Two Days Later (3rd Person POV) [Barcelona, Spain]

You: "! ! "

Everyone in the room was surprised by your cursing and punching at the walls. Everyone was tense while waiting for Jessica's test results, but you were absolutely distraught. For the third time in the last hour, you had effectively dented a hospital wall with your bursts of anger. Seeing you losing control, Keito, Nick, and your father held you and forced you to sit and calm down.

Father: "Control yourself!"

Suddenly, all your anger subsided, or maybe it was replaced. Your heavy breaths became long and drawn out. Your panting had turned to . Your eyes went from rich with anger to overflowing with tears. You were broken, and no one knew how to fix it. 

You: "How could you tell me to do that...? How could you ask that of me...? Do you not understand what I'm going through right now...? I'm in pain... I want to die... I need to die..."

As you said that, Suzy got up from her seat and stared you in the face. Looking into her eyes, you showed all of your pent up emotion. The next thing you know, she slapped you across the face and all you could do was stare into her eyes once again as you wondered.

You: "Why'd you do that?"

Suzy: "You're being stupid oppa! How could you say you want to die! Have you already forgotten that you're a father now? Have you really forgotten that you have to raise a child!?"

You: "It's not worth it... Without her... It's not worth it..."

Suzy: "Stop that! You're being selfish! Think of other people before yourself for once! How would the people in this room feel without you around!? How would your child grow up without a father or a mother? Don't you hear yourself!? Because it disgusts me that you're talking this way!"

Seeing every ounce of emotion and conviction in her statement, you condeded to her revelation. Looking at Keito to help control her from further lashing out at you, he simply raised his shoulders to your plea.

Keito: "She's right. That's why I brought her with me when I heard what happened. She's not afraid to tell you what's wrong with what you're doing. Now, have you finished your bout with depression or are we really going to prescribe you some happy pills?"

Getting up, you hugged Suzy. 

You: "Thank you..."

Suzy: "Oppa..."

You began to walk out of the room and passed by Michelle on your way past the door. Looking at you, she wondered where you were going. She didn't have to say anything. You could see it in her eyes. 

You: "I'm going to pay her a visit."

Walking through the hospital, you made it to Jessica's room. Inside, you saw the love of your life laying nearly lifeless with nothing but a life support machine attached to her. The tears flowed from your eyes as you took a seat on the couch next to her bed and spoke to her.

You: "Jess... I know you can't hear me... Or maybe you can? I don't know what to believe anymore... They said that you lost too much blood while giving birth... So, they put you in a medically induced coma... But why won't you wake up Jess? They said you should be awake by now... A day ago, they told me today... Today, they told me it could be years before you wake up... Is this how it ends? Is this what our lives will come down to?"

Once again, your anger got the better of you. You knelt on the floor and began pounding away at the tiles. Letting out a scream, you let all of your agony out. 

You: "Jess... I need you... I'm about to lose my mind... I don't think you know how much you mean to me... You came to me at my lowest and picked me up... You breathed new life in me... I owe my life to you... Now, you're here fighting for your life and I'm just here on the sidelines just watching... Wake up... Please... It all means so little without you..."

As you continued to weep, the door of the room opened. Looking, you could barely see from the bluriness of your eyes, but you saw that it was Suzy holding onto your child. Going over to your side, she held the baby out to you and you took your daughter. Looking at her, you felt the greatest pain and the greatest happiness in unison. Suddenly, she began to cry. Trying to calm her down, you spoke to your child.

You: "Oh, Ava hush little baby, don't your cry, everything's going to be alright. No more crying, daddy's here, no more nightmares. I know mommy's not here with us, and we don't know why, but I promise that it'll be alright. We didn't plan it this way, but fate had other plans for me and your mother. It's okay, we'll make it through just fine..."

Wiping the tears off your face, you handed Ava over to Suzy and the baby stopped crying. You found it abnormal how you weren't able to silence your child, but Suzy was able to do it with a simple touch. 

You: "I can't believe it. You might be a better parent than me. I couldn't get her to stop crying..."

Suzy: "Oppa, you're a good father. Things are just hard right now and it's rubbing off on her. You're afraid of how you feel inside and she can feel that when you hold her. When you calm down, she'll be more receptive to your caring oppa, I promise that..."

You: "I hope so... She's all I have left..."

Suzy: "Oppa... don't think of it like that... you have so many people here that care about you... So many people that love you and Ava... You're not alone oppa... There's light at the end of the tunnel..."

Giving you a hug, she held onto both you and Ava. You just cried in silence and she held you for as long as you needed. After an hour or so passed, Nick walked in to check on you and saw a heartwarming scene. On the couch of the hospital room, you were asleep with Ava in your arms and Suzy laying on your legs. Not wanting to bother anyone, he quietly left the room. 

Three Weeks Later (Your POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

I decided that it was best that Ava and I move back to Seoul because I won't be able to take care of her all the time while I work. At least here, there's a network of people I can rely on to take care of her when I can't. Promising myself that I would give her as happy a life as possible, I decided to work more so that I could provide for her later on. Without Jessica around to help raise her, she would rely on me and solely me. 

Now, I'm sitting in my condo in Seoul watching over Ava sleeping in her crib while having a glass of whiskey. As I sit here, I'm overwhelmed with so many negative emotions that are just eating away at my psyche. I couldn't help but look at my daughter and see how peaceful she is. 

She sure is quiet when she sleeps. 

She's just like her mother.

Almost exactly like her mother...

Sitting in my sorrow, I cried and just worried about how I could possible raise a child on my own. In my self-pity, the doorbell rang and I answered. On the other side, I saw Keito holding a folder. Letting him in, I poured a glass of whiskey for him and let him sit across form me. 

Keito: "What are you doing?"

You: "Thinking..."

Keito: "Thinking or mourning?"

You: "Both..."

Keito: "Here, have this."

Handing me the folder, I looked in its contents. Going through the files, it was a takeover plan for FNC Entertainment and I couldn't help but wonder why he had given me this folder. Giving him a questioning look, he quickly went to explaining his actions. 

Keito: "You're still my lawyer and since you're not ready to talk about Jessica, I decided the best thing to do was to keep you busy. Since you did so well with the SM purchase, I want you to take over FNC as well. It should be no biggie for you and, don't worry, once you're done with this job, I have a gift for you."

You: "I wish I could, but this could be time consuming. I won't be able to do as well as I could when I have to worry about Ava..."

Keito: "Don't worry. That's been settled. SNSD doesn't have any schedules for the next few weeks, so they are going to watch over your daughter while you work for me."

You: "And what do I get when I pull this off?"

Keito: "Well, I wanted it to be a surprise, but I guess it might motivate you. When this is all done, I'm going to make you the CEO of both SM and FNC. With those job titles, you'll be able to maintain your income and also be able to stay at home and watch your daughter on most days. Seems like a healthy trade off, isn't it?"

You: "Thank you, my friend..."

Keito: "Trust me, it's the least I could do for what you've gone through... Goodnight... I'll see you at work tomorrow..."

With that, he got up and patted my shoulder as he walked out of the door. Closing the door on his way out, I was left to what I was doing before he came. He was a good friend, he knew that the only way I knew to get my mind off my stress was to work. He gave me this to help me keep my sanity. Suzy was right, I wasn't truly alone right now. Even if Jessica wasn't here, I had people to help me through the darkness. 

Oh, Jessica...

If I should come to be relieved of my pain...

Would it be without you?

The Next Day (Your POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

I woke up and got ready by 8:00 a.m. and the girls should be here any time now. Pouring myself a cup of tea, I waited in the kitchen as Ava still slept in my room. She didn't cry much last night, maybe she really did feel that I felt sad? Well, she's a good child, I know that for sure. Just then, the door bell rang. Walking up, I saw eight girls who looked depressed and were also mildly excited. Each of them gave me a hug as they entered.

You: "Thanks for this favor girls..."

Tiffany: "It's our pleasure oppa. Jessica was our sister, even if she isn't here to watch over Ava. We will take her place."

Sooyoung: "She's right. Ava's birth mother may not or may not be there to watch her grow, but you can know for sure that she has eight mothers she can turn to."

Smiling, I looked all of them in the eyes and let them see my sincere thanks. I showed them where everything was and also where to reach me if something goes wrong. 

Sunny: "Oppa, where's Ava?"

You: "Oh. She's in my room. She'll wake up in about an hour and after that, I think it should be alright. She's a quiet baby, she probably won't give you girls too much trouble."

Seohyun: "Okay, we'll watch over her well."

You: "Thank you girls."

As I walked out of the condo, I went to my car. Driving to Keito's main office, I went up to see him in the main conference room. Walking in, he turned to me and handed me more case files. 

Keito: "Here's a few more files for the take over. Now, instead of going after FNC's stocks, we're going to go after their idols and bring them over to both of our entertainment companies."

You: "Sounds reasonable. Where do I start?"

Keito: "You're going to start with a girl group. They go by the name Ace of Angels, or AOA for short. You'll have no trouble bringing them over to our company."

You: "Sounds like a plan. Can you arrange a meeting with them for me? I'd like to get started with these procedings as soon as possible."

Keito: "Already did. You're meeting with them later today at 3:30."

Later That Day: 3:35 p.m. (Your POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

I made some contracts before I left Keito's office to go talk with AOA about joining our entertainment company and now I'm waiting at a restaurant for the girls to show up. I've already ordered around 2 beers and I honestly can't stop myself from drinking. As I sit here, I see seven girls walk in and they are taken to the private room Keito had rented for us. Sitting here, I greet them one-by-one and take out the papers I prepared. 

You: "So, as you girls know, your contracts with FNC are expiring in the next week and you'll be free to choose whatever company you'd like to work under. Now, I'm here to offer you girls a set of contracts to join our joint company of JYP and SM Entertainment."

Jimin: "Do we get to choose which company we work under?"

You: "Of course. You can choose between either myself or my colleague."

Choa: "Which one are you in charge of?"

You: "SM."

Jimin: "I see. How much of the cut will each of us be given?"

You: "As I've talked with my colleague, we've decided that you girls can all choose how much you'd like to be paid upfront or you can choose a reasonable percentage of your album earnings to be split amongst the seven of you. We're really interested in having you girls join our company, and we're more than willing to accommodate your requests."

Mina: "How are we supposed to trust that you'll follow through with these terms?"

You: "Because I'm the best at I do, and I'm a man of my word."

Mina: "Still these terms are very heavy for an entertainment company to swallow. If you are in charge of SM, how come you're willing to take such a big risk? Wouldn't this put your company in jeopardy?"

You: "I don't always like to walk. Sometimes, I like to drive... Fast."

Chanmi: "A risk taker, huh? Or are you just a big talker? You can obviously talk like you're the biggest thing in this city, but how are we so sure that you actually are?"

You: "Well, you're more than welcome to test it... So, are you girls going to stay in the minor leagues with FNC or are you going to come and play with the big boys in SM?"

Jimin: "And who are you to be talking to us like this?"

You: "I am the person offering you a chance to expand your brand to unbelievable levels. Now, I'd say the balls in your court, but, if you girls had balls, I'd say they were in my fist. So, make your choice or forever keep your peace."

They took another 10 minutes discussing amongst them and they seemed to come up with a consensus. By the looks on their faces, I could see that they were giving my proposition a real look. As I sat there drinking more beer, Jimin started talking to me.

Jimin: "If you can promise us the same benefits. We'll take the deal. Under one extra condition..."

You: "And that is?"

Jimin: "We are under your company and you're directly involved in everything we do."

You: "Sure."

Taking out the contracts, I made sure they read all of the terms. After signing, each of the girls left one-by-one to do their own things. I decided to stay at the restaurant until all of them left. After 30 minutes I was only left with Seolhyun because everyone else had left. 

You: "Where are you off to?"

Seolhyun: "Nowhere. I think I might go shopping. How about you?"

You: "I don't have anything else to do today, so I might go home. Do you have someone that will take you shopping?"

Seolhyun: "I've been texting some people, but no one can take me. I don't even think I can make it home."

You: "You know what. Why don't I go with you?"

Seolhyun: "Oh, no it's okay. I don't want to waste your time."

You: "It's not. In fact, I need something to help me keep my mind off of some things."

4 Hours Later (Your POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

You: "Hey... How about we finish for today?"

Seolhyun: "What are you talking about? We've only started!"

You: "I'm sorry, but I think all these things from Gucci and Prada count for way more than your run-of-the-mill stores. On top of that, I've paid for all of it!"

Seolhyun: "You're the one that offered! Well, I guess we can finish for today..."

Thank God, we actually get to stop this shopping. I had originally offered to take her out because I wanted to start on a good foot with our new artist, but things got out of hand quickly. As we walked back to my car, I got a call. Looking to see who it was, it was none other than Keito. 

You: "Hello?"

Keito: "How did the negotiations go?"

You: "Perfectly. They're going to be brought over to SM Entertainment by next week."

Keito: "Good. Did you go straight home afterwards?"

You: "No."

Keito: "What did you do?"

You: "I took one of our new artists out shopping. It's nothing much, just a friendly trip."

Keito: "A date?"

You: "You wish. Anyways, why did you really call?"

Keito: "Most of SNSD already left your house because they have something to attend. So, I suggest you get home as quick as possible."

You: "Are you kidding me!? How could they just leave Ava there!?"

He hung up the phone before he could answer my question. Turning to Seolhyun, I started running towards the car without telling her why. She followed after me and once we got into the car and got on our way, she started asking questions.

Seolhyun: "What's with the running? Why are you in such a hurry?"

You: "I have to get home right away. My daughter is home alone right now."

Seolhyun: "Daughter!? You're married?"

You: "No, it's complicated."

Seolhyun: "Please, elaborate on 'complicated'."

As I drove feverishly, trying to get to the condo as quickly as I could, I explained the situation to her. She seemed to understand, but I couldn't look at her to make sure. When we got to the building, we ran out and made our way up the elevator. Getting to my floor, we ran to my condo and ran inside the door. Inside, I was surprised to see Taeyeon playing with Ava on the living room couch.

Taeyeon: "Oppa!?"

You: 'Taeyeon! What are you doing here!? Keito said you girls had left and Ava was on her own!"

Taeyeon: "I was about to leave, but then I decided to wait until you got home. I thought that maybe I could make dinner for you and help you take care of Ava because you two would be lonely, but I guess I don't need to be here."

You: "What are you talking about?"

Seolhyun: "Um... I think she's talking about me..."

You: "You've got to be kidding me! Taeyeon, I took her shopping because she's one of our new artists at SM and I got the call from Keito as we were shopping. So, I brought her here with me because I was worried about the baby..."

Taeyeon: "If you say so oppa..."

Settling everything, I took Ava from Taeyeon and held my baby in my arms. After I introduced her to Seolhyun, I made some calls and had one of Keito's drivers take Seolhyun home. When she left, Taeyeon got to cooking some dinner for the both of us.

Two Hours Later (3rd Person POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

After eating dinner with Taeyeon, the two of you spent some time playing with Ava in the living room. Sitting on the floor as your daughter crawled across the floor, you watched Taeyeon treat her as if she were her own child. Playing games and talking to her, you even saw Ava laugh at Taeyeon.

Taeyeon: "Aren't you just so cute?" 

She held onto Ava and lifted her up to you. Taking your daughter, you heard a small rumble coming from her stomach. Noticing this, you looked to Taeyeon and pointed towards the refrigerator.

You: "I think she's hungry... Can you get a bottle from the fridge?"

As she got up and retrieved the milk from the refrigerator, you continued playing with Ava. When she got back, she was smiling at the two of you playing. Joining you two, the three of you found yourselves laughing and having fun. Lost in the joy of the moment, both you and Taeyeon failed to notice that two people had walked in through the door. The unnaturally happy moment was ruined when a cough was heard from the entrance. There, you saw Nick and your father looking at you, Taeyeon, and Ava.

You: "Oh! When did you two get inside?"

Father: "Five minutes ago... You two seemed to be having so much fun with the baby, we decided not to interrupt..."

Nick: "It reminds me of when my kids were babies..."

You: "Oh, well, I'll just put Ava to bed and we can talk over some drinks. Is that fine with you two?"

Nick: "That sounds perfect. The flight here wasn't as comfortable as I'd have liked."

Leaving the three of them, you tucked Ava into her crib and waited for her to fall asleep. When she finally slept, you walked out to see that it was only Nick and your Father. Looking around for Taeyeon, she was nowhere to be found and your father noticed you looking.

Father: "She left because she needed to go home. Just come here and have a seat."

Sitting at the table with the two of them, you brought out three glasses and some vodka. Knowing that they had just come from Barcelona, you knew that they must have had some kind of news for you.

You: "So, are you here to tell me that my fiance finally woke up?"

Nick: "..."

Father: "Actually..."

You: "What?"

Nick: "We've been running tests on her, but nothing has been able to wake her up. The only thing that could bring her out of the coma is herself. So, nothing has really changed in terms of her condition. We are going to move her here to Seoul, though. So, if she wakes up, you'll be readily available."

You: "Is that all you came here for? To tell me that nothing is going to change?"

Nick: "No..."

You: "Then what is it?"

Father: "We came here to tell you that it's best that you move on."

You: "What are you talking about? Jessica could wake up any day now! Why would I ever need to move on?"

Nick: "Because her condition hasn't changed for three weeks. Without the life support machine, she might be dead by now. I know it sounds cruel, but we're not asking you to move on without a reason."

You: "What reason could you possibly have?"

Father: "Do it for your daughter. She needs a mother figure in her life."

You: "She has Jessica!"

Father: "Don't you get it? Jessica might not ever wake up! You need to stop thinking about what could happen and start thinking about the situation right now. If Jessica doesn't wake up, do you really want your daughter to grow up without a mother?"

You: "I understand that... but... I can't bring myself to love another..."

Nick: "You're a liar."

You: "What do you mean!?"

Nick: "First, there's this moment with Taeyeon where the three of you looked like a happy family enjoying some time together. Then, there's the time in Barcelona where I saw you asleep hugging onto both your baby and Suzy. To me, it looks like you've already subconsciously looked for love outside of Jessica."

You: "Those were just coincidences!"

Nick: "You tell yourself that... but deep inside you know that they have some sort of impact on you... Oh, not to mention I saw some rumors online about you going shopping with another idol earlier today? I read it on the plane and I couldn't help but recognize your face in the pictures."

You: "That was business!"

Nick: "No one looks like a couple when they're 'just doing business'. Now, really, you need to think about your daughter for once. It's obvious that these women are attracted to you, but you keep thinking that Jessica's the only one for you."

Father: "While that may be true, you can't just think of yourself anymore. I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think it was necessary that my granddaughter has a mother."

You: "I don't know... I love Jessica... and only Jessica..."

Father: "Son, I know that... I know how much she means to you... but... sometimes the ones we love most... aren't the ones we're meant to live our lives with..."

2 Hours Later (Your POV) [Seoul, South Korea]

We kept talking for another hour or so. They kept trying to convince me to move on, but I was steadfast in my resolution. I love Jessica, I couldn't possibly consider being with another woman. They had a point though, an unnaturally logical reason for me to move on. There's the father in me that tells me to find someone to raise Ava alongside me, and then there's the lover in me that wants to stay loyal to Jessica. 

This has been eating away at my mind for the past hour. I tried sleeping, but it just didn't work. Once again, like so many times before... I'm sitting here lost in my thoughts. My thoughts, my conscience, my reasoning. Everything was on fire with the nature of the predicament I was in. Looking at Ava sleep, I just found myself somewhere between overwhelming love for my daughter and undying sorrow for Jessica.

Oh, Jessica... Why won't you come back to us?

How long till we see your smiling face? 

It's just not fair, I wish you were here...

Without you, it's hard to go on living... Your memory means so much to me...

There's no traces of you, I'm just so alone and confused...

But I need to stay strong...

For Ava... For myself...

I don't know when you'll wake up... but...

I'll wait a hundred years... I'll cry a million tears...

Until you're back here in my arms...

But what if you never come back?

How I'd love to follow you into the dark...

I think I might spend all my days wasting away until I can be with you again...

But I have to watch over our daughter...

I'll just have to find the strength to pick myself up...

Will I need to love another?

Will I be able to bring myself to do that?

Maybe time does heal all wounds...

But I'll still miss you...

There's so little that we can be sure about... In fact, there's nothing that is promised to us...

Happiness?

No...

Love?

No...

Peace?

No...

But this much I can promise you, my darling...

My love will not die