Chapter Thirty Six - Reunion (Part 2)

Chapter Song Suggestion - "Lovers Forever by Benjamin Kheng"

- One Month Later | Spring

"Congratulations!" Nari screams at the top of her lungs, her rounded figure bouncing with unrestrained vigor. Beside her, Chang-Min's frustration and concern is palpable as he tries to calm down his wife. Yes, apparently they got married while I was away in France. Nari insists she'll be having a grand wedding after the baby pops from her oven.

Hyeon walks up to us, his expression a blend of happiness and heartbreak. With a smile, he wishes me. "Congratulations, Aera." Turning to Dae, he sticks out a hand. "If you ever make her cry in any way, I'm going to take it as an opportunity to steal her from you."

Frost descends over Dae's features, his voice equally icy. "Duly noted. But since you're permanently moving to France, it's best for you to stay there."

Gritting his jaw, Hyeon steps aside for mom to give me a hug.

"You look beautiful, dear daughter." Mom cups my cheek, her eyes glassy with tears. "I wish your father could be here."

My eyes dart to Wang Won-Shik in the crowd, his presence out of place in my cozy wedding but, he had volunteered to walk me down the aisle. "Me too, mom."

"Don't worry, mother." Dae reassures, still stiff when he addresses my mom. I try not to laugh at his awkwardness. "The entire ceremony is being filmed and we'll have endless pictures to show father when he wakes up."

Mom takes my hand and entrusts it to Dae. "You're right, my son. I leave my daughter in your hands. You have both been through so much to get here and know that you have my utmost support." She pauses. "In fact, I'd like a grandchild to spoil."

I blush furiously while Dae turns smug. "Mom!"

"Speaking of grandchildren, your son is a bright young man." Mom beams proudly. "He must take after you."

My gaze darts back and forth between the two. Mom's definitely sweet on Dae ever since we announced that we're getting married.

"Thank you, mother. I'll be more than happy if he learns a thing or two from my wife."

The way he says the word 'wife' has my belly doing somersaults and backflips.

"I'll see you after the wedding." Mom and Hyeon moves away so that we can greet the other guests.

The only Yun family in attendance approaches with big smiles on their faces. Kang-Chul embraces his brother. "Congratulations, Hyung. I'm happy for the both of you from the bottom of my heart."

His wife takes my hand. "Congratulations, Aera. I knew you could do it." She lowers her voice. "Win that old badger's affections I mean."

I assume she's referring to Dae's father.

A reluctant smile curves my lips. "Thank you, Mi-Cha."

The last person to wish us is none other than my biological father.

"Thank you for walking me down the aisle," I speak first, then add. "Father." It's comical how taken aback he looks. I succumb to a light giggle. "You played an important role in my life, and you've saved my life countless times. I can't ever thank you enough but I'm grateful that you're my father. It means a lot to me that you're here, since my dad isn't here with us."

A sheen of tears mist his eyes and I start to panic.

He holds up a hand. "I'm fine. I was willing to wait forever just to hear you call me father. It's a beautiful gift you've given me. Thank you, daughter."

My own eyes water and Dae steps in to stop the waterworks. Extending a hand to my father, he declares. "I'll do everything in my power to make your daughter happy. You have my word."

It's like watching a handshake between two powerful nations.

After that, everyone winds down for the wedding lunch. It's an open-air buffet, the guests able to mingle, drink and dance in the rustic, outdoor garden setting. Since it's a spring wedding, we're surrounded by blooms of plum and cherry blossoms.

Nari waddles up to me, setting her drink aside to take my hand. "Come and dance with me."

I laugh, allowing her to pull me onto the makeshift dance floor. We arrange the short train of my beautiful lace gown before settling into the slow tune by the hired musicians.

"On a scale of one to ten, how happy are you feeling right now?" Nari asks in her usual random behavior.

"With you? Maybe a five."

She smacks her lips. "Quit being funny. You're talking to a VERY pregnant woman."

That's her excuse these days. I roll my eyes playfully. "Obviously, I'm feeling a ten right now."

"Good. That's good." Then she bursts into tears. "I'm just so happy for you, Aera." She sniffles. "I'm sorry for being a hot mess. These hormones are so inconvenient."

Chang-Min magically appears beside us, followed by my husband. "I'm sorry. Let me take her off your hands."

I laugh at Nari's hopelessness, equally happy for her.

Dae replaces my best friend and expertly twirls me around. Releasing a whole-hearted laugh, I lean against him. "And where did you learn to dance so well, dear husband?"

"I'll have you know, I mastered ballroom dancing by the time I was eight."

"You know," I point out. "There are still many things we don't know about each other. And I'm glad I'll be able to unearth them little by little."

A smile softens his lips, his hand pressing possessively against my bareback. His heat seeps into me. "And I'm glad we still have many sexual adventures to try out." His lips brush my outer ear. "How does public sex tonight sound to you? In a different setting."

I'm no longer scandalized by his lusty thoughts. "That depends. You still owe me a favor from a long time ago." A favor from the time we were contract lovers.

Recollection sparks in his eyes. "What do you want?"

Motioning for his ear, I lean in to whisper my desire. A shiver races down his spine, his grip tightening around me.

Pulling back, his lips curl into a dark growl. "Oh, hellcat. You never stop trying to provoke the beast. You better be prepared, because come morning, I'll put a baby in you."