It's their first beginning after a litany of goodbyes, and everything feels positively electric in their newfound sanctuary.
"Can I get you anything?" she offers, pulling the fridge open to peruse its contents. When he doesn't answer, she turns arou...
When I first saw you, I saw love And the first time you touched me, I felt love And after all this time, you're still the one I love Looks like we made it, look how far we've come my baby We might've took the long way; we knew we'd get there someday
There's music in the quiet lull of the night, a harmonious ebb and flow to the soft triad of inhales and exhales, the faint whisper of static from the baby monitors, the whoosh of cool air breezing past the air-conditioning vents. Ri Jeong-hyeok closes the door to the nursery gently, bare feet padding across the carpeted floor, past the wall of photographs Se-ri had designed last year and towards the bedroom at the end of the hallway. The largest frame in the center draws his attention for a moment; it always does. He pauses to study the snap of Se-ri walking down the makeshift aisle – a carpet of blush pink rose petals on pale golden sand – with her arm linked through her father's against a backdrop of Fesdu Island's crystal blue waters and clear skies.
She looks radiant, ethereal in her flowing white dress, a goddess with a train of chiffon trailing behind her like a whimsical dream. But that's not what makes the photo worthy of becoming the centerpiece of their array of memories. Se-ri is laughing, her eyes curved into that happy shape he loves, as a three-year-old Ri Si-woo wearing blue suspenders ambles down the aisle ahead of her, bearing their wedding rings in one chubby fist. Si-woo is grinning, a toothy adorably dimpled grin, his bright gaze focused on Jeong-hyeok at the altar. The photo is taken from behind him, from his vantage point, only showing his back, and Ri Jeong-hyeok remembers that moment from two years ago like it was yesterday. He remembers how full his heart felt when she reached his side, placed her hand in his, and they made their vows among ten of their closest friends and family.
You fell from the sky into my black-and-white world and everything burst into color.
They both cried, much to the distress and confusion of their little boy, who sniffled moodily in his grandmother's lap. It was a beautiful ceremony followed by an unforgettable week in their secluded villa with its private stretch of beach in the Maldives. The Yoons had taken Si-woo back to Seoul with them, and it was the first time they'd had so much alone time since his birth.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Relishing in the fond memories, he smiles a little to himself and continues down the hallway. He pushes the door to their bedroom open and steps into soft warm light and the familiar scent of Odnoliub. His wife is lying on her back in the middle of the bed, their three-wick candle burning steadily on the nightstand to her right.
"Are they all asleep?" Se-ri whispers, eyes half-closed.
Jeong-hyeok shuts the door silently. "Yes," he confirms. "The twins are out for a couple of hours, and Si-woo finally went to sleep."
"You're an angel," she sighs in relief, making him smile in amusement as he discards his t-shirt and slides into bed next to her, thoughts anything but angelic. Her half-lidded gaze widens to take him in hungrily, warm body sidling up to him under the covers, all long naked limbs and smooth skin. Jeong-hyeok pulls her close with a low growl, nuzzling the delicate curve of her neck. He loves the lingering scent of her perfume and bath soap. It's so distinctly Se-ri. "Tomorrow's a big day," she says, fingers combing through his dark hair tenderly.
