Courageous Ending

Key to Happiness

    Kyunghoon walks up a hill with a bag on his back.  He smiled and sighed happily as he found the camping site he'd been wanting to come to for quite some time.  He set his things down and looked over the side, seeing the town in the distance.  Resting on a stable side of a mountain, Kyunghoon takes a picture to show his fans in the future.

 

He then opens his bag to take out his tent.  He heard a branch break, making him instantly look around.  He then saw a little possum walk out from behind a bush.  He sighed in relief before going back to his tent.

 

"Excuse me."  He heard a woman's voice.

 

Kyunghoon held his mouth as he let out a scared screech.  Which thankfully he did, otherwise the whole town would have probably heard his scream.  The woman he was faced with looked apologetic.

 

"I'm sorry.."  She muttered.

 

Kyunghoon waved his hands.  "No, I.."  He sighed.  "I didn't know other campers would be here."  He was guilty too, she looked startled herself.

 

"I'm not a camper,"  She said, "I saw your post on Instagram, and I wanted to meet you."

 

"I mean.."  She realized how creepy that sounded.

 

Kyunghoon pieced it together.  "Oh, you're a fan."  He smiled.  "Here, I'll give you an autograph or maybe answer some questions, if you'd like."  He said.

 

She waved her hand.  "No, I.. I'm not a fan.."  She mustered up the courage.  "Do you know my daughter, Hanna?"  She asked.

 

Kyunghoon's smile went down.  "Hanna?  From the orphanage?"  He asked.

 

She nodded, putting her gloved hands together.  "Yes.. I suppose that's her.."  Her eyes went lower.

 

"I know her."  Kyunghoon stated.

 

"How is she?"  The woman asked in concern.

 

Kyunghoon noticed her serious stance.  "She's living really well in Incheon."  He answered seriously.  "Why are you concerned?"  He asked.

 

The woman had one tear fall down her cheek.  "Her sister is in critical condition, and I need to contact her."  She said.

 

Kyunghoon saw the remorse; the guilt; the pain that was in the woman's eyes.  "D-don't worry,"  He got closer to her, holding her shoulders, "I'll help you contact her, okay?"  He smiled.

 

The woman looked into his eyes.  "Y-you would do that for me?"  She asked, her voice trembling.

 

The male nodded.  "Please calm down, Ma'am."  He walked her to his chairs, sitting her down on one.  "Hanna is really happy right now, I think it would be best if she knew that her family needed her."  He said honestly.

 

She accepted his offer of water and a tissue.  "You're so thoughtful.. thank you."  She wiped her tears.  "How can I repay you?"  She asked.

 

"Just be honest with Hanna, that's all I'm asking for."  Kyunghoon said, patting the woman's back.


 

***

 

[Two Months Later]

 

Sarah picked up the little girl with a big smile.  "You're so cute,"  She commented, kissing her cheek, "how was your sleep?"  She asked the girl.

 

"I had a dweam of daddy flying!"  Gijeong giggled.

 

"Daddy was flying?  Was he a superhero?"  She asked, sitting the girl, who was still in her nightgown, on her knee.

 

Gijeong nodded with a couple claps.  "He was so cool!"  She said.

 

Hanna smiled as she put down her cup of coffee.  The girl was bouncing on Sarah's knee and she couldn't help but feel happy knowing that her family was whole again.  A warm feeling pooled in her heart when she knew that her mother was healthy.

 

However, there was still something she was curious about.  How the other orphans are and how their lives are doing.  Of course, she might never know that.

 

"I saw Jooheon while looking for your mommy.."  Sarah said, making Hanna's attention go higher toward her sister.

 

"Really?  You saw him?"  She asked with interest.

 

Sarah nodded while playing with the girl's hair.  "I had been traveling a lot to try to find you, but I could never really find out where you went.."  She muttered.  "But I did see Jooheon along the way." 

 

Hanna sat down next to her.  "How was he?"  She asked.

 

Sarah thought back as it was about a year ago when she came across the man.  "Jooheon is father of three, they're really sweet kids."  She remembered.  "He works at a daycare with his wife in Gwangju."  She continued.

 

Hanna imagined that playful boy being a proud father.  She imagined him stuffing those kids' mouths with rice balls and going on adventures to the park with the children. 

 

"Wow.. I'll have to meet him sometime.."  She said, looking off to the distance.

 

Gijeong loved being pampered by the girls.  While Sarah played with her hair, Hanna put stickers on her nails.  She giggled when the girls kissed either cheek.

 

"Hey, so don't think I didn't see that little heart on the calendar over there."  Sarah mentioned, getting Hanna's attention as well as the big eyes of Gijeong looking up at her.

 

Hanna blushed.  "Yeah.. it's our anniversary next week.."  She smiled.

 

"Mhm~"  Sarah nudged her a little.  "Why don't you two go off and have a romantic day?"  She suggested.

 

Hanna looked at Gijeong.  "Oh.. well.."  The girl was in her own little world of sparkly nails.

 

"Don't worry, I can take care of her while you two have fun."  Sarah insisted.

 

Hanna was about to be modest and decline.  But she has been wanting some romantic time with Kihyun lately.  He's been off doing other photography projects.  Not to mention that his military enlistment is drawing closer with the years passing by.

 

Them having an anniversary is a perfect opportunity.  "Sure, as long as you're okay with it."  She gave a small smile.

 

"Of course, Unnie."  Sarah smiled sweetly.  "I could ask Kyunghoon to come out of his den too."  She suggested.

 

Hanna chuckled.  "Good luck with that.  He didn't even want to come to tea today."  She said, watching Gijeong play with her stickers.


 

***

 

The night comes and Kihyun comes home from a day of taking pictures at the beach.  He definitely smells of sand and salt water with a hint of coconut.  Obviously, the man likes the free food and drinks that the customers offer.

 

She felt those familiar hands rest on her hips and those too-familiar lips kiss her neck.  She blushed as she cut the carrots on her cutting board.  His soft breathing filled her ears, and she couldn't help but close her eyes and melt into his hold.

 

"How was your day?"  Kihyun asked, putting his chin on her head as she watched her return to cutting the carrots.

 

"Sarah was playing with Gijeong most of the day."  She started.  "Oh, and your order of camera chargers came in."  She informed.

 

Kihyun let her go as she needed to put the carrots and other vegetables into the pot.  "Also, we were talking about our anniversary.."  Hanna included, picking up the cutting board to wash it.

 

Kihyun looked at the calendar.  He didn't forget about it, no way.  "I already made plans for us."  He said.  Of course, this was a lie.  He hasn't made any reservations or anything, but that doesn't mean he's not going to do something special.

 

"To be expected,"  Hanna smiled, "you're always coming up with brilliant schemes."  She winked at him.

 

Kihyun dried the cutting board for her.  "Can Sarah watch Gijeong for us?"  He asked, putting the board under the sink.

 

"She even volunteered." Hanna said.

 

Kihyun chuckled and nodded, looking at her loving smile and feeling that familiar beating in his heart.  "Alright then, be prepared."  He said, guaranteeing her a happy anniversary.


 

***

 

The days pass by and the two drive away from the small, cozy house.  Hanna watched in the side mirror until the house was out of view.  Kihyun was a silent driver.  He didn't like the radio playing.  He didn't mind conversation, but Hanna grew to know him as one that doesn't like to start conversations these days.

 

However, Hanna didn't want their drive to be silent.  She put her hands in her lap as she crossed her legs.  "Where are we heading?"  She asked, getting a little smile from the male automatically.

 

"Somewhere."  He said.

 

She saw the smile grow and knew there was something up.  "I see that smile,"  She teased, "where are we going?"  She asked, poking the male's thigh.

 

"I don't want to spoil the surprise, hm?"  He looked at her momentarily, putting his turn signal on.

 

She saw that smile though, he was up to something.  In Hanna's mind, she was excited to see what he had prepared for them.  The man is always coming to her with these surprises.  First it was with wanting to protect her, then it was to repair her penguin. And of course the penguin a second time, but that's neither here nor there.  She saw some trees before a building that was situated by slow-moving water.

 

He parked at the building that had its lights on.  There were people coming in and out of it like it was a restaurant.  Hanna gathers that as she smelled the food coming from it when Kihyun opened her door.

 

"This way, Mrs. Cho."  He said, holding her hand.

 

The couple walk into the place together.  It had an old country vibe, like it was owned by traditional Korean villagers.  The beef was getting smoked while the ramen was boiling.  She even smelled a hint of chicken being fried.  A server came by, and sure enough, he had a blue hanbok on and a hat.

 

She fought laughing though, as the worker was definitely a new-aged looking person.  The server bowed and led them to a table.  Hanna looked at Kihyun once they were alone.

 

"What do you think?"  Kihyun asked.

 

"I mean, this place is beautiful."  She said first.  "But.. the workers.."  She laughed a little.

 

Kihyun chuckled and opened the menu.  "A customer recommended this place, they have good fried chicken and beef bone soup."  He said, pointing at the menu.

 

Hanna looked and saw an all-time favorite of ramen and rice dumplings.  Not too long later, the food comes and they are left with another round of silence and solitude.  There are other patrons here, but the tables were spaced out. 

 

"How was work today?"  Hanna asked, picking up her chopsticks.

 

Kihyun put down his glass of juice and smiled.  "A family came in and wanted to get portraits to send their family in America."  He started.  "They were so nice."  He continued, stirring his soup.

 

"Talking about family,"  Hanna said, "Sarah's been having so much fun with Gijeong lately.  I'm just upset that Gijeong will be starting school soon, we won't have anyone to play with at home."  She lightly laughed over the minor worry.

 

Kihyun hummed, understanding where she was coming from. "I know that I'm not home all day, but I'm going to miss having so much fun with her when she starts school."  He said.  "But maybe we'll have fun helping her with homework too."  He said in a happy tone.

 

His smile was contagious.  "True, watching her learn is already so adorable."'  Hanna said, thinking about the girl becoming excited about little things like colors and animals.

 

"She'll have fun and make friends,"  Kihyun predicted, "meanwhile, we'll love her to pieces."  He said in a matter-of-fact tone.

 

This man never makes her frown.  She found it adorable when he stuffed his mouth full of food.  She reached across the table with her napkin, wiping his lips from the food.  He giggled.  "You know.. maybe we could make another child."  She said, making him widen his eyes.

 

"Are you sure?"  He asked.
 

She blushed a little.  "It's been on my mind a little.."  she admitted.  "I don't know how you feel about it."  Her voice got a little smaller.

 

He instantly reached across the table to hold her hand. "I've been thinking about it too,"  he said, “I just didn't know how to tell you."  He continued, this time he was blushing.

 

They look into each other's eyes silently for a minute or two.  The meal was forgotten as their smiles spread across their faces.  It's like a small sparkle went between them, making them be in their own world.  Kihyun thumbed the girl's knuckles, keeping his eyes locked on her sparkly eyes, not wanting to let go just yet.

 

The server asking how the meal was broke them out of their world.  "Everything is fine."  Kihyun said to the server.  The intruder bowed before leaving their table.

 

Kihyun looked at Hanna once more. "Eat up."  He motioned as he continued eating.

 

The food was eaten along with some random conversation.  Hanna sits down in the passenger's seat, readying herself to go home for the night.  However, Kihyun made the opposite turn.  About to question him, she saw the smile on his lips.  She then looked ahead and saw a sign that said there was a hotel in the next exit.

 

Assuming that was where they were heading, another round of blush creeps on her cheeks. It's been a wild moon since they last made love.  It was on Kihyun's birthday to be exact.  They entered their hotel room and Kihyun already had his bag inside.  It had their nightclothes and the next day clothes as well as some toiletries and food.

 

She was impressed, to say the least.  "I told you I had something planned."  Kihyun said, sitting her down on the bed.

 

Hanna laughed and poked at him.  "You planned on us..?"  She looked at him with an interested eyebrow.

 

"Originally, I was going to suggest cuddling while talking."  Kihyun said, scratching his neck.  "And if that happened to happen, well I would just let it happen, you know?"  He said with a couple laughs.

 

"Mhm,"  Hanna humored, "let's have some fun then."  She said, reaching for his tie.

 

Kihyun let the woman control him.  Hanna put their lips together, starting their journey by taking lead.  She lays them down, his head on the pillow and his hands on her waist.  Her dress puffed out, making their bodies covered by the soft material.  As their tongues softly come together, Kihyun's hand moves down her back. 

 

He lifted the dress a little to feel her smooth thighs.  She granted him a giggle. His hand trailed higher until one of her booty cheeks was in his grasp.  Things got serious after that.  Hanna pushed their bodies closer, tilting her head in their kiss.

 

Soon she took his jacket and shirt off, kissing those muscles that she loved so dearly.  It wasn't too often that Hanna leads them; however, Kihyun finds it adorable. She would grant him little kisses and smiles until she tease-commanded him to take lead.

 

And when that happens, he reverses their position.  He looks down at her with a smile.  "You're beautiful."  He said, looking at her hair that has gone all across the pillow. 

 

As they continue, the three beautiful words were exchanged between them like an inherited mantra - a song that they could only sing to each other.


 

***

 

Three months pass by and Hanna knows what the uneasiness in her stomach means.  However, she had to know if her feelings were right, or if she was just sick.    The two bars showing up on the test proved otherwise though.

 

Hanna had a big smile as she studied the red lines.  She didn't even notice that the door had opened until her sister's words filled her ears.

 

"Hey, I've been calling for five minutes."  Sarah said.  "What are you-"

 

Sarah stopped to see what Hanna was looking at.  She had a knowing look and nudged her.  "Hey, congrats, Unnie~"  She said with a teasing smile.

 

Hanna blushed and nudged her back.  "I can't believe we're pregnant again."  She said.  "Oh, I mean, we were trying but.."  She realized how it sounded.

 

Sarah chuckled and nodded.  "I get it, it's making you excited, isn't it?"  She asked.

 

"Very excited."  Hanna replied. 

 

Just then, Gijeong ran her way into the room.  "Mommy!  Mommy!  Look at the necklace Aunt Sarah helped me with!!"  She said, showing the jewelry.

 

Hanna saw the beads and smiled.  "It's very pretty."  She said.

 

"What's that?"  Gijeong asked, seeing the test in Hanna's hand.

 

Hanna looked at it for a moment.  "It's uh.."  She didn't want to lie.

 

Sarah cleared .  "Mommy is going to gift you a sibling."  She said.

 

Gijeong's eyes lit up.  "I'm going to be a big sister?  Just like you to Aunt Sarah?"  She asked, looking at her mother with excited eyes.

 

Hanna nodded.  "That's right.  You need to be a good girl for your sibling."  She said.

 

Gijeong giggled before raising her hand to salute. "I can't wait, I can't wait!"  She said.  "Where is she?  When can I see her?" Gijeong asked.

 

Hanna smiled at her cute innocence.  "She's in here,"  Hanna patted her stomach, "it will be a little while until you see her."

 

Gijeong's eyes got big as she looked at Hanna's stomach.  "How did she get in there?"  She poked Hanna's stomach.

 

"Magic."  Hanna simply said.

 

"I love magic!!"  Gijeong clapped.  "Come out, Sister!"  She shouted at the woman's tummy.

 

Hanna giggled and patted the girl's head.  "In due time, Sweetheart."  She said, leaning down to kiss her head.



 

~~~

 

Soon enough, Kihyun was in the delivery room with his wife, holding her hand as they heard their next life crying.  He wiped her forehead from the small beads of sweat, smiling at her and cheering her up.  "It's over, he's here."  He said softly, looking into her eyes with that kind smile.

 

She looked at him when she was finally able to relax her legs. "Gijeong gets a brother.."  She muttered, putting her hand on her empty stomach and smiling softly.

 

Kihyun hummed and massaged her arm and shoulder before patting her forehead.  "The nurse will be here soon with him."  He said, moving her hair out of her eyes.  "Do you need some water?"  He asked.

 

"Just a small sip."  She answered, having her index and thumb close together.

 

Kihyun kissed her forehead before leaving to get her a cup of water.  After the small sip, they were greeted with the nurse holding their baby. 

 

The nurse left them to give them privacy as they look over their new life.  "A healthy young boy."  Kihyun commented, looking at the child's little lips and nose.

 

She looked all around the baby, counting ten fingers and ten toes.  His belly had a birthmark, shaped in a crescent.  "What should we name him?" Kihyun asked, keeping the child warm while handing Hanna the newborn.


 

She looked into the child's eyes.  He looked playful and strong for a baby.  She nodded when she knew exactly what to name him. "Yong-gi."  She said.

 

"Yonggi?"  Kihyun parroted. 

 

She nodded.  "Yoo Yonggi, Yoo Gijeong's little, courageous brother."  She patted the baby's head.


 

Kihyun smiled.  "Yonggi it is." 


 

Not but ten minutes later, Sarah and Gijeong entered the room.  Gijeong still had her preschool uniform on as she moved her little legs to see the new baby. 

 

"Hi!!"  She waved to the child.  "I'm Gijeong, what's your name?"  She asked.

 

Kihyun made a little voice.  "I'm Yonggi~" 

 

Gijeong reached to touch Yonggi's cheeks.  "It's nice to meet you~  I'm going to teach you so much."  She said, watching Yonggi put his thumb in his mouth.  "Yonggi-ah!  Bad manners!"  She scolded teasingly.


 

Kihyun and Hanna look at each other with little smiles.  Gijeong was excited to see her baby brother on the ultrasound screen, and she's even more excited to see him in person.  "You're going to be my friend forever."  Gijeong said, linking her fingers with the baby's fingers.

 

"Precious.."  They whispered together.

 

 


 


Seriously, the rest is up to you!!
Thank you so much for requesting so many times.
It was fun to make this little series.
It was cheesy using Yonggi's name again, but the doggy was what brought them together.
Also, the title is a little joke.  Kihyun's name "Ki" is pronounced like "Key."  XD


<3

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Comments

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Ojkmtlover #1
Chapter 7: Thank you for such a light hearted awesome story.
gdlovesme
#2
Chapter 7: Hello ! I'm a new subscriber and I love the story, it was so fun, fluff and light (aside from the trauma her mom did) thank you for sharing this wonderful fic, Author-nim !
ann1914
#3
Chapter 7: Kyunghoon jumping when he heard a voice... I can imagine him doing that, haha. Ah, so that's how Hanna's mom got in contact with him. I wonder how she knew which camping site he would be at. Hmm.
Aww~ Jooheon with 3 kids and working at a daycare! He's great with children and his interactions with Oli are SO adorable! ><
"I'll ask Kyunghoon to come out too." "Lol, good luck with that" xD
Man, it became steamy after that dinner! Whoo!
Gijeong's so cute with her wanting to get her sibling out with magic, haha.
When I read that the baby boy's name is Yonggi, I was like, 'Isn't that Kihyun's doggie's name before?' and then I read your last note, aha.
Thank you for making this last chapter and for putting up with my requests! I enjoyed reading this series~ <3
P.S. I added this thread to my fishbowl profile under 'Gifts from friends' :>