Stay With Me - Hwang Inyeop

Chapter 46: Whatever the Future May Bring

Soomi stared at the pictures of a couple displayed on top of a marbled tombstone. The couple had a smile on their faces and the beautiful lady in her mid-30s is leaning her head on the shoulder of the handsome man, also in his mid-30s, who is staring lovingly at the beautiful lady. She looked at the other picture and saw them holding a kid in between them, linking their hands, still wearing those beautiful smiles. She smiles as she stared at the toothy grin of the little boy in the picture. The couple looked so happy and contented. They look like a happy family. Her heart aches thinking that the lives of these people were shattered to pieces because of unfortunate events that happened to them.

Soomi looked at In-yeop and saw him in deep thoughts, staring at the pictures of his parents without showing any expression. She knows that deep inside him, he misses his parents so much and he is longing for their love which he was not able to feel since he was a kid... since the accident occurred.

"It's been so long since I have last visited them," In-yeop finally spoke. He kept staring at the tomb. "I never visited them because I did not want them to see what kind of person I have become."

Soomi reached for his hand and laced their fingers. That made In-yeop look at her. He stared at her like she is his life, his everything, his whole world.

In-yeop's heart squeezes with mixed emotions. Love, fear, excitement, worry. These are what he feels whenever he looks at the girl. Even though he worries about what their future might hold, he decided to hold on to what they have because he wants to give her everything.

"I am a mess, Soomi," In-yeop whispered. "And I am scared of what the future may bring. But..." He squeezes her hand a little and brought it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss which made Soomi smile. "What I most fear of is the thought of losing you. Just thinking of you away from me makes me go insane."

In-yeop completely turned his body facing Soomi and the latter did the same. He cupped her neck using his other hand, the other stayed laced with her hand, pulled her closer until their foreheads touch.

"I am a mess, Soomi," he whispered once again and rubbed his nose against hers. "But this mess loves you endlessly."

Soomi's felt like her heart stopped for a moment when she heard what he had just said. She pulled slightly away from him and stared at him with her eyes which are starting to fill with tears. She had declared what she feels for him and she thought that it wouldn't matter if her feelings were reciprocated or not. Because she had decided to love him with her whole heart and soul. Hearing those words from him made her heart filled with so much happiness that she couldn't stop herself from crying.

"I love you," In-yeop whispered once again as he dipped down to kiss her cheek. "You have no fucking idea how much I do."

Soomi chuckled at what he said. "That's my line," she said and cupped his neck, bringing his face close to hers.

"I love you, In-yeop," she whispered and kissed his lips. Their lips move in sync as their hearts fill with so much joy. Their kiss was witnessed by the bright orange sky brought by the setting sun, the moon on the other side waits for its turn to bring light to the darkness, and birds gently chirped as if they were singing. It seems like the heavens are on their side that day.

Both of them catch their breaths as they lean into each other's foreheads. Both wear contented smiles. In-yeop kissed Soomi's nose then her cheek before wrapping the girl in his arms, rubbing his hand on her back soothingly.

Soomi looked at the picture on top of the tombstone beside the tombstone of In-yeop's parents. A warm smile formed her lips as she wrapped her arms around In-yeop's body. "You heard that, eomma? He said he loves me."

In-yeop pulled a little from their embrace, his hands stayed on her waist and looked at Soomi with a confused look. Soomi smiled at him and a faint chuckle escaped her mouth.

"You see, our parents were already friends even before we have met," Soomi said which made In-yeop more confused. She lets go of her hand around his body and turned to face her mom's grave which is just beside the grave of In-yeop's parents.

"I want you to meet my mom," Soomi said as she stared at the picture of a lovely woman she loves so much. In-yeop looked at the picture as well and saw the resemblance of the woman to Soomi. He bowed in front of the grave as a sign of respect and that warms Soomi's heart.

"See, In-yeop? We are destined to be together," Soomi said which made In-yeop look at her. "So don't ever think of leaving me again because our parents already know that we are together." She squinted her eyes as she warned him and that made the guy chuckle. Soomi chuckled as well and faced their parents. She bowed in front of the grave of In-yeop's parents just like what the guy did.

"I know it's hard for you to see In-yeop alone in this cruel world at such a young age. I know you never wanted to leave him and I know you want what's best for him," Soomi stared at the picture of the couple as she speaks.

"Your son did his best to survive," she looked at In-yeop and realized that the guy is staring at her. She looked at the picture again and continued speaking. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to always be by his side and we will both face the challenges of life together. You can rest well now because I am here to fulfill what you want for your son."

She turned to face her mother's grave and smiled widely, tears start to fall down her cheeks. "You can also rest well, eomma. I know you are worried about me but you don't have to now. I have someone who will make sure I am safe and happy, just like what you always did for me."

In-yeop kept staring at Soomi and his heart melted with every word she said. He loves the girl so much and he is determined to give what's best for her. Because she deserves every good thing in this world.

His hand reached for her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, rubbing his hand along her arm as he tries to soothe the emptiness she feels for missing her mother.

"I almost forgot," Soomi said as she stood straight again and turned her body to In-yeop. Soomi released an audible sigh and reached for In-yeop's hands. In-yeop stared at her with confusion as he rubs his thumbs at the back of her hands.

"Remember when you said you wanted to have a family? That you wanted a home where you will be greeted by kids after a tiring day from work?" Soomi started and bit her lower lip. "It will happen now."

In-yeop mushed his eyebrows which made his forehead crease. He doesn't seem to comprehend what Soomi is saying. "I'm pregnant, In-yeop. The doctor said I'm three weeks pregnant."

In-yeop froze as he tries to absorb what Soomi had just said. That made Soomi worry but when she saw his lips start to form a smile and his eyes start to fill with tears, all her worry washed away.

In-yeop covered his mouth with his hand as he tries to hide his excitement. The thought of carrying his child in his arms makes him feel ecstatic. "You're pregnant?" He asked and his voice cracked. Never did he thought that he will have a family of his own.

Soomi nodded her head, feeling happy with the way In-yeop is reacting. "After everything that happened, our baby managed to survive. Our child is a fighter, In-yeop, just like you and me. Our baby is a miracle."

In-yeop reached for Soomi's stomach and placed his hand on top of it. He stared at her stomach with a smile on his face and tears now start to roll down his cheek. Soomi cupped his cheeks with both of her hands and wiped his tears with her thumb. In-yeop leaned his cheek on her touch and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself from the giddiness he feels. He held both of her hands and kissed them, bringing them around his neck after. He then placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to give her a quick, gentle kiss on her lips.

"My God, Soomi. You have no idea how much happiness you give me," he whispered. He held the back of her head and gently made her lean on his chest. "You are the best thing that happened in my life. I love you, Soomi."

Soomi rubbed her cheek on In-yeop's chest and savored the moment. With her wrapped in In-yeop's warmth, she once again stared at the pictures of their parents.

Please guide us in everything we will face. She stared at the couple who raised the man she loves. Thank you for bringing In-yeop into this world. She silently talked to them and she knows that she is heard by them.