Chukahae to Angie818:  the winner of the title contest for Chapter 125.  She suggested Daddy’s Princess and jealousies and I adapted it just a little to Appa’s Princess and Jealous Nampyon.  I hope she doesn’t mind.  Angelmano suggested Tick Tock, which I found very suitable for this chapter and borrowed it to make Tick Tock:  Three Years Have Passed.  Enjoy!

YoungSaeng readied himself for his birthday celebration at Brick Oven New York Pizza in Gangnam.  This was a first for him.  He’d heard of it but never experienced the restaurant himself.  It was odd that they were going to a New York Pizza place when New York kept coming to mind.  It was nerves.  He just didn’t know how to face Ilana after all this time.  He still cared for her a lot.  He was certain there would never be a day that he didn’t but his affection toward her was different.  Like he told his Father, he still cared if she was happy and smiling, but it was no longer that stubborn need to be the one that was the cause of her happiness.  He knew she had someone who made her exceedingly happy and he was at peace.  The problem was he neglected his promises to always be her Oppa.  If only he’d been able to sort out his heart, sooner.  But it took his love and affection for Mina to help him realize this was not the same.  He thought it was just Ilana’s circumstances that gave him no desire to try to kiss her as a man would.  He was content to hold her hand, embrace her, and kiss her cheek and forehead.  But with Mina…"God help me, I can’t keep my lips or hands off her…”  He told his reflection.

The guys had already given him an earful the night before.  In honor of JungMin’s arrival and a pre-birthday celebration with just the guys, they started off their evening at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon for a lot of beer and spicy wings as that was the evening’s specialty.

 - “Guys!”  JungMin, being the loud mouth, said.  “Saengie-yah and I have been out of the country and you bring us for American food?”

 - “It’s fried; gwenchana!”  YoungSaeng said.  “Naega officially on vacation.”  Eric kept him in line and in shape, when he wasn’t being sequestered by the other guys.  The American junk food, tasted heavenly.

The guys laughed.  “Deh, look at how slim he is…and are those muscles?”  JungMin squeezed his upper arm.

 - “Yah!”  YoungSaeng shoved him off.

 - “This place is daeback!”

 - “That’s because it was your idea,” KyuJong ruffled HyungJun’s hair like a kid.

 - “Maknae, what’s with the pink hair?”  JungMin didn't miss a chance to knock his buddy down.

 - "It's champagne and not that different from Saengie’s and you're not harassing him!"

 YoungSaeng's hair was platinum at the moment.  "He gets paid to look like that, you don't!"

HyungJun scowled and YoungSaeng smiled into his beer.  He'd missed these guys.

 - "If only Sunbae were here, it would be like old times."  KyuJong echoed YoungSaeng's thoughts.

 - "We would have been on our second round by now," YoungSaeng said.

 - "Mal has to work tomorrow," Maknae taunted.

 - "Na have a meeting late morning with Ha JaeKyung-ssi.  I'll duck into Ilana's office and sleep."  Not that hyper mal would sleep.

 - "Don't rearrange the office furniture and irritate Mina-ssi again," KyuJong said.

 - "Did she say that?  The yeoja helped!"

 - "She told Emily and Emily told me."

 - "Mollah!"

No one noticed the little smirk on YoungSaeng's face at the mention of his girlfriend's name.  He'd tell his friend not to irritate her, but she could hold her own against him anytime.

 - "How's jogeum princess?  Bogoshipo!  Nomu cute!  Na want a dtal just like her!" Maknae missed the cute little baby.

 - "Deh, she has everyone wrapped around her little finger. Anae likes to go visit her anytime she can."

 - "Na can't wait until they come back.  Though all their friend’s babies are cute too...hajiman HaEun-ah is jjang!"

 - "Maknae will say that about all the babies," KyuJong smacked his shoulder.

 - "Ani, ani, HaEun-ah will always be my favorite."

 - "Yah!  Nae jeogum mal better be your favorite."

 - "Ah deh...he can't help who his abeoji is."

 - "Oooohhhh!"  YoungSaeng and KyuJong both shouted.

JungMin stood and placed his friend in a headlock, making sure to leave his hair a complete disaster.  HyungJun was shouting the entire time.

 - "JungMin-ah!!"  YoungSaeng tried to break it up.  "Leave him alone, he'll go home crying to So YiHyun-ssi."

 - "Maja!"  KyuJong agreed.

 - "Anieyo!  Na will call his anae."  HyungJun grinned maliciously.  "She'll kick your !"

 - "Why you little...leave anae out of this!"

HyungJun stuck his tongue out at his friend.

 - "You two are going to be Harabeoji-deul and still arguing like Tom and Jerry," KyuJong said.

 - "Deh, but it's sure fun to sit back and watch."  YoungSaeng leaned back, having a drink of his beer.

JungMin tskd at his brothers.  "Yah!  We haven't even finished this round.  Sunbae would not be happy with us, right now.  Pali, let’s finish...Hana...dol... set!  Gombae!"  The four pounded their beer.

KyuJong, already buzzed after one beer said:  "Let's take a picture for Sunbae.  It will let him know we're thinking of him."

 - "Arraso, let me set the timer on the phone."  After a few minutes of blundering, confusion, and arguing, they finally got the timer set.  "I told you...'click'" the shutter released.

 - "You're a professional photographer and can't set the camera timer on a phone?"  JungMin, Mr. Perfectionist, grumbled.

 - "Na must have set it too soon," HyungJun gave them more time.  It didn't help that he was a little buzzed.  "Arraso, na set it for a little longer.  Hana...Dol... Set!"  He counted off with his fingers and they all froze for what seemed like an eternity.

KyuJong was the first to move.  "Maknae, I thought you set the timer?"  When he reached for the phone, the shutter released.

 - "Maknae!"  YoungSaeng began to grumble.  "You set it too long this time."

 - "Deh, deh...ara what na did wrong this time.  Anyway, third time's the charm," he reset the time.  "Ready?  Hana...Dol... Set!  Kimchi!"  This time all four got their faces into the picture.  "Aish!  Saengie Hyeong had his eyes closed.  JungMin-ah, looks like he's blowing kisses."  HyungJun laughed, "won't hyeongsu-nim (older brother’s wife) be upset with you flirting with Mal?"

 - "Yah!  Na was not blowing kisses.  Take it again."

HyungJun was successfully keeping the phone away from JungMin.  "Ani, na want to send this one!"  Sticking his tongue out, he ran off to send the picture to HyunJoong and Suzy.

KyuJong held on to JungMin before he chased after their friend.  "Leave him alone.  At least Sunbae will get a good laugh and will distract him from life on the border and that yeoja."

 - "Maja..." JungMin grumbled just a bit.

A minute later, HyungJun sauntered back to the table wearing a huge smile.  JungMin glared at him but otherwise ignored him.

  - "Yah, YoungSaeng-ah hasn't told us where he's going on vacation?"  JungMin looked to his friend for a reply.

YoungSaeng nervously took a drink of his beer, forgetting the mug was empty and the next round hadn't arrived yet.  "The states," He mumbled, then bit his lip and toyed with the mug.

 - "The states?!"  HyungJun was getting himself excited.  "With whom?"

 - "A chingu from the agency," he thankfully was prepared for that question.  It wasn't a lie; Mina is a friend and unofficially affiliated with the agency.  Even if it wasn't a complete lie; it still made him uneasy in front of his friends.

  KyuJong addressed his friend very tenderly and in a caring manner that was typical only to him.  "Hyeong...will you see Ilana?"

 - "It would serve you right if she never wanted to see you again."  Maknae's approach was the complete opposite.

The second round of alcohol had arrived and YoungSaeng hadn't responded to either KyuJong or HyungJun.  JungMin watched his friend take a few gulps of the golden liquid.  "You're not planning on just showing up on her doorstep, are you?"

Instead of the amused look JungMin was giving him and the annoyed look HyungJun was giving him, he looked right at the worried eyes of KyuJong.  "Aish!  Mollah!"  He poured a shot of soju for each of them and dropped it in their beer.  "Drink!"  Giving his friends an order, he drank almost half his glass before stopping.  The others did about the same or more.  KyuJong was the most cautious.  He couldn't show up to work with a hangover.

 - "Jeongmal, what are you planning?"  JungMin was extremely curious as to how his friend would get himself out of this mess.

 - "Mollah," he said quietly.  "Na have finally gotten to the point where Na can be her Oppa again and mean it, but eottoke?  Maknae is right; JungMin is right; mollah?"  The fact that he would be showing up with Mina, made him think she would hate him even more.  "Jagi, wae couldn't Na have fallen head over heels for you at the wedding?"  He sent her a mental text.

 - "If Hyeong was Ilana, how would you like to be approached?"

 - "Forget about even approaching Ilana before you talk to Jihoo," JungMin was actually being practical for a change.  "Mwo?!"  The others stared at him, skeptically.  "Jeongmal!  Na wouldn't want you coming to nae anae, chingu or not.  Not only did you love his anae hajiman you also ended your friendship and gave her the cold shoulder for over two years?  A few gifts to their dtal are not going to make up for it.  Get ready to be covered in salt (wards off evil spirits). “

 - "Na will be the first one to dump a bowl of salt over his head!"  HyungJun raised his hand to volunteer.

 - "JungMin actually has a point," KyuJong said.  "Hyeong hasn't been her Oppa in a long time and she's married, now.  Thankfully Jihoo Uissa-nim and Ilana are more forgiving than Maknae (Maknae grinned, unashamedly), hajiman you'll have to approach Uissa first.  He was there to keep her from having an anxiety attack when you left for the army without saying goodbye.  The gifts you've sent to HaEun probably seem like a cop-out."

 - "Ara...ara!  Na wasn't ready.  Now I am."

 - "No offense dude, but that's really selfish," JungMin said.

 - "Hyeong," KyuJong said.  "Just approach Uissa with a sincere heart.  Not only are you the guy who loved his wife, even though she was getting married, but you also hurt her with your withdrawal."

 - "You'll just have to beg," snickered HyungJun.

 - "Maknae!"  KyuJong flicked his younger friend's forehead in exasperation.

 - "Arraso...I'll call Uissa when we get into town and arrange a meeting."

YoungSaeng arranged his hair to perfection as he pondered his situation.  In all likelihood, Ilana's husband would turn him away with a slammed door in his face.  He wanted to be angry at the idea.  After all, wasn't he the one who was there for her first?  They all were, actually, but that was beside the point.  The wounded pride, he didn't even know he had, began to make itself known.  Satisfied with his hair, he walked back to the closet and grabbed his black blazer.

He looked in the mirror once more.  He not only had to look his best as an idol but also for his girlfriend.  He was about to go down to his manager's office when Eric beat him to it and knocked on the door.

 - "Ready?"  Eric said, as soon as YoungSaeng opened the door.

 - "Deh Hyeong."

 - "Choa, your coordi's are waiting for you downstairs."

YoungSaeng was quieter than usual during the car ride to the restaurant.  He kept thinking of the trip and everything he had to do.  Despite the volume of alcohol, the night before, he hadn't slept.  Even now, he was tired but the second he closed his eyes, he thought of Ilana.  Maybe he'd just write a letter to Dr. Jihoo and Ilana.  He had sent YoungSaeng a letter when they were about to get married.  Jihoo told him he knew how he felt and that he'd been in his same shoes.

 "I never thought I'd love again..."

He remembered that part of the letter.  He too thought he'd die loving Ilana.  Had it not been for Mina, he'd still be confused.  He wondered if Jihoo would be as generous with him this time around.  "Hell, I wouldn't..."

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi?"  The makeup coordi, sitting next to him, was startled at his mumbling.

YoungSaeng had been so wrapped up in his thoughts; he didn't realize he's spoken out loud.  "Noona, Mianhae.  Na was thinking of all the things I have to do tonight."

 - "YoungSaeng-ah, don't tell me you're leaving on a two-week vacation tomorrow afternoon and you're not packed yet?"  Eric called from the driver's seat.

 - "Maja...na haven't really unpacked from the tour."

Eric laughed.  "Chincha...sometimes that will be the norm.  You'll be home from one tour for a few days and then go off to another.  It's good to get used to living that way.  The first year or two of your career is the most difficult hajiman YoungSaeng is doing well.  You have two albums out in six months and both are charting well.  You've done a musical, you're endorsing a clothing store and now we'll shop around for a drama.  When you return from vacation, we'll set you up with an acting coach."

 - "Deh, hyeong."

The Noona next to him leaned over to whisper in his ear.  "YoungSaeng's yeoja chingu must be so proud to have such a yippeun and talented namja."

 - "Noona!"  He couldn't help blush.  This was the Noona that was always teasing him about Mina.

 - "Leave our boy alone," Eric scolded.

 - "Oppa!  Naega having a little fun with him." 

 - "YoungSaeng is easy to tease because he doesn't say anything, just keeps quiet," his other coordi said.

YoungSaeng laughed.  At least they distracted him from his thoughts for a while.

JungMin and Mina were en route to the restaurant.  While Mina's brain was already on vacation, JungMin's was still on work.  "The meeting with Ha JaeKyung-ssi went well, don't you think?  If you think of anything else you need us to focus on, just send me an email.  I'll get right on it."

Mina stared out the window, thinking of the confrontation with her parents and then Ilana.  The meeting with her parents should go over well.  "That's why you haven't told them, you're bringing him?"  Her conscience pricked.  Then there was Ilana.  She knew nothing about Ilana's feelings toward YoungSaeng, except for the two outbursts she witnessed.  One at the baby shower and two when JungMin's wife was speaking to him on the phone.  Mina supposed she'd be hurt and a lot angry if her best friend just stopped talking to her simply because she was now happily married.  Yes, YoungSaeng had his reasons, but he should never have made a promise he couldn't keep.  It would have been better if he'd told her he could no longer be her friend or a part of her life.  If they met at a gathering of friends, such as the double wedding coming up, they could still treat each other cordially and exchange ‘how have you been‘s’ without having to be the close friends they were before.

JungMin waited patiently for Mina to answer as she was still lost in her own world.  "Yah!"  He snapped his fingers to the side of her face.

That brought Mina back to the present; she glared at her underling.  "Excuse me?  You did not just snap in my face."

 - "I snapped to the side of your face," he shrugged.  "I was talking to you and you were on another planet."

 - "Mr. Park...did you forget that I'm your V.P.?"

 - "My V.P. is Antonio Sunbae and remember, Na take care of your duties when you're out.  So technically we're on the same level."  Mina shook her head in annoyance.  "We're not in the office right now and we can relax the formalities, Sunbae."  He smiled confidently.

Mina wanted to ring his neck.  "How does your wife handle you?"

 - "Very well, thank you.  Anyway, I'm confident we'll do well in screening the design team applicants while you're gone and you can take the final interviews on your return.  Just email me and let me know if there are any other requirements you are looking for."

 - "If I think of something, I'll let you know.  But really...I plan to be off the grid."

A thought suddenly popped into JungMin’s head.  "You're going home, right?"

 - "Right..."

 - "YoungSaeng is also flying out to the states tomorrow.  Are you guys on the same flight?"

 - "I-I don't know?"  Mina swallowed nervously.   JungMin would blow everything if he found out.

 - "Girl, we need to find out!  If you're both going to L.A., you can keep him company.  I'm guessing you'll be in at least business class and Saengie too."  Mina just kept quiet.  In her small experience with JungMin, he liked to hear himself talk and be the center of attention.  So, she just had to pretend she was listening to him.  "You should go with him to visit Ilana."

 - "What?!"  She looked at him in surprise.

 - "You know...run interference for him.  Make sure Jihoo doesn't kill him first."

Mina laughed.  "He wouldn't do that..."  At least she didn't think he would.

 - "I would!"

 - "Thankfully you aren't Jihoo...and I'm fluent in Korean, why are you talking to me in English?"

 - "Habit.  We speak Kor-glish with Ilana and Jihoo back home.  I speak English all day at work, except when I'm out on the field cold calling in Koreatown and other pockets where Koreans live.  Just wait until you go home, your parents aren't going to understand you."

 - "That's true.  I find myself Facebooking or texting more often, so I can think slower.  All my languages get jumbled."

 - "Suzy and I both speak Mandarin, but don't get to practice anymore.  Oh!  I can speak Japanese with you!"

 - "I was in Japan not that long ago and it felt odd to speak..."  Mina stopped suddenly, hoping he didn't notice that she said she had been in Japan.  Technically it had only been a few days off and the girls were able to keep everything under control at that time.  They hadn't needed to call JungMin to help.

 - "Really?  Too bad you weren't there when Hyeong was doing his musical."

 - "Mmm..."  Thankfully her autographed souvenir program was at home and not in the office.

 - "Ah, the restaurant will be coming up."  They got out of the cab, JungMin paid, though Mina was getting ready to herself.  "I can just expense report it."

Mina rolled her eyes and laughed.  "You're terrible."

 - "I gotta put something on the expense report, I'm staying at my parents and my meals are free."

 - "Take the girls out to lunch next week."

JungMin stopped before the door of the restaurant.  "Yah...are you sure there's nothing between YoungSaeng and you?"

 - "Anieyo..."  Nothing that she could tell him yet, at least.

 - "Ah, so you let any namja call you jagiya?"

 - "I'm only jagiya when he wants something."  That was still the truth.  Of course, she wouldn't mention what he wanted were kisses.

 - "Maybe it's because he wants, you," JungMin winked and held the door open for her.

When they walked in, they were greeted by a room full of people.  The birthday boy had already arrived and his manager and coordi's, whom Mina greeted warmly.  "Ryu ChaeWon-ssi, Ban JiAe-ssi, annyeong hasseyo!"

 - "Mina-yah!  Wau!  Yippeun!"  Ban JiAe oversaw most of YoungSaeng's wardrobe on the road.  She fawned over Mina's light blue dress and jacket covered with three-dimensional flowers..

 - "Deh!"  Ryu ChaeWon agreed.  "YoungSaeng-ah, your marketing director is dressed to kill, deh?"

 - "Deh!"  YoungSaeng tried to laugh it off and gave his Noona's a silent message telling them to knock it off.

 - "Ah!  This is YoungSaeng's marketing director?  Kim Dowan inmnida, Mannasuh bangapseumnida."  He bowed before Mina.  "Mina-ssi, how much can I pay you to do the marketing for me too?"

 - "I think it's fair she does my marketing since we're both for L.A.  I'm Nathan, by the way."   Nathan Seunghyun Lee was also from TAKE; just like Dowan and he liked speaking in English.

YoungSaeng was going to kill his Sunbae-deul.  "Mianhaeyo Sunbae, Mina-ssi is only doing me a favor since she is chingu."

 - "Mina-ssi can be our chingu too," said Nathan.

Mina laughed at the guys, but YoungSaeng wanted to choke them.  "Yah, Nathan, stop flirting, you're married."

 - "I'm just being nice!"

 - "When your president officially signs the contract with ILC Group, I'll be more than happy to take on marketing assignments for the both of you.  Majayo, Eric-ssi?"

 - "Greomyo!  Mina-ssi has been daeback with our newest CI member."

 - "Mina-ssi!!  Stop flirting with Hyeong and his chingu and give me a hug!"  Maknae was feeling left out.

 - "Jun Oppa!  After na greet your yeoja chingu."

 - "Arraso!"  HyungJun mock pouted.

 YiHyun, Mina, and Emily came together in a tangled hug and laughter.  "Yah!  It's been forever!"  Emily complained.

 - "Your namja chingu is out of the service.  He needs you more than I do," Mina said.

 - "Mina-ssi, don't mind me.  I get to work with her most of the time."  KyuJong gave Mina's shoulder a friendly pat.

 - "Deh!  Anytime Mina-yah wants to get together with YiHyun-ah, we'll be more than happy to get together."  Maknae joked.

 - "Junnie!"  YiHyun laughed at her cute possessive fiancé.  "You see me all day!"

 - "That's not enough!"  He took his girlfriend by the waist, staring at her adoringly.

YoungSaeng decided to break it up, if he couldn't hold his girlfriend, then his friends couldn't hold theirs either.  "Yah!  It's my birthday!"

 - "Ah, deh!  We brought birthday hats," Maknae and YiHyun began passing out hats.  The restaurant was cozy and made up to look like an authentic NY pizzeria.  It was two stories, with a brick facade, murals of New York covering the walls and seating on both floors.  Eric reserved two long tables for twenty people on the upstairs floor.  He wanted as much privacy as possible, with several idols, definitively attending and a few maybes.

They were about to sit down when a few more idols came, U-kiss's Kevin and Sungje from Supernova.  They had both participated in the musical with YoungSaeng.

 - "Mianhae, we're late!"  Kevin shouted out.  "Saengil chukahae!"  He pounded YoungSaeng on the back.

 - "Kansamnida!"  YoungSaeng said.  "Mansasseh bangawo; Sungjae too.  Eottoke jinaseyo?"

 - "Jaljinaseyo," Sungjae replied.

 - "Na will introduce you to nae chingu:  Kim KyuJong, Kim HyungJun inmnida, and their Yeojachingu…Kevin and Sungjae inmnida.  Next is Park JungMin, he wrote half the songs on my album."

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, if you're looking for a songwriter, let me know."  JungMin handed them both his business card.  "Kansamnida."

 - "Deh!"

YoungSaeng continued the introductions:  "Nae manager, Soon Eric and my coordi's Ryu ChaeWon, Ban JiAe and nae marketing director, Rodriguez Mina."

 - "We know Mina-ssi!" Sungjae almost gave it away, making YoungSaeng extremely nervous.  "Gandromeda!"

 - "Gandromeda?!"  Maknae shouted.  "That's how she looks familiar!  Wae have I never noticed!  KyuJong-ah!  We used to play that all the time on the ship!  Wau!"

 The ladies were looking at the boys like they'd suddenly gone crazy. "Anieyo...never mind," Mina told them.

  - "Mina-ssi, if you ever need a namja for another modeling gig, look me up." It was Kevin that had spoken.

Mina smiled at him, even though she noticed the hard frown on her boyfriend’s face.  "Na only do work for Shim Kyutai, so you'll have to get in his good graces first."

 - "Na will have my manager, contact him directly."

 - "Nado!"  Sungjae seconded.

YoungSaeng's frown deepened by the second.  "Na didn't know our Mina-ssi had her own fan club, did you?"  Eric couldn't help digging into YoungSaeng.

 - "Deh...uh, it's getting late, we should eat.  Na chingu and Mina-ssi will have to get back to work."

 - "Gwenchana..." KyuJong said.  "We can take our time."

 - "We don't have any appointments until the evening," HyungJun said.

 - "Na Bu-sajang is right here," JungMin shrugged.

 - "Mina-ssi, sit by me," Nathan said.  "Na want to hear about your life in Los Angeles."

 - "Anieyo...she should sit by me," Kevin said.

 - "Namja!"  Eric broke up the squabble.  "Mina-ssi will sit by me; it's obvious you don't know how to act around a beautiful yeoja."  He took a seat out and Mina sat gracefully.  The two coordi's took up seats next to her and YoungSaeng had no choice but to sit next to Eric.  Mina couldn't help sneaking a glance at her pouting boyfriend.  All his idol friends were conspiring to .  Sometimes she wondered if Eric knew she and YoungSaeng were dating.  It felt like he was teasing them as well and he had readily gone along with her surprise in Japan.

Soon, food and drink began to appear on the table.  "Let's toast to YoungSaeng-ah!  Gombae!!"  Eric raised his beer, and everyone began clinking their beer mugs.  "YoungSaeng-ah, where will you be heading on your vacation?"

 - "To the states...there's a chingu, Na have put off seeing for a while..." he said with a small smile.

 - "Yah, you don't sound happy to see this chingu," Kevin said.

YoungSaeng tried to laugh.  "Na have really about keeping in touch.  If Na chingu throws salt at me, I won't be surprised."

 - "I hope you get a kick in the ," Maknae mumbled, receiving a 'be nice' look from his fiancé.

 - "YoungSaeng-ah, chingu need to be taken care of and you'll have that chingu always."

 - "Deh, Hyeong.  Na will remember that from now on."

 - "Gwenchana...everything will turn out well," KyuJong assured.

Everyone began to dig into the pizza and sounds of appreciation were immediately heard.  YoungSaeng, KyuJong, JungMin, and Maknae, who all have traveled the world, nodded their heads in appreciation.  "Na have never been here," Maknae said.  "This is real pizza."

 - "Deh, it gets very busy, Na was fortunate to have made the reservations early.  Not to mention that they usually accommodate idols."

 - "Mmm, this is good.  Though you can get most western foods here in Seoul, not everything is the same.  Naega looking forward to going home and indulging.  Then the second I return you'll find me in the gym suffering the consequences of nae indulgence."

 - "Ara!"  Emily said.  "When I'm working in the mobile clinic, there are usually all kinds of delicious food stands around us.  Na have a wedding dress to fit into in under two months!"

 - "Is nah hubae going to sing at the wedding?"  Kim Dowan asked.

 - "Greomyo!"  So YiHyun said with enthusiasm.  "All the namja will.  They are daeback when it comes to singing."

 - "Deh...the first time Na ever met them all was at a wedding," Mina said.  "Na thought they were all idols."

 - "Chinchayo?"  Eric said.  "Perhaps one day, you'll join your chingu in the entertainment business?"

 - "Mollah..." KyuJong and HyungJun looked at each other laughing.  The idea was appealing, but for now, they were focusing on their current careers and future wives.

 - "Na don't think I'd like to share Kim HyungJun with millions of other yeoja," YiHyun said.

 - "Awww, YiHyun-ah is the only one for me," he squeezed her hand under the table.

YoungSaeng cleared his throat, "Maknae...pass me a slice of the Hawaiian pizza by you."

 - "Hyeong is just jealous...," HyungJun mumbled.  Mina couldn't help laughing.  "See Mina-ssi agrees with me."  He was already sliding the pizza slice onto YoungSaeng's plate.

 - "Yah!  Leave me out of this," Mina waved her hands in dismissal.

 - "Waeyo?  Nae Hubae is very successful with yeoja and doesn’t need to be jealous.”  Kim Dowan was receiving a death glare from his hubae.

 - “Chinchayo?”  JungMin jumped in. “He must have learned a few things toward the end of his military service.”

 - “Majayo...YoungSaeng-ssi is often getting phone calls and texts,” Ryu ChaeWon said.

 - “He received a mysterious gift, from an admirer, in Japan.  Hokshina she became his yeojachingu,” Ban JiAe picked up where her partner left off.  YoungSaeng buried his face in his beer, avoiding the teasing and hiding his blushing cheeks.

 - “Deh, deh...all na ask is you be discreet,” Eric said.  “At your age, na can’t ask you to be a saint.”

Mina was taking a sip of her beer and began to choke.  “Mina!  Gwenchana?”  Ban JiAe began to pound her back.

Trying to get air back into her lungs, she managed to nod and croak out “deh.”  The idea of YoungSaeng as a saint made her laugh while she was taking a drink.  Not the best combination of activities.

 - “Hwagsiliya (Are you sure)?”  KyuJong asked with concern.  “Mina-ssi’s face is completely red.”

YoungSaeng was also openly concerned.  “Na will get water from the waitress.”

 - “Gwenchana, let her cough it out,” KyuJong said with his expertise.

JungMin was observing Mina’s torment.  “Mina-ssi doesn’t think nae chingu is a saint!”  Laughter and clinking of glasses erupted around the table.

 - “Hokshina, she knows something we don’t,” Nathan said.

 - “Mina-ssi, tell us the truth.  Behind that innocent face is a scoundrel,” Kevin said.

Mina couldn’t help it, she giggled uncontrollably behind her hand.  It couldn’t be the half beer she’d drank.  YoungSaeng was amused.  “Mina-yang is drunk already.”

 - “Anieyo!  Anieyo!”  She tried reigning in her laughter.  “You guys are making me laugh!”

 - “Mina must have some juicy story on YoungSaeng to make her react that way,” Emily said.

 - “Omo!! Emily, stop!!”  Mina began to laugh again.

 - “Oooh!  Tell us the juicy story,” HyungJun repeated Emily’s words.  “Mina has spent the entire day out with him.  What was he like?”

Mina wondered if she should boyfriend a little.  “YoungSaeng-ssi is a terrible flirt!”

 - “Mwo?  When did I?”

 -”I’m just kidding...YoungSaeng-ssi is an angel...most of the time.”

 - “Mina-ssi is lying!”  HyungJun accused.

 - “Yah...Mina-yang said na was an angel!”  YoungSaeng stuck his tongue out at his younger friend.

 - “That’s because she’s drunk!”

The coordi’s were laughing just as hard by now.  “Deh!  YoungSaeng-ssi is an angel!  Na have done his hair how many times now and I’ve never seen horns.”

 - “That’s because they’re removable!”  Mina couldn’t resist.

 - “Yah!”  YoungSaeng shouted above the laughter, even though he too was laughing.  “Mina-yang is so cruel...na thought we were chingu.”

 - “Jwosongmnida!  It’s tradition to roast...um...good-naturedly ridicule the honoree.”

 - “Gwenchanayo, you can torture her on the plane to L.A,” JungMin said, making YoungSaeng immediately look at his girlfriend in alarm.  She signaled back with a quick nod.  “Have you two compared flights yet?”

 - “A-anieyo...na will be leaving in the afternoon,” Mina said.

 - “Ah...Na have to check what time, hajiman Na did make arrangements for the afternoon.  Na wanted to sleep; L.A. will be there still at whatever time Na arrive.

They took a short break from teasing to drink and eat some more.  The conversation became a little more amicable and everyone began to drill YoungSaeng on his vacation plans.  Where he was staying, what he was planning on doing, etc.

 - “Na will be staying somewhere by the beach.  We don’t have a plan...just take it day by day.  We did talk about going to Disneyland in honor of my birthday.”

 - “YoungSaengie-ah!  You’re so lucky!”  YiHyun had been wanting to return to Disneyland since their trip after Ilana’s wedding.  A thought occurred to her.  "Junnie..." she gave him her aegyo.  "We haven't planned our honeymoon...?"

 - "Guerae...if that's where Hyunnie wants to honeymoon, that's where we'll go."

YiHyun happily wrapped her arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder.  While still in that position, he fed her from the pizza slice on his plate.

 - "Yah!!"  YoungSaeng complained to the couple.  "Do that on your own time!"

 - "What this?"  KyuJong gave Emily a quick kiss on the cheek.

 - "Ah, this?"  Nathan turned to Dowan and jokingly planted a kiss on his cheek.  Dowan shoved him off, knocking him into Eric and Erick pushed him back to Dowan.

 - "Na chingu needs a yeoja," JungMin said.  "Mina-ssi is single, cute and successful."

 - "Deh!  they look cute together," Sungjae said.

 - "Na wanted to take Mina-ssi for myself!"  Kevin added.      

Mina had drunk too much beer and laughed too hard.  "Jankamanyo," she excused herself from the table.

 - "Should na start the bidding for your hand while you're away?"

 - "Park JungMin!  Na will tell your anae!"

 - "Gwenchana."

 - "Knock it off!"  YoungSaeng scolded as soon as Mina was gone.  "You're embarrassing her."

 - "Mina is a good sport.  She grew up with all namja, has she told you?"

 - "Still," he mumbled.  He wanted so much to go after her and hold her like all the other couples do but he had to wait.  He was an idol now and no longer in complete control of his life, also he had to tell Ilana before the rest of his friends.  As for his new friends, they wouldn't say anything...he hoped.

 - "Jongie...the restaurant looks cool; can we walk around and look at pictures?"  Emily asked.

 - "Let me shove this slice of pizza in my mouth and I'll go too," Min replied.

 - "Anyone else?"  KyuJong asked.

 - "We've been here," said one of the idols.  "Go on and walk around.  It's really cool."

 - "I'll go too!"  YoungSaeng said.  He thought he could maybe have his girlfriend by his side for a few minutes.

 - "Wau!  These pictures are so cool!"  YiHyun said as they walked around the restaurant looking at both classic and modern pictures of New York City.

 - "It's breathtaking in person too."

 - "That's right, you guys spent a few days there," Emily said, looking at a picture of the Central Park carousel.

 - "Deh!  We rode on the carousel with princess."

 - "Don't you ever get tired of calling her that?"  YoungSaeng grumbled at HyungJun, only because guilt was eating him.

 - "Anieyo...didn't she turn out to be a runaway princess, just like na thought?  YiHyun-ah..." he wrapped his fiancé in a tight hug.  "Is nae life, nae other half nae entire world," he gave her a soft kiss.

 - "Your better half, jagiya."

 - "Na thought I was your life," JungMin threw his arm around his friend's neck.

YoungSaeng was rolling his eyes as Mina walked up to them.

 - "Aww, JungMin-ssi and Oppa are so cute together," Mina smiled and then turned her twinkling eyes to YoungSaeng, who couldn't help smiling now, too.

 - "Aren't we?"  JungMin batted his long lashes.

 - "JungMin-ah...get away...he's mine now," YiHyun played along and gave JungMin a push.

 - "Break it up guys," KyuJong always the referee.

 - "There are more pictures over on that wall," Emily began dragging her boyfriend to the opposite side.  "Oh look, the empire state building."

 - "We all watched the sunset from there!  That was after na proposed to anae," JungMin said.

 - "Deh!  KyuJong was nae date for the evening as you two...," HyungJun pointed with his head to JungMin and YoungSaeng, "...were busy with your own dates."

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi, who was your date?"  Mina asked in curiosity.

 - "Ilana-yah,” he gruffly whispered.  The name felt odd on his tongue as if it was too big and it made him choke.

 - "We'll meet back here on my birthday after I finish my military duty."

The thought suddenly entered YoungSaeng's consciousness (not that it hadn't already done so).  Tomorrow, he had once planned to be in NY, hoping that his Cinderella had waited for him.  Now, he could finally say, he loved someone else.  But why did he feel so guilty?  She was happy now and he was sure she'd be happy for him too.  "You promised to be Oppa, pabo!  You haven't held up your promises.  She never led you to believe that she cared for you other than as her Oppa and you stubbornly insisted on going where you shouldn't."  He was still scolding himself and staring at the pictures; he didn't see the others move on.

Mina noticed he hadn't moved with the others and returned to their previous spot.  "Orabeoni?"  She whispered so the others couldn't hear.

YoungSaeng was startled from his thoughts and realized they were somewhat alone smiled adoringly at his girlfriend.  "Mianhae, jagiya.  Just thinking."

 - "About?"

 - "About promises na made and never kept and that I'm a coward."

 - "Anieya!  Kaja, the others are waiting," she began to walk away and turned back to see him deep in thought as he walked.  "We'll talk, more, later, deh?"  She had stopped walking to face him again.

 - "Yah!  What are you two whispering?" HyungJun snuck up on them.

 - "Aish!!  Maknae!"  Mina scolded him and was ready to sock him in the arm.

 - "Anieyo!  Anieyo!"  He backed away from Mina's balled fist.

 - "Your hyeong was lost in thought and didn't realize we had walked away, got it?"

 - "Deh!  Don't hit me, juseyo."

 - "Maknae didn't ask me not to hit him."  YoungSaeng grabbed his friend and administered a light punch to the stomach.

 - "YoungSaeng-ah!"  Eric called from the upstairs railing.  "Stop fighting and let's sing happy birthday and have a round of Titanic (Korean drinking game)!"

 - "Arraseo!"  Still holding his squirming friend, YoungSaeng dragged him upstairs, with everyone else laughing behind them.

YoungSaeng blew out a candle on a scoop of gelato as his friends sang 'happy birthday'.  He smiled and laughed; truly happy and grateful for all those present but in the back of his mind, he couldn't help thinking of one who was not there and that birthday night on the enclosed observation deck of the empire state building.  During their game of Titanic the guys had planned it so that YoungSaeng always inevitably sank the shot glass (the Titanic) in the beer; therefore, having to drink the entire glass.  There was no more room for regretful thoughts or any thoughts whatsoever.

Ilana had disappeared to feed HaEun and never returned to the music room where Jihoo said he would wait for her.  She was angry at him, he knew, but currently, he had no solution for her dilemma.  It was a waiting game as it was for Guam JanDi and his own friends.  He knew she thought throwing her necklace off the building where she first received it would bring her peace of mind, but it wouldn't.  "Yesu, a little help, juseyo?  Eottokeyo?"

 - "Love is patient and kind..." was the response.

 - "I am patient...at least I try to be...."

 - "Love is not jealous...rude."

 - "Majayo...na don't want another namja thinking of nae anae.  Na didn't mean to be short with her, but that's not a solution."

 - "It does not demand its own way."

 - "Then what is the way?  How can na comfort and guide her at the same time?"

-"Love never gives up."

Jihoo sighed.  "Ara this friendship is important to her and I’m not telling her to give it up, just to be patient."  He suddenly realized those were the words he needed to tell her.  Her friends were extremely important to her; he knew that.  Friends didn't just give up on each other.  He didn't think this friendship was only meant for a season.  JanDi never gave up on him but had faith that he would return.  Then again, perhaps, they both needed to go their separate ways for a season.  When the season was over, the friendship would enter a new phase and be that much more solid.

Now that he knew what to do, he decided to let his violin music give him the courage to face his wife.  He reviewed the afternoon and evening, praying he'd get through to her wounded heart.

She had greeted him coolly on his arrival home.  He didn't know what to expect after leaving her on the verge of tears after lunch.  To his wife's credit, she didn't argue.  Quietly, she accepted his decision however unpleasant.

HaEun and she were waiting for him as usual, but he received no smile or welcoming kiss from her.

 - "HaEun-ah was fussy and I need to finish something.  Would you mind eating without me?"  The reason HaEun was fussy was because she felt Umma was upset and that made her upset, which in turn made Umma more upset.  She wanted to nurse but didn't want to nurse.  Ilana even tried a bottle and lying down on their bed with her; the bottle was hardly touched and only succumbed to a short nap after jagged tears.

Of course, Jihoo did not want to have dinner without his wife.  "Gwenchana, na will take Gongju...,” putting down his briefcase, he snatched his daughter from his wife's arms.  "...Sarang can finish what she needs to do and then we'll have dinner."  Giving his wife a peck on the lips, he and HaEun walked into the house.

The entire house knew something was wrong.  Brendon, Nana, and Suzy quickly made themselves scarce after dinner.  Nana refused to let Ilana clean up from dinner and shooed her out of the kitchen.  "Vaya con su marido e hija (go with your husband and daughter)."

No excuses were tolerated.  The problem was that she didn't want to face her husband; she didn't know what to tell him.  Now she was not only angry and hurt with YoungSaeng, but also with Jihoo.  A little, anyway.  She didn't like the way her chest felt heavy:  it was difficult to breathe, and she had a slight headache.  On top of it all, she really wasn't lying about having work to do.  She supposed if she really wanted to put it off, she could.  Fortunately, she didn't want to put it off and did want to avoid her husband.

 - "I still have work to do; I'll be done by HaEun's bedtime."  Ilana bent to the floor where HaEun and Appa were playing with a musical penguin.  "Beba, play nice with Appa, Umma has to work.  Ara you won't mind.  Beba just ignores me when Appa is around, deh?"  With a kiss on the cheek, Ilana walked away.  HaEun immediately began to cry.  Something just wasn't right in her little world.

 - "Sarang...she doesn't want you to go.  Can you put it off until tomorrow?"

Ilana sat on the floor.  "Beba...Umma just needs a little time in the office alone, deh?  Be good and play with Appa.  When na come back, na will play the piano for you, deh?"  Ilana moved her hands as if she were playing.  "Just keep her occupied for an hour, juseyo?  She's been fussy all afternoon.  Is she teething?"

 - "Hokshina because Umma is stressed and she can feel it."

 - "Chincha?  Mianhae, Beba, just give me a little time to work and we'll unwind by the piano, deh?"  Ilana smiled and spoke as cheerfully as possible, cradling HaEun in her arms.  "Na will be back deh?"  Ilana ran to the door and played peek-ka-boo a few times, before heading to the office.

Ilana had played the Piano for HaEun as promised.  She threw herself into her music, letting it soothe everyone's nerves.  Jihoo joined in with his violin a few times but was mostly content to sit and listen with HaEun.  That was two hours ago.  A little more than an hour had passed since she left to tuck HaEun in for the night.  He was hoping they'd have a chance to talk.  He didn't want any arguing and especially not in their bedroom.

After giving up hope that his wife would be returning, he put away his violin and closed the piano.  He looked for her in the nursery, but only HaEun was there, sound asleep.  Walking into their room, he saw her already in bed.  Her eyes were closed, but he doubted she slept.  She would have taken over his side by now.  With the least amount of noise possible, he got himself ready for bed and climbed in behind her.  Advancing slowly, he gently wrapped his arms around her.  She wasn't exactly turning him away, but at the same time, she wasn't molding herself to him, like she usually did.  "Gwenchana?  Na was waiting for you to come back."

Ilana nodded her head, the afternoon had worn her out and she was afraid of getting into an argument with her husband, so she chose to go to sleep first.  Unfortunately, she couldn't.  That stifling weight was still on her heart.  "Nomu pigonhayeo, mianhae."

Her voice sounded distant and cold to Jihoo's ears.  He didn't like it at all.  Moving her braid aside, he pressed his lips, gently to her neck.  "Sarang is angry at me?"  His wife shook her head 'no'.  He wrapped her tighter against him and entwined his legs with hers.  She was upset, and he felt it through her entire body.  He brought her head to lean back against his chest since she wasn't doing so willingly.  "Saranghae.  Anae knows na only look out for your best interests."  He felt a tremor go through her and then a shaky sigh.  Tears would follow soon.  "Na will not let you do something you'll regret later."

 - "I won't..." she mumbled.  

 - "Deh," he kissed her cheek.  "Sarang just needs to be patient.  Yesu didn't throw us away when he waited for us to come to him, deh?"  He waited for her response.

 - "Deh..." she sighed.

He felt her body relax, finally.  Removing his hold on her, he scooted back to his side of the bed.  This surprised her, actually, and she turned her head to see what he was up to.  "Eeliwah (come here)," he said.  His wife didn't readily move.  "Sarang...eeliwah (come here)," his voice was firm and with wariness in her eyes, she complied.  He had to coax her into settling her head on his chest like she always did.  Not speaking, he rubbed her back and arms.  She was close to tears but trying so hard to hold back.  "Gwenchana, Sarang, gwenchana..." he continued his gentle soothing.  "Maja...Gu JunPyo is nae best friend and na owed him every consideration.  If JanDi wouldn't come to me, then na made sure she and Gu JunPyo were happy and then na left.  There was no longer a place for me by her side."  His wife just listened quietly.  "YoungSaeng-ssi owes me no consideration or I him hajiman he's your chingu and for that he has nae respect."

 - "He's not anymore!"  She sniffled against him, tears beginning to slowly escape.

 - "Sarang...what did na tell you about friendship?"  She shrugged her shoulders.  "Sarang...chingu is someone you have a history with.  Did that history that Sarang remembers so fondly go away?"  She shook her head 'no', while a tear streaked down her cheek.  "Chingu can do no wrong and never give up on each other."

 - "Ha!"

He laughed at her childish outburst.  "You still think of your chingu and na can guarantee your chingu thinks of you and is trying to find a way to face you again."

 - "Eottoke?"  She said, her voice thick with emotion.

Jihoo felt a tear that had made it onto his bare chest.  "Sarang...have you prayed for him?"  She shook her head 'yes'.  "Has Sarang prayed for herself?"  She shrugged her shoulders.  "Anieyo?  That's nae answer to your question.  Pray for patience, don't be jealous; nado will pray for that," he chuckled.  Ilana smiled as she felt the rumbling of his laugh under her.  "Pray for unselfishness and endurance and na will pray with you."

 - "Gomaaahwwo," the t0ars were falling faster, now.

 - "Sarang..." he held her tighter, making soothing noises in her ear.  It was no wonder he could always calm HaEun's cries, he had a lot of practice.  "Kiss?"

Ilana took deep breaths to try to calm herself.  "A-anieyo," she hadn't quite regained her composure but was trying.  She rubbed her eyes on her free arm.

 - "Deh...," he slipped her off his chest and softly kissed her still damp eyes.  "Saranghae."

 - "Gomawo."

 - "Anieyo," he kissed her forehead and slid his lips down her hairline, just above her cheek.  "Did Sarang know arguments are healthy for marriages?"

 - "Eottoke?!"  Ilana held her breath in anticipation of his response.  Even in the dark, she could see his concealed humor.

 - "Makeup kiss...” a smile had adorned her face and he took her smiling lips captive, not letting them escape.

YoungSaeng had returned to the studio apartment to finish packing the rest of his things for the trip.  He was leaving so few items behind.  A few of the birthday gifts he received and only a small amount of clothes, that he told his manager to store for him.  This left the studio available in case anyone else needed it.  On his return, he would seriously consider getting an apartment by his girlfriend.

Kim Dowan was working on some dance moves with the choreographer and was willing to drop YoungSaeng off at Mina's apartment.  He wasn't a very good cook and was sure she still had to pack after working all day, so he ordered their food from Cali Kitchen, specializing in California cuisine.  He had the table set with wine and candles by the time she came home.

 - "Orabeoni!  What's all this?"  Mina was beyond touched.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave him a thankful kiss.  "Gomawo!"

 - "Na ordered jagi the Mediterranean salad with chicken.  Ara you wouldn't want junk food two meals in a row."

 - "Let me change, na will be right back," she ran off to her room.

 - "Did JungMin say anything to you?"  He asked from outside her door.

 - "Deh!  He said if na parents decide to arrange a marriage when na go home, they should arrange it with you.  He said you were doomed to be ajussi for the rest of your life."

 - "That punk."

 - "Gwenchana...," Mina opened her bedroom door.  "He also said your innocent boy next door look can romance any parent and charm the pants off any daughter."

 - "Mmm, should we try that last part?"  He smiled, 'innocently', while blocking his girlfriend in the doorway.

Mina surprised him as she draped her arms around his neck, seductively teasing his lips then traveling his jaw to his ear.  He wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him.  "Orabeoni," she said in a breathy voice.  "Should na show your stomach, my fist?"

Loosening his hold, but not letting go, he returned her teasing kiss and nipped at her ear.  With his warm breath, causing her to shiver, he whispered:  "Gumiho (nine-tailed fox)."

Laughing, she gave him one more short kiss.  "Mokega, before na eat your heart and liver."

 - "Jagi might have already eaten nae heart, hajiman your salad looks masheesuhyo.  Much better than nae liver."  Mina was already leading him by the hand to the table.

 - "Jalmoketsumnida," Mina said before digging into her salad.  "Mm, masheesuhyo.  Much better than Orabeoni's liver.  How's your giant burrito?"

YoungSaeng gave her a thumbs-up as he chewed the big bite of chicken, avocado, lettuce, beans, rice, and salsa.  "What kind of food does okaasan (Japanese for Mom) make?  Japanese or Mexican?"

 - "Both.  Sometimes she comes up with her own concoctions that look strange at first, but are actually masheesuhyo.  She'll like that Orabeoni likes to eat."  Taking another bite of her salad, she admired the view.  He was lean with a nice muscle definition, but she'd seen pictures of his cute chubby cheeks at his parents’ home.

 - "Jagi is staring..."

 - "Deh?"  Mina buried her head in the salad.  "Mollah.  Is Orabeoni excited...or nervous?"

 - "Jeongmal...naega more nervous than excited.  Mianhae, Jagi."

 - "Gwenchana...we'll take care of business and then it will all be pleasure."  She gave him a sly smile.

 - "Jagi is killing me..." He leaned over and took her chin in his hand, steadying her face for a smoldering kiss.  Her lips tasted tangy, like the salad dressing.  Moving onto her tongue, some spots were sweet and others savory just like her.  "How about we cancel the trip and just stay locked up in your apartment for two weeks."

 - "Guerae...Orabeoni can call Papi and tell him wae his hijita (little girl) is not coming home like she said she would."

 - "Brat..."  He gave her one more kiss, before returning to his food.

 - "Deh and Orabeoni likes me anyway."

 - "Maja, maja."

They had finished dinner, packed the remainder of Mina's things and were now cuddled on the couch watching a drama.  Since his girlfriend was absorbed in the drama, it left his mind to wander and magnify his fears.  Truthfully, he was more worried about facing Ilana than Mina's parents.

 - "Three years from now we can meet on top of the empire state building and laugh at ourselves."

 - "We'll meet back here on my birthday after I finish my military duty."

 - "More than anything I just want you to be happy."

 - "Let's not hold our breath over a child's 'what if?" game."

 - "But someday I hope someone convinces you and takes away your fears and makes you happy."

 - "Pabo!"  YoungSaeng told himself.

 - "Orabeoni?  Gwenchana?"  Mina looked up from where her head rested on his chest. 

 - "Deh," he gave her forehead a soft kiss.  "Watch your drama and na will watch jagi." 

He had been working his lip with his teeth, she didn't buy that he was okay.  "Chincha?"

He knew she didn’t believe him.  When her eyes did not return to the television, he threatened her.  "Watch your drama or we can turn it off and do other things..."

Mina knew what 'other things' he wanted to do.  "Does Orabeoni remember what na told him about my fist?"

 - "Yah..."  YoungSaeng braced himself, certain she would punch him playfully, but firmly, in warning at his teasing.  Instead, she poked his side to tickle him.  Of course, he had to retaliate and they both ended up on the floor with him almost on top of her.  "Choah this position."

 - "Annchoah!"  Mina cried.  He only pinned her further under him and administered teasing kisses to her face and nibbled on her neck.  His hand had begun to climb under her sweater and she glared at him.  Ready to strike at a moment’s notice.  He'd never gone further than her back or stomach, but the temptation was there and she knew he could coax her if he really wanted to.  "Orabeoni hajima..."  Just the way his hands glided up her bare side and back sent her heart running a marathon.

YoungSaeng smiled, not removing his hand, but pausing long enough to melt her with a searing kiss.  "Shiro?"  He gave her his Otter's grin.

 - "Pabo!  Let me up!"

 - "Anieyo, na want to hold you like this for a little while."  He positioned his leg in between hers and cradled her head against his chest, resting his chin on top of her head.

 - "Orabeoni!!!"  Mina's voice came out muffled.  "Jeongmal, gwenchana?  You're starting to worry me."

 - "Mian jagi...mian.  Na don't want nae Mina-yang to worry about me.  I'm not worth it."  The more he thought of all the words he'd ever said to Ilana, the more he realized what a selfish jerk he'd been all this time.  It was all the more reason he didn't know how to face her.

 - "Orabeoni," Mina was now getting irritated with his inexplicable moodiness.  "Tell me what your problem is or be prepared to meet my knee."  She was already shifting her knee to be within striking distance of a certain body part.

 - "Yah!"  He released her from his hold and she quickly brought her leg in between his, resting her arms on his chest.

 - "We're going to be stuck on a plane for twelve hours, if Orabeoni doesn't want me to completely ignore him the entire time, he will tell me what's wrong."

 - "Mich... paboya!"  He was about to call her crazy, but then for sure, he'd get a knee to the groin.  Pushing her off of him, he brought her to rest her head on his shoulder while his arm held her firmly against him.  Her leg was still entwined in his, but that was okay.  She wouldn't really knee him, he hoped.

After she was comfortable, Mina took his free hand, giving the palm a kiss.  "Orabeoni is nervous about nae parents or Ilana?"

YoungSaeng let out his breath, "Ilana.  Na have been a selfish jerk, deh?"

 - "Mollah?  Have you?"

 - "Deh...na thoughts have been going all over the place, remembering the promises na made her and never kept.  Now na send a few gifts to HaEun and expect it to be easier?  If she threw away the gifts na sent, I wouldn't blame her."

 - "Orabeoni...she would never throw perfectly good clothes and toys away.  Donate them maybe," she teased.

 - "Jagi is not helping;" he laughed anyway.  "Choah Mina-yang, sarang Mina-yang, yet na feel like I need to revisit the past in order to move forward with the future."

 - "Not quite following you, gwenchana.  We leave in the afternoon; can you revisit the past before we go?"

 - "Of the three places na declared myself to Ilana...the enclosed observation deck of the empire state building stands out the most.  Not only did na want her to accept my heart, hajiman while on the ship na told her we'd meet there after my military service.  When we were there for nae birthday again na told her we'd meet back there on my birthday after my service was over.  Na think, by standing there again without her, na will be able to face her and ask for forgiveness.  It will be the past and nae will have nae future at my side, nae Mina-yang."  Mina remained quiet, processing everything he said.  "Mina-yah, when na fall, na fall hard."  He his side, "na have fallen hard for you.  You slowly got under my skin..." he caressed her smooth cheek.  "...now you're firmly lodged here."  He took her hand and placed it on his heart.  "Naega ready to lay the world at your feet, just come with me to New York for one night and Mina can do whatever she wants with me afterward.  She can take me anywhere she wants.  Whether we face your parents first or Ilana, naaga ready and willing to do whatever it takes to move our relationship forward.  Na have been stalling us, nomu mianhae."

They were still on the floor, facing each other and he still had Mina's hand trapped against his heart.  "Orabeoni said na can do anything I want with him, deh?"  She gave him an evil smile.  "What if na throw you off the side of the building?"

He, in turn, hoisted her on top of him.  "Too late...na have already fallen and looking up only at you.  Will you fall with me?"

 - "Orabeoni...na fell a long time ago," Mina dipped her head to show him exactly how she'd fallen and they continued to fall for a while longer, before realizing they needed to change their travel plans.

Los Angeles, CA (Morning)

Jihoo was caught smiling in-between patients.  Dr. Kyle, slung an arm around his shoulder.  "Someone is in a much better mood, than yesterday afternoon."

Jihoo's smile quickly faded and gave his staff member his usual stoic look.  "Yah!"  He pointed with his eyes to the hand on his shoulder.

 - "Yah, yourself!"  Dr. Kyle didn't relent.  "You were stiff as a board after lunch yesterday and your eyes were ready to shoot lasers at the first person that bothered you.  Something must have happened at lunch, but glad you're back to normal, now."  With that, he slapped Jihoo on the back and left his side.

Jihoo couldn't help chuckle.  Corrina flashed him a smile and a thumbs up while she took a patient’s vitals.  They could all breathe again, now that the boss was back to normal.  He glared at her and although her attention was now on her patient, she was still grinning happily.  He too, was glad things between him and his wife were back to normal.  As he remembered the amorous end to yesterday's disagreement, he thought it was a good thing they'd settled their differences suitably.

This morning, he knew, she would be emotionally and physically exhausted.  'Making up' last night, took a while.  Enabling her to sleep in, he had taken the baby monitor and placed it on his side of the bed.  When HaEun woke for her early morning feeding, his wife slept right through.  He and his princess had a conversation while he quickly changed her diaper.

 - "Gongju is going to have a good day today," he kissed her pouting face.  She adored Appa, but Umma was usually the first face she saw every morning and that just threw her off.  "Appa wanted to let Umma sleep a little longer.  Yesterday, she was jeogum seulpo (a little sad); na promise Umma will be haengbokhae (happy) today.  This weekend we'll go to the hotel and ride the carriage, deh?  Ara Umma and Gongju will like that, deh?"

 - "ma-ma-ma-ma..."

 - "Mwo?!  Gongju?  You said 'ma-ma!"

 - "be...be...be…be..."

 - "Begopa?  Say Um-ma...Um-ma."  He placed her little hand on his jaw so she could feel the way it moved, but she began to cry.  Her morning routine was set in stone and no one could shake her of it.  "Deh, deh, Gongju...kaja," he tucked her against his bare chest and carried her back to Umma and breakfast.  For the second morning in a row, he didn't go back to sleep, but instead, cradled his wife against him as she nursed HaEun.

Jihoo's phone ringing brought him out of his sweet memory.  It was Jaejoong.  Curious, but not displeased, Jihoo answered.  "Yeobosayo?  Jaejoong-ah?  Utduke jinaeshutuyo (How have you been)?  Your family is well?"

 - "Choah!  Choah!  We can't leave Wookie alone one second or he's into something.  Chincha, orenmanida (long time no see).  Yah chingu, Na really need your help with a patient.  Na will feel more confident with you at my side.  The director is currently arranging it with your hospital, how soon can you come to New York?"

New readers, please subscribe and vote.  We’re getting ready to come back almost full circle with Ilana & Saengi, I’m so excited!!!