July 4, 2014

Abigaíl & Isabel took a wagon load of cold water bottles over to the volleyball courts where most of the young, young at heart, and teen men from her Church were playing. Their Pastor loved to get the Church body together for holiday picnics. Someone would arrive early to Central Park and section off a large area near the bathrooms and not too far from the volleyball courts and playground. The families of the Church would then arrive to set up their gazebos or picnic blankets.

This holiday was a little different for Abigaíl and her family.  "Who wants water?!" Abigaíl and Isabel shouted.

 - "Thanks, Abigaíl”

 - "Thank you, Miss Abigaíl”

 - "Gomawo jaigiya, that's very sweet of you to bring your namja chingu a bottle of water."

 - "I didn't just bring you water, I brought every one water."

 - "Jagiya knows she thought of me first."

 - "Did not."

 - "Did too." Jaejoong brought Abigaíl close and pecked her lips, before wrapping his arms tightly around her.

 - "Knock it off!" Abigaíl tried hitting him on the back. "Everyone is watching."

 - "No one is watching, they are drinking water. There's no crime in hugging my yeoja."

 - "You're all sweaty! Let go!" Abigaíl finally broke free, fanning herself from embarrassment.

Jaejoong grinned, he loved to . "Little jagiya, do I get a hug? My team won."

 - "Chuckahae, Dr. Prince!" Isabel ran to her Prince's open arms and kissed his cheek. "Dr. Prince is sticky. Umma brought you a towel."

 - "Ah, gomawo, jagiya, for telling me. Umma wasn't saying anything."

 - "You didn't give me a chance, did you?"

Isabel giggled delightedly. She liked when Umma and Dr. Prince teased each other and she especially liked when Dr. Prince kissed Umma. In her almost six-year-old mind, that meant he was close to becoming Appa.

 - "Here, let me wipe that smirk off your face." Abigaíl smothered Jaejoong's face with the towel while laughing.

Coming up for air Jaejoong one-handedly, with Isabel's help, removed the towel from his girlfriend of six and a half weeks. Well, Abigaíl will say it was less but that's the day he spoke to her Dad officially and told him he was in love with his daughter and of course granddaughter. "Na sarang to hear Isabel Umma's laugh." He put Isabel back on the ground and put his arm around Abigaíl. "Let's go back and see what everyone is up to."

 - "I think the kid's games are going to start soon. Are you hungry still? There's plenty of food left over."

Jaejoong had provided the hot dogs and hamburgers for the picnic while everyone brought sides and desserts to share. It was the least he could do. The Church body welcomed him wholeheartedly, no questions asked. They didn't care if he was a Doctor or even if he was rich. No one really asked. He recognized a handful of faces from the hospital; no one he really knew but was looking forward to getting to know them.

They turned to walk back to the rest of the group. "Hey, Jaejoong bro! Where are you going? We need a rematch!"

 - "Ah, maybe later guys, I want to spend some time with this beautiful lady."

All sorts of laughter ensued, making Abigaíl blush. "Come on, if you're coming walk faster or Isabel will miss the beginning of the games."

 - "Arraso, hop on the wagon you two."

 - "Arraso, Dr. Prince." Isabel happily complied.

 - "I can walk, thank you for much," Abigaíl stood with her arms crossed.

 - "Na said hop on," Jaejoong scooped a screaming Abigaíl and put her in the wagon.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong!"

 - "Jagiya!! You can call me Jae but I prefer jagiya or after we get married you can call me yeobo."

 - "I'm going to call Eomonni if you keep pulling stunts like this."

Jaejoong laughed at his girlfriend. "Arraso, call her." Jaejoong had called his parents after spending the Sunday after their trip to Rochester with Abigaíl and her family.

- "Yeobosayo."

- "Umma!"

- "Jae-ya! Gwenchana? You're not drunk are you?" He never called home. They always called him.

- "Anieyo Umma, not since the day Abeoji and you left"

- "Mworago? You drove that day! Jaejoong-ah why didn't you let the driver take us, you know how you get. Even with the best intentions..."

- "Umma! Let me talk!" He'd cut her off. "The most daeback thing happened. I ended up drunk in front of Abigail's house."

- "Omo-Omo-Omo!! Dear God in Heaven, what are her parents thinking of you now?"

- "Umma! Stop interrupting. Abigaíl let me crash on the couch after she beat me with her slipper."

- "Good girl! I knew I liked her for a reason." Despite the gravity of what her son was telling her, she couldn't help laugh at the picture in her head. Poor Abigaíl had to have been absolutely livid.

- "Anyway, she said the only way they'd go into Rochester with me is if I told Abeojim that I had to sleep on their couch and why." Jaejoong heard his Mother's intake of breath. "Na told him, Umma. I had too, Abigaíl saranghae.”

Mrs. Oh was trying to keep her composure but to hear her son actually say he loved a woman was an answer to prayers. "Ara son, ara."

 - "The best part, Umma, he told me an almost similar story about when he was younger. He told me Yesu was calling me and asked me what answer I was going to give him. Abeojim not only gave me his blessing to take Abigaíl out for the day but invited me to Church and to spend the rest of the day with the family." He paused his story to catch his breath for a minute. "Umma, I went with them and it really did feel like He was calling me. I knelt before the altar and admitted to Him and myself that I was a sinner, with no excuses and I needed him to save me. Na could no longer use you as an excuse for my behavior and I asked Yesu to take me back, to live inside of me again. Like when I was still a kid." Jaejoong was getting emotional again just thinking of that day.

Abigail's family had been overjoyed. Abigaíl threw herself at him in a tight hug with tears in her eyes. “Umma, I knew then, that that was the only way to be happy and the only way I’d be able to have Abigail’s love and be worthy of it.” His Mother began to cry on the other end of the call and his Father had called him later to congratulate him. He knew he'd made his parents extremely happy.

The last six weeks hadn't been perfect, old drinking friends called up out of the blue wanting to go out. Some of his patient’s treatments suddenly had stopped working and it also seemed women were flirting with him left and right. Abigaíl was extremely upset when she had come into the cafeteria and a nurse was clinging to his arm, despite him telling her he wasn't interested. The only thing that saved him from Abigail's wrath was that she did hear him trying to tell the lady he wasn't interested. Through it all, he remained strong, with God's help and his beautiful angel Abigaíl.

Arriving at the edge of the section reserved for their group, Jaejoong stopped the wagon. "Please pay the appropriate fare before departing."

Isabel giggled. "Gomawo, Dr. Prince." She stood on the wagon and kissed him on the cheek before running off to play.

Abigaíl tried to sneak off without paying but he was too quick for her. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. "Jeogiyo, agassi has to pay the fare.

 - "I didn't ask for a ride, so you can't make me." Abigaíl covered .

 - "Then I'll have to take what's mine, with interest." He began kissing her forehead, then her eyes, and her cheeks and ending at her nose.

 - "Are you done?"

As soon as was uncovered he kissed her lips, barely touching them, teasing her. This probably wasn't the place for such displays but she was just so beautiful and all his. "Now, I am," he said when he was done.

Abigaíl was bright red and ran off to the safety of the group. Jaejoong walked after her, grinning to himself. "Y esas caras de yo no fui (What's with those guilty faces)?" Abigail's Mom said when her daughter and Jaejoong approached.

 - "Anieyo Eommoni."

 - "Nada Ma (Nothing Mom)." The two guilty ones snuck a glance at each other. Paula understood her daughter would be leaving soon. Her husband had told her the young Doctor was madly in love with her. He turned his whole life around just for her and she even brought him back to the Lord. Something he'd long given up on. This was the man for her. The man the Lord hand-picked for her daughter and he wanted to marry her sooner rather than later. Yet, if she could keep her girls home, she would. It was selfish of her but seeing Luciana go a year after High School was hard enough. Edgar had joined the military and wanted her with him. She cried for weeks and refused to re-arrange her room in any way. Then Abigaíl ran off for a year, but the Lord brought her back and with their precious granddaughter. Now she'd have to face the reality of losing her again. It was a blessing.  He may be from a different culture than their own and not only was he titled but it seemed his family had money and had still immediately chosen Abigaíl for their son. Her daughter was a joy to be around, Paula was a proud Mother. The Lord had truly blessed their family for their faithfulness.

 - "Ma, te pasa algo (Mom, is something wrong)?" Her Mother looked upset, she hoped it wasn't at her and Jaejoong. It wasn't like they were doing anything they shouldn't have been.

Paula smiled tenderly at her daughter, then looked to her future son-in-law in all seriousness. "No hagas enojar a mi hija (Don't make my daughter angry)."

 - "Anieyo Eommoni, nunca (never)!"

 - "Never say never, Dr. Jaejoong." Edgar playfully clapped his future co-brother in law's shoulder. "I know, I'm married to her sister."

 - "Hey!" Luciana smacked her husband's arm.

Jaejoong put his arm around Abigaíl. She caught herself smiling, not being able to believe the turn of events. The man whose ways used to disgust her is now her boyfriend? And to top of it off, he had been calling her his wife long before she even consented to date him. She felt like this was a drama like the girls at work watch.

 - "Nae anae is smiling, wae?"

 - "I'm not smiling, I just need to sneeze."

 - "Mmm, and your nose is growing from the fib you just told."

 - "It is not. Do you want something more to eat?" She changed the subject.

 - "Anae is changing the subject and I'm going to weigh three hundred pounds if you keep feeding me. I've hardly been to the gym in the last six weeks."

 - "I don't tell you to come to the restaurant almost every night."

 - "Na can't let nae jagiya take the train home. It's bad enough you take it in the morning."

 - "I'm trying to save gas money and wear and tear on the car."

 - "Na will get you a new car every two years. Abeoji invests in a few car dealerships."

 - "You will not be spending money recklessly when we get married."

 - "Arraso, when will we get married." Jaejoong grinned.

 - "What?"

 - "Jagiya said when we get married Na can't spend money recklessly, so when will we get married?"

 - "I meant if we get married." Abigaíl turned a bright red color.

 - "Too late, you said it."

 - "Jaejoong and Abigaíl stop whispering sweet nothings and come play with us," Luciana called them to come play banana grams with them.

 - "Perhaps later, I think we'll go for a walk." Jaejoong stood and pulled Abigaíl with him.

 - "What about Isabel," Abigaíl tried to protest.

 - "She's still playing with the kids and the teens are watching them. Besides, we're not going far."

Jaejoong headed for some trees where they could talk. Some teens were also hanging out in the shade of the trees but they just ignored the older couple. "Kansamnida," Jaejoong said and engulfed Abigaíl in his arms.

 - "What for?"

 - "For being you, for making me fall in love with you, for loving me back, for your faith, that led to wanting to return to God's grace, for sharing Isabel with me and your family and your Church. There are so many things I'm thankful for."

 - "I didn't do anything, besides, Isabel picked you before I did and my family I guess is your family now too and it was all God's timing. He knew when you'd come back to him and He promised you would and I just needed to be patient for that day."

 - "Thank you for being patient." He punctuated the statement with a quick kiss. "Abigaíl," Jaejoong was suddenly serious. "As my wife, you won't have to work. You can stay home and raise Isabel and our other children."

 - "Other children?"

 - "Deh, all ten of them."

 - "What?!" Abigail looked up frightened to see Jaejoong smirking at her.

 - "Maybe three more, actually we should just let the Lord decide. That way we won't worry about it whether we have one or ten."

 - "If you want ten, you can carry them." Jaejoong laughed and brought Abigail's head to rest on his chest to which she didn't protest. "I...like working," She said shyly. "I would have given anything to stay with Bell when she was born but now she's in school, she doesn't need me all day."

Jaejoong heard the wistfulness in her voice. He supposed that was what it was like being a parent and watching your child grow up before your eyes. "She'll always need you and me too. We'll talk about you staying home again later. Let's go pick up nae jagiya." He took her hand as they walked, he was loving these sweet moments. He'd never done the 'boyfriend' thing. He never had a real relationship with a woman. It was always only about the physical, women didn't mind giving him their bodies in exchange for a five-star restaurant meal or a night out at an exclusive club.

 - "Appa!" Isabel came running towards them. "I won a prize!" Every now and then she practiced calling him Dad.

 - "Chincha? Chukahae!" Jaejoong swooped a squealing Isabel into his arms and twirled her around.

 - "Dr. Jae," Isabel's friend tapped his back. "I won a prize too, can you swing me around?"

 - "Oh, that's a very nice prize." The child stuck out her wrist to show her brand new rope bracelet.

 - "Alright, ready?" He picked up the little girl and swung her around several times. Putting her back down she staggered laughing to Isabel who caught her.

 - "That was fun! I like your new Daddy, Isabel."

 - "He's daeback!"

 - "What's that mean?"

 - "It means Awesome in Korean. Appa is from Korea, you know."

 - "I've never met anyone from Korea. Where's that?"

 - "It's really far and you have to take a plane for a super long time."

 - "Wow!"

 - "Sarah!" The little girl's sister came up to them. "Oh, hey Miss Abigaíl, Dr. Jaejoong. Sarah, Mom wants you back with the group."

 - "Aww!"

 - "Come on, they'll be doing the water balloon toss later." The kids had already played with water guns earlier and were still damp. "I'm sure Isabel wants to be your partner. Oh and Miss Abigaíl don't forget the hula hoop contest."

 - "Yeah! Don't start without me, okay?" Isabel said.

 - "Hula hoop contest?" Jaejoong looked at Abigaíl.

 - "She's really good Dr. Jaejoong. She wins every year."

 - "That's okay, Angie, I think I'll pass this year." Abigaíl definitely didn't want to hula hoop with Jaejoong watching her.

 - "Anieyo, this I have to see. Na anae is yippeun and talented."

 - "Wow, You two are so cute together!" The teen said.

 - "I know, aren't we?" Jaejoong came up behind Abigaíl, wrapping his arms around her and leaning his chin on her shoulder.

 - "Will you stop." Abigaíl smacked the top of his head.

 - "Ani." He kissed her cheek.

Angie laughed. "We'll see you guys later."

 - "Umma, Appa, let's go to the swings." Isabel was already tugging on their hands.

 - "Arraso, jagi, let's go." Isabel took up her post in between the two adults, taking their hands.

A bit of a walk later they arrived at one of the playgrounds.

 - "Push me, Dr. Prince! Umma, swing with me."

 - "I'll push the two of you, go on."

 - "No, it's okay. Isabel, I'll swing with you another time."

 - "Mama, you always swing with me," Isabel pouted.

 - "Deh, Umma." Jaejoong winked at her. He knew she was embarrassed and he was loving every minute of it. "Come on, grab a swing." He pushed her to the swing and then gave her a good shove before continuing on to Isabel.

 - "Higher, Appa!" Isabel squealed in delight. Jaejoong complied and then pushed Abigaíl as well.

He alternated pushing them both until they were soaring quite high.

 - "Wee!!!" Isabel screamed.

 - "No more! Stop pushing!" Abigaíl screamed, not sure if she was enjoying herself or not.

They spent another half hour or more chasing each other around the playground. Isabel instituted follow the leader and her Mother and her Dr. Prince were her followers. They went down slides, over bridges, up rope ladders and more until it was time to re-join the group for more games.

The Seoul half of the F4 family had just arrived to join the U.S. half in their Independence Day festivities. They would be spending a little over a week in the U.S. as the New York branch of Club Eden would be having its grand opening the following Friday. JaeKyung saw this as the perfect opportunity to take the family yacht out on the East River to watch the fireworks. A chef would be preparing a traditional American Barbeque for them with hot dogs and hamburgers any way you wanted and plenty of sides and not forgetting dessert. Chocolate cake, ice cream, cookies and bars of different kinds would be laid out.

It was afternoon when Jihoo and Ilana arrived at the harbor. She dressed simply in keds, capris and a white 3/4 sleeved shirt and the scarf Jihoo gifted her, adorning her neck. He wore white linen pants with the light blue shirt she gave him under a white linen jacket. Ilana had that bar the light blue shirt, he just needed wings and he'd be an angel. YiJeong and family and JunPyo and family also arrived at the same time as Jihoo and Ilana.

 - "Ilana-yahh! Sunbae!" JanDi shouted across the parking lot. Gaeul and JanDi waved as they put the kids their strollers.

 - "Jihoo-yah, let's wait for them." Ilana tugged on Jihoo's hand, bringing him closer to the rest of the party. "Annyeong hasseyo," Ilana greeted them. "Mannasuh bangapseubnida (nice to see you again)"

 - "Ilana-yah, nado mannaseo gippeoyo (I'm glad to meet too). You too bro," YiJeong wrapped an arm around Jihoo's neck.

 - "Yah! How's it going, dude?" JunPyo embraced Jihoo in a back pounding hug.

 - "Ilana-yah, have you been watching over ajussi for us?"

 - "Deh, Yi Jeong-ssi, although at times he's a handful." Jihoo had his poker face on. Ilana poked him in the ribs and took off to hide behind JanDi and Gauel.

 - "Agassi, can I ask wae you poked me?"

 - "Anieya," Ilana laughed and stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled back at her. He loved to see her this free around him, without her usual hesitations of how much she should reveal.

 - "Yah, what are we waiting for, kaja," JunPyo draped his arm around Jihoo's shoulders.

Ilana smiled as she watched the three guys laughing and joking as they walked together.

 - "Gaeul-ah, Ilana-yah, kaja. Pabo-duel will leave us behind if we don't catch up." JanDi began to walk, pushing InHei in her high tech 'Origami' stroller with power automatic folding and daytime running light features.

 - "Eeliwah, Jeong-Yul, Appa is forgetting all about us as usual when he gets together with jageun appa-deaul (paternal uncles)." Gaeul's stroller boasted an equally impressive price tag but not as many bells and whistles. As a working Mom and teacher, she needed the cargo space and to make sure her baby was comfortable as she sometimes had to go walk all through the museum rounding up children for the art classes and storytime.

They had arrived at the harbor docks and Ilana watched frozen as JunPyo and YiJung helped load the strollers. The boat looked familiar, too familiar.

...They boarded the yacht for an afternoon and evening of drinking and revelry. Music sounded loudly from a DJ onboard and a full bar was a given. All the girls were attired in skimpy sundresses or like her, in the very revealing two-piece he had given her and a sarong...

Ilana had spent the last ten years trying to block out the memories as much as possible. Unfortunately, at the moment, the memories were creeping in. Was it around this time of year? Quite possibly. Certainly yacht companies made more than one boat in the same model but why did it have to be the one they were getting on. She felt her heart beating faster. She had to get a grip on herself, not wanting to ruin the day for everyone else. Taking several deep breaths, lest she begin to tremble, she tried to take a step towards the boat. Not feeling very well at the moment, she didn't watch her step and felt herself being propelled forward. She was caught by two strong arms that she had relied on more times than she could count in the last year. "Jihoo!" She cried out in relief realizing it was him.

 - "Careful," he spoke soothingly as he felt her shaking. "Gwenchana," he drew her into a hug, rubbing her back. "Na wouldn't let you fall, I was getting ready to help you onto the boat."

 - "Ara, na paboya." She had to force herself onto the boat, but right now she wanted to stay safe on the dock in Jihoo's very solid arms.

 - "Ilana-yah, gwenchana?" JaeKyung called from the boat.

 - "Yo man, are you two staying or going?" WooBin called half teasing.

 - "We're coming," Jihoo answered. "Can Ilana walk without tripping or do I need to carry you?"

 - "Andwae!" That would make matters worse.

He felt her still trembling slightly and thought she looked on the verge of tears.  Jihoo gripped her by the arm to steady her, he didn't understand why she was reacting the way she was. She walked hesitantly as if all of a sudden she was reluctant to board.

 - "Did you have a nice trip?" JaeKyung joked as she embraced Ilana in a bear hug. Jihoo and Ilana had been spending a lot of time with the newlyweds while they were in New York for business.  JaeKyung had been especially notorious, since her arrival, for showing up unannounced to pick Ilana up for shopping or lunch. Especially during the week Jihoo had gone to Seoul.

 - "Deh Unnie, mianhae, I'm still a little nervous about having almost fallen into the water." Ilana tried to smile convincingly. This was not the same boat, it's not possible, it might look it but it's not.

...They ate and danced for a while. Couples came and went from different parts of the yacht, disappearing for an hour or more at a time. There weren't that many of them. Five couples only...

 - "Na thought Gaeul was the clumsy one in the group," WooBin said, his voice breaking into Ilana's thoughts.

 - "Anieyo, bro," YiJeong said, "Nae anae is only clumsy when she wants me to save her."

 - "Yah!" Gaeul retorted back.

The teasing and joking of the group was doing much to calm Ilana’s nerves and was finally able to loosen her death grip on Jihoo’s arm.

 - "Yah! Do you guys want a tour of the yacht as the captain gets us going?"

 - "Deh!" Everyone shouted, minus Ilana.

 - "I'll just stay in the salon with the kids," Ilana said. InHei was already getting out of her stroller and Ilana bent down to take 8-month-old JeongYul out. "Do you mind Gaeul?"

- "Deh, if you're sure about watching him for a few minutes?"

 - "Guerae!" She unbuckled the squirming kid and sat with him on the couch."

 - "Gwenchana?" Jihoo sat next to Ilana and JeongYul. He could read her very easily now and knew something wasn't right.

 - "Greom! Jihoo-yah knows I'm demo phobic. The yacht is spacious enough but I'm sure not for eight adults and two kids to go traipsing about."

 - "Na will stay with Ilana and the kids, we can go exploring later."

 - "Anieyo! Jihoo-yah, go with the others."

 - "Shiro," he said simply.

 - "Suit yourselves, there are some games for the kids in the cupboard," Jaekyung pointed to the cupboard and then they disappeared upstairs to the bridge.

Ilana avoided Jihoo's gaze, he'd be able to tell she was still nervous. "InHei, do you want to see what games Imo JaeKyung has for you?"

 - "Deh Ajumma!"

 - "Maybe if we ask nicely Ajussi will get something down for us?" Ilana had the baby in her arms. Although he wanted to get down and go exploring, she'd wait for his Umma to say he could.

 - "Can ajussi get a game for us, juseyo?"

 - "Arraso," Jihoo reached up to pull down Candy Land.

 - "Candy Land! Ajussi, Ajumma let's play."

 - "Arraso," Jihoo began to help Ilana set up the game.

Jeong-Yul sat comfortably on Ilana's lap as she bounced him to hide her trembling hands. InHei and she teased Jihoo about cheating.

 - "Anieya!" Jihoo pretended insult while his accusers laughed at him.

They had only been playing a few minutes when they heard the others come traipsing back down.

 - "The yacht looks new still. How long have your parents had it?" JunPyo asked.

 - "It’s an older model, maybe eight or nine years.  Umma had the interior completely gutted and redone. They bought it at an auction in San Francisco, they were only the previous year’s model. There was quite a few of the same line that were seized from drug dealers or something. Umma said it looked like a brothel inside."

 - "That's because it probably was," WooBin stated.

 - "Eeew," Gauel said.

 - "Even with the re-design of the interior, they came out money ahead." JunPyo had a trained eye for business and could tell a good profit margin when he saw one.

 - "They got a great deal then," YiJeong agreed.

Ilana was hearing the conversation and dropped the game piece in her hand.

...He gave her something to drink and kissed her deeply. His kisses and caresses still left her uneasy but she was pretending to be someone she wasn't, right? Kathleen, as her ID said, was twenty and she probably kissed and drank and let her boyfriend touch her in certain places all the time right? She could play along, numb her brain for a while. He said he loved her, this is what people do when they love each other, right? She wouldn't know, no one had ever had 'the talk' with her...

 - "Ow!" She cried out, her head feeling like it would rip apart at any moment.

Jihoo immediately grabbed her shoulders and tried to turn her towards him. It was difficult enough with the JeongYul still on her lap and she wasn't budging. "Ilana-yah, look at me, what's wrong?" He felt her trembling. Ilana shook her head to indicate nothing was wrong. He didn't buy it for a minute. "InHei-ah, Ajumma appayo (sick), play with JeongYul on the floor, juseyo?" He plucked the baby from Ilana's lap and put him on the floor.

 - "Arraso, Ajumma gwenchanayo?"

 - "D-deh, In-Hei-ah, jeogumyo meori-apayo (little headache)."

 - "Oh, ajussi Uissa can help?"

 - "Greoum," Jihoo smiled at his favorite niece by default and sat next to Ilana on the opposite side from where he had been, unhampered by the table. "Ilana-yah, where does it hurt?"

 - "Gwenchana."

 - "That is why Ilana-yah is holding her head and shaking." He knew her migraines didn't come without reason. She had been acting strangely since just before they boarded. He moved her hands and began applying pressure to the base of her head.

 - "No.  Stop…please." Ilana cried, trying to break free from Jihoo's grasp on her.  Feeling like she was suffocating, his touch made it worse and couldn't tolerate it.

This time Jihoo ignored her pleas to be left alone, unlike in December when she had pneumonia.  “Shiro, relax. Ilana-yah knows I'm not going to hurt you."

Did she? At the moment all she could think of were things that happened long ago, she needed to get off the boat.

...He handed her a fruity drink, its sweetness was deceiving. Would she ever get used to these drinks? One was enough, but he'd insist on her drinking more. In between kisses and his hand traveling places it most likely shouldn’t but there was no one to pull her out of the fire. Soon, she could barely stand upright; he suggested they go down below and get comfortable. She didn't want to but he just that it wasn't a crime to give and receive pleasure. After all, she was a woman, not a little girl...

Ilana continued to struggle against Jihoo, who had her head against his chest. "Let go, please?" He ignored her and continued massaging her head. She knew she'd have a full-blown panic attack any second. Why wasn't he letting go?

They had all gone down to the staterooms and were now coming back up. JanDi was the first to come through the stairwell. "Sunbae! What happened?" She could see Ilana shaking in Jihoo's arms.

- "What happened with what?" JaeKyung came up next, not knowing what JanDi was talking about.

- "Meoriapayo," Jihoo explained.

- "Oh no! Ilana, go lay down in one of the rooms. Jihoo-yah help her," JaeKyung ordered.

- "Shiroyo! Gwenchana!"

- "Anngwenchana, JaeKyung is right," Jihoo was about to pull Ilana up but she pulled back.

 - “Chincha, gwenchana!" That's the last thing she wanted was to see one of the rooms, made over or not. She was pretty sure she was on one of the yachts belonging to those people. "Na just forgot to eat this morning." She looked at Jihoo with a type of desperation in her eyes.

 - "There are salads and dessert, maybe something sweet will help Miss feel better. As soon as the grille is hot I'll make her a hamburger," the chef told WooBin.  The others had all come back up and were wondering what had happened.

 - "Please, don't fuss over me, I'll be fine. Maybe some air will do me good."

 - "Jihoo-yah, take her to the bridge, the roof is up."

 - "Arraso, kaja,” Jihoo leaned her on him and with a strong grip led her up the stairs to the bridge. Ilana felt her legs want to buckle but he wouldn't let her fall. His touch felt like it was burning her skin. That made her panic even more. He tried to get her to sit down, tears were beginning to fall down her face. He had already known this wasn’t just any migraine. "Ilana-yah, anja." He spoke as softly and as soothingly as he could.

The memories continued...

...She had to play the ruse, that's what she wanted, to be someone else and block out the memories. Before long she'd be crying for him to stop but he would just tell her how much he loved her and wanted to share these things with her. Later, she'd barely remember what had happened. Unbeknownst to her, there was always something more than alcohol in her drink...

Ilana shook her head and pulled away from him as hard as she could. Running out to the deck, she begun to gulp in air as if she had truly been suffocating.

- "Ilana-yah, tell me what's wrong, jaebal." The look he saw on Ilana's face was frightening. Not only did he see her pain but there was a sort of haunted look on her face. As if being chased by demons. "Lord! Help me to reach her," he prayed. He knew he needed to do what he did best and that was:  stay calm, watch, and wait.

The very real pain in Ilana's head was killing her. Dots danced in front of her eyes and she fell to her knees on the deck. She was in agony holding her head. She cried soundlessly, just wanting to get off the ship but knowing she couldn't. The more she tried to compose herself, the more the claws tore at her head and chest unmercifully.

Jihoo thought of his conversation with KyuJong as he watched and waited for her to stop fighting and just ride through the pain causing fear.

- "How did KyuJong Uissa meet Ilana?" Jihoo thought this was a good opportunity to try and gather some useful information.

- "Na think Jihoo Uissa knows already."

- "On a ship of more than a thousand, how did KyuJong Uissa meet her?"

KyuJong took in a breath, wondering how much the other Doctor knew and how much more to say. "She nearly fainted just after boarding and refused to come to the infirmary.  We didn't see her again for another two weeks."

- "Na would think amongst so many passengers your paths wouldn't cross."

- "Deh, when you're actively looking for someone in particular. Ilana-ssi caught our attention." KyuJong let those words hang in the air.

Jihoo understood she had caught their notice as she had caught his also.

- "Next time I saw her she was curled up tightly on the deck floor, she was sobbing uncontrollably. She also…had injured her hand. I managed to coax her to the infirmary and after that night we never left her alone."

- "I see," Jihoo said. He understood he would have to read between the lines.

-"She trusts you, I can see it, but she's afraid of being seen differently. She closes herself off, so she won't get hurt. Be patient and be there at the right time and she'll reveal everything. That's what happened to YoungSaeng and me." KyuJong believed Jihoo would be able to handle the truth. He'd learned a bit about the family in the last two months. He had been so concentrated on the other Doctor's similarity in face to Kim HyunJoong, he didn't even realize he and his Grandfather were also celebrities of sort.

- "Na plan to," Jihoo sighed. "Na want to spend every minute of the day with her. Just to be there at the right moment where she'll trust me enough to tell me. I worry when I'm here and she's there." He didn't know why, but it was easy to talk to KyuJong. He found himself telling the other Doctor things he didn't even tell the F4.

- "Now Jihoo Uissa knows how we've felt all this time. Kansamnida for taking her off our hands." KyuJong inclined his head and began to laugh. Surprisingly, he had made Jihoo laugh too.

Jihoo continued to observe her for a while and knew this was one of her panic attacks. He had to get her to take her medicine but knew she would refuse. A few minutes later, Ilana was at that point. Exhausted, she lay face down in her arms on the deck floor, still shaking and sobbing noiselessly. This was the time for Jihoo to act. He took out his phone and dialed JanDi. "JanDi-ah, bring me my medical bag and Ilana's purse."

It had been over thirty minutes since Jihoo and Ilana had gone up to the bridge. Everyone was getting more and more concerned. Knowing Ilana would need peace and quiet to get through her migraine, JanDi kept everyone from going to up to the top deck. "Sunbae!" She answered the call excitedly. "How's Ilana?"

 - "She's exhausted, she needs her medication from her purse and I want my medical bag handy, just in case. Ah, bring her a small plate of food. She shouldn't take her medicine on an empty stomach."

 - "Arraso, I'll be right up."

 - "What's going on?"

 - "When will they be back down?"

 - "Is her headache gone yet?"

JanDi was bombarded with questions. "Yah! Quiet!" She shouted. "She needs her medicine and a little food. Sunbae says she'll be fine." He didn't say that exactly but if anyone can make Ilana feel better, it would be him.

Meanwhile, Jihoo ran a bar towel under cold water and went back out to Ilana. Moving her ponytail out of the way, he placed the cold towel on the back of her neck. Ilana shrugged her shoulders from the shock of the cold but otherwise didn't move. She was too tired to move, in too much pain, both her head and chest ached, her limbs were stiff from being in the same tense position for a long time. "I'm going to check your pulse, arraso?" He took one finger out from under her face and put it on the back of his phone. Her pulse was racing, she needed her medicine before she went into full tachycardia.

 - "Sunbae," JanDi called out to Jihoo before walking up to him.

 - "Ilana-yah breathe with me, arraso?" He had her responding to a breathing pattern in a matter of minutes. "JanDi brought your medicine. I'm going to pick you up and take you to the couch."

Ilana began shaking her head 'no'. She still didn't want to be touched.

 - "Don't forget to breathe," he heard her struggling again. "Yah, na thought Ilana trusted me?" He was pressing down at the base of her head again and it seemed this statement had gotten through to her.

 - "I-I do." She took a deep breath and finally turned to look at him and try to sit up.

 - "Gwenchana?" JanDi asked. "Let Jihoo carry you to the couch."

 - "A-anieyo, I-I can walk."

Jihoo sighed. "If JanDi is a stubborn weed, Ilana is an unbending tree."

 - "Sunbae, don't scold her when she's unwell."

Jihoo scooped Ilana up into his arms without warning, making her scream. He quickly brought her to the couch and held her on his lap, not paying heed to her struggles. He held her close to him with one hand and rubbed her back with the other. "JanDi-ah, Ilana has an antique pillbox in her purse. Bring it to me, please."

 - "Deh, Sunbae." JanDi brought the pillbox and opened it for Jihoo. "I'll get a glass of water."

Regardless of being practically on top of Jihoo, Ilana was starting to feel his warmth seep through to her. His touch was no longer frightening but comforting. His clean scent felt better than lavender oil on her senses. Her breathing was gradually returning to normal, much to the two Doctor's relief. Jihoo took out one of her pills and handed it to her but of course, she didn’t want to take it.

 - "Gwenchana, I-I'll be-be alright," she said.

 - "Ilana-yah, you'll feel better after you take the medicine." JanDi tried.

Ilana refused. If she didn't need to eat, drink or go below deck while on board she would be fine.

She was still shaking but Jihoo could tell the attack was starting to pass. "JanDi-ah ask JaeKyung if there is a blanket Ilana could use, that would be perfect."

- "Arraso, I'll go ask Unnie. Ilana-yah, is there anything else I can get?"

 - "Anieyo, Unnie, I'll be alright." Ilana was slowly returning to normal.

 - "Anngwenchana, if Ilana doesn't eat.  I'll be back with a blanket."

 - "JanDi is right." Jihoo slid her gently from his lap onto the couch. "I'll bring you the plate of food."

As soon as Jihoo removed his arms from around Ilana and stood away from her, she felt so cold again and felt the fear creeping back in. "Jihoo!" Ilana lunged for her his hand to prevent him from going any further.

He turned to her in surprise. "What is it, what's wrong?" He wiped a tear from her face.

Ilana took a deep breath, shaking her head. "I-I d-don't want f-food, just-just don't-don't let g-go, juseyo? I-I need you." Those few words and that last statement took all the breathe she had. The ship began to spin and Ilana collapsed. This time, at least, Jihoo was there to catch her.

 - "Ilana-yah!" She wasn't breathing. He lay her down on the ground and tilted her chin up to open the airway and her breathing resumed.

 - "Sunbae!"

 - "Jihoo!"  JaeKyung had followed JanDi with several pillows, while JanDi carried the blanket.

 - "She fainted. I think it's her heart rate again," he told JaeKyung and JanDi as he reached for his stethoscope. JanDi was already next to him and slipping Ilana's medicine under her tongue.

 - "Here, Jihoo," JaeKyung placed the pillows on the couch. "Place her on the couch when you're done."

 - "Sunbae, her blood pressure is low, but I believe it's going up slightly and her pulse is lower than before."

 - "We'll check it again in a few minutes." Jihoo removed the stethoscope from his ears. "Her heart is still going alarmingly fast, but it decreased last time within the first fifteen minutes at rest." He picked her up and carried her to the couch, tucking her under the blanket. Her fingers and hands were very cold.

 - "Can I help with anything else?" JaeKyung asked.

 - "Anieyo, unless you know what caused her attack?"

 - "You know, now that I think of it she was looked a little off, just before she tripped."

 - "She looked really frightened afterward," JanDi put in.

 - "Deh, she was and she seemed reluctant to board," Jihoo agreed with the two women. He thought about the day he took her on the sailboat, did she seem nervous then? Slightly. "She might have a fear of boats but I don't think so." He thought out loud. "Go ahead and return to the others. I'll watch over her."

 - "Jihoo, she's moving." JaeKyung and JanDi were facing Ilana and saw her move her head and crease her brows before lying still once more.

Jihoo sat on the edge of the couch and caressed her face. This made her more agitated.

 - "She won't wake until her heart rate starts to go down." JanDi said. "We'll check back with you in a little while. Call me if you need help."

 - "Deh, the others will be up here any minute if we don't go down and let them know what's going on." Jaekyung began to head for the stairs, followed by JanDi.

 - "Gomawo," Jihoo called after them. He heard all the questions they were assaulted with as soon as they descended the stairs. In the meantime, Jihoo lifted Ilana's head and pillow carefully and slid under her while resting her head on his lap. Ilana had cried out she needed him just before she passed out. He wondered what exactly she meant.

Not a minute later, WooBin came up the stairs to check on Jihoo. "Yo dude, how's it going?"

 - "She's still out," Jihoo massaged her head. He could still feel her tension. Jihoo noticed WooBin oddly quiet. "WooBin, I know you want to tell me something regarding her past, but I can't know about it. Unless you know what exactly triggered the attack."

 - "Na wish I did."

Ilana moaned in her sleep and Jihoo resumed massaging her temples with a smile.

 - "Should we get back to the dock and call an ambulance?"

 - "Anieyo, her pulse is slowly going down. Na think two Doctors on board can handle one mid-twenties headstrong female patient.

 - "Ilana-ssi only needs one Uissa, that's you. Jihoo is pretty headstrong himself. Let us know what we can do."

 - "Kansamnida." WooBin left leaving him and Ilana along again. Jihoo held Ilana's head in his hands, just lightly caressing the back of her neck for a few minutes and then stopped, removing his hands. "Na need you too, Contreras Ilana-ssi." He sat staring down at her for another while until a tear ran down her cheek. He wiped it with his finger and took one of her hands, which was still a little cold, out from under the blanket. "I'm not letting go, see?" He massaged the hand for a while, kissed it, returned it under the blanket and repeated the process with the other hand.

It had been over thirty minutes since Ilana collapsed and of course, the Rest of the F4 couldn't stay away. They came up one by one, with food or drink or just a supportive word for Jihoo. JunPyo had just gone back downstairs. "She's had it rough bro, be patient like Min Seo-hyun Noona was for you. You have a bigger stake in this. You don't see her as dongsaeng." Jihoo shook his head at those words. From the corner of his eye, he could see her start to get agitated again. She was stirring, he slid out from under her head and sat on the edge next to her. He caressed her cheek. "Shh, gwenchana, I’m still here." Her eyes were opening and he made sure his face was the first thing she saw. With one hand he took hers, "see, I didn't let go." With the other, he reached out and smoothed her worried brow.

 - "Overprotective Oppa," Ilana said weakly. There was something strange in his look, it frightened her a little and the tears began to fall again. He lifted her up and rested her against his chest. "Gwenchana, you’re safe. No one will hurt you, here." He pressed his lips to her temples.

Ilana still felt shaky and short of breath. Her chest didn't hurt but she felt it pounding. Maybe she should say something. Not that she would take her medicine while on this boat but it did frighten her a little. She didn't feel in control of her own body. "Jihoo, I feel funny."

 - "Do you want to lay back down?"

 - "Deh." But when he began to ease her back down and away from his warmth, she cried out, "A-anieyo!" She didn't know what she wanted really. "Mullah?" She was still shaken, but Jihoo, despite the intense look in his eyes, felt safe. She felt him give a silent chuckle.

 - "Let me take your pulse and your blood pressure. I don't want you getting up until everything is back to normal." Laying her back on the pillow, he took her vitals. He didn't withhold his touch. Whatever he did, he kept a hand somewhere on her own hand, face or side. "Ilana-yah," he said during his examination, "do you want to tell me what caused this?"

 - "N-nothing, it just happened."

 - "And the last one?"

Ilana shook her head, "Mianhae."

Jihoo sighed. "Pabo-yah! Na don't want your lies or excuses." Her tears began again and he wiped them. "Gwenchana, say I don't want to talk about it. It's too frightening."

 - "Mianhae," she cried, "I don't want to talk about it, it's too-too frightening."

Jihoo sighed and pulled her into his arms again. "If Na hold Ilana like this is it still too frightening?"

 - "More so," she thought, but just nodded her head 'yes' and let the tears reign free. "Mianhae," she said again.

 - "Shh, it's not your fault, Sarang." Neither noticed his choice of words as he rubbed her back and held her tight. "When you think you can share with me, I'll be there. I want Ilana to give me some of her pain, don't keep it all for yourself." It took all he had to not cry with her. She looked so shaken, more than her attack in Seoul. She was holding on tight to him, feeling her heart beating rapidly against him, he could stay in this position for a very long time. "Arraso, you need to eat, we gave you your medicine earlier."

 - "You-you did?" She pulled back in alarm.

He pulled her back against him. "Deh, na did. No protesting, I'm going to get your plate, it's being held warm."

 - "A-anieyo, I'm not hungry," Ilana protested. She really couldn't think of eating.

 - "Yah! You need to eat something." Ilana was shaking her head but he ignored her. "Na am going to let go for a few seconds, while I get your plate."

 - "I'm not hungry!" Ilana didn't like the cold seeping back into her.

Jihoo reached for the plate on the counter and turned back to her. "Ilana-yah you’re shaking again." Jihoo was really getting worried. "Just eat a little." He sat next to her and leaned her against him. He quartered her hamburger and tried to feed her a piece. Ilana still wouldn't eat. "It looks really good," he tried a different approach. "How about we share." He took a bite. "Mmm, either I'm hungry or this is really good." He made a big show of wiping a piece of cheese from his lips. Ilana couldn’t help be fixated on the way he nibbled on his thumb after wiping the cheese from his lip. She had that strange dizzy feeling again. Jihoo saw her pale again and took up a quarter to feed her. "Ilana-yah, eat or we're turning around and taking you to the hospital." Despite her anxiety, her stomach betrayed her and chose that moment to growl quite loudly. Ilana's eyes opened wide and Jihoo laughed. "Bite," he ordered and she did.

The picnickers were still going strong, listening to the Church Worship band and continuing to feast on all the leftover food but it was soon time to pack up and get to FDR drive to get a good view of the Macy's Fireworks show. Abigaíl had just returned from changing Isabel into some dry warm clothes. The kids had gotten soaked earlier, playing with water balloons and picked up their water guns again. Jaejoong was helping tear down and pack away their things. Abigaíl looked at him, he too was soaking wet. The kids had upended the tub of water onto him, not that he protested. But his signature white shirt was still wet and was plastered to his lean muscular build. That and his skinny jeans were wreaking havoc on passersby. Jaejoong was oblivious to it all and it was safe to say Abigaíl was getting jealous. She and Isabel caught up to him as he was coming back from the car. "Yeobo!! Jagiya!! I'll catch up in a minute," he told Abigail's brother in law. He took Abigail by the waist. "We're almost ready to go."

She pushed him back. "You're still soaked!"

 - "I'll change when we're done loading."

 - "Do you realize you can see the entire outline of your body?"

 - "Oh, am I causing you temptation?" Jaejoong smirked at her, enjoying the conversation.

 - "Of course not!" To her horror, Abigaíl felt herself blushing. "It's just that, that you're causing a scene."

 - "How do my clothes being wet cause a scene?"

 - "Be-because you're receiving stares."

 - "Who's staring?" Jaejoong was openly grinning by now.

 - "People...women," she mumbled, feeling dumber by the second.

Jaejoong laughed wholeheartedly, irritating his girlfriend even more than she already was. "Let them stare, I'm only yours." He pressed her close to him and gave her soft teasing kisses with the promise of more when the time was right. A soft giggle reached his ears and Jaejoong ended their kiss. Isabel was enjoying every minute of their kissing. "Yah, jagiya, you don't have better things to do than stare at your Umma and me?"

 - "Anieyo, Appa." Isabel laughed delighted.

Whispering in Abigail's ear he said, "Yeobo is killing me, let's get Pastor to marry us right now and I can take you home with me. We have your parents and plenty of witnesses, come on." He jawline with his lips and her neck with his breath.

 - "Knock it off! Your parents aren't here."

 - "We can have a big wedding later...after the honeymoon."

 - "Will you go change!"

 - "If I have to restrain myself until the wedding, then it needs to happen sooner than later." He winked at Isabel. "Isabel-ah, Umma is mean," Jaejoong went back to the car to find dry temptation proof clothes.

 - "Sin comentarios por favor, niña (No comments, please, child)."

Isabel grinned at her Mother but otherwise remained quiet until they got back to the group packing up. "Umma can get married on my birthday?" Isabel ran off to the safety of her youngest aunt. Abigaíl had to fan herself to bring down her very warm face.

Jihoo had carried Ilana downstairs, protesting all the way. He told her he didn't want her to fall but really he just wanted to keep holding her close to him.  Now seated on the couch, cuddled under his arm and the F4 being boisterous as usual, she was feeling a little better. Her heart would begin to race if she glimpsed the area leading to the staterooms or if Jihoo wasn't near her for longer than a minute. She still refused all food or drink. Jihoo had only managed to get her to eat a little under half a hamburger.

Most of the gang were playing poker, Ilana had declined, still not feeling well. Plus the game brought up more unpleasant memories. Jihoo had felt her tense again and chose not to play either. Gauel was distracting the kids outside.

 - "4 of a kind, yes!" WooBin cheered for himself.

- "WooBin-ah, you cheat, how many games have you won?" JunPyo protested.

 - "Anieyo! It's not like cards are marked."

 - "Yah WooBin-ah, you can count cards." JanDi accused.

 - "Nampyon has to be good at all the games in order to catch the cheats in his casino." The Seoul branch of Club Eden had a small casino attached to it.

 - "Instead of accusing him of cheating, maybe you should ask him for playing tips." Jihoo being the voice of reason as always.

Ilana looked up to him with a smile. Nothing in this world could compete with the F4, except maybe, her Oppa-deul. She was enjoying watching them play and fight with each other. Jihoo hadn't removed his gaze from Ilana. She looked into those eyes that seemed to look into her heart and ask questions she didn't know the answers too. It made her dizzy again.

- "Gwenchana?" Jihoo asked worriedly. He smoothed her hair out of her face. She had let her hair down as it helped ease her headache.

- "Deh, I-I'm just a little tired." She kept the dizziness to herself, thinking it was just lack of food.

- "Ilana-yah, want to lie down in one of the rooms?" She shook her head vigorously, making it ache just slightly. "Arraso, what about the couch upstairs?"

- "A-anieyo, na don't want to be by myself." He was looking at her with that intense gaze again. Why did she feel her heart beating hard and a little breathless each time he did that?

 - "Ilana-yah is not alone, I'm with you." He took her hand with his free one. "If you want to close your eyes for a little, lean on me. I'll wake you when the fireworks start in a few hours."

She shook her head. "Anieyo gwenchanayo."

 - "What about something to eat? You know you shouldn't skip meals, that's why you're so pale. You've scarcely eaten."

 - "Not hungry." He raised his eyebrow at her. "Hajima," she pouted.

- "Mwo?"

- "Don't look at me like that,"

- "How?" He chuckled.

- "Daring me to say otherwise."

- "Last time you 'weren't' hungry your stomach growled." Jihoo couldn't help giving her middle a quick squeeze.

- "Ah!!" She screamed in surprise. Jihoo was laughing so hard he was almost not breathing. "Ohhh you!!" Ilana socked him in the stomach but a lot of good it did, his abs were solid. "Fine, are you ticklish?"

This made him scoot slightly away but Ilana was relentless in trying to poke him in various parts of his waist. He finally took his arm off her shoulder and grabbed both her hands before she could do any damage.

The rest of the group stopped what they were doing to observe the struggling pair. "My money is on Ilana-ssi," WooBin said.

- "Na have to side with Sunbae," JanDi said.

One by one, they all cast their bets.

Jihoo and Ilana continued their scuffle, laughing and squealing, oblivious to the others. Jihoo decided it had gone on long enough and went for the kill. He pulled her tightly by the waist with one arm and with the other assaulted her waist and sides. "Stop! Hajima! Jihoo! Annchoah!"

Jihoo was laughing as hard as Ilana. He stopped after getting a mischievous idea. "I'll stop altogether when Ilana says Jihoo Oppa sarangheyo."

- "Annchoah...Jihoo...Oppa!" She tried to break free, but he began poking her in the ribs again. "Stop!! Jaebal!!

He stopped again. "Is Ilana-yah going to say it or am I going to tickle her again."

Ilana was exhausted and out of breath. "Pabo! I'll say it.” That phrase should not be have been a big deal. After all, she told her Oppa-deul she loved them all the time and Jihoo was as important to her as they were. She didn’t understand why she was stuttering in embarrassment. “Sar…Sar…” Ilana closed her eyes, thinking it would be easier if she couldn’t see him at all. “…Saranghaeyo-Jihoo-Oppa," Ilana blurted out without taking a breath.

- "Ara you don't mean it but you look so cute." He pinched her flaming cheek and she swatted his hand away in mock anger. "If Ilana had meant it, Na would have to kidnap you and take you home to receive Harabeoji’s blessing.” He winked at her, “Ilana-ssi, nado saranghaeyo." He smiled, knowing he was safe.  She would never think he really meant it but he just had to say it.

Ilana took a deep breath, there it was again, that dizzy strange feeling. She was confused. Did he want her to mean it? That's not possible. She shook her head.

- "Gwenchana?" He asked. "Is Ilana angry because I ? Mianhae.”

- "A-anieyo," she said in a raspy low voice. She couldn't look at him, afraid he might see what she had thought. That would be embarrassing.

- "Choah, it'll be time for the fireworks soon. Na got you tired, mianhae. Rest your head again." He patted his shoulder and was already scooting her over.

Ilana's heart was still beating fast but didn't want to say anything. She snuggled into his warmth, needing it badly. Aside from the strange dizziness and shortness of breath, just being still like this felt nice. Safe. She was on this frightening boat but at that moment, next to Jihoo there wasn’t fear, just peace and security.

Jaejoong, Isabel and Abigaíl and her family sat on thick blankets watching the pre-fireworks show. They should be starting any minute. "Na can't wait for the grand opening next week. It'll be a blast." Jaejoong commented to Abigaíl. "Na want to dance with Isabel's Umma." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Abigaíl was looking forward to it as well, she enjoyed music and dancing and they did so little just the two of them. Jaejoong always planned their outings with Isabel. He said the three of them were a family and where two go, then the three should go too. Only one thing worried her. "Jaejoong," it still felt odd not calling him 'Doctor'. "Are you going to be okay? I mean won't you know a lot of people there?" The club would be an exclusive one and of course, that meant all the well-to-do drinking crowd that he frequented would also be there.

He smiled at his beautiful wife to be. "If you're referring to women, they don't hold a candle to you and my old drinking buddies? I have no interest in them. Seeing that I've changed, they'll ignore me completely. I'm not in business, I don't need their support and they'd be stupid to shun my parents."

- "Oh, okay." Abigaíl was a little embarrassed, he had already thought of everything.

- "Gomawo for worrying about me." He took her hand and kissed it, just as the fireworks began. He couldn't wait for their date next week. He played with her left hand and traced her fingers with his as they watched. "Saranghaeyo Abigaíl-ssi." He kissed her hand again and then her lips. They didn't need the real fireworks, they were seeing their own.

The F4 family gathered on the deck of the salon to view the fireworks. It was loud, making Ilana jump the first few times. The kids were on the bridge so the noise was more muffled but still had a good view. Ilana was smiling widely, it was spectacular. Had she ever seen fireworks so close? It was as if they were right above their heads and they had a 360° view of the fire blossoms.

Jihoo moved behind Ilana and wrapped his arms around her, resting the back of her head on his chest. "Cold?"

Ilana, now wonderfully ensconced in his warmth, "Deh, but I forgot when the show started." Jihoo rubbed her arms, raising more goose bumps than those that were previously there.

- "I'm glad I can be of service," he kissed the top of her head before enveloping her again in his arms.

They continued in this pose for the duration of the show. Oohing and ahhing respectively.

- "Jihoo-yah," Ilana said towards the end of the show.

- "Mmm."

- "Begopayo."

- "Paboya," he laughed into the top her head.

Hello loves, well the dynamics have changed a lot of Jaejoong and Abigail and a little for Jihoo and Ilana, I hope the flashbacks weren't confusing?