 - "Chica, I don't want to know."

 - "I'm so happy for Jihoo and you.  Jaewook won't really get to know your kids.  You’ll be too busy between California and Seoul."

Ilana felt sad at this revelation.  "Anieyo, we'll get together.  They might not be best friends, but they'll be friends.  I closed myself off from everyone, but the rest of the corporate kids all grew up together and are great friends.  Like I said, maybe JaeWook and our baby won't be best friends, but they'll be friends for our sake.”

While Jaejoong caught Jihoo up on some of the happenings at the hospital, their wives continued chatting in the bedroom having completely forgotten about their husbands.  Even JaeWook had been lulled to sleep by their chattering.  "I want to share my testimony through music.  I enjoyed leading worship at the camp and here at Jihoo's Church.  I'm in prayer about it and asking the Lord to open doors for me, if that's what he wants me to do," Ilana told Abigail.

 - "If that's what is on your heart, then it was probably the Lord who put it there.  But it's still good to ask for confirmation.  What does Jihoo think?"

 - "He's for it, if it comes from the Lord.  The Lord has him focusing on the clinics on other opportunities outside of the hospital.  He went to Haiti with the group a month or two back.  When we get back to California, he'll be joining the Mobile clinic at the hospital.  It gives him something to do and keeps him open for other opportunities where the Lord will want him to use his talent."

 - "How often will you be traveling while you’re pregnant?"

 - "I don't know, maybe every three months?"

Jaejoong also asked Jihoo the same question.  "Mollah, we had planned to stay about six weeks while Ilana hired new staff and established them in their tasks.  Ara she won't want to miss Ilwoo and Uee's party.  We'll leave straight after the party, but we'll need to make a short trip for the Su-am cultural foundation Gala.  We're already planning it. Last year Na introduced Ilana as nae fiancé.  This year, she is nae anae.  Na was considering honoring Ilana Umma as a famous conservatory graduate.  Na haven't discussed it with her, but we decided to highlight the benefits of a conservatory education."

 - "That sounds different.  Usually, you focus on needs and ‘wants’ and the ‘what can be done with the donations’, but mixing the past with the present just might work."

Jaejoong and Abigaíl visited for a total of four hours.  The visit mostly centered on Jaewook as it would be some time before they got together again.  The woman tearfully said goodbye and the men pounded each other’s backs.  They all walked out to where the driver was waiting and said a short prayer for each other.  Praying for safety in travel, health for the children and Ilana, strength to do the Lord's will, even if tired and distracted and continued provisioning in their lives and for all the projects that the Lord had put on their hearts.

October 14, 2015

Since Jihoo had arrived in town, three weeks prior, he hadn’t had that quality time with his Grandfather.  He’d gotten right off the plane and rushed to his wife’s side at the hospital.  Since then and learning of the pregnancy and all that that entailed, he didn’t want his Grandfather to feel left out.  Occasionally, when he was in town, he could convince his grandfather to close the clinic early, but now with JanDi also suffering from her share of pregnancy symptoms, they weren’t able to attend to every patient as quickly as before.

He’d been taking and picking up his wife from the office every day that week and today he picked her up with the full intention of taking her and Harabeoji out for the evening.  Thinking it would serve two purposes 1) to distract his wife from the ever-increasing pregnancy symptoms and 2) to spend that bonding time with his family.  He and Ilana arrived at the clinic to coax his Grandfather to join them.

 - "Ka!"  Harabeoji ordered, in the face of their pleading.  "Enjoy yourselves.  Na will take care of nae assistant.”  JanDi, a week more advanced in her pregnancy, was having a hard time with nausea as well.  Hers was driven by certain odors and in a clinic, there were too many to keep track of.  She'd changed their soap and had their air filters replaced and even changed what Harabeoji ate for lunch.

 - "JanDi-ah, go home and rest," Jihoo could see the fatigue in her face.

 - "Deh, as soon as we're done.  Harabeoji is the one that needs to rest.  Gwenchana, Sunbae, I know my own body."

 - "I've told JanDi many times, I know my illness."

 - "JanDi-ah does not know her own body; remember the bloody noses and the time you fainted..."

 - "Sunbae!"  JanDi cut him off.  "Gwenchana!  I have enough with Nampyeon following my every step when Na go home."

She was on the verge of tears and Jihoo backed off.  She was as stubborn as ever, at least his wife was a little more malleable.  With him, anyway.  He placed a hand on JanDi's shoulder.  "Arraseo, don't be angry with me.  We don't want anything to happen to you and the baby because you're working too hard.  JunPyo would sue us."

JanDi's sullen face gave a reluctant smile.  "Gomawoyo, Sunbae.  Leave JunPyo to me, I'm carrying his child, he has no choice but to listen to me."

Jihoo ruffled her hair for old times’ sake.  "Arraso, na don't want to have to worry about either of you.  Anae and I will leave first."

Ilana smiled at her husband.  The way he treated JanDi, just now, was like the way he treated her at the beginning of their friendship.  She wondered if that’s what he meant when he said YoungSaeng still cared for her and that would never change.  She saw that sincere affection between her husband and JanDi; she could easily live with that.  "Annyeonghi gaseyo!"  Ilana said her goodbyes with a hug and a kiss for Harabeoji and a hug for JanDi.

They had dinner at a trusted Sushi restaurant and then Jihoo took them to Banbo Hangang Park, where the multi-colored water cannons waved happily.  "Nomu Yippeun!"  Ilana bounced happily.  It was just as magnificent now, as it was a year and a half ago.

The temperature had dropped significantly, and his wife was only in the light sweater she wore earlier.  Jihoo realized this and hugged her from behind, wrapping her against his warmth.  "Better?"

  - "Deh, Sarang.  Gomawo, choah our impromptu date.  Na haven't been much of a companion these few weeks."

Jihoo placed his hands on her stomach.  "Gwenchana, Sarang has been busy."  He kissed her cheek and brushing her hair out of the way, tickled her neck.

 - "That tickles," Ilana scrunched her neck.  It was still early for most lovers.  The park wasn't full at all.  She turned to face her husband and brought her fingers up to his neck to tickle him.

Capturing her hand, he brought it to his lips and then pulled her closer and brought her lips to his.  It was a slow kiss, he wasn't in a hurry, slowly nipping at each lip before fitting his own to hers and repeating the process.  It had been too long since he'd taken his time to really kiss her.  He hadn't wanted to hurt her after her surgery; he'd only given her little kisses here and there.  And now she was often not feeling well or very tired.  Not that she would deny him a kiss or more, but he would never take advantage of her.  He ended the kiss and brought her head to rest against his chest.  He hadn't even held her close since before the surgery.  He knew she wasn't well because if he didn't instigate intimacy in any form, she did.  He heard a soft yawn coming from the vicinity of his chest.  "Pigonhaeyo?"

 - "Anieyo," if she said yes, he'd make them leave and she didn't want to.

 - "Chincha?"  He said unbelievingly.

 - "Deh," she squeezed his middle as hard as she could.

 - "Yah, don’t hurt yourself."  Jihoo pushed her slightly away to take her hand in his.  With his hand on her waist, he began to dance.  Ilana thought she recognized the music intro and began to laugh as they danced to the old Beatles song.

I give her all my love

That's all I do

And if you saw my love

You'd love her too

I love her.

Jihoo didn't spin her around, just held her close.  None of the others were really paying attention, to busy watching the bridge and if they were, they saw a husband deeply in love with his wife.

Bright are the stars that shine

Dark is the sky

I know this love of mine

Will never die

And I love her

He sang along with the final verse, ending it with a brief kiss.  "Saranghae youngwonhee."

 - "Nado, Sarang.  Naega looking forward to seeing what Yesu has in store for us."

 - "Deh, for now, he has a new life growing inside of you.  Kaja," he said, scooping her into his arms.

 - "Yoon Jihoo!"  She tried protesting to no avail.

 - "Ara Sarang is pigonhaeyo (tired)."

Now in her ninth week of pregnancy, morning sickness had begun with a vengeance.  Week eight had produced discomfort and Ilana needed to keep snacks with her at all times or be sick.  But this week nothing much helped.  It was difficult for her to keep most foods down; therefore, once arriving at the house, something triggered Ilana's nausea.  Covering , she ran to the bathroom and Jihoo after her.  Jihoo was a minute too late to keep her hair from getting in the way.  "Gwenchana, just don't move."  She couldn't even if she wanted to, throwing up two more times, she sat in an untidy bundle on the floor.  Jihoo had already pulled her hair back into a towel and was now cleaning her hands.

 - "Mian-hae," she breathed heavily.  "Mianhae."

 - "Wae?"  He wiped the tears that were falling.

 - "Mian," she whispered hoarsely.  It was all she could say.

 - "Paboya," he lifted her gently and brought her to the sink, preparing her toothbrush.  She trembled as she tried to brush her teeth.  Starting to gag, she tore away from Jihoo trying to reach the toilet.  Her depth perception was completely off and would have fallen had Jihoo not grabbed her.  "Gwenchana?  Breathe slowly."  He cradled her against him, positive she had nothing more to throw up and this was purely a reflex.  “Just relax, if you try to let go, you’re going to fall.”

She was trying to break free from his hold on her.  “I’m dirty,” she sniffled against him.  She wanted to curl up in his scent, but she felt so gross all she could do was try and get away from him.

Jihoo grinned and kissed her forehead, making her squirm.  “Sarang, who took care of you when you had the flu?  There’s nothing you can do, I haven’t seen before.  Sarang is carrying our child, how can I not take care of you?”  He pressed her firmly against him as more tears came.  He walked her over to the shower and turned it on with one hand while still holding her.

Ilana was a bit bewildered, not really wanting to let go of him, the feel of his warmth and his scent was soothing to her.  Though she didn’t want him to be repulsed by here, his holding her made the nauseousness lift just a little bit.

 - “Eeliwah, let’s get you cleaned up.”  He slowly removed her dress and undergarments.  “Sit down on the bench and I’ll join you as soon as I remove my clothes.”

Ilana felt a bit awkward, how long had it been since they were intimate?  She hadn’t been herself since the surgery and once she was recovered from that, nausea and fatigue had begun.  Too tired to think any further, she stood with the help of the safety rail and gratefully let the water wash away the gross feeling of having vomit in your hair.

Jihoo stepped in after having placed clean towels and their bathrobes within reach.  His wife had her eyes closed enjoying the water.  He smiled at the vision of her unclothed backside; it had been a while.  He helped her to shower in the hospital twice, but that didn’t really count.  He poured shampoo in his hands and began to work it into her hair.  “Better?”

Ilana hadn’t let go of the rail, still feeling weak, and was glad because she jumped at the feel of her husband behind her.  Not realizing her head was aching slightly until she felt the tension leave under her husband’s fingers.  All she could do was nod her head ‘yes’ to his question.  He rinsed her hair with such care, more than she did on her own.  He slathered the ends of her hair with conditioner and stepped away only to grab her loofah and body wash.

Ilana turned when she felt him step away.  He had already poured a generous amount of body wash onto the loofah and was about to start applying it, when she started to gag.  "Sarang?  Gwenchana, if you need to throw up, we're in the shower."  He still had the loofah in his hands as he held her.

 Ilana coughed and gagged for a minute or two when she realized it was the body wash that was making her sick.  "Get that away!"  She knocked the loofah out of her husband's hand and she sat on the bench trying to catch her breath.

Jihoo was surprised but took it calmly.  He rinsed his hand as well as he could and approached her cautiously.  Sarang, this is the only soap you have.

 - "Can I use yours?"  She didn't look up, too embarrassed about him having to wash her and almost throwing up.

 - "Chincha?"   She nodded her head and he took up his own loofah and body wash.

 -"I'll do it!"  She protested as he crouched to wash her legs.

 - "Ani, I want to do it.  Does Sarang want to wash my hair?"  Ilana nodded, and he stepped away to get his shampoo and conditioner.

Ilana was starting to feel better.  The fragrance of his products was less potent than hers or perhaps it was just that the combination was what she had coined as his scent and therefore soothed all her nerves.

He stood her up, so they could rinse.  He delighted in her blushes as his hand traveled her body.

Ilana felt her heart speed up as her husband’s hands caressed her freely with the excuse of washing off all the soap.  The loofah was within her reach and took it up to wash her husband's body.  She had to do something to occupy her mind.  All clean, she couldn't resist placing a kiss on his chest.  She had completely forgotten about being sick and was now feeling something else entirely.  She pulled his face down to hers and teased his lips.

 - "Mmm," Jihoo groaned against her. The feeling of his wife's body grazing his, stirred up things that hadn't been stirred in weeks.  He was not going to let her get away with it.  With one hand he pressed her firmly against him and deepened the kiss, with the other he raised one of her legs and caressed it liberally, also letting her know his desire while he also felt her own.

Completing their mutual grooming, he dried her slowly with the towel, following up with damp kisses.  It had been almost four weeks since she had been his and he couldn't hold back anymore.  He had made love to her slowly, but not that gently.

He until she trembled with need, only then did he allow her to have all of him.  Not wanting to hurt her, he sat her on top of him until they were both done and clinging to each other.

They lay in bed exhausted and yet, he couldn't keep his hands from her.  "Your s are fuller did you know that?"  He asked as his hand enjoyed that part of her anatomy.

Ilana didn't know if it was the absence or pregnancy, but his slightest touch was raising gooseflesh on her skin.  "Sarang, hajima...," she pouted.

 - "I wonder what you'll look like as your belly swells and your hips get a little wider."  He let his hand tease its way down to her stomach and tickle her hip and smooth over her backside and further.

Ilana drew in her breath as her husband ignited her desire all over again.  "Ji-hoo-yah!"

Jihoo chuckled against her neck, not helping her any and kissed his favorite spot, before bringing his hands back to a respectable spot around her waist. He pulled her back against him, "mianhae."  He wasn't really, sorry and she knew it.  "Did you know the pregnancy will make your body more sensitive?"  She'd remembered reading that, she realized now she wasn't imagining things and blushed.  Jihoo was behind her, but his cheek against hers and could see the red tint spreading prettily under him.  "Na believe it affects nampyon as well."

 - "Sarang!"  She swatted at his hand and turned to face him.

He had schooled his smiling face and now pierced her with his 'serious' look.  He kissed her suddenly, slowly and tenderly, while his free hand pushed her closer to him and had free reign of her back, arm, rear, and leg.  He ended the kiss when he heard her humming.  "Sarang!"  Her face, she knew was bright red for she was both hot and cold at the same time.  She buried her face in his chest and he kissed the top of her head.

 - "Nomu Yippeun," he said to the top of her head.  "Let me hold you until you fall asleep.  Eeliwah (Come here)."  He lifted the comforter and motioned for her to climb on top of him.  Red-faced as they were still unclothed, she complied.  It felt like an eternity that she'd felt his heart beating under her.  She ignored her tingling’s and he did too.  It was late, he knew she needed sleep.  He caressed her back with intent to soothe and not arouse.  There was a difference and she began to relax, eyes getting heavy.  "Before we know it, na won't be able to hold you like this."

Ilana hadn't thought that far ahead but realized now, things would have to change temporarily.  She wondered how much and worried that things might be too different after the baby comes.

 - "Sarang?"  Gwenchana?"  He'd felt her heartbeat speed up suddenly.

 - "Deh," she breathed in his scent and held him tighter, letting go her ridiculous concerns.

 - "Sarang?  If your nausea is this bad every day, Na don't mind taking care of you like we did today," he lifted her face to his and kissed her forehead.  He was grinning widely.

 - "Sarang!"  As her face heated up again, she pinched his side in punishment, making him laugh.

 - "Sarang, Jaljaeyo."

 - "Saranghae," she said, closing her eyes once more.  Face still warm, she realized at times she felt guilty as if she shouldn't be enjoying her husband's attention after everything that she went through.  She knew that was Satan trying to trick her.  The Lord didn't just give her Jihoo for decorative purposes, but to become one with him.  She was grateful and blessed with their union and wondered how it would be when the baby arrived.  Then her mind wandered back to his 'decorative' qualities and giggled out loud.

 - "Sarang?"

 - "Amogotdo!"  She tried to stifle her giggling.

 - "Sarang is keeping secrets?"

 - "Ani!  Chincha!"

He poked her sides tickling her until she managed to grab his hand or suffocate from laughing.

 - "Is Sarang going to tell me?"

  - "So nosey!"  She scooted up and gave him a peck on the lips.  "Nomu yippeun."

 - "Anae is yippeun.  Sleep now, Sarang needs rest."

October 15, 2015

Jihoo held his wife as she still slept not wanting to wake her yet.  Not after her nausea from the night before and at the crack of dawn that morning.  She had nothing but water to expel.  Again, he cleaned her up and was able to distract her.  During the day she distracted herself with work, but even that helped only so much.   On Friday, they’d had a very positive follow with the Doctor.  Her pregnancy was progressing normally, all praises to God and answered prayer.  They were even blessed to hear the baby's heartbeat, crying with joy at the sound.  She was not too happy to have even more vitamins upon her.  Jihoo was still giving her a daily hormone injection on top of a potent prenatal vitamin and the added Cod liver oil she was instructed to take on her release from the hospital.  The doctor now wanted her to take a B complex vitamin to help with nausea.  She complained there were not enough hours in the day to take all those vitamins and the prenatal made her queasy the instant she took it.  But she endured for the baby's sake.

At the moment, Jihoo was hesitant to wake her, keeping her comfortable in his embrace.  He wondered how bad her nausea would be that day.  When she had the flu, she got dehydrated quickly.  How much more now that she was pregnant?  He prayed for her and the baby's health as she slept…Humans were only flesh and blood, he knew.  Pregnancy is an amazing feat, but unrestrained hormones wreak havoc on a mother's body.

In the Gu household, JanDi had already had her morning sick session and having fought the urge to crawl back in bed, she had to get her husband off to work and child to school.  InHei was ready, JunPyo was not.

 - "InHei-yah?  Appa wasn't behind you?"

 - "Anieyo Umma."

JanDi made sure her daughter was eating before going to chase after her husband.  The servants took care of all the meals and all the cleaning, but breakfast belonged to JanDi.  She liked to take care of that herself.  It was her way of sending off her husband and child with her love.  "JunPyo!  You're going to be late!"  She called to their bedroom.

 - "Ara, I'm just tying my tie!"  JunPyo called from the vanity.

JanDi smiled.  This was a ploy for her to do it for him.  "Should I tie it for you?"

 - "Ah deh, can you?  Na can't get it right today.”

Walking into the vanity area, JanDi's smile faded, she began to gag at the scent of his cologne.  She rushed to the toilet and threw up her dinner from the night before and the tea from the morning.  JunPyo innocently was trying to help his wife; unfortunately, he was the cause of her distress.  "JanDi-yah, gwenchana?"  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders while she tried to recover.

This just made her want to throw up even more.  "Gu JunPyo, get away from me!"

JunPyo was shocked, torn between wanting to be at her side to help her and hurt at the way she yelled at him.

JanDi stood on her own, a bit wobbly, but at least she was standing.  "Mianhae," she saw her husband's stricken face, but it wasn't like she could help it.  "Can you wash some of it off?  Or change?"  She stood as far away from him as possible and held her breath.

 - "Hajiman it's the same cologne I wore yesterday?"

JanDi tried to keep herself from lashing out at him again.  "It didn't make me sick yesterday.  Can you please leave me, so I can clean up?"

 - "Hajiman...JanDi-yah...let me help you," JunPyo practically whined.

 - "You can help me by keeping away until you wash that horrible scent off!"

 - "Haj..."

 - "Ka!"

 - "Aish!"  JunPyo stormed off and JanDi hobbled gratefully to the sink, splashing water on her face.  Finally taking a deep breath, she tried to remember if it had been this bad with InHei?  She remembered being sick almost the entire pregnancy, it just became routine.  She hoped Ilana was faring better, it should be hitting her as well.  As far as she knew GaEul had one of those perfect pregnancies, other than fatigue and aches in her back during the later months.  JaeKyung had told her she was very sick those early months and then it just went away and everything was perfect.  She would make sure to visit Ilana soon, she must think she's alone in the world.

Twenty minutes later, JanDi finally felt brave enough to leave the confines of the restroom.  Descending the stairs, she found secretary Jang waiting for her.  "Guam-ssi, Young Master has left and taken Gu Agassi with him.  He asks that you eat your breakfast well and he'll contact you later."

JanDi was a bit dejected and really felt guilty about lashing out at him.  At the time all she could think of was getting him away from her.

Secretary Jung followed JanDi to the dining room.  The old Gu Masters took most of their meals in their room or on warm days, outside.

It was lonely without JunPyo and InHei and JanDi suddenly wanted to cry.  Blinking back tears, she turned her head to Secretary Jung who was standing behind her, next to one of the serving maids.  "Secretary Jung, won't you sit and have breakfast with me?"

Secretary Jung was stunned.  Things had slowly moved away from the rigid structure that the old Masters had in place and the wall between master and servant became thinner, but he could never sit at the Master's table. All he needed was one of the old Masters to come down and see him. "Anieyo gwenchanayo, I've eaten."

 - "No JeongSoo-ssi?  Have you eaten?"  JanDi inquired of the maid standing behind her.

 - "Ah Deh, Guam-ssi."  She was fairly new but had heard stories of Madam Kang and definitely didn't want to invite trouble.

JanDi nodded and took a few spoonsful of soup and rice and decided she wasn't hungry.  "Mianhaeyo, jeonuen bae angopayo (I'm not hungry).  Secretary Jung, Na will just get my medical bag and we can leave."

As Secretary Jang drove, he knew something was wrong.  "Gwenchanayo?  Guam-ssi?"

 - "Deh."

He was used to her smiling and talking the entire way to and she didn't eat breakfast.  The whole house knew she was pregnant, but with InHei she remained her usual cheerful self.  Something must have occurred with the Young Master.  "Young Master gave me his suit to take to your parent’s establishment and Naega sending a few bottles of cologne to Guam-ssi dongsaeng in the Marines."

 - "Chinchayo?"  Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of her husband getting rid of his cologne for her.

 - "Deh," he smiled kindly at her.

Upon their arrival at the clinic, she noticed Harabeoji had not arrived yet.  She had the key and let herself in.  They were fortunate no one was waiting for them yet.  She went into the clinic and started to get the exam room ready and see what appointments they had that day.  They mainly took walk-ins, but most of their repeat patients always had appointments.

Twenty minutes later, Harabeoji walked in.  JanDi saw the SUV pull away.  "Annyeong hasseyo child.  Eotokke Jinaeseyo (How are you) this morning?"

 - "Chuahyo," she answered lightly.

 - "Jeongmalyo?"  Like Grandfather like son, she couldn't hide anything from their eyes.

 - "Deh Harabeoji!"  She made herself shake off the melancholy and answer brightly.  Their first patient had just walked in the door.  "Ajumma, we’ll be right with you," Harabeoji called out to the patient.  "JanDi-yah," he restrained her, "...is taking her vitamins?  Is nausea bothering you?"

 - "Ah, Harabeoji!  Nado Uissaya (I’m a doctor too)!"

 - "Stubborn Uissa who doesn’t look to her own Health.

 - "How's Ilana?"

 - "Poor child became ill as we were all leaving.  Jihoo took her to work and I came ahead."

 - "Ah, tell her it will pass and not to let it upset her."

 - "It sounds as if JanDi hasn't needed her own advice."

 - "Ah, Harabeoji, we should see to our patient."

 - "Na won't have JanDi running herself ragged this time."  With InHei she spent every possible moment studying or at the clinic, it was no wonder the baby was born so small.  He smiled thinking of the sweet child and looking forward to having his own great-grandchild.

JanDi was already tending to the patient when two more walked in.  It was time to get to work.

Jihoo walked his wife to her office door.  "Sarang, na can find my office, deh?"

 - "Ara, hajiman na Want to make sure na deliver you safely to your door."

 - "Worrywart, I'll be fine.  The book says this is normal, maja?"

 - "Still," he kissed her softly.

She let herself be enveloped in his scent and she drank it up.  It had always been a comfort to her.

 - "Sarang, wae?"  He asked as she sniffed his collar, storing up his scent to last her for the day.

 - "No reason," she said suddenly embarrassed.

 - "Sarang is already using nae body wash," he teased.

 - "It's not the same!  Your chemistry is different."

Jihoo laughed, "arraso, we both need to work, or our child won't have anything to eat."

 - "Deh," she pecked his cheek and took the door handle.

 - "Call me for any reason," he admonished.

 - "Deh!"

It would be another long day.  Thank goodness, the weekend was almost upon them and though there was still work to do, Ilana could take naps in between.  Nausea had left her worn out.

When Jihoo finally walked into his own office, the vice president and their events coordinator were right on his heels.

 - "How's Contreras-ssi feeling these days?"  The vice president asked, after the formal good mornings.

 - "About as expected for these early months."

 - "Gwenchanayo, it should only last for another month or so."

 - "Na hope it's sooner, we leave the first week of November."

 - "Yeoja are made for this, she'll be fine."

The events coordinator rolled her eyes at the Vice President.  Jihoo noticed and grinned inwardly.  Yes, women were given the gift of childbearing, but it didn't mean it came easily.  "Chairman Yoon, I've confirmed with Shinwa and we are booked in their largest ballroom for December nineteenth.  This is a copy of last year’s guests and donors.  Should we start sending announcements the first week of November?"

 - "Deh, na will also be leaving back for the states that week. Make sure to keep me informed.  Na will be working on next year’s budget.  I hope to have it done before I travel.  Vice President, how soon will you have our numbers for this year?"

 - "Deh, accounting is still working on it, as soon as I get the report from them, I can factor in the rest of the year."

 - "I will need that by mid next week.  We’ll need to send it out with the invitations."

 - "Deh hoejangnim (chairman)."  Both left his office and he began his daily activity of signing proposals, reviewing reports and making phone calls.  At least tomorrow he'd be able to go out on the mobile clinic.  It was Emily's day to volunteer and he'd be sending her to Harabeoji and JanDi.  If only this way, JanDi would sit and rest.  JunPyo didn't need to ask him to step in and make sure JanDi didn’t overdo it.  He could do it subtly and without fanfare.  He had an idea to move JanDi to their woman's clinic across town a few days a week.  The schedule was less grueling.  She wouldn't be happy about it, but it would come from Roe HyunSu and not him.  He knew Harabeoji would agree and he got on well with Emily

It was a full house at ILC Group - Seoul.  Jihoo dropped Ilana off well after nine again as she took one look at the breakfast table and went running back to the bathroom.

 - "Mianhae.  Mianhae," she cried while everything she'd eaten just the night before, which was only galbi kimbap, came up.

Once cleaned up, Jihoo laid her back in bed for a little longer.  "Sarang," he her hair, "you need to eat something."

She shook her head, 'no'.

 - "A bowl of rice and egg?"

Ilana cringed at the thought of the raw egg.  She breathed heavily, feeling like she was going to throw up again.

 - "Arraso, nae sarang," he was sitting on the side of the bed next to her and drew her into his arms.  She was able to take a deep breath, which is really what she needed.  Actually, he was all she needed.  "How about toast with honey?  The toast should hold, and the honey is protein."  He felt her nod her head, 'yes'.  "Tea?"  To this, she nodded 'no'.  She didn’t want any liquids.

 - "Annyeong hashiminika," Ilana said without emphasis.  The four employees on the floor looked at each other knowing it would be another difficult day for their pregnant boss.  "Mina, let's go over our current projects sometime before lunch, say eleven?"

 - "Deh."

JanDi was in a similar situation, she couldn't even fathom having the western breakfast that her husband and daughter loved.  She stared at her plate without touching it.  "JanDi-yah, wae are you not eating?"

 - "I want Umma’s food."

 - "We can go after work and have dinner with them."

 - "Anieyo, I want to go now.  I'll take a cab," JanDi was already heading to the door.

 - "InHei Umma, hajima.  Na won't let you go by yourself."

JanDi was about to get irritated.  "Na think I'm perfectly capable of going to my parents."

 - "Eeliwa," he took her arm and wrapped his arms around her.  He went to the mall during his lunch the day before and found a cologne that was much softer than the ones he usually wore. "Yah, why are you like this?"

JanDi shrugged her shoulders, not knowing why she was acting this way.  It wasn't on purpose.

 - "I'll let Secretary Jung take InHei and we'll go have breakfast with Eommonie.  They are probably at the dry cleaner by now, we'll call on our way."  JunPyo had bought his in-laws a brand-new dry cleaner with state of the art equipment in one of the best neighborhoods in Seoul.  They'd done so well for themselves, they now owned three and had several employees.

JanDi nodded, trying to keep from crying.  "Kansamnida," she made no move to get out of her husband's embrace.  It was comforting.  "JunPyo?  You changed your cologne?"

 - "Deh, choah?"

 - "Deh, it's nice."

 - "Choah," he drew her face up and kissed her tenderly.  "Come, we’ll let InHei know we are leaving.”

InHei was unfazed by her parents bickering they did it all the time and kissed afterward, she found Secretary Jung much more interesting.  He always had a new story to tell her, so she didn't mind at all when he took her to school.

JunPyo and JanDi were late to work by an hour, but at least JanDi and baby were well fed, and she had kept it down.  Good mood had been restored, for now.  He dropped off JanDi at the woman's clinic and sent Jihoo a thank you text for making her rearrange her schedule and having HyunSu talk to her.  He did it quite cleverly expounding on the fact that she was now pregnant and would be a comfort to the woman who went there hoping for a healthy pregnancy.

Jihoo was in between patients when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.  Jihoo saw the 'I owe you one' message from JunPyo and shook his head in amusement.  He didn't reply as there wasn't a need.

HyunSu crossed his path about that time.  "Gwenchanayo Jihoo Uissa?"

 - "Deh, it was JanDi's nampyon thanking us for re-arranging his wife's schedule."

HyunSu laughed, "JanDi Uissa is a stubborn one.  She loves her profession, but she's attached to Harabeoji more."

 - "Deh, it was thanks to him, she studied medicine.  Nado to tell the truth."

 - "Arraseo, na have a patient to see."

 - "Nado," they both went to separate ends of the trailer.  Jihoo was getting along well with HyunSu, even if they hadn't really worked together except for their weekend at the camps.  He looked down at his watch, while he washed his hands.  He knew his wife had a meeting sometime this morning he would call and check on her after lunch.

Ilana called Mina and her new assistant into her office. “I haven't been able to properly welcome Ch'ae MiRi-sshi, I hope MiRi-ssi will be happy with us."  Ilana's smile faltered as she caught the scent of her new staff member’s perfume.  She began coughing and without word ran to the bathroom which was thankfully right across the hall from their front door.

 - "Jankomanyo," Mina told her assistant, before running after Ilana.  She walked into the bathroom to hear Ilana vomiting in the back stall.  Having grabbed a little cosmetics bag on top of Ilana's desk, containing her toothbrush and toothpaste, Mina prepared the toothbrush leaving it by the sink.  This had been routine over the last week or two.  Sometimes Ilana remembered her bag, sometimes Mina saved her the awkward trip back to her office and then again to the bathroom.  "Ilana, are you okay?"  With damp paper towels in her hands, as she knocked on the stall door before opening it.

Ilana leaned heavily on the safety bar, trying to right herself.  "I don't know."  In truth, she felt dizzy.  Afraid if she let go of the bar, she'd fall.

 - "Here, wipe your hands if you need to and one for your face."  She handed her the damp towels.

The coolness of the wet paper towel felt comforting on Ilana's flushed skin.  "Thank you, Mina, you didn't have to do this."

 - "If Mom found out I didn't help you, she'd kill me, you know our Moms were best friends."

Ilana nodded, getting emotional at the thought of her Mother.  She wondered if she went through this same trouble while she was pregnant.

Mina interrupted her melancholy, "come on, can you walk yet?"

 - "I can try," Ilana wasn't so sure.  She still had a death grip on the bar.  She'd removed only one hand at a time to wipe it and only needed one hand to wipe her face.  Walking slowly, with Mina's help, and holding on to the wall for support, she made it to the sink.  

 - "What happened?"  Mina asked while Ilana splashed water on her face and then brushed her teeth.

 - "It was Ch'ae MiRi's, perfume.  Can you please tell her to wash it off and not wear it again?  Apologize profusely in my name.  I'm so embarrassed.  I can't even use my body wash, it's that bad.  Every day it's something new.”  She leaned against the vanity.

 - "Why don't you call my Mom and talk to her, I'm sure she'll answer all our questions you're too embarrassed to ask."

 - "That would be more embarrassing.  I know this is all normal, at least I think.  It's in the pregnancy week by week book, Jihoo bought me.  Ilana took a deep breath and stood straight.  I think I'm okay now."  They began to walk out of the bathroom.  “I'll just email you guys my questions and apologize again to MiRi.”

 - "It's almost lunchtime, did you bring anything?"

 - "I couldn't even hold down seaweed soup this morning.  I don't want to think of food."

 - "Ilana, Jihoo Uissa is going to scold you for not eating."

 - "I’ll get our admin to get me kimbap from the convenience store."

 - "Arraso," Mina said impatiently.

That evening after the two Fathers-to-be conferred, it was agreed to take their wives out to the porridge shop.  Jihoo picked up Ilana and knew by her pale face, she hadn't eaten or held down anything all day.  "Did you eat?"

Before Ilana could answer, Mina shook her head 'no' behind her.  Jihoo, seeing this, gave his wife a look between concern and disapproval.

Ilana bristled at his look.  "I had a slice of kimbap, took my vitamin and that was it.  I spent the rest of my lunch hour with my head on my desk trying to keep it in!"

 - "Arraseo," he held her in his arms.  That usually soothed her tired and irritated pregnancy hormones before they became full-blown tears.  "We're going for porridge tonight.  I'm praying that Sarang will be able to hold that down."

 - "I just want to go home."

 - "The distraction will do you good.  JunPyo is picking up JanDi as we speak.  Mina-ssi, would you like to come with us?"

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo, Jihoo Uissa.  It's a couple’s thing."

Jihoo smiled, remembering that feeling of being an outsider all too well.  "Emily is at the clinic with Harabeoji, if you want to drop by."

 - "Deh!  I will.”  Mina was always the last to leave the office and TaeYoung was the first to arrive if he planned on being in the office all day.  Their assistants usually followed suit.  "I’ll be leaving first.  Na dismissed MiRi-ssi before Uissa arrived."

 - "Was she upset?"

 - "Anieyo, more embarrassed that she'd made a mistake.  I assured her it wasn't a big deal and apologized on your behalf.  She said you also sent her an apology, but she feels badly about it."

 - "I'll buy her lunch next week."  Jihoo was looking at his wife a questioning gaze.  "Sarang, I'll tell you on the way."

Jihoo found the story amusing, but at the same time was concerned.  He was positive she'd lost about ten pounds already.  Five pounds after the surgery and most likely another five from being nauseated all the time.  She couldn't afford to lose weight as it was; now with the baby even more so.

JunPyo surprised JanDi by picking her up.  This clinic had regular hours and didn't have too many walk-ins.  Her back was turned and all she heard was the door.  "Annyeong ha...Yeobo!  What are you doing here?"  He crossed the room and gave her a hug and slow kiss.  "Gu JunPyo!"  JanDi was bright red, expecting someone to walk in at any moment.

 - "Get your things, we're going to the porridge shop for dinner."

 - "Jeongmal?"

 - "Deh!  Yah, did you even eat today?"  He caressed her face that had gotten thin over the last two weeks.

 - "Jeogumyo," she lowered her guilty face.  "I'll get my things.  Gomawo," she said before rushing off.

 - "Jihoo and Ilana will be joining us.  She's having a hard time too."

When they arrived at the porridge house it wasn't just Jihoo and Ilana but also the other half of F4 family plus the kids.  "Sarang, mian, so much for a quiet evening."  Jihoo kissed his wife's cheek as they walked in.

 - "Gwenchana."  Ilana took a deep breath, the scent was good, but a little overpowering.  She hoped not to disgrace herself again.

 - "Why am I not surprised to see you all here?"  Jihoo said

 - "Yah, it's not every day we're all in town at the same time.  We need to take advantage before you two take off again."

 - "Unnie!  GaEul-ah!"  JanDi's voice rang clear behind them.

The woman eagerly greeted each other and of course, the kids were greeted by the newcomers.

 - "Umma, Appa!  Imo!  Ajussi!"  InHei had been dropped off by Secretary Jung and went around excitedly giving hugs.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo!  Imo, Ajussi!"  JeongYul was so formal, it was adorable.

GaEul was the first to notice their newest pregnant friends didn't look so well.  “JanDi-yah?  Ilana-yah?  You two don't look very well.”

JanDi and Ilana looked at each other and half grinned.  It was true, while JaeKyung and GaEul were rosy-cheeked and glowing, they looked like they'd crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the hold of a ship during the 1700's.

 - "You too?"  JanDi asked and Ilana nodded.  "I don't remember being this way with InHei.  Everything is just a little different."

 - "I feel like I have the flu again," Ilana moaned.

 - "It's not that bad, guys!"  JaeKyung admonished.  She'd only had a few weeks of nausea and not nearly as bad as JanDi and Ilana had it.

 - "Anja," Jihoo smiling, took a chair out for Ilana as did JunPyo for JanDi.

Ilana was hungry, she realized, hoping this was a good sign.  "Butternut squash, juseyo," Ilana told Jihoo.

 - "Sarang should have protein; the chicken or the abalone would do you well."

 - "Arraso," she moped, wanting the butternut squash.  "I'll take the chicken."   She liked the abalone but was afraid of anything that smelled strongly.

Jihoo took her hand under the table and rested it on top of his leg, with a gentle squeeze.  He scanned the menu wondering what he could order that wouldn't set off his wife's sensitivity.

 - "Can I see your ultrasound pictures," GaEul asked.

 - "Deh," Jihoo was already logging into the Doctor's website.  It had been the highlight of their visit, seeing the baby taking shape, her eyes were currently bigger than her head, and her arms and legs mere stumps.  Not much bigger than a grape, but she was there living and breathing.

JunPyo had to jump in and help his wife who couldn't remember the password.  "JanDi-yah," he chided softly, it's InHei's birthday."

 - "Umma forgot my birthday?!"  InHei laughed, knowing her Mother would never really forget her birthday.

JaeKyung began to gush and get misty over the ultrasound photos.  They were on the Doctor's office website and password protected so only the individual parents could see their photos.  They were given hard copies as well, which Jihoo had planned to get framed, but hadn't gotten around to it.  "These are so awesome guys!  I didn't get an ultrasound until I was sixteen weeks in the states."

 - "Jeongmal?"  GaEul said.  "Well, you know Uissa is very thorough."

 - "Deh, I'm still angry at him for not letting me fly," JaeKyung was still bitter about it.

Everyone laughed, Ilana smiled.  JaeKyung's silliness could always make her smile regardless of how she felt. Having leaned her head on Jihoo's arm, he reached over and rubbed her arm to comfort her.  He saw his wife’s fatigue and decided they would only be staying long enough to eat.  Looking over at JanDi, he noticed she was doing only slightly better.

Receiving their food, everyone dug in hungrily.  GaEul and JaeKyung had no problems eating at all, while JanDi and Ilana made faces at their bowls.  Jihoo and JunPyo had to coax their wives to eat as if they were children.

 - "InHei umma, ara this is your favorite.  Ajussi made it especially for you."  JunPyo was holding the spoon to .

Already, JanDi's brain was telling her not to eat it.  She'd be sorry if she did.  But JunPyo wouldn't stop annoying her if she didn't.  "Gu JunPyo!  I can feed myself!"

 - "Choah!  Mokda (Eat)!"  JunPyo winked at his daughter causing her to giggle.

Jihoo's way of getting his wife to eat was a little gentler.  "Mokda, Sarang knows she's hungry," he kissed her cheek for encouragement.

 - "Anieyo..."  As much as she wanted to eat, she didn't want to be sick.

 - "Sarang, think of the baby.  You need to try."

Ilana took a deep breath and held it, she closed her eyes and took a spoonful of the chicken and ginger mush in front of her.  It was usually savory and delicious, but it just didn't cut it this time.  "I can’t..."  She felt as if the spoonful was going to come back up.  She concentrated on breathing and it didn't.

 - "Arraso, try mine."  His was sweet rather than savory and at least it had chestnuts to give her protein.  "It's got jujubes, ginseng, and chestnuts.  How does that sound?"

 - "That sounds good."

 - "Mmm, dtal has a sweet tooth like Umma," he gave her a spoonful and it proved to be as good as the description.

 - "Masheesuhyo (Delicious)!"

 - "More?"

 - "Deh, juseyo?"

While everyone ate and chatted with enthusiasm, JanDi only had a few spoonsful of her bowl.  “Jamshimanyo,” JanDi got up from the table and ran to the bathroom.

 - JunPyo, I’ll check on her,” GaEul ran after her.

Ilana felt bad for JanDi as she was experiencing the same thing.  “Maybe I should go see if she’s alright too?”

 - “Anieyo,” Jihoo shot that idea down quickly.  “Just concentrate on eating,” he picked up the spoon and fed her.

It was Ilana’s turn to get angry.  “I can do it!”

 - “Dehhh,” he smiled.  “As long as Sarang eats, Na don’t care who holds the spoon.”

 - “It’s not the eating that’s the problem, it’s keeping it down afterward,” she progressed slowly with her porridge.

A few minutes later, GaEul and JanDi returned.  “Umma gwenchanayo?”  InHei had stood to give her Mom a hug.

 - “Deh, your dongsaeng likes to tease Umma when she eats.”  JanDi walked back to sit with InHei.  “Jeonuen bae angopayo (I’m not hungry)," she said, pushing the bowl away.  She just couldn’t eat anymore.

JunPyo looked at her in concern.  It wasn’t nearly as bad with InHei.  “Yah, are you supposed to be this sick?”

JanDi narrowed her eyes at her husband, “every yeoja, every pregnancy is different.”

 - “I was just asking?!”

 - “Well don’t ask!”

The others looked on with a bit of humor and concern, glad they were past that stage of pregnancy, except for Ilana and Jihoo.

Ilana had eaten a little more than a quarter of her bowl and was done.  If she ate any more, it would not stay down.  “Sarang, I’m full.”

Jihoo took her hand, “gwenchana, I was hoping you’d eat more.”

 - “Nado.”

 - “Ilana-yah, have you developed a pattern of when you get sick or what makes you sick?”  JanDi asked.

 - “Everything and anytime.  I had to ask one of my new staff to wash off her perfume.”

 - “JunPyo had to get rid of his,” JanDi smiled at her husband.

 - “Isn’t this a trip?”  JaeKyung’s American slang came out when she was excited.  “We’re all pregnant at the same time.  GaEul and I are just a month apart and JanDi and Ilana are only a week apart.  Who would have thought the F4 namja would have grown up to be the best husbands and Fathers?”

Ilana had leaned her head against Jihoo’s shoulder.  She knew it was awkward for him to eat that way, but it was either him or the table.  She was sure leaning one’s head on the table was considered rude in South Korea too.  JaeKyung’s stories always made her smile.  “No matter how much you guys talk about how bad our nampyon-deul were, I can’t picture it.”

 - “Just consider yourself fortunate,” JaeKyung said.  I only spent a year with them, but by then JanDi had kicked them into shape.”

The men all began to laugh, while JunPyo’s face was more embarrassment mixed with humor.  JanDi was bright red.  As usual, Ilana looked at Jihoo to explain the inside joke.  Reigning in his laughter for the moment, he began to give a brief recollection of the story.  “JunPyo and JanDi, quickly became enemies our third year at Shinwa High School.  JunPyo had decided she had to go and made sure to make her life miserable every day.”  Jihoo did not tell of the trash JunPyo’s minions placed in the pool or the attempted or how they egged and coated her with flower.  “The final straw was JunPyo having her desk vandalized and leaving her a pile of dirty rags.  I don’t remember exactly.  She came to our private lounge and let him know exactly what she thought of him and then hit the side of his face with a flying spin kick.”

WooBin and YiJung laughed themselves silly while their wives just rolled their eyes at them.  “I’ll never forget the look of shock on JunPyo’s face!”  WooBin said.

 - “Ani!  Ani!”  YiJung struggled with his own laughter.  “The moonstruck grin the pabo had after she left.”

Ilana didn’t want to mention that JunPyo always had that moonstruck look around his wife.  “And Gu JunPyo turned from his wicked ways and captured the maiden’s heart…”  Ilana was losing some of her 'sick' feeling thanks to the laughter and company of good friends.

 - “Not quite, nae sarang, but it was a start.”  Even Jihoo couldn’t keep a straight face as his other two friends were laughing like fools.  Next to him, his wife stifled a yawn.  “Kaja, Sarang, you need rest this weekend.  It’s been a hard week.”

 - “Gwenchana!”

 - “Anngwenchana.”

 - “Aww, so soon?”  JaeKyung whined.

 - “JanDi is asleep!”  GaEul noticed.

It was still early by Seoul standards, even the pregnant ones.  But when you’re existing on roughly a meal a day and growing a life inside of you, any hour your body calls nap time is right.

 - “Ilana, we’ll go shopping for maternity clothes before you leave next month.”

 - “She’ll need her dress for the gala, that’s coming soon, deh?”  GaEul asked of Jihoo.

 - “Deh, it is, though the details aren’t finalized.”  Jihoo thought perhaps JaeKyung and possibly GaEul might miss this year's gala.  One was due right before, the other right after.

 - “Na will let Jihoo pick it out again.”  Ilana hated to shop, and she did not want to know the price tag on last year’s dress.  “Na will give you my bank card and you can buy your tux and my dress.”

 - “We’ll talk about that later.”  This was Jihoo’s way of not arguing with his wife over who paid for what.

Ilana poked his side, knowing full well what that statement meant.  In other words, it meant ‘We’ll talk about it later after I’ve bought everything’.

They all remained for a while longer.  The porridge shop, after all, had become like a second home to them during their Shinwa days.  JanDi had only dozed for a minute and then got her second wind, while the distraction was keeping Ilana from getting sick.

When JunPyo and JanDi walked into their room, a pungent scent of furniture polish assaulted JanDi’s sensitive sense of smell and sent her running to throw up.  Thankfully, it was just a gag reflex, but the action still left JanDi winded and leaning against the wall for support.  “JanDi-yah,” JunPyo embraced His wife, rubbing her back.  He wasn’t a Doctor, but he knew basic first aid and knew his wife did not look well at all.  “JanDi-yah, you’re worrying me.  You’ve been like this for two weeks, now? Why don’t you call Uissa to prescribe you something?”

 - “JunPyo, I can prescribe myself something,” not that she would.  It was frowned upon in the industry.  “Yagsog (Promise) to try and rest this weekend."  She said try because it was so hard for her to be idle.  JunPyo didn't like the half-promise and it was evident with the look on his face.  "Na will call Uissa on Monday, arraso?"

 - "Arraso," he half-heartedly agreed.  "Let's get ready for bed and watch a movie.  InHei-ah isn't here so we can watch what we want to watch.”  Usually, the three would pile on the couch in their room and watch movies and later cuddle in bed together.  InHei always picked a Disney movie.

October 17, 2015

Jihoo watched over his wife’s sleep.  She was curled up so tightly against him; she was practically on top of him.  While she kept the porridge down for a little while, it didn't mean she was feeling well.  She'd woken up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and ended up throwing up.  He steadied her while she cleaned up and crawled back into bed.  He had an idea to make her feel better.  Propping her up slightly with a pillow behind her back, he took lotion in his hands and gently rubbed it into her stomach.  The simple action began to soothe her; amongst other things.  He began to kiss her still flat tummy, paying special attention to the tiny scar from the surgery.  It wouldn’t be long before he went past her tummy to an area yet to be explored by his kisses.  Although hesitant at first, she soon forgot everything but her husband’s kisses and caresses.

Jihoo felt guilty making love to her in this condition, but her sensitive flesh didn't take long to come to arousal and well sometimes he couldn't control a certain body part.  One they were finished, she would be tired enough to forget she wasn't feeling well and go straight to sleep, wrapped up in his arms.  He knew she would get sick the second she either opened her eyes or got up out of bed.  His goal was to keep her in bed as long as possible. He rubbed her back with gentle circles.  When she eased her grip on him he knew it was working.  He studied her sleeping face; she definitely didn't have the pregnancy glow yet.  With her face clean, he easily saw how pale she was and the dark circles starting to form   He had to watch her for signs of dehydration this weekend.  Seeing that his wife had relaxed again and wasn't about to wake up, he took advantage, deciding to sleep a little longer too.  If she kept her breakfast down, he decided to take her for a walk and a picnic.  She should enjoy the seasons while they were here.  Once back in California, they would be plunged back into warmer temperatures.

After JanDi threw up what she didn't have in her stomach, she left her sleeping husband and weakly made her way downstairs. More than anything, she needed to keep herself hydrated.  The maids all admonished her for being in the kitchen, but she ignored them and made herself a cup of honey ginger tea.  The aroma was soothing.  That was a good start.

JunPyo woke to find his wife missing.  Dressing quickly, he went to look for her.  She could be in the pool house or the garden, but most likely the kitchen which was her favorite spot.  He walked into the kitchen and found her sitting with a cup of tea and a bowl of rice.

 - “JanDi-yah,” JunPyo called her in a disapproving tone of voice.  “Why don’t you have the cook make you something healthier than just a bowl of rice?”

 - “Gu JunPyo, don’t you think anything I can keep down at the moment is nutritious?”  She pierced her husband with her ‘don’t mess with me’ look.  “Rice contains magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, iron, folic acid, thiamine, and niacin. It is low in fiber and its fat content is primarily omega-6 fatty acids,” she quoted her textbook.

JunPyo sighed and slumped next to her.  “JanDi-yah, you know I’m worried about you.”  He took her still mutinous face in his hand and kissed her lips gently.

JanDi smiled; all prickles and heat leaving her.  She and this idiot man, that she loved more than anything, had been through so much together and their love was stronger than ever.  He could still melt her with his smile or annoy her to no end with his sometimes-childish ways.  She reciprocated his soft kiss.  “Ara, mianhae.  Na don’t want to argue with you, hajiman I can’t stop myself.”

 - “Ara when you’re really mad at me, nothing I can do will keep you from stomping out the door.”  He grinned.  “Nampyon falls short in many ways, hajiman na make up for it by working hard so that you can be proud to be nae anae.”

 - “Pabo,” she smacked his arm for emphasis.  “Naega proud!”  Forgetting that the staff came and went around them, she embraced him tightly.  This wasn’t the first time, and the staff carried on their duties without pausing.

JunPyo kissed her cheek, “why don’t we…pick up InHei and JeongYul and take them to the children’s museum?”  The kids could go as crazy as they wanted and he and JanDi could just follow at their leisure.

 - “Choah,” she said happily.

The happiness would last only until they got to the museum and a scent unsettled her extremely sensitive stomach.  She rallied the best she could for the children’s benefit and when the day was over, she was grateful to be home.

Jihoo and Ilana managed to get out the door after noon.  Just like Jihoo thought, Ilana ran to the bathroom the moment her eyes opened.  She cleaned herself up and lay cuddled with Jihoo for another hour before she had the energy to even think of getting up again.  On their way out, the housekeeper that was around much more often than before (but still kept out of the way) promised Ilana Samgyetang for dinner.  That was definitely something to look forward to.  Jihoo had brought a large picnic lunch with them that Ilana was sure she would never be able to eat.  While they drove out of the city, she was distracted by the view.  Even though it was only mid-October and the weather still pleasant, the leaves had begun to change, and the air was crisp and fresh with the promise of cooler weather just around the bend.  Jihoo had the top down on the Mini Cooper and the windows rolled up to control the amount of air hitting his wife’s face.  “Sarang!  It’s beautiful out here!”  She spoke loudly above the din of the wind.

Jihoo smiled and took her hand as he drove, thankful that she was feeling well enough to enjoy the view.  She was mesmerized by every little thing, a squirrel in the tree, a bird, the exact shade of every leaf.  He saw her eyes were opened wide taking it all in with that smile that lit up her entire face.  All thought of illness was gone for now.  “I’m going to find a place to pull over and we’ll get out and walk for a few minutes!”  She nodded her head in excitement.

Leaving the car to the side of the country road, Jihoo helped his wife step out.  Hopping the fence to the small wooded area with ease, he raised his arms.  “Grab on to me and Na will swing you over.”

 - “Arraso!”  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist as she climbed the fence.  When she had both feet on the top rail, he lifted her off and set her down with a kiss.  “That was fun!”

 - “Sarang will get another opportunity on our way back.”

Taking her hand, they walked slowly through the grass and trees and Jihoo pointed out local birds and foraging critters.  They whispered or didn’t talk at all communicating only when necessary, not wanting to disturb the serenity around them.  Ilana took a mental picture of all the colors around her, the muted greens and auburn, mahogany, red, golden yellow.  She didn’t think she’d ever seen something this beautiful.  Fall in Manhattan had its own beauty, but not like this. It was like the pictures of rural ia, Pennsylvania or Connecticut.  She was half expecting a covered train bridge to pop up out of nowhere.  And the smells!  She couldn’t place it, but if she could just bottle up and take it back to Seoul with her.

Jihoo saw her take a deep breath, “gwenchana?”

She nodded her head with a smile.  “It smells so good!  When I was little, the Eucalyptus trees surrounding the house would smell so sweet.  After…Umma and Appa were gone, I don’t remember them smelling quite as sweet.  I’d ride Basilico down the street just to smell the trees.”  Ilana bent and picked up an auburn colored leaf and held it to Jihoo’s head, wordlessly indicating that his hair color matched the leaf, which it didn’t of course.  He took the leaf from her hand, ignoring her wide grin and stuck it into her braid.

They hadn’t explored too long before he noticed his wife slowing down, it’d been weeks since they walked this long, and she hadn’t been well.  He immediately turned to go back the way they came.  Ilana hadn’t even realized her own fatigue until a few minutes later when she heard herself breathing as if she’d just ran a few miles.  Jihoo heard it too and stopped just ahead of her.  Ilana was too busy breathing in and out to notice and crashed into him.  “Yah!” She half laughed at her clumsiness.  “Wae did Sarang stop?”

 - “Sarang is tired, climb on my back.”

 - “Anieyo!  Chincha!”

 - “It’s still another ten minutes back to the car.”  Really it should only about five, but she was walking so slowly, it took longer.

Ilana looked in the distance and could see the car, way down the lane and realized she was tired.  “Sarang, gwenchana, Na can just walk slower.”

Jihoo was already crouching in front of her.  “Sarang, na will not be able to do this for you in another two or three months.”

Ilana bristled at the comment.  “Yoon Jihoo!  Are you saying I’ll be too heavy for you to carry?”

Jihoo stood, laughing at his wife, who wore a frown on her face and her arms crossed in front of her.  He unfolded her arms a little forcefully and wrapped his arms around her waist.

 - “Jeongmalyo?  What does Jihoo Uissanim mean by that?”  She smacked his arm and he bent to kiss her lightly.  “Yah!  You’re not going to distract me!”

 - “Na thought Sarang was speaking formally?”  He couldn’t resist kissing her nose.  “Sarang, the baby will not be comfortable squished up against my back.”  He placed his hand over her mid-section and leaned in for another kiss.  “Now, climb on my back and hold on tight.”

 - “Arraso,” she pouted a little, feeling dumb as she climbed on to his back.

 - “Sarang will get a chance to rest when we get to our picnic spot,” he said as he began to walk back to the car.

Ilana’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food.  Keeping it down was another thing.

Jihoo had parked the car in the parking lot of the old cemetery where every generation of the Yoon clan was buried.  It had been a while, but he wanted to come with her.  He needed her to be with him.  It was a silly notion, but he wanted to introduce her as his wife - the one who made him whole.  He smiled as he looked over at his sleeping wife.  She’d get to rest again after he saw to it that she ate.  He got out of the car and opened her door to wake her up.  “Sarang, we’re here,” he cupped her face rubbing his thumb over her cheek.

Ilana rubbed her eyes adjusting to her surroundings.  “Mianhae, I fell asleep.”

 - “Only for a few minutes.”

 - “Where are we?”  It looked like an odd sort of park full of little hills.

 - “You’ll see.”  He didn’t know why, but he felt a bit awkward about bringing her.  They, of course, had planned to come on Chuseok, but it didn’t happen which was why he brought her now, before they left and before the pregnancy was further along.  Walking for a few minutes, Ilana noticed small pillars with Hangul characters written on them.  Sensing something about the place, she suddenly felt a little odd and stopped walking.

Jihoo sensed his wife’s hesitation and saw the nervousness in her face.  “Gwenchana, Sarang,” he brought his arms around her.  “There are some people Na want to introduce you too.”  She didn’t say anything, but the nervousness went away as he held her by the waist and leaned her against him.

They arrived at a pillar that had his family name.  “Sarang?  Are we…?”

He let go of her hand, “deh.”  He immediately performed his keunjeo (big bow).  “Abeoji, Umma, Na have brought anae.”

Ilana’s eyes welled up in tears as she too slowly performed the keunjeo, instead of the jakeunjeol (small bow).  “Annyeong hashiminika Eommonim, Abeonim.”

 - “Mianhaeyo, we were not able to come for Chuseok, anae is expecting and was ill.”  He turned to his wife.  “Usually, we would trim the grass, but Harabeoji and housekeeper already did that.”

Ilana hugged her husband tightly.  His eyes were red with unshed tears.  She knew it had been too long since he’d been here.  “Gwenchana, Sarang,” she tapped his back gently.  “This is here for our comfort, remember that.  They are in a garden more beautiful than we can ever imagine.”

 - “Ara,” he kissed her forehead, thanking God for this woman he gave him.  “Sarang, I’ll bring the food.  I’ll be right back.  We’ll stay for about an hour, gwenchana?”

 - “Gwenchana, Sarang, we’ll stay as long as you want.”

When Jihoo walked away, Ilana turned to address the twin grassy mounds.  “Kansamnida Eommoni for taking care of me.  Ara it was Yesu, but Eommoni was a comfort to me on the plane and when Na was sick.”  Ilana closed her eyes and placed a hand on her stomach.  “Yesu, ara you will watch over this baby.  Kansamnida for nampyon and this child and for your provision and chingu that are family.  Deh, the nausea is horrible, but Na won’t complain.  These are just things nae have to go through.  Nampyon said sometimes the desires of your heart come at a sacrifice.  Na don’t understand everything, hajiman saranghaeyo and have faith in you.”

Jihoo was back within five minutes, his wife had her eyes closed and her hand rested on her stomach.  Placing the bundles on the table, he looked at his wife in concern.  “Gwenchana?”  She had already opened her eyes at the sound of his rustling.

 - “Deh, na was praising Yesu for everything in our lives.”

He pulled her into his embrace, “he is good to us even when we don’t know it.”  He held her about a minute sending his own prayer of thanksgiving to God.  “Na will teach you how to set the Jesa table.”  He brought only a little food and a few of the ceremonial dishes.  There was no need to waste food or transfer the soups from the thermos.  As his wife said, this was for their own comfort.  His parents were enjoying a much more delicious feast than one they could prepare on earth.  “Remember how I set the food out at your parent’s gravesite?”

Ilana shook her head ‘no’.

 - “The main dishes are set on the side of the grave, as the dead are the ones being honored. On our side, we will start with fruit…” He set out an orange, a pear, and chestnuts.  “…then the banchan,” the next row contained salted corbina and kimchi.  He continued to lay out row by row of small bits of food, the third row had soup, and the fourth row was for a protein of some sort which he forewent this tradition and just brought a vegetable pancake.  The last row, or the first row, depending on whose view, had a beef and turnip soup, rice and rice cake.  He saw his wife eyeing those especially.  “Jja-jan!”  It wasn’t your typical Jesu table, but their life was not typical.  The point was to honor the memory of your ancestors, as long as one did, Jihoo didn’t see why it had to be a certain way.  “This is completely not traditional but the final part of the Jesa says:  ‘He who gives all his heart is the first in a ritual, and he who gives all material is the last’.  Na have given my heart to Yesu and Na sarang and naega grateful that Na have you to share these memories of my parents and we will share them with our children.”  He took her hands and began to pray.  “Kansamnida Yesu that na can come here with anae and have a light heart now.  Mianhaeyo, that for so many years we didn’t know your blessings.  Our parents instilled in us so many things for which we have to be thankful for:  Love for one another, working hard for your goals, the love of music, how to care for others and how to see your beauty in everything.  Kansamnida that we had them in our lives, even for just a little while.  In everything we do, we give Yesu praise.  In Yesu’s name we pray, Amen.”

 - “Amen,” Ilana echoed.  Both their eyes were wet with tears.

 - “Mokda (eat), Sarang.”

Ilana was intimidated by everything.  While she hesitated, Jihoo was already spooning the beef and turnip soup into .  The broth tasted lovely, but the large chunks of leek, made her look away before she threw up all over Jihoo’s lap.  “Gwenchana, have some rice and a little of the broth.  There’s enough protein from the flank steak and vitamins from the turnip.”  She was able to take a few spoonsful before needing to rest.  She nibbled on the savory pancake, and bits of the salted corbina that melted in .  The housekeeper had made his Father’s favorite which was Pollok stew, Ilana tried a spoonful and the complexity of the stew did not sit well with her.  Thinking for sure, she was going to throw up, she took off running and Jihoo behind her.  She coughed and gagged and lost the battle to keep anything down.  “Gwenchana, Sarang, try a little rice and broth again.  That sat well with you until the Pollock stew.”

She nodded and sagged against Jihoo suddenly exhausted.  “Pigonhaeyo,” she said.

 - “Ara, eat a little more.”

In the end, she took a little more of the beef and turnip broth with rice, a slice of Asian pear and half a serving of sweet rice cake.  They sat leaning on the mound of his Mother as if wrapped in her arms and enjoying the nice weather.  Jihoo had his arm protectively around his wife as she leaned her head against his shoulder.  “Sarang,” he broke the silence.  “Where will the child be born?”

 - “Mollahyo?  Does it matter?”

 - “Anieyo, na wondered if you had a preference.  We need to make sure your Republic of Korea citizenship is processed before she's born.  Sarang can be granted citizenship, because of our marriage.”

 - “Chincha?  I didn’t know that?”

 - "Deh, if she’s born in the U.S., because we're both citizens of the republic and Sarang is a U.S. citizen, she can have citizenship in both countries.  If she's born here, it’s a bit tricky, but Na think she might be able to keep a dual-citizenship.”

 - “Chincha, mollahyo?  Where does Sarang want her to be born?”

 - “Mollahyo, na will have to pray about it, we have four months before Uissa grounds you from flying.”

 - “Deh, as we hear from JaeKyung constantly.”  She leaned against her husband once more as she had sat up to look at him while they conversed.

Jihoo took the hand that was across his waist and kissed it.  She had closed her eyes once again.  She was tired and slightly dehydrated, he could see the signs easily.  At least she was able to keep a little of the broth down.  While she'd been back to work for over a week after her surgery, that involved sitting all day.  This was the most activity she’d had in three weeks.  “Kaja, Sarang.  It’s an hour or more to get back home.  You need to rest.”

Ilana didn’t really want to go but was ready to fall asleep and it was only four in the afternoon.  Jihoo stood first and then helped her to her feet, making her head spin just a bit.  He knew her so well, that he caught her in his arms at the first sight of her instant pallor.  “Gwenchana, nae sarang, I have you.  We can walk, or I’ll carry you.”

 - “Na will walk, I feel like throwing up again,” she leaned heavily against him and they slowly walked to the car.  After seeing her safely, he would return for the box of food and dishes.

October 19, 2015

 - “Guam JanDi!  I won’t allow you to step foot outside of this house.”  She’d been vomiting off and on most of the night.  She could no longer hold down water.  She’d let herself get too dehydrated.

 - “Gu JunPyo, I’m just dehydrated, Harabeoji will give me an IV,” she said feeling like she was going to vomit again, and she did.

 - “JanDi-ah, Uissa can come here and give you an IV!”

 - “It’s easier if I just go to the clinic,” she felt miserable but knew it wasn’t as bad as it could be.

 - “Yah, you’re not going to listen?”

 - “Gu JunPyo, take me to the clinic or I’ll walk there myself!”

 - “Aaaish!  Stubborn yeoja!”

 - “Annoying namja!”  She rinsed and proposed to walk right past her husband.

 - “Na will take you!”  JunPyo grabbed her arm.  “Hajiman, I’m staying with you!”

JanDi was completely surprised but acquiesced to his request.  “Arraso,” she said meekly, she was tired and not feeling well and all she wanted was to get the IV, so she could get on with her day and to top it off she felt tears burning in her eyes.

 - “JanDi-ah…," he pulled her into his embrace at seeing the tears.  “Kaja, I’ll get Secretary Jung to take us and JunHee to drive InHei, deh?”

Again, JanDi nodded just wanting to feel better.

Ilana was having a similar situation.  They had returned from their previous day’s outing and she was fast asleep in the car.  Jihoo removed her clothes and tucked her into bed.  Unfortunately, she wouldn’t sleep through the night.  Ginger tea, water, rice - nothing stuck.  She roused herself from bed long enough for Jihoo to help her shower, he was worried she'd feel dizzy and fall.  It was a reality that even Ilana knew and didn't protest, but was comforted by his presence.  Not to mention the distraction that presence gave her from nausea.

She sat at the vanity, trying to concentrate on braiding her hair; in the end, she would settle for a low ponytail.  “Sarang, na want you to stay home,” Jihoo stated.  At this point, anything could happen and he dreaded getting a phone call advising him that something was wrong.

 - “Anieyo," she sighed, “I have an important meeting.  I’m not the only pregnant yeoja in the world, deh?”

He didn’t like her pale face, she hadn't hidden it under makeup yet.  He cupped her face, her cheek, with his thumb.  “Maja, hajiman not every pregnant yeoja in the world is nae anae.  I’m calling Uissa later and call me as soon as your meeting is done.  Na will bring you home.”

Ilana tried to smile, though she didn't feel well.  “Overprotective ajussi.”

A knock came at their door, “Jihoo-yah!”  Harabeoji called.  “I’m leaving first, JanDi needs me, arraso?”  He had already received a call from JanDi, letting him know she was arriving early to the clinic and the reason why.

 - “Deh Harabeoji, na will send anae to work.”

Harabeoji and JunPyo arrived at the same time.  Thankfully, JanDi didn’t have to wait much longer.  “JanDi-yah,” Harabeoji disapproved of his assistant’s condition.  "Didn’t na tell you to take care of yourself?”

 - “Harabeoji, mianhaeyo,” she tore herself from JunPyo’s grip to go use the restroom.

Harabeoji noticed JunPyo’s worried face and touched his shoulder in comfort.  “JanDi will be fine in a few hours.”

 - “Harabeoji, she wouldn’t go to the hospital,” JunPyo practically whined.

 - “Gwenchana, JanDi knows her body and knows what to do.  I’ll get the IV ready, bring her to the small infirmary room.”

 - “Deh Harabeoji.”

Jihoo physically took Ilana to her office.  She had refused to eat or drink anything, barely being able to brush her teeth without gagging.  “Mina-ssi, see to it that she eats,” he had packed her a small bit of rice and the broth from the beef and turnip soup.

 - “Deh Uissa.”

Jihoo kissed his wife goodbye and left; at least he’d be back for her in the afternoon.  Once her husband left, Ilana slumped at her desk head in her hands.  A hunger headache was forming, and she needed to get rid of it before the meeting.

 - “Ilana, you look like crap,” Mina used crude language to get Ilana’s attention.

 - “Kansamnida!”  Ilana said sarcastically.  She rang her new admin.  “Do you have those reports from corporate?”

 - “Deh, Contreras-ssi,” the response came.  The admin quickly came into her office to bring her the information.  “Anything else Na can do for you?”

Ilana opened to say ‘no’ and Mina answered.  "Deh, get her a spoon for her food.”

 - “Anieyo,” Ilana shook her head.  “Na can’t eat before the meeting.”

 - “Uissa told me to make sure you eat.”

 - “After!”

 - “Now!”  Thankfully it was just the woman in the office.  “Uissa said you have to eat!”

 - “Mina!”

Slowly and painfully, she ate, wondering how long it would stay down.  She knew from the book, she had to keep eating.  Regardless of the vomiting, some of it was still being absorbed into her body.  She hoped, anyway.  Ilana cautiously sipped on plum tea, while she worked and held everything down until just before the meeting with the investors.

JanDi was feeling better after being on the drip for an hour.  She wasn’t severely dehydrated but knew she would have been if she hadn’t submitted herself to treatment.  Tired though she was, her mind would not quiet down enough to sleep.  She felt terrible; leaving Harabeoji on his own; it was her day to work with him and Emily at the other clinic.  JunPyo also didn’t go to work and hadn’t left her side.  “Mianhae, you should be working,” she said sleepily.

JunPyo had not let go of her hand the entire time.  “InHei Umma is more important than my work.  It will still be there, but if something happened to you or the child because I was at work, how could Na live?”

She smiled at the way he exaggerated everything.  “Gu JunPyo, I’m just dehydrated.”

 - “It doesn’t matter, you’re not well.”

 - “Nomu pigonhaeyo, I’m going to close my eyes for a little.  Will you still be here?”

 - “Greomyo,” he leaned over and kissed her gently.  “Na will not leave your side until you’re well again,”

 - “Choah…,” she quickly fell asleep.

Ilana's male staff had returned to the office after making their daily visit to the construction site.  They all had a meeting with an important new client.  They were a friend of a friend of one of their investors, etc.  Mina helped Ilana pull herself together and touch up her makeup.  They slowly made their way to the conference room.  The new office admin had already set out refreshments for the meeting.  After they all bowed in greeting, Ilana had to quickly grab something to lean on.  TaeYoung knew exactly what was going on, having his wife be pregnant not that long ago.  Although Ilana looked ten times worse than his wife had ever been, he had his doubts about the young woman being able to pull this meeting off.

Ilana and Mina put together a proposal for Hanssem Corporation.  If they gave them their marketing contract, the new residential development would have all their products installed, making it in a sense free marketing.  Ilana had done research on the company’s products and materials.  It was the perfect price-range for their budget.  Ilana spoke slowly, thankfully she was sitting and had notes in front of her or else she would never have been able to conduct the meeting.  "Ajussi, as you can see we represent many countries worldwide, Na can offer you an exclusive with ILC-Seoul, the new development will include cutting-edge materials and your company would have an essential part.  Every social class uses their kitchen, even just to pour a cup of water.  In essence, Hassan Corporation would have the exclusive with us and you would we would represent you in all your marketing needs."  She rattled off the names of some of their large clients in the U.S. and internationally.  While they asked more questions, Ilana was able to sneak in a deep breath.  To the onlooker, she appeared nervous, but her dialog was confident.  If it weren't for the fact that she was in danger of throwing up any minute, she would be completely confident.  Thankfully, questions were now being directed at TaeYoung and Mina.  It was her chance to escape for a minute, "Jamkkanmanyo," she stood, quickly excusing herself with a nod of her head and running straight to the bathroom across the way.

TaeYoung saw this as a great opportunity to impress their prospective clients.  "Jwosongnmida, Sajang (President) is in her early stages of pregnancy."

In the culture of working until you drop and showing up to work even if you're ill, this news was received positively.  The Hassan Corporation representatives were both married and had children of their own.  They all knew about pregnancy symptoms.  It served to heighten their respect for the company if its president was ill and still made it her priority to be there to greet them.  TaeYoung was an expert in his craft and very excited to be a part of an innovative development such as the one they were currently constructing.

It had been an hour since Ilana disappeared and Mina was getting worried.  She sent a text to their admin to check on her.  "Contreras-ssi?"  The admin called out and was answered by a 'bleagh' sound coming from the last stall.  "Omo!"  She rushed to her boss’s aid.  The girl had filled a travel mug of plum tea and set it on the counter.  "Contreras-ssi?"  She knocked on the door of the stall.

Ilana recognized her admin's voice, "gwen-chana," she panted out of breath.   The security bars were the only thing keeping her from collapsing to the floor.

 - "Can I come in?"

 - "Deh."

The admin had moistened some paper towels and handed them to her as she entered the stall.  "Kan-kansamnida."

 - "Has Contreras-ssi been here the entire time?  Na brought your purse, toothbrush, and tea."

Ilana nodded, was sore from the effort of throwing up.  "I-I can try to-to move," she was shaking and knew her admin was probably freaking out.  She carefully moved to the sink, an effort that made her want to throw up again, but she had nothing left in her stomach and the taste of bile made her gag even worse.

 - "Drink some tea!  Palli!"

With shaking hands, she drank from the mug, "kan-sam-nida, this should help.  I-I hope."  Ilana was really dizzy, and the mug accidentally slipped from her hands as she tried to steady herself.  "Mianhaeyo!"  She gasped, “Mianhaeyo!"

 - "Gwenchanayo, it didn't open."

 - "Ilana-ssi should clean up and get back to the meeting."

 - "Deh."  Carefully she brushed her teeth and touched up her face.  At least there weren't any other triggers in the bathroom.

Another forty minutes later, Ilana managed to get back to the meeting.  Eloquently, she gave her closing statement, but there was no way she could bow to their new client.  "Kansamnida, arrayo you won't be disappointed, Mina-ssi is daeback at what she does.  Jwosongmnida for having to have left.  Je look forward to working with your company."  She extended her hand for a handshake and managed not to fall headfirst.  The second they stepped out of the conference room, Ilana sank panting into the chair and buried her head in her arms.

 - "Omo, Ilana!"  Mina was beside her in an instant.

 - "The tea!"  Ilana stood in a hurry, the men were still talking in the hallway as she rushed past them and didn't care.

Mina finally was able to get Ilana back to her office, "I'm calling Jihoo Uissa, this isn't right, and you can't even stand!"

 - "Gwenchana, let me rest for a little before you call.  Na hope to be a bit more stable when he comes to get me.  Tell JiNa-ssi to hold any calls for me.  Kansamnida to you and TaeYoung-ssi.  Go have a nice lunch on me," Ilana was already digging through her purse for cash.

 - "Anieyo, we're not going without you," Mina rejected the cash.

Ilana closed her eyes, "at this moment that might be a few months."  Opening her eyes, she pushed the money into Mina's hand and half lay on the futon, clutching a throw pillow.

Jihoo had gotten stuck in a very long meeting regarding the gala and then a conversation with the overseer of their sports stadiums.  It was almost two before he even noticed the time.  "Omo! Ilana!"  His wife was his first thought.  Immediately, he called her phone, but there was no answer.  "Sarang, call me back."  He proceeded to take his keys and wallet from his desk drawer and still there was no call back from his wife.  He dialed her number again and passed the president's office, letting him know he was leaving for the day.  "Nae regards to Contreras-ssi," the president called out.

Jihoo nodded to him and there was still no response from her, he dialed the office.  "Contreras-ssi, juseyo," he dialed his wife's direct line, but JiNa, her admin, answered his call.

 - "Mianhamnida, Contreras-ssi is not available at the moment, may I help you?"  JiNa did not recognize Jihoo's voice yet.

 - "Deh, this is Jihoo Uissa, did anae have a lunch meeting?"

 - "A-anieyo!"  JiNa answered a little nervously.  "Jam-jam kkanmanyo, Uissa."

Mina and her assistant had lost all track of time as they began to brainstorm a marketing plan for the Hassan group.  JiNa came running to them.  "Rodriguez Bu-sajangnim (Vice President), it's Jihoo Uissanim?  Should we disturb sajangnim (CEO/President)?"

Mina looked at the time with concern, "Sajangnim has been sleeping for a long time.  Pass the call to me and check to see if she's awake."

 - "Deh!"  JiNa quickly ran to do what she was told.

 - "Uissa!"  Mina answered the call.

 - "Mina-ssi, where is nae anae?"  He was starting to get the feeling they were hiding something.

JiNa had just reported that she knocked on Ilana's door and there was no answer.  "She's napping in her office.  She's had a rough morning."

 - "The meeting went well?"

 - "Deh, hajiman Ilana hasn’t been well all day."

 - "Naega in my car and on my way."  Jihoo had just entered his car.

JanDi had slept all morning and into the afternoon.  Now on the second IV, she was starting to feel a little more herself.  Harabeoji had just closed for lunch.  "Momeun jom joajisyeoseoyo (Are you feeling better)?”  Harabeoji walked into the infirmary with JanDi's favorite porridge, which had just been delivered.

 - "Deh, jogeumyo," she said voice gruff do to the strain.  She had just opened her eyes a few minutes before Harabeoji walked in. 

Taking her vitals, Harabeoji was pleased everything was falling back into place.  "Take this anti-nausea medication and try to eat some porridge."

 - "Deh," JunPyo tried helping her to sit, but she protested.  "JunPyo, na can do it."

 - "Yah!  Be quiet and let me help you."  Harabeoji grinned at the two.  JunPyo carefully helped her to sit and JanDi had to close her eyes as everything started to spin.  JunPyo grabbed a bag from the side table before she threw up.

 - "Na believe our patient has nothing left to expel," Harabeoji said.  "The dizziness will pass as soon as you have food in your system again and everything begins to move as it should."  He smiled at her.  He'd always think of her as if she too were his Grandchild.

 - "Kansamnida, Harabeoji," JanDi said.  "Mianhaeyo, na have Harabeoji without help for today."

 - "For a few days; gwenchana, it won't hurt me to get help from the medical students."

 - "Deh!  Harabeoji has to take care of himself."

This made him laugh "and Na assistant is exempt from taking care of herself?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji!  Tell her."  JunPyo earned himself a scowl from his wife.

 - “Harabeoji, mianhaeyo," she blinked back tears, not wanting to give in to hormones.

 - "Gwenchana, just keep some nutrients in your body for you and the child."

 - "Deh!"  She was able to eat about a quarter of the porridge and keep it down.

Jihoo hurriedly made his way to Ilana's office right past the office admin and Mina and her assistant.  His wife was still lying on the couch.  Per Mina, she hadn't moved.  He went to work, checking her vitals, which were an indication of severe dehydration, and trying to rouse her.  "Sarang?  Sarang?  Can you hear me?"  He flashed the light pen in her eyes, checking her response.  "Sarang?"  He saw her blink and try moving to avoid the light.  "Sarang?  What's your name?"  He was testing to see how coherent she was.

Ilana recognized her husband but was a bit confused as to what was happening.

 - "What’s your name?"  Again, he repeated the question, while she stared at him lost.

 - "Ara..."  Of course, she knew her name, but she couldn't think; she was so tired.  Was this why she was lying down?  "Why am I lying down?  Isn't there a meeting today?"

 - "Sarang, sit up slowly," she was disoriented.  He helped her to sit.

Ilana coughed and gagged as soon as she was upright, Jihoo instantly gave her his handkerchief, while his scent did help, it was too late, and she spit up bile.  Ilana closed her eyes against the wave of dizziness.

 - "Sarang, hold on for me, we need to get to the hospital and get you rehydrated."  Throwing his medical bag back on his shoulder, he leaned her against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck.  He carried her back to the car, leaving Mina instructions to bring her purse to the hospital later.

Arriving at the hospital, they were waiting for her.  Jihoo had called the Doctor on the way and he was thankfully doing his rounds.  He took her straight to labor and delivery.  The nurses got her changed and attached to an IV within minutes.  A few minutes after that, they were already drawing blood to run tests.

Hours later, Ilana still slept.  The baby was fine, but Umma was very weak from being so severely dehydrated.  Jihoo knew once she got dehydrated it was just a short time before she went from bad to worse.  The Doctor and Jihoo had been concerned about anemia and rightly so, the constant vomiting of the last week had brought it on.  Thankfully, they caught it in the beginning and was not left untreated.  On top of the IV, she was given an iron infusion.

It was night and JanDi had dozed on and off all day with JunPyo never leaving her side.  When she proved liquid was flowing in and out of her body as it should, soft foods were staying down, and she could stand without vomiting or wanting to pass out, Harabeoji allowed her to leave.  "JanDi-yah is fortunate her case wasn't that severe.  Na expect you to rest at least one more day and Na do not want to see you back here without your Uissa letting me know you're cleared to be at work."

 - "Harabeojiiii!"  She balked, even if she knew he'd stand firm and turn her away without a Doctor's consent.

 - "Deh, Harabeoji, na will call Uissa in the morning."

JunPyo agreed.  If it was up to him, he wouldn't even allow her to work, but his wife would never listen.

 - "Ah, it seems pregnancy nausea is an epidemic," Harabeoji told them.  "Jihoo called a little while ago, Ilana is at Shinwa hospital being treated.  Poor child, it seems her condition is much worse."

 - "Deh?  JunPyo, we should go see her and Sunbae," JanDi said with concern.  She thought Ilana could use the support from someone who knew what she's going through and JanDi would do anything for her Sunbae and now his wife.  Though, she was sure Sunbae was a perfect husband, sometimes having someone else to talk too was easier.  Thankfully, she had GaEul.

 - "Agassi is going straight home to rest," Harabeoji said.

 - "Deh!  Does JanDi-yah want to end up at Shinwa as well?"  JunPyo said.

 - "Ani...!"  She let her breath out in frustration.  "Na just thought..."

 - "Deh!"  Harabeoji cut her off.  "JanDi-yah can go comfort nae Granddaughter another day, right now you need to rest at home as she is resting at the hospital."  He knew JanDi well and although she wanted to be of help for Jihoo and Ilana, now was not the time.  She needed to take care of herself and her child and get be well again.  Only then could she do what she did best; help others.

 - "Deh, Harabeoji," JanDi said, defeated and tired.

 - "Kaja," JunPyo kissed her cheek, then carried her out to where Secretary Jung was waiting with the car.

 - "JunPyo!"  JanDi protested at this sudden display in front of Harabeoji.

Harabeoji didn't mind at all.  "It is good to see the kids in love," he smiled as he watched them leave.

Once home, JunPyo tucked his wife into bed.  "Don't get sick ever again!"  He scolded her.

 - "Gu JunPyo!"  It wasn't as if she did it on purpose.

JunPyo sat on the bed next to his wife and he leaned in, tenderly capturing her lips with his.

 - "Umma!!"  InHei came barreling into her parent’s room, upon hearing they had arrived.  She climbed on the bed to hug her Mother.   "Gwenchana?"  She asked worriedly,

 - "Dehh," she hugged her daughter.

 - "Umma needs to rest for a few days."

 - "Annchoah when Umma is appayo (sick)," InHei snuggled tightly against her Mother.  Her Mother was never sick and therefore even more frightening.  "Na prayed so hard all day, Umma.  That Yesu would make you well."

JanDi looked at JunPyo and then at their little girl.  "Gwenchana, Yesu answered your prayer and I’m home," she the child's hair and saw a tear run down her face.  "Don't cry, Umma just needs to rest for another day.  It's hard work to make a baby.  Mianhae, I wasn't taking as good care of myself as I should."

 - "Umma will take care of herself better now?"

 - "Deh!  InHei and I will make sure of it, maja?"  JunPyo spoke.

 - "Deh!  Umma, Appa and I will take good care of you."

JanDi smiled at InHei's eagerness.  "How can I not feel better, when the two most important people in my life are here next to me?"

 - "Appa?  Umma?  Can I sleep with you tonight?  I want to be next to Umma."

The problem was JunPyo wanted to be next to InHei's Umma as well.  "Mollah..."

 - "Deh," JanDi cut off her husband.  "One night won't hurt, deh?"

 - "Deh Appa!  Juseyoooooo!"  InHei cupped her face and blinked her eyes sweetly at Appa.

 - "Aiiish!  InHei knows Na can't resist when she does that."

InHei stood on the bed, climbing over her Mother and then knelt behind her Father, squeezing him with all her strength.  "Appa saranghaeyo!"

 - "Deh!"  JunPyo agreed and softly rested his gaze on his smiling wife.  "Umma saranghaeyo," he leaned over JanDi, giving her a soft kiss.

InHei being silly had not let go of JunPyo and her head landed softly against JanDi's middle.  Both parents laughed at their silly little girl and couldn't help but wonder how their new baby would be.

October 22, 2015

Ilana remained in the hospital three more days, her condition much more severe than JanDi's.  Already having an aversion to medications in general, it was harder for her to take something to keep her from throwing up.  Jihoo suggested acupuncture and although it made Ilana exceedingly nervous, she trusted Jihoo's judgment and he never left her side.  Between the acupuncture and Jihoo's knack for distracting his wife from her nausea, she wouldn’t be hospitalized again.

The evening after Ilana was released from the hospital, she felt 1,000% better than she had the Monday before.  Not quite sleepy yet, the husband and wife lay snuggled together, watching a movie in their room.  Ilana's mind wandered to her pregnancy experience so far and giggled.

 - "Wae?"  Jihoo asked.  Her attention was obviously no longer on the movie and he turned it off.

 - "Ani!  Sarang didn't have to turn the TV off?”

 - "Wae was Sarang laughing?"

 - "Ani, na was just thinking of something silly."

 - "Wae?"  He began to kiss her softly, when she didn't answer, hoping to loosen her tongue.

 - "Chincha!  It's nothing!"

 - "No secrets between us."

 - "Aish!  Stubborn ajussi," she took hold of his hand.  "Na was just thinking, this baby is making me face my worst nightmares:  hospitals, needles, medicine."

Jihoo grinned, "hokshina that's why they say parents sacrifice everything for their children."

 - "Deh...," Ilana wondered what exactly her parents had sacrificed for her.  Ilana heard and felt her husband chuckle under her.  It was her turn to be curious.  "Wae?"

Jihoo grinned a bit longer, before giving in to his wife's curiosity.  "Hokshina this is why the Halmoni, on our hundredth day, told you not to judge by the first pregnancy.  What did she say?  By the third or fourth you'd be a pro?"

Ilana opened and eyes wide in shock, she'd count it a miracle if she survived this pregnancy, but to do it all over again?

Jihoo grinned at her panicked face then took advantage of her parted lips, kissing and naughtily stealing a taste of her sweet tongue.  "Deh, nae sarang," he said when he ended the kiss.  "We'll take our chances and let Yesu decide how many children we'll have.”  She said nothing, but he felt her heart thumping nervously under him.  "Gwenchana, Sarang, there's the two of us and Yesu.  If we're together and he is with us, we can handle anything."  He lifted her on top of him and brought her face down to his and lips, then her tongue.  He continued the kiss at times soft and light and other times deep and firm.  When he heard her sigh at the back of , he left to continue onto her neck and soon his hands roamed her body, loving her s that had plumped nicely in these last weeks and taking advantage of her new sensitive flesh.  "Saranghaeyo," he said before snaking his hand under her nightgown.

Next chapter will pick up in California around Thanksgiving.

If you're interested in reading about a Jesa, here's where I got my info:   http://askakorean.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-hold-jesa.html