“Will you be okay alone?” Jiyong asked once more as Hoku sat in her bed a magazine in her lap. This was progress from the usual spot they would find her in the corner of the room. She still barely spoke to anyone or even left the room, but she spoke to Jiyong, finally, he couldn’t be happier. She had finally forgiven him and slowly began to allow him back into his life, something he had been praying about since the moment he left her back in New York.

Hoku looked up from her magazine before letting a gentle smile caress her face, simply nodding from her spot before looking back down to her magazine.

“I’ll just be a phone call away if anything, I don’t care if I’m in the award show, call me.” He pressured causing her to finally chuckle and look up to him.

“You’ll miss your flight if you babble on any longer.” She whispered as he sighed, anxiously staring at her. It was taking everything in him not to cancel going to the Seoul Music Awards this weekend, but YG had insisted they go since they had canceled a lot of previous activities due to Hoku being in the hospital.

“I’ll call to check on you.” He mentioned as she smiled and nodded, watching as he quickly walked over and pulled her into a hug.

“Don’t worry about anything; I’ll be back before you know it.” He whispered into her neck causing her to chuckle before nodding. Jiyong had become a worrywart father figure the moment she had let him back into her life, he couldn’t help it anymore.

“Go, before you’re late. I’ll be fine.” She reassured as he sat there staring at her light brown eyes.

“Ok, be good.” He whispered as she blinked in confusion.

“What?” She asked with a crooked smile only to see him lean over and kiss the top of her large stomach. It sent a warm feeling through her veins, knowing physically and mentally that Jiyong cared about the child she had tried so hard to hide from him. He rubbed her stomach gently before sitting up and placing a chaste kiss on her lips. He smiled at her once more before making his exit.

“I’ll be back on Sunday.” He mentioned as she smiled and nodded, waving a bit as he finally left around the corner. Hoku sat there quietly staring at the empty doorway, listening for the door as it shut before growing quiet. It was still early in the morning Friday, which meant she would be alone for 2 ½ days.

Jiyong was a nervous mess the moment he left their apartment complex en-route to Seoul for the awards show. Of course it wasn’t that far away from her, but still having to be separated from her at such a touchy time was putting his nerves to work.

“How is noona?” Seungri asked as usual, being the worrisome friend he always was to Hoku. Jiyong looked from his phone and over to the maknae before smiling.

“She’s talking to me more, which is good.” Jiyong offered as the guys nodded.

“That’s a start.” Youngbae added as Jiyong nodded slightly in relief.

“How are you?” Daesung asked as Jiyong looked over before sighing loudly.

“I really rather stay back with her.” He whispered turning his attention back out the window next to him.

“She’ll be fine Ji. We’re still in Korea so if anything happens you can go to her.” Top pointed out as Jiyong sighed again before hesitantly nodding.

Big Bang and the girls checked into the hotel they would be staying at for the weekend, already overrun by crazed fans outside. Big Bang did minimal rehearsals that day before heading to their hotel for some rest to do it again in the morning. Jiyong basically busted into his room, kicking off his shoes before pulling his phone out and dialing a number out of breath.

Hoku climbed out of the shower careful of the slippery floor, drying herself off as she dressed into a pair of comfy pajamas. She was alittle nervous since this would be the first night Jiyong wouldn’t be in the same apartment as her since she regained her memories. She had to admit that she was a bit nervous to go to sleep tonight for some reason. Walking out of the bathroom with a towel hanging over her damp hair she heard a vibrating noise. Stopping in the middle of the hallway she listened for the noise again, not hearing anything, she shrugged and walked into the kitchen where the tea kettle was whistling. Quickly pouring a cup of green tea, she sighed sipping it before heading back to her room. Shutting the door tightly behind her, she was startled by the vibrating noise again. Her eyes connected to her vibrating phone. She placed her cup down next to her bed before she walked over to see that she had missed 6 calls.

“Oh.” She said surprised as she pulled it off its charger to see that each call was from Jiyong. About to press redial it began ringing in her hand, Jiyong again. She quickly answered the phone.

“Hello?” She answered.

“YA! DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS?!” He shouted immediately causing her to flinch in surprise.

“I’VE BEEN CALLING YOU FOR THE LAST 15 MINUTES! I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAPPENED TO YOU!” He shouted nervously as Hoku sighed.

“Sorry, I was in the shower when you called.” She mentioned as Jiyong sighed, plopping down onto the edge of his bed half dressed, about to race to her worried.

“Sorry for yelling at you. I just got so worried when you didn’t answer. I was about to get a cab back to the apartment to check on you.” Jiyong admitted causing her to smile. She walked back to her bed, slipping into the covers while her back rested against the headboard.

“Well I’m fine. Nothing to report.” She teased as he chuckled, lying back into the comforters.

“How were rehearsals?” She asked in a whisper.

“Tiring, the faster I get it over with, the faster I can come back.” He mentioned causing her to blush.

“How are you feeling?” He then asked changing the subject to her.

“I’ve had an upset stomach today, so I’m drinking some green tea.” She explained putting the hot cup down.

“Remember if anything comes up, call me.” He urged causing her to chuckle.

“Jiyong, I can take care of myself. I’ll be fine.” She mentioned as he sighed staring up at the ceiling of his hotel room.

“How is Stephanie doing?” Hoku finally asked worried about her expecting friend.

“Hm, last time I checked she’s fine. They’re still trying to find the time to tell both YG and Dae’s parents.” Jiyong explained as Hoku nodded.

“I still haven’t called my parents.” She muttered under her breath.

“It’s alright. I let your parents know you’re alright.” Jiyong quickly said not wanting her to call with the chance that she would find out about the funeral.

The next day, Hoku just simply hung around the empty apartment, too afraid to go outside without anyone around. Sitting at the couch staring at the blank television, she sighed looking down to her stomach in thought. Was letting Jiyong back into her life really the right thing to do? She really wished she had someone to talk to about it just so she wasn’t constantly arguing with herself. Sighing once more she was disturbed by a knock on the apartment door. Turning on her heels she hesitantly stared at the closed and locked door, unsure if she should even make the effort to go over and open it. They knocked again. She placed her cup of tea down, adjusting the clothes she was currently wearing before quickly walking over to the door, peeking through the peephole in surprise.

“Omo.” She whispered quickly unlocking it before pulling the door open.

“Ah Hoku-ah.” YG said surprised to see her up and about. She just quickly bowed her head to him before gesturing for him to come inside.

“I’m so sorry I’ve come over unannounced like this.” He offered as she shut the door before turning to him.

“It’s alright.” She answered as she led him into the living room where they quietly took a seat.

“Do you want some tea?” She asked grabbing her own cup causing him to smile.
“No, I’m alright.” He answered as she nodded sipping her tea before looking back up to him.

“So, is there something wrong? Is that why you came over?” Hoku asked hesitantly as he leaned back in the couch before smiling.

“No, no, no, nothing wrong at all. Since Jiyong is away, I thought I would come over and check on you myself.” He explained as she nodded looking down to her leg. It still hurt, she didn’t have the large cast on anymore, but now more so a brace she used to walk on.

“How is your leg doing?” He asked noticing where her eyes had traveled to.

“Ah, it’s alright. I’m slowly getting used to not having to use crutches to get around.” She mentioned jokingly patting the brace.
“That’s good to hear. I was so worried about you being here alone in your condition.” He offered as she smiled.

“Sir, could I actually ask you something?” Hoku mumbled unable to bring herself to look up into his eyes.

“Sure.” He answered as she sighed looking up to him.

“I’m still a bit hesitant about going back to Jiyong.” She mentioned ashamed as his eyes shot open.

“What? Why?” He asked confused as she placed her arms protectively over her stomach.

“I don’t know, everything that we had to go through to get to where we are today, doesn’t seem like any of it is worth it.” She whispered embarrassed as he nodded in understanding.

“I understand what you’re saying Hoku-ah.” YG spoke seriously as Hoku looked up.

“Let me ask you a few things, alright?” YG took the time to ask his questions while she nodded.

“You love Jiyong-ah?” He asked as she blushed and quickly turned her attention back to her lap.

“Yes.” She whispered as he nodded.

“You know how much you mean to Jiyong?” He then asked as she continued to look down at her lap, shrugging.

“He hasn’t been the same since you kicked him away.” YG mentioned as Hoku bit her lip.

“The guys were all supposed to film a music video a few months ago when they came back from the states, but Jiyong has turned down every offer I’ve given him. We’ve had to put the shooting on hold for the time being. That’s never happened.” He mentioned as she nodded, listening.

“I’m sorry, that’s probably my fault.” She whispered letting the tears fall to her sweats.

“That just shows how much of an impact you had on him.” YG reassured as Hoku sniffled.

“He wasn’t the same when he came back from the states. He barely spoke to anyone; he barely went into the studio that shocked us more than anything to have someone who basically lived in the studio suddenly never show up.” YG joked keeping his eyes glued to Hoku.

“He loves you, more than anything Hoku-ah. What had happened those few months ago we’re neither of your faults. Things happen in life to make us stronger, to test our link to each other. But its times like those that make you see what are greatly important in your life.” YG added seriously as Hoku nodded.

“You don’t understand how much that child has wanted to be a father either.” YG chuckled at the thought of the many conversations he had with Jiyong growing up.

“When you were in the hospital after the accident, we had to tell him the truth, I apologize.” YG said bowing his apologetically as Hoku finally looked up through tears.

“It’s alright. I had been planning on telling him that night if Michael hadn’t shown up.” She whispered as he nodded.

“He didn’t leave your side for a minute after they let us in your room. I had to cancel all of their activities for the week you were there. They refused to move from your side.” He mentioned as she smiled down to her lap, shutting her eyes at the thought.

“Hoku-ah, you’re all that boy wants in life. Never since I’ve known him had I ever seen him as happy as I see him with you. He’s never threatened his music for anyone but you, and that means a lot to everyone who’s known him for most of his life.” YG added as Hoku continued to look down at her lap.
“What are you worried about Hoku-ah?” YG asked carefully as Hoku sniffled looking up.

“I see how it works in relationships like ours. He’s too busy to help me take care of a child, I just don’t want to be left aside. I don’t want to feel abandoned.” She spoke through tears as he sighed, standing up before going over to sit next to her, his arm now protectively around her shoulder.

“It’ll be hard at first, I understand, but realize that Jiyong will be there for you every step of the way. And even when he is busy, you have an amazing team behind you, the girls, the Big Bang members, anyone in YG, you are part of our family.” YG comforted as Hoku laid her head on his chest, taking in the musky scent that reminded her of her own father.

“Just give Jiyong a chance to prove to you, you’re everything he’s always wanted.” He mentioned as Hoku finally gave in and nodded.

“What about the press?” Hoku asked pulling away as YG sighed.

“It’ll be hard to keep this a secret for long since everyone already knows you are pregnant. It’s up to you what you want to do. But you may want to discuss it with Jiyong first before we make a move.” YG explained as Hoku nodded wiping her tears.

“Will it be okay if we told everyone the truth?” Hoku asked hesitantly as YG sighed.

“It’ll be rough at first, I’m sure. But we’ll help fight through with you both. With whatever choices you make, we’ll be here.” He added causing Hoku to smile. As she had remembered, she was still surrounded by such supportive people in life.