At exactly 10 in the morning, we arrive at the orphanage. For some reasons, I feel nervous and at unease. It’s like I’m about to take a college entrance exam that I’m so tensed up like this. Are they going to believe us? Will I be able to put a good show with Taemin? Will things go smoothly?

I’m about to open the car door when Taemin stops me. “Wait. I’ll do it.” He says and quickly hops off the car, going towards my door and opening it for me. Wow. So we suddenly have some gentleman over here? He opens it and smiles at me, “Babe, we’re on cam.”

“I know.” I whisper and go out, watching him now as he closes the door back and looks at me again. I, thinking my acting should be done well, immediately wrap an arm around his. He looks at our clinging arms weirdly, then looks back into my eyes as if he’s questioning it. “What?” I ask.

“That’s being too clingy – as if you’re trying hard to prove something.” He sighs and inserts his keys inside his pocket, then smoothly, he slides his arm across mine and holds my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. It was what he did during the day of our marriage registration.

I must admit. He did it so swiftly, it might really appear true if you’re gonna view it from afar.

“This is better, right?” He says and chuckles softly as he looks at those hands beside him. “You don’t have to hold it too tight. I know you don’t like me, but at this moment, you must teach your mind to like me, and to assume I’m your husband…” He pauses, and then shrugs. “Okay, a boyfriend, if being husband’s too much. You need to do this much for Dannie, remember.”

“Yes. I get it.”

“Come on, don’t answer me in that way. We don’t seem sweet at all. Be a little loose.”

“Fine.”

“Come on, don’t talk as if we just got into fight!”

Ugh, seriously, what does this guy want? How can I talk to him so sweetly when it’s obvious that we don’t like each other? If he can act like the player he is, well I can’t really do that!

Well… for Dannie, I should do it, right?

“Sorry.” I flash a genuine smile as I look down, biting my lower lip.

He presses my hand a bit tighter and that’s the hint for us to go inside. Hands tightly clasped together, I feel like he’s really going to take the lead. I should give this to him, for I don’t know if I can handle it if I am to do it all.

We enter what it seems like a conference hall. As he slides the door open, four people welcome our sight. One of them is the ahjumma, the administrator of the orphanage. “Good morning.” Taemin happily greets and looks at me. “Good morning.” I say, too.

“Very nice, you’re just in time. Please sit down.” The ahjumma says and points to the two empty seats opposite the council. I see all eyes set on us, and I don’t know if I’m just acting it up or I’m being naturally shy and a bit embarrassed.

I’m about to pull my own chair when Taemin volunteers, “Let me.” He says gently and pulls it for me. I look at him and he smiles back, as if it’s the most natural thing he does in the world. As I sit, he pushes it a bit forward for me to have it comfortably. Soon, he takes his own seat, too.

“Before we start, this is Han Chaebyul, Park Sungjae, Kim Hyukmin. They are part of the council. Council, please meet our couple, Lee Taemin and Song Rae In.”

There is the exchange of greetings and polite words toward each other. It’s actually weird that I start feeling a bit relaxed knowing Taemin is handling everything really well. He talks a lot, and my occasional laughs aren’t fake. I’m truly laughing because he immediately creates stories which sound so sweet and romantic if it’s in real life, and I am not aware, he’s such a good story teller.

“So how did the two of you meet?” I don’t know that it is a part of the interview – being asked about the first meeting and all. I wish they won’t ask things about first kiss, first date, and stuff.

Taemin speaks. “We went into the same highschool. I’m a senior for only one year so it was easy to get close with her.” He looks at me and his eyes are unusually sparkly. Like seriously, he’s one heck of an actor. “We were being teased by other friends at first, but eventually, obviously, we came to this.” He laughs cutely and places a hand on top of mine which is resting on the table. I take notice but I don’t look at it.

“How do you find him back then, Rae In?” One curious councillor asked to which I blurt out…

“I hate him.” I say out of nowhere and I come back to the realization that I am supposed to say nice things. The council laughs at me until I can clear my thoughts. “I hated him… I mean, he’s the most popular guy in school. He’s intelligent… handsome… cool, and all the girls seem to like him a lot. That’s why… I thought he was just fooling around when he said he likes me.”

“Well, darling, you are really beautiful.” The ahjumma says and smiles warmly. “He actually deserves you more than you deserve him.”

“And you write the most interesting articles for the campus.” Taemin adds though I know there’s this deep meaning into it. He’s smiling but I definitely know what’s running into his mind. “She was the editor in chief of the newspaper of the school. She writes really well.”

“It’s good to hear we have some talented soon to be parents, here.” One of them tells us and moves in to give us the envelope. “So? Are you ready to sign?”

I realize I just got worried for nothing. Everything is smoothly done. The interview, the signing of papers, and before I knew it, I’m already signed as Dannie’s new parent.

“Here’s Dannie.” One of their staff enters with Dannie. Upon seeing me, she runs and hugs me tightly.

“Hi, sweetie, we’re here to pick you up.” I say after kissing her hair. Her eyes brighten in gladness and looks at the head administrator as if she was confirming it. The ahjumma nods and so, Dannie smiles even wider.

“Dannie, have you thought of what you are going to call them?” The council asks and Dannie nods in reply. She has thought of what to call us? “Can we hear it?”

“It’s mommy and daddy.” She says and her smile disappears for a while. “I already have an omma and appa and they are now in heaven…but now that I have new guardians, I decided to call you mommy and daddy.”

“That’s nice.” Taemin speaks and gently rubs Dannie’s cheek. “Mommy and Daddy sounds good, babe, as if we’re foreigners. So cute.” He chuckles softly and because of it, I start laughing, too. I don’t know who gave her the idea of calling us like that, and I agree about not calling us “omma” and “appa”. She has them, and they can never be replaced.

“Have you packed your things?” I ask and she nods. “Taemin… I mean… daddy said we’re going to eat outside for today. Do you like that?”

She nods. “But… can we go to omma and appa first? I have something to tell them.” Dannie’s request pinches my heart a bit. She misses them, and I know there is never a time when she stops thinking about them. It’s painful, but we all have to face it.

After bidding goodbye to the council and to the ahjumma, we go to where Dannie wants to go first thing as she goes out of the orphanage. I tell Taemin where it is, and I’m glad he knows the place.

Dan Mi and her husband’s graves are placed side by side each other. We walk on the grassy field until we reach their places. We give respect, and allow Dannie to talk to her parents as we took few steps back from her, though we can still hear what she is saying.

“Omma, Appa… I know you told God about my prayer, and he finally answers it. I ask for Auntie to be able to get me from there, and God added another person to take care of me. Now, I have mommy and daddy to look after me the same way you took care of me when you’re still here. Please tell God that I want to thank him, and I promise you, I’ll be a good kid to the both of them. I will listen very well and do my best to make them proud and happy, so you will be proud of me, too, while you look down on us from heaven. I will never forget you, but I know you will like it if I love mommy and daddy the same way I love you. I promise that.” Dannie finishes and looks back at us. Her eyes almost tearing up. I walk to her emotionally and she smiles. “I promise omma I’ll be a brave girl so I won’t cry.” She says.

“You’re really a good girl, Dannie, and mommy’s happy to have you with me now.” I hug her tightly, and instead of her, it’s me who sheds tears. Seriously, I can’t handle things like this.

Of course, I miss Dan Mi, too. I really miss her.

“Dan Mi-yah… You can stop worrying about Dannie coz I’ll take care of her… with Taemin. You know him. I once mentioned him to you in the past, but trust me on this, he’s good with Dannie and he’ll be a good father.”

As to me, Dan Mi. Don’t worry about me. I’ll focus more on Dannie and as much as possible, try not to be affected by my usual annoyance on this person. Meanwhile, I’ll show Dannie the beauty of having a whole family, something I know you wanted to give her if your husband didn’t leave so soon, and you, too. I’ll give Dannie the happiness she deserves, even if that means putting up on a show with Taemin all the time. I have no experience when it comes to being a mother, but my loving instinct towards your child will push me to do my best. And besides, she’s a family to me, as you are my dearest loving sister aside from being a bestfriend.