May 12, 2016

The morning came all too quickly.  Mina was afraid to open her eyes; afraid last night was just a dream.   She couldn't believe she had given in to her impulses.

 - "Allow me to be selfish once more tonight?  Orabeoni said as long as na was happy he'd do anything for me."

And then she did it, she kissed him - on the lips.  The kiss was meant to be a finale to a beautiful dream.

She'd ended the kiss, and turned her back on him, retreating into her apartment not wanting to see his disgust at such a forward woman.  "Heo YoungSaeng-ssi, na choahyo.  Kayo!  Anyoung hee gyaseyo (goodbye, when you are staying)."  As soon as he walked out of her door, it would be as if he walked out of her life.  Then she could start over.

YoungSaeng was in shock from the kiss and in shock from her confession.  She was walking away from him and the way her shoulders fell, he knew she was still crying.  How long had she felt this way?  "Mina-yang?"  Dropping his suit jacket on the floor, he walked into the living room after her, neither bothering to remove their shoes.  "Mina-yang," he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.  Before she could get angry at him, he wrapped an arm around her back and the other at her neck and slowly locked his lips over hers.

It took Mina's brain a few seconds to register what was happening.  "YoungSaeng-ssi?"  She mumbled.  He pulled away to give her his otter's smile and she really was going to faint.  Grabbing on to his neck for support, she resumed their kissing, slowly and tenderly at first and building momentum.  It was as if fireworks were going off in their hearts, an explosion of emotions ripped through their bodies each time their lips met.  Somehow, the back of Mina's legs ended up against the back of the couch.  They paused to draw breath, neither could speak just yet, YoungSaeng still held her tightly against himself.  If he let go, he was afraid she'd run away.  His fingers caressed her neck, while the other hand traveled up her back to rest on her bare shoulder.   "Nae Mina-Yang, nomu yippeun," he placed a quick kiss on her shoulder.   "Mianhaeyo, na mollahyo," he kissed the crook of her neck.  "Na mollahyo, nae paboya."  He let his lips travel to her jaw and kissed her tenderly.  "Mianhaeyo, na wasted so much time."  Unable to stop himself, he kissed her again, consuming her lips with his as if making up for lost time.  While her arms were around his neck, her hand couldn't resist gently pulling at his hair.  This spurred him on and his hands that were casually caressing her neck and shoulders pulled her flush against him.  Mina sighed, completely lost in his kiss and the sensation of floating in very warm air.  She had parted her lips, feeling as if she'd suffocate any second.  He didn't give her rest, he let his tongue find hers and loved it gently.  Mina was lost, she no longer had bones in her body and sagged against the couch, bringing him with her.  If not for his tight hold on her, she would have toppled over.  He slowed back down until he moved from her lips back to her shoulder and neck.   "YoungSaeng-ssi," she half moaned.  Mina had never been kissed like this before.  She never wanted it to end.

 - "Jagiya," he stopped and caressed her face, which was flushed and her lips - swollen.  Had he bitten her?  God, she was so kissable.  He kissed her beckoning eyes and slid his face down her cheek.  "Na can't stop," his lips shadowed hers for a moment, coming closer and then pulling away.

 - "Then don't," she pulled on his tie to urge him closer.

He stepped to her side, held her waist with one hand and the other held her face as he consumed her lips.  All she could do was hold on tight to his neck and keep her fingers embedded in his hair. "Mina-yang, nomu choahyo," he let his lips dance around hers for a second before drinking them greedily again and again.  The hand at her waist slid to her lower back and up, drawing circles as it went.

Mina loosed his tie and undid his top button, she needed to the warmth of his skin.  Pulling away from his lips, she moved to his neck and let her tongue flick the corner behind his ear and down and up.  He trembled and pulled away, his thumb ran across her lips, the other hand ran up and down her bare neck.  He leaned in to swirl his tongue at the crook, his hands moved up and down her back and waist.  "YoungSaeng-ssi!"  His tongue was making lights flash before her eyes.

He moved back to her face and lips, this time very delicately taking each lip, savoring it like a fine wine.  "Jagiya," he let his lips hover again, but not touch.  "Jagiya..." he had to stop this, or he wouldn't be able to stop at all.  "Jagiya," he grazed her lips, not meaning to , he was just trying to pull back.  "Jagiya, change out of these clothes, juseyo.  Orabeoni is very close to taking them off for you."  Those words were enough to crash the hot air balloon she was on.  Her face turned bright red and he just wanted to drown himself in her soft lips or the sweet scent of her neck.  "Jeongmalyo."

 - "D-deh, j-jankomanyo," she untangled herself from him and realized her skirt had ridden up dangerously during their kissing session.  She ran to her room, embarrassed.

YoungSaeng ran his hand through his hair and bit his lip nervously.  His hands even trembled from the intensity of his desire.  "Omo!"  Had they gone on just a little longer, he wasn't sure what his actions would have been.  Thank God, he'd managed to stop in time.  Letting out his breath, he realized he was still in his shoes.  That gave him something to do, at least.  Taking his shoes off and hanging up his jacket, he poured himself a glass of water.  He tried to review the last - who knows how long they kissed?  He was elated yet upset at himself.  She confessed to him and he attacked her, instead of immediately confessing back to her.  Granted, she attacked him right back.  If he looked in the mirror, he'd see he was blushing.  "She must think I'm an animal," he thought.

Mina's brain still didn't function that well and threw on the first garment that would cover her body, a cream colored, long sleeved V-neck T-shirt and a taupe colored skort.  At least the shorts part of the skort kept her modesty.  She brushed her teeth and removed her eye makeup, stalling for time.  "What does he think of me, now?"  She had practically attacked him.  Of course, he too attacked her.  She rinsed and hoping to cool the feeling of his heat on her lips, she let the cool water splash against them.

When Mina walked into the living room, YoungSaeng was seated on the couch.  He had removed his tie and had made some effort at restoring his hair.  His top buttons were still undone.  Unknowing what to say and afraid to look at him, she sat on the opposite end.  After all, she was the one who undid those buttons.

 - "Mianhaeyo..."

 - "Mianhae..."  They both spoke at once.

 - "Naega..." He began again.

 - "Je ga," she started formally.  Stopping, they grinned in their seats.

 - "Jagiya, let Orabeoni speak first, deh?"  He wasn't sure this outfit was any better as it emphasized her long legs, but he re-took control of his brain.  He scooted closer to her, taking her hands.  She practically jumped back at his touch.  "Mianhae, if Orabeoni made you uncomfortable."

 - "Anieyo!"  It was all her fault, in the first place.

 - "Deh..."  He kissed her hands.  "Let's start over."  Mina was a little worried at what that might mean.

He didn't want her nervous; he too wished to skip this awkward phase.  But she confessed first, this was the least he could do.  "Mina-yang, mianhaeyo, mollayo.  Na was afraid to face what na was feeling; afraid na was imagining things; afraid nae Mina-yang wouldn't see Orabeoni the same way as na saw her.  Tonight...na finally faced that you were the one for me, hajiman eottoke?  Na leave tomorrow?  What was the use of saying anything?  It seems your Orabeoni has terrible timing."  Mina wasn't sure, still, if this was really happening or he was going to say he just got caught up the moment.  He had looked down at her hands and the back of them with his thumbs.  He heard her take a shaky breath and looked up to see the tears ready to fall at any moment.  He pulled her closer and wrapped her in his arms.  It was where she belonged, she sniffled in his ear and he caressed her hair.  She'd pulled it up slightly, away from her face.

 - "Mianhaeyo, mianhaeyo, chincha, mianhaeyo...," she cried.

 - "Waeyo?  Haengbohkaeyo, wae mianhaeyo?  Paboyo Orabeoni," he felt her nod her head and he chuckled.  "Namja are slow, mianhaeyo.  Did Orabeoni make his Mina-yang wait too long?"

Again, she nodded her head.    "M-mianhae-yo...n-na was selfish.  Na-na wanted you to notice me."

 - "Anieyo, Orabeoni was selfish too and na did notice you; I just didn't know it."  If he thought about, he couldn't guess how long, she'd felt this way or did he?  Did she go from one unrequited love to another?  He didn't know if he could handle the answer.  "Jagiya?  May I ask?  Juseyo?  How long have you felt this way?"  The tears that had begun to subside started up again.  "Yah..." he soothed her back.  "One month?  Two?  Three?"  Three months was about how long he'd been out of the army and she still shook her head 'no'.

 - "Mianhae, Orabeoni...mianhae..."

 - "Hajimaseyo!"  He kissed the top of her head and then lifted her face to kiss her teary eyes.

Mina took a deep breath.  "Na came to Seoul, hoping na would get to see you again."

 - "Jal mollasseo (I don't understand), when did we...?"  Then he realized when...  "Chinchayo?  Waeyo?"  He felt her shrug.  "Paboya!  Orabeoni is your unrequited love?  One year, you waited?"

 - "M-mianhaeyo!"

"Jwosongmnida!  Jagiya, jwosongmnida!  Paboya Orabeoni!"  All this time, she went out of her way for him and he didn't have a clue.  "Orabeoni, just took and took from you, never giving you anything in return."

 - "Andwaeyo!"  She sat up and looked at him.  "You're perfect, it was nae fault, I fell for you.  Orabeoni did nothing wrong!"

He sighed, "nae brave Mina-yang.  I'm afraid what would have happened if you hadn't taken that first step."  He thought that must have been her final attempt.  "Andwaeyo, na don't want to know what desperate act nae Mina-yang was considering after tonight."  Just the wide-eyed look he gave her meant she was planning something.  "At least Mina-yang couldn't join the army," he laughed, letting out all his nervous tension.

 - "Orabeoni!"  She socked his arm.

YoungSaeng laughed.  "Choahyo nae Mina-yang," unable to resist her mutinous face, he took her bottom lip in slow motion and hovered over her top lip for just a second, before giving it the same treatment.  "Mianhaeyo, Mina-Yang had to say it first."  He scooted himself back to the other corner of the couch and dragged her with him.

 - "Yah!"

 - "Jagiya, eeliwah, na want to hold you."

 - "Tch!  Only when you want something, do you call me jagiya," tucking her knees under her, she snuggled with him anyway.

"Deh!  Atch, na Mina-yang is so perfect.  Eottoke?  Wae didn't we do this sooner?"

She had leaned her head against his chest and he her hair.  "Because Orabeoni is a pabo."

 - "So is Mina-yang.  Eottoke?  Will Mina come visit?"

 - "Andwaeyo."

 - "Majayo, na will lock you in the closet and not let you leave...Yah!"  She squeezed his knee in punishment.  He imprisoned her hand and then lifted her head to give her a kiss.  Na have nothing to give you that will signify that you're mine."

 - "Who says, I'm yours?"

 - "This...," he began to lips just a little in anticipation of his kiss.  He consumed her lips, wanting to get his fill of her.  He pulled back and brought his legs up on the couch before continuing again.  By the time he was sated again, she was practically under him.  He shifted and brought her back to lay on his chest.  "See?"

"Orabeoni doesn't play fair," she smacked his tight abs.

 - "Yah, how would you like it if Orabeoni did that to you, eh?

 - "Anieyo!  Don't you dare!  Ahhh!!  Orabeoni!!!!!!"  He began poking her abs and ribs until she managed to kick him.

 - "Yah!!"

 - "You started it!"  Mina tried to get up, but he wouldn't let her.  He held her tightly against him, letting her settle down.  "Shh...what will the neighbors say," he loved her panicked eyes.  "Choah everything about Mina-yang."  He loosed his grip on her, shifting his weight until he pinned her under him.  "How many kisses does Orabeoni owe his Mina-yang for making her wait a year."

Mina gulped, his eyes had that dark brooding look and his lips s, coming close, yet never touching.  He took her breath away with only that intense look.  She couldn't look anymore, or she would spontaneously self-combust at any second.  Closing her eyes and parting her lips slightly, ready for his breathtaking kisses, he instead with feather-light kisses.  Either way, she was melting.  "Mina-yang," he whispered, sending her cold shivers to combat the heat.  "Look at me."  Tentatively, she opened her eyes.  "Na want to be your only Orabeoni.  Na want to court you properly with Abeojim and Eommoni's blessing.  Na want to take you to meet nae Umma and Abeoji and lastly na want to tell Ilana personally before we let the others know.  Can Na Mina-yang do that for Orabeoni?"  Mina nodded.  "Choah," he smiled his Otter smile before indulging them in a smoldering kiss.  Ending the kiss, he shifted again, so that she was no longer pinned under him.  That didn't mean she could actually move, he held her firmly against his side.

 - "Orabeoni, na can't move."

 - "That's the point," he caressed her cheek, making her blush.  "Na want to know everything about you before Na leave.  Likes only, ara enough of Mina's dislikes," he held her hand firmly before she smacked him again.  "Agassi needs to be nice or suffer the consequences," he traced her lips with his index finger.

 - "Yah!  Does Orabeoni want to get bit?"

 - "Guerae, Na will enjoy biting back,” he brought her wrist to his mouth.  Mina pulled back, with a gasp, just as his teeth grazed her skin.

 - "Aish!  My namja chingu doesn't behave!"

 - "Mworago?"  He was grinning from ear to ear.

Mina realized her slip.  "Amugeotdoyo (nothing)!"

 - "Is Mina-yang nae yeoja-chingu, mmm?"

 - "Orabeoni is a pain!"

 - "Jagiya...Nado choahyo," they talked and teased, teased and kissed, kissed, quarreled, and teased and kissed some more for several hours until everything was quiet and YoungSaeng realized she'd fallen asleep.  Unable to leave her on the couch, he carried her to her room.  As soon as she was no longer in his arms he missed her and couldn't bear to just leave.  He laid on the bed to watch her sleep and within seconds she rolled to him, conveniently preventing him from leaving.

Mina opened her eyes immediately at the sound of her alarm, muffled, as if in a dream.  Speaking of dreams?  Did the night before really happen?  Squealing, she covered her face, thinking of his kisses.  Mina no longer heard her alarm.  Wondering if she overslept, she rolled to where her alarm was supposed to be and rolled right into YoungSaeng's back.  Gasping in shock, she bolted upright; belatedly looking down at her sleep attire and sighed in relief.  They might have slept together but didn't 'sleep' together.  Mina's face turned bright red just thinking about it.  Then what in the world was he doing in her bed?  "Yah!  Heo YoungSaeng-ssi!"  She shook him, but the sleeping Otter didn't wake up.  "Yah!"  she tried again, but it was useless.  Mina inched closer just to make sure he was breathing.  "YoungSaeng-ssssssiiii!"  he looked like an angel.  "Aish!"  Mina scolded herself.  "YoungSaeng-ssi!"

Instead of waking up, YoungSaeng rolled right over into Mina and snuggled up next to her.  Something wasn't right in his immediate environment.  He cautiously opened his eyes and his Otter smile took over his face.  "Annyeong hashiminika, jagiya."  He threw his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

 - "Yah!  Heo YoungSaeng-ssi!"

 - "Mmm," he groaned with his eyes closed.

 - "Get up!  What are you doing in my room?!"  She kept trying to shove him away, but he couldn't be moved.  "I have to get ready for work!"

 - "Let's just stay like this.  Na won't get to hold you for six months."

Mina sighed having momentarily forgotten.  "YoungSaeng-ssi, Eottoke?"  She whispered.  He finally came to her and now she had to let go.

 - "Na will call and bother nae angel every night, deh.  Mina must endure this well for Orabeoni.  She waited a year; six months will be nothing.   We'll be back for Chusauk and we can visit nae parents then."

 - "YougSaeng-ssi!!  I mean...it's not like...we're getting engaged or something!"  The idea of visiting his parents and enduring her own parent’s scrutiny sent shivers down her spine.

 - "We'll have the engagement ceremony after KyuJong and Maknae get married.  Unless Mina-yang wants to make it a triple wedding."

 - "Heo YoungSaeng!!  We're not even dating!"

 - "Ah, so Mina-ssi lets any man kiss her the way I did?"

 - "Aish!!!  Let me up!"

 - "Anieyo, not until you stop calling me by my name."

 - "What's...wrong...with...your...name?"  She struggled against his hold.

 - "See, na told Mina not to drink so much last night, now she can't even fight off her attacker."

 - "Will you let me go?!"

 He let her up briefly only to pin her back down again.  "Na plan on kissing you until you address me properly."

 - "Ah...majayo?!"  She said, sarcastically.

 - "Deh...," He , not letting her know when the kiss would come.  When he finally made contact with her lips, he took one slowly, and took them again.  He wanted to savor this moment as long as possible.  Though she had stopped squirming, her arms were still in his grasp.  He built their kiss slowly, gaining momentum as he went.  Unpinning her arms, he brought his arm under her back trapping her against him as firmly as possible.  Taking a quick breath, they resumed.  Mina threw her arms around his neck, pulling him to her.  He left her lips and tongue for a moment to kiss and at her neck.

This was that last straw, she was broken, all her bones were made dust and she could feel tiny earthquakes coursing throughout her body.  "Orabeoni!"

 - "Deh?  Should we stop?"

 - "Orabeoni!"

Taking that as a no, he kissed her hard and then slow, lest she forgets who her Orabeoni is.

Ilana had been woken up by a cramp or contraction, she couldn't really tell, it just hurt.  Jihoo was thankfully still asleep; she hadn't woken him up.  He'd been working hard, arranging everything for when HaEun came.  He had decided they'd go back home to California when HaEun was six to twelve weeks old.  Ilana could do her job easily from home and be there to nurse HaEun on a regular schedule.  Her husband looked like an angel as he slept.  Really, he could sleep in any position, any side or anywhere.  Currently, he was on his stomach and one arm sticking straight out, ready to comfort her at a moment's notice.  Propping herself on her elbow, she traced his long fingers.  He most definitely was no longer a 'flower boy', but a very handsome man.  That didn't mean he didn't take care of himself, his hands were always smooth and comforting for her and his patients young and old.  He was blessed with a full head of hair and she loved to run her fingers through it.  Naughtily, she twirled her finger through his hair, making it stand just a little.  "Yippeun," she whispered, trying not to laugh.  "HaEun-ah, Appa must be tired."  Either that or he was used to her abuse of him while sleeping.  She continued her exploration, running her finger lightly down his forehead, over an eyebrow, then his nose and lips.  There was no way she could lean over to sneak a kiss, so she settled for kissing her finger and then pressing it to lips.  They twitched cutely.  Ilana's mischief continued as she ran her hand down his neck, past his chest to his well-defined abs.  She couldn't see, as he was covered with the quilt, but she felt him twitch under her finger.

Caught up in her game of teasing his abs, she didn't realize he was waking up.  Somehow, in the next instant, Ilana was no longer resting on her elbow and her husband had was sitting up and hovering over her.  "Sarang," he gave her his 'angry' face.  "Do I have to tie your hands together while you sleep?"

 - "Anieyo!"  She laughed, unrepentantly.  "Mianhaeyo!  Na didn't mean to wake you up!"

 - "Oh, does Sarang expect me to believe that?"

 - "Chinchayo!  Sarang is gwiyowiyo when he's sleeping.  Na couldn't help it!"

 - "Then na won't be able to help myself either."  Jihoo seduced his wife's laughing lips, while his hand reached under her gown exposing her belly and sides to his tickling fingers.

Ilana couldn't succumb to the kiss and the tickles at the same time, the sensory overflow had to go somewhere.  "Sarang!  Sarang!  Stop!  Chincha!"  The panicked look on her face made him cease fire immediately.

Ilana didn't even wait for Jihoo to ask, 'what's wrong?'  "Jamkkanmanyo!" she was out of breath from giggling, but somehow pushed her husband away and ran to the bathroom.  Thankfully, she sat down just in time to avoid an accident.  Jihoo smiled, his poor wife's pregnancy bladder had suddenly kicked in.  He snuggled back under the quilt, thinking Perhaps he'd be late today.

Once bladder emptied and cleaned up, Ilana returned to bed to find her husband in the same position he was in that led her to molest his person.  "Wake up you lazybones...you've got lots of work to do..." she got in the bed, singing something that popped into her head suddenly.  "But the lazybones say not today, tomorrow I will work for you," she pinched his cheek.  "Yah!  You, have to work.  I get to see the Gu Prince today."  Jihoo s his arm around her waist and pulled her as close as possible.

 - "Annyeong hashiminika," he gave her a sweet kiss.  "Let's just stay like this for a little while," he kissed her again, while his hand traveled her back and under her hair soothingly.

 - "Sarang is trying to put me back to sleep?"

 - "Deh and nado will sleep."

 - "Aigoo, Sarang has to work and can't play with HaEun and me today."  Ilana turned her back to him and brought his arm around her waist with a smile.

 - "Na think I can spare a few minutes for Anae and Dtal."  He pulled her against his chest and trapped her legs with his.  He didn't know how things would change once HaEun was born, so he had to take every opportunity of alone time with his wife.  Jihoo hummed softly and Ilana found herself getting drowsy again wrapped in her husband's arms.

Ilana had just dozed off again and Jihoo was on the verge when they were awakened again.  "Oooh!"  Ilana drew in her breath and let it out again.

 - "Sarang, what is it?  Cramp?"

Ilana rested the back of her head against his chest, trying to regain her composure as he rubbed her belly soothingly.  "That feels nice, Sarang, don't stop, juseyo?  That one was different."

 - "Contraction?"

 - "Deh, I think so."  She still felt that ache between her legs and on her lower back.

 - "Sarang should stay home today if contractions are starting, na don't want you out and about."

 - "Ani!  Sarang has to work and I'll be alone anyway," perhaps she was just a little nervous.

 - "Ajumma will be here and Harabeoji is home at noon.  It will be a while still before your contractions are regular."

 - "Sarang, hajima!"

 - "Sarang, close your eyes and rest a little longer.  Later, you can get into a warm bath.  It will help relax your uterus."

 - "Can Sarang just hold me a while longer?"

 - "Sarang is fortunate I'm on good terms with the CEO."  Jihoo spooned her as she giggled at his joke.

Mina sent JiNa to pick up autographed CDs for the four of them.  She couldn't believe she hadn't pre-ordered the CD already.  Perhaps she had subconsciously planned to be at the music store.  After last night, there was no way she could be in his immediate vicinity without blushing or crying.  "Omo!  That man can kiss."  Mina could feel her face heating up.  If he were less of a gentleman, she’d easily have given everything away if only he didn’t stop kissing her.

 - "BuSajang," MiRi interrupted Mina's hot flashes.  "Here is the information you requested."

 - "Ah, kansamnida, that will be all."  Mina took the report from MiRi without making eye contact, afraid she would put two and two together.

MiRi and MinSun had already noticed a change in their boss this morning.  1) She was late when she was always early.  2) She was unusually cheerful.  Not that she was always in a bad mood, but she had been smiling all morning.  3) She had a guilty look about her, and 4) wasn't making direct eye contact with them.  “Did Bu-sajang’s meeting with Heo Young-Saeng-ssi go well?”

 - “Greomyo, wae wouldn’t it?”

 - “No reason.  What time does his flight leave?”

 - “Mollayo, he didn’t say; sometime this evening I suppose.”

 - “Na don’t want Mina-yang looking at the clock all day and pining for Orabeoni.”

 - “Tch, who says na will be pining?”  Mina tried escaping his tight hold. “Orabeoni, let me go!”

 - “Anieyo.”

 - “Tell Orabeoni how much he will be missed.”

Grinning, she pretended to think hard about her answer.  “This much…” she leaned forward, giving him a light and brief kiss.

YoungSaeng nodded, “choahyo.  Na will miss you this much.”  He pulled her practically on top of him and went straight for one of his smoldering kisses.

 - “Damn!”  Mina tried to counter the memory by thinking horrible thoughts; mold...zombies...car crashes…anything to bring her head back to reality.  “Pabo namja,” she muttered.

 - “Mworago?”  MiRi asked.  Their boss had been talking to herself a lot lately.

 - “MiRi-ssi, was na talking to you?  Anieyo.  You’re dismissed!  Na have calls to make.”

 - “Deh, Bu-Sajang!”  MiRi walked back to her desk, smiling.  Their boss was hiding something, she knew it.

Ilana was enjoying her visit with JanDi and InHo.  The contractions had only bothered her a few times.  Now that She knew what to expect, she got through them with ease (all things considered).

JanDi waited for Ilana to work through her contraction.  “Gwenchana?”  JanDi asked?”

 - “Deh, Unnie,” Ilana was a little breathless.

 - “Are they getting stronger?”

 - “Anieyo?  About the same.”

 - “It’s about lunchtime.  Ttarawa (follow me), na will make us something light and Ilana can hold InHo."

 - "Chinchayo?"

JanDi smiled at the panicked look on her face.  InHo was less than a week old and Ilana looked like she feared he would break.  “Na told Ilana they don’t break.  Support his head and you’ll be fine.  Na thought you and Sunbae have been attending classes.”

 - “Deh, hajiman a doll is different from the real thing.”

 - “Paboya,” JanDi scolded.  “He likes to be in his sling.”  JanDi expertly tied Ilana into the wrap and then brought the material up over InHo.  “Arraso, let’s go downstairs.  You’ll be fine!  Stop giving me the panicked look.”

 - “Unnie!  Na have never held a real newborn.”

 - “Come practice all you want until InHei is born.”

 - “Gwenchana, InHo?”  Ilana gave the baby’s head a quick kiss.  “Imo doesn’t know what she’s doing, na hope you do.”

 - “Surprisingly, they do.  See how he just curls up?”

 - “Deh!  Daeback!”

Other than a contraction halfway down the stairs, Ilana and InHo made it down without any issues.  "Ilana is in luck, na have stock for jjampong.  It will take me five minutes to chop vegetables and we can have lunch.  Deh?”

 - “Can I help?”

 - “Anieyo, just enjoy sitting down with InHo.”

That she did, the baby felt so nice against her chest.  “I can’t wait...to hold HaEun…” Ilana had to pause as a contraction hit.

 - “You’ll soon get your wish."  Although JanDi wasn’t counting, it had been less than ten minutes since her last contraction.  They would vary for a while yet, she could have a contraction in five minutes and the next one be in forty minutes.  "JaeKyung's nampyon will want to start a poll soon."

 - "Unnie!  She's not due for another six days!"

 - "Deh, hajiman I'm sure Ilana doesn't want to have contractions for the next six days.  Saturday at the latest is my guess."

 - "HaEun-ah, we had a deal."

JanDi laughed.  "Babies are terrible at keeping their end of the bargain."

The seafood stew was delicious, but Ilana swore JanDi made it bring on her contractions.  They fed themselves and JanDi fed InHo and she suggested a walk.  "Unnie!  Ara you didn't put anything in the soup to induce labor."  Ilana held on to the stroller for support in case a contraction hit.

JanDi laughed.  "Paboya!  I'm not JaeKyung Unnie who looked for every way possible to bring on her contractions."

 - "Deh, Unnie," Ilana laughed at herself.  "Chincha, this is normal?  Na thought firstborns were usually late."

 - "Usually, hajiman not always.  Greon, the answer is there isn't a normal.  Anywhere after thirty-eight weeks is normal."

 - "Arraseo," she tried not to worry.

 - "After our walk go home and rest.  You'll need it, the contractions might not let you sleep tonight."

 - "Deh, Uissanim."

JiNa finally arrived at the office in the midafternoon.  She'd camped out for hours to get the CD.  It was exciting to see at least a hundred people or more show up at the store to buy the CD and get it autographed.  YoungSaeng had been excited to see her.

"JiNa-ssi!  Wa jooshuhsuh kamsamnida (thank you for coming)!"  He looked around hoping to see Mina but was disappointed.  "Did Bu-Sajang and the others come?"

 - "Anieyo, Bu-Sajang entrusted me to come and by the CD's and get them autographed.  Bu-Sajang said na wasn't allowed to give Oppa a kiss.  Just to get your autograph and picture."

YoungSaeng laughed.  "Ah deh?  Aish!  Bu-Sajang is no fun.  Arraseo, who am I signing these for?"

 - "One for the office, one for Bu-Sajang, Mina Sunbae and MinSun-ssi.  Bu-Sajang said Sajang already ordered hers in the mail."

 - "Na will have to sign Sajang's copy on my return," YoungSaeng was busy signing the small stack in front of him.  "Done," he dedicated each one in Hangul, except for Mina's.  That one he inscribed in Japanese.  "JiNa-ssi do you speak Japanese?"

 - "Anieyo, na only learned English."

 - "Gwenchanayo, Bu-Sajang can teach you one day.  JiNa should ask her."  He held up the CD for Mina.  "This is for Bu-Sajang, arraseo?"

 - "It's in Japanese?  BuSajang will laugh."

 - "Na trust JiNa-ssi.  Let me know her reaction.  Write your phone number for me at the end of the table, deh?"

 - "Arraseo Oppa!"

After she took her picture, she quickly wrote her phone number for him.

 - "JiNa-ssi!  You're back?  How was it?"  MinSun had been covering the front desk for the day.

 - "It was fun!  YoungSaeng-ssi has a lot of fans already!  Bu-Sajang did a great job with the promotions.  This is yours," she handed the CD to MinSun.

 - "Gomawoyo!  Na can't wait to play it."

 - "Deh!  Let me give the rest to MiRi Unnie and Bu-Sajang."

 - "Palli!  I'm tired of sitting up here."

JiNa laughed.  "Deh!"  She quickly headed to MiRi's desk and dropped off her CD, making her scream in excitement.

 - "JiNa-ssi!  Wau!  What did he wear?"

 - "Here, see for yourself."

MiRi kicked up her heels at the dreamy YoungSaeng smiling back at her.  "Wau!  Yippeun, too bad he's taken," MiRi mumbled.

JiNa didn't pay much attention to her as she had yet to complete her special mission.  "Bu-Sajang!  I'm back!"  JiNa walked into MiNa's office.

 - "Deh, I heard the screaming," she smiled at her silly staff.  "How was it?"

 - "Daeback!  There were lots of fans already, over two hundred easily!"

 - "Jjang!  Naega proud of him," she beamed.  She was so happy for her Orabeoni.

 - "This is for the office," Mina read the special thank you note he had written.  "And this is for Bu-Sajang.

恋人, 副社長 (Sweetheart, Vice President)

寂しい [I miss you (Technically I'm lonely because I'm not with you)]

Mina read the inscription and forgot that JiNa was standing in front of her.  "Ahhh Pabo!"  She covered her wide grin behind her hand, but there was no mistaking what she had read, made her happy.

JiNa waited for her boss to acknowledge her again, but she had gotten distracted looking at the CD book and YoungSaeng's handsome face.  "Bu-Sajangnim?"

Mina was startled from her contemplation of her 'sweetheart'.  The word itself made her giddy with joy.  "Mianhaeyo, JiNa-ssi, na was contemplating our handiwork.  Hyung & Hyun studios did a great job, deh?"

 - "Deh!"

 - "Kansamnida, JiNa-ssi for getting up early and coming to the office for cash and then going to the record store."

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo!  It was daeback!  Na will let MinSun-ssi get back to her desk, now."

 - "Deh..."  Mina had gotten lost in his inscription again.  "Pabo."

JiNa relieved MinSun and happily reported back to YoungSaeng exactly how her boss reacted.

JiNa:  Oppa!  Bu-Sajang laughed, her eyes sparkled, and she smiled really big and called you Pabo.  She was still smiling when I left your office.  She really liked it Oppa!  Fighting! ;)

JiNa may be naive, but her boss's smile couldn't be more radiant.  Maybe, just maybe, the idol and her boss had gotten close.  She wondered if he had confessed last night.  "Oooh!  How romantic!"  She squealed to herself.

By the time YoungSaeng had a chance to read the text, he was being whisked away to do a talk show.  He was dying to hear her voice, but he'd wait until he was on the plane.  He told her he wouldn't call her until then.  But he did have time to .

YoungSaeng:  Stop staring at my picture and get back to work.  Mina-ssi should work late to make up for yesterday.

Mina was staring at his picture while debating either staying an hour or two late or taking work home, then her phone announced a message.  "Pabo Otter!"  She yelled, reading the message and immediately storing the CD in her drawer along with her phone.  Pretending to herself, that she was busy, she refused to reply.

 - "Annyeong hashiminika Bu-sajang!"  The girls called out to her.

 - "Naega still here, Rodriguez Bu Sajang!"  The architect intern called out.  He always worked late.  TaeYoung kept him very busy.

 - "Deh!"  Mina acknowledged him back.

When all was quiet again, she took her phone out.

Mina:  As if!  Sell your CD and stop slacking off.  Make your company lots of money.

YoungSaeng was already being hustled into makeup but kept his phone handy in case of a response.

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi! Stop moving!" His stylist was trying to touch up his hair.

 - "Deh, Noona!"

The stylist fixed the problematic hairs that wanted to escape her and let him off the hook.  "Answer your text quickly and put the phone away.  I'm not done with you."

 - "Deh, noona."  Grinning, he responded to his text.

YoungSaeng:  Deh!  Na will buy a tower for nae jagiya and lock her there when I'm gone so no other namja can have her.

Mina's phone buzzed again, making her laugh at his response.  Thinking of her comeback, she typed quickly.

Mina:  Better a deserted island and Orabeoni can't leave either.  Na will sink the boat.

YoungSaeng was getting dirty looks from his team and was unable to answer back.

By the time Jihoo was home from work, Ilana was napping.  She'd eaten a little porridge in the late afternoon, soaked in a warm tub and was relaxed enough to get some sleep.  Contractions were tiring.  They either didn't hurt but felt weird, were a bit painful, or they made her want to double over with pain.  It was a good thing she wasn't a stranger to pain and she knew well how to control her breathing to ease her through.

Jihoo sat on the bed rubbing her lower back and stomach.  "HaEun-ah, don't hurt Umma too much, deh?"  He leaned in to lightly kiss her lips.

Ilana's Jihoo alarm alerted her to his presence.  "Sarang?"  She smiled with her eyes still closed, searching for him with her hand.  "Gotcha," she pulled on his hand.  "Na can't move, lay down with me."  She was comfortable for the time being and afraid sudden movement would bring with it a contraction.

 - "Gwenchana?"  He asked with concern.

 - "Mmm, HaEun wants Appa to cuddle with her."

 - "Ah deh?  Well, na can't tell na gongju (princess) 'ani' just yet."

 - "Ha!  Mollah if Appa will ever be able to tell her 'no'."

 - "Na tell Sarang 'ani' all the time," Jihoo had settled behind his wife, holding her tightly the way she liked.

 - "That's diff-ff..."  Ilana Inhaled and exhaled.  That one had been mild.  "JanDi Unnie is right, na don't want contractions for six days.  Na will be fine if HaEun comes sooner."

Jihoo laughed and buried his face in her neck.  "Saranghae."

 - "Nado Saranghae."

Mina left the office around seven.  She had no idea when YoungSaeng would board the plane and he hadn't returned her last text.  "He's busy!"  She scolded herself as she walked to the train stop, she was in no hurry to get home.  "Stop sulking."

Instead of taking the train home, Mina walked to a nearby market and purchased a box of Korean pears.  Though she and Ilana hadn't quite gone back to be the best friends they were as children, they had restored a very nice friendship.  It was enough that Mina did not feel awkward showing up at her house unannounced.  It had been a few days since she heard from Ilana and knowing JanDi had her baby, she hoped Ilana had pictures.  Both valid excuses to visit and keep her from waiting for YoungSaeng's call.

 - "Mina-yah!  Annyeong hasseyo!"  Harabeoji answered the door.  "We were just going to sit down to dinner, won't you join us?"

 - "If I'm not intruding, Harabeoji?  Na brought some Korean pears,"

 - "Mollan anjji and kansamnida.  Mina is always welcome and not obliged to bring a gift."

 - "Na wanted to," she insisted.

 - "Arraseo, kansamnida.  Anjayo, the kids will be out soon."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji."

Jihoo and Ilana did not step out from their room for another ten minutes.  They had fixed their hair and made themselves presentable after their cuddle time when a painful contraction stopped them from leaving the room.

 - " Mianhaeyo, Harabeoji, we're late," Jihoo continued to rub Ilana's back as they walked.  "Oh!  Mina-ssi!  Eottoke jinasaeyo?"

 - "Jaljinaeyo, Jihoo-ssi.  Jaljinaeyo."

 - "Mina-yah!"  Ilana stepped away from Jihoo to hug her friend.  "Annyeong!"

 - "Gwenchana?  You didn't check in for a few days."

Jihoo helped Ilana to sit and after Harabeoji, they all began to serve themselves.  "Ah, bogoshipo?"  Ilana smiled, even though she was still a little achy from that last contraction.  She only served herself soup and Jihoo made sure to place the galbi close by, indicating that she needed to eat more than just soup.

 - "Mollan anjii, na just wanted ajumma's cooking and to visit with Harabeoji.  You were the excuse."

Ilana rolled her eyes and laughed.  "Gomawoyo, even if you just came for the food.  It's a welcome distraction.  Na won't drive nampyon crazy."

Jihoo smiled warmly at her.  "Mina-ssi, if you can distract her long enough that she'll eat, please do.  She's having contractions and only wants to pick at her food.  Sarang, it doesn't have to be a huge meal, but more than a few spoonsful of soup."

 - "Deh!"

 - "Oh?!  When did they start?"

 - "I guess this morning."

 - "HaEun will soon be joining us," Harabeoji said in excitement.

 - "Have you seen JanDi?  Did the birth go well?"

 - "Deh, aside from a momentarily panicked Gu JunPyo, everything went well," Jihoo answered.

 - "His name is InHo, na will show you the pictures after we eat."

 - "Arraso."

 - "Mina looks a little tired, she hasn't been working too hard, has she?"  Harabeoji had observed dark circles on her usually flawless complexion.

 - "Anieyo Harabeoji!"

 - "Are you stressed?  Do we need to expand again?  Ara you guys are picking up more and more accounts each day.  I'm happy that the corporate office and ILC Seoul are cross-selling.  Na think I'll let you and JungMin concentrate on the entertainment industry and I'll work on building up the portfolio from the food industry.  Between restaurants and food products that are being distributed all over the world, there's potential for all the offices to have a share."

 - "I'm not stressed, hajiman na can have MiRi-ssi begin shopping for clients and MinSun ad JiNa can assist you."

Harabeoji sensed this wasn't just a social call on Mina's part.  If it wasn't stress or overwork, then it was a man.  "Whatever happened to the namja chingu of yours?  I recall wanting to meet the young man."

Mina was caught taking a drink of water and began to choke embarrassingly.

 - "Sarang put her arms up," Ilana said.

 - "An... ieyo...gwen...chan... nayo!"

 - "She just needs to cough it out."

Mina's eyes were red and watery, but that feeling of suffocating was starting to pass.  "Gwen...chana, mianhae...yo," she sighed almost able to breathe normally again.

 - "Anieyo!  As long as you're okay.  Greon, what about namja chingu?  I'm guessing this is why you were choking?"  Ilana grinned.

 - "Will na have a new ice fishing partner this winter?"  Harabeoji asked.

 - "Omo!!  Chingu!"

 - "Chingu don't make you blush," Ilana teased.

 - "Hokshina namja chingu, mollahyo exactly; he has to go away on a business trip for six months and asked me to wait for him,” Mina couldn't help bringing it up now that they asked.  She knew Ilana wouldn't say anything to the others.  She wasn't ready for that teasing.

 - "Chukahae!"

 - "Will Mina be telling us more about this namja?"

 - "Anieyo," Mina shook her head, knowing her face was red.  "When he comes back."

Ilana sulked, "hajiman how did you meet?  Is he Korean?"

- "Deh, I would often run into him in Jongnu,” Mina didn’t give away the entire story. 

 - "The namja were right!"  Ilana remembered them saying Mina had a boyfriend in Jongnu.

 - "Anieyo, he didn't even know me then, it was sometime after that we became chingu."

Ilana grinned, happy for her friend.  "Chukahae!  Ara he must be a good namja for you to have agreed to wait for him."

 - "Deh," Mina said softly.  "Na hope you all give us your blessings when he comes back."  She was nervous and excited for that day to come.  Mina had no clue his friends were hoping for the match or she wouldn't be so nervous at being accepted, being a foreigner.

 - "If he proves himself to be a worthy young namja, na will personally recommend him to your parents," Harabeoji said.

 - "Kansamnida, Harabeoji."  Mina didn't think her parents would oppose her relationship with YoungSaeng, but if Harabeoji did the scrutinizing first it would be easier for him in front of her parents.  "Ah, speaking of Y... namja chingu-deul," Mina almost slipped and said, YoungSaeng.  "Ilana-yah, before I forget, I sent JiNa to the music store today.  Na have an autographed copy of Heo YoungSaeng-ssi's CD, dedicated to ILC group."

 - "Chinchayo?!  Daeback!  Na can't wait to listen.  My copy won't arrive until tomorrow.  Na will have something to keep me occupied while nampyon is at work."  She smiled sweetly at her husband.

 - "Hokshina, na will stay home tomorrow," he .

 - "Na won't stop you," laughing she challenged him.

 - "Yah, yah!"  Harabeoji scolded.  "Jihoo-yah, Friday is your turn in the mobile clinic.  Remember, this was your project; ara you won't start to goof off now."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji, mollan anji."  Jihoo squeezed his wife's hand under the table as a promise of retaliation later.  Ilana hid her smiling face in a spoonful of soup.

 - "You know," Mina said.  "You two really should consider working on an inspirational or classical collaboration, as JungMin suggested.  It could benefit both foundations."

 - "Majayo, ara anae and I have discussed it.  Hokshina after HaEun comes," Jihoo answered her.

 - "Deh, na have some pieces in mind, hajiman na haven't been able to do much.  Right now, it's very uncomfortable sitting at the piano with HaEun.”  Ilana caressed her tummy that had just squeezed itself tight.  Shifting in her seat, she let out her breath; Mina's presence and lively conversation were helping distract her from the discomfort.

Having cut up the pears Mina brought after dinner, they conversed, played games, and kept Mina's mind off YoungSaeng and Ilana's off the contractions.

Face clean, Mina was getting ready for bed when she finally remembered YoungSaeng hadn't called.  "He probably fell asleep," she told herself.  He had stayed up late with her and had a full day of work, she couldn't be upset, just a little sad.  Smiling, she turned off her light.  She'd had a pleasant evening with what felt like her surrogate family.  It was Ilana's strong contraction that reminded her it was getting late.  After an almost forty-five second contraction, Mina excused herself so that Ilana could rest.  If that was a precursor of what the rest of the night held for her, she would need it.  "Yesu, let your holy angels stand about him and keep him in peace (and me). And let your blessing be upon him. Amen."  She settled herself comfortably and then her phone rang.  The blankets flew as she reached for her phone.  "Yeobosayo?  Orabeoni?!"

 - "Ah, na Angel does miss me.  Did the phone even ring?"  He was smiling on the other end and she knew it.

 - "Anieyo, na was just setting my alarm," she lied.

 - "Ah, deh, that's why Mina sounded so excited when she answered."

 - "Pabo Otter!"

 - "That's Orabeoni to you, agassi."

 - "Orabeoni paboya," she stuck her tongue out to the phone.

 - "Jagi," YoungSaeng was smiling as he reclined in his seat.  "Na won't be able to go without hearing your voice.  Na will have to call you every day."

 - "Mollahyo (Whatever)."

 - "Jagiya...nomu choahyo even when you're being childish."

 - "Mworago?!"  Did he just call her childish?

YoungSaeng laughed softly in her ear, making goosebumps rise on her arms.  "Na wish na could see your pouting face, neomu kiyowoyo."

Mina liked when he called her cute or pretty, who wouldn't?  But pouting?  She humphed.  "Yah, did Orabeoni call just to insult me?"

 - "Anieyo," he loved every minute of her blustery side.  Made him want to jump through the phone and attack her lips again until she couldn't breathe and then start all over again.  "Mianhaeyo, our flight left late, we just got in the air and na don't have long.  Na wanted to discuss this deserted island and what we would do on it."

 - "Yah!  Orabeoni...what are you thinking...or what aren't you thinking?"

 - "Kissing you passionately until you pass out, for starters...Mina-ssi can imagine what would follow after without filter or restraint.  We'll be stuck on a deserted island with only each other."

 - "Hajimaseyo!  Hajimaseyo!"  Mina felt her cheeks burning and something else too.  "Na told you, we're not even dating, yet."

 - "Hajiman you're mine, jagi.  Anyway, we had our first date already.  It might not have been official, but na will give nae Mina-yang all the official dates she wants upon my return.  In the meantime, she's still nae yeoja chingu.  No drinking and no short skirts or sleeveless tops until nae return."

 - "Ah deh?  Jealous namja."

 - "Majayo," he paused for the span of a breath.  "Jagiya, na don't want to say 'sarang' over the phone and not after just one date.  While we're apart, na want to get to know more of you.  Na want to grow nae sarang for Mina-yang.  Na want to know more about the yeoja that picked me out of any namja.  Mina-yang knows more about me than na of her Hajiman what I do know is Mina is perfect and special and haengbokhaeyo she chose me.  Chinchayo, nomu choayo and when na introduce Mina to my parents, na will be able to say with confidence saranghaeyo.  Can jagi wait that long?"

 - "Deh, Orabeoni," she had tears in her eyes.  She understood it was too soon to say 'love'.  Aren't you supposed to fall in love while you date?  They both found qualities to like in each other enough to start a relationship but only getting to know each other more unguardedly and honestly would their strong 'like' grow into love.  Only if they were completely sure that they couldn't live without each other, would either set of parents approve.  Though she didn't foresee a problem if he continued in this thoughtful sweet way of his, she would be falling head over heels in love with him in no time.  "Kansamnida, Orabeoni."  Some might call him cold or cautious, but she didn't think so.  Their relationship had just begun, and their attachment could only grow from here and when it was solid, then they could come before their parents and friends and maybe take it a step further from there.  She understood him loud and clear and now that he knew her heart, he understood her too.  Although, in a way, he'd always understood her; giving her confidence when she needed it and also being a true friend.   Yes, it wouldn't be long before like turned to love.  It was already there, waiting for the winds of time to fan the flames.

 - "Wae jagi?"

 - "For noticing me."

 - "It was bound to happen once na opened my eyes.  Jaljayo nae angel.  May Yesu guard your sleep.  Na will call you tomorrow night."

 - "Deh...oh wait!"  She remembered Ilana.  "Ilana is starting to have contractions."

 - "Ah, gomawoyo for telling me, na will try calling her tomorrow.  Annyeong hashiminika, Jagi."

 - "Jaljayo Orabeoni."  Mina fell asleep with a smile on her face and dreamt of an otter prince.

 - "Sarang, lie down.  You're going to exhaust yourself."  It was close to eleven P.M. and Ilana had hardly slept in the last twenty-four hours.  The contractions had suddenly become stronger Friday morning around three A.M. and had progressed from there.  Contractions were now coming in about six minutes apart.  As soon as they were three to four minutes apart, he could take her to the birthing center.  There was no need to go before then, what she needed was rest.

Ilana stopped to lean on the railing of the traditional bridge over the Koi pond.  "Anieyo," she said out of breath.  "It hurts worse when I'm sitting doing nothing.  I napped a little throughout the day."  If you can count two five-minute naps, a little.

 - "Sarang, Ajumma called me in the early afternoon.  You hadn't napped at all, just moving from one place to the other, never sitting."  At her insistence, he went to work late that morning.  KyuJong took out the mobile clinic and set up with the help of Dr. HyunSu.  Jihoo caught up with them later.

He could scarcely concentrate before, much less after the Ajumma's call.  The contractions were about ten minutes apart, lasting about a minute.  He had his car and they weren't too far from the house.  In case of an emergency, he could get there in under thirty minutes.  Perhaps he should have someone bring him the motorcycle.  He was supposed to be recording the details of his last patient and was just standing over the laptop, staring into space.  Lack of sleep was also a key factor in his current state of mind.

KyuJong had finished with a patient, who had required stitches and was about to record the details when he realized Jihoo hadn't finished nor was moving.  "How is Ilana?"  KyuJong had seen his boss receive a phone call and assumed it was Ilana.

Jihoo let out his breath, "the contractions are close, and she hasn't stopped to rest and has scarcely eaten.  I'm afraid she'll collapse before it's time. "

 - "Wae is Uissa here?  Since when does Uissa let his stubborn anae tell him what to do?"

Jihoo smiled half-heartedly, "since na didn't want her stressing over me being home."

 - "So, that means Uissa is here stressing over anae and not minding his patients.  Kayo!"  KyuJong motioned to the imaginary door of their clinic.  "Jega (I am-fm) the general manager of the foundation clinics, in je opinion, Uissa is distracted and unfit to work today.  Annyeong hee gaseyo (goodbye when you are staying).

 - "Na thought I did," she answered grumpily.  She'd closed her eyes, at least for a few minutes, she thought.  By the time she relaxed a new contraction would start.

 - "Sarang," Jihoo's thoughts were brought back from the clinic.  "Kaja," he took her arm firmly.  "When your next contraction hits, na will massage your back."

They just made it back to the room when she felt the painful tightening around her stomach.  She leaned heavily on the bed with one hand and the other clutched her stomach and exhaled in two short and one long puff.  Jihoo held her waist while bringing her hand from around her stomach and set it alongside the other one.  "Waeyo?"

 - "Just stay leaned over like that."  applying light pressure to her upper back to keep her in position, He stepped behind her.

 - "Yah!  Annchoah!"  She was sure her face was bright red.

Jihoo laughed.  "Na can do very naughty things to anae from this position."  He let his fingers play with the hem of her pajama shorts.  When he felt she was about to stand up, he quickly dug his fingers into her hips.

 - "Oooh!"  The action caught her by surprise.  It was neither pleasant nor unpleasant.  She wasn't sure.

 - "Gwenchana?  Appahyo (hurts)?"

He was digging his knuckles into her lower back, while the other hand applied pressure to her lower abdomen where HaEun was already in place.  By the time the next contraction hit, this felt really good.  Regardless of the 'compromising' position, she was in, she let out a satisfied moan.  The contraction still hurt, but the pressure of his massage distracted her.  It wouldn't be long three contractions had passed in fifteen minutes.  He saw her shift her position a little, trying to get comfortable.  Nothing was comfortable for long; her arm trembled and knew she was tiring.  Jihoo leaned over her and kissed the top of her back.  "Perhaps after HaEun is born we can try making love in this position," Jihoo chuckled into her back, kissing her again.

 - "Sarang!"  Ilana stood and smacked him with a pout on her face.

He wrapped her in a tight hug, kissing the top of her head.  "Naega just teasing, mmm?"

She melted in his arms, exhausted.  "Saranghaeyo," she mumbled into his chest as he continued her back.

 - "Nado saranghaeyo," he lifted her head to kiss her softly.  A tear ran down her cheek as another contraction began.  Deciding his wife needed to rest, or she would end up with a C-section, he scooped her up and deposited her gently on the bed.

Ilana's mind was on a few seconds delay and she was already on the bed, being tucked in when she realized what was happening.   "Wae?!"  It was easier to deal with the contractions in a standing position.

Jihoo didn't answer her until he had made himself comfortable next to her.  Turning her toward him, he engulfed her in his arms and legs.  "Rest, Sarang, you're exhausted.  In another hour or two, you'll need all your strength."  He her back and hummed in her ear; he felt her beginning to relax and even doze off.  It wasn't a deep sleep, he knew, but anything was better than nothing.

Ilana was exhausted and her husband's careful rubbing of her back and sides, coupled with the vibrations of his humming into her hair and his heartbeat under her head, she was lulled into a light sleep.  The contractions were still there, but she had no energy to deal with them.

Midnight

Jihoo didn't stop his massaging of her back, no matter if his arm was tired.  He had the contraction timer within reach.  He could feel her tense up in her sleep each time a contraction came, occasionally she moaned and sometimes a tear rolled down her cheek, but at least she slept.  That was what was important.  Everything was ready to go; a packed bag was already in the SUV, he was dressed in casual pants and a t-shirt, all he had to do was throw on shoes.  He could just carry her in her slippers.  The birthing center was less than fifteen minutes away in Seocho-dong.  About an hour later, a flurry of activity began.  The contractions were three minutes apart and she'd woken up abruptly feeling as if someone was ripping her insides out.  It would only get worse.

Arriving at the birthing center she was already dilated to a seven and soon after her water broke.  That kick-started the worst pain she'd felt since the cramping and contractions had begun.  "Sarang!  I can't do this!"  She wanted to curl into a ball, the contraction was so intense and lasted twice as long.

02:00

Jihoo massaged his wife's back as she sat on the edge of the bed, trying to curl up around the painful ball in her stomach.  "Sarang, you've been daeback this far.  It won't be much longer, remember your breathing."  He proceeded to demonstrate and thankfully, she followed along getting over the shock.

Getting the rhythm of this new level of pain took some time, but after a while, and with Jihoo's constant massaging and soothing voice, she got the hang of it.  "Na want a shower," Ilana demanded of her husband as soon as she could focus on speaking and not on the pain.  The nurse helped her clean up once her water broke, but Ilana still felt uncomfortable.

 - "Arraso, Sarang.  It will help you relax again."

The shower running over her belly and Jihoo massaging her lower back and body with a soothing cucumber green tea body wash was heavenly.  Without either one it was hell.  "Jamkkanmanyo," Jihoo said as he heard his phone ringing.  It was most likely Harabeoji making sure they had settled in.  Jihoo had only been able to knock on his door and shout quickly that they were leaving.

 - "Yeobosayo, Harabeoji?"

 - "Gwenchanayo?  How is she progressing?"

 - "Choayo; the midwife and Doctor say she's progressing just fine.  It will be a few hours still."

 - "Choah, choah!  Na will be in prayer for strength and a safe and healthy delivery."

 - "Kansamnida Harabeoji."  Ilana tried running the shower over her back, but that left her lower belly without that the delicious warmth.  That was not going to get her through the contraction.  "Sarang!!"

 - "Harabeoji, anae needs me.  Na will call you as soon as InHei is born."  Jihoo tossed the phone to a nearby chair and was immediately next to his wife.  "Mian, nae sarang.  Harabeoji said he's praying for a safe and healthy delivery."  He had resumed his massaging right away and Ilana let herself sag against him in relief.

 - "M-mianhae," she sniffed.  "I-I couldn't run the water on my back and my stomach at the same time."  Right about then the waterworks began.  She had tried to be brave and not cry out during the contractions, but they were just getting too much for her.

 - "Sarang, gwenchana."  He took the water handle from her and hugged her tight.  "Gwenchana, don't try and hold it in for me?  If it hurts moan, cry, scream, do what you need to do."

Ilana clung to him tightly.  His t-shirt that had only been a little wet was now soaked and so was the tank top pajama she was wearing.  "Shiro, na just want you to hold me."

 - "Deh!  Eeliwah, we'll try laying down for a while, mmm?"  She nodded, and he lifted her face to kiss the tear stains.  Jihoo made sure they had the luxury suite.  It was not only bigger, but they didn't share the birthing tub.  He thought in a little while she might be interested in getting in.  He wrapped them both in large plush cotton towels and they headed to the bed.  "Sarang, do you want out of the wet shirt?"

 - "Deh."  After helping her to change into a special labor gown he had purchased her, he called the doula to come massage her back as he held her.  Perhaps in this way she could doze back off again. 

Jihoo and Ilana lay on the bed, the midwife worked on massaging Ilana's back, she snuggled tightly against Jihoo while Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata played softly in the background.  Either she was used to the contractions or the pain wasn't bothering her as much.  Feeling herself drifting, she wondered about HaEun, what she would be like.  What will she like? What won't she like?  What will make her happy?  What will make her sad?  Will she be a musician like Appa or vocalist like Umma?  So many questions flittered through her brain.  "HaEun-ah, Umma can't wait to meet you," she said after a time.

 - "Gwenchana, Sarang?"

 - "Mmm..."  It was so quiet in the room.  The doula didn't say a word as she continued with her constant massage, only the soft music could be heard.  Ilana had been in and out of hospitals for so many years and it was never quiet like this.  "Gomawo."

Jihoo chuckled, his wife wasn't making sense.  "Waeyo?"

 - "For suggesting a birthing center instead of a hospital."

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo, na wanted you and HaEun-ah to be comfortable," Jihoo motioned to the doula to give them some time alone.  She smiled at the first-time parents and left the room.  She'd be back soon enough.  Jihoo made sure to continue rubbing his wife's back after the doula left.  "If you weren't comfortable, HaEun wouldn't be either.  Your health was much more improved since coming here, ara it was the right decision."

Ilana burrowed deeper into his chest, "deh.  Tell me again what she looks like?"  Ilana was able to actually smile through a contraction.  Her husband’s hands were in the right place at the right time that the pain quickly dissipated.

 - "Mmm, this is the one millionth time Sarang has asked me in the last year."

Ilana pressed her back into his hand that was rubbing her back.  "Mmm, when Sarang describes her, na feel as if I see her."

He pulled her even closer to him, tucking her in next to him, wrapping arm and leg around her.  "She has Sarang's dark hair and when she smiles her face lights up just like yours.  She has my eyes..."  Jihoo continued digging in the recesses of his memory for the vision of their daughter.  Ilana had dozed off, but he continued talking.  "She'll be afraid of the horse at first, hajima...na think she'll enjoy it after she gets over the height.  She will be brave just like her Umma yet have a sensitive heart.  Mollah what will happen if we ever have to discipline her..."

04:00

Ilana had spent about thirty minutes in the tub until she was fully dilated.  She could see why JanDi wanted a water birth.  The warm water wrapped around your belly like hands giving you a gentle massage.  The pain seemed to float away in the water leaving only a fraction of it behind.  For this second phase, Ilana decided she didn't really want to stay in the tub but wouldn't mind using the birthing stool.

Jihoo stood behind his wife, rubbing her shoulders and then down to lower back and up again.  He had never attended a natural birth.  It really was the most relaxing for a woman, all she had to was go with the flow.  No bearing down, the body did it all naturally.  "Gwenchana, Sarang?"  Jihoo said asked as she had just finished pushing.

 - "Deh," she said a little out of breath.  At least when the pain of the contraction came you felt the need to push so it was at least a productive pain.

 - "Ilana-ssi is doing great!"  The midwife encouraged.  She knew Ilana was getting tired having only dozed off here and there in the last twenty-four hours.  "Stay with me, arraso?  It won't be long now.  Appa is doing really well too.  Here, let me wipe your face for you.  Appa just continue to massage and hold her."

Ilana didn't even realize she was perspiring since she couldn't decide if she was hot or cold.  The next contraction was rather unproductive as it was all pain and not really a natural desire to push.  She leaned forward to deal with the pain.

Jihoo and the midwife switched places and he crouched next to her, taking her hand.  "Gwenchana, squeeze as hard as you want."  He might as well join the ranks of all his friends who have gotten the circulation removed from their hands by their wives.

Ilana half grinned, and half cried.  "Gwenchana, just hold me."

Jihoo kissed her damp forehead and took her hand anyway; all the while her hair with the other hand and murmuring 'saranghae' in her ear.

They finally had HaEun in sight, Ilana just needed one more good push to get her all the way out.  The worst pain seemed to be over.  The feeling of being ripped apart at the seams had dissipated into more of a throbbing, being hit with a sledgehammer type of pain.  "Ilana-ssi, get ready, your baby wants out," the midwife coached.

Jihoo was a little nervous with anticipation.  He motioned to the midwife to switch places again.  He needed to do something.  her hair, her back, hold her.  "Nomu haengbokhaeyo.  HaEun is almost here.  In another few minutes, Sarang will be holding her."

Ilana cried at the thought.  Throughout her nine-month journey, there was more than one occasion where she thought either she or HaEun wouldn't make it this far.  "Kansamnida, Yesu," she gave praises to the one who guided her and Jihoo through this entire season and kept them all safe.  Inspired by Appa's pep talk, HaEun was done stalling.  "Oooh!  Sarang!"

Just as the dawn was wakening over Seoul, HaEun emerged from her birthing journey.  "4:54," the doctor announced.

Ilana sunk back into Jihoo trembling, not exactly sure why.  Was she cold?  Not really.  Was she scared?  No, she was relieved.  Was she exhausted?  Most definitely.  They placed a soft blanket on top of HaEun and plopped her onto Ilana's chest.  "Oooh!!"  She smiled nervously.

 - "Umma, say hello to your baby," the midwife smiled.  This was her favorite part of the delivery.  Seeing the parent's happy faces and tears of joy in both their eyes.

Ilana heard sniffling behind her.  "Sarang?"  She turned her head to look up at him.  "Sarang!  You're crying!"

He was as much of a mess as she was.  Sweaty, wet, tired, and overjoyed.  "So is anae..."  He wiped a tear from her eye and gave her lips a soft peck.  Not caring who saw.  "Annyeong dtal," he said to HaEun.  "Na told Sarang she looks like you."

 - "Anieyo!  She looks like you!"  Ilana had this uncontrollable giddiness coursing through her.  As exhausted as she was, suddenly she just wanted to smile and laugh.  "God has brought me laughter..." she quoted Sarah from the Bible.  "HaEun-ah, you're my miracle.  I never dreamed of having nampyon much less dtal.  Kansamnida Yesu, kansamnida!"  Tears of Joy poured down her face once more; not that it would be the last.

 - "Sarang," Jihoo glanced out the window.  "It's dawn."

 - "HaEun-ah, do you know Harabeoji named you?  Mmm?  He named you because God's mercies are new every morning."  Ilana laughed, joined by Jihoo and soon everyone else in the room was also either laughing or smiling.

 - "Umma, would you like to lie down to deliver the placenta."

 - "Jeongmalyo, na don't think I can move."

 - "Arraseo, it's time for baby to eat.  Begopayo, deh?"

Jihoo helped Ilana loosen the top of the gown and the midwife arranged baby HaEun, so she could get on with what she instinctively wanted to do.  "Saranghae," Jihoo squatted down next to wife and daughter and let his hand caress the baby's soft head.  HaEun and Mom figured out the nursing thing with the help of the midwife.  It really wasn't the most pleasant sensation, but Ilana was overjoyed with her baby and that was enough to ignore any minor or even major discomforts.

May 17, 2016

Jihoo decided they would stay in post-partum for a couple of days.  His wife was exhausted after being in labor for over twenty-four hours.   Staying in the suite for a few days meant a slower pace, his wife could replenish her strength and bond with HaEun a little easier.  He lay with Ilana snuggled next to him and HaEun wrapped tightly in her pink blanket on top of his chest.  It was almost time to wake both of his girls up for a feeding.  HaEun had been given a clean bill of health and she fed and made her bowel movements perfectly every two hours around the clock.  They worked together to make sure she didn't have to screech for long.  Ilana still moved a little slowly so while she got situated Jihoo would change her diaper.  These first few days had been very instructive.  On top of their pre-birth classes, the staff was very helpful in putting all that knowledge into play.  They got to give HaEun her first bath and know that she wouldn't break as the nurse showed a wide-eyed Ilana how to tuck her under her arm to wash her head.  They also helped with the first few diaper changes and the lactation consultant had Ilana and Jihoo both blushing crimson as she squeezed and cupped Ilana's s and made Ilana follow her actions until she was satisfied with both Mother and baby's progress.  Ilana and HaEun seemed to have gotten the hang of things as the diaper showed proof enough something was definitely going in and out as required.

Stretching, without dislodging the precious bundle on top of him, Jihoo gave his daughter a kiss.   "HaEun-ah, begopayo?  We're going home today.  Haengbokhaeyo?"  HaEun didn’t answer, completely comfortable on daddy's chest.  "HaEun-ah knows this is Umma's spot."  HaEun snoozed on.  Jihoo grinned, his daughter would be a sound sleeper, just like his wife.  "Harabeoji is very excited to meet you in person."  The good thing about the birthing center is that it was quiet.  They couldn't have all their boisterous friends come to visit.  Harabeoji decided he would wait patiently at home and just drink in every sweet picture they sent him.  Since babies make About a thousand cute faces a day, it kept him well occupied.  "Ajumma So and Ajussi Kim will want to take your picture when we get home."   Ilana and YiHyun had already discussed taking pictures on the day they came home.  Jihoo didn't mind, provided his wife was well enough.  "Arraso gongju, it's time to wake Umma so she can feed you, shower, eat her breakfast, and then feed you again," he unwrapped her cocoon and her cheek to get her little mouth to .  Satisfied, he sat up, moving the blanket from Ilana, and placed HaEun up against her.

Pulling up to the modernized hanok that had been Jihoo's home most of his life, all the F3’s luxury cars were in the driveway, along with last year’s model Hyundai Sonata.  That one belonged to Hyung & Hyun studios as evident by their name imprinted on the door.

 -  "HaEun-ah!  We're home!"  Ilana said, excitedly.

 - "Gwenchana?"  Jihoo was ready to send everyone home at a word from her.

 - "Deh!"  Despite the constant nursing, she felt well-rested.  Jihoo had taken really good care of her these last few days and who wouldn't be re-energized with seaweed soup at every meal.

Jihoo seemed to read her thoughts.  "Sarang knows Ajumma most likely already has a large pot of seaweed soup made for you."

 - "Gwenchana, choah."

Despite the medicinal benefits of seaweed, he doubted consuming three or more servings a day had any more advantages than once a day.  "Gwenchana if you get sick of it.  Deh, it's good for you, but you're still taking supplements and the benefits can be gained through other foods as well."

Ilana just smiled, "kaja, beba, everyone is waiting to meet you!"

On cue, everyone came spilling out of the house ready to greet the newest family member.  Harabeoji was the first to come up to them.  Jihoo had taken the car seat out, while their driver opened Ilana's door.  He had covered the carrier to block out the chill.  The birthing center post-partum wing was kept warm for the babies.  It would be best to not plunge her into a temperaature that was ten degrees cooler right away.  "Jihoo-yah, Ilana-yah chukahae," Harabeoji pounded Jihoo's back.  "Ilana-yah is well?"

 - "Deh, Harabeoji.  Haengbohkaeyo to be home.  HaEun-ah, do you want to meet Harabeoji?"

 - "Ah, everyone is waiting," Harabeoji said, clearly excited about meeting his great-granddaughter face to face.

Jihoo nodded to his wife and handed her the carrier.  He unbuckled the carrier's tiny inhabitant and wrapped her in the blanket before handing her to her great-grandfather.  "Atch," he chuckled with a wide grin on his face.  He's delivered and held babies routinely for many years now, but there was something about holding his very first Great Grandchild that brought tears to his eyes.  "HaEun-ah looks like Umma, deh?"  Harabeoji held her away for inspection for too long and earned him a pouty face that was ready to cry at any moment.  "Ah, HaEun-ah doesn't like that?  Gwenchana, we'll go inside the house now where everyone is waiting for you."  Harabeoji bounced as he walked toward the house.  "This is HaEun's home away from home.  See?  Ajumma and Ajussi-deul are waiting for you.  HaEun's playmates are also inside.  InHei and JeongYul will come greet you later, they are in school.  Appa and Umma will want to hold on to you tightly.  Babies grow so fast and before they know it, you too will be in school."

Jihoo held the carrier in one hand and wrapped the other arm around Ilana's waist both smiling as Harabeoji enjoyed his great-granddaughter.  The women were the first to flock to the baby and 'ooh' and 'awe' respectively.  "Aww, Ilana, she's precious," JanDi smiled, overjoyed for her Sunbae and his wife.

 - "She looks stylish of course in the coming home outfit Hana gave her," JaeKyung said.  "All that's missing is a cool hat and sunglasses.  Remember to protect your face and eyes from the sun, agassi."

 - "Arraso, Imo, na will remember," Ilana responded for HaEun.

 - "Wau, she definitely looks like Princess," HyungJun said.

 - "Junnie, girls take after Appa, she looks just like Jihoo Uissa but with dark hair."

 - "Majayo, Unnie," Ilana agreed with YiHyun.

 - "Mollayo, na think she's a perfect combination of the two, deh HaEun?"  Mina cooed sweetly at the baby.  A quick glimpse of herself with a baby in her arms flashed in front of her.  Shaking it off, she hugged Ilana.  "Chukahae" and then Jihoo:  "Chukahaeyo.  Na will go see if Ajumma needs help in the kitchen."  Mina ran off before anyone could see her blushing, leaving Ilana perplexed at her behavior.

 - "Mina looked a little odd, she must be angry at me for leaving her with all the work," Ilana voiced her concern, while Jihoo was getting pounded on the back by the rest of the F4.  Harabeoji was already setting HaEun in the co-sleeper/bassinet.

 - "Anieyo, she just misses the Otter prince," HyungJun spoke without concern.

 - "Junnie!"  YiHyun stomped on his foot.

 - "Wae!"

 - "HyungJun Oppa, what are you jumping at?"  Ilana laughed at her mischief-making Oppa.

 - "Anieyo, Ilana knows Junnie likes to talk," YiHyun said.  "Miina spent a lot of time with YoungSaeng-ssi, getting ready for his launch.  She probably misses him the way Ilana missed the namja when she left the ship." YiHyun didn't want to speculate on something that was or was not official yet.  The fact that Mina had a crush on YoungSaeng was somewhat evident, but no one knew how YoungSaeng felt about her just yet.

 - "Ah, deh," Ilana accepted this.

 - "Our loner pal is now a family man," WooBin joked, slinging his arm around Jihoo's shoulder.  "They grow up so fast," he mock cried.  Jihoo normally would have rolled his eyes at his friends joking around, but this time he grinned.  He thanked God daily for the blessing of his wife and now to have a child of his own was beyond anything he could have ever dreamed of.

 - "I think we did pretty good for ourselves, deh?"  This time, YiJung leaned his elbow on Jihoo's shoulder.

 - "Yah!"  Gu JunPyo interjected.  "We're F4, of course, we have the best."

Jihoo grinned, "only by the grace of God, JunPyo."  Jihoo untangled himself from YiJung & WooBin, pounded JunPyo on the back, and went to hug his wife who was also being fussed over by the Women.  "HaEun Umma, saranghaeyo."

Ilana leaned in fully to the hug.  It was so odd, not having HaEun in the way.  "Mmm, HaEun Appa, saranghaeyo."

 - "Sunbae, make Ilana sit down.  She should still be taking it slow and not overdoing it."

 - "Deh, because just over a week later, JanDi is taking it slow and not overdoing it."

 - "Ah...well...na have been resting a lot, now that JungHee is back in town and JunPyo is home."

JaeKyung and GaEul laughed.  "Jihoo-yah, na hear JanDi is driving the servants crazy, wanting to help out around the house," GaEul commented.

 - "Gwenchanayo, na will be home for a few weeks with anae and adul," JunPyo came over to into the conversation.  "Na will make sure she is resting well."

 - "Good luck with that one," JaeKyung said.

Suddenly the two babies playing on the blanket on the floor bonked heads and began to cry.  At least InHo was safe in his carrier.

  - "Oh no!"  GaEul and JaeKyung went running to pick up their babies.

 - "Hana gwenchana, Umma is here." JaeKyung fussed over Hana, worriedly, making sure there were no bruises, blood, or broken bones.

 - "JeongHee gwenchana...was Hana's head hard?"  GaEul chuckled as she rubbed the red spot on her daughter's forehead.

 - "InHo and HaEun will probably be knocking heads soon too," Ilana lovingly caressed her daughter's head.

While two of the Moms were re-assuring their babies, the housekeeper Ajumma appeared with Mina.  "Manhideuseyo (Eat a lot/Enjoy your meal)," the Ajumma said.  While everyone was chatting and excited about HaEun's homecoming, the Ajumma and Mina had already set the table with various dishes, including seaweed soup, galbi, radish, salad for lettuce wraps and rice.  In short, a feast.

 - "Jalmokgetsumnida!"  Everyone replied.

 - "Before we eat," Harabeoji gathered everyone's attention, "we should say a prayer of thanksgiving for our HaEun and that nae granddaughter endured it well."

 - "Deh, Harabeoji," Jihoo agreed and took Ilana's hand, while the others either joined hands or bowed their heads.

 - "Abeojim, what a joy the birth of a new little baby brings and we kansamnida for the safe delivery of this little life and ask Yesu to pour out Your special blessing upon HaEun and the whole family.  Kansamnida Abeojim for the heritage and the gift of children and the joy that they bring into the lives of so many.  Na include nae grandson and granddaughter and all the children present at this table, and we offer Yesu this new-born baby and entrust HaEun's little life into Your safe-keeping.  Guard and protect this little one and the other children, we pray. Enfold them in Yesu's love and grace and we ask that in Yesu's grace and mercy that the light of Yesu's love would shine into their little life and that one day they would come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ - in Whose name we pray,"

Everyone responded with a hearty "Amen!"

The table abounded with food, laughter, good conversation, and good friends, it could be agreed that the Yoon family's cup of blessings was running over.

About six feedings later, Ilana rolled away from the co-sleeper, barely keeping her eyes open.  She snuggled up next to Jihoo; It had been a long day and she was feeling the effects.  By the time the last of their friends left, which were HyungJun and YiHyun, about four hours later, HaEun was overdue for her feeding.  She had only nursed for half the time, during her mini photoshoot and was now quite hungry.  Ilana had a hard time nursing since HaEun was so impatient.  There was no way HaEun wanted to stop and nurse on the other side, so Ilana had to use the pump and freeze the milk for another day.  By the time she was done and stored everything away again, it was time to start all over again and eat dinner.  Things somehow ran much smoother at the hospital.  She hoped the next day would prove a little easier.  "Jalja, Sarang," Jihoo tucked his wife into his side and held her there.  She felt so small to him, without HaEun in her stomach.  It had been ages since he'd been able to hold her right up against him.

 - "Jalja, Sarang," Ilana mumbled.  She had less than two hours to get as deep a sleep as possible.

 - "Saranghae," Jihoo her hair for a few minutes, but she wasn't getting into that deep sleep.  "Sarang, eeliwah."

 - "Mmm?"  Ilana cracked open her eyes.  Jihoo pulled her to lay on top of him.  "Sarang, I'm too heavy," she tried struggling against him, but he only held her tighter and pulled her head back down to his chest.  "Jamja (sleep)," he ignored her comment.  Lack of rest could decrease her milk supply.

Ilana was too tired to fight it and it had been so long since she was able to sleep in his arms like this with his steady heartbeat under her.  "Gomawo.  Saranghae," she took a deep breath.

 - "Gomawo?"  He didn't know for what, but less than a minute later, she was sound asleep.

He her back gently, staying awake a little longer to ensure she was asleep.  "Nado saranghae," he told her.  He her cheek and was surprised to find it wet, a tear had escaped.  Concerned, he shifted her gently, to check her face for signs of pain or discomfort.  What he found was a small smile adorning her face.  "Anae, pabo," he chuckled.  He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.  It felt good to have her weight on his chest again and found that he wasn't willing to scoot her off just yet.  He fell asleep exactly in that position until the soft alarm went off, alerting his wife that it was time to wake HaEun and nurse her again. 

Our HaEun has arrived!  Phew!  That was hard work!  I had a C-section and never really felt contractions like that.