June 18, 2015

It was past midnight and Jaejoong heard his wife in her sleep again.  He felt so bad for her and so helpless.  JaeWook had been making her miserable for an entire week.  Every evening after dinner they walked up and down the block.  Most of the time Abigaíl made it without stopping, other times she had to stop or run back to the bathroom.  That was the reason they didn't go far or sometimes he made her use the treadmill in the house.  They had gone to Church the night before and his poor wife couldn't sit comfortably.  She stood in the back of the sanctuary the entire time.

Jaejoong massaged her back, trying to ease her discomfort.  She had voluntarily pulled herself off work a week ago.  She wasn't sleeping, it hurt to sit and JaeWook was pressing on her bladder.  She had lost her mucus plug and was actually already dilated to 1 centimeter, making them think JaeWook was anxious to come out.  But perhaps, he was feeling a little shy, even if he was constantly kicking or pressing against her bladder.  Many times his little feet could be seen pushing against Mom, trying to get comfortable.

 - "Whoever said the second pregnancy was easier, lied!"  Abigaíl complained to her husband.

 - "Deh jagiya, I'll make sure to tell Eomonni that she's a liar."

 - "Yah!  Don't you dare!"

 - "Deh!  I wouldn't tell on you," he kissed her sweetly.

Abigaíl moaned again as Jaejoong continued rubbing circles on her lower back.  "Jae?!"  She was finally awakened by the discomfort.

 - "Deh, Jagi."

 - "I'm uncomfortable."  He had bought her a body pillow which for the most part, kept her somewhat comfortable, until this past week.   He had also taken her for a pregnancy massage.   She also swam on occasion, as well but everything only helped for a little while.  Abigaíl rid herself of the pillow, preferring her husband's touch.

 - "Wookie-ah, wae give Umma a hard time?  It's safe to come out now.”  Abigaíl was on her 39th week JaeWook could have been born week 38 and Abigaíl would not have complained.  Jaejoong expertly massaged her baby belly.  He'd done this for her throughout the pregnancy; soothing any aches or discomfort.  "Wookie, go to sleep."  JaeWook loved his Appa's voice and usually wanted to play but Jaejoong had discovered just the right tone of voice to make him rest.  That and a little music.  By now, Jaejoong's hands were doing the trick and Abigaíl was starting to relax.  Jaejoong brought the pillow back under his wife and shifted himself lower on the bed.  He began giving her baby mound little kisses.  Sometimes, his wife didn't want that and sometimes she did.  It seemed she hadn't decided yet, so he continued.

 - "Don't stop," Abigaíl commanded.  If she allowed him to go any further, she knew she'd have terrible contractions later on but for the moment, everything was still and she could just let herself enjoy her husband's loving.

 - "You're so beautiful, jagiya, saranghaeyo."  He continued to tell her how beautiful she was.  He never once, during the pregnancy stopped.  Truthfully, she was beautiful.  The pregnancy had just enhanced everything he loved about her body.  Her backside, which he ran a loving hand over, only to be stopped.

 - "Jaejoong, concentrate on JaeWook."

 - "Deh, jagiya."  He continued to massage and kiss her belly, lower back and hips.  He stopped.  He was hungry for her as always.  Of course, it was that overwhelming desire that had made JaeWook so quickly.  "Wookie, it’s time to go to sleep, deh?"  Jaejoong felt his son move slowly under his mouth.  "Deh Wookie, sleep.  You need to rest so you can come quickly and not give Umma too much trouble." Jaejoong hummed a sad tune but in a way the song was about second chances and thanks to Abigaíl, God had given him a second chance at life.  To live honorably, respectfully, love not only God and his parents but a beautiful woman, a daughter and now a son.

He had lifted Abigail’s gown and was moving southward while gauging her reaction as to see how far she wanted him to go.  He smiled to see her body encouraging him to engage further.  Gone were the days he could make love to her multiple times but he still praised God that she never turned him away.  Of course, she wasn't just an object to be used for his own selfish purposes, like many times in his past.  He made sure to satisfy her needs as well as his own.  As JaeWook grew, they'd had to learn to do things a little differently and when she absolutely couldn't fathom the idea of having , they would love each other with their hands and kisses.

 - "Jagi," Jaejoong knocked on Isabel's door, before entering, later in the morning.  He sat on her bed, while she stretched like a cat.  "Let Umma rest, your dongsaeng kept her up all night."

 - "Deh, Appa, Halmoni and I are going to put stickers in JaeWook's room."

His parents had arrived the weekend before, as soon as Jaejoong advised them she had stopped working.  It was his intent that his wife not return to work and stay with the kids.  At the beginning of their marriage, she couldn't comprehend staying home.  He hoped once the baby was born, she would see differently.  "Don't take over the entire room, let Umma help too."

 - "Deh, Appa."

 - "Appa has to go to work, take care of Umma and JaeWook," he gave her a peck on the cheek.

 - "Imo JaeKyung might come today too!"  Isabel thought JaeKyung was funny.  She came to visit with Abigaíl and sometimes take Isabel out for a treat.  Since everyone knew JaeKyung loved to eat and being pregnant, she was always hungry.

 - "Have fun and you're only allowed one gift."

 - "Deh Appa, Umma told me too."  JaeKyung had a bad habit of returning Isabel with a brand new wardrobe or accessories each time they went out together.  Having recently found out she was having a girl of her own, whatever she bought the baby she bought Isabel and InHei too.  Plus she'd be leaving soon and she had fallen in love with Isabel in the last two months and she would miss Abigaíl too.

 - "Arraso, see you later, alligator."

 - "'Till a while crocodile!"

Jaejoong was still smiling when he entered the kitchen.  "Annyeong hashiminikka!"  He kissed his mother's cheek.  She was packing a lunch box for her son.

 - "Adul didn't sleep?!"  She caressed his tired-looking face.  "How's Abigaíl?"  If her son didn't sleep, that meant Abigaíl didn't either.

 - "Still sleeping, praise God."

 - "The contractions kept her up?"

 - "Deh, I say by the weekend Wookie should be here.  He could still be stubborn like his noona and not come for another week, but I don't think so.  The contractions are getting more frequent.  Don't let her go to the pool by herself or use the treadmill."

 - "Jae-ah, she's been through this, deh?"  Mrs. Oh laughed at her overprotective son.

 - "Not with me she hasn't," he smiled back at his Mother.  It was good to have his parents’ home for the baby's coming.  "What's in the lunch box?"

 - "Tteokbokki.  There's enough for your lunch and some for breakfast.  Since it appears that you are ready to run out the door."

 - "Deh, na should have left an hour ago.  I'm not in the office today, so I can get away with it.  Na will only be handling administrative duties once Wookie is born.  God, I wish Jihoo were still here then I could just take a complete paternity leave for six weeks."

 - "You’re doing just fine in your new position.”  Marriage had done wonders for him and he could now be responsible enough to handle being the department head.  “Have you heard from him?"

 - "Deh, he went with Ilana to Miami to record the song for her Oppa's foundation."

 - "I'm so happy for them.  They've both come a long way, it's incredible how the Lord has moved in their lives."

 - "Deh Umma."  They had walked out to the car.  "Take care of anae," he kissed her once more and got in his car.

Later that day, Abigaíl and Isabel were swimming, in hopes that JaeWook could be shaken loose.  Mrs. Oh came in with porridge for the two swimmers.  "Abi-yah!  Take a break!"

 - "Halmoni!"  Isabel waived and swam to the stairs, while her Mother swam to the edge.

 - "Eommoni, I'm not hungry," Abigaíl said.

 - "Child, you're going to exhaust yourself.  What happens if you go into labor?  You won't have any strength to push.  Out of the pool now or I'll call an-sadon (between in-laws, in this case, Abigail’s Mom)."

 - "Eommoni!”  Abigaíl didn’t quite understand who her mother in law threatened to call but it would be someone that wouldn’t let her keep swimming.

Mrs. Oh saw that her daughter in law was just exhausted and ready to burst into tears.  These last few weeks had been especially trying.  Between contractions, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, heartburn, she was ready to explode.  "Isabel dear, I think Harabeoji wanted you to eat with him.  Why don't you take your porridge inside?"

 - "Chincha Halmoni?  Arraseyo," Isabel happily threw on her robe and took her bowl of porridge into the house.  The bowl had cooled sufficiently and was easy to carry.

 - "Abi-yah, eeliwah (come on), I'll stay and keep you company."

Abigaíl was resting with her head against the pool's tile wall.  She took a deep breath and walked to the stairs.  "Coming Eommoni," Mrs. Oh met her at the pool stairs and helped her out, enveloping her in a fluffy robe.  Abigaíl removed her swim cap and walked to the table.  "Pumpkin porridge!  Kansamnida!"  So far it was the only thing that didn't give her heartburn.  That and her Mother's fideo soup.  "You didn't have to make it!  It's so much work!"

 - "Oh you know Esther helped.  It wasn't that much work."

Abigaíl took a spoonful of the wonderfully comforting dish and began to cry.

 - "Oh?  Abi-yah!  Wae?"  Mrs. Oh hugged her daughter-in-law.

 - "You're so good to me," Abigaíl cried.  "And I'm so tired of being pregnant.  Everything hurts and I don't want to complain to Jae.  He won't let me move and if I don't move I'll get fat and the contractions will hurt even more and then I won't be able to lose the weight and Jae won't love me anymore."  She was sobbing earnestly by now and Mrs. Oh held her as if she was Isabel's age and skinned her knee.

 - "Myeoneuri hajimaseyo!"  She spoke formally, scolding her daughter-in-law.  "Deh, myeoneuri (daughter-in-law) is yippeun but that's not what adul fell in love with, it was myeoneuri heart and dtal (daughter).  Na think adul has always dreamt of a family of his own.  He was an only child and lonely when we were away on business.  Even if we did everything possible to show him our love, he missed us terribly.  But those s..."  This made Abigaíl laugh.  "...he dated, weren't anae, much less Umma material.  Until Abigaíl came along.  Adul knows quality when he sees it.”

 - "Jeongmalyo?"

 - "Jeongmalyo.  Ppalli mogeo (hurry and eat)!"

 - "Deh Eommoni."

By the time Jaejoong arrived home in the evening, his wife was sound asleep.  Excusing himself from Isabel and his parents, he slept too.  At least until JaeWook gave them a repeat performance of the night before.   This time, nothing helped and that's why if anyone looked out their window at two A.M., they would see the couple walking up and down the block.

June 19, 2015

JaeKyung hadn't been feeling well the day before, with a hopefully last attack of morning sickness.  Other than that, she felt great.  WooBin had gotten a call from YiJung earlier in the week.   It seemed Gaeul ended up with the honeymoon baby instead of Ilana.  While JaeKyung was finally over her morning sickness, Gaeul was just starting.  She arrived at the Kim residence and was greeted warmly by Mrs. Oh.

 - "Eomonni!  Eottoke jaljineyo?"

 - "Deh, deh, how are you?  Is WooBin-ssi and you getting ready for the move?"

 - "Jaljinaseyo, Eommoni.  Deh, we leave at the end of July."

 - "JaeKyung Umma will miss you."

 - "It won't be long before she follows, her only daughter is pregnant.  She won't be able to stay away, just like Eommoni."

Mrs. Oh laughed.  "Majayo!  Speaking of myeoneuri, I'll get her.  Esther was braiding Isabel's hair, Na will get her for you as well."

 - "Deh Eommoni," JaeKyung took a seat in the living room.

Mrs. Oh walked into Isabel's room first.  The child was dressed in a pink and yellow summer dress and flip-flops.  "Esther?  Is Isabel ready?"

 - "Deh Halmoni!"  Isabel answered in Esther's place, making both women laugh.

 - "Isabel-ah, take Esther with you downstairs, Imo is here for your outing."

 - "Deh!  Ajumma, eeliwah!"

 - "Deh!"  Esther followed.

Mrs. Oh walked down the hall and knocked on the bedroom door.  "Abigaíl!" When there was no response, she entered their suite.  "Abigaíl?"  She didn't immediately see her daughter in law.

 - "Eommoni, I'm in the bathroom," said the weary voice.

Mrs. Oh headed to the bathroom with some concern and found Abigaíl sitting on the toilet.  "Abi-yah  That bad?"

 - "Deh Eommoni, I've tried everything.  This is the only place I can sit comfortably.  I thought Isabel was bad, but JaeWook is just a little more of every...thing!"  Abigaíl grimaced and breathed out as another contraction hit her, thankful that Jaejoong made her take the birthing classes that she didn't take with Isabel.

Mrs. Oh rubbed Abigail’s back as the contraction passed.  "Kaja, JaeKyung is downstairs waiting.  Perhaps the walk up and down the stairs will do you good.”

 - "It can't hurt."

When they finally reached the living room, Isabel was chatting excitedly with JaeKyung.  She was making plans for the day.  "Imo!  Can we have lunch at the American Girl store with Isabelle?  Oh!  Will you take Isabelle and me for a manicure?  I need a new hairband!"

Isabel was turning into quite the pampered princess thanks to her Appa and Halmoni.

 - "Isabel!"  Abigaíl scolded.  "No se pide regalos (You don't ask for gifts)!"

Isabel had jumped at the sound of her Mother's scolding.  "Deh Umma!  I-I was just suggesting places to Imo."

 - "Gwenchanayo, Abi, if I'm going to treat her to a day out, it might as well be something she wants to do."  JaeKyung rose from her seat and walked over to Abigaíl, giving her a hug.  "Are you okay, sweetie?"

Abigaíl answered by having another contraction.  It was going to be another long day for the Kim household.  While Mr. Kim made himself happily scarce by going to work, Mrs. Oh and Esther took turns walking with Abigaíl up and down the block or the stairs.  When she wasn't walking, she sat on the toilet.

By the time JaeKyung returned Isabel, Abigaíl neither noticed nor cared that her daughter wore a completely different outfit than what she had worn in the morning.  Complete with new accessories from head to toe and manicure/pedicure.  It was no secret JaeKyung loved to shop and especially for her friends.

 - "If Umma says anything, just tell her I bought things when you weren't looking."

 - "Imo, that's lying."

 - "Ani, were you looking to see what I was doing, when I paid for your things?"

 - "Ani...," Isabel loved her new things but feared her Mother's discipline and lying more.

 - "Isabel didn't ask Imo for a new outfit, Na bought it for you, deh?"

 - "Deh...but Umma said Na could only get one thing."

 - "You did only get one outfit."  Seeing that Isabel wasn't that convinced, she hugged her.  "Imo won't get to spoil you when I go back home to Seoul.  Accept my gifts?  Juseyo?"  Jaekyung gave Isabel a pouty face and puppy dog eyes.

 - "Arrasoyo Imo," Isabel laughed.

 - "Let's check on Umma,"

When they entered the suite, Abigaíl was leaning on the bed as Esther massaged her lower back and hips.

 - "Umma!"  Isabel panicked, seeing her Mother in much discomfort.

 - "It's okay, baby girl.  JaeWook's just trying to find his way out and it hurts."  She tried to smile.  "Thank you JaeKyung for taking Isabel today.  I..." she paused for a contraction, making her sit on the bed or fall.  Thankfully Esther anticipated her move.  "...I can't spend quality time with her right now," finishing her sentence once the contraction passed.  “My sister, Sylvia is going to come when the baby is born to hang out with her."

Truthfully, JaeKyung was a little frightened of what would happen to her in a few months.  "I'll come too, whatever you need, just let me know."

 - "Thank you, Jaekyung."

 - "Mrs. Abigaíl is tired," Esther said.  "Let’s let her rest."  Not that she could get any rest, but at least she didn't have to try to be sociable.

June 21, 2015

The last forty-eight hours had the entire Kim household with no sleep.  All except for Isabel that had been sent to her other Grandparent's home so that she wouldn't worry about her Mother.  No matter how much Abigaíl reassured her that she had gone through the same thing with her, it didn't shake Isabel's fear that something terrible was happening to her Mom.

 - "JaeWook!  Stop hurting Umma!"  She had cried.

 - "Gwenchana jagiya.  JaeWook isn't doing it on purpose.  He's trying to break free like a baby bird has to break from the shell, so do human babies."

This didn't help at all.  The idea of her Mother breaking in any way, shape or form, sent Isabel in hysterics.  "Appa!  Pray!  Pray that Yesu stops the baby!  I don't want him breaking Umma."

 - "Jagi!  Greomyo, we've prayed for a safe delivery and that Wookie is born healthy, just like you.  It's hard work for Wookie to be born and he's ready to come out.  He wants to see Noona."

Abigaíl had another contraction, "Isabel, ven hija (come daughter)."  Isabel didn't want to, but her mother pulled her and placed her hand on her tummy.  "Feel the baby," Isabel felt the hard stomach and then it relaxed.  Isabel's eyes nearly popped out of her head.   She had felt the baby move, but this was weird.  Abigaíl laughed.  “You were in my tummy just like this.   You made me sick almost the entire pregnancy."

 - "Chincha?"  Isabel was starting to relax.

 - "Deh!"

"Jagiya, why don't you letter go to Eomonni or with Luciana."

 - "Deh Umma, can I?"

 - "Okay."

- "Jagi, pack your things and I'll have Yoo drop you off."

 - 'Arrassoyo!  Kansamnida!"  She jumped on the bed to give her Mother a kiss goodbye.   "Dongsaeng-ah, hurry up and come, arraso?"  Jumping back to the floor, she ran off.

The OB told Abigaíl to take Motrin to ease the pain of the contractions so that she could get some rest.  Contractions had been coming less than ten minutes apart most of the day.  Jaejoong worried she wouldn't have strength to push when it came time.  He couldn't sleep.  His Mother came in to sit with his wife a few times during the day so that he could nap.  But ended up just praying.  Praying for a safe delivery, praying for JaeWook to be healthy, praying that he would know how to be a good Father, praying for comfort and strength for his wife during the delivery and finally that JaeWook came soon.  He couldn't stand to see his wife in so much discomfort.

Jaejoong lay, watching over his wife's sleep.  She moaned off and on but at least she was finally able to get a little sleep.  He looked at his watch, it was now eleven P.M.  Abigaíl had only been asleep for a little over an hour.  Feeling sleep tugging at his own eyelids, he got up from the bed and did a few air punches to try and wake up.  His wife's changed and he immediately went back to the bed.  She was waking up.  He tried shushing her back to sleep.  "Sh!!!  Sleep, jagiya, sleep," he rubbed her back.  The body pillow was damp with her perspiration or so he thought.  His own sleep-deprived brain wasn't processing.

 - "Jae, something feels funny," she said.  Another contraction hit, making her grab for Jaejoong's hand.

 - "That was a long one," Jaejoong said when she was done, smoothing her hair.

When Abigaíl found her voice again, "I think...my...water broke," she panted in the wake of the contraction.

 - "Omo!  Omo!  I'll help you change into some clean clothes and then we'll go."  Jaejoong kissed her mound.  "I can't wait to meet you JaeWook."

June 22, 2015

Almost five hours later and four days early, JaeWook was born.  Abigaíl lay exhausted and rightly so.  Jaejoong cried at his wife's bedside.  The Nurse immediately cleaned the baby and wrapped him loosely to prevent the chill, placing him right on top of Umma.  Jaejoong was crying, not because she had been crushing his hand for the last hour but because he was the happiest man alive.  Other than the day he wed his beautiful angel, the day his son was born had to be the best day of his life.  "Jagiya, I'm so proud of you.  You did amazing!  Umma is daeback, deh Wookie?"  Abigaíl could only smile at her baby.  JaeWook instinctively rooted for Abigail’s looking for nourishment.  It's hard work being born.  The couple laughed and Abigaíl positioned him on a .  She winced a bit.  It would take getting used to again, she had cried the first few days of Isabel being born and feeding.  Abigaíl suddenly blushed at the idea of who else demanded her .

Jaejoong only had eyes for his son at the moment and didn't see his wife blushing but their thoughts ran in the same direction.  "Adul, be grateful I'm sharing Umma with you."

 - "Jae!"  Abigaíl smacked her now laughing husband.  

The hospital staff smiled at the happy parents.  "Abigaíl, you did great, now get ready one more time.  You can have a nice rest afterward," the Doctor said.

Once the placenta was delivered, Jaejoong cut the umbilical cord, which felt like cutting into a dense tube of sorts.  The happy Father beamed from ear to ear, he kissed his wife slowly and tenderly not caring who saw.  "Saranghaeyo jagiya," Jaejoong kissed his wife again.  "Saranghaeyo, adul," he kissed the baby's head.  "Kansamnida, Yesu," he prayed.  "I will love them well."  Jaejoong took his son from his breakfast, "ara, masheesuhyo (delicious), you can go back in a minute.  Manasseh bangowo, JaeWook." He studied his son intently.  "Deh, saranghae.  JaeWook looks just like Umma," he laughed and gave him back to Abigaíl.

 - "He has your eyes," Abigaíl caressed the little round head.  "And your forehead."  Abigaíl began to laugh.

 - "Wae?"

 - "He has your lips," she blushed.

 - "Gwenchanayo, I'll make sure to have 'the talk' with him before he's ten.  Adul is not going to be a troublemaker like Appa."

 - "Eomonni and I have been praying that he won't be since we found out he was a boy," she laughed and winced a little.  She tore a little bit and they were giving her a stitch.

 - "Mianhae, jagiya," Jaejoong kissed her forehead.

 - "Gwenchana, I didn't tear with Isabel."

 - "Well, an 8.1 pound 21.5 inch baby can do that," the Doctor said.  "You did great and I just put in one stitch as a precaution.  Your daughter was a little smaller."

 - "Deh, Wookie has to grow up big and strong so he can beat up all Noona's boyfriends."

Everyone in the room laughed.

JaeWook was dozing off, mouth still on Abigail’s .  "Yeobo, he looks just like you," she smiled while admiring her son.  The nurses busily cleaned around the happy family who were too engrossed in their new baby to care.

 - "Well, na have never tried sleeping in that position but will have to try it sometime."

 - "Will you stop?"

 - "Na can't help anae is nomu yippeun."

Abigaíl just ignored him when she couldn't understand what he said.

 - "Mommy?"  The nurse said.  "We need to borrow JaeWook for a little to make sure he's healthy, okay?"

Mommy didn't want to let go.

 - "I promise he'll be back within thirty minutes," the nurse picked up the baby and placed him back in the hospital bassinet.  "You two should take a nap, JaeWook will be hungry again soon."

 - "Thank you, Melissa."

 - "You're welcome, Dr. Jaejoong," the nurse left the room with a smile on her face.  She loved her job.  Babies were just too precious.  She had to laugh at all the women who had thrown themselves at Dr. Jaejoong's feet.  It just goes to show that the old saying is true, "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free."  Abigail had stood her ground and wasn't swayed by that playboy charm.

JaeWook mirrored her thoughts and in his sleep, making her laugh.  "Little Jae, you'll have to wait a little while longer before having a second breakfast."

Jaejoong had snapped a picture of his wife and child just before the nurse took him out and was now mass texting.  Abigaíl yawned.  Now that the grueling job of expelling JaeWook from her womb was over, the restless days and sleepless nights were catching up to her.  By the time Jaejoong looked over to his wife, she was fast asleep.  Seeing Abigaíl asleep made him realize his own adrenaline rush had long worn off.  He was still in scrubs and sat next to his wife.  "Saranghae jagi," he kissed her lightly on the lips.  He lay his head next to hers and was asleep in the time it took him to say kansamnida.

They would be awakened in less than two hours by JaeWook's hungry cries.

Los Angeles, CA
Upon returning from their honeymoon, Jihoo was offered a position as assistant director at the other hospital in town.  Juan Carlos, having received a glowing review of Jihoo's work from the NYP director, begged him to take the job.  The two hospitals in the city were now under the same management and therefore the city hospital needed to be brought up to the same standard as Presbyterian Intercommunity.  His job was to re-organize all the departments; the ER especially was in dire need of re-organizing.  Unfortunately, he'd had to let go some people, who just weren't putting in their 100%.  Nowhere in the hospital could they afford people of that nature, much less in the ER.  What they did or didn't do in that department meant life or death, there was no room for error or laziness.

Jihoo finally arrived home at two A.M., due to issue in ER that needed his attention and could not leave and made sure certain managers didn't leave until everything was resolved.  All the other departments were moving along well in a positive direction but ER was his nightmare.  If only he could bring Dr. SaengJo to straighten everyone out for him.  He sighed walking into their room; NYP had run like a finely tuned machine.  That was mainly due to the director and also they had a very low turn around.  Employees were hired and stayed at least five years or more.  With prayer and patience, he was confident he could turn the situation into something positive.

The light was still on in their room and Ilana was asleep hugging the tablet, while Joy used her crossed arms as a pillow.  He smiled at the picture.  He took out his phone, wanting proof for when he teased his wife later.  She fell asleep waiting for him each time in the funniest positions.  He ignored the fact that he too could fall asleep anywhere and everywhere.  Looking at his phone, he saw a missed text message from Jaejoong.  Opening it, he read JaeWook's birth announcement.  He smiled, knowing his wife would be very happy to know Mother and child were well.  They had been praying for a safe delivery.  The baby looked much like Abigaíl; he thought, but could also see Jaejoong when looking closer.  Wondering if he should wake his wife and give her the news, he decided against it and changed his clothes, instead.  Having showered and brushed his teeth at the hospital, he tossed his work clothes in the dry cleaner bag and threw on a pair of pajama pants, forgoing a shirt.  Between his wife and Joy, it was much to warm.

Jihoo moved the cat, making her leave in a huff and then extricated the tablet, placing it on the writing desk to charge.  Turning off the light, he adjusted the blanket around her.  She immediately rolled over, towards his side of the bed.  Meeting emptiness, she suddenly woke up.  Jihoo was already sliding in next to her.  "Shh, go back to sleep," he brushed his lips against hers.

 - "Sarang?  Did you...just...," there was a long pause as she tried to recall the words she wanted.  "...get home?"

 - "Deh, it's late.  Go back to sleep."  The longer she talked the more she would wake up.

 - "What time is it?"

 - "Omo, never mind!"  He entwined his legs with hers and draped his arm around her waist.

 - "How was your day?"

 - "Choah, now go to sleep."

 - "But I didn't get to see you today," she pouted and made a move to roll away.  He had worked late the night before and not wanting to disturb his sleep, she had been conscious of the time so that her alarm wouldn't wake him.  He wasn't able to attend Sunday services because of the emergency.

 - "Arraso, come here," Jihoo lay on his back, so Ilana could rest her head on his chest.  "It's past two A.M."  Ilana was smiling as she snuggled up next to him.  "Wae?"  He asked.

 - "Ani...bogoshipatso."  Really she was smiling because he fell for her pout when he says her aegyo never works on him.

 - "Nado bogoshipatso," he her hair, making her drowsy.  "Na...just received a text from Jaejoong, the baby is here," he gave in and told her.

 - "Chincha?"  Ilana sat up, excitedly.

Exactly why Jihoo didn't want to wake her with the news.  "Sarang," he pulled her back down.  "Later, you can call, send flowers...mollah (whatever), now can we sleep?"

 - "Deh.  Mianhae," she molded herself to his body, trying to drift off to sleep again but all she could think of was the baby.  "Jihoo-ah..." she whispered.

 - "Mmm," Jihoo groaned.  He was just about asleep when he heard her whisper.

 - "Can we go see the baby?"

 - "Not today!"  He took one of his pillows and dropped it on top of her head.

 - "Arraso!  I'm closing my eyes..." she felt his chest swell with a deep breath.  He was already asleep.  Having his solid presence and tangible scent next to her, she too was brought to sleep almost instantly.
 

A huge 'welcome baby boy' sign hung on the door as Jaejoong, Abigaíl, and JaeWook pulled up to the house.  Isabel came rushing out, evidently having been looking out the window and waiting impatiently for her baby brother to arrive.
 - "Umma!  Appa!  You're home!"  Jaejoong expertly had the carrier in one hand, while supporting his wife with the other.

 - "Annyeong to you too, jagi."

They entered the house and were bombarded by his parents.  "Omo!  Let me see my grandson," Mr. Kim was tearing the carrier from Jaejoong's hand.

 - "Abeoji!  You can wait until I let go!"  He laughed at his dad.

 - "Abi-yah," Mrs. Oh hugged her daughter-in-law.  "How do you feel?"

 - "Just a little tired."  Every two-hour feedings on top of having no sleep for several days had caught up with her.  At least when she received guests, she could sleep.

 - "Umma, can dongsaeng sleep in my room?"

 - "No baby girl, he's sleeping in our room."

 - "But he has his own room?!

 - "Baby, when he cries at night I need him close by so I can pick him up and feed him.  He'll keep you awake," she looked to Jaejoong.  The pregnancy had been smooth sailing with Isabel excited about having a younger sibling but they wondered what would happen once JaeWook was born and monopolized everyone's attention.  They could see the frown on her face.

 - "Can I sleep with you guys too?"  Isabel pleaded and Abigaíl looked at Jaejoong.

 - "Deh, Jagi," Jaejoong couldn't tell her 'no'.  "Only for a few weeks."

 - "Kansamnida!"  Isabel jumped up and down.  It was late already.  Abigaíl hadn't been discharged until seven P.M. and being hospital staff everything took longer.  Everyone stopped her to see the baby and ask how she was doing.  Her co-workers came and went all day long, looking for excuses to come into her room.  They had brought her lunch today and took turns sitting with her and JaeWook.

 - "The side sleeper is set up and I've turned down your bed," Esther said.

 - "Kansamnida, Esther-ssi,” Jaejoong turned to his wife.  "Why don't you lie down and get some rest."

 - "No, I have to feed JaeWook soon."

Esther had already gone to unpack the bags Mr. Yoo had brought in and he went back for the flowers and gifts.  "Mrs. Abigaíl where would you like your flowers?"

 - "Eommoni, let's put them in the sitting room.  The gifts can go in the nursery."

 - "We set up the living room for your visitors, would you like them in there instead?"

 - "Deh Eomonni," Abigaíl smiled.  Her Mother in Law loved to have a room for everything.   At her parent's house, visitors spilled over wherever they could.

Once Mr. Yoo brought in the bouquets and the gifts, all the females converged into the living room, while the men and Isabel took JaeWook for a tour of the house.  "I didn't get to appreciate your gifts in your room."

 - "Mrs. oh only had eyes for her Grandson," Esther said.  "Mrs. Abigaíl, I'll bring you a bowl of seaweed soup."

 - "But I ate dinner at the hospital."

 - "Atch, this is the best for new Mothers, it will help bring your milk in."  Esther didn't wait for a response. 

Abigaíl didn't have the benefit of her Mother or anyone those first days that Isabel was born.  Not really knowing what to do, she had been alone and frightened.  It took all her courage to go back home and beg for mercy.  Even then she dared not to ask her Mother anything, fearing she would get angry.  Hot tears now slid down her face from the memory. 

 - "Oh, now," Mrs. Oh cried out.  "Are the baby blues hitting you already?"  She drew her daughter-in-law into her embrace.

 - "I guess so...sorry," Abigaíl sniffed.

 - "Gwenchana, child.  Tell me about your gifts."  She wanted to get her mind off whatever was making her sad.

 - "The giant teddy bear and red balloons are from JaeKyung.  Jihoo and Ilana sent a basket with the plush stork and full of goodies is from Jihoo and Ilana.  It includes a gift set for the baby, plus a bottle and fork and spoon, lotion and shampoo, and there are cookies and chocolate for me." 

 - "Leave it to Jihoo and Ilana to pick out something practical," Mrs. Oh smiled.

 - "That's true.  Ilana has very simple tastes and Jihoo isn't as extravagant as my husband," she laughed.  "Mr. Yoo, if you can do me the favor and take those to the nursery?"

 - "Deh Mrs. Abigail.  What of the wreath?" 

 - "Who was that from?"  Mrs. Oh asked.

 - "The doctors.  Oh!  That little blue stuffed dog goes too, Mr. Yoo."  He smiled and took the items to the nursery.

 - "We should hang the wreath somewhere, how about your room?  You might as well enjoy it."

 - "Eomonni, what about the nursery window, we can hang it up later."

 - "That's a good idea.  So, what about the flowers?"

 - "The bouquet with the 'it's a boy' balloon is from my department."  The natural basket included blue Irises, lavender roses, and carnations and white Asian lilies.  "And...the really tall red roses are from Jae,"  Abigaíl smiled wistfully.  They were beautiful and a lovely surprise yesterday evening; when the nurse walked in with them.  The hospital provided a special dinner for new parents and the roses added the perfect touch.  They ate a very nice gourmet meal and Jaejoong played music and danced with her.  He made her feel loved and cherished always but somehow after having JaeWook she needed it more and he knew.  She laughed, "JaeWook gave us exactly two hours to ourselves and was hungry again.  I can set a clock by his cries for food."

They snuggled on the hospital bed while JaeWook enjoyed his dinner.  It was the perfect evening, one she hadn't known she needed.

She had begun to blink back tears, remembering how easily she and Isabel had been discarded but Jaejoong found them and they'd never have to be alone again.

 - "Saranghaeyo, jagiya."  Jaejoong had kissed her as she nursed the baby.  "Isabel, you, and now JaeWook are my life, my treasure.  I did absolutely nothing to deserve this, but I'll take this gift from the Lord and praise Him for it."

 - "Te amo, Jaejoong.  JaeWook Appa saranghaeyo."

Then it was Jaejoong's turn to blink back tears.

While Abigaíl still smiled at the memory of the night before, Esther walked in with a steaming bowl of seaweed soup.  "Here you are, missus, this will perk you up.  It's light, not heavy and packed full of nutrients.  A few bowls of this and you're energy will be restored."

 - "Thank you, Esther," Abigaíl took a tentative spoonful.  She wasn't as bold for trying new things as she should be.  Her in-laws treated her like a full daughter and not just their son's wife.  Abigaíl never refused the food she was offered, so as not to be rude but tended to approach new foods with caution.  The soup was actually very light but flavorful.  Although she had eaten well at the hospital, that was hours ago.  The soup settled comfortably in her stomach.  "This is very good, thank you," she smiled at them.  Having a feeling they were relieved anytime they had her try something new, she always made sure to tell them how much she enjoyed it.  "I like this a lot, it's delicious.  I never even thought that you could make a soup just out of seaweed."

As predicted, Mrs. Oh and Esther looked at each other and smiled in relief.  They had been introducing her slowly to Korean cooking, even if mostly they ate western food.  Abigaíl herself was a very good cook and oftentimes made them homemade Mexican food which was a delicious treat.  Better than any restaurant they had ever been too, except for her parent’s restaurant.  "Make sure you eat some rice too."

Abigaíl smiled, carbs she thought were her enemy but surprisingly for all the rice she ate since getting married, she hadn't gained weight; though she didn't neglect her time in the gym.  "Don't worry, I won't.  I'm surprised I'm hungry again."  In fact, the soup was giving her a renewed appetite.

 - "Oh-oh, someone else seems to have a renewed appetite," Mrs. Oh said, hearing a crying JaeWook coming their way.

Abigaíl already felt her s leaking when Isabel came running to her.  "Umma!  Wookie is hungry.  I helped change his diaper, it was stinky!"

She laughed at her daughter who had pinched her nose, indicating just how stinky the diaper was.  "Hi JaeWook, are you hungry?"  She took him from daddy.  "I’ll feed him in the nursery.  You want to sit in our new gliding chair?"  She asked JaeWook.  JaeWook was already trying to nurse through her shirt.

 - "Patience, adul," Jaejoong laughed.  "Kaja, I'll go with you."

Later, when JaeWook had drunk his fill and was blissfully asleep, Jaejoong rose from the floor at Abigail’s feet.  "You are beautiful, my wife.  You are a beautiful woman but your heart is what I fell in love with.  Thank you for giving me a chance.  I would have missed all of this had I kept on my path of selfishness."  He kissed his wife on the head and JaeWook and finally Isabel who had fallen asleep on the floor.  "Let's go to sleep, JaeWook Umma," he picked up Isabel and carried her to the mattress in their room and Abigaíl followed along with JaeWook and a smile on her face.

Isabel would give up come the morning and go back to her room after hearing the baby cry all night.  Abigaíl would have to take naps where she could as it was recommended to nurse exclusively for two weeks before introducing the occasional bottle.  It was hard being constantly sleep deprived but she did it once before, she could do it again.

Her Mother would visit almost daily, bringing tons of food.  Jaejoong would complain that he was gaining weight after the baby was born.  JaeKyung would visit often and always bring something for Isabel and JaeWook.  Isabel only occasionally decided to throw a tantrum.  It was usually on a day that Wookie was extremely fussy and no one in the house was listening to her.  Her co-workers came over during lunch, very often.  All that was missing was Jihoo and Ilana but they promised to visit soon.

July 10, 2015

The newlyweds lazed in bed in a sleepy haze.  This was their first real day off since returning from their honeymoon.  Their blissful honeymoon days were over and it was back to work almost immediately.  Jihoo had not returned to Seoul since their honeymoon.  1) He didn't want to leave his wife. 2)  He was also donating his time at a local clinic housed at the middle school near their estate.  3) His work at the hospital kept him entirely too busy to step away.

Ilana had been handed the reigns of the 'Asia project'.  Antonio was VP of the entire Marketing department, he just didn't have time to babysit the project as it grew.  Senior management also thought it was time the project was assigned its own team leader to oversee it completely.  JungMin was perfect where he was and would be great as Ilana's assistant/go-getter.  The man could network and Ilana could pull statistics out of a hat, together they made a great team.  He was currently working on trying to get the Hmart stores or surrounding businesses.  ILC Group had a great reputation, its architecture and construction teams were quick and efficient; worthy of their price tag.  The marketing department knew how to cater to their clients and the design team always had a niche for giving the client what they wanted and then some.

Ilana had also flown to Miami, where she spent a weekend at the foundation talking with the kids, spending time with them, like a Mom or beloved aunt.  She played with them, sang songs with them and if asked, told them her story and they told her theirs.  Recording the song JungMin and she had created, they filmed a video that would run on the foundation website.  JungMin would be rewarded handsomely and later would have more opportunities to create music.  Jihoo, of course, was with her.  He was not about to let her face such a task without him.  It wasn’t that he didn't have faith in her but it was his place.  As she provided joy and comfort to the kids, she would also need comforting at the end of the day.  That was his job.  She knew the Lord had been telling her to be of comfort to those kids.  Just like he comforted her, welcoming her into his loving arms.

Between their schedule and Kike's schedule, they had come up with two weekends in June.  One, to record the song and the other to actually visit the foundation center.  Jihoo helped out where he could.  As a Doctor, there was always something to be done even if it was just to sit and listen.  Young boys are living on the streets, abducted and abused just as much as young girls.  During the day, they ministered with the kids, engaging them in activities and also preparing a talent show for the benefactors.  After all, the foundation owner was a recording artist and the face of the foundation would have been a classical vocalist and pianist had certain events not occurred.

The first day was the worst.  They were there from morning until night.  Ilana smiled as brightly as possible for the kids, letting them know it was possible.  With God's help, you could overcome the hurt and shame and smile again.  Come night time, the three tucked all the kids in but as soon as they were back at Kike's beach house, she withdrew into herself.

 - "I want to walk the beach for a bit," she said in a low voice.  "You two go in."

She had already begun to walk away.  "I'll walk with you," Jihoo said, immediately stepping alongside her.

Kike, never knowing what to do in these situations, left her in the hands of her husband, breathing a sigh of relief.  He still didn't like to see her in this state but he didn't have to figure out how to help her or what to do.  Thankfully, it was her husband’s turn to be responsible for her.  Walking into his home, Kike grabbed himself a beer.  If he knew his sister, they wouldn't be back anytime soon.

Jihoo took Ilana's hand as they walked silently.  He saw the tears streaming down her cheeks, but he knew she wasn't ready to put words to her grief.  He was proud of her.  They had prayed for her strength and he saw her close to breaking down a few times during the day but never did.

When the sighs became more staggered and more audible, he stopped her and pulled her into his arms.  That’s when the dam fully broke.

 - "Jihoo-yah!"  She sobbed violently against him, holding him tightly, as if afraid of falling.  "Eottoke!"  He held her tightly against his chest and with the other hand, her hair down to her back.  "How...can someone be...so evil as to hurt children!  Jihoo-yah, some of them were just babies...made to steal...or...get beaten.  And the teens, made to suffer...what I did but-they-had-it-so-much-worse-than-me!"  She relaxed her grip on Jihoo and breathed heavily, cries staggered; unable to stop, even if she wanted to.

Jihoo held her against him, not letting go.  "Saranghaeyo," he repeated over and over again.

 - "Lord, forgive me for thinking only of myself all these years.  I didn't know.  I didn't want to know.  I could have done more!"

 - "Anja," he made her sit on the beach.  It was dimly lit as there was only a quarter moon out.  He sat her in between his legs and wrapped his arms around her, letting her feel his protection on all sides.  Leaning his head against hers, he said "Sarang.  If it weren't for Guam JanDi, Na would never have broken out of my own grief to see those around me.  It starts with one person.  Na wanted to help her, then l realized I enjoyed that feeling of purpose.  Then in the military, I gave my life to God's son, Yesu and discovered he gave me that purpose, that gift.  Naega part of his family.  If Na could be his hands to help people.  That was something remarkable.  Hajiman Na had to know the giver before Na could accept his gift.  Sarang, was equally consumed with her own grief not to see that she had a gift to receive as well.  How would you know what Yesu was calling you to do if you weren't talking to him?"

 - "I feel so selfish - as if I've wasted my life."

 - "Sarang, what's important now is moving forward with what you've been given.  Sharing with others, the gift you've been given."

 - "Dddeh," she said stuttering.  "Mianhae," she felt the tears coming again.

 - "Sarang, your grief was as real as theirs, don't try to minimize it hajiman it's time for Joy.  Whenever I had a bad day, Noona always told me, ‘weeping comes at night, but joy comes in the morning'.  No more tears, Sarang, deh?  Not for you, not for me.  This is our time of joy and for us to share that joy."

They remained quiet, Ilana was suddenly very tired.  It had been a long day.  She closed her eyes and let her heart thank God for the many blessings he'd given her.  Even during those dark times when she was angry at him, she realized now, he still loved her and had His hand upon her.

Jihoo already held her tight.  Ilana covered his hands and with the other, reached for his face.  "Saranghamnida.  Maja, it's our time for joy and Na won't let the enemy steal it."

 - "Deh," he kissed her cheek.  "There will be times to cry, but deep sadness that makes things dark...don't let that come back.  Na do.  It's easier now that it's the two of us.  We won't let each other fall."

 - "Deh!  Hajiman if we do, we can lift each other up."  She smiled and then they were silent again.  Ilana closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the waves lapping to shore and marveled at this peace.  "What took me so long to find it?"  She wondered to herself.  SoEun had told her there was a day in your life when it was too late to come to the Lord.  "That must mean there is an appointed time to come to the Lord and he waits for us."  Ilana smiled at the thought.

Jihoo also was praising God for the blessings in their lives.  Mainly for his wife and thanking Him for giving her the strength to go through the day.  "I'm so proud of you Sarang."

 - "Anieyo!"

 - "Deh.  Sarang was daeback.  You gave the kids hope.  The hope that when you trust in God, all things are possible.  It took Sarang sometime to figure it out..." he saw her smile.  "...hajiman when you were honest with the kids and told them everything you struggled with, it made a difference. I could see the kids react to your words.  They probably feel the same way you did."

Ilana sighed.  "Deh, a few of them came up to me afterward and asked me why it makes a difference to have a relationship with Jesus."  Ilana had given them her entire story from the start to her handing it all over to Jesus, because she could no longer do it on her own.  Plus the way He had orchestrated her reunion with Jihoo.  "Deh, Yesu gives us life after death."  She turned to Jihoo and caressed his face.  "Na wouldn't be here without that faith and neither would you."  She smiled sweetly at him before bringing his face to hers for a kiss.

Jihoo sighed and leaned back on his hands.  "Ah, Sarang..."

 - "Dehh!"

 - "Do you remember our walks on the beach in Barcelona and Jeju?"

 - "Greomyo," she smiled as she remembered with fondness their honeymoon.  Suddenly she raised herself to her knees and turned back to face her husband who was looking at her curiously.  Wrapping her arms around him, she bent to kiss him.  His hands flew to her waist and they both fell back laughing.  He didn't waste any time continuing their kiss.


Arriving back at the house, they did their best to get rid of the sand off their clothes, feet, legs, and hair.  They noisily dusted each other off, sometimes deliberately rough but not too rough.  Jihoo just wanted to get a squeal out of his wife.  Still laughing they made their way up the drive and into the living room.  Kike was watching television, relaxing.

 - "We're back!"  Ilana said, not making eye contact and not really knowing why she was embarrassed.

Kike took in their disheveled appearance.  Ilana had sand stains on her white crop pants and so did Jihoo.  "Go clean up, I don't even want to know," he said shaking a hand at them and looking away.

 - "Kike!?"  Ilana began to argue, cheeks red, even though they'd done nothing to be embarrassed about.

 - "Kaja, Sarang," Jihoo was laughing as he pulled her to their room

Jihoo woke and watched his wife smiling in her sleepy state.  She wasn't quite awake and she wasn't quite asleep; somewhere in between.  This was a special treat for them to be able to languish in bed together.  These few months after their return had been very busy with their work and they'd be traveling again soon in a few days.  They had to schedule everything.  When to have meals together, when to pray together, when to have dates, and when to make love.  Even if they lost their ability to be spontaneous, it made their times together all the more special.  She worked from home Tuesdays and Wednesday's and the other days (sometimes on Saturdays) went to the office.  If her team worked hard, she worked twice as hard.  He had to contend with the hospital and being almost always on call.  Documents were FedEx’d back and forth between Seoul and Los Angeles at least twice a week.  Sometimes for him, sometimes for her, other times for both.  She studied soil conditions and geography and the trends currently being used in South Korea.  Many times they were both on the phone with the Republic of Korea at varying times of the night.  He figured the stress was keeping her from conceiving and also her cycles were a little irregular but he wasn't in a hurry.  God knew when their child would be born and that was good enough for him.  He did not want her to feel pressured because she wasn't pregnant.  Harabeoji thankfully didn't bring it up when he spoke to her.  Jihoo figured that was the reason he didn't get pressured to go back to Seoul.  Harabeoji wanted him here working on the baby.

Letting his eyes roam around the room, Jihoo was pleased with the outcome of the room's transformation.  He and Nana worked well together.  She knew Ilana's tastes well and blending with his own, they created a modern room with a vintage edge.  The cherry wood sleigh bed was the focal point as well as white curtains covering the energy-efficient floor to ceiling window.  Everything else in the room, chair bench, walls, bedding was a variation of white, cream and taupe.  The picture that Harabeoji had painted was still above the fireplace as well as a corner dedicated to her parent’s memory.  Black and white portraits hung above the writing desk that was her Mother's.   He remembered the day they came home from their honeymoon.  He carried her upstairs after Suzy and JungMin met them at the airport and Nana and Brendon had a huge welcome home sign hanging from the door.  They answered as many questions about the trip as possible within the time it took Brendon to greet them and get their bags out of the car.  Brendon went into the house with their bags, followed by Nana.

 

 - "Todo está listo (everything is ready)," she said before going in.

Ilana barely had a chance to give Jihoo a 'what's ready?' look before he lifted her in his arms.  "Jihoo-yah!  Put me down!"

 - "Anae, eo seo o se yo (welcome home)."  He carried her over the threshold and straight to their new room.  If he said he wasn't nervous, he'd be lying.  This was her parent’s room and although she told him and Nana to remodel it, saying it and seeing it done were two different things.  " Sarang, close your eyes."

 - "Chincha?!" She laughed nervously.

 - "Deh," they had just reached the top of the stairs.  When she finally complied, he entered the suite.  Nana had left one of the double doors open, but not enough to see inside.  He laid her gently on the bed and were greeted by a loud meow.

Ilana opened her eyes and laughed, Joy was already climbing on top of her.  "Goyangi!  Nado bogoshipatso.  Deh!"  She cooed at the cat as her eyes roamed the room.

Jihoo had sat on the edge next to her and followed her gaze.

Ilana took in the colors (very Jihoo-like) but the sleigh bed and the cozy chair in the corner was all her.  The taupe carpet was patterned and complimented the simple design of the room very well.   The cat tree was in front of the doors to the deck, the picture Harabeoji made for them still over the fireplace.  Jihoo was relieved; she was smiling.  Then she saw the writing desk in the corner and the smile was gone.  Not replaced with sadness but some other emotion.  Quietly getting out of the bed, she walked over to the corner and sat at the desk looking at the pictures in front of her with awe.  In the middle of the cluster was a black and white version of the picture that had once been on the desk and one of her and Jihoo's wedding pictures taken by Elijah.  The pictures were all black and white and of her parents, interspersed with some of her as a child and a few of her and Jihoo.  The smile returned, as she stood to take them all in.  Her eyes began to well up with tears.   She took a step back, right into Jihoo's arms.   How long had he been behind her she didn't know.  "Gomawo," she reached to touch his face.  "Yippeun.  Chincha, nomu choah."  She turned in his arms to face him and tightly wrap her arms around his waist.  "Gomawo, you honored my parent’s memory in such a sweet way."  She was afraid the room would feel cold and empty, void of the comfort of her parent’s things.  What she found was the opposite, she felt so much love in the room.  She could see how Jihoo blended their tastes and created the sweet memorial to her parents.

 - "I'm happy Sarang is happy."  She had laid her head against his chest and his heart swelled with happiness.   Even Joy was happy, she purred rubbing against their legs, marking them as her property.  They broke apart laughing at the cat.  Jihoo lifted Ilana's chin.  "Joy Umma, Saranghaeyo," he bent his head for a kiss and Ilana wrapped her arms around his neck to 'help'.

 - "Joy Appa, nado Saranghaeyo," she said when they ended their kiss.

Jihoo reached his hand to his still sleeping wife and very gently lifted her hair from her face.

The sensation of chills, running up her neck, immediately advised Ilana that her husband was awake.  Opening her eyes to his smile was the best way to start the day.  "Annyeong hashiminikka, nampyeon,” she smiled and scooted closer to him, entwining their legs together.

 - "Happy 100th day, Sarang."

 - "Happy 100th day to you too."  She brought her hand to sweep his bangs from his face.  "What do you want to do until the afternoon?"

Without a word, he kissed her thoroughly, all the while running his hand through her unbound hair.  They were having an early dinner at Gladstone’s in Long Beach and then going to see a musical theatre production of 'Singing in the Rain'.  It was between that and Phantom of the Opera.  Jihoo chose the latter wanting something lighter and not so dark for their anniversary.  He also had a surprise planned for them.  Not since their honeymoon had he been able to treat her to something special.  Dinner and the theatre were special but it wasn't unordinary.

He ended the kiss, leaving his wife breathless.  "I want to do this," he said tracing her lips with his finger.  "Sarang will want to start getting ready around noon, so..." he placed a hand on her thigh suggestively.  “Let's stay in bed until then.”  It was already past nine, anyway.  He was sure they could fill the time and not be bored.

Ilana felt the heat spread from his hand on her thigh all through her body, right up to her cheeks.  "Wh-what about breakfast?  N-nana will be up here knocking on the door." Ilana could barely form speech as the hand on her thigh began climbing.

 - "She knows it's our day off and won't disturb us."  He took her lips again, not meeting any resistance.

Sometime close to noon and freshly showered, the couple managed to find their way downstairs, both starving by now.  Nana had some fresh berries on the kitchen table and was already making a fresh batch of pancakes.  "Mmm, blueberry pancakes!"  Ilana picked at a pancake from the pile on the stove and was immediately smacked on the hand.  "Nana!"  Ilana pouted.

 - "Siéntase con su marido, ya les sirvo (Sit with your husband, I'll serve you)."

 - "Yo le sirvo a Jihoo (I'll serve Jihoo), Nana."  She tried to serve her husband as often as possible.  She felt badly, feeling like she didn't do enough for him.  Between Nana and work, she didn't get a chance.

 - "Está bien, deja no más calentar la miel (That's good, let me just warm the syrup)," she had made them an orange-infused maple syrup to go with their blueberry pancakes.

 - "Nampyon, your breakfast is served."  As she was beside him, Ilana took advantage and gave him a kiss to the cheek.  He smiled fondly at her and Nana smiled fondly at her two charges.  They would be gone again soon and she would miss them, even if it was only for a little more than a week.

Jihoo waited for Ilana to serve herself before praying over their meal and digging in.  Nana was always treating them to a special meal, just because.  She was like Harabeoji in that regard but today she had outdone herself with the blueberry sour cream pancakes, to top it all off, the orange-flavored syrup, tasted just like a blueberry - orange muffin.  "Mm, Nana...delicioso!"

 - "Mhmm, Nana.  Esta receta es nueva (This recipe is new)?"

 - "Si queridos, me alegra que les haya agradado (Yes, dears, I'm happy that you liked it).  A qué hora se van (What time are you leaving)?"  Nana liked to sit and talk with them over meals if she was caught up on her duties.

 - "A las cuatro (At four)..."

 - "A las dos (At two)..."

They had both spoken at the same time.

  - "Sarang, why so early?  Our reservations aren't until five?"  Ilana said.

 - "Na want to walk around," his wife did not suspect he had something planned.

 - "Arraso...although I think you're up to something?  Sarang has that look in his eyes."

 - "Mollah," Jihoo said with that glint of humor in his eyes.  Even Nana knew that look by now and knew for certain he was up to something.  Her girl's husband could be very subtle when he wanted to be and there would be no guessing what was going through his mind.

Finally ready to go and surprisingly not running behind.  Usually, if the two got ready at the same time, it delayed things a bit.  Not that the bathroom wasn't big enough but Jihoo would take the sectioning clips out of Ilana's hair as she tried to straighten it or curl it.  Ilana would take his sculpting wax and hide it or the comb he just sat down.  Jihoo would usually point the blow dryer at her bare legs, making her scream.  Once recovered, she would be forced to tickle him until he behaved.  All this usually took some time, making them late.

Ilana adjusted Jihoo's tie.  He could very well tie his own tie but she took great joy in the simple act.  Jihoo also loved her personal touch, those little things she did to demonstrate her love for him.   "Jeonkomanyo," she said, running off to the closet.   Returning a minute later, with something behind her back and a 'pleased with herself' grin.

 - "Sarang, wae?  What are you hiding?"

 - "Just a trifle.  Give me your wrist."  Ilana didn't wait for her husband who was giving her a strange look.  She then unveiled the watch she carried. It was a classic watch belonging to her Father; a wedding present from her Mother's Father.  The face was white and the band, a dark brown; the rim and numbers were in rose gold.  It complemented his cream color suit well.  Nana had shown it to her when she was packing all her parent's belongings.  She asked Nana to have it looked at by a jeweler and make sure it was in perfect working order.  She didn't know when but it would be for Jihoo at one point or another.

 - "Sarang?  Wae?  Na just want to spend time with you."

 - "Now Sarang can spend all the time he wants with me, thanks to Appa."  Jihoo raised his eyebrow at his wife who was smiling to herself as she fastened the watch.

 - "Sarang...what do you mean?"

 - "There," she admired her handy work.  "This was Appa's special occasion watch.  Today is a special day, deh?"  

 - "Chincha?"

 - "Deh, Appa would want you to have it.  Oe Harabeoji (maternal grandfather) gave it to him, Naega sure Appa would want his sawi (son-in-law) to have it."

He hugged his wife tightly.  "Kansamnida, ara how important your parent’s belongings are to you," he gave her a quick kiss.

 - "Anieyo, it's the memory that is attached to that belonging.  That's why I can't give them away to just anyone.  And nampyon is not just anyone."

 - "Anae saranghaeyo," he kissed her again, lingering a little longer.  "Yippeun," he let his eyes travel from top to bottom.  She wore her taupe gown and ballerina flats.  "Na had to take your gowns with me to Seoul, because that way nae sarang was with me.  Each gown had its own story of when it had been worn.  Na couldn’t have you with me, but Na had our love story."

Ilana tried not to get weepy but it was almost impossible.  "Good things come to those who wait," she .

 - "Deh, Sarang," he didn't back but wiped the tear that escaped from her eyes.  He bent and kissed her eyes, nuzzled her nose and cheek and ended with a soft kiss on her lips.  "Kaja," Ilana took her purse, heels, wrap and scarf from the bed.  She would need to protect her hair while in the convertible as well as the air conditioning inside the theatre.

They were on their way to the Long Beach Marina where Gladstone's restaurant was but Jihoo missed the freeway change.  "Sarang!  Weren't you supposed to take the 105?"

 - "Anieyo, we'll go this way."

 - "Sarang...are you sure?"

 - "Deh."

Ilana was left to wonder what he was up to.

A half-hour later they arrived at the area opposite the Naples section of Long Beach.  "Sarang, wae are we all the way over here when the restaurant is toward downtown?"

 - "Na told you, I wanted to walk around," Jihoo opened her door and took her hand to help her out.

 - "Hajiman there's nothing to see over here?"  All Ilana saw was the parking lot they had turned into and some businesses.

Jihoo, pulled her along toward one of the businesses.  "Sarang just needs to know where to look."

Fifteen minutes later, they were seated in their own Gondola and cruising the canals, while being serenaded by the Gondolier.  "Gomawo, Sarang," Ilana lay her head on his shoulder.

 - "Sarang isn't protesting?"  She didn't like it when he spent money on surprising her, but he was learning quickly that she didn't protest quite as much when it was something for the both of them, such as this gondola ride.

 - "Would it make a difference?"

 - "Anieyo."

Ilana pushed his leg in mock annoyance.  For an hour they relaxed, looking at all the charming waterfront homes, enjoyed their singing gondolier and of course each other.  Jihoo wanted to share many such settings with his wife.  Things that were out of the ordinary.  Although they couldn't say this was a first for them individually (they had both ridden the gondolas at Macau) but it was a first for them together.

Sitting outdoors enjoying the view of the water, Dinner was a challenge not to get it on their clothes.  Jihoo, had only brought his jacket for the theatre and it was safe in the trunk of the car and so their clothes only defense was the plastic bib they were given.  Their meal was Ilana's choice, a clambake for two and Jihoo ordered them a Belgian beer to share.  They laughed like school kids as they struck their mallets on the boards provided with delight, cracking their lobster and crabs.  Jihoo was the first to open the lobster and offered his wife a bite of the delicious sweet flesh from the tail.  "Mm!  Sarang, try the sausage."  Ilana picked a piece of the spicy sausage with her fingers (fork forgotten) and offered it to him.  He playfully bit her finger as well as the sausage.  "Yah!  Cut it out!"

Jihoo loved it when she lapsed into her unintentional American.  Being privately tutored her entire life and self-studying her way through college, her manner of speaking sometimes bordered on the too formal side.  Always carefully considering her choice of words.  He also loved their own language of half Korean, half English.  Jaejoong always spoke that way and it had driven him crazy.  Yet who would have known he would be following suit.  At first, it was only because he wanted her to admit she understood but then it became a habit.  "Choah when Sarang uses her American slang," he said, dancing a piece of crab in front of her.

 - "Mwo?"

 - "Normally you would say, "Sarang!  Stop. Or if you try your aegyo, it's Hajimahh!!  With a very sweet pout."  Ilana was glaring at him, so he fed her a shrimp.  "Does Sarang know wae her aegyo doesn't work on me?"

 - "Is an answer required?"

Jihoo laughed, "Sarang is back to her ajumma speech."

 - "Sarang, eat a clam, maybe you'll clam up."  She stuck her tongue out at him.

 - "Hokshina (maybe) its best na don't tell you."

Ilana cracked a crab leg sending a piece of shell skidding across the patio floor.  She hid her face in a fresh napkin and giggled hysterically, having nothing to do with the beer.  She'd barely had a sip.  Jihoo laughed right along with her.

By the time they were done eating, the table looked as if a bomb had hit it.  Wadded up napkins and shells that didn't quite make it into the bucket were littered everywhere.  "I'm stuffed!"  Ilana complained.  Jihoo continuously fed her pieces of shellfish and she reciprocated the gesture.  They had finally consumed the last piece of sausage and the last sip of beer.  Jihoo was responsible for most of the beer.

A waiter had brought them a damp hot towel to clean their hands and face.  "Thank you," Jihoo said, taking the towels and handing one to his wife.  He watched his wife scrub her hands as best as possible.  "Sarang needs to clean her face, Na think you lost the war with the clarified butter."  Her eyes went very round and he laughed as she took the other side of the towel across her face.

 - "Sarang likes to tease, I'm going to fix my make up."

 - "Arraso, I'll meet you outside of the bathroom when you're done."

 - "Deh...make sure you use the gift cards."

 - "Deh!"

To avoid Jihoo paying for their entire evening, she had purchased gift cards to the restaurant to cover their meal.  He would have no choice, but to use them.

Fifteen minutes later, Ilana's powder and lipstick were reapplied.  Jihoo was waiting for her in the lobby next to the bathrooms.  Once they were outside, it was still early.  "We have about thirty minutes, should we walk around?"

 - "Deh." Ilana looked at his face carefully and did not move.

 - "Wae?"

 - "Sarang has something on his face."

 - "Ani..."  Before he could protest that there was nothing, she rose on her toes and pulled him in for a kiss.  Jihoo happily obliged and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

They broke apart laughing.  “Sarang doesn't need to trick me into kissing her."  Jihoo still held her arms.

 - "Ara... but that was so much fun," she grinned.

So caught up in their lovey-dovey moment, neither Jihoo nor Ilana noticed an older couple smiling at them.   "Aren't they sweet, dear?"

 - "Yes dear, reminds me of when we were their age."

 - "Do you remember that far back, dear?"

His wife giggled and he looked at her proudly.   "Down to the very first kiss I gave you."  For emphasis, he gave her a peck on the cheek.

Jihoo and Ilana having come out of their bubble, finally noticed the older couple.  "Oh, Sir, Ma'am, excuse us?" Jihoo inclined his head.  "Were we blocking your way?"

 - "Such a respectful young man," the lady gushed at Jihoo.

 - "I think you did well, young lady," the old man winked at her kindly.  Ilana did her best not to giggle.

 - "We were remembering our own days as young newlyweds, such a sweet couple.  How long have you been married dearies?"

 - "A hundred days today, Ma'am."

 - "Wait until you've been married 15,000 days..." the old man said.  "And still be in love like the first 100; like yourselves."

 - "Yes, dear, their love will endure time and trials.   Look at the way he holds her, protectively.   He won't let her go easily and she lets him.  Not many young ladies these days let a man be a man and do the job God created them to do."  The lady began to get irritated and shook herself free from the negative thoughts.

Jihoo and Ilana looked at each other with wide grins.

 - "Lean on God first and then each other.  That way you can withstand any test or trial."

 - "Yes dear, I think they know that.   But still, it's good to be reminded.”

 - “Thank you,” Jihoo said.  “May I ask how long you have been married?”

 - “Not quite fifty years, dearie,” the lady answered.  “Never stop kissing him,” she told Ilana.  “As for children,” she looked at Ilana’s middle, making her subconscious.  “You keep doing what you’re doing and God will provide when He’s ready, even if you’re not.”  The lady laughed at Ilana’s pink face.  “We had six, dear and at least the first three we sure weren’t ready.  Isn’t that so, dear?”

Her husband laughed.  “Let’s leave these two alone and find our own amusement now, dear.”

 - “Very well, it was so nice to talking to you two, God bless you kids.” Jihoo and Ilana were surprised when she gave them both hugs.  “Now dear, don’t judge pregnancy by your first one.  Firstborns have to struggle in order to be strong.  Remember Jacob and Esau.  It gets easier each time.  By your third or fourth, you’ll be a pro.  Enjoy your evening.”

The couple walked away leaving Ilana wide-eyed.  She supposed somewhere in the back of her mind she’d worried about being pregnant or actually not being pregnant yet.  But three or four times…?

Jihoo could read his wife so easily now and knew exactly what she was thinking.  “Sarang,” he drew her into his arms.  “Remember what I told you and Halmoni confirmed it:  a baby or babies…” he couldn’t resist teasing her and he was rewarded with a smack on the arm.  “…will come when God wants them to come.”  He kissed her to emphasize his point.

 - “Harabeoji is expecting a great-grandchild; he’s going to be disappointed there’s no sign of one yet.”

 - “Harabeoji has plenty of time to see his great-grandchild.  Don’t worry about it, deh?”

 - “Deh, Sarang,” Ilana said a little dejectedly.  She had tried not to think about it, but now she was.  Jihoo was pulling her hand toward the waterfront walkway.

They walked for a few minutes, enjoying the view of all the boats in the marina and an occasional kayaker off in the distance.  It was still bright out; sunset was over an hour away.  Finding a bench, they sat.  Ilana’s thoughts were a little pre-occupied as she took in the scenery around her.  She laid her head on Jihoo’s shoulder and took his hand.  Jihoo kissed the top of her head.  “Sarang is worried.”

 - “Anieyo.”

 - “Sarang is yippeun.”

 - “Anieyo,” she was smiling by now.

 - “Na couldn’t keep my eyes off you when you wore that dress to the Park wedding.  Although Sarang was still too thin back then,” he squeezed her side, making her squeal.

 - “Jihoo-yah, stop!”

He brought her back to lean her head against his.  “Gwenchana, you’ve filled out nicely since we’ve been married.”

 - “Jihoo-yah!”

He chuckled, they had both filled out with a few extra pounds, thanks to Nana.  He’d have to make sure they both snuck in more exercise.  “Saranghaeyo, do you know that?”

 - “Mmm…” Ilana sat up and kissed his cheek.  “Nado.”

They sat a little longer, arms entwined on the bench.

It’s under two hours until 2018, here in So. California.  Happy New Year!