Side Story (Part 6)

“Even if you need to go to the hospital urgently, I can take care of everything.”

“I still can’t help feeling anxious.”

Seowoo was usually the type to prepare in advance. So even though there were still two weeks left until childbirth, she was already packing her hospital bag.

With just one instruction from Jiwook, everything would be prepared. Yet she was stubbornly checking and packing everything herself.

“Isn’t all that moving too much for you?”

Her belly was so big that walking was difficult. It was worrisome just to look at it. 

The slightest movement caused her to gasp for air. From pregnancy to childbirth, he always felt guilty for making her suffer alone, and he felt his efforts were nothing compared to her struggles.

“I’ll do it. Just sit down and tell me the list, and I’ll just check it off.”

“Sigh. Will you really do it for me?”

“You’re so stubborn.”

With a narrowed brow, Jiwook took the paper from her hand.

He sighed softly, unable to stop her. They had arranged for discharge from the hospital and booked a postnatal care center for three weeks. After that, a postpartum caregiver would come to help. Everything necessary for her to focus on her recovery had already been arranged.

“I’ve almost got everything packed.”

“Speak slowly. You’re so out of breath.”

Seeing her struggling even while sitting down was heartbreaking. Despite being a renowned maternity center with everything already prepared, she still looked anxious.

“Just check the items from number 15 and below.”

“Even the numbers.”

Suddenly, he recalled the detailed checklist she had been consulting. How meticulously she had filled it out with her pen. After checking everything as she instructed and packing the bag,  Seowoo finally felt a sense of relief wash over her face.

“You really can’t be stopped.”

“There might be sudden contractions, so we need to be prepared in advance.”

“You need to rest before going out. Go lie down.”

“But it’s still an hour away.”

It was 5 PM on Saturday. Today was Seung-min and Jung-ah’s wedding. She wanted to go early and help, but Jung-ah firmly refused,so they had to leave at the scheduled time. Actually, it would be more of a nuisance to loiter around with a big belly like this.

Jiwook was worried, saying he felt uneasy even when she was walking.

“Should we leave around 3 o’clock?”

“Yes. I’ll lie down for a bit and get ready. Hyunjung will come over shortly.”

It was too hard for her to sit in the makeup shop, so she called her personal makeup artist. Since she was heavily pregnant, there weren’t suitable clothes, so she had already carefully chosen and prepared her outfit in advance.

“I’m going to take a shower. I should get ready too.”

Jiwook said, leaving the room. Perhaps because it was the last month, even a little strain made her belly stiffen like a rock. If it continued, she had to take breaks occasionally to ease the discomfort.

“It’ll be fine.”

Anxiety flashed across Seowoo’s face.

‘You’re classified as an experienced mother, so labor can progress quickly when contractions start. So, if you start feeling contractions regularly, you should come to the hospital right away.’

The doctor’s words suddenly came to mind. She’s worried because she’s going to be out for a long time today.

I’ll have to hurry back after the ceremony.

Seowoo tried to quickly dismiss the uneasy thoughts and calm herself down.

***

“Heo Jung-ah!”

“Ah, Seowoo!”

As Seowoo entered the bride’s waiting room, Jung-ah exclaimed, tightly closing her eyes. Jung-ah, in her wedding dress and makeup, looked dazzling.

“You look so beautiful. It’s unbelievable!”

“Ha, really nervous.”

Jung-ah’s face was full of anxiety. As Seowoo sat next to her, a nearby photographer pressed the shutter.

People who recognized Seowoo murmured softly nearby.

“Sorry for being late.”

“I’m grateful you came all the way here, even when you’re going through a hard time.”

“But still, I’m glad I could make it to the wedding before giving birth.”

If the wedding had been a little later, she almost couldn’t attend. Still, she really wanted to attend Jung-ah and Seung-min’s wedding, they were like family.

“By the way, do you usually get this much morning sickness?”

“Is it really bad?”

“Wow, it’s no joke. It’s driving me crazy. I feel like I’m going to throw up any moment.”

Seowoo looked at Jung-ah with a sad expression. Just a while ago, she received a trembling call from Jung-ah.

‘Seowoo, can you come over now?’

Her voice was filled with worry, and Seowoo was very surprised. Without hesitation at the late-night call asking if they could meet, Seowoo left her house.

When she arrived at Jung-ah’s house, she found her friend sitting on the couch, her face pale.

‘I’m pregnant.’

‘Oh, my God. Does Seung-min oppa know?’

‘No, he doesn’t know yet……. What should I do?’

‘What do you mean? He’s going to be so excited.’

Seowoo’s prediction was correct. As soon as Seung-min found out,  he immediately proposed to Jung-ah, and the wedding preparations moved quickly. Confirming the pregnancy and having a wedding in just one month – Seowoo marveled at Seung-min’s decisiveness.

“You should at least take some medication for the morning sickness. Have you gotten a prescription?”

“Yeah. But it doesn’t seem to work well. I was throwing up all night yesterday.”

“It must be so hard.”

Knowing the pain of nausea better than anyone, Seowoo sympathetically held Jung-ah’s hand.

“Look here. Let’s take a picture.”

“After the pictures, I’ll be in the hall.”

Seowoo and Jung-ah shifted their gaze to the photographer. Smiles appeared on their faces as they looked into the lens.

***

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thank you.”

Seung-min shook hands with Jiwook, who was standing in front of him. He’d seen Seowoo often whenever she had schedules, but it had been a long time since he’d seen Jiwook. Probably not since they’d seen each other at Yongjae’s funeral.

Contrary to his worries, Jiwook and Seowoo were leading a happy married life. Seowoo didn’t even need to say anything – the noticeable improvement in her appearance after reconciling with Jiwook was proof enough.

“I heard Seowoo’s due soon.”

“Yes. It’s not far off.”

“I’ll count on you to take care of her.”

Even though that single phrase of ‘I’ll count on you’ didn’t sit well with him, Jiwook understood that it was something done for Seowoo’s sake. Seung-min had also taken care of Seowoo like family, so Jiwook should be grateful.

“Jiwook!”

As Seowoo came out of the bride’s waiting room, she approached him and linked arms with him. Jiwook looked down at Seowoo and offered a faint smile.

“Wow, you look great. The tuxedo suits you so well, oppa. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Seung-min smiled sheepishly at Seowoo’s congratulations.

“I heard Jung-ah’s having a hard time with morning sickness.”

“Yeah. I’m worried. She can’t even keep water down.”

“Make sure to take good care of her. Morning sickness is tough to endure.”

Linking arms with Jiwook, Seowoo glanced at him. Her warm gaze made Jiwook feel awkward. It was a pointed remark.

“Have a great honeymoon.”

“I’ll contact you once we arrive.”

Nodding, Seowoo and Jiwook walked down the hall.

The lobby and hall were packed with guests, as expected for a CEO of a company. Recognizing her, several people came over to greet her. After greeting them for a while, Seowoo finally managed to sit down.

“Phew.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

Seowoo nodded her head. Standing for a while, she felt her belly harden like a rock. She felt she should lie down for a bit. After the ceremony, she thought of heading home, but it would still be an hour before she would be able to go.

“You don’t look well.”

“I’ll let you know if I’m having a hard time. Don’t worry.”

Forcing a smile, Seowoo raised her hand gently over her protruding belly, where the babies were kicking energetically.

Just bear with it a little longer. I’ll congratulate Auntie and then leave.

Sending telepathic messages to her twins, Seowoo cradled her belly.

“In a moment, the wedding of the groom, Moon Seung-min, and the bride, Heo Jung-ah, will begin. We kindly ask all guests to take their seats. Once again, thank you for your attention.”

The officiant’s voice filled the hall, announcing the start of the ceremony.