Nayeon couldn’t help but graze that beautiful scar once more. Her hands traced over his shoulder, up his neck, then to his face to capture his attention to her.

“How’d you get that?”

“This silly old thing?” Jinki asked as he rose the shoulder with the scar. Nayeon nodded. “Well,” he cleared his throat, “when I was sixteen, young and naive, I fought with my father about Minrin. During the time, she was the love of my life and she had just been taken away from me. Suddenly she had disappeared without a trace and I knew my father was behind it; so I confronted him about it. I guess he didn’t like it too much and got his mafia bodyguard ape,” Nayeon giggled at his description, “to literally stab me in the back.” Jinki looked at his wife and laughed, “It was super dramatic. There was rain and everything, totally noteworthy to be produced in a movie played by Won Bin.”

“Battle scars,” she called it. They both laughed from the title. Tracing the deep scar with her fingers, Nayeon loved to feel it. “So my man will fight for his love. How romantic,” she sighed and rested her head on his strong chest. “I never got to experience a deep love like yours and Minrin.”

“Nayeon, don’t say that.”

“It’s true. I’m kind of jealous,” she chuckled a little, almost pitying herself. “She got to be with you and do things with you that I’ve yet to do; probably never get to do with you.”

“Nayeon, don’t say that,” he repeated. Putting herself down was the last thing he wanted. Lifting her chin up, Jinki looked at her. “If I could have a scar to represent my love for you, I would be in the Burn Unit of an ICU being treated every single day of my life. My love for you grows and is constant,” he emphasized. “You are the only woman in this world that I will ever fall for and be madly in love with. I will always choose you. Remember that.”

During moments like these, she couldn’t help but fall deeper in love with him. Lee Jinki was such a good man. No. Good couldn’t even describe the loving qualities that he had. Lee Jinki is an impeccable human being and she was so happy to call him hers. As much as Nayeon loved to feel his scar, Jinki loved the feeling of her soft skin at the top of her rib cage.

“Let’s just stay like this while it lasts,” Jinki suggested. Nayeon nodded and together they fell asleep.

Their next day was filled with adventure. Nayeon quickly learned what a fabulous hostess Sunyoung was. In the morning, they went whale watching in the cold fog with a delicious brew from Taiwan provided by Victoria. Tasting the drink brought back memories of their sweet and memorable stay in Taiwan at the beginning of their marriage. Nayeon couldn’t help but feel nostalgic of the process of her and Jinki’s relationship. From the ups and down and especially to the condition they were in now. If she could bring herself a couple months from the time they said their wedding vow, she never thought she would be so content with this man.

Brunch was prepared by some of Sunyoung’s yacht workers. Nayeon desperately hoped that they did not hear the commotion last night. The more Nayeon got to know these two women, the more she began to realize how lucky Jinki was to have a friend like Sunyoung in his life.

It was now the afternoon. Victoria had docked the boat at a nearby island.

“I hope y’all brought your swimsuits as instructed,” Sunyoung cooed, “There are hot springs everywhere!”

“And in this weather,” Victoria chimed in, “it couldn’t be any better.”

Jinki and Nayeon contemplated about changing out of their warm clothes. Nonetheless, they complied. The couples split off to explore other hot springs since there were so many to choose from. Dipping his foot in the pool, Jinki slid right in and let out a smiling sigh of relief.

“It feels nice,” he reassured his wife.

He stuck out his hand and she took it. Slowly, she got in the pool and felt the warmth of the water engulf her. Nayeon swam into her husband’s embrace and smiled.

“This is relaxing.”

She looked behind her and saw Sunyoung and Victoria holding each other, grazing her pregnant tummy. Jinki followed her gaze.

“You know,” he began, “seeing Sunyoung pregnant makes me wonder what you’ll be like when it’s our time.”

“Are you good with four?”

“Any is perfect with you.”

She wrapped her legs around his hips in the water, “Will you still want to have kids with me even if I lose my skinny body?”

“I heard fat feels wonderful.”

Nayeon laughed aloud. She covered and buried her head in her husband’s chest. “You’re too much,” she giggled.

“But you took it like a champ last night.”

Nayeon widened her eyes and looked to see if the girls heard. She pressed her finger over Jinki’s mouth, “You’re so bold today, goodness. Potty, potty, mouth,” she said tapping his lips for each repetition.

She turned around and leaned on his chest again. “What if…” she continued to think of different situations, “what if I lost my beauty?”

“Will your heart still be golden?” She nodded. “Then,” he hugged her closer, “that wouldn’t be a problem because you’re always beautiful. Both inside and out.”

“What if I get cancer?”

“Then I gotta find a way to get it too ‘cos you’re not gonna be the only one working a fabulous bald hairdo.”

Nayeon giggled at his silly answers.

“Plus we can be chemo buddies then we’ll recover together.”

“What if you forget me?”

“That’s not possible. I would never be foolish enough to leave you. Plus,” he wet some warm water on her cold face, “even if I forget you. You’re too gorgeous to let go.”

Nayeon put her arms around his neck and inched her face towards his.

“You mean that?”

“Every word, even the fat one.”

Nayeon shook her head, “Man, I think I’m falling in love with you more and more every day.”

Jinki smiled, “It’s definitely the daffodils. We gotta keep them around.”

As the day continued, each couple enjoyed the presence of one another. As the sun set, Jinki and Nayeon bid their farewells.

“Thanks for this fun little trip,” Nayeon said after pulling away from her hugs between the two women.

“No problem,” Victoria replied, “Whenever you two feel like going on a break again, we can go to Taiwan.”

Nayeon gasped, “Taiwan? Really?”

Jinki laughed, “Nayeon has a very soft spot for Taiwan,” he clarified.

“Oh yeah,” Sunyoung threw her hands down, “we go to Taiwan all the time so next time we can go together.”

“I would love that. Thank you.”

Jinki took their luggage and put them in the car. After a final goodbye, the couple took off.

“This was really fun,” Nayeon commented.

Jinki interlocked his hands to hers and kissed it. “It was.”

“I wished it would’ve been longer.”

“Me too, but business calls.”

“Oh? Did father call you?”

Jinki nodded. “We have a big meeting tomorrow.” He looked at Nayeon and she looked back at him. “He says the mall is going to be starting up pretty soon. Very soon actually.”

She saw the sadness in his eyes.

“What’s with the face?”

“Once the mall is finished, are we?”

Nayeon sat up in her seat and turned her body towards him. Jinki continued looking at the road.

“Jinki,” she began, “do you still really think all that childish stuff matters right now?” He remained quiet. “We’ve been through so much. I know it’s only been a little under a year, but we both know the love we have for one another. So what if our marriage was solely based on the construction of that mall. We built our love, through all the crap we’ve been through. We can’t just abandon it.”

A smile slowly grew on his face.

“Plus,” Nayeon continued, “we haven’t had our children yet. We definitely have to finish the end goal.”

There was a short pause. Then a wholesome chuckle escaped from him, “My wife is so cute.”

“And your wife also loves you very much.”

As he continued driving, he put his hand on her thigh with her hand on top of his.

school's been kicking my !! but here's a fun little update for yall <3
i guess their baby plans are getting serious 0w0 + mall is being built finally!