Jaejoong anxiously waited at the airport for the plane to land.  It’d been an incredibly busy two weeks with Jihoo in and out, Abigaíl out for a week and Ilana out for two weeks.  Things were finally back to normal the last few days and him along with Abigaíl and Isabel were waiting patiently for Mrs. Oh to arrive.  Abigail’s own parents and Grandmother had arrived last Thursday evening.  Jaejoong lost his girls but the Garcia household gained his presence on a daily basis.  He worked his charm on his new Grandmother-in-law to perfection.  She was now perfectly smitten with the young man and had made sure her daughter didn’t give him a hard time.

 - Jaejoong, will you stop!”

 - Mwo?”

 - “You’ve been squirming in your seat, worse than Isabel.”

 - “Anieya!”

 - “Yes, you have, don’t try and deny it.”

Isabel looked up from the IPad at the mention of her name.  “Umma, did you say something?”

 - “Isabel is sitting still watching a movie and you’re twitching all over the place.”

 - “Oh, would it help if I twitch over this way?”  He leaned in and stole a kiss from Abigaíl.

 - “Appa!  I see a plane!  Is it Halmoni?”  Isabel interrupted before Abigaíl could scold Jaejoong.

 - “Mmm, I think so.  Eeliwa (come on), let’s go.”  He and Isabel were off running with Abigaíl shaking her head behind them.

Five minutes later, Mrs. Oh came through the gate.  “Isabel-ah!!  You’ve gotten so big since we left!”  Jaejoong’s Mother gushed over Isabel.

 - “Halmoni!  I started first grade today!”

 - “Daeback!  How exciting!”

 - “Yah! Umma, do you even remember your adul?”

This set Mrs. Oh laughing.  She pinched his cheeks.  “Nae Jae-ah, how you’ve grown so much more handsome since I last saw you, it must be Abigail’s good influence on you.”

 - “Umma!”  Jaejoong pouted at her teasing.

Abigaíl was trying hard to keep from laughing at her future husband.

 - “Abigaíl dear,” Mrs. Oh rounded on Abigaíl.  “How are you?  Is my son treating you well?”

 - “Yes Eomonni,” Abigaíl glanced over at him and smiled.  “Most of the time.”

 - “Yah!”  Jaejoong scandalized at the accusation.

 - “I’m just kidding!”  Abigaíl leaned in to give her fiancé a hug and peck on the cheek, which seemed to pacify him.

 - “Well, Abigaíl dearest, we have a lot of work to do in these next four weeks.  Are you ready?”

 - “I think so.”  Due to Isabel being sick for a week, she’d had to stop production on the favors but thankfully Esther and Sylvia pitched in to do some of them last week and Mrs. Oh had shipped 200 of them prior to her leaving.  With the favors taken care of, Mrs. Oh wanted them to decide on bedroom furniture for them and Isabel so they could have everything done by the time they returned from their honeymoon.  Ilana had ordered her dress and it would be ready in plenty of time.  All the other bride’s maid’s dresses were ordered and just about done.  Abigail’s wedding dress would be arriving any day and she was getting anxious for its arrival.

 - “Well, I’m here now and ready to pitch in anywhere I can.  Should we get going?  I’m sure Abigail’s family is waiting for us.”  They were to have dinner at the restaurant.

A few hours later and full from dinner and getting re-acquainted Jaejoong and his Mother took their leave.

 - “Halmoni, Eomonni,” Jaejoong bowed.  “We’ll see you tomorrow when I drop off my beautiful girls.”

Abigaíl rolled her eyes.  “Will you just go,” she smacked him playfully on the back.  They left work early for Isabel’s first day of school and to pick up Mrs. Oh.  Starting the next day, Esther would be picking Isabel up and taking her back to the house.  He figured she didn’t need to be in an after-school program now that they were getting married.

 - “I walk with you,” Abigail’s Dad, Ramiro, said.

 - “Anieyo, you don’t have too,” Mrs. Oh said.

 - “Insisto (I insist),” he gave his wife an ‘I’ll be right back’ look.  They’d walked out to the front porch.  “I want say we give food for wedding and the Mariachi for Abigaíl.”

 - “Gracias (Thank you) Papi!”  Abigaíl hugged her dad.  She wasn’t expecting less but was happy it came from him and she didn’t have to ask.

 - “Gracias (Thank you), no se preocupe por nada (don’t worry about a thing),” Mrs. Oh said.  “Es nuestro único hijo (he’s our only son) y queremos mucho a Abigaíl (and we love Abigaíl very much), es nuestro placer en regalarles la boda (it’s our pleasure to give them their wedding)."

 - “Es muy amable (you’re very kind), pero Abigaíl es nuestra hija y también deberemos ver por Ella (but Abigaíl is our daughter and we should also look to her welfare)."

Abigaíl looked at Jaejoong, she knew his parents were more than ready to pay for everything but they had to let her Dad put something on the table.  Jaejoong took the hint.  “Umma, Abeojim, gwenchana, Abigaíl and have also used some of our own money.  You’ve all given us so much already.”

 - “Si Papi, con la comida y el Mariachi es suficiente (the food and the Mariachi are enough), pero si de veras quieres contribuir algo más (but if you really want to do more), tengo una idea (I have an idea).”

Jaejoong looked at her in question.

 - “Está bien hija (very well, dear).  Que pasen buenas noches (Have a good night).”

 - “Igualmente (you too), Señor Ramiro.”

 - “Abeojim,” Jaejoong bowed and Abigail’s Dad turned to go into the house.

 - “What was that all about?”  Jaejoong asked.

 - “You two take your time, I’ll wait in the car,” Mrs. oh gave Abigaíl a hug goodbye, “We’ll see each other soon.”

 - “Good night Eomoni!”

When Jaejoong’s Mother had gone to the car, Abigaíl turned to her fiancé.  “It’s a surprise, now go, Eomoni is waiting.”

 - “Ani, I need my goodnight kiss.”

Abigaíl pecked him on the lips.  “There,” she said.

 - "That's not going to last me the car ride home.  Come here unless you want me to come right back."

 - "Jaejoong..." Abigaíl was laughing while trying to push him back.

He had his arm firmly around her waist.  Bringing his lips to hers, he teased each one, in and letting go and finally covering them both, before ending the kiss.  "Saranghaeyo, your face is all red."  Grinning he tapped her nose with his index finger.  The only time Abigaíl was quiet was after he kissed her.  He enjoyed that shy side of her as well as the bold.  "Your turn."

 - "My turn for what?”

 - "Say it."

 - "Say what?"  She asked innocently.

 - "You know what I want."  He knew it was hard for her to say 'I love you', she said it in other ways but rarely said those three words.

Abigaíl gave him a pleading look, it was still difficult for her to put her love into words but he expected it every now and then.  "Te quiero," she said looking at the ground.

 - "I know you like me, what else do you have to tell your fiancé?"

Abigaíl took a deep breath, "Te Amo (I love you)," she buried her head in his chest.  She felt herself getting emotional and didn't want him to see.

Jaejoong held her close and rested his head on top of hers.  "Ara, jagi.  Even when you don't say it, ara."

The days had flown since Jihoo and Ilana’s return to work.  Kike stayed only a few days to watch over his sister and get to know Jihoo but left before the holiday weekend.  It had taken the rest of that week and Kike and Jihoo hovering over her, for Ilana to regain her strength.  Jihoo and Ilana had been staying late each night at the hospital this week to compensate for having been out.  More so, Ilana.  She wanted to make it up to her co-workers for her having been out two weeks when Abigaíl was also out and Jihoo had been watching over her and not putting in his clinic hours.  His main responsibility, of course, lay at the hospital but he didn’t want to just be a hospitalist.  He wanted to follow through the care of a patient from start to finish.  “Kaja,” Jihoo came up to Ilana’s desk.  Everyone else on her team was getting ready to leave as it was five o'clock already.

Ilana looked up surprised.  “I’m still updating this record.  You’re done?”

 - "Deh, we’re caught up.  The record you’re working on should be the last one for the day.”

Ilana checked her task list and it was true.  “Daeback!  Give me five minutes.”

The others quietly gathered their things.  Something was different with those two.  Shi-Yoon stared at Uee and Uee at Abigaíl.  Abigaíl just shrugged.  She could read Ilana very well and there was a new peace and happiness in her face.  No one could see the ring under her gloves that she usually wore but Abigaíl caught her smiling to herself more, Jihoo as well.  In fact, most of the time since his return, he was always smiling.  Well, most of the time it was a small secret smile but occasionally it was full-blown smile.  “Okay, chica, have a good weekend.  Why don’t you come by Sunday and meet Mama Rogelia (the name by which she called her Grandmother)?”

Ilana looked up at Jihoo in question.  An action not missed by any of the six eyes on them.  Jihoo gave the hint of a nod.  “Deh, that sounds like a plan.  We’ll see you Sunday.”  None of them missed the ‘we’ll’ and the fact that she had said ‘yes’ in Korean.

 - “Yah!  Abi is not inviting us too?”  Uee was not ashamed to beg for an invite.

 - “You guys are always welcome and you know that.  Ilana is too shy to come without an invite.”

 - “I came once!”

 - “Yeah, I know.  Okay, my fiancé is about to start paging me if I don’t hurry.”  Jaejoong had some things to wrap up in the clinic office and was expecting her there.

 - “Ah, like the way she says ‘my fiancé’!”  Uee teased.

 - “See you guys Sunday!”  Abigaíl ran off before they could anymore.

 - “Alright, I’m going to go and take a nap before we have to go on tonight,” Uee said.

 - “YuJin-ah, how’s that going for you?”  Ilana asked, curious.

 - “It’s great!  The place is packed every time and WooBin-ssi is a great boss.  He seems pleased with us, so I’m hoping we continue to meet his expectations and he’ll keep us full time at the end of the year.”

 - “Na don’t see why he won’t,” Jihoo assured her.

 - “If Jihoo Uissa is the one who put in a good word for us with him, kansamnida.  We’ll always be grateful.”

 - “Anieyo, it wasn’t me.”

 - “Kaja, I’m done.”  Ilana was closing out of her system and reaching for her purse.  She didn’t want it to be inadvertently found out that she was the one who introduced Uee’s music to WooBin.  “See you Sunday!”

Uee and ShiYoon excused themselves first and then Jihoo took Ilana’s hand as they headed towards the stairs.

SungRyung couldn’t help peeking out her window at the new couple.  That, she was sure of.  She took a moment to thank God and returned to work a little longer.  Others on the floor were also left giggling and smiling at the very subtle but notable change in their two floormates.

 - “Sarang, what do you want to do tonight?”

 - “Mollah?”  Ilana grinned.  It felt odd but nice each time he called her that.  It was going to take time for her to get used to it.  She promised herself one day at a time.  She would only worry about being happy one day at a time.

 - “Let’s spend the evening at my place, deh?”

 - “Arraso?”  Ilana saw he had a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Jihoo thought they could spend an evening under the stars on the patio.  He wanted to take her on an official date but knew she would protest something elaborate.  For now, he had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Arriving at their apartment building Jihoo went ahead to his apartment, while Ilana dropped off her purse, changed, and picked up Joy.  The cat usually traveled with her when she went to Jihoo’s place.  She even had her own set of food and water bowls and recently her own litter box there.

 - “Annyeong,” Jihoo gave Ilana a kiss on the cheek after opening the door and a scratch behind the ears for Joy.  He too had changed into casual pants and one of his favorite shirts.

 - “Jihoo-yah?  Can I help?”

 - “Anieyo, pop (rice) is almost done and we can grill our meat outside.”  He had already set up a grill and the meat and shrimp was pre-marinated.

Ilana put Joy down.  “Arraso, na will wash my hands and help take things outside.”

 - “Anieyo, naega at your service,” Jihoo bowed.

 - “Jihoo-yah!  That’s not fair!  I want to help!”

 - “Ani,” she had just dried her hands and he was pushing her outside.  “Anja.”

Ilana had no choice to sit on the patio love seat.

Jihoo soon came out with several side dishes and two bowls of rice and then went back for the meat and shrimp.  He poured them barley tea and then sat down next to Ilana.

 - “Gomawo, this looks delicious.”

 - “Na wanted to do something special for nae sarang.”

 - “Jihoo-yah, you always do things for me.  The only time I get to do something for you is getting the rest of the F4 to trick you.”

He chuckled at that.  “Gomawo, Ilana made me very happy that day.”

 - “Chincha?”

 - “Chincha, nae sarang,” he said kissing the palm of her hand.

Ilana still couldn’t believe, a week later that she not only loved and was loved, but that she accepted that love.

 - “Na, have a confession to make?”  Ilana looked at him curiously and then he proceeded.  “I hoped you would stumble when Na spun you around in that last dance.  Just so na could hold you a little closer.”  Jihoo saw the emotion in her eyes.  This had been a monumental week and it still hadn’t quite sunk in.  “Moke ga, let’s eat,” he explained.  “You say jal moke get sum nida, I will eat this well.”

 - “Jal moke get sum nida, I haven’t learned that one yet.”

Jihoo began grilling the ribeye first and then the shrimp, which Ilana couldn’t resist stealing one before they were all done.  “Yah!”  Jihoo caught her.

 - "Mianhae!  I can’t help it.  Arraso,” taking another shrimp, she offered it to Jihoo.  “Here,” thankfully there were chopsticks between her fingers and his teeth.  There shouldn’t be any excuse to bite her but she was wary, just in case.

 - “Gomawo.”  Soon enough everything was cooked and they began to eat.

Jihoo insisted on feeding Ilana several times.  “Jihoo-yah, wae?  I’m eating!”

 - “Because I want to, open.  Choayo, taking care of you and doing things for you.”  He said, once she was busy chewing and couldn’t argue back.  “Ilana has gone above her job duty at work for me when I was out of town.  And when I came back into town, you came and helped me on the weekend.  So you see, you do it too.”

 - “Anieyo, it’s purely selfish on my part.  Na just didn’t want to go home and be alone.  Na would rather stay and help Jihoo.”

 - “Mollah (whatever), Ilana still took time out of her life to help me.  You could have done anything else to keep yourself occupied but you chose to help me instead.  Gomawo.”

The gaze in Jihoo’s eyes was overwhelming with love and tenderness.  Ilana could feel her heart flip-flopping and her face flaming.  “My turn to make you a wrap.”  Ilana carefully prepared a wrap for him and handed it to him.  A piece of shrimp at the end of a chopstick she could feed him but not a lettuce wrap from her own hand.  “What’s your favorite food?”

 - “Pancakes,” he said chewing.

 - “Ara!  Regular food, not breakfast!”

 - “Omelet and Italian or French.  Na ate mostly western food growing up.  It wasn’t until after Harabeoji came back to live with me, that I began to eat Korean food.  And Ilana?”

 - “Other than pancakes, choah Nana’s enchiladas and green chilaquiles.”  Jihoo nodded, making note.  He’d have to ask her Nana for the recipe.

They ate slowly, in between talking, asking questions about each other’s likes or dislikes.  They were still hesitant on certain subjects, Jihoo knew he would have to take the lead on many things, but he was prepared for that.

 - "Jihoo-yah, I can’t eat anymore.”  He’d tricked her into eating more than what she normally does.  He kept feeding her bits of meat or shrimp in between wraps.

 - “Gwenchana, na do.”  They really left very little food between them.  He had made just enough.  “Let me put all this in the kitchen.”

 - “Anieyo, I’ll do it,” Ilana was already standing.

 - “We’ll both do it.”

They quickly picked up the dishes and while Ilana wanted to wash them, Jihoo insisted she leave them for the housekeeper.  A battle of wills ensued until Ilana won.  It really took very little time between the two of them to rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher.  The hardest thing to clean was the grill.  But Ilana was satisfied with their work.  “Now, we can relax,” she said.

 - “Let’s sit back outside; I’ll take a quilt in case you get cold.”  Grabbing the quilt, he led Ilana back outside.  “Anja,” he said and sat after her.

He placed the blanket on her lap and then pulled her close to him with his arm.  The evening was beautiful or was it the company that was beautiful.  Jihoo had soft music playing in the background and he had a few bonsai trees lit with mini lights in the corner and Ilana hadn’t realized there was a tiny fountain as well.  All in all, it made the perfect setting for a romantic evening.  They hadn’t talked much about her trip.  Jihoo wanted to know what she had done.  “Ilana-yah, tell me about your trip.”  He rubbed her arm to give her strength.

 - “Na, realized too late, Na should have had Jihoo with me.”

 - “Mmm,” she felt him smile as he had his head leaned against hers.

 - “Na felt like a stranger walking through the town center; Na had avoided it all these years.  Shops, Na had gone with Umma and Appa were now closed or changed ownership.  It’s like Na was trying to go back in time, but that’s not possible, right?”  She squeezed her eyes to hold back the tears.

 - “Na understand, sarang.”

 - “Deh?  I wondered if you did - if sometimes you felt that way.”

 - “Deh but mine was a little different.  Na felt I didn’t belong when I saw JunPyo and JanDi get married.  I’d dedicated so many years, making sure she was happy, Na didn’t have a purpose anymore.  YiJeong and Gaeul were married two years after and WooBin and JaeKyung were dating.  Na didn’t fit in anymore.”  Jihoo sat up and took Ilana’s face in his hand.  “Then you came along…”

 - “And made you give up your peaceful life,” Ilana interrupted with a joke.

 - “Ani, you gave me a reason for living again.  Your cousin tried to get Jaejoong and me to get you to go home.”  Ilana’s eyebrows rose in shock.  “After talking to him for fifteen minutes, I knew Na would do anything to keep you away from him.  Na wanted to help you; I knew I could because I’d been there.  Na had felt alone with nowhere to turn before.  Jaejoong and I declared ourselves a team.  If he treated your anemia, Na would take care of the rest.  In helping you Na helped myself and soon going back home no longer felt awkward.”

Jihoo had his arm around Ilana and she was snuggled close to him.  It was the perfect setting for a happy evening.  Ilana couldn’t help feeling guilty as if she shouldn’t be so happy.  They remained quiet for a long time, Jihoo could sense her mind running through conflicts, her smile had faded and she just stared off into the distance.  “Sarang,” he kissed the top of her head.  "Where did you go?"

 - "Anieyo, just wondering, how I can be so happy?"

 - "Because there's a time and purpose for everything under Heaven and this is the time He has given us to be happy."

 - "Jihoo-yah, how can you be so sure?  About God?  He took our parents away."

 - "Deh, but He gave us each other.  I've really only known Jesus as God for a few years.  While In the Military, I saw and heard things, that had nothing to do with my traditions.  There was something more and it was actually Jaejoong's parents introduced me.  You see, Na still had SeoHyeong and F4, so I had to see his work in my life.  Ani, Na faith isn't perfect but I'm grateful He takes me the way, I am."

 - "Mollah..."

 - "Stubborn Agassi," he shifted to face her.  "Gwenchana, we'll take one day at a time."  He leaned his forehead on hers, making Ilana open her eyes wide.  He then proceeded to plant gentle kisses close to her hairline, past her ear and along the jawline.  He felt her stiffen and her pulse quicken but he continued until he was done.  She looked at him nervously but he just smiled at her and tucked her back against him.  "Gwenchana?"

Ilana nodded 'yes'.

 - "Choahayo."  They remained quiet, looking out at the city for a while.  "Saranghaeyo," Jihoo said, still looking straight ahead.

Ilana shifted in her seat and tentatively leaned his face towards hers.  She sat up tall and gave his cheek a soft kiss.  "Nado saranghaeyo.  Do you believe me?”  It was important for her to know this because she felt as if she didn’t show him enough how much he meant to her.

 - “Deh, sarang.  Wae?”

 - “Mollah?”  She realized he’d get upset and think she was trying to pay him back.

 - “Yah, talk to me.”

 - “Mollah?”  His look told her he wasn’t buying her answer.  “Aish!”  She playfully covered his eyes.

Removing her hands from his eyes, “Wae?”

 - “Anieyo, it’s just…what if you’re dissatisfied with me?”

 - “Sarang, the last thing Na want is for you to be burdened by what I’m thinking.  Na want Ilana to feel secure in my love for you.  If anything I do, makes you uncomfortable, insecure or makes you feel disrespected, tell me.  Ara, there will be things that make you nervous, maybe even bring back bad memories and Na want to avoid that.  But you need to tell me if something is too much or I’ve crossed the line.  Na won’t have done it deliberately.  Na just want to have you close to me.  Arraso?”

Ilana nodded ‘yes’ and played with the blanket.  She did that a lot but he was used to it.  Her insecurities weren’t going to vanish overnight but she had made great progress and he couldn’t be happier.

 - “Does nae sarang want to hear a song?”

 - “Chincha?”

 - “Deh, I’ll get my violin.”

(Music)  He returned with his violin and bowed before her, to which she inclined her head in acknowledgment.  The music began and Ilana closed her eyes.  The melody was lovely and she let it course through her veins and fill her heart with joy.  How many years had she closed her mind and heart to that joy, to the feel of the notes going through her?  She could see the notes, swirling, swaying, bobbing, and spinning, almost like little squirrels playing in the trees.  As the music continued the picture changed and it was no longer squirrels but someone dancing.  She could feel her smile widen in anticipation.  It was her, swaying and dipping to the music and then someone took her by the waist and soon it was Jihoo guiding her through the notes.

Jihoo had ended and opened his eyes.  Ilana had her eyes closed and was lost in the pictures of her mind.  He didn’t say a word but watched her beautiful smile and wished he truly could read her thoughts.  It took her a few more seconds to realize the music had stopped.  His own smile greeted her as she opened her eyes and widened them in surprise.  “Sarang, what were you looking at so intently?”  He had the satisfaction of seeing her blush.

 - “Squirrels playing in the trees,” she giggled.

 - “Chincha?  Na think you’re not telling me everything.”  He sat the violin down and then sat down next to Ilana.

 - “Anieya,” she said still grinning.

 - “Na don’t believe you, come…,” he was patting his lap.

 - “Shiro,” Ilana waved her hands at him.

 - “Deh, juseyo?”  Again she nodded 'no'.  “Arraso,” he gave her his poker face.  “Then I’ll have to go to Ilana like always."  She sat a little apprehensive of what he might do but he just sat close and wrapped both his arms around her.  Her head was now trapped under his chin and against his chest.  He held her firmly, but not squeezing her like HyungJun liked to do.  If she wanted to escape, she could.  But she didn’t.  She felt his love surrounding her.  “Tell me,” he said softly and replaced his chin with his cheek.

Ilana smiled for a bit, “anieyo.  Na just saw myself dancing to the music and then you came along and I was no longer alone.”

 - “And Ilana never will be again.”

He pulled her to standing and they danced to the melody in their heads.

September 7, 2014

 - “Annyeong, sarang,” Ilana stood on her toes to give Jihoo a kiss on the cheek in greeting.  Even if he had the passcode to her apartment, he didn’t want to just come in whenever he felt like it.  So he had rung the doorbell and waited patiently for her to open.  He smiled to see her sweet smile when she opened the door.  “I’ll just grab my coverall and I’ll be ready.” She kept herself warm in air-conditioned places with different wraps or light sheer tops.  In the car, Jihoo her seat warmer to counteract the air-conditioner.

 - “Gwenchana, there’s not that much traffic at the moment and if we’re a few minutes late, Na don’t think they’ll mind.”

 - “Abigaíl said she was going to reserve a table for all of us.”

 - “Deh, Jaejoong told me the same thing.  He’s become a permanent fixture at the restaurant; he might as well be on the payroll.”

 - “His Umma is in town, right?  So we’ll probably see her there as well.  This should be a fun day.  Na think I’m looking forward to it, deh?”

 - “Mmm,” he took Ilana in his arms and kissed her forehead.  “Anytime I spend with you, I look forward to.”

Ilana still didn’t know how he could say things like that with a straight face.  Her own for certain was the exact color of a fire engine.  “Kaja,” she entwined her fingers through his and dragged him out of the apartment.

Union City, NJ

Jihoo and Ilana arrived at the restaurant just before Ilwoo and Uee.  So when the other couple exited their car they saw Jihoo wrap his arm around Ilana’s waist as they walked.  Uee rocked back and forth on her feet and covered in order not to squeal in delight.  Her boyfriend just laughed at her.  “Kaja, we won’t find out anything, just standing here.”

Luciana was standing at the counter, greeting guests.  “Hey, you two!”  She came out from behind the counter to properly greet her sister’s friends and did not fail to notice the two hands entwined with each other.  She gave them both hugs.  “Long time no see, so what was that all about you two?”

 - “What was what about out?”  Ilana asked innocently.  Whatever Jihoo and Ilana did or didn’t do was so natural, that they didn’t even realize they did it.  His arm just seemed to belong around her waist or her fingers entwined with his.

 - “Hello!”  Uee said loudly as she and Ilwoo walked in.

 - “Hey there,” Luciana said.

 - "Jihoo Uissa, na think you have some explaining to do," Ilwoo said.

 - "Mwo?"

 - "C'mon you guys, stop playing pabo?" Uee complained.

Ilana looked at Jihoo like it was the others being the dumb ones.  It wasn't that they intended to keep their relationship a secret, but Jihoo felt it was no one’s business and Ilana was too shy to say anything.  It seemed to be an unconscious mutual agreement that they wanted to enjoy their new relationship alone for as long as possible.

Abigaíl, Jaejoong, ShiYoon, and DokMi now joined the mix.  "What are you guys waiting for, come sit down?"  Abigaíl said.

 - "These two are acting funny," Luciana said, pointing at Jihoo and Ilana.

 - "They've been acting funny," Abigaíl said.

Ilana looked up at Jihoo in question and he continued his straight face with a hint of a smile.

Now Jaejoong's Mother came up to see what was holding up the kids, as she referred to them all.  "Ah, Jihoo-yah!"  Mrs. Oh quickly pulled him in for a hug.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, Eomonni," he bowed to her.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo, Mrs. Oh," Ilana also bowed.

 - "Oh come here you, I want a hug," the older woman could surely hug.  She held Ilana very tightly before letting go.  "Let me look at you, it's been almost six months but something is different."

Ilana was turning bright red at her scrutiny.  She hated being the center of attention.  "Anieyo, Mrs. Oh."

Mrs. Oh looked to Jihoo whose gaze was unmistakably soft as it looked at Ilana's discomfort.  "Deh, and Jihoo too."  Jihoo tried to keep his expression blank as the others eagerly waited for Mrs. Oh to expose them.  "I can't put my finger on it, Na think Ilana must have gotten lovelier and Jihoo more handsome."  She took Ilana's hand and patted it and looked down as she felt something.  "Ilana, this is a lovely ring."

 - "I haven't seen that ring before," Abigaíl said.

 - "I've seen it," Jaejoong said, eyeing Jihoo suspiciously.

Thankfully their inquiry would have to wait as more guests were arriving.  "Well, we better go sit down.  My Grandma is in the kitchen with Mom, I'll bring her out so you guys can meet her."

They all sat down after more hugs and greetings for ShiYoon and DokMi.  Mrs. Oh and her son were not to be deterred, now that they had evidence to back up their suspicion.  "Ilana dear, that ring is lovely, is it a family heirloom, perhaps?"

Ilana was trapped, "Deh Mrs. Oh, you could say that."

 - "I bet it belonged to someone's Umma," Jaejoong looked directly at Jihoo.

Abigail came out of the kitchen with her Grandmother.  "Guys, this is Mama Rogelia."  The men all stood to greet her, bowing formally to her as Jaejoong had done when she first arrived.

 - "Mucho gusto jóvenes (It's a pleasure, kids).  Haber, todos son novios (Let's see, are they all couples)?"

 - "Si (Yes) Mama Rogelia, aunque una pareja lo disimula y cree que no lo sabemos (Even though one couple tries to hide it and thinks we don't know)."  Abigaíl looked right at Ilana.

 - "Ya déjenlos (Leave them be), quieren guardar el secreto entre ellos un ratito (they want to keep the secret in between themselves for a little while).  Solo deséales mucha felicidad (Just wish them much happiness)."  Mama Rogelia too looked at Ilana.

Ilana couldn't help give a fleeting glance to Jihoo, whom gave her his secret smile.  The men all returned to the table and Jihoo immediately took Ilana's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.  Her cheeks were getting brighter; it wouldn't be long before they were officially discovered.

 - "Abigaíl, te dejo para que disfrutes a tus amigos (I'll leave you to enjoy your friends).  Buen provecho (enjoy your food)."  Mama Rogelia deliberately put a hand on Jihoo and Ilana's shoulder before turning to leave.

 - "Ilana-yah?" Mrs. Oh asked.  "Jaejoong told me you were ill at the same time as Isabel?"

 - "Deh, Mrs. Oh.  I’m sorry, guys, for not taking care of myself.”

 - "Atch, Ilana-yah, has no control over getting the flu," Uee re-assured her.

 - "Eomonni, most likely Ilana picked it up from Isabel or they picked it up from the same place."

 - "Umma, meet Ilana's personal physician," Jaejoong teased but Jihoo refused to rise to the bait.  Ilana, however, glared at Jaejoong.  Everyone around them was enjoying the joke.

 - "Well, she's finally back," Abigaíl said.  "It only took her two weeks."

 - "I'm sorry!  I would've rather been at work, trust me."  Ilana glanced at Jihoo with a small pout.

 - "Deh, Abi-ah doesn't know how she suffered those two weeks," Jihoo said, straight-faced as always.  Ilana poked his leg under the table.

 - "That's okay, chica.  I know Isabel was miserable, you must have been too.  You guys know what you want?"

Abigaíl took their orders and took it to the kitchen.  Upon her return, the Mariachi was at their table.  Jihoo and Ilana had that aura of new love and the female singer went straight for them.  "Una canción para los novios?"  That and the entire table was an even amount of men and women.  Naturally one would assume they were all dating in some form or the other.

 - "Amémonos!"  (Music) Abigaíl called out, mischievously.  Ilana was raised on classical music and Flamenco from Spain, occasionally her Father and indulged in his native Mariachi music.  There were very few Songs she knew and this wasn't one of them.  "My soul looked for yours with eagerness; I looked for the maiden that sweetly touched my forehead with her hands, in the in love's fevered insomnia."  Ilana felt Jihoo's eyes on her and she looked to him as well.  Did their souls search for each other?  "I looked for the woman, pale and beautiful that visited my dreams as a child.  To share with her my love, to share with her my pain."  Ilana couldn't help start to tear.  "Like in the sacred solitary temple, without seeing God, you feel His presence.  I felt the presence of your existence in the world.  And like God, without seeing you, I adored you.  Let's love each other, my dear, in this life, where so many tears are shed.  Maybe the ones that spill, the ones that love each other, I don't know...have a type of blessing."  Jihoo and Ilana were lost to the others, the song continued but they only had eyes for each other.  It was such a hauntingly sweet melody and was almost reminiscent of their love story.  Even Jihoo's eyes were shining by the end of it, which neither noticed.

 - "Chica?  Are you alright?"  Abigaíl finally noticed the tears that were falling down her face.

 - "She's not the only one," Jaejoong observed.

 - "It's a touching song, from what I gathered," Mrs. Oh said.

 - "It is," ShiYoon agreed.

Only Jihoo and Ilana knew what the words to the song meant to them.  "Thanks a lot, Abigaíl, for making me cry, now it's your turn."  Ilana managed to tear her gaze from Jihoo and smile.  "Para los prometidos, Bésame Mucho (For the promised couple, Kiss Me a Lot)."  Ilana gave Abigaíl an 'I-got-you-now' look.

 - "Ah, I like that song very much; Ilana-yah gomawo," said an excited Jaejoong.

Abigaíl was already turning red.  While everyone's attention was on Jaejoong and Abigaíl, Jihoo and Ilana couldn't help smile at each other.  "Saranghae," Ilana mouthed.

 - "Nado," he mouthed back.

They enjoyed the music a little longer and soon the food came.  Ilana had ordered her standard green pozole and Jihoo two mixed ceviche tostadas in a green chile sauce.  Ilana couldn't help eyeball his plate, it looked delicious.  "Jihoo-yah," she tapped his shoulder.  "Was that one of your patients?"

 - "Mwo?" He turned to look in the direction she was pointing.  Ilana quickly stole a shrimp but he caught her out of the corner of his eye.  "Yah, thief!"

Ilana couldn't help giggle, the shrimp was deliciously spicy but quickly realized it was slowly building in heat and she needed water.  Jihoo was quicker than her and began to taunt her with the water cup.

 - "Omo!  Jihoo-yah!  Hajima!  Nomu, nomu mianhaeyo, Op-pa." she tried going for the aegyo and placed her palms together in supplication.  He couldn't help smirk.

 - "Yah, Ilana, your aegyo is worse than mine," Uee teased.

The fire in Ilana's mouth was slowly mounting and Jihoo finally took pity on her and returned her glass of water.  He ruffled her hair in punishment, as he just couldn't resist.  He loved the playfulness between them when they were together.  It seemed like nothing else existed.

 - "Gomawo, sarang," she said in relief.  She hadn't realized what she said until the entire table erupted.

 - "Mwo?"

 - "Omo?"

 - "Wau?"

 - "Since when?"

 - "It was only a matter of time before one of you cracked," Jaejoong said.  "Did you think you could keep it a secret forever?"

Ilana looked to Jihoo, "mianhae."

 - "Gwenchana," he leaned over and kissed her cheek in front of everyone.  Ilana buried her face in his arm, extremely embarrassed at the catcalls and jokes going around the table.  Even Jihoo was not above being a little pink.  This was all kind of new to him, too.  But it wasn't like he was going to be upset at her for calling him 'love'.  And they never said they weren't going to disclose their relationship.  They just never discussed how they would go about it.  Perhaps they did just want it to be their special secret for a little.

 - "Felicidades amiga (congratulations friend)," Abigaíl rushed over to hug Ilana.

The men came over to clap Jihoo on the back and shoulder, while the woman squealed in delight and hugged Ilana.

Luciana who had been assisting other guests came to see what the raucous was all about and Isabel and her cousin Nate had come out of the office to investigate.  "Hey!  What are you guys celebrating so loudly?"  Luciana asked.

 - "We finally caught those two," Abigaíl pointed at Jihoo and Ilana.

 - "I knew it! How long have you two been official?"

 - "A little over two weeks," Jihoo replied smiling at his girlfriend.

 - "A Doctor-patient romance, Jihoo?"  Jaejoong couldn't pass up teasing them.

 - "Yah!  Knock it off, Dr. Jaejoong," Ilana pouted.

 - "Deh Jae-ah, it's no wonder they tried to keep it a secret," Mrs. Oh calmed the chaos.  "Chukahae, my dears.  Another match made in Heaven, I see."

Ilana's face was still flaming and Jihoo just couldn't help chuckle.  Even if everyone was making a fuss.

Isabel, of course, wouldn't be left out.  "Ajussi Jihoo, Tía Ilana is yeoja chingu?"

He looked to Ilana, she was so much more than that, but he wasn't about to go into explanations.  "Deh, will Isabel give us her blessing?"

 - "Deh!"  Isabel threw her arms around Ilana and then Jihoo.

The Mariachi had all but been forgotten in the good news.  They decided to finally play 'Bésame Mucho', but in honor of all the couples at the table and 'Hermoso Cariño' (lyrics), before they left to another table.  The mood was cast for the rest of the afternoon.  Couples smiled sweetly at each other, shared food and caresses, especially the newest couple.  Who couldn't help sneaking glances at each other when they thought no one was looking.  The conversation and laughter continued after they had all finished eating.

 - "Where are you guys going for your honeymoon?"  Uee asked.

 - "We haven't decided yet," Abigaíl responded.

 - "Jejudo!"  Ilwoo called out.

 - "Spain!"  ShiYoon suggested his previous home.

 - "Paris!"  The always shy DokMi suggested.

 - "There's the Caribbean?"  Ilana said.

 - "There's Maldives, dear," his Mother offered.

 - "Mollah," Jaejoong responded.  "Jejudo, everyone goes there.  The Caribbean as well.  Paris and Spain are a possibility.  Wherever nae jagiya wants."

Jihoo smiled at Ilana and wondered where she would like to spend a honeymoon.  It was still too soon to bring up.  But still, couldn't help but wonder about that day, the beginning of the rest of their lives together.

 - "You know, Maldives sounds nice," Abigaíl perked up at the suggestion.  "But, if I let Jaejoong have his way, we'd be gone for an entire month.  I can't leave my baby that long."

 - "You're right, jagi; I'm being selfish wanting you all to myself for as long as possible.  Isabel is as much mine now as she is yours and she'll be missing her Umma."

Isabel had stayed at the table.  Being the focus of the grown-ups' attention was much more fun than playing video games with her cousin.  "Appa, can I go on honeymoon too?"  The others laughed at her cuteness.

 - "Mianhae, jagi, a honeymoon is a special time for Umma and Appa to really get to know each other better."  Jaejoong kissed his bride to be.  "And maybe make a baby," he whispered to his fiancé.

She turned bright red and smacked him.  "Kim Jaejoong!"

Uee was close to Abigaíl and heard every word Jaejoong said.  "Another sweet little girl like Isabel," she said.

 - "Deh, there should only be one Kim Jaejoong in the world," Jihoo chipped in, making the others laugh with the serious tone in which he ditzed his colleague.

 - "Yah!"  Jaejoong didn't have a smart comeback.  "Gwenchana, an angel like her Umma will do."

Poor Isabel looked confused.  "Don't mind the grown-ups sweetie," Mrs. Oh, reassured her.  "They're pabo."

After several hours of good food, music, and friends, it was time to part ways.  The group helped clean up their mess.  After all, they were all friends and for certain, there were things that they weren't charged for.  It was the least they could do.

Abigail’s parents had come out to say goodbye.  Jihoo and Ilana were the last ones as they were still talking to Mrs. Oh.  "My dears," she said.  "You must come and have dinner at the house before the wedding.  Jihoo-yah, ara you’re busy but make time."

 - "Deh Eomonni," Jihoo assented and Ilana agreed.

 - "Ilana, niña, me dicen que andas de enamorada (child, they tell me you're in love)?"  Señora Paula said.  She was smiling, so Ilana relaxed.  Glad she wasn't in trouble.

 - "Señora, que puedo decir en mi defensa (Ma'am, what can I say in my defense)?"  Ilana tried to look sorrowful but couldn't.

Paula laughed and turned her attention to Jihoo.  "Así que calladito la pretendías (quietly you courted her)?"

 - "Si (Yes), Señora Paula."

 - "Que dijiste (What did you say)?  Hasta aquí (That's enough).  Hoy me le declaro (Today, I will declare myself to her)?"

 - "Algo así (Something like that), Señora Paula," Jihoo felt slightly nervous, wondering what she was thinking.

 - "Cuídamela, es especial (take care of her for me, she's special).

 - "Lo sé (I know), Señora."  Jihoo hugged Ilana from behind.

She then gave her full attention to Jaejoong who had Isabel in his arms.  "Y este que me está quitando mis niñas (And this one who’s taking away my girls)..."  Paula pretended she was going to hit him.

Jaejoong was unfazed by the threat.  He gave her his best smile.  "Eomonni, Yo sé que me quieres (I know you like me)."  He bent and kissed her cheek while Isabel the other.

 - "Sin vergüenza (shameless)," she tried to scowl at him, but couldn't help but smile.

 - "Si, lo es (yes, he is), Paula."  Mrs. Oh agreed.  "Thank you, Abigaíl for making an honest man out of him."

 - "What can I say; she didn't have to try too hard.  She had me wrapped around her little finger before I even realized it."  Still holding Isabel, he kissed Abigail's cheek.

 - "I'll see you tomorrow, chica!"  Ilana gave Abigaíl a hug once Jihoo let her go, a sign that they should get going.

 - "See you, bro," Jaejoong gave Jihoo the usual male ritual handshake.

After more hugs, they finally left the restaurant and were in the car heading back to Manhattan.

 - "That was nice," Ilana said.  "Gwenchana sarang?  We never really talked about how we would tell everyone."

 - "Gwenchana, na had a good time.  It was easier to tell everyone by our actions than by making a huge announcement.  Annchoah and Ilana wouldn't have liked that either."

 - "Maja!"

Jihoo took her hand and kissed it.

More and more people at the hospital were being made aware of their newest couple.  The fleeting looks and Ilana's blushes were enough of a good indication for those paying attention but the walking with fingers entwined or the long hugs goodbye on mornings when Jihoo went one way and Ilana the other were a definite giveaway.

They only had two days until he had to leave again.   Like last time, he planned to keep it short.  Two days travel and three days in Seoul.  He was flying in Jaejoong's parent’s plane and returning with Jaejoong's Father and Grandparents.  The rest of the family was leaving later in the week.  Not everyone had the ability to pick up and leave at their leisure.

 - "Na want to have a special evening with Ilana and Joy tonight."  Jihoo and Ilana headed for the car with their hands entwined, as usual.

Ilana grinned, "Sarang wants special evenings every evening."

 - "Mmm...geurigo (and)?"

 - "Moreugesseumnida (I don't understand)?"  Ilana responded once they got to the car.

 - "Na said and?"

 - "Mollah, Jihoo spoils me and then you'll be gone a whole five days."

 - "Come with me?"  Jihoo said, now in the car and starting the transmission.

 - "Yah, haven't we had this conversation before?"

 - "Deh geurigo we will continue to have it until you come with me."

 - "Pabo!  Na thought Jihoo was a good influence on me and now you want me Just to pick up and leave?"

He smiled at her, "algesumnida."

They arrived at their apartment building and took the elevator from the parking garage.  "Na will change and meet at your place," Jihoo said.  "Should na just let myself in?"

 - "Deh," Ilana agreed.  There was nothing to frighten her if she was expecting him.  He usually knocked anyway, just to forewarn her.

Fifteen minutes later, Jihoo caught Ilana rummaging through her refrigerator.  He pulled her back by the waist as she screamed.  "Yah!  Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"  Ilana put a hand on her chest to steady her nerves.

 - "Mianhae," he kissed her forehead.  "Mianhae," he kissed her cheek.  "Mianhae," he kissed the other cheek.  "Gwenchana?"

 - "Deh, what are you doing?"

 - "Na ordered food," Jihoo responded while returning whatever she had taken from the refrigerator.

Ilana gave him the 'why are you spending money?' look.

 - "Eeliwah (come)," he pulled her along and sat her on the couch, before looking on her shelf.

 - "Sarang, what are you looking for?"

 - "This," he said holding up her copy of the 'Pride and Prejudice' DVD.

 - "Jihoo-yah, ani.  Any other movie, just not that one." He saw her worried face.  "Deh, sarang, it's your favorite.  Share it with me."

 - "Hajiman..."

Jihoo put the movie in the player and sat, taking her hand. "Share all of it with me, don't shut me out.   Na want it all, painful and happy both, arraso?"

She knew what he wanted but she was so tired of crying.   "Jihoo-yah, juseyo."

He didn't answer her, just shifted them, so she was sandwiched between him and the couch back before pressing play.  The theme song alone made her stiffen but his gentle touch made her relax enough to speak Lizzy's line and Jihoo joined her.  "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."  He had her giggling after that.  She reached back to touch his face and he kissed her hand instead.   "Umma and I used to repeat all the good lines.  We'd drive Appa crazy.  Na generally cry through the entire five hours." She forewarned him.

 - "Gwenchana," he said, digging in his pocket for his handkerchief and handed it to her. 

 - "Gomawo," she said with a smile. They were interrupted shortly with food.  Jihoo had ordered pasta and salad and tiramisu and raspberry and mint granita for dessert.  While he placed their desserts in the refrigerator and freezer, Ilana set up the coffee table with their food and glasses of water.  They made themselves comfortable on the floor to eat.  She found herself relaxed and enjoying herself.   Of course, she enjoyed everything she did with Jihoo.  Except when he was making her come out of her shell.  She hated that. It was always for the better, but the going through it, hurt.  It was a sharp repeating pain.  She might as well cut herself repeatedly, that's how much it hurt.  This exercise surprisingly didn't hurt like that.  Jihoo didn't let her.  His gentle hold on her always, even while they ate, was enough support and then he knew a few of Mr. Darcy's more famous lines enough to actually make Ilana laugh.

It wasn't until the second episode and it was time for the ball; that Ilana broke down.  But Jihoo was there, holding her like always.  He didn't stop the movie but spoke to her in soothing tones that pulled her out of the painful memories.  "Sarang, gwenchana.  Nae sarang, tell me about it.  What is it?  Wae does this one hurt you more than the last episode?"  He had her in his arms and her hair and back, slowly giving her the strength to talk.

 - "Mollah, na think it's the ball itself and the music.  Jihoo was able to throw himself into his music, I was not.  Na kept it away from me, so it wouldn't hurt.  There was always music in the house.  Umma would play the piano and sing, Na could sit with her for hours.  Even Appa could be heard humming or singing something as he walked through the house.  He'd play the violin for Umma, thinking he was great."  She smiled.  "Umma and I let him think that.  Many times, I remember, we'd have gatherings on weekends.  Appa and his friends, the company executives, would get together and play guitar and other instruments and we'd dance.  It was so much fun.  Then there were the formal evenings where Umma would showcase.  Na was allowed to stay up as long as I didn't fall asleep in some corner, which almost always happened.  Appa would end up carrying me to my room.  Na missed that so much but even if I played I would never play for them or with Umma.  Na would never hear her play again.  Na would never sit with her at the piano.  Na would never hear her voice again."  Ilana had tried to reign in the tears but it was impossible.  She'd never given anyone a reason for her withdrawal from music, she just did it and it was accepted.

 - "Ara sarang, ara.  For me, it was different.  Music was the only way to have them near me, still.  They loved the arts, it was their passion.  Na wanted to feel them still a part of me."  This made Ilana cry even more.  He did it right and she did everything so wrong.  Jihoo sensed something along those lines.  "Yah, don't cry because of something you had no control of.  We all express grief differently.  Na may have surrounded myself with music but I withdrew from everything else, just like Ilana did."  Jihoo held her, kissing her temple and the top of her head until she was done.  The second episode had ended and they were now on the third.  Jihoo had pulled Ilana back onto the couch and cuddled her like at the start of their evening.  With Ilana resting between him and the back of the couch.  He found he liked this position.  His arm was around her and her head rested against his chest.  Yes, perhaps movie night would have to become a regular occurrence.

By the time they had finished, it was just past eleven.  The two were pleasantly comfortable in their little cocoon.  At first, they had been too full from dinner but then after getting emotional and then getting cozy again, they were too lazy to get up to for dessert.  "Let's get our dessert," Jihoo said.  It's not that he wouldn't be content to hold her in his arms all night, but most likely she wouldn't be comfortable with that.  He figured he should let her up before he refused to.

 - "Mmm, five more minutes."  He was so warm and comfortable.  There were no ulterior motives with Jihoo.  Cuddling was just that, cuddling.  She didn't have to be wary of his actions.  That they would lead to something she wasn't comfortable with or something she didn't want.

 - "Five more minutes and na will not let you up.  You'll have to sleep in my arms all night."  She got up lazily; she wouldn't really be comfortable with that.  He held her on the bed, how many times while she was ill?  But no, she definitely wasn't ready for that.

 - "Dehhh, kaja."  They both got up and Ilana served their desserts on two plates, splitting the tiramisu and the granita between them.  "Mmm!"  Ilana tasted the granita first.  "This is delicious."

 - "Try the tiramisu."

They ate silently, enjoying their sweets until Ilana looked up to find Jihoo staring at her.  "Jihoo-yah, wae?  Do I have something on my face?"

He secretly wondered if he should steal a kiss again but decided to leave it for another day.  "Anieyo, I'm still thinking you're my Jane."

 - "Anieyo, Jihoo-yah is not as easy going as Mr. Bingley."

 - "Deh, na would have to steal you from him."

 - "Pabo," she said laughing behind her napkin.

 - "Ilana-yah has that simple beauty and sweet nature that Jane has."

 - "Hajima!!"  Now she was blushing.

He couldn't resist and kissed her face strategically close to her lips, without actually touching them.  The result was a slightly startled but still blushing look that Jihoo found so irresistible.

 - "I'll-I'll put the kettle on for tea."  Ilana quickly got up to hide her confusion.

He saw her fumble to fill the kettle.  He rose and followed her, taking the kettle out of her hands and wrapping his arms around her.  She hid her face in his chest so she wouldn't have to face him.  Jihoo felt her heart beating rapidly under his hand on her back. "Did that bother you?"

She shook her head 'no'.

 - "Make you nervous?"

 - "J-jeogumyo."

 - "Sarang, look at me?"  When he got her to comply, he saw her worried eyes.  Worried that she would offend him somehow.  "Saranghaeyo, I’m not going to hurt you.   Na promise to respect you and will take things slow until you're ready for me to kiss you deeper and with less restraint, arraso?"

 - "That's what he said!"  Kept ringing in her head.  "Jihoo is not him, he's not."

Jihoo witnessed her inner battle.  "Yah," he tucked her into his chest again. "I’m not letting you go, no matter what you do.  Ilana cannot offend me, only if you don't talk to me."

 - "Ara," she mumbled before looking up.  "I'm just scared.  What if nae actions lead you to believe I don't care or I don't love you."

 - "Ilana forgets, our hearts can talk to each other.  Naega very good at reading you."

Ilana smiled at the thought of their hearts talking to each other.  "I-geo choayo (I like this)."

 - "Choah, come back and finish dessert."

 - "Arraso," she decided to attempt something.  She got on her tiptoes and went to kiss his cheek but surprised him with a kiss just next to his lips like he did her.

They finished dessert and called it a night.  "Ah, na almost forgot," Jihoo said.  "Be ready by six P.M. tomorrow night, where your white dress."

 - "Mwo?"  He kissed her cheek and was out the door before she could argue.

 - "Pabo!"  Ilana started the dishwasher and got ready for bed, wondering where in the world they would be going.

September 13, 2014

Jihoo had been planning this evening since he left for Seoul last month.  It was one of the things he did, the second he got to the airport.  It was something new for him and thought she might enjoy it.  He knew how much music had been an important part of her early upbringing.  Her parents even named managers to a boy band as her guardians.  Unfortunately, the arrangement didn't work out for either of them.  It ended up being that Enrique was more her guardian than his managers were.

He looked in the mirror and made sure his tie knot was straight.  He wore the tie that she had picked for him and his taupe suit.  It would be a perfect complement to her white dress.  Everything in order, he checked his coat pocket for the tickets and grabbed the flowers and headed out the door.

The doorbell rang to Ilana's door.  Nervously, she looked at herself in the mirror; she had gone to get a trim, so her hair was pinned to one side with soft waves cascading through it.  Her French mani/pedi was still intact and her dress and makeup were in order.  All she had to do was put on her shoes.  She ran to open the door.

 - "Anyeong hasseyo," he bowed, hiding something behind his back.

 - "Jihoo-yah?  What are you hiding?"  Ilana stepped aside to let him in.

 - "For nae sarang."  He presented a rather long, plain white box to her, tied with a red bow.

Ilana looked at him curiously before walking to the table and opening the box.  "Sarang!"  In the box were eleven perfect red roses.  Actually, there were ten red and one burgundy.  "Jihoo-yah?  Hajima," she was turning pink and eyes getting suspiciously moist.   "Nomu yippeun, chincha."

 - "As are you, nae sarang, nae burgundy rose (unconscious beauty)."

 - "Stop, am not," Ilana embraced him for the lovely gesture.  She'd rather him not have spent the money as she was sure it cost a small fortune, but arguing was pointless.

 - "Deh, stop arguing.  Namja chingu knows best."

Ilana laughed against his chest.  It felt silly and also sweet to hear him call himself her boyfriend.  It was almost like they should be in High School, not adults.

 - "Wae?"  He lifted her face so he could see her.

 - "Saranghaeyo," she caressed his face and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.  "Let me put these in a vase, Na think Nana left one on top of the refrigerator."

 - "Na will get it.  Put on your shoes."

They arranged the flowers and left them on the kitchen table with a strict warning to Joy not to get into them and they left.

 - "Where are we going?"  Ilana asked.

 - "it's a surprise," Jihoo grinned knowing what was coming next.

 - "Na don't like surprises."

 - "Ilana-yah likes nae surprises," he reached for her hand.

It wasn't long before they arrived at Le Cirque restaurant.  Where they'd had their first meal alone together.

 - "Le Cirque!"

 - "Little did Ilana-yah know that Na was already falling for her then, but Na thought you already had a namja chingu."

A twinge of guilt hit her at the memory of Young Saeng’s second declaration soon after. "That was the furthest thing from my mind that day."

Ilana ordered lamb this time and Jihoo the bass.

 - "Na remember you trying to ask me questions," Ilana smiled at the memory.

 - "Deh, and Ilana deflected them each time."

Ilana shrugged her shoulders, smiling.  "So did Jihoo, nae chingu."

It was Jihoo's turn to shrug.  Ilana began to giggle behind her napkin.

 - "Wae?"

 - "Ani, na remember thinking Korean namja were like talking to brick walls."  He gave her his 'serious' look, making her giggle even more.  "Jihoo-yah refused to let me pay half the bill and I thought:  brick wall reinforced with steel."

Jihoo loved her smile and her laugh, but if she was calling him a brick wall, he'd just have to remind her the first time he saw her being stubborn.  "Deh, remember the potluck, your first week at the hospital?"

 - "Deh, what about it?"

 - "Remember, Na took those food trays from you?"

 - "Deh," she pouted.  "Na could've taken them upstairs, they weren't that heavy, and Jihoo even got his shirt dirty."

 - "Na heard the person who handed them to you call you 'terca (stubborn)' and I knew right then and there you had a stubborn streak."  Jihoo was grinning and Ilana was mock glaring at him.  "Ilana's stubborn days are over, deh?"

Ilana remained silent.

 - "Deh?"

 - "Deh!  What about Jihoo?"

 - "I am not stubborn."

Ilana just raised her eyebrows at him.  "Arraso," she said with a smirk.  "If he's not stubborn," she thought, "he won't mind if I pay half the bill."

Once they had finished their dessert, Ilana excused herself to use the restroom.   She found their server.  "Excuse me.  Would you mind running half our check on this card?"

 - "Ah, but Dr. Yoon already has an account with us."

 - "Please?  He won't let me pay for any portion of our evening and it’s not fair."  The server still hesitated.  "I'll take full responsibility and give your manager written praise of your service."

The server was already a top employee; he had plenty of experience and knew how to serve his guests well.  This is how he found himself serving their top clients.  But, what he really wanted was a Sommelier position.  Any recommendation or praise report he could get would be a step towards that position.  "Very well, as long as you agree to take full responsibility."

 - "I will most definitely."

Ilana headed back to the table, triumphant.  Jihoo stood at her return to the table.  "Gwenchana?"

 - "Deh, Na just freshened my makeup a little."

 - "Should we get the check?  We don't want to be late."

 - "Sarang, now where are we going?"  The flowers had been beautiful and dinner of course exceptional, but this was too much.

 - "Ilana will see when we get there."  She shook her head at him.

Jihoo called their server over to request the check.  Jihoo reviewed the check to see it was all in order but questioned the difference in the restaurant's copy and his copy.  "Excuse me why is the receipt I'm signing half of the original?"

The server took a quick look at Ilana.  "It's too late, sarang, Na have outsmarted you."

 - "Chincha?"  He gave her his deadpan look.

Ilana wasn't fazed one bit and just grinned triumphantly, while Jihoo signed the check.  Rising from his seat, he took her arm.  "Stubborn agassi, now you owe me another date."

Ilana laughed, "In that case, I’ll continue paying for half so Jihoo-yah will keep asking me out on dates."

This made Jihoo chuckle, "Chincha, Ilana is my burgundy rose."  Kissing her cheek, he opened the door to the car.

Arriving at Lincoln Center, Ilana got a little nervous.  "Jihoo-yah, are we seeing a show?"

 - "Deh."

 - "Where at?"

 - "Avery Fisher Hall, wae?"

Ilana could breathe a sigh of relief.  She wasn't ready to re-visit Carnegie Hall.  But just to make sure.  "That's not part of Carnegie Hall is it?"  She asked as casually as possible.

 - "Ani, does Ilana want to see a show there?  We can go another time?"

 - "A-Ani, just wondering."

He didn't miss her stutter for a second.  He paused his walking and faced her.  "Na will ask Ilana later and you will tell me, arraso?"

Ilana nodded, glad that he didn't mean to bring it up now.  She wanted to enjoy the show without tears.  Or at least only the tears that might be invoked by the music. "What will we be seeing?"

 - "A silent film, Charlie Chaplin's 'Modern Times' with the Philharmonic playing the original musical score."

 - "Chincha?  That sounds like fun, gomawo, Sarang."

 - "Na thought Ilana would enjoy it and it is also something I've never experienced.  This will be a first for both of us."

Crossing the plaza Ilana slowed to get a view of the fountain.  Jihoo tugged her along, "We'll stop on the way out, I promise."

 - "Arraso, if you promise."

 - "Deh."

The evening proved to be a success as Jihoo anticipated.  Ilana didn't remember ever laughing so hard and the orchestra was excellent.

 - "Kansamnida," Ilana gave Jihoo a huge hug as soon as they were outside again.

 - "Anieyo," he waved away her thanks.  "Naega happy Ilana enjoyed herself.  Na wanted to make our first official date, special."

 - "Is that what this was?"  Ilana grinned.  "Jihoo-yah makes every moment special.  Sarang, it doesn't matter what we do, as long as Na have you by my side."

 - "Ara, but na wanted to make it extra special.  Does Ilana want to sit by the fountain for a while?"

 - "Deh," Ilana was already tugging on his arm.

Jihoo pulled her back before she knew what was happening and wrapped her in his arms.  "Saranghaeyo," he whispered in her ear, voice full of emotion.  He buried his face in her neck for a second, breathing in her perfume, before lifting up and kissing that area just below the ear.  Ilana felt chills going up her arms.  They walked silently over to the fountain.  Thankfully the different halls let out at different times and there weren’t thousands of people in the plaza.

Ilana leaned her head against his shoulder, wanting to feel him close.

He took her hand in his and played with her fingers.  "Sarang, tell me about Carnegie Hall.  Na get the impression you didn't want to go there."

She shook her head.  "Na...don't think I can.  Mollah.  I've never thought about it.  It's...where I was when the world ended."

 - "Na...will take you there one day, arraso?"  Massaging her hand, "Will Ilana allow me to take her there?"

She shook her head, 'yes'.  It would be hard, but with him, by her side, she could do it.

They sat for a while, just as they were, enjoying the noise of the fountain behind them.  It was the perfect picture of budding romance, had anyone thought of taking one.  Jihoo really didn't want the evening to end.  It was different now, that they were in an official relationship.  Even though nothing much had changed, it was a different feeling altogether.  He wanted to be with her all the time, hold her in some way or another, hear her voice or her gentle breathing next to him.  "Ilana-yah, do you want to go home or we can head over to Club Eden for a while or maybe even the Espresso Bar?"

Thoughts of dancing with his arms around her or just holding him close made her smile.  Truthfully, things couldn't get better than they were at this moment but they couldn't stay seated there forever.

Jihoo saw her smiling to herself and poked her in the ribs.

 - "Eep!  Sarang!"

 - "What has nae sarang decided with such a yippeun smile."

 - "We can go to Club Eden but first close your eyes."

He looked at her puzzled but complied.

Ilana took his hand and kissed his palm.  She saw him smile, a little unsure of what she was up to.  She stood and kissed him in that space just below the ear and then slowly traveled along his jawline to just shy of his lips.  Thoughts of continuing had crossed her mind, but no, she wasn't ready for that yet.  "Saranghaeyo," she spoke softly.

Jihoo opened his eyes.  She stood waiting for his reaction, nervously.  He smiled at her tenderly and cupped her face in his hand.  "Nado Saranghaeyo."  He traced her lips gently with his thumb before taking her own thumb and giving it a lingering kiss.  "Kaja," he said after.  "We'll have explaining to do when we get to the club."  Ilana was rendered shy for the moment and gratefully walked along; glad he didn't require a response.

Burgundy Rose means Unconscious Beauty and eleven of any rose signifies deep love or admiration.

Arraso, my sweets.  Super sugary sweet fluffy chapter for you, don't blame me if you get cavities.  I tried to have it for you last night, but I had to make dinner. :(

I don't know if any of you are still awake, but at least it's done.  5 days sick at home was very good for writing as I didn't go ANYWHERE!  I'm at work, so no P.M., since I've gone past my break time.  15,000 views!  Gomawo to each and every one of you, even my silent readers.  I've been so happy to see some of you come out of the woodworks.  ;)  So please, please continue to Subscribe, Comment and Vote.

 - Saranghae!

P.S. Forgot to mention next up is the wedding and please be patient if I take too long.  I know nothing about JYJ and also I think I know more about the Korean culture now than my own.  My family is from Northern Mexico, an 8-10 hour from Los Angeles.  The customs are more Americanized than Abigail's family who is from the central region.  So I need to pick the real Abigail's brain about the wedding culture.  ;)