“And that’s how you’re parents met and got together,” Yong beamed with pride.

“Couldn’t you have, oh I don’t know, kept it short? You almost went through their history in detail!” Byul gripped. 

“What? You know how Ji-hye is. She wants to know everything,” Yong huffed as she bounced a small child on her leg. 

“Is that it? Is that their story?” Ji-hye asked with a pout as she looked between her grandparents. 

“Their story is far from finished. But that’s for a different day, cub,” Yong said as she got up with Ji-hye in her arms, “Now it’s time for dinner and we gotta set up.”

“Already??” Byul checked the time, “Well I be, it is dinner time. They should be getting back here soon. Hopefully Ms. Manju didn’t cause them any trouble.”

“Ms. Manju says it’s momma that always causes the trouble and mom has to deal with it,” Ji-hye blurted without a care. 

“She really does take after Wheeinie…..” Byul muttered as she followed Yong and Ji-hye to the kitchen. 

They all reached the kitchen and began to prepare the table. As Yong was telling her tale, Byul was in the kitchen all day making meals. Meals for today and meals for the future. She knows how busy Wheein and Hyejin are. 

They set the last fork when they heard a commotion at the front door. Muffled arguing and a tired sigh could easily be heard. They’re back.

“I can’t believe you brat. Keeping this a secret from me! And for what?” Ms. Manju berated. 

“Oi, how was I supposed to know that that  Nekane was your Nekane!” Hyejin defended herself as she pushed Ms. Manju through. 

“By asking questions!” Ms. Manju huffed as she hit the wheelchair armrest with her hand to make her point. 

“Was the picture not up when you went in there?” Wheein asked as she followed behind them with their bags and closed the door. Finding space to put the bags down before continuing to follow.

“Uh….Well….”

“You don’t remember, do you?”

“In my defense, I didn’t know that’s what you looked like when you were younger!”

“Momma!! Mom!!” Ji-hye exclaimed as she hopped off her chair and scampered towards her parents. Hitting Hyejin in the leg first before being picked up by Wheein. 

“Hey cub,” Wheein greeted Ji-hye with a kiss on the head before turning her attention to her own parents, “Did she give you guys any trouble?”

“Nope! I was a good cub!” Ji-hye beamed. 

“Did you learn anything exciting?” Hyejin asked as she parked Ms. Manju at the table. 

“I learned how you two got together!” Ji-hye exclaimed as Wheein and Hyejin whipped their heads towards Yong and Byul. 

“She asked your mom so she got the long version,” Byul said.

“Byul!”

“And you didn’t bore her to death?” Hyejin asked.

“Surprisingly no. I thought she would go to sleep for a little bit but she was…..engrossed,” Yong shrugged as she went to open the door that was knocked on.

“Who else?” Ji-hye asked as she poked her mom’s dimple. 

“Auntie Ji-Yeon and Sujeong,” Hyejin answered as she finally made it over and nuzzled Ji-hye before giving Wheein a kiss. 

“Yay!!” Ji-hye wiggled in Wheein’s arms in excitement. 

As soon as everyone was inside, a familiar scene played out. Even though there were more heads than usual, the core was the same. Everyone ate with gusto and laughter filled the house. Even Ms. Manju’s grouchy exterior melted away when Ji-hye wanted to be on her lap. 

Before everyone knew it, it was already nine. Time for bed as tomorrow was the day that Ms. Manju and Wheein’s parents return home on the earliest plane out. 

As the house became quiet, Hyejin and Wheein both laid in bed with a single lamp on. Wheein was reading while Hyejin flipped through reports on her phone. 

“Hey, Wheein-ah…”

“Hm?”

“Ms. Manju is giving me her shop,” Hyejin said as she plugged her phone in for the night and nestled herself at Wheein’s side.

“Really??” Wheein asked in amazement.  

“Yea…...I was thinking…..If we could spend a couple of more years here before going back to run the shop?” Hyejin asked. 

“Sounds good to me,” Wheein put down her book on the nightstand before leaning over to give Hyejin a kiss, “It’s better for you to be around flowers than in corporate.”

Hyejin let out a soft laugh. Careful to not disturb the peace of a silent house. 

“Maybe you can also open that studio and gallery that you’ve been wanting to do too. Your mother told me about all the expansion they’ve experienced and there’s a lot more kids there now,” Hyejin nuzzled her face into Wheein’s neck. Placing soft kisses on the soft skin. 

Wheein let out a content sigh at the sensation, “Maybe offer some art classes as well.”

Before Hyejin could take her kisses down further, the door slowly creaked open. Standing in the doorway was Ji-hye. Clutching onto Mr. Lion with all of her might, her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

“Ji-hye?? What’s wrong?” Wheein asked as she beckoned Ji-hye. 

The cub instantly sprinted towards her mom and waited to be picked up and placed onto the bed. Hyejin scooted away from Wheein so there was enough room for Ji-hye in the middle. 

 “What’s wrong cub?” Hyejin asked as she brushed stray hairs out of Ji-hye’s face.

“I-I-I couldn’t find you,” Ji-hye started with a quivering voice before burying herself into Hyejin’s embrace. 

“We’re always with you,” Wheein whispered as she placed a kiss on the top of Ji-hye’s head. 

“But-but what if I can’t find you?” Ji-hye’s voice was weak with fear. 

“Then look in your heart cub,” Hyejin gently started, “Even when there comes a time when your mom and I are no longer on this earth, look into your heart. That’s where you’ll find us.”

Ji-hye sniffled a couple of times before finally looking up.

“Promise???”

“Pinky promise,” Hyejin held out a pinky and Wheein did the same.

Ji-hye joined her pinky with theirs and her tears began to dry. And slumber began to take hold. 

“You want mom to sing you a lullaby?” Hyejin asked as she tucked the cub into bed. Making sure that Mr. Lion was safe and secure and not buried underneath the blanket. 

“Y-yea,” Ji-hye sniffled as she looked at Wheein.

Wheein warmly smiled and gave Ji-hye a kiss on the forehead before she started. She sang a familiar song from her own childhood.

As Wheein finished, she saw that both her lion and cub were asleep. Her heart couldn’t help but squeeze at the scene before her. Out of all the futures she had ever imagined for herself, she never thought this one would come true. 

With a soft, content sigh, Wheein leaned over to turn off the lamp. Afterwards she leaned over to kiss Hyejin on the cheek, and to kiss Ji-hye on the forehead again. This was true happiness. 

“Mom?” Ji-hye’s small voice easily caught her ear.

“Yes?” Wheein softly replied as she moved some stray hairs out of Ji-hye’s face. 

“I’m happy you found momma,” Ji-Hye said as she nestled herself further into the blankets.

Wheein couldn’t help but smile. She looked at Hyejin and everything they’ve been through flashed before her eyes. Her heart squeezed again. Despite everything, they’ve made it. Hyejin had found herself well on the path to becoming a CEO and she found herself being a prominent name in the art community. Both of their dreams were coming true and they were finally starting the family they always wanted. 

Looking at Ji-hye’s and Hyejin’s sleeping faces, Wheein couldn’t help but feel a couple of tears fall down her face. This was it. This is where she’s supposed to be. 

This is where they all should be and will be until the end of time.