Chapter 12.5

After their meal, the two of them shared tea in the wide front yard, covered in lush green grass. Recently, Moonkyeong, saying it was good for prenatal care, had been painting occasionally and listening attentively to Seojun’s piano performances. 

The grand piano placed in the center of the spacious living room was stunning just to look at. Whenever she asked, Seojun would generously play for her.

“Oh, I want some fruit.”

At Moonkyeong’s words, Seojun stood up and moved quickly. Watching his retreating figure, she smiled.

“Just bring it here! I’ll peel it myself.”

A few days ago, when she asked him to peel an apple, he had simply cut it into slices rather than peeling it, which had made her burst into laughter.

She had thought he was a man who could do everything perfectly, but realizing there was something he wasn’t good at made her like him even more.

Stretching her arms toward the sky, Moonkyeong’s gaze fell on Seojun’s phone, left on the table. He had unlocked it so that she could access it anytime. Without saying anything, she understood it as a gesture of trust. But she had no intention of snooping.

If she was curious about something, she could just ask him directly now.

When Seojun returned with the tray, Moonkyeong skillfully peeled the pear.

“A message came from the assemblyman.”

“Hmm, let me check.”

“What does it say?”

“He said he’ll drop by briefly this weekend.”

“With his wife too?”

“Yeah. Are you happy?”

Feeling pleased, Moonkyeong beamed. While she still felt awkward around the assemblyman, Hyesook was different.

Even after moving to Canada, Hyesook hadn’t forgotten about the orphanage Moonkyeong had been involved with and continued to send supplies. She had also reached out to Moonkyeong several times.

[Have you eaten?]

Even though Moonkyeong had hidden her pregnancy, Hyesook’s constant inquiries about her well-being had been deeply touching.

After diligently snacking on fruit, the two reminisced about their trip to Vietnam, going through photos from the trip.

As Seojun flipped through the photos on his phone, Moonkyeong leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Wow, we took way more pictures than I thought.”

“Yeah, I intentionally took a lot since it felt like it might be our first and last trip together.”

“After I left, did you ever look back at these?”

Seojun smiled. How could he not? He had looked at her face in the photos dozens of times a day.

Playfully, he closed his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

“You’re too ugly, so I didn’t look.”

“Hey!”

Finding her adorable, he gently held her chin and gave her a short kiss. Even though she knew he enjoyed teasing her, she couldn’t help but crave his attention. She grabbed his arm tightly as he tried to pull away.

“No, give me more.”

“Not enough?”

“Yeah.”

Nodding sweetly, Moonkyeong made Seojun laugh as he ruffled her hair mischievously. He then cupped her cheeks again. Peck, peck, peck. After three light kisses, Moonkyeong smacked her lips, feeling unsatisfied.

She had closed her eyes, expecting a deep kiss, only to be disappointed.

This man!

When she opened her eyes, she saw Seojun walking away. She could already imagine how much he was laughing, even without looking.

With her heavily pregnant body, Moonkyeong waddled after him. He walked past the front yard, through the open glass doors, and up to the second floor.

“Where are you going?”

When she shouted, Seojun grabbed her wrist from the room at the end of the second floor.

Before she could even feel the chill of the wall behind her, he extended his arms and pressed her against it. Without hesitation, he parted her lips with his fingers.

“Do you know something?”

“…”

“I still remember that day vividly. The first day we kissed. The clothes you wore, the expression on your face, the scent of you, the air surrounding us, even the heat boiling in my chest—I remember it all. I couldn’t forget.”

As he continued to touch her lips, Moonkyeong opened her eyes slightly, answering him with the same intensity.

“I love you.”

Before she could even process his unexpected confession, his lips met hers.

Her eyelashes fluttered like the gentle sunlight beyond the window, as if it were blessing the two of them.

After the kiss, Seojun held Moonkyeong’s hand and led her to the next room. Contrary to her expectation that it would also be empty, the room was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

Instead of being empty, the room was adorned with a vibrant array of flowers, as if all the beautiful flowers in the world had been gathered there. Moonkyeong was visibly amazed.

“What is all this?”

“A proposal.”

“What?”

“Marry me again.”

He knelt willingly. This time, he didn’t offer a diamond ring or a bank account with billions. He had already given her everything else, so all he could offer now was this.

His heart. The unwavering devotion of a man in love. He waited patiently for Moonkyeong to take his hand.

Blushing, Moonkyeong squirmed.

“If we get married, I’m going to start speaking informally to you.”

“Do as you like.”

“And if you cheat, I’ll kill you.”

“Okay? Okay.”

“We’ll split childcare fifty-fifty. Anyway, you don’t have much to do right now.”

He scrunched his nose and smiled.

“Alright.”

“And…”

“And what?”

“Of course, there’s more! When else will I get this chance? Hold on, I’m going to say everything now!”

How shameless. But that’s what made her Seo Moonkyeong. As he felt the pain in his legs increasing, he furrowed his brow.

“So, what else?”

“No leaving me alone. No matter what happens.”

“I promise.”

“And…”

She seemed to run out of things to say. Taking advantage of the moment, Seojun lowered his voice.

“My legs hurt.”

“No! I’m not done yet!”

He chuckled.

“Seo Moonkyeong.”

“What?”

“We have plenty of time.”

Forever by your side, looking at you alone. So, there’s no need to worry about such things.

He had made a promise. And he was a man who kept his promises. She could trust that. As he conveyed this with his gaze, Moonkyeong bit her cheek, then nodded as if she understood.

Finally, she took his hand. Seojun dusted off his pants and stood up, lifting her into his arms.

“Where are we going now?”

She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. Seojun laughed heartily.

“Honeymoon.”

“Great, let’s go!”

He carried her down to the master bedroom on the first floor. The room, with two queen-sized beds pushed together, was incredibly spacious. He gently placed Moonkyeong on the bed.

Rubbing her now-heavy belly, she glared at him.

“It’s a honeymoon, so why are we already in the bedroom?”

“I’m a busy man.”

“You’re handsome, so I’ll let it slide. Come here.”

Striking a seductive pose, Moonkyeong beckoned him with her finger. Without hesitation, Seojun dove into her embrace.

With a face full of joy, he held her tightly.

***

After enduring a long winter, spring had arrived even in the warm southern lands. Early on a Wednesday morning, the first baby of the day was born in the obstetrics ward.

The baby girl, with Moonkyeong’s clear eyes and Seojun’s lovely lips, let out a healthy cry as she entered the world. It was a secret to everyone that Seojun cried more than the newborn.

The family he thought he could never have.

Moonkyeong, who had given him this precious gift, was so dear to him that he couldn’t stop kissing her forehead.

No words of gratitude or love could repay the priceless life she had given him. With teary eyes, he held the baby.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m your dad.”

His voice trembled as he greeted the baby, who couldn’t even open her eyes yet. Encouraging him, Moonkyeong smiled brightly.

It was a happiness beyond words.

END – MAIN STORY