Substitute Soulmate

Would You...Marry Me?

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Over the next several days Sehun talked to Namjoo about the possibility of revealing their relationship. What would be the most natural way to break the news to Yeol's parents? Namjoo didn't want to shock them too much. The thought about confessing made her anxious and she felt apologetic that she couldn't hide it from Sehun. She knew he didn't want to keep them a secret. It hurt them more than it did anyone else. Namjoo was also aware that Sehun was afraid her mind could change any time. She was even sorrier to him.

That Wednesday they set a time aside after work to visit Yeol's parents. Right after work they headed to the grocery store for food. Sehun didn't want to go empty handed. Namjoo appreciated his feelings. Needing to do his best to prove himself. That he wanted acceptance from her side, because the people important to her were as important to him. That meant a lot.

"And this," Sehun picked up some strawberries. Their cart was full of food. They had plans to stock up Yeol's parents' fridge. This evening, Sehun wanted to help make dinner for them. Namjoo would be lead chef obviously. Afterward, they'd sit and talk and slowly come out that they were carefully seeing each other.

Around 5:00 they arrived at the house. Yeol's mother greeted them with open arms. Her husband was in the living room in his wheelchair, amazingly nodding his head in welcome. It was a pleasing sight to see that he was so glad to see Sehun back again. The thought of his feelings toward Sehun changing after dinner made Namjoo edgy.

"You didn't have to," Yeol's mother said seeing the grocery bags in Sehun's hands. "Let me help you."

"I'll carry them in." Sehun assured.

"Please sit," Namjoo said then nodded toward Sehun, "I have a helper for dinner tonight."

"That's so sweet. You really didn't have to," his mother joyfully smiled.

Namjoo hesitated then asked, "Is Mina home?"

"You know her. She's so busy being at that entertainment company or whatever it is these days. She comes in late at night and leaves before anyone wakes up," Yeol's mother sighed. "I don't even know if her hair color is red or brown or white."

Namjoo smiled slightly relieved then joined Sehun in the kitchen. As they neared the sink moving out of sight, Sehun wrapped an arm around her waist.

"We'll be ok," he promised.

"I know," she agreed touching his arm gently while telling herself she could rely on him whatever happened.

Dinner went by smoothly. Yeol's parents loved what they sat on the table, continuously exclaiming how delicious the food was. Sehun even helped feed Yeol's father generating lighthearted laughter. After dinner, they cleared the dishes together. Namjoo went with Yeol's parents into the living room where they spoke about their current lives, worries, and difficulties. Carrying a tray of crummily sliced up fruit Sehun joined them scratching his head embarrassed, telling them he'd inherited his father's bad skills. He sat beside her offering the delicacies to Yeol's parents.

Everything was going well. Namjoo was finally starting to relax. Yeol's parents were in a good mood. His father may not be able to speak yet, but his eyes told everything. He was welcoming Sehun. He was happy. He was healthy and doing well. Namjoo hoped Yeol was looking down on them. Somewhere out there he was slowly guiding them along, because he trusted her to love herself and to make the kind of decisions he would be proud of.

Yeol had been a lovely soul. With the biggest heart. Arms that could squeeze anyone to death, because he had carried that much love in him. Namjoo just knew he would never be disappointed in her. He would accept Sehun. He would forgive her for loving again. When Sehun was gone, she had cried a lot. She was sorry. She cried because she knew Yeol would pat her head and tell her it was ok. She cried because he would tell her to move on without him.