August 23, 2016

The Yoon family had been back in California for a little over two weeks.  They were received at the airport by Suzy, who'd taken the day off to welcome back her Unni, and Brendon.  Thanks to HaEun, Harabeoji decided to come with them.  Unable to part with his cute little granddaughter, he decided to stay with them in California at least until Chuseok.

 - "Unnie!!"  Suzy ran to her friend as soon as she saw her.

 - "Suzy-ah!!"  The two women came together in a crushing hug.

 - "Aww..."  Suzy crouched low.  Despite her almost five-month pregnancy, she still moved freely.  "Annyeong HaEun-ah!  Naega Imo Suzy, manasseo bongawo!  You're even prettier in person than your pictures."  She extracted her from her carrier and gave her a good look.  "Deh, you're perfect.  Ten toes and ten fingers," she gave her tummy a noisy kiss.  HaEun seemed to like this auntie, for she was all smiles.

 - "Suzy-ah, you're not even showing yet.”

 - “Deh!  My clothes don’t feel the same.  At least I’m always in scrubs at the hospital and clinic.”

Harabeoji, Brendon, and Jihoo shook their heads at the two friends.  Brendon shook Jihoo’s hand and clapped his back.  “How does it feel, dad?”

“It’s nice,” Jihoo said with a grin.  He couldn’t put into words what he felt when he saw his wife and daughter.

 Harabeoji laughed.  “Na think that’s what Jihoo Abeoji said when he was born.”

Still grinning, Jihoo headed toward his wife.  “You should try it sometime,” he teased Brendon and placed a hand around his wife’s shoulders.  “Buckle her in and Brendon and I will put the luggage in the back.  Harabeoji should also get into the van.”

 - “Deh.”  Lowering the handle of the airplane car seat, she lifted HaEun into the van.  “Beba, we’ll have to go shopping for a travel system in the next few days.”  They had left the stroller in Seoul; it would be easier to buy a second unit, then to bring it back with them.  They already come back with much more than they took.

 - “Harabeoji!!”  Suzy finally acknowledged the old man.  “Mianhaeyo, Unnie and HaEun-ah were the only people I saw.”

 - “Gwenchanayo, na forget about adul and his anae when I’m with HaEun.”  He climbed into the front seat of the van and Suzy climbed all the way in the back with HaEun.

 - “Hyeongbu is haengbohkaeyo?  Does Appa spoil HaEun-ah?”

 - “Deh!  But mainly he spoils Umma,” smiling, Ilana looked out the back of the van, to where the guys were still putting luggage away.

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the house and were greeted by wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen.  They were ahead of the traffic when they left the airport and it took them less than an hour to arrive, surprising everyone.  Nana had made tapas for the arriving party and was now getting dinner started for when JungMin and Juan Carlos arrived.

Since they walked into the house earlier than expected, Nana and Jesse were still in the kitchen.  Jesse only worked at the house three days of the week.  Now with Ilana back home, her hours would be increased.

Ilana took HaEun from Jihoo and carried her into the kitchen, with Jihoo behind her.  Nana was giving Jesse instructions and didn't hear them quietly walk in.

 Jesse turned to do Nana's bidding and ruined their surprise attack.  "Ya llegaron (They're here)!  ¡Que linda Nena (What a darling baby girl)!"

 - "Niños, llegaron pronto (kids, ¡you arrived quickly)!"  She wiped her hands on a napkin.  "¡Ay que chula (So cute)!"  Nana plucked HaEun from Mom, without even a 'hello' to her parents.  Jihoo and Ilana both smiled at each other.  "Hola nena, como paso su vuelo (Hello, baby girl, ¿how was your flight)?"  Nana treated HaEun as the young lady of the house, speaking to her formally.  HaEun wasn't sure about this woman and was getting her pouty face ready.  Nana, knowing what was coming, immediately began to bounce her while doing a little dance.  While HaEun still wasn't sure, there was something kind of nice about this woman and soon the frown on her face gave way to a smile.  "Así, así me gusta ver a mi Nena (Like that; like that, I like to see my baby girl)."

Jihoo and Ilana laughed.  "Nana, deja llevarla a que conozca su recamara (Nana, let me take her to see her room)."

  - "Ya se va tan pronto, nena (You’re leaving so soon, ¿baby girl)?"  Nana handed back HaEun to her parents.  "Ah!  La cuna está cubierta porque su gata se hizo dueña de ella (¡Oh!  The crib is covered because your cat decided to take it over)."

Ilana laughed, "HaEun-ah, let's go see if Joy took over your room."

They walked upstairs to Ilana's old room, now HaEun and evidently Joy's room.  "Joy-ah?  Nae waseyo (are you home/here)?"

 - "Goyangi!"  Jihoo called.

Joy immediately jumped out of the crib, that was covered with a sheet, and began to meow very loudly.  She went from crescendo to staccato meows, demanding to know where her parents had been all this time.  "Mianhae, Joy, we brought your dongsaeng home."  Ilana crouched low to pet her and give her some loving.  "Nana and Suzy don't take care of you?"  Joy answered with a staccato 'no'.  "Ah, Mianhae.  We won't be leaving again until December.  I promise.  Nah Joy has gotten so big.  You were just a little baby just HaEun when Appa brought you to me."  The long whiny meows had begun.

HaEun began to squirm in Jihoo's arms.  She was definitely interested in this moving, talking stuffed toy.  "HaEun-ah, want to pet goyangi?"  Jihoo crouched down to Joy's level and began to give the black cat's ears a good scratch.  Joy purred and gave a headbutt to his hand for more.

 - "Sin vergüenza (shameless).  Gwenchana, nado bogoshipo,” Ilana said.  "Joy-ah, dongsaeng choa?"  By now HaEun was rubbing her little hand on Joy's fur.  "Budeureoun (soft)?"  Jihoo asked.  HaEun giggled excitedly.  Joy didn't seem to mind and began to headbutt her so-called dongsaeng.

Ilana picked up Joy and got a 'meow' in response.  "Joy-ah, this is HaEun's bed, arraso?  You still sleep in our room or Nana's room, deh?  When HaEun's bigger, you can sleep in here, but not now, arraso?"  Joy meowed her answer.  "I hope that was 'yes'."  Ilana gave the cat a squeeze and shooed her out the door.  "Ka."  Most of the furniture was covered in white dust cloths to avoid Joy's black hair.  Not that the room wasn't spotless.  Ilana dusted herself off and took in the room; her old room.   The cream, antique-looking furniture was lovingly restored back to its original purpose.  Her bed, now a crib; her dresser, now a changing table.

The walls had a fresh coat of paint, the same white with a hint of pink that she stared at for almost twenty-five years.  The wall hangings were even the same, yet they looked brand new.  The chandelier sparkled in the sun.  The room her mother lovingly decorated for her baby girl was now her granddaughters.

Jihoo gave HaEun to his silent wife and led them to the glider.  He sat on the armrest and wrapped his arm around her.  Tears weren't falling, yet her eyes were suspiciously moist.  He knew that she had never expected to have her own baby girl in this room.  The room she never changed after growing up.  The only way to remember her parents was to keep everything the same, even if they were no longer here.  He heard her sniffle.  "Gwenchana?"

Ilana nodded her head, smiling.  "HaEun-ah is our testimony to Yesu's sarang and mercy.  Little girls grow up dreaming of their prince and children.  I never got to have those dreams.  I never thought Na would have a little one to give my room too, a nampyon to share the master bedroom with me.  In short, to have my own family in this home Papi and Mama happily made to share their dreams in.  Nomu haengbohkae, jeongmal."  Closing her eyes, she praised God:  "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

 - "Amen," Jihoo leaned his head against hers.  "Na think He has given us abundantly and exceedingly more than either of us would have ever asked for.  Let's place her in her crib so she can get used to it.  Sarang should eat a snack and then rest before dinner.  Mollah if everyone will let us sleep early tonight.

 - "They're more interested in HaEun than us.  We just need to make sure HaEun is asleep on time and they will all disperse."

After a few minutes of HaEun's cries, not wanting to be left alone in her new room, they caved and took her with them to give her a tour of the rest of the house.  While heading downstairs, they were surprised by a guest.  "Kike!"  Ilana immediately walked toward him for a hug.

 - "Manita!  Surprise!  Hola, preciosa (hello precious)," Kike took HaEun from Ilana.  "Bienvenida a la familia (welcome to the family)," he handed her back and gave Jihoo a handshake.  "We just found out a little while ago you had arrived.  We were in the pool and I couldn't coax the boys out.  We rinsed off and changed as quickly as could be managed with two one-year-olds."  Ilana waited patiently for her brother to explain who the two one-year-olds were.  "My sons, Matteo and Valentino..." he crouched down to the two little boys.  "Say hello to Tía Ilana."

This was a surprise.  She didn't understand her brother's desire to be a single parent, but the two little boys were now family.  "Hello Matteo, Hello Valentino."  She would have liked to have known of her little nephews prior to today’s meeting, but she smiled kindly at them.

 - "HaEun, these are your cousins," Jihoo smiled and shook the boy's hands.

Kike knew he was going to get scolded by his sister, so he delayed the inevitable.  "Manita, how was your flight...and with HaEun on top of it?"

Ilana was giving her brother a weary look, so Jihoo answered.  "They both did well.  HaEun nursed during takeoff and a few times in between.  Your dongsaeng slept when she was supposed to sleep, and everything was fine."  Jihoo rubbed Ilana's back, hoping she wasn't too upset at her brother for not telling them about his boys.

 - "What a relief!  From how you used to be on a flight to now being able to fly without incident.  Jihoo, thank you for coming into Ilana's life."

Ilana opened , but Jihoo answered.  "HaEun means God's mercies; she was named because it was by God's mercy that he brought your dongsaeng into my life.  It was God's mercy that healed her of her past pain, not me."

 - "Wow, you're a special little angel, aren't you?"  Kike took HaEun's hand.

"Sarang should eat something, deh?"

 - "Deh, I'm a little hungry.  Beba, let's get some food for Umma and Appa.  You haven't had Nana's cooking yet.  It's delicious!"

Ilana was all smiles and a few tears once everyone arrived home for dinner.  She greeted Juan Carlos with a tight hug and his eyes were suspiciously moist as he took HaEun and held her with a huge smile on his face.

 - "HaEun-ah!  Appa's going to be home any minute!"  Ilana had just nursed HaEun and went running down the stairs, nearly missing the bottom step, again.  She was always rushing around the house with HaEun in tow.  This time, her volumes of skirt helped make her clumsier than she already was.

Thankfully, Kike and the boys were one step ahead of her and made sure they didn't fall.  "Chica!  No por quebrarte la cabeza, va a llegar más pronto tu marido (¡Girl!  Just because you break your head, doesn't mean your husband will be home any faster)!"  Kike scolded her.

 - "I wasn't breaking my head," Ilana said.  Jihoo had just begun at the hospital again, taking out the mobile clinic.  Not as glamorous as being a department head, but it allowed him the flexibility that he needed.  It was a temporary solution and a Doctor was a doctor anywhere he practiced.  Every day that he worked, Ilana and HaEun would meet him at the door upon his return.  Today was special.  They would be having guests for dinner.  HaEun was 100 days old.  Jihoo and Ilana thought about having the 100-day celebration and baby dedication at the same time, but without the extravagance of Hana's celebration.  Tonight, they would be having a simple reunion and dinner.  As simple as it can get, with dinner for fourteen.  Sunday, they would have the dedication in front of the Church.  Ilana really wanted Godparents for HaEun.  Godparents not only in name but someone who would mentor her spiritually as well.  She just didn't know who of all their friends to pick.  They decided to leave that decision for some other time.  Right now, the only thing that mattered was praising God for their precious daughter.

 - "Sarang!"  Ilana and HaEun walked to the door right on time.  Jihoo had just pulled into the driveway.

Jihoo grinned seeing his two loves waving at him.  Yes, the whole scene was something out of a 1950's American TV series, but he loved it and wouldn't have it any other way.  "Annyeong, Sarang," he greeted his wife with a loving kiss.  "Na yeoja are nomu yippeun," he gave HaEun's barefoot a kiss.  Ilana was already wearing her modernized pink Hanbok, which is why she almost tripped on the last step. 

Jesse had appeared out of nowhere to take Jihoo's briefcase and Doctor's bag to the office.  "Thank you, Jesse."

 - "Nana, Suzy, and Harabeoji are in the kitchen," Ilana answered her husband's unspoken inquiry.  "Na tried to help earlier but was politely shown the door."

Jihoo laughed as they made their way back upstairs.  His wife was raised as the young lady of the house, only responsible for her studies.  Her cooking skills were never truly developed, and Nana was very choosy about whom she let in her kitchen.  "Sarang, let me clean up and change," deh?"

 - "Deh!!  HaEun and I will wait for you."  HaEun was laid on the bed.  Umma and she hadn't quite graduated to sleeping in separate rooms, but HaEun slept a few hours a night in her room.  It was only during the second half of the night that Ilana brought her to the co-sleeper.  The corporate office threw them a surprise baby shower where they received a second co-sleeper.  For that first week, they all slept on the quilts on the floor.  Jihoo refused to sleep without his wife for any amount of time.  He didn’t mind the floor.

Once JungMin, Juan Carlos and his family, and Pastor Jonathan (JaeRim) & his wife arrived, they all went outside to the little chapel.   "Jihoo, Ilana, we’re happy that you are back and that you brought Harabeoji as well," JaeRim bowed.  Jonathan took HaEun in his arms.  She'd been bounced around from person to person since their arrival in California.  She fussed a little, but he bounced her gently, earning her approval.  He and Sara didn't have their own children yet, but the Church kids were like their own.  "HaEun-ah, congratulations on your Baek-il.  On This 100th day of your life, we pause to thank God that he brought you safely into this world.  We thank you, Jesus, for keeping Ilana and HaEun safe through the pregnancy as well as the delivery.  We look forward to seeing your work in this sweet little child's life as she grows in a home that puts your will above all else.  Welcome, HaEun, child of love.  God is here to bless you and blessed are you, beyond telling, to be born to parents who love you and love each other.  Grow gently, in the love of God.  We bless you and pray Christ be near you, now and each hour given to us.  In Jesus name..."

Everyone responded, "Amen."  Jonathan handed Jihoo his princess.

Jihoo didn't care for speeches.  They were a necessity for the foundation, they were a necessity when he worked for the hospital, but this time, he thought it a pleasure to be the head of his household to thank Jesus for the gift of this child.  "Na was given the privilege of meeting HaEun-ah before she was born.  Twice, Yesu gave me a vision of a little girl.  Once, it was to tell me he had a plan and the second was to tell me HaEun Umma would be fine and he was watching over her.  May Yesu always watch over you and Na pray you stay constant in your faith, not like Umma and Appa.  May HaEun grow selfless and sweet like her Umma..."

Ilana had to interrupt before Jihoo closed in prayer.  "May she have all the grace and discernment that Appa has or more."

Jihoo smiled; his wife knew that he would always sing of her virtues before his own.  "In Jesus name, Amen."  Mother and Father gave their princess a kiss.  Now it was time to feast.  Both Ilana and Jihoo had tears in their eyes and this was only a small family gathering.  Once they presented HaEun at Church, Ilana was sure she would be shedding many happy tears.

Two banqueting tables were set up outside and laden with food; steaming plates of bulgogi, galbi, spicy pork, and bossam.  Other plates contained spicy green onion salad, kimchi salad, spicy cucumber salad, japche, dumplings, kimchi pancakes, and seafood pancakes and fish balls.  Add to all that, individual rice bowls, dipping sauces, pickled radish, perilla leaves for wrapping the food in and red and black bean cakes for dessert with cinnamon punch and cold plum tea to help all the delicious food settle happily in everyone's stomach.

Harabeoji gave a prayer of thanksgiving for the food and everyone followed with the traditional 'jalmokgetsumnida'.  HaEun would not be getting solids for another three weeks, but Ilana brought a cube of pickled radish to her lips to see what she would do.  "Sarang!"  Appa scolded Umma for teasing his princess.  HaEun made an appropriate sour face; much like Joy did when she got into the pickled ginger once.  "Umma is not being good to nae gongju?"  He took her from her Mother.

  - "Yeobo," Suzy grabbed Min's attention; which was difficult when he had food in front of him.  "Look at Hyeongbu...take notes."

  - " Chincha?  Yeobo doubts nae fathering skills?"

JungMin's voice always carried when he got excited.  Ilana and Jihoo looked at each other and laughed.  "Suzy-ah, no one is born being a good father.  You just have to be willing to learn on the job," Jihoo said.

 - "And everyone's training is different.  I confess I'm getting re-trained."  Juan Carlos said, making his two boys looked at each other and laugh.

 - "Papa, eres lo máximo [Dad, you're the best (to the max)]!"  Juan, Jr. fist-bumped his dad across the table.  Juan Carlos was always a loving Father, but sometimes pride and arrogance got in the way of relating to his boys.  Especially Juan, Jr.  Now that he'd gone back to the Church, his relationship with his wife and the boys was better.  It was no longer his own flawed standard that he expected his family to live by, but God's standard.

 - "JungMin, have you guys come up with a name yet?"  Ilana asked.

 - "Anieyo, we're still talking about it," he replied.

 - "Ara nampyon will pick out a good name for adul," Suzy kissed JungMin's cheek.

 - "Name him Jun!"  Ilana teased.

 - "Yah!"  JungMin complained.

 - "Aww, then Junnie Oppa really will be a baby!"

 - "Anieyo..." JungMin had his irritated face on, while Suzy and Ilana laughed at their joke.  "Valentino is a unique name, how do you come up with it?"  He asked, Kike.

 - "Valentino was born first and it means valiant.  He'll need bravery as the first-born son.  I lavish them with a lot of love and devotion, never hiring a nanny.  But there might be times where I'm busy with a commitment and they will be with a babysitter for a few hours.  I expect Valentino to watch over Matteo as the older brother."

Ilana listened intently, her brother loved his boys as much as she and Jihoo loved HaEun.  "Firstborns and only children do need a little courage to get through life's most difficult times.  Is HaEun going to be a brave girl for Umma and Appa?"

 - "Deh Umma!"  Jihoo responded as HaEun had turned to smile for her Mother.

 - "Te adoro, preciosa (I adore you, precious)!  There's so much delicious food, you'll have a treat tonight.  It's not every day Harabeoji cooks for us."

 - "Ah, hajiman Ilana Halmoni makes food masheesuhyo, Ilana doesn't need my cooking."

 - "Nana!  Harabeoji makes a wonderful fish stew!  Ay que rogarle que nos lo haga (We need to beg him to make it for us)."

 - "Por supuesto que es muy adepto en la cocina (Of course he's very adept in the kitchen).  Se me hace que el Domingo sería buen día para caldo que de pescado (I think Sunday would be a good day for fish soup).  ¿Que no muchachos (Isn’t that right, kids)?"

 - "Groemyo!"

 - "Si Nana!"

 - "Deh!"

 - "Muchachos, se me hace que tendremos que quedarnos unos días más para probar el famoso caldo del abuelo (Boys, I think we need to stay a few days longer to try Grandfather's famous soup)."  Kike put an arm around his boys.  He was glad his sister had forgiven him.  Last he spoke on the subject, he told her that he was looking into a surrogate Mother.  Not that she was already pregnant and expecting twins.  Ilana was happy and pregnant with her own child and she didn't respond to well to the idea of him becoming a single father by choice.

 - "Only God knows what you were thinking, Kike.  But the boys are here and it's not their fault for not having a Mother in their lives.  I pray that for those two boys, you find your way back to the Lord."

 - "I'm glad your faith makes you happy, but I won't be limited.  I'll find my own way and the boys will find theirs when they are older."

 - "It's not just faith, it's a relationship.  There is no other way, without Him.  I tried it my way and almost died in the attempt.  Are you going to wait until you're at death's door?  Until you're at the bottom of the pit, with no way out?"

 - "Manita, I stood by you all these years, don't make me regret it."  He hoped to distract her by teasing her.

Ilana sighed.  She had hardened her heart for over ten years.  Kike, she supposed had that right.  "Don't make the Lord wait too long for your return.  You don't want to find yourself at the bottom of the pit like I was."  She hugged him and kissed his cheek.  "Quien es tu Manita favorita (Who's your favorite Manita)?"

Kike laughed.  How many times did he ask her who her favorite brother was?  "Esta bella mujer enfrente de mi (This lovely woman in front of me).

 - "Papá, I'm stuffed!  May I be excused?"  Little Memo asked.  His older brother was still enjoying his food.

 - "Está bien, hijo."

 - "Kike...

 - "Se dice Tío Kike (You say Uncle Kike)," Gloria corrected.

 - "Tío Kike, can I play with my cousins?"

 - "If you take them to wash their hands first."  The twins had rice all over their hands, their mouths were stained with dipping sauce and kimchi pancake.  Though they liked the seafood pancake just as much, that one didn't leave evidence.

 - “Little memo is going to be the best babysitter for our jeogum mal,” Suzy said.

 - “He loves kids,” Gloria said.  “Maybe he’ll grow up to be a teacher or pediatrician.”

 - “Hopefully a pediatrician,” Juan Carlos added.

 - “Querido, deja los muchachos que encuentren su propio camino (Dear, let the boys find their own way).”

 - “I will accept whatever the Lord has in store for them.  I’ll try, at least,” Juan Carlos joked.

 - “Solo Dios sabe sus planes (Only God knows his plans),” Nana said.

 - “De verdad (So true), Nana!  Mira hasta donde me fue llevar (Look to where He sent me).”

 - “Es que mi Niña es muy caprichuda (It’s because my girl is so stubborn).”

 - “Ya no (Not anymore)!”  Jihoo coughed beside her.  “Yah, what is HaEun Appa implying?”

 - “Amugeotdoyo (nothing),” he quickly continued to eat with his perfectly cool masked face.  He couldn’t hide the hint of humor in his eyes, from his wife.

 - “Nampyon is fortunate that I love him,” she poked his leg, in which he turned to her and their gazes locked adoring each other.

 - “Juan Carlos, do you remember when we were first married, we would just stop to look at each other for no reason,” Gloria said.

 - “Yes, you kept distracting me from my studies.”

 - “Yeoja chingu are like that, Juan Carlos Hyeong, they are distracting,” JungMin joked.

 - “Yeobo is just as distracting,” Suzy remembered the two years she studied for her master’s degree.

 - “Anae didn’t protest too much.  Jeogum mal came right on time.”  He had whispered that last part in her ear.

 - “Ooohh Park JungMin!!”  She gave him a shove.  Suzy hated when he in public, knowing how quickly, she blushed.

 - “Todos los recién casados son igual (All the newlyweds are the same),” Nana pointed out.

 - “Yeah, but those two…" Brendon pointed with his chin at JungMin and Suzy.  "...have been married three years now!”  Everyone laughed at his complaining.

 - “Oppa, technically we’re still newlyweds,” Suzy defended.  “And Unnie and Hyeongbu are just as bad.”

Ilana giggled into Jihoo’s shoulder, while he retained his composure.  Only by really looking in Jihoo’s eyes, could you see the humor.

Juan Jr. arrived back at the table.  He’d been taking pictures of the entire dinner, for his Tia and Jihoo, and of his brother playing with the twins.  At fourteen, he had a knack for it, perhaps it would eventually turn into more than just a knack.  He might end up having a future as a Hyung & Hyun studios employee.  His Father might have something to say against that, but who knows what will happen in the next four to eight years.  “I think it’s cool,” he said, “When I get a girlfriend, I want her to be like Tia Ilana or Imo Suzy.”

 - “Just pray and God will find you the woman of your dreams,” his Mother said.

 - “Or the woman He knows is suited for you,” Ilana added.

 - “Imo Suzy, will you be my date for Homecoming in October?”

Suzy grinned, while Min scowled at the boy.  “Gomawo Juan Jr., but, you don’t want a date that’s thirty weeks pregnant.  By that time, that's about how far I will be and probably as a big as an elephant.”

 - "Yah!  Dongsaeng-ah, wae are you asking nae anae to your dance!"

 - "Oh yeah!  I forget!  Imo doesn't look pregnant.  Maybe a baby elephant," he laughed with Suzy.  “Hyeong!  I've told all my friends how cool she is!"

 - "¡¿Muchacho, de que hablas (boy, what are you talking about)?!"  Juan Carlos said exasperated by his oldest son’s request.

 - "¡Papa!  Mamá is cool too, but she's Mamá and all my friends know her.  Suzy is different, she worked on a cruise ship, seen celebrities, been around the world, and can kick any of my friend's butts with one hand tied behind her back!"

The table began to laugh, even JungMin.  "Aigoo Anae is daeback, deh?"  He leaned in for a few sweet kisses.

 - "¡Ya vez (You see)!"  Brendon stood.  "See what you started Juan, Jr.?"

 - "Dude!  You really need a girlfriend," Kike teased.  "There's gotta be some nice female race car drivers in your circle."

 - "I'll start taking plates to the kitchen," Brendon wanted to be out of the line of teasing fire.

 - "I think Kike is on to something..." Ilana said in a sing-song voice.

 - "Nado!"  Suzy said.

 - "Sarang, let Hyeong be.  Remember we were on the receiving end of matchmaking schemes as well."

 - "Deh..."  Ilana kept quiet but was still smiling, while Brendon made a run for it.

  - "Yah, since we have you two sitting down in one spot," JungMin said.  "When are you going to give me the green light for the classical music album, ah?"

Jihoo and Ilana looked at each other, it was one more item to add to their already busy schedules.  "Mianhae, we haven't discussed it.  HaEun has monopolized all our time," Jihoo responded.  "Na promise we'll sit down and work on it in the next few months.  Let Anae start getting more sleep and see how she does working full days again."

 - "So... maybe by November?  We can put it out for your foundation, Gala!!"  There was no stopping JungMin once he got an idea in his head.  "We can market it in Korea as well as the Public Broadcasting stations in Los Angeles.  You two can perform at the Grand Opening of 'the source at beach'.  Even though Pasadena is Seoul's sister city, this is a cross-cultural event.  People will already be there with the intent to spend money, we can take up direct donations as well as a percentage of that day’s proceeds from participating Realtors.  I'll get the team to work on that once the list is finalized."

- "Ah, it's a shame Jihoo Anae scouted this young man first.  SuAm foundation could use a go-getter like him."

 - "Harabeoji is saying I'm not good enough?"  Jihoo pretended to be angry.

 - "Aigoo Harabeoji, when we signed his contract, we didn't know he'd be such a handful," Ilana joked.

 - "Yah!  Should na dedicate myself to songwriting full time?"

Ilana pretended to think.  "Deh!"  Ilana said seriously, shocking everyone.  Then with a satisfied smile, she said:  "When you've made the salary we've paid you these last three years then I'll let you go.  Ah!  And make sure you train your successor well or Na won't let you out of your contract," she challenged him.

 - "Wau is Ilana-ssi trying to keep me or get rid of me?"

 - "Get rid of you, greomyo!"  She laughed.  "Palli!  Be a success!"

 - "Arraseo Sajangnim!"  JungMin jokingly winked and saluted her.

The table all laughed at his horsing around.  A serious JungMin was cause for concern, he wasn't JungMin if he wasn't teasing or harassing someone.  "Waaauu," Ilana said.  "How am I so fortunate to know all these famous people?  Before and after?"  She joked, but it really did boggle her mind.

 - "Jeongmal Unnie!  Na have met more celebrities since we met you?"

 - "Like who, Tía?"  Juan Jr. asked?  "Like Kike?"

Suzy smiled mischievously.  "Like Hyeongbu and his chingu."

 - "Huh?"  Juan Jr. Said, earning him a lecture from his Mother on how to properly answer an adult.

Poor Juan Jr. was left trying to figure out the elders.  Everyone was well sated with food and wine.  After the conversation and laughter died down, it was rather late.  Brendon had made short work of clearing the table and Gloria and Kike had also jumped up to help, making Nana and Jesse stay seated and enjoy the conversation.  Well past nine, the boys had school the next day, the twins should already have been asleep and HaEun's diaper was full and was getting hungry.

Ilana noticed HaEun begin to squirm in Jihoo's arms.  She'd been passed around like a hot potato all evening and hadn't been free from either her parent’s arms or the sling.  "¿Nuestra Princesa está cansada, verdad (Our princess is tired, right)?"  She held out her arms to HaEun."

 - "Deh," Jihoo said.  "She's been rubbing her face against me."

 - "Beba, vámonos (Let's go, baby girl)."  Jihoo handed her over with a kiss.  Ilana stood with HaEun in her arms.  "¡Gracias todos por venir!  Kansamnida!"  Ilana and HaEun bowed politely.

 - "Buenas noches!"

 - "Jalja!"

Ilana and HaEun waved goodbye and went upstairs, while Jihoo and JungMin rolled up the sleeves of their Jeogri (hanbok jacket).  The two, with Juan Carlos, began cleaning up what was left of the mess.  Suzy walked with Gloria and the boys to the car, but not before making sure the elders and Jesse went to rest.  They had done most of the cooking.  Kike marched his twins upstairs for a quick bath and then bed.

Ilana had removed her own Jeogri and skirt and also HaEun's finery, giving her a fresh diaper.  "¿Beba, mejor (is that better)?"

 - "¡Si (Yes) Mama!  ¡Tengo calor (I’m hot)!"

 - "Even Mama was hot.  At least HaEun wasn't wearing sleeves."  Now clean, Ilana bent to kiss the cute tummy in front of her.  HaEun wiggled happily on her changing table.  "Let's wear one of the rompers Ajussi YoungSaeng sent you, okay?"  YoungSaeng hadn't called, but he did send a postcard from Tokyo and several outfits for HaEun.  One was a baby Kimono.  "We'll have to plan a nice day out to wear the Kimono and take a picture for Ajussi."  They had spent one of their last days in the studio with HyungJun taking a formal Yoon family portrait in honor of HaEun's 100th day.  Even if it was early, they wanted it to be with Hyung & Hyun studios.  All the F4 kids also gathered that day for a group picture.  Both HyungJun and YiHyun were great with the three babies as well as InHei and JiYeong.  It took several hours and a good bit of money and patience, but the end result made it all look effortless.

Now dressed in a white onesie with little hearts on it, HaEun started to cry.  "Ya voy, ya voy (I’m coming, ¡I’m coming)!"  Ilana's traditional slip had been modernized to support feeding.  Having unsnapped the secret compartment, she sat with HaEun, in the glider and got down to business.  The crying stopped replaced by desperate .  "Beba, I'm not going anywhere, slow down."  Ilana gave an inward hiss as she felt the slight sting of pain.  "Hajimaaa, ahpayo...this won't do, agassi." Readjusting the baby quickly, before she began to cry, Ilana sighed in relief.  "Much better," she smiled and caressed HaEun's head.  "Te adoro, preciosa (I adore you, precious)."  As HaEun nursed happily, Ilana hummed softly the tune of 'Jesus Loves Me'.

HaEun had drunk her fill, making Mama happy she wouldn't need to pump.  As she burped HaEun over her shoulder, she spoke a short prayer over her:  "Watch o'er a little child tonight, Blest Savior from above, and keep me till the morning light Within Thine arms of love.  Amen."  Placing her in her crib with a kiss, she sat back in the glider to watch her fall asleep.

Ilana was half asleep herself when Jihoo came looking for her.  "Sarang, we're done," he paused at HaEun's door and saw his wife, struggling to keep her eyes open.

 - "Mianhae, Sarang, I was dozing off."

 - "Na can see that," before taking his wife to their own room, he paused by the crib.  "Jalja gongju, may Yesu watch over your sleep."  He helped Ilana up, out of the glider.  "Kaja, before she wakes up again."

 - "Deh, let me grab our hanbok’s and hang them up.  We'll need them for Sunday."

Jihoo grinned to see his wife's 'scandalous' appearance.  At least according to Joseon standards.  As soon as the door to their room was closed, Jihoo took her in his arms for a suggestive kiss.  "Sarang does know she's walking around in her undergarments," he teased when he'd somewhat had his fill.

 - "Considering the undergarments are like that of a summer dress, Sarang should have no concern."

 - "Mariya (just saying)."  When she wasn't looking he scooped her up and placed her on the bed and gave her a teasing kiss.  Disturbing Joy, who had already made herself at home amongst the pillows.

 - "Sarang!"  Ilana swatted her husband's shoulder.  "I want to clean up.  It was warm in that Hanbok."

Jihoo brushed his lips against hers, teasing her, making her anticipate his kiss.  He didn't give her the desired kiss but continued to skin with his lips traveling her jawline, then her neck and her collarbone and still no kiss.

 - "Sarang!"  She cried out impatiently and tried to take his kiss, but he pulled away with a chuckle.

 - "I'm driving the clinic tomorrow, Na don't have to be there early."  The driver for the day didn't have to help do inventory and didn't have to arrive at the hospital until eight A.M.  That meant Jihoo didn't even have to think about waking up until six forty-five.  It was currently passed ten P.M.  Even if he enjoyed his wife's company until midnight, he could still have almost seven hours of sleep.  "Kaja," he dragged her off the bed, laughing and kicking.  "Na have been stacking chairs in this jeogri for over thirty minutes.  I need to clean up too."

 - "Sarang is going to get my hair wet!"  If she washed it at this hour, HaEun would be awake and be asking for a midnight snack by the time she was done drying it.

Jihoo set her down in their bathroom, outside their tub.  Sarang can undo her braid when we get out.

Though it was late at night and they were unable to linger too long in the tub, it was a nice relaxing treat.  Washing one's body was a common everyday task, you hurry through it and get on with your day or night.  But there was something special, not to mention pleasurable about washing each other with much care and gentle caresses and tender kisses in between.

After their bath, Jihoo delighted himself with his wife.  He was so glad they were back to where they were (intimacy wise) before HaEun was born.  He made love to her after they had dried off and brushed their teeth.  It was late, and they were both a little tired from their day, but they made love without hurry, just the way they liked.

 - "Ilana-yah, Saranghae."  Jihoo was spooned with his wife and he whispered in her ear.  Somewhere in her dreams, she must have heard him, because he swore she smiled for a brief second before relaxing her face again.  He rarely spoke her name nor she, his.  It was always 'Sarang'.  She was his love and now they had a little love.  In the back of his mind, he knew it was highly possible to get her pregnant again this soon after the birth of HaEun, but he resolved not to think about it.  HaEun came when she was well ready, and he imagined their next child would too.  His fountain, as the Bible said, had already been blessed once, the day HaEun was born.  He would most definitely rejoice in the wife of his youth.  With that last thought or praise, he fell asleep.

August 28, 2016

Jihoo and Ilana chose the first service of the day to dedicate HaEun.  It was a smaller and more intimate setting and they provided the traditional one hundred rice cakes for everyone assembled.  "Jihoo and Ilana," Pastor Young, the Senior Pastor spoke.  "Do you vow to provide an atmosphere and spiritual nurturing that will incline HaEun’s heart toward the gospel and a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?”

 - "We do," Jihoo and Ilana spoke at once.

 - “Church family, do you take the responsibility to assist the Yoon family, as you teach and work with them in Sunday School, discipleship classes, choirs, and in conversations in the hallway that will encourage them in the spiritual development of their daughter, HaEun?"

 - "We do," everyone responded.

Pastor Young then huddled with the Yoon family and prayed with them for God’s protection and guidance. The prayer closed as he lay hands on HaEun and pronounced the following blessing: “By God’s power, may you be wise, be strong, be pure.”

While everyone began to clap for HaEun, Jihoo handed her to Harabeoji and received a guitar from Suzy.  The band, including Jihoo and JungMin, began to play, while Suzy and Ilana came in with the vocals.  "HaEun-ah, Appa and Umma saranghae.  Mami y Papi te aman."  Ilana closed her eyes and exhaled her usual pre-singing ritual (Music).

Into Your hand, I commit again

With All I am For You Lord

You hold my world in the palm of Your hand

And I'm Yours forever

Jesus, I believe in You

Jesus, I belong to You

You're the reason that I live

The reason that I sing with all I am

I'll walk with You wherever You go

Through tears and joy, I'll trust in You

And I will live in all of Your ways

As she sang, Ilana wished YoungSaeng was here to play for HaEun-ah.  She and Jihoo had talked about Godparents, but whom?  She was their firstborn.  Which family stood out for their HaEun.  No, it was impossible for them to decide.  The image of all their combined friends playing rock-paper-scissors for the chance at being HaEun's Godparents, nearly caused her to stop singing.  Later she would wonder why her mind had decided to wander.  It had all begun with her thinking of YoungSaeng.

At the end of service, HaEun-ah received more congratulations from the congregation.  Ilana had had an idea after HaEun's mini hundredth-day dinner and Jihoo thought the idea had merit and was worth acting on.  Now all they had to do was bring it before the Pastors.  "JaeRim Moksah-nim," Jihoo called to the worship pastor while his wife was busy soliciting help from JaeRim's wife, SoEun and the other ladies.

 - "Jihoo can call me Pastor Jonathon like all the kids do," he said.  "Is your tongue not back yet, from Seoul?"

 - "No, I don't think it is," he smiled.

 - "What can I do for you?"

 - "Anae has had an idea.  With Chuseok only three weeks away and many of the families here are Korean and unable to travel home, we thought of providing a Chuseok celebration for the church.  Anae, and now I, see this Church as well as Victor Moksah's Church as an extension of our family.  Without Yesu's guidance through Victor Moksah and yourself, Anae and I would not have been rejoined, much less married and had HaEun.  Instead of the Church families, either not celebrating or having just a small celebration at home, we'd like it if we could all celebrate together as a Church family."

 - "I like the idea!  Thank you, guys."

 - "I believe Anae is already enlisting help."

 - "I'll inform Pastor Young and get back to you on what date."

 - "Moksah-nim, Kansamnida."

 - "Thank you two and congratulations on HaEun again."

Pastor Jonathon watched Jihoo walk away with a smile on his face.  Little did he know the day he and his wife set out for a leisurely hike, he would meet a young woman in such dire need for good news of the Savior.  Not only was she soon restored to a rightful relationship with God, he felt blessed just to know her and Jihoo and little HaEun.  Had he not obeyed the Lord’s voice and hurried to her side, what could have happened?

 - “Honey?  Did you hear what the Lord laid on Ilana’s heart?”  Sarah, Jonathon’s wife, came upside him.

 - “Yes, it’s daeback.”

 - “Their family is such a blessing.  I’m so glad to see them again.”

 - “Yes, I was thinking the same thing.  I look forward to seeing what God does in their lives.  Should we get ready for the next service?”

 - “Yes!  I’m helping in Children’s ministry today,” she gave her husband a kiss on the cheek and ran off.

Pastor Jonathon smiled as his thoughts turned to the idea of a Chuseok celebration with the entire Church body.  It was safe to say, he was excited about it.  “Kansamnida Yesu!”  He walked off to get ready for the next service.