Jihoo left wife and daughter asleep while he ran to the hospital to check on his patient before they left back to Los Angeles.  It had been a rough night for her, emotionally.  The very reunion she had been longing for didn't turn out as anticipated.  He could see why she felt betrayed and hurt.  Her best friend turned his back on her for two years and is now is dating her friend.  By the time they returned to the hotel, she had a throbbing tension headache and the occasional stray tear still fell.  Exhausted emotionally and from lack of sleep, he had ordered her straight to bed.

 - "Mianhae, I lost it back there," Jihoo rubbed the tension out of her head as she laid it on his chest as her arm wrapped around his waist tightly as if afraid to let go.  "I'm happy for them, chincha.  It's...just...just..."

 - "Gwenchana, Sarang...you're hurt and it's understandable.  It's okay to grieve; it's okay to be sad.  It's enough that you are happy for them, deh?"

 - "It just feels all wrong..."

 - "Deh, Sarang.  Neaga glad that the F4 got to meet you first and Na didn't make it awkward for you."

Ilana let out a sigh, "does Sarang think Na made it awkward for Mina?"

 - "Ani, not directly, hajiman she is in the middle of this."

 - "I was only thinking of my hurt, Na will make sure to apologize to her again."

 - "Gwenchana...it's Heo YoungSaeng-ssi that's at fault for not facing you sooner.  Sarang told her you weren't angry with her and YoungSaeng knows exactly how you feel now.  Now it's Sarang's turn to hear him out."

 - "Deh...though Maknae's idea has some merit."  Ilana laughed at the mental picture of YoungSaeng's perfect hair covered in rice.

Jihoo laughed as well and after a little more of his gentle massage, she was sound asleep.

Satisfied with his patient's progress, Jihoo had returned to the hotel by 9 AM.  He'd taken a cab to save Mr. Yoo the trouble.  He'd be taking them to Teterboro airport later, where Jaejoong's family plane was parked.

 - "Sarang, I'm back," Jihoo quietly closed the door to their suite, just in case they were still asleep; which they were.  It seemed the flight must have affected their daughter as well.  She should have been awake by now.  Ilana had rolled over to his side of the bed, as usual, so he bent and gave her lips a soft kiss.  "Sarang, you should wake up."  Ilana didn't budge.  "Sarang..."  He climbed into the bed behind her and began devouring her neck with kisses.  She was warm from the heated room and blankets she burrowed under when he left, even though she wore her thin-strapped nightgown.  "Yah, wake up," he wrapped his arm around her, enjoying the feel of her in his arms.  They had recovered much of the intimacy they had before HaEun was born, but he missed when she woke him up with her kisses.  Now, she had to feed HaEun as soon as she woke up.  There was no time to linger in bed and make love or just enjoy idle caresses.  So, he had to take advantage of times like this and seize the moment.

Soon, Ilana's senses began to wake enough to hear and smell the presence of her husband.  A smile unconsciously spread on her face.  "Morning," she mumbled without opening her eyes.  Shifting in his arms to face him she burrowed into him, trying to steal his warmth and envelope herself in his scent of soap and herbs and something else.  She couldn't quite put her finger on it.  She slowly opened her eyes, realizing the feel of him was different.  "Sarang?  Why are you dressed?"  She pouted, missing the warmth of his skin against hers.

Jihoo chuckled and gave her a soft kiss.  "Pabo, Na went to the hospital this morning, remember?"

 - "Mmm," she began fumbling with the button on his shirt.  "What time is it?"

 - "A little after nine.  Gongju is going to wake any minute, she's actually late," he stopped her hand from ing him any further.

 - "Sarang's shirt is scratchy," she pouted.

 - "Let's not start what we won't be able to finish.  We can wait until this evening when HaEun is asleep."

 - "Then I'll be asleep."  Climbing on top of him, she gave him one of her bold kisses that he enjoyed very much.

He ran his fingers through her unbound hair and drawing up his knees slightly, holding her firmly in place so she couldn't escape.  It wasn't like she wanted to anyway.  Usually, after an emotional upset, she needed to escape into him and forget everything else.  Jihoo was more than ready to escape with her and they continued their race against the clock for some intimacy this morning.  She'd managed to his shirt anyway and his hand was teasing her bare legs and thighs under her nightgown.  Then somewhere in the sweet fog of kisses, their daughter’s whimpering could be heard.  Ilana pulled away first (Mother's instinct) but Jihoo stopped her by rolling them over.  "Sarang!"

 - "Dtal can wait a few more minutes."  Their daughter hadn't begun the full morning howl just yet.  There wasn't much Ilana could do under his fiery kisses.  Though the day would go that much longer, she wasn't disappointed in the least in their morning.  A few minutes later, with HaEun rolled over and calling their attention, Jihoo gave his wife one more soft kiss.  "Annyeong hashiminika.  How's your headache?"

 - "Gwenchana, I thought it would be a little achy, but it's not," she reached up to give him another little kiss.  "I have the best Uissa."  Suddenly there was a HaEun sized scream from the crib and this time Ilana practically shoved Jihoo off her in her haste to feed her child.  "Ya, ya, ya, let's change your diaper first, Beba.  You can't have breakfast sopping wet."  Most mornings it was a race to see if Ilana could change the diaper before HaEun spontaneously self-combusted from the energy spent on crying.  With Jihoo distracting HaEun, the diaper change went much smoother, but this morning he sat on the bed, watching with a grin on his face.  Ilana was finally done and sighed.  "There, we don't want Appa's gongju to get a rash, deh?"  HaEun-ah was not as light as when she was born, but Ilana could still manage to feed her and walk slowly at the same time.  "Sarang, she's going to give me a nervous breakdown one day and you will just sit there smiling the entire time."

Jihoo arranged the pillows, so Ilana could lie back comfortably and continue feeding HaEun.  He tucked them both under the blankets again, while he ordered breakfast.  "Sarang looks yippeun trying to hurry and change HaEun's diaper.  Na had to stop and watch."

Ilana rolled her eyes at him and whispered to HaEun:  "HaEun Appa paboya."  They couldn't talk too much as she fed, so they were just content to sit and contemplate their daughter.   By the time HaEun was done and napping back in her portable crib, Ilana was also ready to go back to sleep.  Unfortunately, their breakfast arrived right about that time.  "Pigonhaeyo," she curled back up under the blankets.  "What time do we need to leave for the airport?"

 - "We should be on the road by eleven-thirty."

 - "Wake me up at ten-thirty."

 - "Sarang needs to eat and shower before HaEun wakes up for her second breakfast."  The room service staff had arranged their breakfast on the table and left.  Jihoo was standing next to the bed with her robe ready.  "Sarang eeliwah.  You'll feel better after eating."

Reluctantly she allowed herself to be wrapped in the robe and led to the table, not before collecting a kiss on the cheek.  Jihoo said a morning prayer for their food and asking for traveling mercies.  Ilana forgot that she was still tired once the smell of pancakes wafted into her nose.  "Mm... masheesuyo," the pancakes and orange-flavored syrup melted in .

 - "Deh," Jihoo studied his wife gauging how she felt this morning, before asking her.  "Sarang, gwenchana?"

 - "Deh."

Her eyes were only puffed a little, but no dark circles.  "Chincha?"

Ilana swallowed her syrup covered strawberry before answering.  "Dehhh...am I still angry?"  She nodded.  "Jogeumyo.  Will I get over it?  Deh.  Na said my peace.  If he's ready to be chingu again, Na do would like that.  Na suppose I could face him again.”  Her face turned serious for only about a second, then gave a half smile.  If she over thought about the situation, she'd get that breath-taking ache in her chest, so she tried to think of something more pleasant.

When Mina's alarm went off, she silenced it and snuggled closer to YoungSaeng.  When she felt his arms around her and a soft kiss on her forehead, she opened her eyes.  "Orabeoni?"  His eyes were open and looking at her.  "You're awake?"

 - "Mmm."

 - "Orabeoni isn't sleepy?"

 - "Mmm, just thinking."

 - "About?"  Mina began to play with his hair.

He gave a silent laugh and began to run his fingers through her hair too, "about?  About Mina Okaasan (Referring to someone else's Mother, in Japanese) and Abeojim."

 - "And Ilana?"

 - "Jogeum.  Mainly Mina Abeojim and Okaasan."

 - "Orabeoni will be fine."

 - "Hokshina jagiya should tell them neaga coming."

 - "Gwenchana, let them be surprised.  Na dongsaeng isn't home yet, so Orabeoni can have his room.  We might get home around the same time or just before them.  Eomma meets Appa at his office on Friday's and usually, they go to dinner.  Na have already told them to go on with their routine and Na will be waiting for them when they get home."

YoungSaeng turned to face her and placed his forehead on hers.  "Mmm, what should we do until they arrive?"

Na can make Orabeoni dinner, we can take a walk, sit in the wine closet and steal one of Appa's aged wines," she giggled at that idea.  "Or we can see what's on TV or even light the outside fire pit..."

 - "Or we can do this," he kissed her slowly, treating each lip with utmost care.  He wanted to kiss her slowly, savoring this quiet time alone, but their hands, still in each other's hair urged them closer and deeper.

Mina felt her insides disintegrating, she didn't know if this was love or lust, but could definitely get used to it.  If they weren't careful, she would be consumed.  Thankfully, he must have felt it too and returned to the slow and sweet pace he had begun with.  "Orabeoni is trying to kill me."

 - "If Na kill nae Mina-yang, na will die too."

Mina tucked her head into his chest again, not ready to move, even though they really should get showered and go out for breakfast.  "Then let's just stay like this for a few minutes.  Then we really need to get up and shower."

 - "Arraso, I'll wash jagi's back and she can wash mine."

 - "Orabeoni!!"  She didn't move her head but smacked his arm with her free hand.  "One of these days na won't have the strength to say 'no'."

 - "Na have confidence in nae jagi," he unburied her face and claimed her lips boldly.  Taking full advantage of the surprise, he pressed her body to his, letting his hand roam freely up and down her back.  He left her lips but didn't give her rest.  Instead, seamlessly pushing her onto her back, gave her neck tiny making her helpless in his arms.  He let his hand bend her leg up and played with the hem of her shorts but went no further from there.

 - "Orabeoni..."  She couldn't handle the warmth coursing through her body.  His lips were safer, so she thought.  Fighting for control, she took back his lips, devouring them in a haste that came from nowhere.  While he continued his play on her knee, up to the hem of her shorts, she used one hand to keep him at her lips and the other enjoyed the feel of his chest over the shirt he wore.  "Orabeoni...," things were going to get out of control quickly.  Her inner alarm was going off and thankfully so was his.  They began their descent from the heights that they had climbed.

With one last lingering kiss, he pulled away, both needing to catch their breath.  "Nae jagi is just too tempting."  He slowly freed her from his grasp.  "Jagi better get in the shower first or we'll never get out of bed and Na will just have to take you with me into the shower to save time."

 - "Orabeoni just needs to stay right there and not move until I'm done."  Mina was already putting a restraining hand on his chest, while she got herself out of the bed.  "Don't move!"  She told the man on the bed, who was smirking.  Never turning her back on the sneaky otter, she grabbed her clothes and ran backwards into the bathroom.

YoungSaeng crossed his arms under his head and smiled.  For some reason, he knew they would be okay.  They could play and tease but know when to stop and not cross that invisible boundary.  He grinned to himself; perhaps they could just pass the entire dating thing and go straight to the engagement.  "Yaghonja (fiancé)," he tried the word out.  "Pabo, you need to get her parent's approval first."  Yes, he knew that life with Mina at his side would make him exceedingly happy.  They may have not been official until six months ago, but six months before that, they became good friends.  She was beautiful, but he loved her for her companionship and the way she challenged him.  He loved the way they could talk about everything and anything.  Whether it is embarrassing or painful, they were there for each other.

Orange County, CA

YoungSaeng and Mina emerged from the plane a little groggy.  Unintentionally, they both had fallen asleep.  It was the middle of the night in Seoul.  Having flown coach, they were able to lean against each other, which was very nice.  “Orabeoni, maybe we'll just eat out tonight.  Pigonhaeyo."

 - "Gwenchana, nae Mina yang doesn't need to make anything special.  Hokshina, our driver will stop for us."

 - "Deh, she said the car was a Mercedes SUV.  We'll ask her to stop by the mall."  Mina was thinking Mexican food.  Of course, nothing beat her Father's cooking, but there was a restaurant in the mall by a renowned chef.  His food was very good.  “Let's get Mexican and take it back home."

 - "Choah."  They had shared an omelet for breakfast, that was more than enough for the two of them and only had snacks on the airplane.  It was safe to say they were a little hungry.  "Mina-yah, don't worry about me.  Let's just enjoy our time together.   Na don't want you to tire yourself out on what is supposed to be a vacation. "

 - "Hajiman...it's Orabeoni's birthday," her face fell.  She wanted this birthday to be special.

YoungSaeng couldn't resist her when she was in girlfriend mode or ever, really.  "Deh, gwenchana, anything Na get to do with Jagi is special."  He gave her a tender kiss to prove it.  "We can just do that all day and Na will be happy."

 - "Deh, hajiman, we can't do that in front of Papi and Okassan."

 - "Maja, Mina-yang has a point.  We'll have to spend more time out, than in."

Mina laughed.  They picked up their luggage, met their Uber driver and were pulling into Mina's driveway an hour later.  "It doesn't look like anyone is home?"  Mina said, as YoungSaeng opened her car door, neither of her parent’s cars were in the driveway.  YoungSaeng took out their luggage, while Mina fished for her key.  

"Haha!"  Mina called as she opened the door.  "Na don't think they're home.  Let me put our dinner on the table and then Na will show Orabeoni where he'll sleep."  YoungSaeng wore his 'Otter' smile.  "Anieyo!  Orabeoni will not be sleeping in nae room!  Wipe that smile off your face!"  She covered his mouth with her hand.

This made him grin even wider behind her hand.  He removed her hand, and then wrapped his arms around her, leaning in for a sweet and tender kiss, covering both her lips at once.  "That's the way to stop me, anytime jagi wants."

 - "Chincha?  Should na try that?"  She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her lips to his, just as slowly making sure she gave both his lips the same attention at once.

 - "Mm, deh, though Na think we should practice a little more."

 - "Later...begopahyo.  Kaja, let's put our stuff away."  Mina showed him to her brother’s room and then her own.  "It looks like Mama is in the process of redecorating, Matt's room."  The room wasn't quite perfect in its decor, a little haphazard.  "Mateo Shinji to be exact, but I just call him Matt."

 - "Gwenchana, it's bigger than my room on the ship."

They walked a few paces to her room.    "This is my room.  I decorated and told Okassan she wasn't allowed to touch it."  Mina's room was mostly decorated in neutral colors.  She used pillows and colored candles to accent it.  Her dresser was covered in pictures of her and her friends, which included some guy friends, that YoungSaeng narrowed his eyes at.  "We'll unpack later, mokda (let's eat)."

The temperature was about fifty degrees outside, still warmer than the evening temperatures currently in Seoul.  Mina took a bottle of Riesling from the wine closet and led them outside. "Orabeoni, start a fire and I'll unpack dinner."  The main outside patio was tiled and had a full outdoor chimney.  Her mother kept mostly a minimal and drought-resistant garden.  Being a college professor and head of the department left her with little time for gardening.  Her Father also put in long hours.  Mina unpacked the Tortilla soup, gourmet duck taquitos and braised short rib tacos with rice and beans.  "Janjjan!  Heo YoungSaeng-ssi, will you do the honors?"  She handed him the wine bottle.

YoungSaeng dusted his hands off first and then bowed.  "Greomyo, Mina-yang," he poured a bit into his glass, swirled it around and then lifted it the glass to his nose.  Seeing that the fragrance met his approval, he tasted it.  Once that was done he poured them both a full serving.

 - "Orabeoni, Saeng Il chukahae," she clinked his glass and sipped the wonderful sweet wine.

 - "Anieyo...to nae Mina-yang.  Naega looking forward to spending these days with you, getting to know you and hoping that Mina Abeoji will see me as a possible candidate for his dtal."

 - "Gwenchana...he will."  Mina tasted the soup first.  "Mmm, Orabeoni, here," she gave him a spoonful.

 - "Masheesuhyo," the savory and spicy soup was very different from Korean flavors which were more of a sweet spice, adding the crunchy strips of tortilla also added flavor and different texture.  "Choah the duck taquitos..." he fed her one of the crunchy rolled tacos.

 - "Mmm...I've missed this place and didn't even know it."

A sudden thought worried YoungSaeng.  "Mina-yang, would you...want to leave Seoul and move back home?"  Mina smiled at him and leaned in for a full kiss.  "Mm, Mina tastes like duck," he his lip to .  "What was that for?"

 - "To shut you up.  What would I do without Orabeoni if I moved back here?"

 - "Oh," he smiled his cute Otter smile.

 - "Oh," she mocked him and offered him one of the short rib tacos.

The taco was also very tasty.  He thought maybe, his time on the ship had paved the way for him to meet and fall in love with a non-Korean woman.  Being exposed to a variety of cultures, not just food but also people, made him see beauty outside of what a normal Korean guy would see.  "Yah, Mina-ssi is not just near me because I'm an idol..." he .

 - "What if I am?" She back, sipping her wine coquettishly.

 - "Then you're never allowed to leave me."

 - "Mollan anjii Orabeoni, mollan anjii," Mina laughed.

With stomachs full and tired from traveling, they moved the wicker couch a little closer to the fire and curled up, enjoying the peaceful evening.  One could easily smell that the ocean was nearby and hear the surf crashing against the shore.  "In a way, na miss the ship.  Had it not been for being scouted and now nae Mina-yang, na wonder if I'd have gone back?"

 - "Was it fun?  Or did it lose its sense of adventure after a while?"

 - "Anieyo...it was enjoyable.  People were usually happy, they were on vacation, wae wouldn't they be?  Sometimes you got difficult guests, but that was rare and there was always at least one Ilana on the ship.  Someone who had lost all hope in life.  We always tried to reach out to those people, especially KyuJong; he was the first one to see through Ilana.  The fact that she nearly fainted while boarding and for the first two weeks she never left her room sent up red signals that something wasn't right."

 - "Orabeoni, that makes me sad to hear.  Ara most of her story, hajiman mollah how no one helped her before you and the other namja and finally Jihoo Uissa."

He shrugged, not really wanting to continue the conversation as it also distressed him.  He had been quiet for a little while enjoying the feel of her next to him and also being lulled by the wine.  They'd consumed one bottle with dinner and had begun a second bottle after.  "We're south of Los Angeles, deh?"

 - "Deh, wae?"

 - "How far is San Diego?"

 - "About two hours away.  Does Orabeoni know his way around?"

 - "Jogeumyo, we're usually busy boarding people there and don't get out much.  Hajiman every now and then we stay in port for a night and get out to visit," he had to smile as he remembered their adventures.

Mina narrowed her eyes at him, "drinking and women, just like sailors..."

 - "Anieyo!!"  Mina sat up abruptly, not really jealous, but at the same time not liking the mental image.  YoungSaeng pulled her back against him.  "Jagiya...," he gave her a soft kiss.  "Don't think bad things about Orabeoni," he kissed her forehead.  "Nae only want to think about nae Mina-yang, now," he kissed her nose and then went back to her lips.  He wanted her to know she meant everything to him; he wanted to give her everything Ilana had turned down and more.  He didn't want to just be Orabeoni, but her entire world.

Mina understood his unspoken language and responded readily to his kisses.  Answering a resounding 'yes'.  "I accept everything; all of you.  Whenever you're ready I'm ready to go forever with you."  They drank their wine, kissed, laughed, kissed, talked a little, drank a little more wine, kissed some more, and finally laid quiet, snuggled in each other's arms content to listen to the crackling fire and the crashing waves.

 - "Mina hasn't called?"  Mrs. Rodriguez asked her husband as they drove home.  They had gone to dinner and a jazz bar with friends and then stayed visiting at their house for a while.  She was getting ready to close out the school year and her husband had been working on some tiring cases both for pay and pro-bono.  They both deserved this night out and were now looking forward to seeing their daughter.

 - "Minae," he laughed at his wife.  "You were with me all night?  You would know if she called."

 - "I can't wait to see my little girl."

 - "I can't believe it's almost been a year since we've seen her.  It's as if she was away at school all over again."

 - "She sounds so happy whenever she calls; I don't think she misses us at all."

His wife missed their kids and they hadn't hosted any exchange students this term, which made the house extra lonely.  "Well, she'll be here tonight.  I do wonder why she decided to stay a day in New York.  Did she get a last-minute modeling job?"

 - "She didn't say.  I wonder if she's seeing someone yet."  This was her dream, of course, to see her daughter happily married.  She was beautiful and intelligent and deserved to have someone at her side that would appreciate her talents.

 - "¡Ay, mujer (Oh, woman)!"  Though he wouldn't mind his daughter married to a good man, he wasn't sure if he was ready to share his little girl.

The lights in the house by motion and since Mina and YoungSaeng were outside, no lights were on inside the house when Mr. & Mrs. Rodriguez pulled up to the driveway.

Once inside, they went up to their bedroom and realized both Mina's and their son's door was open.  "Mina?  ¿Hija?"  Mrs. Rodriguez looked into her room and saw her luggage.

 - "She brought a friend?  There are bags in Mateo's room," he caught a whiff of a scent, but his brain didn't register it until his wife spoke again.

 - "Why wouldn't they share Mina's room?"

 - "Unless she brought a boyfriend home?  I thought I caught the scent of a man's cologne."

A smile spread on Minae Rodriguez's face, "I can't believe it!  Finally!  Oh, I wonder who it is?"  Alejandro, let's go find them; taking her husband's hand, she led him back downstairs.  It was obvious they weren't inside the house.  From the family room, they could see that the outdoor chimney was lit but didn't immediately see their daughter.

Mr. Rodriguez shook his head, seeing the wine bottles and glasses before seeing his daughter.  "A ha, no más llega y derechito a mis vinos (Aha, she just gets here and goes straight to my wines)," the entire family enjoyed a nice wine, now and then.

Stepping outside, they spotted the couple curled up sound asleep.  "Mina!"  Mrs. Rodriguez gasped.  "They look so sweet together."

Mr. Rodriguez sighed, he was afraid of this really happening.  It was one thing to about marrying her off, but it was another to have it actually happening.  The fact that she didn't tell them about him meant it was serious.  "Ya despiértalos, no se pueden quedar así toda la noche (Just wake them up already, they can’t stay like that all night)."

 - "Deja tomarles una foto (Let me take a picture of them)!"  Mrs. Rodriguez thought they were just too cute.

 - "Minae!  Mientras que apago el fuego, despiértalos, si (While I bank the fire, wake them up, yes)?"

 - "Alejandro, you're no fun!"  Then she realized he had his phone still clipped to his belt.  She took the phone from its case, getting another exasperated look from her husband and took the picture.

 - "It was very irresponsible of them to fall asleep with the fire lit," he grumbled a little while poking the logs to get the fire to extinguish completely.

 - "Alejandro, they were tired," Mrs. Rodriguez, gently shook her daughter.  "Mina dear, wake up and let's go inside."

 - "Yes, so tired they consumed two bottles of wine?"

 - "Celoso  (jealous)," Mrs. Rodriguez knew her husband.  Mina didn't have a lot of boyfriends, but when she did, he was always just a tiny bit put out at having to share his little bird, as he called her.

 - "Y que (What if I am)?  No tengo ese derecho (I don't have that right)?"  He couldn't help laugh at himself.

 - "Por supuesto, mi amor (of course, my love)."  Mrs. Rodriguez could hear the soft laugh behind her.  "Mina, wake up...your papi can't carry you upstairs anymore."  As a little girl, her Father always carried her whenever she fell asleep.  "Mina...Mina...wake up, dear!"  Mina heard a familiar voice, but sleep and the delicious warmth at her back were begging her to ignore it.  "Alejandro, she doesn't want to wake up."

 - "Try the boyfriend or should I try?"

 - "No...no," she waved her hand.  "I'll do it!"  Who knows what mischief her husband had in mind?  "You just keep extinguishing that fire."  Letting out a sigh, she fixed her attention on YoungSaeng.  Neither she nor her husband recognized him for his platinum hair; they'd only met him twice almost a year ago.  Deciding to go with her professor's tone of voice, "Young man!  It's time to wake up.  Young man..."  She shook him a little harder than she had her daughter, but all he did was tighten his hold on Mina.  "Wow, these two are really, tired!"  She couldn't help, laugh.

 - "Come and pour some sand over the fire.  I'll wake them up."

 - "Don't frighten them."

Mr. Rodriguez rolled his eyes at his wife.  "We could just leave them here."

 - "Alejandro!"

 - "Ya voy, ya voy (I'm going, I'm going).  Hija?!  ¿Mina Rodríguez...porque ay un hombre en tu cama (why is there a man in your bed)?"

Mina heard her father's stern voice.  Though she had hardly ever been on the receiving end of it, that privilege belonged to her brother.  She heard man and bed and sat up as if she'd been stung by a bee.  "Papi!  We...fell asleep.  We...we...weren't doing anything.  Chinchayo!"  Slowly consciousness began to dawn on both of them.  When Mina bolted upright, she'd torn herself from YoungSaeng's arms, nearly falling off the couch and waking him up in the process.

 - "Omo!  Rodriguez-ssi, it's not...jwosongminida, chinchayo," YoungSaeng inclined his head as best he could, given that Mina still sat there trying to figure out what was going on.  "Jagiya, let me up, so I can pay my respects to Abeojim."

Mina finally realized they were still outside.  "Papi!"  She stood and hugged and kissed her dad.  "Papi scared me!"

 - "Alejandro...I told you not to frighten them.  Come, dear, give Haha a hug."  Mina felt like a kid again and grinning, left her dad to give her Mom a hug.

 - "Minae, primero este hombre me quita mi niña y ahora tú (First this man takes my girl, now you)?”

Mina and her Mom laughed.  "Papi is just jealous, don't mind him."

 - "Papi, Haha..." Mina walked away from her Mother and took YoungSaeng's hand, who was suddenly biting his lip.  "This is Heo YoungSaeng.  Do you remember him from your visit?"

 - "I think so...," Mrs. Rodriguez said.  "Alejandro, remember him?  Yes, he was the one...yes...yes, I remember now."  She remembered he was the single one in the bunch and she smiled in delight.

 - "My wife seems to have remembered, but forgive me, I can't," Mr. Rodriguez said.

 - "Heo YoungSaeng inmnida.  Mannasuh bangapseumnida (Happy to meet you).  Jal bootak deurimnida (I offer you a request/Please look after me)."  YoungSaeng was so nervous; he'd completely forgotten to speak English.  He began his keunjeol (big bow) as a form of respect to the parents of his girlfriend.

Mina linked arms with her Mom, smiling widely at the event, she'd only seen in dramas.  "Mina," her Mom whispered in her ear.  "Is he doing what I think he's doing?"  Her daughter didn't answer, but the enamored look on her face was all the answer she needed.

 - "Abeojim, Okassan, forgive me for intruding, je would like to ask your permission to date Mina-yang."

Mr. Rodriguez tried to look stern, but the boy was so nervous, biting his lips the second he stopped talking.  He just couldn't pick on the poor guy.  "Young man, I didn't understand a word you just said, but that was a very impressive performance.  Judging from my wife and daughter's face, they thought so too.  Now, I won't say yes, just yet.  You two are jet-lagged and have polished off two bottles of wine; chances are you won't even remember we came home.  Young man, forgive me if I ask your name again?"

 - "YoungSaeng...last name Heo, Papi,"  Mina answered.

 - "Well,YoungSaeng...last name, Heo.  Welcome to our home;" he offered YoungSaeng a firm handshake.  "Ah and don't let my daughter answer for you, it'll become a very bad habit that you won't be able to break thirty years later."

 - "Papi!"

 - "Alejandro!"

 - "Es la verdad o no (Is it the truth or not)?  You two get some rest; we'll get to know YoungSaeng more in the morning."

 - "Deh Abeojim," YoungSaeng said.  "Anyoung-hi jumu ship shiyo (Good night - fm)"

 - "Buenas noches, Papi," she hugged her dad again.

 - "Que dios te bendiga hija (May God bless you, dear)."

 - "Good night YoungSaeng, May the Lord watch over your sleep," Mrs. Rodriguez gave him a light pat on the shoulder.

Grinning, the two left the elders and made their way back into the house.  "Make sure you fall asleep in separate rooms!"  Mr. Rodriguez called after them.

 - "Papi!"  Mina yelled back, completely red in the face.

 - "Greomyo Abeojim!"  YoungSaeng said.

The elders stayed behind, picking up the empty food containers and giving the young couple a few private minutes to say goodnight.  "Na told Orabeoni they would love you," Mina wrapped her arms around his neck.

 - "Jagi, micheosso?!"  YoungSaeng tried to distance her from him.  "Your parents will be up here any minute.

 - "They're giving us a few minutes to say goodnight."

 - "Chincha?  In that case," YoungSaeng brought his lips to hers for a brief but tender kiss and one more on her forehead.  "Jalja nae Mina-yang."

Mina laid her head against his chest and stayed unmoving for as long as possible.  "Jalja Orabeoni," she finally said, as she heard the doors close quite loudly downstairs. "Second door on your right, there is a bathroom, Na will use the one in my parent's room."

Before she slipped away, he couldn't resist pulling her back for one more quick kiss.  "Bogoshipatso."

 - "Nado, Orabeoni, saranghae."

 - "Nado, saranghae."  At this rate, they would stay in the hall all night.

 - "I'm sure Mina and her young man are very tired.  They'll probably be asleep before their head hits the pillow," Mina's Mom said.

 - "I'm looking forward to having a nice long conversation with that young man," her Father said.

Once they heard her parent’s voices, they both scrambled for their rooms, giggling.  They could always text each other afterward.  But just as Mina's mother had said.  They'd gotten ready for bed and were asleep before the other could text a reply.

November 5, 2016

As tired as she was, Mina had a hard time sleeping, after tossing and turning for some time, she looked at the clock.  It was 5 AM, just about time to go to sleep in Seoul.  She wondered how YoungSaeng was doing.

Mina:  Orabeoni?  Awake?

Mina didn't know he could sleep anywhere at any time.  Between the ship, army, and now idol life, you slept whenever you had a chance.  Though he slept hard all night, he too was starting to wake.  His mind said it was too early, but his body was saying it was too late.  He didn't immediately hear his text message.  When slowly, his body overpowered his mind, he began to hear the ding of his text alert.  Rubbing his face, he rolled over to the nightstand and picked up his phone and smiled.

YoungSaeng:  Oh, now I am.  

Mina had tried to close her eyes again and go back to sleep, but couldn't.  About to get up and use the bathroom, her phone dinged.  Quickly reading her text, she answered back.

Mina:  Did I wake you?

YoungSaeng:  What if nae Mina-yang did wake me?

Mina:  Na will go for a jog on the beach alone and let Orabeoni sleep.

 - "Aish, she thinks I'm going to let her go on her own, where anyone can kidnap her,"

YoungSaeng:  It's not safe.

Mina:  It's perfectly safe.  I used to do it all the time; the firemen are usually training at this hour.

Mina giggled as she typed.

YoungSaeng grabbed a fistful of blanket.  Yes, he did battle with the green-eyed monster at times.  This is really the first time he's had a relationship with a woman that had the potential of going all the way to the end.  With even more reason, he wasn't going to leave her alone with a bunch of firemen.  It wasn’t that he didn't trust her; there was just no need for her to go alone.  He was here with her and awake.  This was their time together and he wanted to spend every minute with her.

YoungSaeng:  Anieyo, we'll go together.

Mina grinned.  "That was easy."

Mina:  I get the bathroom first!

She was up out of bed, grabbing her work out clothes and ran to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face.  It took them both an hour to get dressed and bike down to the beach.  Mina wasn't ready to get behind the wheel of her car.  It had been a year and a half since she had last driven.  She would wait until she was well awake and in broad daylight.  It wasn't quite daybreak and the sun wouldn't rise until after seven.

 - "Orabeoni has circles under his eyes, you didn't sleep?"  Mina frowned and gently ran her thumb under his eyes.  They had locked their bikes and weren't really in a hurry to start their run.  Mina sat on the metal fence along the highway and YoungSaeng stood in front of her.

 - "Na woke up a few times.  It was cold."  He was trying to keep his eyes on her face and not her bare legs.

 - "Orabeoni!  Wae didn't you ask me for an extra blanket?"

 - "The only one that would keep me warm was jagi and Abeojim was very clear on us staying in our own rooms."  He pulled her into his embrace.  If he stared at the road, he wouldn't stare at her legs, but now they were surrounding him, which was worse.

Mina laughed.  "Deh, Abeojim would take you to the shooting range for target practice.  Orabeoni would be the target."

As if Mr. Rodriguez would appear at any moment, he stepped out from her legs.  "Wau...na won't even look at you while in his presence."

 - "Papi isn't like that...he'll love you as soon as he gets to know you."

 - "Chincha?"  He was still a little worried at not meeting her parent’s approval.

 - "Deh!"  Mina pulled him to her for a proper morning kiss.  They'd only shared a little peck on the lips while getting the bikes out of the garage.  Smiling at the still kiss drunk look on her boyfriend's face.  "If Orabeoni wants more, he'll have to catch me," Mina took off running down the trail to the beach.

 - "Yah!  I'm not the competitive type...that's Sunbae!!  Mina!!"  He watched her get further away.  He did say they'd go on morning jogs along the beach, but this wasn't quite what he had in mind.  Sighing, he took off after her.  When he finally caught up with her, he maintained a distance of at least a yard in front of her.  They had done these kinds of drills in the army and though he now jogged on the treadmill, he had no problem keeping up.

Mina was doing a good job keeping up, occasionally pulling on his jacket to keep him from going too far ahead of her.  They didn't speak, both concentrating on the jog.  When YoungSaeng had had enough, he turned abruptly and stopped Mina with his body.

 - "Orabeoni!"  Mina crashed right into him and his arms immediately locked her against him.

 - "Caught you, now jagi owes me," he collected his prize.  More is what she promised him and more is what he took.

They didn't have much time for cuddling.  The beach was not wide in that part and the tide would be rising soon, so they took the steep trail back to the highway and walked hand in hand back to the bikes.  Sitting on the metal fence, they watched their first sunrise together.  "Haengbohkayo," Mina said.

 - "Deh?  Na do."

 - "Who knew my crush would turn into full and reciprocated love?"

 - "Who knew Na would find the yeoja that completed me so perfectly when I'd decided to renounce love."

 - "Orabeoni is fortunate Na came along when Na did," she gave him a few shallow kisses.  She just couldn't get enough of his lips; they were a magnet that drew her in very much willingly.  "Orabeoni, my legs are cold and getting stiff.  We better get back."

YoungSaeng didn't move.  He was not looking forward to biking up the hill to her home.  "Na will keep nae jagi warm."  His way of warming her up was his slow-burning kisses.  While she was distracted with his kisses, he ran his hand up and down her thigh, not really helping the goosebumps that had formed there.  In truth, he loved every inch of her long legs and could never get enough of looking at them and occasionally running a naughty hand along the length of them.

By the time they climbed the hill back to the house; Mina's parents had just returned from a short walk themselves.  YoungSaeng and Mina came in through the backyard, leaving jackets, shoes, and socks at the door.  It was a good thing Mina had left their slippers in the back, not wanting to traipse in sand.  "Here we thought you two were still sleeping?"  Mina's Mom was already in the kitchen just starting breakfast and her Father was reading the paper.

 - "Buenos...días,"  Mina said, exhausted.  It had been a long time since she'd climbed that hill.  "Haha, water!"

 - "Annyeong hashiminika," YoungSaeng tried bowing without falling flat on his face.  Even he was tired.

Mrs. Rodriguez handed them both a bottle of water, while her Father laughed at them.  "Hija, I thought you came to vacation, not kill yourself."

The two gratefully accepted a bottle of water from Mrs. Rodriguez.  "Orabeoni, anja, juseyo."  YoungSaeng didn't need to be told twice.  They both sat, heavily into a chair at the breakfast table.  "Papi, na thought I'd not have a problem climbing that hill.  I was wrong."

 - "YoungSaeng?  How did you survive?"

 - "Only a little better than Mina-yang."

Her parents looked at each other and grinned, overlooking their slips into the Korean language.  "¿Hija, your usual omelet?  And YoungSaeng?  What would you like for breakfast?"

 - "Deh, Kansamnida.  I'll have the same if it's not too much trouble?"

 - "Of course not, dear," Mina's mom quickly got busy whisking up eggs for the entire party.  It felt nice having two extra bodies in the house.  Their son was always busy and hardly ever came home.

 - "Na told Orabeoni, Mama will make you anything you wanted to eat.  We'll go shopping later and plan a big dinner, deh?"

 - "Anieyo...," he was embarrassed.  "Mina-yang doesn't have to make anything special."

 - "Greomyo!  Mama, Orabeoni's birthday was Thursday, we need to make a special dinner to celebrate."

 - "Of course, dear.  Whatever, YoungSaeng wants, we'll make."

YoungSaeng continued to try and protest, not wanting Mina's Mother to go out of her way.  Mr. Rodriquez laughed at him.  "YoungSaeng, you won't win.  Let them fuss over you.  It will be a lot easier."

 - "Deh, Abeojim."  YoungSaeng buried his face in the water bottle, while Mina grinned at his slightly pink cheeks.

Once Mina's Mother had finished cooking and Mina had cut up fresh fruit for everyone, they sat at the table.  Mr. Rodriquez blessed the food and the omelets met everyone's approval.  "Now son, you're sharing a meal at my table.  You're a welcome guest.  Let's talk freely."  YoungSaeng tucked in his lips, nervously.  Mina surreptitiously placed her hand on his leg in reassurance.  "When we last met, you two weren't even acquainted.  When did all this happen?"

 - "Papi..."

 - "Hija, let him be the man and speak up for you," Mina looked at her plate, chastised.   Her Mother reached out to give her daughter's hand a squeeze.

 - "I...," it'd been awhile since he had to speak solely in English.  "don't know how or when we began to become acquainted, and then when Mina-yang took over the marketing for my debut we went from acquaintance to chingu...friends.  Na began to see Mina was the best part of me.  Na could talk with Mina-yang for hours about everything and anything:  Joys, weaknesses, fears, strengths.  Na didn't have to hide anything from her.  Before leaving for nae tour, Na was already struggling with our friendship, when inside I thought she was much more than chingu.  My insecurities said I was imagining everything and she didn't feel the same way.  Hajiman...," he turned his smile to the woman who'd turned his life upside down.  "Mina-yang offered me her friendship when my chingu were busy and na didn't know where I fit into their lives.  She took me into her life when I didn't ask her to or realize I wanted to be.  Na can't tell abeojim what day acquaintance became chingu and chingu became sarang.  I just know, she makes my life complete and I love all of her, even when she gets angry."  Once he focused on everything he loved about her, the rest just spilled out of his mouth with ease.  For a moment no one spoke, the lovebirds just stared at each other with happy tears glistening in their eyes.

Mina's parents also shared a smile.  A man doesn't face his girlfriend's parents in this manner unless he's serious.  Mr. Rodriguez cleared his throat, bringing the couple back from wherever they had gone.  There were more questions to be asked.  "So how does being an idol fit in with dating my daughter?"

 - "We talk and text daily and see each other whenever my schedule allows.  I've been out of the country for most of six months, but we were able to see each other twice during that time.  In the future, I'll always work out my schedule so I have some time with her."

 - "What of your parents?"  Mrs. Rodriguez asked.  "Do they approve?"

 - "Deh, I've spoken to them and Mina has met them.  They support our relationship."  YoungSaeng was happy he could be confident on that point as it was Mina's biggest fear.

 - "Before we go any further with these conversations," Mr. Rodriguez said.  "What is your faith?"

 - "I'm Catholic, just like Mina-yang.  Thanks to her, I made a new commitment to God and we attend Mass together, whenever possible.  Yesunim sent me an angel," YoungSaeng murmured not realizing he'd called Mina an angel in front of her parents.

 - "Not an angel, she's a little bird," her Father said with amusement at the red flush spreading on YoungSaeng's face.

 - "Papi!"  Mina protested being called by her Father's pet name.

YoungSaeng laughed at her, "gwiyeobda."

 - "Yah!  Otter!"

 - "Mina, don't call your boyfriend names."

 - "Haha, that's his nickname.  He looks like an Otter," she was getting back at him for laughing at her.

 - "I haven't met many otters in my life, YoungSaeng.  I'll have to take my daughter's word for it."

Mina's parents continued asking YoungSaeng questions while they finished their breakfast and lingered over fruit.  YoungSaeng lost much of his nervousness as the elders made it easy for him to talk about their daughter.  Who else could he tell how much he loved her, but her parents who also loved her just as much?  "YoungSaeng, do you shoot at all?"  Mr. Rodriguez asked.

 - "Jogeumyo...a little."

 - "You have to be better than Mina's Okassan.  Why don't we let the woman go shopping and you and I go to the shooting range?"

 - "Ah...deh...Abeojim."  It's not like he could say no, but was wondering why her Father wanted to spend time with him at a shooting range.

 - "Papi...are you trying to scare him?"

 - "Como crees, hija (How can you think that, dear), I want to get to know him without Okassan and you butting in."

 - "Yah!  We don't but in!"

 - "Mina-yang...," YoungSaeng was a bit startled at Mina's casual tone with her Father.  "Should you be talking to Abeojim like that?"

 - "Papi started it...," she mock pouted.

 - "Hágale caso a tu novio, hija (Daughter, listen to your boyfriend)."

 - "Papi!!  Mama, Papi is taking YoungSaeng's side against me."

 - "Mateo isn't here, if he doesn't take YoungSaeng for himself he'll be outnumbered," Mrs. Rodriguez said.  "Don't worry, when Mateo brings home a girl, we'll make sure to turn the tables on him."

YoungSaeng relaxed at the easy banter around the table, losing most of his nervousness.  Until he was at the shooting range with her Father.  "Relax, son..."  YoungSaeng couldn't shoot anything if he got paid too.  He kept biting his lip and soon it would start to bleed.  His Coordi’s would kill him if they saw him.

 - "Deh, Abeojim."  Meanwhile, Mina's Father was an excellent marksman and YoungSaeng could barely hit the board.  It seemed every time Mr. Rodriguez was on target, YoungSaeng couldn't be further from the target.

They didn't stop for an hour and YoungSaeng rarely got anywhere close to the bullseye.  "Better luck next time," Mr. Rodriguez gave YoungSaeng a pat on the back.  "You weren't nervous were you?"

 - "Ah...anieyo," not that he'd admit it.

Mr. Rodriguez wouldn't let him pay for his share of the shooting range and even invited him to lunch.  "I think Mina's Okassan is planning a big feast for tonight, so we can't splurge.  Do you like spicy chicken wings?"

 - "Deh, Abeojim."

Over lunch, Mr. Rodriguez asked him about his career so far and was impressed that he'd already made a trip to South America and participated in a musical in Japan.  He asked about the different countries he'd visited while working for the cruise line.  In general, they got along really well and YoungSaeng had begun to relax.  Things changed on the ride back to the house.

 - "YoungSaeng, how old are you?"

 - "Thirty-one, Abeojim.  Actually thirty in western years."

 - "Old enough to start a family.  I had already married Mina's Okassan at your age."

 - "Deh," YoungSaeng was starting to feel a little warm, despite the air conditioner in the car.

 - "I understand you're just starting your career and mija (my daughter) is too.  She and Ilana have much more to do to grow the Seoul office to its potential.  What I'm saying is the older one gets, the harder it is to avoid certain temptations."

Now YoungSaeng was really warm.  "Deh, Abeojim."  YoungSaeng wished he was anywhere but here.

 - "As a man, your temptation is usually greater, that's why your responsibility is also greater.  If you expect to have a relationship with God at the center of it, you're responsible for not letting you or my daughter fall into ual temptation."

Yes, YoungSaeng wished the car door would open and him out.  "Abeojim!"  He didn't know how Mina's Father could continue to drive so calmly.

 - "I've had the same talk with my son, Mateo.  And if you are dating my daughter, then you might as well be like my son; however far this relationship takes you.  Though you wouldn't be sitting in this car with me if you didn't see a long future with my Mina."

YoungSaeng was busy working his bottom lip for a few seconds, trying to muster up the courage to respond.  "Abeojim...chinchayo...I completely respect and cherish Mina.  We...have talked about...these things and I assure Abeojim, that it's not our intention too...we've committed too..."  How could he openly talk about this with her Father?!  He took a deep breath.  "We...don't want...that-temptation-either," he said all in one breathe.

 - "I'm glad to hear that, son.  My wife and I will be lifting you both up in our prayers, that you'll be able to stay strong in your commitment."

 - "Kansamnida Abeojim," that's all YoungSaeng could say.

With that, Mr. Rodriguez changed the subject as abruptly as it began.  "So, what's your favorite football team...?"

While Mina and her Mother were out shopping for YoungSaeng's special birthday dinner, Mina got a variation of the same conversation her boyfriend was getting from her Father.  "Hija...," Mrs. Rodriguez weighed out a few containers of bulgogi, while Mina was looking at the sides.

 - "Deh?  I mean Hai?"

Her Mother smiled indulgently.  The same thing happened whenever they went to Japan or Mexico for an extended period of time.  It took some time to get her mind back to English.  "You're an adult now and though we had this conversation when you entered your teens, it was different."

 - "Mama?"  The continued walking around the store.

 - "If YoungSaeng is the one, then there will be plenty of time to...do certain things...after you're married."

 - "Haha!"  Mina was mortified that they were talking about these things in the middle of Hmart of all places.

 - "I'm just saying, it's just as much your responsibility as it is his to keep yourselves pure."

 - "Haha, really...?"  Mina couldn't even face her Mother for embarrassment.

 - "Mina, look at me."  They were now going down the noodle aisle.  Obediently, Mina looked at her Mom, a bit impatiently.  "Papi and I like YoungSaeng, he seems like a gentleman that really cares about you.  I didn't need to bring this up with your last boyfriend as it seemed you were just passing time with him.  I know we've raised you well in the faith and know that you have your own walk with God now.  Enough to know what he expects of you."

 - "Haha...do we really have to have this conversation, right now?"  Mina placed the glass noodles in the basket.  "We need the ake mushrooms, we're out at home."

Ignoring her daughter, "would you rather we have this conversation in front of Papi and YoungSaeng?"

 - "Anieyo!"

 - "When you truly love someone, you want to be intimate:  kisses, cuddles, caresses.  I see the way you two look at each other.  It's different than the way you looked at your last boyfriend.  This is the man you'll want to give all of yourself to.  If he's the one, which he may be..., I don't judge love by time...then your wedding will be that much sweeter if you have something to look forward to."

Mina refused to talk to her Mother the rest of their time in the store.  Once back in the car, she looked at her.  "Haha...I know, okay?  I know, he's different and I know he's the first one to make me want to give it all and we've already talked about it.  We're still getting to know each other, getting used to being boyfriend and girlfriend and his idol status, but he knows that I want that first time to be with the man I marry and he agrees."

Mrs. Rodriguez smiled.  "Good, maybe we'll be planning a wedding by the spring."

 - "Haha!!!"

Mrs. Rodriguez laughed at her daughter.

On their return home, Mina and YoungSaeng could barely look at each other without blushing.  And her parents enjoyed every minute of teasing the sweet couple.  Mina and her Mother made him a traditional Korean fest of bulgogi, chapche, pork, and all the sides.  Though they purchased much of it already made, the two women spent hours in the kitchen marinating and chopping for what wasn't made.  They purchased a mango brulee cake from 85c bakery and placed candles and a Happy Birthday sign on it.  YoungSaeng blushed the entire time they sang Happy Birthday to him.

 - "Orabeoni, make a wish!"  Mina said.

 - "Mollah!  All my wishes have come true."

 - "Not all of them..."

YoungSaeng knew she was talking about Ilana.  Now that he'd come clean with her, he had to make things right and hope she forgave him.  "Arraso...!"  He made his wish and blew out the candles.

Later, they all sat outside, after dinner; Mr. Rodriguez was giving YoungSaeng pointers on the guitar.  YoungSaeng was much more confident on the piano, so he gladly accepted help from someone who has been playing about as long as he had been alive.  Mina had an idea on how to help her boyfriend and Ilana pass this hurdle.  "Haha, let's go visit Ilana tomorrow.  I need to see my cute HaEun.  Wait until you meet her, Haha."

 - "That will be nice.  Last we spoke to Juan Carlos, she sings at her Church.  Why don't we plan on just spending the day with her?  We can make fish tacos to go with whatever Nana makes."

 - "YoungSaeng doesn't like seafood...," Mina's face was apologetic.

 - "What about Taco Rice balls and your Papi's famous salsa and guacamole."

 - "They're fried, he'll love them!  I'll call Ilana."

Ilana had been able to place the confrontation with YoungSaeng in a small corner of her mind; though the wound in her heart still bled.  Jetlag, nursing, being a wife, and work put an ill-fitting band-aid over the wound.  Saturday, she spent a good portion of the day on the computer.  Jihoo, being a Doctor could see the bad patch job she had done on her wound, but she wasn't letting him change the dressing on it.  Preferring to bleed until it stopped hurting.  HaEun was just happy to be home, Imo Suzy stole her for an hour before dinner and that was just fine with her.

After dinner, they were out for a brisk walk when Ilana received two phone calls.  One was Amye from the worship band asking her to sub for her, as she wasn't feeling well and losing her voice.  Ilana readily agreed to help her out and prayed that she'd be well, by morning.  Though the college student would give a valiant attempt, it wasn't going to work and Ilana would have to sing for both services.  The second phone call came from Mina.  Her Mother wanted to meet HaEun.  Ilana recognized the ploy behind the request, but it wasn't like she was going to turn down Mr. And Mrs. Rodriguez, or Mina or even YoungSaeng.

Nana always purchased a little extra food than they actually needed each week, so that once or twice a month, they could have a small gathering on a Sunday afternoon.  Just like Ilana's parents used to do.  Nana didn't think of herself as an employee, but truly as the Grandmother and she felt blessed to cook and take care of her kids.  They were all busy working and raising their families.  She had led a good life with the Contreras family, few could boast of what she could.  Should she retire, her Niña would always provide for her, but she didn't feel like she worked.  Especially with her Niña married and living in the house.  She and her husband took care of many of the duties, as well as Jesse whom they hired to relieve her of some of the repetitive duties such as dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and bathrooms.  Though now that no one wore shoes in the house, the floors only needed a light dusting.  And the little one wasn't crawling yet, so she didn't make any mess.  When Ilana told her the Rodriguez family was coming over, she took out a little over twenty pounds of meat, chicken, and pork to defrost overnight.  Jesse would help her make the marinades, even if it was her day off.  Ilana would pay her for the time she spent in the kitchen.  If Juan Carlos and the family came, they always contributed something to the mix.  It was never known how much or how little food there would be, but it was always enough and always gone.

Sundays were always a jumble of cars.  The chaos had begun with their marriage and continued with HaEun.  They had sold the sedan and purchased Jihoo's favorite SUV for Brendon to use, as there would be more trips to the airport.  Then HaEun was born and Jihoo and Ilana couldn't use his two-seater for family outings.  On Sunday, when Ilana sang, Brendon dropped her off at six A.M. for practice and he went to 6:30 AM Mass with Nana, down the street.  When Brendon and Nana were done with Mass, they came back home and picked up Jihoo's car for the day and Jihoo took the SUV with HaEun to the 10:30 service at their Church.  Suzy could almost never get JungMin up to attend the early mass with Nana and Brendon or else things would be less confusing.  They could all pile into Suzy's car and go together.  Their perfectly planned chaos seemed to work well for them.  Suzy decided to go with Jihoo and HaEun to their church as Mina would be there and she hoped to get more acquainted with her before they came back for lunch at the house.  She would be in for a surprise when she got there.

The Lord knew Ilana needed the peace of mind only He could give and during the first service, she forgot all about the visitors that were arriving at second service.  Smiling and laughing in between services, she went out to see if Jihoo and HaEun were in the family room or infant room, as she didn't see them in the sanctuary.  She ran into the Rodriguez family with YoungSaeng first.  There was no way to retreat, Mrs. Rodriguez had spotted Ilana.

 - "Ilana!"

Half smiling, Ilana walked slowly toward the group.  "Tía...Tío," she waved awkwardly.

 - "Oh come here," Mrs. Rodriguez pulled her into a hug.

 - "Como estas, hija (How are you, child)?"  Mr. Rodriguez asked.

 - "Bien, gracias a Dios (Good, thank God)."

 - "Chincha?"  Mina asked.

 - "Deh," Ilana received Mina's hug with a true smile.  Honestly, why shouldn't she be fine?

 - "Look who we found lost and wandering, I believe you know this young man?"  Mr. Rodriguez gave YoungSaeng a pat on the back.

 - "Deh," Ilana said.  "Annyeong hasseyo, orenmanida," she inclined her head.

Ilana was saved from further awkwardness by the arrival of Jihoo, Suzy, and HaEun.  "YoungSaeng Oppa?!"  Suzy was completely surprised and walked as quickly as her thirty five-week pregnant body would take her.  She hugged the man in front of her, making him embarrassed in front of Mina and her family.  "Manasseh Bongawoyo (It's nice to see you)," her pregnancy hormones began to make her tear up.

 - "Suzy-ah!"  He pushed her away from him, alarmed at her tears.

Ilana giggled, whatever awkwardness had been in the air, Suzy and little 'mal' had cleared it.  "Gwenchana, it's just her pregnancy hormones."  She ran her hand soothingly over her friends back.

 - "Mianhae, Oppa," Suzy apologized.  "It's such a happy surprise!  Mianhaeyo, Mina Unnie," Suzy bowed to Mina.

 - "Anieyo," Mina dismissed Suzy's apology.  "Haha, Papi, this is Bae Suzy and you remember Jihoo, Ilana's husband."

 - "Of course," Mr. Rodriguez immediately shook Jihoo's hand and Jihoo inclined his head to the older man.

 - "This must be HaEun?  How cute!  She's wearing a Kimono!"  Mrs. Rodriguez stretched out her hand, hoping HaEun would come to her, but HaEun didn't readily go to strangers.  Instead, she leaned toward her Mother, whom she hadn't seen all morning.

Ilana gave her husband a pointed look (that he ignored), he had dressed HaEun in the Kimono YoungSaeng had sent her on purpose. "Hola mi amor (Hello, my love)," Ilana took her from Appa and gave her a smack on the lips.  She turned the baby to the elders.  "Saluda a tía Minae y tío Alejandro (Greet your aunt and uncle).  HaEun-ah, this is Ajussi YoungSaeng," Ilana introduced the two and then whispered in her ear.  "Don't tell Ajussi everything Umma says about him, deh?"

HaEun giggled, Umma told her secrets a lot, so she associated the action with playtime.  YoungSaeng was smitten the second HaEun smiled at him and he smiled back.  "Gongju, annyeong hasseyo," YoungSaeng bowed deeply for HaEun, making her wiggle excitedly in Umma's arms.

 - "HaEun-ah likes Ajussi?"   Mina took HaEun's hand and kissed it, but HaEun kept looking at YoungSaeng who was making faces at her.

Leave it to a baby to make one smile or laugh when you otherwise didn't want to.  Once HaEun shrieked in glee at the faces YoungSaeng was making, all Ilana could do was laugh.  "Beba hermosa (Beautiful baby girl)!"  Ilana gave her a squeeze and a kiss.  "Sarang, I need to get ready, should I check her in or will you sit with her in the family room?"

 - "Perhaps she should go into the infant room, that way I can sit with Suzy, YoungSaeng-ssi and the Rodriguez family."

 - "Arraso, HaEun-ah, di adiós!"  Ilana waved HaEun's hand at them.  Luckily, one of HaEun's favorite teens was working in the infant care room and there weren't any issues.

YoungSaeng was puzzled as to where Ilana was going.  Maybe she didn't want to be anywhere near him, he thought.  She did greet him in a very stiff manner.  He was still perplexed as they walked into the sanctuary.  Suzy waited patiently and no one answered her question as to how YoungSaeng was here in front of them.  Her voice broke through his thoughts.  "Oppa, Unnie...how...are you two here, together?"

 - "Mina, YoungSaeng, didn't you tell your friends?"  Mrs. Rodriguez asked.

 - "There wasn't time, Mama."

 - "But Ilana knew?"

Jihoo had ushered them all to an empty row that Ilana had already reserved.  As they all filed in, Mina answered.  "Deh...that was an accident.  We meant to tell her after we told you, but it didn't work out that way."

Suzy ended up seated at the end with YoungSaeng and Jihoo at the opposite end with Mr. Rodriguez.  "Ilana Unnie and Oppa are fine, now?"  Suzy had noticed how awkward Ilana was with YoungSaeng, considering it had been over a year since they truly spoke.

YoungSaeng nodded his head and answered her back in an equally low voice.  "Mianhae, not exactly."

 - "Oppa doesn't have to apologize to me."

It still bothered him that Ilana wasn't sitting with them, though Jihoo had left an empty seat next to him.  He bit his lip and mustered the courage to ask Suzy.  "Suzy-ah, where's Ilana?"

 - "She's getting ready for the service.  She's on the worship team.  Oppa is in luck, she wasn't supposed to sing today."

 - "JeongMal?"

Mina had been overhearing the conversation with one ear while talking to her Mother.  "Orabeoni, she's daeback.  Has Orabeoni heard her sing?"

 - "Anieyo," he said in surprise.

 - "YoungSaeng, I'm sure she takes after her Mother; she was a concert pianist and vocalist."

 - "Deh, Eommonim.  I knew that and Ilana sang as a child but didn't know she had started again."

 - "Mama, Orabeoni has been out of touch with Ilana while he was serving in the military.  It will be good for them to catch up today."  Mina gave YoungSaeng's hand a squeeze and he gave her an apologetic smile.  He didn't like that she just had to defend his actions.

Service was starting and Ilana walked out on to the altar with the rest of the band.  YoungSaeng found himself smiling.  He didn't see her inner turmoil at his presence but only admired her simple beauty.  How much he had always hoped and prayed that she would smile for him just the way she was now.  Yet, there she was, with no help from him, sitting at the digital piano with a sweet smile on her face.

Oddly enough or perhaps not odd at all, the message that morning was about Grace and it hadn't really hit her at the first service.  Most of the worship team hung out during the first service and sat in during the second service.  That was when Jihoo and HaEun came to Church and Ilana would immediately nurse her daughter while listening to their pastor speak.  Today, she was sent to the infant room with an emergency bottle.  Ilana's mind wandered as she sang. (Music)

Standing here in Your presence

In a grace so relentless

 - "Grace, the free and unmerited love of God," Ilana thought.

I am won

By perfect love

 - "Who am I to receive this perfect love and yet He offered it to me and bestowed me with blessings beyond anything I could ever imagine."

Wrapped within the arms of heaven

In a peace that lasts forever

Sinking deep

In mercy's sea

Ilana hadn't been at peace since their fateful meeting with YoungSaeng and Mina.  Mercy was something she'd received more often than she could count.  In fact, part of their wedding vows were about mercy:  'Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins'.  She and Jihoo promised that kind of love, but what promise or what proof of her love had she given her friend.  She'd been hurt for a long time, not even knowing when the wound had begun to fester

...All fear removed

Ilana hadn't let the Lord remove her fear and she did nothing to remove YoungSaeng's fear.  "Pabo," she thought to herself, "he was probably worried about facing me, as much as I was him."

When I'm lost You pursue me

Lift my head to see Your glory

Lord of all

So beautiful

 - "When I was lost, the Lord pursued me and when my friend was lost, I just let him be.  I'm sorry Lord, forgive me."

It was not unusual for the congregation to see tears running down Ilana's cheek as she sang.  At times they knew, she wasn't leading them in worship, but having a personal worship session all her own.  YoungSaeng too had tears in his eyes.  He never expected this from her.  He thought perhaps one day she might sing, but nothing like this.  In front of a crowd of people and with such emotion.  Chills ran down his arms as if she was trying to convey a message to him through her singing.  Her smile was so sweet, just like the day of her wedding.  But this was different.  That day it was radiant, today it was tender.  She was poised and confident, her hands glided over the piano keys with ease.  But the tears in her eyes let you know that she meant every word she sang.  This wasn't a front or a show, she sang to her savior.

Mina's hand clasping his brought him back to the present.  She knew the song and sang along with equal fervor.  He smiled at her briefly and closed his eyes, letting his Cinderella's voice calm his heart.  He was happy that she was happy and that's all he really ever wanted.  God had sent her someone to be there for her when he couldn't and then he was sent someone to be there for him when Ilana could not.  "Kansamnida Yesu," he prayed, silently.  "Let her forgive me completely for being pabo."

Your love so deep

Is washing over me

Your face is all I seek

You are my everything.

Jesus Christ

You are my one desire

Lord hear my only cry

To know You all my life.

Ilana had a new peace in her heart come the final chorus.  feeling an uncontainable joy and excitement, she stopped playing in order to stretch her hands out in worship.  YoungSaeng even picked up the chorus by the second time around.

Everyone was in a good mood by the time they made it home.  Mrs. Rodriguez couldn't help gush over Ilana's singing and playing and how much it reminded her of Ilana's Mother.  The woman quickly donned aprons to help Nana finish lunch, though there wasn't much to do.  HaEun usually falls right to sleep after church and gets deposited in her crib as soon as they get home.  The men and Suzy, who was admonished to sit, went outside to awkwardly prepare the grill.  Jihoo and YoungSaeng didn't really say a word to each other and Mr. Rodriguez tried striking up a conversation with the two closed-mouthed men.  "Dr. Jihoo doesn't say much unless he's talking to HaEun or Ilana," Brendon commented, making Jihoo grin.

 - "Neither does Oppa; maybe he's different with Mina Unnie," Suzy said.

 - "That he is, Miss Suzy; that he is."  It was YoungSaeng's turn to grin.  "I'm happy to see Ilana settled well in her marriage.  I was a little nervous after that first time we all met, but the Lord worked everything exceedingly above what anyone expected.  Now my little bird has found herself an honorable young man.  I'm hoping we'll have him around a very long time."  Mr. Rodriguez slapped a blushing YoungSaeng on the back.

 - "Ajussi, I don't think Mina Unnie is going to let him go anytime soon," Suzy teased YoungSaeng.  It felt great to see him smiling and happy, instead of moody and grumpy.

 - "Yah!"  YoungSaeng complained.

 - "Brendon, when will it be your turn to be blessed with love.  Ya estas viejo (You're old, now)."

Jihoo tried not to grin, but Suzy couldn't hold it in and laughed.

 - "The coals are almost ready, I'll get the meat," Brendon ran off to avoid the teasing.

 - "Uissa, I think Brendon might like someone.  I've heard him talking on the phone and then when he sees me, he makes an excuse to hang up."

 - "Deh, I've noticed it too and he gets entirely too excited over race weekends."

 - "Omo!  Maja!  He's like a kid going to Disneyland.  It took Oppa long enough to ask Mina Unnie out, maybe Brendon will bring a yeoja home for us to meet."

 - "Not if you're going to act like this, I sure wouldn't," YoungSaeng defended the older bachelor.

 - "Don't be too hard on Miss Suzy, here, son.  Most people on this earth are meant to find their other half, some, are called to be the supportive friend, aunt or uncle.  I do think that Brendon might be getting ready to transition into a new phase in his life.  Let's just sit back and let the Lord do his work."

 - "Deh, Ajussi."

The conversation then turned to Suzy and the baby.  "Miss Suzy, when are you due?"  Mr. Rodriguez asked.

 - "Five weeks and I can't wait!  Two weeks after that we fly out to Seoul."

 - "Omo...the wedding is coming up that quickly?"  The time had flown by and now two more of his friends would be getting married.

Mr. Rodriguez could detect a hint of sadness on YoungSaeng's face.  "It's always a joy when one's friends are getting married, but it leaves the remaining singles in the group a little lonely.  Ilana's Father was the first to be married amongst our circle of friends and I know it left me mourning for my best friend."

 - "Chincha...I mean, really?"

 - "Of course, it's natural.  We're selfish human beings.  It doesn't mean we're not happy for our friends, but the little green worm of envy starts to make its presence known."

YoungSaeng and Jihoo pondered the scenario, had they been envious of their friends?  Perhaps they put on a happy front but were just a tiny bit envious.

Juan Carlos and his family arrived with more food and also Pastor Jonathan and his wife, Sarah.  Sunday afternoon gatherings were all about the chaos.  Other than a trashcan full of paper plates, napkins, and cups, it was a fairly easy cleanup.  Around when everyone was just getting seated, the baby monitor announced HaEun was awake.  They had her place already set between Umma and Appa.  Mina, YoungSaeng, and Suzy were seated across from them.  “Jamkkanmanyo,” Ilana excused herself to tend to HaEun.

 - “Sarang, na will get her,” Jihoo said.

 - “Gwenchanayo, I’ll get her.  Give me ten minutes, everyone.  Please go ahead and start without me.”

 - “Take your time, Ilana, we’ll wait for you,” Mina said.  “Uissa, you guys will be back in Seoul before Christmas, right?”

 - “Deh, just in time for the Gala and then we’ll stay through March.”

 - “By the time Ilana gets back, we’ll have the design team up and running.  The first batch of apartments will be for sale, so we’ll need to decorate the model units.”

 - “Deh, anae is excited about that and of course the wedding.”

YoungSaeng got the uneasy feeling he was being stared at.  It happened at the Church as well, he’d gotten a few stares from the predominantly Korean congregation.  No one had approached him, though he did hear a few whispers.  Realizing the pastor’s wife, SoEun or Sarah as they called her was trying to figure out if he was who she thought he was, made him uncomfortable.  Jihoo had introduced everyone, but perhaps it hadn’t quite hit her yet.  “Jamkkanmanyo”, he whispered to his girlfriend.  "Naega just going to use the bathroom.”  He just needed to collect himself for a minute.  The large crowds didn’t bother him, but when it was just a few staring, it made him a little uncomfortable.  He’d rather they ask him if he was Heo YoungSaeng than stare and whisper.

SoEun had indeed been staring.  She didn’t follow the Hallyu wave that much, but between Some of the kids at Church and family, she couldn’t say she was completely ignorant.  Someone had lent her a CD and the guy on the cover looked very much like Ilana’s friend.  SoEun stood and sat next to Mina to apologize when she realized that he must have caught her staring.  “Mina, I’m so sorry, I think I frightened your friend.”

 - “Why would you frighten him?”

 - “I might have been staring a little too long.  I have a CD in my car, by chance...would he be the person whose face is on that CD?”

Mina grinned a bit, “he might be.”

 - “I’m so embarrassed.  I didn’t want to ask him and then just make myself look dumb or embarrass him in any way.”

 - “It’s okay, he’s not used to all the attention yet.”

 - “Please apologize on my behalf.  He’s here off the grid and I was making him uncomfortable.”

 - “He’ll be more uncomfortable that you’re uncomfortable.”

 - “I won’t look at him for the rest of the afternoon,” SoEun laughed and went back to sit with her husband.  Mina and Suzy Looked at each other and laughed.  They knew YoungSaeng would be even more embarrassed that she apologized for staring.

YoungSaeng had just stepped out of the bathroom and heard Ilana’s voice coming down the stairs.  HaEun was in a good mood, now that she had a fresh diaper (not liking to be wet at all) and in Umma’s arms.  “Mi nena está contenta (My little girl is happy)?  Geongju is yippeun in her Kimono that Ajussi sent.  I wonder how you say pretty in Japanese?  We’ll have to ask Tía Mina.”  YoungSaeng was hidden from sight, unintentionally, and listening to the conversation.  “HaEun-ah, ya te vi coqueteando con Ajussi (I saw you flirting with Mr.).”  HaEun either agreed or defended herself, Ilana wasn’t sure.  They finally arrived at the bottom of the stairs.  “HaEun-ah...que te parece Ajussi, guapo (what do you think of Mr., handsome)?  Va ser tu tío (He’s going to be your uncle).  Es el novio de Tía Mina (He’s Aunt Mina’s boyfriend).”

YoungSaeng laughed at their dialog.  He didn’t understand any of it, but he heard a few words like uncle and handsome and Mina and boyfriend.  Without being cocky, he was pretty sure Ilana was talking about him.  They kept up the dialog and YoungSaeng quickly closed the bathroom door, making it seem like he had just come out.  Ilana stopped when she saw him.

 - “Gwiyopta, nomu gwiyopta.  Cin...Ilana-ssi must be haengbohkaeyo.”

Ilana ignored his slip, “deh.”  She answered him not unfriendly, but not with the same warmth as before.

 -”Na have something for Ilana-ssi if she’ll allow me to give it to her.”

She had forgiven him, but he had still hurt her.  “Mianhae Yesu, can I just let him sweat a little longer?”  Ilana knew the answer that and would have to ask for forgiveness later, but right now, she wanted to make him wait in uncertainty, just as he had her wait.  “Hokshina…,” she lifted HaEun up a little further, to give her a kiss, and then with a big smile, she said:  “Beba, vamos a comer (Let’s go eat).”  Walking outside, Ilana and HaEun bowed to everyone.  “Hello everyone!  My apologies for keeping you waiting, a princess needs her naps, you know.”

 - “Eeliwah gongju,” Jihoo placed her into the highchair.  In keeping with their theme, her meal consisted of zucchini porridge and a little avocado.  Nana said a blessing for the food and as everyone clasped hands, YoungSaeng and Mina couldn't help remember that Thanksgiving meal at her apartment when they first held hands.

YoungSaeng and HaEun kept up a subtle silent conversation with smiles on his end and giggles on hers.  As usual with a group of sixteen people, a number of conversations could be heard at the same time.  The only one who could see YoungSaeng's actions were Jihoo.  Ilana was busy feeding HaEun, so every time her head turned, YoungSaeng would do something to make HaEun laugh.  "Yah, Beba, who are you talking to?"  Ilana asked her smiley daughter.  "Is Imo Suzy making you laugh?"

 - "Anieyo, Jogeum Mal and I are too busy eating.  Eommoni, these rice balls are Daeback!"

 - "I'm glad you're enjoying them, dear."

 - "Tío gives Nana competition with his salsas," Ilana said.

 - "I'm not competing with anyone," Mr. Rodriguez laughed.

 - "Alright you two," Suzy said.  "I want to know how you went from working together to dating."

 - "Suzy-ah, there's nothing much to tell," Mina said embarrassed.

Ilana perked up at the question, she wanted to know too.  "It-it just happened…,” YoungSaeng mumbled.

Jihoo looked at his wife’s face, it was calm.  She said she would get over it and it looked as if she had made peace within herself.  The next thing would be to make peace with YoungSaeng.  He had noticed they came out of the house together and though she had a hint of a smile on her face, they weren’t speaking at all.  He promised himself he wouldn’t get jealous; after all, YoungSaeng was now dating Mina and Ilana was his forever.  Even HyungJun’s playful banter never bothered him, but YoungSaeng touched on his nerves.  He needed to stop that for both him and his wife’s sake.

 - “Jeongmal!!  You two are no fun!  Can I call Min and tell him, juseyo?”  Suzy batted her eyelashes, placing her fists up to her cheeks.

Ilana laughed at the shameless act, she herself couldn’t do.  “Suzy, all of Seoul will know about their relationship within a few hours if you tell Min, now.”

- “Anieyo!!”  Mina looked worried.

YoungSaeng squeezed her hand.  It was a simple gesture that he could do in the presence of everyone, even though he really wanted to kiss her worried face.  “Gwenchana, Min won’t say anything...yet.  He’ll give us ample warning to confess.”

 - “Omo...do you think he knows?”  Mina racked her brain.  As far as she could remember they did nothing to set off any alarms, but from the little she knew of the man, his brain didn’t work like anyone else's.

 - “Oppa, why would he know anything?”  Suzy asked.

 - “Because he’s Park JungMin and once he has an idea in his head, there’s not getting it out,” YoungSaeng answered.

Ilana had stopped feeding HaEun and everyone around her was engrossed in conversation and ignoring her.  This just wouldn’t do...HaEun gave a funny little shriek and accidentally knocked her spoon over, flicking avocado onto Ilana’s plate.  “Gongju, jeogiyo!”  Ilana laughed.  “Beba...where are your manners?”  Ilana wiped her daughter's hands, which had porridge and avocado all over them, now.

 - “Sarang has hardly eaten, I’ll finish feeding her,” Jihoo said.

 - “Chincha?  She doesn’t have that much more.”

 - “Jihoo, Ilana, I’ll feed her,” Mrs. Rodriguez was itching to hold a baby.

 - “If she’ll let you, she’s not good with strangers.”

 - “Babies love Mama,” Mina said.  “Don’t keep her all afternoon, HaEun-ah bogoshipo.”

HaEun would later be part of the pass the baby game that many adults like to play until she was tired, cranky and just wanted Umma or Appa.  The rest of the meal passed with the usual conversations, quarrels, and teasing until everyone couldn’t eat another bite.

 - “Hajima!  I can’t eat anymore!”  Jihoo had been popping pieces of shrimp into Ilana’s mouth.  Having been busy with HaEun, she’d eaten only a small amount.

 - “Sarang has to eat well in order to feed dtal.”  At this point, HaEun’s main nourishment came from milk, not from the little bits of solids that she ate.

 - “Deh Unnie,” Suzy agreed with Jihoo.

 - “Yah!  I’m not undernourished!  I had a decent-sized tortilla filled with meat, rice, and beans in between feeding HaEun.  Sarang has been stuffing me with shrimp and I had one of Tia’s rice balls.”

 - “I’m just teasing, Unnie,” Suzy laughed.

Mina had gone to get her HaEun fix as her Mother had kept her for a while now and YoungSaeng was left mute in an awkward situation.  He couldn’t just jump in and tease his dongsaeng the way he used to.  He couldn’t even compliment her; she looked beautiful.  The extra pounds had not harmed her appearance whatsoever but enhanced it.

Jihoo smiled at his wife with his mischievous eyes, letting her know he was teasing her as well.  “Sarang likes seafood and you didn’t serve yourself any.  Na was just helping.”

 - “Nampyon, kansamnida,” Ilana inclined her head.

YoungSaeng thought of the way he and Mina joked around and smiled, getting caught by Suzy.  “Mina Unnie, palli!  Oppa misses you already!”

 - “Suzy-ah!”

Ilana hid a smile in her napkin.  Mina returned to her seat with HaEun and smiled at her boyfriend.  "Oh?  Chinchayo?"  She gave his cheek a quick kiss before he could respond.  After all, he was her boyfriend and they were amongst family.

YoungSaeng was left mute and blotches of red began appearing on his face.  "Oppa's blushing," Suzy taunted.

 - "Anieyo."

 - "Serves him right for all the times he made me blush," Ilana thought.  She pretended interest in something her cousin was saying on the other side of the table, but really she was staring at YoungSaeng.  He looked well, even more handsome than before.  Was it his trim physique?  She could see the muscles on his arm peeking out of his rolled-up shirt sleeves.  It could also be the platinum blond locks.  He always did love his hair.  He was happy; she thought and praised God for it.  Wasn't that what she'd prayed for?  His safety and his happiness.  Taking a glimpse at Mina with HaEun, she saw the happy expression on her V.P. and friend's face.  She couldn't have gotten a better boyfriend, in Ilana's opinion.  While Mina danced HaEun on her lap, YoungSaeng watched with an undisguised smile on his face.  Ilana leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, happily and he brought his arm around hers.  It was a pleasant afternoon, the shade of the patio made it chilly, even if it was almost eighty degrees out.

Ilana covered a yawn behind her hand.  She was still a bit tired from their whirlwind trip to New York and she had been up early this morning.  "I'm going to fall asleep; does anyone want to go for a walk?"

 - "HaEun-ah, should we go for a walk?"  Mina asked her as she was trying grasp onto YoungSaeng's finger that was taunting her.  Her baby chortle was taken for agreement.

 - "I'm up for a walk, Jogeum Mal has been kicking for a while wanting me to get up," Suzy said.

 - "I'll take HaEun," Gloria said.  "You guys go catch up.  I know it's been a while since you've all seen each other, right?"

 - "Ah, yes...," Ilana looked at Jihoo.  They weren't in that phase of wanting to be alone without HaEun.  They worked their own intimate moments around her schedule.

 - "Gloria noona, it's okay.  You're enjoying your conversation and HaEun will want to be in the middle of it."

 - "And I'm sure she'll have lots to comment on," Mrs. Rodriguez said.  "Go on, she'll be fine.  If she cries, we'll come and find you."

 - "If you're sure," Jihoo said a little reluctantly.

 - "We're very sure," Gloria said.

Mina gave HaEun one more kiss, "okay go with Tía Gloria, now."  Mina passed her to Gloria and HaEun's face began to crumble.

 - "Ya vállense (Go on, now)," Nana ordered.  "Ahorita se compone (she'll be fine in a minute)."

Jihoo knew their child was to be held captive by the elders for a while, "we'll be back in about fifteen minutes."

 - "Take your time, the women don't like to give up babies once they have them in their hands," Mr. Rodriguez said.

 - "We're going to go ride the horses," Juan Jr. And his brother scampered off.

 - "Be careful!"  Ilana shouted after them and then turned to her friends.  "Do you want to walk around the yard or go down the street?"

 - "Let's stick to the yard and then when we've walked off our food, we can have dessert and sing to Happy Birthday to Oppa."

 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo," YoungSaeng said.

 - "Choah," Mina agreed.

 - "Deh, arraseo," Jihoo said, seeing his wife nod.

They meandered through the gardens circling the property; they paused to watch the boys exercise the horses.  Suzy was the only one talking and making YoungSaeng talk about his life as an idol.  Suzy did an excellent job interrogating that Everyone else was Just content to listen.

 - "Orabeoni, doesn't Suzy remind you of PD No Eul on Unforgettably Fond?  And Orabeoni can be Kim WooBin not answering her questions."

 - "Omo!  Unnie is watching that drama?!"

 - "Deh!"

 - "That's Suzy's favorite actress," Ilana said.  "They share the same name."

 - "Maja!  They even look somewhat alike."

 - "You've just become Suzy's favorite Unnie," Ilana joked.

 - "Gomawo Mina Unnie, hajima, I don't even resemble myself, right now."

 - "You're perfect," Ilana complimented her friend.

 - "Na recall a yeoja that cried she looked like a tomato in her red dress," Jihoo said with a straight face.

 - "That's because she did," Ilana said.

 - "Poor Ilana, she suffered so much with HaEun," Mina said.

 - "Deh, hajima...she's so precious and worth all the pain."

 - "That's what they all say," Suzy commented.  "I suppose I'll be saying that next."

 - "Deh," Ilana reached to touch Suzy's tummy.  "Jogeum Mal is going to be nice to nae HaEun, deh?"

 - "Greomyo, Unnie, or his Umma will pull his ears off."

 - "Ah, so that's how she controls JungMin," YoungSaeng muttered.

 - "Yah Oppa, na heard that.  We can tell Mina Unnie a few things about her Orabeoni...," Suzy threatened.  "Wae does Unnie call him Orabeoni?"

 - "Ah...mollah, it's different," Mina wasn't about to go into how she had a crush on him from day one.

 - "In other words, she's not going to say," Ilana grinned.

The group sauntered through the gardens without rhyme or reason and came to settle in the rose garden.  They weren't there long when Ilana heard HaEun's cries and rushed off to get her baby.

Twenty minutes later, HaEun was happily ensconced in her wrap, fed and napping.  The princess was done with her duties for the day.  They had ducked into the cottage with Flan that Gloria had made.  YoungSaeng had disappeared for a few minutes, most likely avoiding getting sung to or getting the flan smashed in his face.  When he appeared, it was with a gift box hidden behind his back and biting his lips.  Mina knew that nervous look well and walked over to where he hung back by the front door.  "Orabeoni, gwenchana?"  She said quietly.

He nodded, "does...jagi mind if...na speak to Ilana alone?"

Mina smiled back at him.  There was no reason for her to worry or be jealous.  "Fighting!" She kissed his cheek for good luck.

With all the courage he could gather, YoungSaeng went to stand before Ilana and Jihoo and bowed deeply.  "Uissanim, may I have a word with your anae outside?"

Ilana wasn't sure she wanted to lay her emotions bare again.  Things were well enough as they were.  She'd forgiven him in her heart and she could look at him as her friend's boyfriend and be comfortable with it.  "Gwenchanayo, YoungSaeng-ssi doesn't need to tell me anything, all is in the past."

 - "Mianhaeyo, if Ilana-ssi will allow me a few minutes of her time?"

Ilana didn't know if she could do this and not be angry at him again.  Jihoo saw the torn expression on her face.  Though she said YoungSaeng was forgiven, there was that lingering resentment in her heart.  It was best she face him now or she'd regret it later.  "Sarang, gwenchana, give me HaEun."

 - "Na have one of her blankets upstairs," Suzy said.  "I'll go get it."

Jihoo's face was set, he wanted her to put an end to all of this and move on.  Even though the circumstances were slightly different, he didn't know how JanDi kept it all in for so long.  Though his wife never said anything, he knew she followed his career in silence and thought of her first best friend often.  "Deh?"  She asked.

 - "Deh," Jihoo helped her up and untied the wrap, carefully taking their daughter in his arms.  Thankfully, like her Mother, once she was sound asleep there wasn't much that could wake her.

Once outside, YoungSaeng turned handed her the box.  "Kansamnida," he handed her a red box with a cream-colored lid, wrapped in a red bow.

 - "Waeyo?"

 - "This belongs to Ilana; na owe this to Ilana."

Even more confused, Ilana opened the box.  Inside were his two CD's inscribed, a Hello Kitty Toy and her aquamarine necklace.  "YoungSaeng-ssi..."  He dropped to his knees before her, making her panic as she remembered the last time he did that.  "YoungSaeng-ssi get up!  Jaebal!"

 - "Jwosongmnida...na was wrong to turn nae back on you."

 - "YoungSaeng-ssi...get up!"  Ilana was desperate.  Why was he doing this again?

 - "Not until Ilana-ya hears me out."

 - "Arraso...just get up, jaebal!"

He didn't get up but remained on his knees.  "Those CD's na owe all to you and if you open them, you'll see they are doubly dedicated to you, nae signature and kansamnida on the outside and "To Cinderella" on the inside."

Ilana hadn't even noticed.  She glanced at the pictures and then loaded the CD onto her computer without even looking twice at the case.  "Mollayo.  Hajiman...wae me and not Mina?"

 - "Mina-ssi and I...our relationship is new, only six months of which I've been on tour the entire time.  Ilana-ya...na promised to come back a better Oppa and I've worked hard to make myself worthy in Ilana's eyes.  That's wae kansamnida; if it weren't for Ilana's rejection, na wouldn't have gone to the army at that time and mollah if na would've been scouted on the street.  Na...wouldn't have met Mina-ssi, either.  Na hope this can overcome my failure to keep my promises."

Tears streamed down Ilana's face.  "Pabo...na didn't ask YoungSaeng-ssi to become an idol!  Na just asked him to be na chingu!"

 - "Jwosongmnida...jwosongmnida."

 - "Arraso...get up!  Na forgave YoungSaeng-ssi days ago!"

 - "Does Ilana see, na need to be worthy of her forgiveness?"

 - "Does YoungSaeng-ssi know how much na hoped and prayed you'd come to the wedding?  When YoungSaeng-ssi, nae Oppa, walked me down the aisle, I was the happiest bride ever.  Not only was I going to marry the namja that made me whole again, but nae chingu that first taught me to smile was by my side.  How could it not be the happiest day of nae life?  Pabo!  Na didn't tell YoungSaeng-ssi to become an idol!  Na didn't tell YoungSaeng-ssi to send HaEun gifts.  They were empty and meaningless without you there.  Na just wanted my chingu back.  Na wanted us all to be chingu like we'd been, up until then.  Hajima...YoungSaeng-ssi disappeared again and na convinced myself he hated me and I was at fault for being so happy.  When na saw YoungSaeng-ssi singing na was afraid he would act like he never knew me."

YoungSaeng knew that would be the case and was even more remorseful.  "Jwosongmnida.  that's all na can say, jwosongmnida!  Na wasn't ready to face na jealousy.  Na wanted to be the one to make Ilana happy, hajima as I feared, someone beat me too it.  Hokshina, na wanted to redeem myself in Ilana's eyes not to look like a pabo!"

Ilana sighed, wiping her eyes.  "Paboooo!  Just get up!  YoungSaeng-ssi doesn't know...he did make me happy.  All na had to do was call you when na was sad or lonely and you made me happy.  YoungSaengie's friendship was something that made me very happy," she'd dropped some of the formality.  "Naega proud of YoungSaengie's achievements...hajiman, na would've been happier had you kept your promise when you were discharged from the army.  New York would have been such a happy surprise.  Instead, it hurt, because YoungSaeng-ssi was now chingu with nae chingu and not me."  Ilana couldn't help it; tears flowed down her cheeks again.

 - "Jwosongmnida.  Chincha, jwosongmnida," he slowly stood to face her.

 - "Can Ilana-ssi forgive this selfish Oppa?  Na just wanted Ilana-ssi to know that everything na have now, I owe it all to her."

 - "Pabo...na didn't give you that beautiful voice, Yesu did.  Mina?"  Ilana laughed.  "Mollah how that happened, hajima na can't take credit for that either.  Hajiman..." she glared at him.  "If you're ever cruel to her...na won't forgive you."

 - "Greomyo!  Abeojim will kill me!"

 - "Deh, he will...," Ilana gave him a 'better behave' look.

 - "Can...will...may...na be Ilana's chingu again?"  He stuttered.

 - "Deh...," she half-smiled.  "Hajiman...na can't take the necklace back.  Give it to Mina with my blessing."

 - "Anieyo..."

 - "Deh...it was a temporary gift...na could not accept your heart the way the necklace implies.  Na can no longer wear it in good conscious.  Give it the yeoja who was able to accept all of you."

 - "Hajima...it's your birthstone."

 - "Yippeun...hajima...na can't wear it."

 - "Keep it, juseyo...maybe HaEun will wear it one day.  A gift from Ajussi."

 - "Mollah..."

 - "Jaebal."

 - "Arraseo, if nampyeon says it's okay.  Pabo...bogoshipatso..."  Ilana had missed her friend so much:  his hugs, his voice, his encouragement and even his teasing.

 - "Deh...nae Cinderella, jwosongmnida...nado."  He hoped everything could go back to normal again, he knew he would have to earn her trust again.

 - "Yah..."  Ilana looked up blinking away the tears.  "I'm not your Cinderella anymore."

 - "Maja, Hajima, Ilana is still Cinderella," he messed up her hair.

 - "Yah...knock it off!  Hyeongbunim!"  She and stepped away.

 - "Yah...we've only been dating for six months!"

 - "Deh...what did na tell hyeongbunim...if you're cruel to her..." Ilana stuck her tongue out at him and ran back to the cottage.

 - "Disrespectful agassi..." YoungSaeng smiled as well and walked behind her.

Walking inside the cottage with a huge smile on her face, Ilana saw that her husband, Suzy, and Mina were laughing at whatever conversation they were having and HaEun was sprawled out on the couch, next to her aunt's, while Daddy sat on the floor in front of her.  Jihoo addressed his wife first.  "gwenchana?"  He asked.

Ilana placed the gift box on the table and plopped herself down, next to her husband.  "Mmm," she kissed his cheek, fit herself into the crook of his arm, and wrapped her arm around his torso.

He her hair lovingly and kissed the top of her head.  "choah."

Mina stood and met YoungSaeng at the door and dragged him back outside.  "Orabeoni is smiling.  This is a good thing, deh?"

 - "Guess," he wrapped his arms around her and gave her lips a series of sweet kisses.

 - "Mollah...na will need another clue."

They were interrupted by little Memo.  "Mina, Tío Alejandro says they're going to play music now."  In other words, everyone was expected to participate, even if it was just by clapping and dancing.  The traditional music of Mexico and Spain was always a must with the elders.

 - "Deh...," Mina told the little boy.  "We'll let the others know."

Used to the now Korean side of their family, he didn't bat an eyelash.  "Arraseo," he said and walked back to the elders.

 - "We should get the others, deh?"  YoungSaeng took Mina's hand and they walked back into Suzy and JungMin's cottage.  "The elders expect us to join them," he said.

 - "Arraso, we'll have to take HaEun into the house," Ilana said.

Jihoo stood and helped his wife up, then picked up their daughter.  "It's a good thing she's a sound sleeper," he said, after giving the soft head a kiss.  "Gongju looks just like Umma when she's asleep," he whispered to her.

As everyone filed out Suzy had a sudden thought.  "Oppa, Unnie...wait!"  Ilana turned back, while YoungSaeng and Mina stood outside the door.

Suzy chickened out.  "Anieyo..." I'll tell you guys later.  Everyone was so happy, yet YoungSaeng should know how much he means to Ilana and how much he'd hurt her.  And Ilana should know how special her friendship with YoungSaeng was.  But perhaps it was too soon.

Jesse had already grabbed Jihoo's classical guitar and he joined Brendon's bass guitar and Mr. Rodriguez's Spanish guitar.  Nana could still play the castanets as if they were glued to her hands.  The rest danced, clapped, and had a good time.  Since she met her friends and fell in love with Jihoo, Ilana had had many a beautiful and blessed day, but she wondered if today could have been the most beautiful and blessed day yet.  Could it get any better?  There would be trials always, but the Lord gives you ways of enduring it if you let go and let him do his work.  She wasn't very good at that just yet, but thankfully He gives his children a learning curve and ministering angels along the way.  She thought of her friends and Jihoo and his friends.

When Ilana could not dance a single step more, she excused herself from little Memo, her dance partners, to sit with Jihoo.  Her reprieve would not last.  HaEun was calling her through the monitor at her hip.  "Jankamanyo," Ilana told Jihoo.

Suzy had been enjoying herself, but even she was ready to sit.  She'd watched YoungSaeng and Ilana during the time they were all enjoying the music.  Things were still awkward between them.  Of course, their relationship would not be exactly the same; she had Jihoo to rely on now and not YoungSaeng.  Still, there wasn't any friendly banter between them like there was with the other guys.  Even JungMin picked on Ilana and she was his boss.  That's just how the entire group got along.  There were no walls between them, but there was still a window up between YoungSaeng and Ilana.  "I'm going to see if Unnie needs help," Suzy said.

Ilana had changed a soiled diaper and now sat down to see if HaEun was hungry.  "Begopa?"  It seemed HaEun could be persuaded to have a little snack.  "Princess piggy," HaEun began rooting in Ilana's shirt.  "Deh, deh," Ilana adjusted her shirt to give HaEun access to her food source.  About that time, Suzy knocked on the door.

 - "Unnie, can I come in?"

 - "Greomyo, HaEun is just going to have a snack."

 - "Unnie and Oppa are chingu again?"

 - "Deh...it will take getting used to again.  It still feels funny," Ilana said, honestly.

 - "Unnie and Oppa need to go back the way you were, jeongmal.  Oppa is just was just as important to you as Kike Oppa and Hyeongbu (brother in law - Jihoo)."

 - "Suzy-ah..."  Suzy was practically in tears and Ilana couldn't move because of HaEun.  "It's only the first day."  HaEun looked stopped and looked up to see what was happening.  "Agassi shouldn't stick her nose in where it doesn't belong," Ilana told her.  "Anda (Come on), I thought you were hungry," Ilana tried to get her daughter to feed a little more.  "Suzy-ah..." turning back to the conversation.  "I've forgiven him and my heart is at peace.  There will always be a little bit of a gulf between us, now, but I don't know how to change that right now."

 - "Unnie, we have to do something about it, now...who knows when you'll get to see him again."

HaEun stopped nursing again.  "Chismosa (Nosey)!"  Ilana laughed.  "If you're not hungry let's go downstairs."

 - "Unnie Mianhae, I was distracting her."

 - "Gwenchana, If she wanted to eat, nothing would have stopped her.  Kaja, let’s go back outside.”

Brendon and Mr. Rodriguez had begun to toy with their guitars, playing random songs; Gloria, Juan Carlos, Mrs. Rodriguez and Nana were having an animated conversation.  YoungSaeng sat enjoying the friendly atmosphere, with his arm around Mina, occasionally giving her kisses as both parents light kisses on her head or anywhere on her face.  He was also contemplating how to make things less awkward for him and Ilana.  They'd hardly looked at each other in the last two hours, much less spoke to each other.  He thought once he got to speak to her and apologize for his long absence they could somehow go back to their easy friendship.  But, he still felt as if he had no right to that friendship.

Jihoo stood up to stretch.  They'd been playing for a few hours and now Brendon and Mr. Rodriguez had gone off into their own world, musically.  Jihoo was content to watch and listen but had no desire to participate.  The afternoon's gathering would be ending soon as it was after six.  Perhaps another hour.  He saw his wife come out of the house with Suzy and HaEun bundled up in her jacket.  His wife had also put on a jacket.  He supposed it was a little chilly.  The fall evenings in Southern California were cool where the days were still very warm.  Packing up his guitar, he headed met them on the path. .

 - "I'll get Mina Unnie and Oppa," Suzy said.

A few minutes later, they were all seated in the living room as Juan Carlos' boys had taken over the media room.  HaEun was their entertainment as she babbled happily.  Jihoo had placed her on the floor with a few toys.  "She's so precious, Ilana," Mina said.

 - "She's following your voice," Ilana saw HaEun's head turn toward Mina.

 - "You're a curious little cat, aren't you?"

 - "Yes, she is.  And especially curious about the real cat.  Poor Joy only comes out at night and during nap times."

 - "HaEun-ah is mean to the goyangi?"  HaEun laughed at her aunt Mina.

They made more small talk, mostly about YoungSaeng and Mina.  Ilana never once directly spoke to YoungSaeng and neither did he.  Both trying to be sensitive, nothing got accomplished.

Suzy had had enough of the tiptoeing.  "Yah!"  Everyone stopped to stare at Suzy, even HaEun.  Suzy picked HaEun up and held her against her.  "HaEun Umma and YoungSaeng Ajussi are still being weird, eottoke?"

 - "Suzy-ah...what are you saying?"  YoungSaeng asked.

Ilana looked to Jihoo for answers, but he just wrapped his arm around her.  "I think Suzy is making things a little more complicated.  It took me time to be comfortable around Guam JanDi again.  I'm sure that's how YoungSaeng-ssi feels."

 - "Deh Hyeongbu, hajima Unnie and Oppa won't have another chance to cross the barrier for a long time, deh?"

 - "Suzy-ah, gwenchana..."

 - "Anieyo.  Mianhaeyo Mina Unnie, mianhaeyo hyeongbunim, Oppa and Unnie are more than just awkward acquaintances.  I think Oppa is even closer to Unnie than Kike is."  Ilana couldn't deny that.  YoungSaeng had been a closer friend than Kike.  "There's something Oppa needs to know; Unnie in a way you too need to hear."  Without stopping, she plunged into what she needed to say.  "Oppa you owe your career to Unnie."

 - "Ara...and Na have told her that."

 - "Not for the reason you think. the day na called you to sing, you were my last resort.  We couldn't get a hold of Uissa.  He'd left the country and his New York phone number was no longer valid."  Jihoo gripped his wife a little tighter.  A wonderful blessing came from that separation, yet it was still a painful part of their past.  Tears had begun to fall on Suzy's face and she kissed HaEun in her arms to try and restore her calm.  HaEun sensed something was wrong and began to fuss.  "Mianhae, HaEun.  Imo just wanted to hold you to give me strength," she restored HaEun to the floor with her toys.  "Unnie was really sick by that time."

Jihoo remembered the letters.  "Suzy wrote to Harabeoji...was it when..." He couldn't say it.  Suzy nodded 'yes' and he pulled his wife into his chest as if afraid something would happen again.

 - "Mwo?  Suzy-ah?  Uissa?"  YoungSaeng and Mina were clueless, everyone was crying now, except for them.

 - "Unnie...had stopped...breathing and flatlined."

 - "Oh my God!"  Mina exclaimed while all the color drained from YoungSaeng's face.

 - "Mwo...what...what is Suzy saying?"

 - "Na called Oppa, pabo!  Na thought if she could hear your voice, she'd wake up and she did!"

 - "Hajiman Suzy...!"  Tears flowed down Ilana's eyes as she lifted her head.  "Na didn't hear Oppa, na heard Umma and Jihoo Eommoni.  I saw them and talked with them and even sang with them."

 - "Na remember I lost myself in the song, everything else ceased to exist," YoungSaeng said.  "I sang the first thing I could think of and in a way, na think the entire time na could see nae Cinderella's face.  'You drag me outside of the world that exhaustively pestered me; I found a reason to live and to breathe'.  God!  How could na have picked that song at that moment?"

Ilana had covered her sobs with her hand and now took a deep breath.  "Oppa...it was God, this is so much more than the two of us could've randomly come up with.  Oppa, listen...this is what I heard from Umma and Jihoo Eommoni."

I was barely hanging on

Then love came to rescue me

And now this love is sending me

To every scared and broken heart.

You're not alone where you are

 - "Different but similar," Ilana said.  "And love did rescue me, I did find the reason to live and to breathe and everything else was built upon that.  Na have Jihoo, HaEun, and na chingu.  Oppa, gomawoyo."

 - "Anieyo!  Na wish na had been at your side or if na could have brought Uissanim to you, na would have.  Mianhae...it's all I did for you."

 - "Oppa was still confused at the time.  Yesu didn't leave me alone and neither did you.  He sent the voice of one of my guardian angels to paint me the picture of Mama and Jihoo Eommoni."

YoungSaeng stood from his seat and came to bow low in front of Jihoo.  "Jwosongmnida, jeongmal.  Na hurt your anae, my chingu.  Had I known...na wasted so much time.  Na made thing's difficult for Uissanim as well.  Jwosongmnida."

 - "Apology is not necessary," Jihoo said.  "The only thing anae wanted was to have her chingu, that's been an important part of her life, back again."

 - "Oppa don't do this anymore.  Don't torture yourself anymore.  The important thing is that your back.  I knew you couldn't have been just a season in my life."  She didn't know if it was right or wrong, but she needed to hug him and she stood to embrace him, like they'd done so many times before, forgetting all resentment and awkwardness.  Everything felt right again.  This was her friend, who had always been ready and waiting to give her a hug or an encouraging word whenever she needed it.  It seemed they both needed it this time and she looked forward to having him back in her life, in her family’s life.  “Na wanted you to be a part of my family, to see HaEun grow up and be her favorite Ajussi, just like you're Umma's favorite Oppa."

Still Wrapped in their hug and with tears still in both their eyes, Mrs. Rodriguez walked into the living room.  "Mina, lets...why is everyone...?"  She was about to say 'crying' and then spotted The two friends untangling themselves from their hug.  "YoungSaeng?  Ilana?  What's going on?"

The two friends wiped the tears from their eyes.  "We're just being dorks, tía," Ilana stood with YoungSaeng's help and she walked back to Jihoo and he enveloped her in his arms.

YoungSaeng received a bright smile from his girlfriend and reached out her hand and laced her fingers through his.

 - "Haengbohkaeyo!"  Suzy was the last to stop crying.

Mrs. Rodriguez was still clueless, shaking her head, she said:  "Papi told me to let you know he's ready to go whenever you are."

 - "Tell Papi to give us a little while longer," Mina answered.

 - "Are you all sure you're fine?"

 - "Deh, Eommonim, we're fine," this time, YoungSaeng answered.

HaEun had stopped playing and was staring at everyone, perplexed.  Mrs. Rodriguez scooped her up with a big kiss.  "Sweetie, I think your Mama and Papi and Aunt's and Uncle have gone crazy?  What do you think?"

HaEun placed her hands on Mrs. Rodriguez's face with a happy squeal; finally, someone was talking to her.  "Ma-ma-ma-ma..."

 - "Omo!"  Ilana jumped from the couch.  "She said it!"

Seeing everyone excited made HaEun excited too, "ma...ma...ma...ma!"  She bounced in Mrs. Rodriguez's arms.

 - "Beba, quien es mama (Who is mama)?"  Ilana took her from Mrs. Rodriguez's and bestowed onto her a grateful kiss.  "You said Mama, Hi-Five!"  Ilana gave her a mock hi-5.  HaEun squealed again.

Jihoo stood and gave his wife a back hug.  "Dtal has made Umma extra happy tonight."

 - "Pa!  pa!"  HaEun was hearing a bit of an echo in the room and couldn't help making noise.

 - "Na told Umma, gongju was smart."

 - "HaEun appa is very proud of dtal," Suzy laughed.

 - "She's Daeback," YoungSaeng said.

Ilana turned to YoungSaeng.  "Oppa, don't date too long, Mina's a great catch.  Many of our clients have their eyes on her.  Better register her as your wife sooner, rather than later.  I want to meet the cute baby otter you two will have."

 - "Ilana!"  Mina was blushing and YoungSaeng was laughing, so she socked him in the arm.

 - "Yah!  You're going to leave a bruise!"

 - "I barely tapped you, pabo otter," Mina gave him an 'I'm sorry' kiss.  "All better?"

 - "Ani," he took her chin lining up her watermelon red lips with his.

 - "Just come get Papi and me, when you two are done.  Please don't take all night, dears."  Mrs. Rodriguez left the friends to their 'amusements'.

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