After their eventful get-away in Galveston, Bin and Yejin visited Yejin's aunt in Waco, introducing Bin as her fiancé. Her aunt graciously entertained them. They also met with Yumi and Matt and they have also video called Hali and Choi to inform them that they were now officially together.
The couple then spent their days with Bin accompanying Yejin to just anywhere she went, from going to her clinics everyday, both in the women's center and in the hospital, to just running any errand. They were just inseparable. During her clinic hours, Bin was able to work in the small room in her clinic.
His two weeks in Houston would end soon, and he and Yejin had already talked about their arrangement after he proposed to her.
While working one morning in her clinic, Bin recalled their conversation after proposing to her in Galveston.
---
While sitting on the sand by the shore, Bin laid out his plans for them. "Love, let's get married here, before I leave...I promise, I will give you your dream wedding once we get everything in place." He said, referring to his family situation. He just wanted to marry her that time, since he thought it's been long overdue.
Yejin smiled. "Love, my dream wedding would be any kind of wedding with you as my groom..." She cupped his face. "Don't worry about that. I want to be married to you anytime, anywhere."
He wasn't able to resist kissing her with her declaration.
"Okay, then, let's apply for the marriage license tomorrow, and schedule the ceremony at the City of Houston Municipal Courts." Bin said excitedly.
"Hmm..how did you know the process? It seemed like you've researched on that."
"Of course! And love, another favor, can we keep it a secret for now, even with Hali and Choi? I'm sorry for asking you this..I just need time when I come back to Korea to tell my family, then we can schedule our wedding with all of our friends and family whenever and wherever you want."
"Sure love, a secret marriage it is, then!" She smiled. "And hmm, I think we should wed then in Seoul? Almost all the people special to us are there, right?"
"Thanks for understanding..and sure, Seoul it is, whatever you wish, my love."
"Then, where do we settle after?" Yejin asked him.
"Hmm..you can continue your practice here and I'll go back and forth from Seoul to here? And you can come with me in my business trips from time to time."
Thinking, Yejin agreed. "Okay love..."
Yejin noticed that he didn't ask for her to come to Seoul..and at that time, she wasn't sure of herself as well. She's been in Houston for five years and she had dreams of specializing again at UTHealth. Maybe that would be feasible at this time, she thought.
"Love, have I told you that I wanted to specialize again at UTHealth, right? Maybe around two years from now."
"I'll support you, love." Bin smiled and assured her. They kissed and felt excited with their new life together ahead of them.
A week after Bin returned to Houston, they got married at the municipal court that Saturday, October 22, 2016, 10 AM, with the ceremony lasting for 20 minutes. They were just dressed normally, albeit their happiness gave them the glow of a very excited bride and groom. They just booked a suite at JW Marriot Hotel in downtown Houston over that weekend to celebrate.
---
Smiling at their secret wedding picture in his laptop, Bin came back to his senses when he felt Yejin's arms wrap around him as she started to kiss him on his dimples.
"Hmm...I saw those dimples again!" She said while kissing him there.
Bin laughed. "What does my wife want?"
"You!" She teased him, giving him her eye-smile and Bin turned fully to face her and gave her a deep kiss.
It's been four days since they got married, and Bin was about to leave that Saturday, or in three days time. The past days were filled with bliss as they enjoyed their time as a newly-married couple. They stayed at Yejin's apartment, since Bin will still leave for Seoul, and they planned to buy a house when Bin returns back.
It was almost lunch, and Bin knew his wife was hungry.
"Let's go eat lunch?" He said after that long kiss.
Yejin smiled. "Let's just buy food and go home? I have no more patients for the day."
Bin beamed. "Does that mean you're all mine for the rest of the day?"
She blushed, understanding what Bin meant. "Uhmmm....yes?"
Bin right away shut down his laptop and prepared to leave.
"Woahh..you're fast huh?!"
He pulled her and teasingly kissed her, with his hands roaming around her back and behind. "Yes and I'm hungry already..."
Yejin pulled back before it turned into something else. "Let's go then love?"
And they went off, a perfect picture of a couple deeply and madly in love with each other.
---
That Saturday morning, Bin left for the airport and just took a cab because he didn't want Yejin to drive for him, with her emotional state. Even though he would surely return to Houston, Yejin had been extra sensitive and sad with their separation, which was understandable, considering they just got married and literally spent no second apart. He didn't worry that much, knowing her, but seeing her cry as if they would not meet again just bothered him. He sighed as he remembered how she clung to him and sob that morning.
"Love, don't cry, I'll be back soon, okay? You're making it hard for me to leave. I don't wanna see you like this. Should I just postpone my flight?" He tried to comfort her. He had been actually thinking of how he can still manage to stay, but it will just prolong their agony if he doesn't go back to Seoul and settle matters first so that he could go back to Houston for a longer time.
Yejin composed herself. "I'm sorry love, I'll be fine, you should leave now, and get back here as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for you." She tried to project her eye-smile but failed, making Bin's heart crumble.
He kissed her once more on her lips and uttered, "I will, okay? I love you and I promise to go back the soonest time possible for you and our baby. I'll video call you several times a day, okay?"
She nodded and now smiled genuinely. With that, Bin took his luggage as the cab driver informed him he's arrived. Yejin went with him up to the front door and they kissed for the last time, saying their I love you's.
Now in the cab, Bin's heart ached for her and he tried to console himself, thinking he would be back in no time. Though he wanted for her to come with him in Houston, he knew she also things to attend to in Houston. Boarding the plane, he texted her one last time.
My love, I'm boarding. See you soonest. Take care and I love you!! Wait for me!! and get ready when I come back hahaha!
He joked so as to lighten her mood.
Take care my love. I miss you already! :( But yes, I will wait for you, and I think you should be the one ready when you get back. Haha!
He smiled at her reply.
As the captain finally announced that they will soon take off, he texted her one last time, to which he managed to get her reply.
Saranghae.
Nado saranghae.
---
Though Yejin managed to cope without Bin, her heart still ached for him, and her hormones just made her cry more easily. Bin would video call her, even for a few minutes at least twice a day. But it just made her miss him more.
A week after Bin left, Yejin was just resting in her apartment and pondered about her life with Bin. The thought of moving with him to Seoul, or to wherever he would be, had actually been bugging her mind even when Bin was still with her in Houston, but she just dismissed the idea. But now, it became clearer to her that she can give up what she had started in Houston and spend her life with Bin, even when it meant she cannot continue with her planned fellowship in UTHealth and start anew in Seoul. She had to meet her dream halfway.
After mulling about it for a few more days, she decided to follow Bin to Seoul, wanting to surprise him and tell him her decision personally. After finalizing her decision, she went to their department's head and informed her about her intention to resign to go back to Seoul. She agreed for her to settle things first, allowing her to take a leave for one week and then file her resignation when she comes back. Yumi also supported her decision.
---
Two weeks after Bin left, it was Yejin's turn to board the plane. She just told Bin that she had an emergency operation that weekend, so she would just call him when she's free. She actually conspired with Hali for Bin's whereabouts, confirming that he would be at The Shilla Seoul for a meeting on that Sunday night. She will land at Incheon by 4 PM that Sunday and she planned to go there straight, with Hali fetching her from the airport, dropping her off at the hotel and bringing her luggage to her house for the meantime. She should be at the hotel by past 7 PM. As the captain announced that they will be landing in 30 minutes, she smiled joyfully, being able to return to Seoul after five long years.
After passing through immigration, she checked her SNS to see Hali's message confirming her whereabouts. Her baby bump was now a little more obvious, even with the black long dress she's wearing.
"Omo! Yejjjj!!!" She saw Hali with Choi, coming to her. Her baby bump was more obvious than Yejin's.
They hugged and touched each other's baby bump, as if introducing their babies to each other. Choi beamed at the sight of the two being so happy and pregnant at the same time.
"Yej, you and Bin did not really want to be left behind huh?" He said as he hugged her lightly.
"Yeah, Bin seemed to be a little competitive, eh?" She replied.
They left the airport to send Yejin to the hotel.
---
The Shilla Seoul
Yejin sat at one of the corner tables at La Yeon, a Korean restaurant in the hotel. Hali informed her that Bin has a meeting at 7 PM in that restaurant. She was able to get there by 6:40 PM and ordered a drink, and told the waiter that she was just waiting for someone and would order more later. While sipping her drink, she saw familiar faces enter the entrance door.
Bin's noona...followed by their parents.
They entered a private room in the restaurant. Luckily she was out of their sight. A minute later, she saw Ha-na with an older couple, who seemed to be her parents, enter the private room as well.
She stayed until about thirty minutes more, waiting for Bin to finally appear. She was getting nervous at the thought of his family being there. They knew her and would surely recognize her since Bin had already introduced her to them before and she had been invited to their family gatherings several times. Thinking that her plan wouldn't proceed as she wanted, she left the restaurant and dropped by the nearest restroom.
She was washing her hands already when the restroom's door opened, revealing Bin's noona, Hae-won, who was now staring at her.
"Son Yejin?" Hae-won's eyes widened.
She smiled awkwardly. "Yes, hi." She didn't know how to address her. She finished drying her hands with a paper towel.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you in the States?" Hae-won asked, still surprised.
"Yeah, I was, I just arrived this morning." She answered with a nervous smile. She was afraid that she and Bin will be caught, especially that his parents were also there.
Still unsure of what to do, Yejin just faced Hae-won for a few more seconds, until she felt nauseous. She then excused herself to go to the cubicle and got inside in time for her to throw up.
Uh-oh. Not now.
She stayed there for a few more minutes.
When she finally felt relieved, she went out of the cubicle, only to find Bin's mom and sister outside, as if waiting for her. And before anyone of them could even say a word, she blacked out.
---
Yejin was awakened by the sound of people chatting around her. Opening her eyes, she saw Bin's family surrounding her. Ha-na, who's baby bump is now as big as ever, smiled at her. They were now at the executive lounge, and she was sitting in a sofa. A medical personnel was beside her.
"Ma'am, how are you feeling? You passed out in the restroom." The personnel told her.
"I'm doing good now, I'm sorry, it must be my migraine." She said, lying, as she managed to sit properly.
"Okay then, please take this." She was giving her a tablet.
"Oh no, sorry, I cannot take that." She refused, knowing her condition.
"Okay, then just please drink some water. Maybe you should go home and have some rest." The personnel smiled and went to Bin's mom.
Yejin then looked at Hae-won. "Thank you, I'm feeling better now."
Hae-won smiled at her, though awkwardly while her parents just stared at her. Ha-na came towards her. "Dr. Son, when did you come back to Seoul?"
"I just actually arrived this afternoon." She said, now feeling more nervous at the sight of Bin's parents and Ha-na's parents looking at her.
She turned to Hae-won, since she was at loss as to what to do. "I'm feeling better now, I think I should go now."
Hae-won stopped her. "We can give you a ride, come with us."
Without a choice, and with all their eyes directed towards her, she joined them. She rode with Hae-won in her car, and a great deal of silence just enveloped them. She was still at loss of what to say. She kept on thinking of Bin.
Where could he be?
As soon as Hae-won started to drive, Yejin felt sick again and laid her head to relieve herself. Her head ached and she couldn't open her eyes. She eventually fell asleep. Hae-won, not knowing where to drop her off, decided to just bring her home.
---
Yejin woke up to the sound of the door opening. It was Bin's mom. She entered the room and in a little while, a helper brought some soup for her. She invited Yejin to eat, albeit in a serious tone. Feeling hungry, Yejin took the bowl of soup and started to eat.
"How do you feel now?" Bin's mom asked, as she watched her eat.
"I feel better ma'am. Thank you for the food." She looked at her shyly. Her presence escalated her nervousness.
"You rest now, I'll just talk to you tomorrow." She replied and left.
Finishing the soup, her mind just wandered off as to what she will talk to her about tomorrow.
Did she know already? Will she ask her to stay away from Bin again?
Searching for her phone in her bag, she realized she put it down somewhere in the cubicle at the hotel's restroom. She has no way to contact Hali and ask for help. At lost of what to do and because of her helplessness, she couldn't help but tear up.
She missed Bin. And now this.
She lay down and remained awake for quite a while before she managed to fall asleep.
---
Bin just arrived at his apartment after a long drive from Daegu. He was supposed to meet his family for dinner at The Shilla Seoul, together with the Lee family, to celebrate his dad's recovery, but he was too late for it. It's now almost 10 PM. They must have gone home.
He thought of Yejin. How he missed her. He's been calling her since yesterday but she's not been active online. Even Yumi didn't reply to his messages. He was starting to be bothered about it but tried to think positively. Maybe she's just too busy. At that moment, his phone rang. It was Hali.
"Hi Bin! Were you surprised?!" She seemed to be enthusiastic.
"Oh you have a surprise for me?" He said, with his brows furrowed.
"Yes, you should thank me huh. My surprise for you is worth more than gold, too precious!!" She continued to be so jubilant.
Wondering, he asked her. "What is it Hali? I haven't receive any package yet."
"Don't fool me Bin!" She laughed.
Still confused, he tried to make sense of what she's saying. "Hey I'm serious I didn't get any package here in my apartment."
"Hmm, let me hear her voice, you're fooling me!" Hali, still not believing Bin.
"Her voice? Who's she?" Bin, still clueless.
"Bin, stop fooling me!" Hali's voice is now serious.
"I'm serious Hali what are you talking about?" He's also gotten more confused now.
"Yej? Isn't she with you?" She finally told him.
"Huh?! Why would she be here? She's in Houston right now." It just didn't make sense to him.
"No, she's here Bin, she's going to surprise you. She arrived this afternoon at Incheon, we fetched her and drop her off to The Shilla Seoul because I learned that you had a meeting there from your secretary." Hali confessed and continued. "I've been trying to contact her but no one's answering."
Bin's heart raced both at the joy of knowing she's here, and at the mystery as to where she could be.
"Okay I'll go to the hotel and check." And before Hali ended the call, she gave Bin Yejin's Seoul number, which she obtained at the airport.
Bin tried to call her number, and it just rang until a woman's voice answered. The woman told him that it was left in the restroom's cubicle near Le Youn restaurant. As soon as Bin arrived at the hotel, he went straight to the concierge and inquired about the phone. They gave it to him and told him about his family being seen at the executive lounge with a woman who fainted at the restroom. He knew it was Yejin.
Nervous, he called his noona, but she didn't answer. He texted her instead.
Is Yejin with you?
And before he could even wait for he reply, he went and hurriedly drove to his parents' home.
---
As soon as he parked his car in the garage, Bin rushed inside the mansion as one of the staff opened the door for him. With everyone asleep, he went to the wing where the guest rooms were located, and tried to open it, only to find each one empty, until he reached the last guest room. He opened it and there he saw his love, sleeping, in a fetal position. Smiling, he went inside and locked the door behind him and hugged her.
"Love, you're here.." He kissed her on her cheek.
Yejin was still deeply asleep and looking at her, Bin couldn't help but pity her as she looked so tired and helpless, being in his parent's house. Yejin then opened her eyes and gasped when she saw him. She sat and they hugged.
"Thank God, you're here love! I'm sorry, I was about to surprise you at the hotel. I felt nauseous as I was about to leave and I passed out in front of your noona and eommoni. I'm so scared your family will find out about us. And I left my phone on the hotel, so I couldn't contact you..I'm sorry love, I just shouldn't have come here..." She explained without pause, crying as she finally released her worries to Bin.
His heart ached when she saw the fear in her eyes, fear of them being caught, especially, her being pregnant with their child. He got mad at himself for making her worry about his family situation with her condition, and for leaving her just like that again in Houston. Trying to hold back his tears due to the emotion he felt for her, he hugged her tightly and comforted her.
"Stop crying love, it's not your fault, I just shouldn't have left you in Houston. I'm sorry you have to travel here for me and I'm sorry you felt that way, just because I'm too scared to tell my family. I'm sorry... I'm here now, please don't cry." He continued to stroke her back and spoke again. "Don't worry about my family, okay? I'll stand up for you and our baby. You're my wife now and you should be my number one priority. Would you forgive me?"
Crying some more, Yejin just nodded her head and hugged him. "Thank you love.."
Bin kissed her on her lips. "Are you okay? How do you feel?"
She now smiled. "I'm okay love, I just want you here beside me."
Before lying down beside her, Bin got a glass of water and made her drink it. With that, he cuddled her and made sure she comfortably slept. She must be so exhausted with that 17-hour flight from Houston. Looking at her beautiful face, Bin resented himself once more at his decision of trying trying to hide her. He kissed her. This time he is ready to tell his family, no the world..
This woman is mine.. my wife.. and she's carrying my baby..
He continued to pat her back until his lids got heavy and closed.
---
Yejin was awakened by the sunlight that touched her face. She touched her side and found Bin was not there. Unsure of what to do, she managed to use the restroom and freshen up. She felt stinky as she went straight to the hotel from the airport. She just washed her face and brushed her teeth with the available toiletries in the restroom. She would just wait for Bin in that room.
Minutes later, he came, with a serious look on his face. She got alarmed and all the negative thought just came through her. Did he talk to his parents about her? Did they disapprove of her?
She was sitting at the side of the bed and Bin just sat down beside her and hugged her tightly, still not saying anything.
"Hey what's the matter? You're making me nervous love. Are you going to divorce me?" She couldn't help voicing out her fear. She's now teary-eyed.
Bin's voice cracked. "No, of course not."
"Then, what's the matter love?" She's now confused.
Looking at her lovingly, Bin asked her. "Why didn't you tell me you tried to contact me three years ago? After your father died?"
Oh that..he knew already? Did his mom told him?
"Ah.. yeah.. I tried to contact you. Did your eommoni tell you?" Admitting, she asked back.
Bin nodded..He cupped her face. "Love, I'm sorry, I didn't know...Had I known it that time, I would have come to you to Houston and settle things with you right there and then. I'm sorry that I harbored the bitterness in the past five years, thinking that I was the only one who took all the effort to save our relationship..."
She smiled and just kissed him on his lips. "It's okay love...please don't be bothered about it."
He looked at her with tenderness. "Why didn't you tell me?..." Not hearing any answer from her, Bin continued, "Was it because of eommoni?"
She nodded. "You're going through a lot, love. I just don't want you to blame you eommoni and add it to your concerns. It's not a big deal, after all.."
Bin hugged her again. "Still, I'm sorry love. I wanna make it right with you. I will tell my family about us, okay? Please do not worry anymore..and let's just enjoy us being together again now, okay?"
She smiled, now relieved of all her worries with Bin's assurance. "Love, I also have something to tell you.."
"What's that love?"
"I decided to go back here in Seoul with you...or rather to just be where you'd be..I'll continue my practice here, even if that means I'll start anew..You're my life now, Bin, and of course our baby.." She smiled, and hearing her say those words, Bin thought he was looking at an angel.
His face was radiant. "Really love? You just made me the happiest. Thank you...I love you..."
And they kissed passionately, assured of the love they have now...
ready to fight and stand for it...