WARNING! UNEDITED!

April 23, 2023 – Seoul World Cup Stadium

News of Taemin’s romantic proposal at the Seoul World Cup Stadium spread like wildfire. Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube were ablaze with fan accounts and comments about the couple, especially since there never was any public indication of Taemin and Naeun dating after their We Got Married season had ended. The only ones who weren’t surprised were the loyal ‘Taeunians’ who found the hints pertaining to their relationship, analysed them and evaluated them like the best FBI agents that the American government could have possibly ever employed.

Son Naeun knew that as soon as they had stepped off of the stage that people were going to start talking. People were going to post things and make their own personal comments, negative or positive, they were celebrities after all. Naeun had learned to ignore the haters after being in the industry for quite a while now.  Sure, it still affected her sometimes when she couldn’t help but search up the comments, but now she knew that her members, her family, her fans and especially Taemin were 100% there to love and support her. Right now it didn’t matter to her that the whole world knew. It was about time and she knew that she couldn’t hide it anymore and she wanted to go out on dates with Taemin in public. She was more mature now, and she could handle anything that the world could throw in her way.

Naeun pushed all these worries and thoughts to the back of her mind. Right now all that mattered was that she was engaged to her very own Prince Charming who promised to love and take care of her forever, just like how he promised when they first met. The world didn’t matter when they were together.

When Taemin had lead her off the stage she wanted to show him how much she loved him and pulled him back to give him a quick kiss on the lips. Taemin looked surprised but his cheekbones had ascended into the skies again.

“What was that for?”

“That was for the start of our forever.”

“Mhhmmm…forever”

The two then continued to walk hand in hand into Taemin’s waiting room where they were met with the sight of his four hyungs sitting on the lounge waiting for them. All of them had a poker face on.

“Yah! Maknae-ah! Why did you steal the limelight away from us? Aish! Now people will think that you’re so cool and romantic! What about me?”

Taemin and Naeun gave each other a look. Naeun felt a bit worried about what they would do to Taemin. Taemin tried to speak up.

“Mianhae, hyung. I just…really…”

He was abruptly stopped with the loud collective applause and cheering from his hyungs. Naeun was surprised but happy that they were accepting of their engagement.

“Whoah! You should’ve seen your face! You looked so scared!”

“Your face was priceless!”

“I thought you were kind of angry at me for a second.”

“Nah! We were just teasing you. You couldn’t have picked a better sister-in-law for us. We’re so happy for you and Naeun! Chukhahae!”

The members proceeded to give the couple their congratulations with hugs and high fives all around. Minho put his arm around Naeun.

“Welcome to the family, Naeun-ah!”

“Hyung! She’s my fiancée!  You can’t put your arm around her.”

Naeun shook her head at how cute his jealousy was. My Taemin oppa, still a child even after all this time, Naeun thought. She beamed at him. The SHINee members then proceeded to make jokes about leaving them alone for some quiet time.

“Congratulations again to the both of you.”

“Don’t do anything…you know.”

Key winked and Jonghyun nudged Taemin a few times, while giggling like a school girl, with his eyebrows raised. Taemin turned bright red with the last statement. With that, they left, allowing Taemin and his new fiancé to spend some good quality time together, before he would send her home.

Later that night, after Taemin had dropped Naeun home, Naeun checked her phone for any new messages, she had turned off her phone for the concert and with all the excitement, forgot to turn it back on. The screen displayed 20 missed calls and 43 text messages all from her members and family. Each message said the same thing:

“Naeun-ah, call me, or Chorong unnie or Bomi or Hayoung or Namjoo! Just call one of us!”

“Naeun, please pick up your phone. You have it for a reason!”

“Unnie! Call! Now!”

“What’s this I hear?”

“Oh My Gosh! You’re engaged!”

Naeun smiled and decided to have group call.

“Yeoboseyo?”

A collective round of “Naeun!” went around followed by excited squeals.

“You have to tell us everything!”

The girls of Apink spent the rest of the night talking about Naeun’s engagement, telling Naeun to reveal everything in great detail. Naeun didn’t sleep that night, but she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, the butterflies in her stomach were fully alive and fluttering.

A summer rain is passing over
And it feels like a dream
I could run and look for shelter
But you hold onto me

I'm under your skies
I'm caught in your eyes
Don't you know you stop the room
And all that I can see is you
I'm standing where the lightning strikes
I know this doesn't happen twice
You must be my once in a lifetime, in a lifetime
You must be my once in a lifetime

October 15, 2023 – Naeun’s Dressing Room (9AM)

Naeun had just finished applying her makeup and was not getting her hair done. Saying that she was nervous was a serious understatement. Her hands were sweaty, her heart beating a million miles an hour and mind working on overdrive. The thought of finally marrying Taemin was exciting and happy but she still felt apprehensive about walking in front of all those people. She felt like having a private ceremony between her and Taemin. The hair stylist unnie broke her train of thoughts.

“Nervous?”

“Ah? Ne.”

“Gwenchanha. All brides feel this way before their wedding. The nervousness and the butterflies are really a strong combination. Don’t worry, just think about seeing your husband.”

Naeun’s hair was left loose and wavy, with white flowers in her hair. Her makeup was light and simple, extenuating her features and proving her goddess status to the world.

“Naeun-ssi, we are finished. I think you have to put on your dress.”

Naeun bowed and thanked the stylist and proceeded into the next room where she would put on her dress. Her bridesmaids were waiting for her. Chorong, Hayoung, Eunji, Bomi, Namjoo and her little sister were all appointed the role of bridesmaid. All were wearing a light pink chiffon dress that fell just above the knees.

They helped Naeun put on her dress. It was a white dress, with a tubed bodice and princess cut finish. After she had put it on she felt everyone staring at her.

“Wae? Is there something wrong with it?”

“Ani, it’s just that you look so beautiful unnie!”

“Taemin’s going to be smiling like lunatic!”

“He better! He’s the one that picked this dress!”

The girls enjoyed the time in the dressing room, teasing Naeun and playing around, telling jokes. Naeun couldn’t have been more grateful to have sisters that had been through everything with her. She really loved these girls.

A knock at the door made everyone freeze.

“Girls, fifteen minutes till the ceremony starts. Get ready. Can the bridesmaids please come outside.”

The girls left, but not before giving a reassuring squeeze on Naeun’s hand. Naeun was now left alone with her own thoughts. She was starting to get nervous again.

She was thankful for another knock on the door. Her father walked in with the biggest smile on his face.

“Appa.”

“You look absolutely beautiful. Are you ready?”

With a curt nod, Naeun was ready.

“Ne. Let’s go.”

There's so much that I have told you
But it's all in my head
Ask me anything you want to
'Cause the answer is yes
I'll spend my whole life
Just being caught up in your eyes

October 15, 2023 – Church in Seoul (1PM)

Naeun was standing at the entrance waiting for her queue, with a firm grip on her father’s arm. The wedding march began to play and the double doors were opened. All their guests turned around to face her.

One foot in front of the other, Naeun thought.

She looked to the end of the aisle and saw the love of her life gleaming at her. She couldn’t help but smile. She made the walk down the aisle and soon enough was poised in front of Taemin where her father grabbed her hand and placed it into Taemin’s awaiting ones.

The ceremony had proceeded without a hitch. The audience couldn’t help but feel the love that was radiating between the couple, and couldn’t help their fingers and toes curling from the cheesiness that ensued during the ring exchange and the reading of the vows. Taemin had started it off with an even more romantic vow reading than his proposal. Everyone had expected this but were equally stunned at how romantic Naeun could also be in her vows.

“Oppa, you were always open about your feelings for me, even to the point of promising our forever. I wasn’t quite sure back then about my feelings for you because I had never been in love. I was a romantic with a firm belief that first love could also be your last love. People were telling me that I was too naïve and that life didn’t work that way, but you helped me prove them wrong. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner, because you brought me out of my shell. You made me learn how to cook, you helped me learn to express myself more and most importantly, you helped me improve my sense of humor. Or, did you just laugh at my jokes because I laughed at yours? Either way, it proves that we understand each other and I hope that you understand what I mean when I say that I, as your wife, will continue to love, support and laugh at your jokes forever. I hope that we make even more beautiful memories together. Saranghae, oppa.”

Some of the audience were in tears. Naeun really had changed and it was all because of love. They all clapped and cheered loudly.

Naeun slipped the ring onto Taemin’s finger. It was a perfect fit, just like the two of them.

Don't you know you stop the room
And all that I can see is you
I'm standing where the lightning strikes
I know this doesn't happen twice
You must be my once in a lifetime, in a lifetime
You must be my once in a lifetime
So before the storm has passed
I just want to ask
Can we make this moment last?
So before the storm is passed
I just want to ask
Can we make this moment last?

October 15, 2023 – Reception (6PM)

Drinks and appetisers had already been served by the time the newlywed couple arrived at the reception. MC Namjoo and Onew had the guests seated to announce the arrival of the couple.

In unison, they said: “Everyone, please put your hands together for the bride and groom, Lee Taemin and Son Naeun!”

The walls echoed with the roar of the applause, some wolf whistles and cheering. The evening was pleasant and everyone was having a good time. People dance, chatted, laughed and sang. Taemin and Naeun were happy that everyone was enjoying themselves, but they were too lost in their own world to pay any attention.

“It is now time for the bride and groom to have their first dance.”

Taemin got up first, bowed slightly and extended his right hand to Naeun. She bashfully took it and followed him onto the centre of the dance floor. They got into a waltz position and moved in time with the beat of the music. Sounds of “awwws” were radiating from all corners of the room. Taemin and Naeun only had eyes for each other. Their faces were close, Naeun leaning towards Taemin, and Taemin’s arm was bringing her closer to him. They were whispering into each other’s ears.

“Are you happy, Oppa?”

Taemin pulled back at the sudden question with a confused look on his face. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Hmmm…not really.”

Taemin kissed her on her right cheek and then her left cheek.

“How about that?”

“Getting there.”

Taemin leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

“How about that?”

Naeun went in for a hug and whispered in his ear.

“I’m happy too, Oppa.”

Don't you know you stop the room
And all that I can see is you
I'm standing where the lightning strikes
I know this doesn't happen twice
You must be my once in a lifetime, in a lifetime
You must be my once in a lifetime

When you have found that someone that loves you unconditionally, don’t let them go

Good things like that only happen once in a lifetime…

AN: Hello! Thought I would do something in Naeun’s POV, and I had an idea to continue after Taemin’s proposal. The song is called “Once in a Lifetime” by Landon Austin. Hope you guys liked it! Thanks!