(Reposted)
A/N: Double update! Some mature content up ahead. Should I make this a long story or end in a few chapters? Let me know!
"Did they fall in love, Auntie Joo Hee?"
Hoon sat beside Joo Hee at the breakfast table while they waited for more food to be served by Cha Mi-jo who was still cooking and peeling fruits.
Jang Joo Hee shrugged. "I don't know. You woke up too early and I wasn't able to chat with your Eomma."
"Oh, sorry. I can pretend to sleep again... but I'm really hungry, Auntie," Hoon apologised.
Joo Hee smiled and fixed Hoon's hair. "No problem. I'll talk to Eomma later. Eomma looks happy, doesn't she?"
Hoon nodded. "Yes. She's even singing even it's not in tune."
"YAH!" Cha Mi-jo reacted upon hearing Hoon's comment on her voice.
"I still think it's beautiful, Eomma," Hoon said, loyally.
Joo Hee chuckled. "Don't blame him for having a musical ear. Anyway, why are you preparing so much food?"
Mi-jo blushed. "Nothing. Is it bad to feed the two of you?" Brushing off the comment quickly, Mi-jo said, "Let's go to a park after and bring all that you don't finish."
"To the park?" Hoon exclaimed. "YEEEEEEEYYYYY! I will run around today! Thank you, Eomma!!!"
As they busied themselves finishing breakfast, then prepared to head out, Joo Hee found a moment to pull Mi-jo to the side and whispered, "Are you avoiding discussing last night?"
Cha Mi-jo smiled. "Yes."
"You did sleep with him!"
"No."
"Mi-jo!"
"Auntie, why are you shouting at Eomma?" Hoon asked.
Joo Hee rolled her eyes. "Just checking if her ears still work because she doesn't seem to hear my questions."
"EOMMAAAAAAAAA!" Hoon yelled. When Mi-jo flinched, Hoon turned to Joo Hee, "It works."
"Ready to go to the park, Hoonie?" Mi-jo asked to change the topic.
"Yes!"
Soon, they found a picnic bench and Hoon was running around and meeting new friends. "He's been very happy lately," Mi-jo noted. "Having Dae-sik has been good for him."
Joo Hee hugged her. "Having YOU has been good for him. Dae-sik is just a bonus."
"Thank you, Joo Hee-ah," Mi-jo replied, hugging her friend.
"OH, and will you look at that," Joo Hee pointed to a man striding toward them. "Agent Dae-sik! What a coincidence!" She exclaimed, side-eyeing her best friend
Cha Mi-jo blushed but ignored the knowing look that Jang Joo Hee was giving her and Dae-sik. "Hello," Cha Mi-jo greeted, shyly.
"Good morning," Dae-sik said.
"So how was your date?" Joo Hee asked.
"Joo Hee!"
"Well, I can't get anything from you so I'll ask him," Joo Hee said. "Dae-sik-ssi, did you and Mi-jo work things out?"
Dae-sik stared at Cha Mi-jo. He understood her hesitation about letting even her closest people in this fragile bond of theirs, but he did not want to lie to Jang Joo Hee. "We made progress, but I still have a lot to prove to Dr. Cha."
Cha Mi-jo did not look at him but he detected a smile.
"AGENT!!!!! YOU'RE HERE, TOO?! THIS DAY IS SO AWESOOOOOMMMEEE!!!" Hoon ran toward Dae-sik and launched himself into the man's arms. "AWWWWEEEESSOOOOMMMMEEE! Let's run there!"
"Wait, the Agent might want to eat first, Hoonie!" Mi-jo interrupted. Unpacking the basket she packed, Mi-jo opened one of the boxes and presented to Dae-sik some fruits. "Here. Have some. Hoon is determined to run and play this entire time so you'd need energy."
Taking a few slices and popping them in his mouth, Dae-sik smiled. "Thank you."
"Agent! Let's goooooo!" Hoon insisted, tugging his arm.
"We should go. This little guy is ready to burst," Dae-sik said.
"Alright. Be careful, Hoon," Mi-jo reminded.
"And me?" Dae-sik asked.
"Of course," said Mi-jo, not quite meeting his gaze.
Once the two were out of earshot, Joo Hee approached and said, "Progress indeed. I just wonder if progress included getting in your pants."
Mi-jo took a piece of fruit and popped it in her friend's mouth. "Here. Juicy, right?"
"Mi-jo!"
"That's all you get, you nosy woman," Mi-jo reprimanded.
Joo Hee narrowed her eyes at Mi-jo. "Tell me you're happy and I won't bug you anymore."
Cha Mi-jo laughed. "That's a lie if I ever heard one. BUT... I don't know yet if I would call this 'happy', but... I'm hopeful."
"So he's not yet your boyfriend?" Joo Hee asked.
"I don't know," Mi-jo replied. She felt like he was and they agreed to date exclusively, but she was still hesitant to label it and tell anyone, even Joo Hee. They were just starting again and she was worried that if she already told the world, it would break soon. And Cha Mi-jo did not want that.
"Alright. So I can still steal him from you." Looking at Mi-jo, she teased, "I won't be able to steal him, right?"
Mi-jo smiled and shook her head. "No."
"Oh well. Good thing I have my boyfriend then."
Mi-jo teased. "Hasn't he broken up with you yet for hanging out and being nosy about my life all the time?"
"Nope. He's patient. After all, I satisfy him in bed," Joo Hee replied confidently.
"Eeeewwww! I didn't need to know that," Mi-jo complained.
"Envious? Maybe you should take that agent to bed," Joo Hee.
"Tch."
Cha Mi-jo did not confirm anything that day or in the days and few weeks after. However, whenever she would ask Joo Hee or Mi-hyun to baby sit, she will not hide the fact that she was going out with Dae-sik.
"Another date?!" Joo Hee asked as she hovered around Mi-jo, who was in her bedroom preparing.
"Yes," Mi-jo said. "Why are you complaining? Didn't you want this for me?"
"I did," Joo Hee agreed. "But you have not shared details! It's soooo annoying!"
"What do you want to know, Auntie?" Hoon asked, peeking in before entering the room. "I know everything."
Mi-jo was shocked. "You know everything?"
"Uh huh," Hoon nodded. "Agent Dae-sik told me."
Mi-jo's jaw dropped. "He TOLD you?"
"Yes."
"What did he tell you?!" Mi-jo asked.
"He said he likes you a lot that's why he always has a date with you," Hoon started. At Joo Hee's encouragement, he continued, "He says he's very happy when he's with you so he smiles a lot and his dimples come out."
Cha Mi-jo smiled at that. "He said that?"
"Uh huh," Hoon nodded. "He pouted when that other patient gave you flowers but he says he knows a lot of boys like you because you're very pretty and smart."
"Oh. He didn't need to be jealous," Mi-jo mumbled. "I should clear that up with him later."
"Why would you need to clear it up when you're just friends?" Joo Hee challenged.
Hoon's face suddenly fell. "Is he really just a friend that's a boy, Eomma? He's not the boyfriend that becomes an Appa?"
"Oh, sweetheart!" Cha Mi-jo rushed and hugged her little boy. "Why are you sad? Didn't you tell me before that it was okay?"
Hoon nodded. "Yes, Eomma. It's just that Agent Dae-sik makes us so happy. It would be nice if he's going to be my Appa. My classmates have their Appa to pick the up from school and I don't have one."
Cha Mi-jo smoothed his hair. "I'll talk to Dae-sik and maybe the three of us can go out for lunch tomorrow."
"The three of us?!" Hoon asked, happily.
Mi-jo nodded. "The three of us. Let's see how it goes."
"YEEEEEEYYYY!" Hoon kept jumping around even when Dae-sik arrived to pick up Cha Mi-jo. "Agent! Eomma says we'll have a family day tomorrow!"
"Hoonie, we haven't asked Dae-sik yet if it's okay," Mi-jo reminded him. Tentatively looking at Dae-sik, she shyly asked, "Are you free? We don't want to take up your time but I think it's important to try and see how it will work with the three of us? Or is it too soon?"
Joo Hee butt in. "I just want you to know that there is a wrong answer, Agent," she said in warning.
Dae-sik took it lightly, knowing that Joo Hee was being protective of two fragile hearts that might break. "I've been waiting for this invitation. I'd love to join you and Hoon tomorrow."
"For a FAMILY day?" Mi-jo clarified and Hoon waited with bated breath, his little heart and young mind understanding the importance of the moment.
"For a family day," Dae-sik confirmed.
Their date that night was at Dae-sik's place. Mi-jo loved going out to try new restaurants or their walks along the river but, more and more, she also enjoyed the intimate setting of his apartment when it was just the two of them talking.
Alright, so it was also easier to kiss... and Mi-jo loved locking lips with Dae-sik.
When they were alone, Cha Mi-jo check with him once more to make sure he wasn't being pressured. "Are you sure about it, Dae-sik? You understand what this means to Hoon?"
"I'm sure. Why does it seem like you want me to back out?" Dae-sik asked. Leaning on the couch, he handed her a glass of wine before he played with her hair and continued, "Are YOU sure about this? Do you want this or are you doing this to please Hoon?"
"Both," Mi-jo replied, confidently. "Of course, it was Hoon's request and I want to give him this. But, because we've been seeing each other for almost a month now, I think it's time to move forward with the three of us."
Dae-sik smiled. "I like that. Are you nervous?"
Mi-jo nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry. You know I just don't want my Hoonie to get hurt."
"I know," Dae-sik assured her that he understood.
Taking their wine glasses away, Cha Mi-jo leaned closer to him and rubbed her nose on his. "Dae-sik?"
"Hmm?" he asked, getting drunk with her proximity to him.
"Why haven't you slept with me?" she asked in a low voice. "We've done everything but that."
Dae-sik gulped. "I felt like you didn't trust me full yet so I didn't want to push. I can wait until you're ready."
"Dae-sik?"
"Hmm?"
Cha Mi-jo stood and removed every article of clothing she wore, except for her lace bottoms. "I'm ready. It really turns me on when you take these off," she whispered, motioning to her panties.
Dae-sik gulped. He approached her before he dropped to his knees in front of her. Nervously reaching the remaining cloth, he slowly slid it down her toned legs as they both exhaled shaky breaths. Once that was out of the way, he stood and kissed her lightly. "You're so beautiful."
Cha Mi-jo kissed him back with light kisses and nose rubs. "You're overdressed."
Dae-sik quickly removed his clothes and pulled her in for a deep kiss. "I've wanted you for so long," he groaned as he pushed her gently in bed.
"Really?" Cha Mi-jo whispered back, alternately thrilled and aroused. "I fantasised a lot about you, too."
"I hope I live up to your dreams," he said before his mouth became busy pleasuring her chest. When he moved to her core, he instructed, "Look at me," like he always asks.
"Why do you want me to watch you when you do that?" she moaned when he started sucking.
"Because I want that image to always be in your head, when I do this," his tongue darted out and ran up and down her slit. "Or when I do this," he said as he sucked her nub.
"Ah!" Was the only sound she could let out after his motions robbed her of all coherent thought.
"Or this," he sucked again but inserted two fingers in her this time.
"DAE-SIK!" When she came down from her high, she begged him, "Please. I need you."
Slowly, he moved up, parted her legs and carefully entered her. Noticing her draw a sharp breath, he asked, "Are you okay?"
Mi-jo brought her hands to his face and nodded. Kissing him, she said, "I knew you were big and being with you would take some adjustments."
"Is it painful?"
"No," she started to say but moaned when he moved a bit and hit her pleasure spot. "Ohhhh... do that again."
His pace was slow, allowing her time to adjust to his size and when he rotated his hips, she held on and squeezed his arms. "Harder," she commanded, when her body started to need something more.
He continued with his pace but increasing it just enough to satisfy her. When he felt she was close, his hand moved to her core and played with her nub.
Cha Mi-jo shattered.
She came to and he was still moving in her. "You didn't finish?"
Dae-sik smiled and kissed her. "Not yet." Adjusting their positions so that she was slightly turned to her side, he entered her again. The new angle made him hit her g-spot and in no time, she climaxed once more with Dae-sik still not done.
Panting, Mi-jo teased him, "Mister, we have a family day tomorrow and I don't want to miss it because I'd be limping."
Laughing, Dae-sik agreed. "Alright. I'm close. Join me for one more?"
*
Cha Mi-jo turned and saw Dae-sik getting dressed. "Good morning, Handsome."
Dae-sik turned to her, smiled, leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "Good morning. I was hoping to take a shower before you woke up."
Mi-jo pulled him back in bed. "I was hoping to cuddle a little more before we start today."
"Alright then," Dae-sik replied, giving in and snuggling with her.
Spending the night at her place wasn't part of the original plan. Park Dae-sik ensured that Cha Mi-jo was fully satisfied with their intimacies last night but got her dressed and brought her home close to midnight. But when she found that Joo Hee was asleep in the bedroom and Hoon similarly slumbering in his room, Mi-jo turned to Dae-sik and asked, "I don't want to part yet. Can you stay?"
"Mi-jo, we both know we won't be able to stop ourselves if I do that," Dae-sik pointed out but not moving away.
"Well, you always have your overnight bag in your car," Mi-jo said then adding, "And... I can be very quiet."
And she was.
As soon as they entered her bedroom, Mi-jo demanded to be kissed and joined with him again so they went for a few more round before collapsing in exhaustion. The morning after, gazing up at Dae-sik, Mi-jo giggled happily recalling everything they shared the night before. "You're very good in bed, Agent."
"Don't tempt me, Dr. Cha. We have to save our energy for the day with Hoon. I don't want to disappoint him," Dae-sik reminded.
Biting her lip, she commented, "But maybe you'd have enough energy for a morning romp?"
*
"Auntie! Hurry!"
Joo Hee rushed to find Hoon standing in front of his mother's bedroom door. "What's wrong, Hoonie?"
With a perplexed look, Hoon pointed to the door and said, "Eomma's door is locked. I was going to greet her a good morning but I couldn't go in. Her door is never locked, Auntie. Is everything alright?"
"Maybe she didn't sleep here," Joo Hee muttered. Looking for her phone, she started to dial Cha Mi-jo's number when the door opened. "Mi-jo!"
"Joo Hee! Hoon! What are you doing standing here?" Mi-jo asked, a little unsettled at seeing them by her doorway.
"We weren't sure you were in so we -- GASP!" Joo Hee's sentence was cut off and Mi-jo was certain she knew why.
"Agent Dae-sik! You're here!" Hoon greeted happily. "You slept here?"
Joo Hee gave Cha Mi-jo a look but surprisingly stayed silent.
"Agent's bed has to be fixed..."
Dae-sik and Mi-jo looked at each other then averted their gazes shyly. Cha Mi-jo never allowed her former fiance to sleep over as soon as Hoon lived with her so this was a first for a child. Dae-sik stepped forward to try and distract the boy and avoid Mi-jo's further embarrassment, "I'll cook breakfast. Hoon-ah, would you like to be my assistant?"
"YES! Let's go. I'll show you the kitchen!" Hoon pulled him.
Joo Hee stepped beside Mi-jo as they watched Dae-sik and Hoon. "Why is the Agent's bed broken, Cha Mi-jo?"
"Will you ever leave me alone?" Mi-jo asked.
"Nope." Joo Hee had a teasing look as she continued to pester Mi-jo. "Just tell me something! How many rounds? How many times did you come?"
Mi-jo looked like she would deny so Joo Hee cut her short. "Do not dare lie to me, Cha Mi-jo. Your after-sex glow is too obvious. HOW. MANY. TIMES."
Cha Mi-jo took a deep breath, closed her eyes and then replied. "I don't know, okay? I lost count."
"WEEEEEEEEEE!" Joo Hee celebrated. "I'm so happy for you and your crotch!"
"JOO HEE! Hoon might hear you!" Cha Mi-jo reprimanded.
Hoon poked his head out from the kitchen island. "Why are you happy, Auntie?"
Joo Hee smiled. "Nothing, Hoonie. I just love it when the season is rainy!"
*
In spite of the awkward morning, Park Dae-sik, Cha Mi-jo and Cha Hoon were able to get away from Joo Hee and spend the day going around town.
Their first agenda was to head to the mall and look at camping gear because Hoon really wanted to go to that camping trip soon. They also went to children's clothing section for items Hoon would need.
When they were there, Hoon wandered off. After a quick search, Dae-sik and Mi-jo found him staring at a shirt that said, "Daddy loves me".
"Hoonie?" Mi-jo gently called out.
"Hi Eomma," he replied in a sad voice.
"Do you want to buy a shirt that says Mommy loves you?" Mi-jo asked.
Hoon shook his head. With his eyes still on the merchandise, he wondered, "Eomma, do you think my real Appa loved me?"
Cha Mi-jo's heart went out to him and Dae-sik's heart broke at the scene playing out in front of him. She could lie and say 'yes'. But she couldn't bring her heart to give him false hope. As much as it was possible that Hoon was given up out of love, it was also possible that his parents just didn't want him. So, she simply said, "I don't know, Hoonie. I don't know."
Hoon turned away and held his mom's hand. "I hope when I find an Appa who loves me, the store will still have that shirt. Then, I'll spend my money buying that."
"Okay, Hoon. We'll do that," Mi-jo promised.
Soon, the little boy was starving so they grabbed a quick lunch before he asked for ice cream. The three of them went to a gelato place where Hoon's eyes bugged out with the selection the store had.
"I can't see everything from here!" He complained, as he was still too small to see the entire display. Holding out his arms, he asked Dae-sik, "Can you carry me, Agent?"
Dae-sik obliged.
"Let's get mint choco," Hoon suggested.
"Eewwww," Dae-sik let out. "Sorry, Buddy. But I am not a fan of mint chocolate."
Hoon chuckled. "Why not? It's eating yummy ice cream AND brushing your teeth at the same time!" The comment making Dae-sik laugh.
Mi-jo looked horrified. "Who told you that, Cha Hoon?!"
"Auntie Joo Hee," Hoon admitted. "Don't worry. I know it's a joke, Eomma."
"Good. Now, what flavor do you want?"
Hoon frowned and stared at the display again. "Strawberry. Do you like strawberry, Agent Dae-sik?" When Dae-sik nodded, he asked, "Can we get one more flavor? What do you want, Agent? I'll copy you."
Dae-sik and Mi-jo shared a look. Mi-jo asked, "Why don't you choose what you like, Hoon?"
"I like what Agent Dae-sik likes. If we have the same taste, maybe he can be my Appa," Hoon told Cha Mi-jo.
"Hoonie," Mi-jo teared up.
Taking a seat, Dae-sik looked at Hoon. "Cha Hoon, did I tell you that my Appa and I are very different from each other?"
"YOU ARE?"
Dae-sik nodded. "He likes staying in and reading and experimenting with science stuff, while I like sports and running and swimming."
"We're the same!" Hoon declared, happily.
"Yeah? Well, guess what? Even if I'm different from him, my Appa loves me," Dae-sik said. "You don't have to like what I like. I'm going to be here for you, no matter what."
"You will?" Hoon asked. "I promise I'll be a good boy and will behave and I won't be noisy."
Dae-sik chuckled. "Even if you're naughty, I'll talk to you and maybe sometimes get mad, but I'll still be here for you, little man."
"You meant it, Agent?!" Hoon asked.
"I mean it."
"Dae-sik," Mi-jo called in a gentle warning to not make promises he cannot keep.
Dae-sik met her gaze sternly and repeated his vow. "I mean it and will always be here for him. Please accept this, Mi-jo. Please know I will not break it."
Hoon looked to his mother. "Please, Eomma? Agent will sometimes go on missions but he will come back to us. He just needs to save our country for a bit," Hoon said with a wisdom that sometimes surprised Mi-jo.
Cha Mi-jo smiled at her son's wisdom. She was still afraid, but if Hoon was open to this idea, then she was willing to give it a shot. "Okay. Just... take care of yourself when you go away. You have two additional people waiting for you to come home."
Thankfully, to break the tension, Hoon piped up. "Can we get the mint choco ice cream now? That's the flavor I really want."
The next few hours were spent taking photos together to preserve memories of this day, Hoon playing and making even more friends while Dae-sik and Mi-jo looked on, with Mi-jo happily resting in Dae-sik's arms. It was late afternoon when they decided to have an early dinner before Hoon conked out in Dae-sik's arms.
"Can I tuck him in?" Dae-sik asked.
Cha Mi-jo nodded and showed him Hoon's room.
Carefully setting Hoon in bed, Dae-sik fluffed the pillows, adjusted the blanket and turned down the bedside lamp so that Hoon's slumber will be unbroken. "Good night, Buddy. Sweet dreams."
Hoon smiled, muttering in his sleep, "I have an Appa now. Uju, I have an Appa!"
The agent checked with Mi-jo if that was okay that Hoon now referred to him as such. Mi-jo nodded, whispering a thank you. "His heart is full and I owe it to you. I am still amazed why he trusts you so much so please, Dae-sik, please don't break his heart. He's been hurt enough to last a number of lifetimes."
Cha Mi-jo was right. That night, Hoon went to sleep with a happy heart, a satisfied stomach, and a new favorite shirt, one that Dae-sik just purchased earlier that day that said,
"Daddy loves me."