Evenstar

65. Epilogue

December 26, 2036.

Taehyung got out of the SUV carrying his one year old son protectively. His orinwangja was bundled in winter clothes and contentedly wrapped in his arms, his small hands reaching out, trying to catch the falling snow. He was smiling and giggling, his eyes wide with delight, but Taehyung wanted to come inside their restaurant immediately so his son wouldn't be cold. His little prince began crying as soon as they walked in the door. He had not only inherited his appa's features but also his love for winter.

They named their restaurant 'Eomma's Garden', and inside they had a small produce shop that they named 'Halmeoni's Farm' - a tribute to Dae Eun's mom and Taehyung's grandmother. On the walls of the restaurant were her mom's and his grandmother's pictures, randomly taken, showing them in bright and happy times. They painstakingly selected and reproduced these in large sizes, and Taehyung had them framed and positioned artistically in the dining area.

The restaurant was large and occupied two floors, but they only opened the ground floor to customers and the second floor was reserved for their families and friends who dined with them on a regular basis. They loved the organic ingredients and the menu was always varied and filling, and reasonably priced. Anyone who dined on the second floor could request for food that they liked and their chef would prepare it if the ingredients were available.

Dae Eun had decorated the restaurant with carefully curated indoor plants, and it became a very pleasant and cozy atmosphere for their diners. When they opened around July last year they were surprised to receive so many reservations that they were booked well into Christmas. They remained fully booked, and she suspected that it was the prospect of seeing celebrities, especially her husband, that also drove the demand. She couldn't blame them. Taehyung had grown more handsome with age and married life suited him very well.

Taehyung looked for his wife amid their evening diners. He had grown accustomed to their attention and was not self-conscious. He bowed in greeting and his son mimicked his actions. Their diners were prohibited from taking their pictures, and they strictly enforced it. They wanted this place to be a safe haven for their family. Taehyung found Dae Eun at the ice cream bar, asking their staff for a small scoop.

"Eomma," he called and his son said "om..." He smiled as he approached his wife, tall and elegant in a white cashmere blouse and deep blue jeans. Her long hair was held in a chic bun and she was wearing the necklace he gave her. She never failed to take his breath away, and he was always in awe of her - how she managed to take care of him and their family, run the farm they established and the restaurant, as well as their growing leasing business, and look so beautiful and be so happy and cheerful all the time.

"Appa," Dae Eun approached her husband and kissed him. And their daughter said "a-pa" as she held out her small arms to her dad.

Taehyung took his oringongju from Dae Eun and held her with his left arm, delighted that she could say his name already, and Dae Eun embraced them all. Like their son, their daughter had inherited his features, and all their families, friends and fans couldn't get over how there were now twin versions of Taehyung. They couldn't wait for their children to grow up.

"They want ice cream," Dae Eun said, and she took their son into her arms and asked him to point out the flavor he liked. He picked strawberry while their little princess picked chocolate. When their ice cream cones were given, Dae Eun asked for another scoop, this time of persimmon and almonds. With a shy smile she offered it to her husband.

Taehyung looked at the way she smiled at him and at how her cheeks were beginning to turn red.

"Eun-ah..." Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

Dae Eun nodded and smiled, and she kissed him again.

"Really?" he exclaimed in surprise.

"Happy Anniversary, Oppa." Dae Eun couldn't fully express her happiness because there were so many people around. And Taehyung put his right arm around her and led her up to the second floor where their friends and family were waiting to celebrate their anniversary together. Soon cheers erupted from upstairs and the diners downstairs also shouted their congratulations.

In December 2036, at the age of 40, Taehyung was married and had two children, a boy and a girl who were born twins, and another child on the way.

Kim Taehyung's dreams had all come true.

- The End -