Playing House -- Epilogue

Epilogue: "At this moment there are 6, 502, 867, 120 people in the world, give or take a few, and sometimes all you need is ONE. For better or for worse." - One Tree Hill

One Year Later.

"Kahnsamnida!", Hwangbo said and bowed for maybe the fourth time already. She could not hide her delight.

"Aniya, Hwangbossi. You and Hyunjoongssi took very good care of Munhee while I was still searching for him. I owe you this much. Besides, he is always looking for both of you when we were in Taiwan." Munhee's Appa smiled, deeply grateful for everything this lovely couple has done for his son one year ago.

"We'll bring him back tomorrow. We just wanted to take him to the beach", Hyunjoong told the other man.

"Sure. He really seems to love the beach, so I think it'll be good for him..", Munhee's Appa answered.

They left Munhee's house right after and started on their little trip.

Munhee started giggling at the back seat.

"Wei? Munhee, what's so funny", Hwangbo asked.

"Nothing, Auntie. I'm just happy.", the child answered trying to suppress his giggles.

Hyunjoong looked at Munhee's reflection through the rear view mirror. He was more than elated that despite all those that happened to him. Hyunjoong admired how fast he was able to recover from the shock of learning the truth about who Hwangbo and Hyunjoong were and the truth about his real Appa. Munhee did not seem to have a single hatred in his pure heart. Sure he had questions, but he always seemed logical even at the age of four.

"Uncle, this is Anmyundo!", he announced gleefully.

"You still remember?", Hyunjoong asked, pulling into the driveway of the same old beach house.

"Of Course! Are we going parasailing today?", Munhee asked, his face hopeful for a positive response as they walked on the sandy pathway.

"Ane!", Hwangbo responded stiffly, then walked ahead of the boys.

Munhee was obviously disappointed, and Hyunjoong was shocked to see Hwangbo's sudden mood swing.

"We'll just go swimming then...", Hyunjoong tried to lighten up Munhee.
~~
It had been scorching hot in the afternoon, so Hwangbo took refuge under the big beach umbrella. Hyunjoong followed her right away, leaving Munhee to play in the sand by himself.

"Are you okay?" he touched her shoulder blades then started rubbing them.

She had been slightly irritable the past few days, not to mention her mood swings. She had been impossible to bear with, but Hyunjoong was ever so patient. She cried watching Pretty Woman, hell, she never cries watching movies, and it took a kilo of yellow ripe mangoes and those spicy tamarind from Thailand to get her to stop. Although they have talked about giving Munhee and his Appa more time since both just arrived from Taiwan, she suddenly changed her mind forcing Hyunjoong to beg Munhee's Appa to allow his son to accompany them. Now, she was being a bit difficult to Munhee.

Hyunjoong sat beside her waiting for her response.

She snorted, "It's too hot.."

Hyunjoong stared at her, 'Wasn't it your idea to come back to Anmyundo?', he wanted to tell her.

"Do you want to go back inside the house then? I can turn on the air conditioner for you.", he offered, adjusting the piece of cloth and covering her exposed leg.

She immediately swatted his hand away, "Do you want me to sleep while you and Munhee are having fun? I'm staying here."

She crinkled her nose then looked away.

Hyunjoong could sense that something was really wrong, and there was no other way to find out, "No, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Of course, I want you to have fun with me and Munhee. That's why we came to the beach.", he explained as lovingly and sweetly as he could, then pulled her closer after snaking her arm around her waist. "What's wrong my Buin?"

She exhaled then rested her head on his shoulders, "Hyunjoongah, when are you going to marry me?", she asked.

The Idol was shocked at her question, "Aren't we married already?"

"But that was a secret marriage, and no one was invited.", she pouted.

Hyunjoong could not believe what he was hearing. She accepted her proposal without second thoughts, but in the midst of the wedding plans, she suddenly changed her mind. The dress had been chosen, the guest list was put in place, a list of names of wedding coordinators was pinned down on her fridge door, they have visited a couple of churches, but she suddenly realized she wanted to keep their wedding a secret. She just wanted it to be him and her for the reasons she boldly pointed out.

He snickered remembering his shock then. He tried to insist, besides, he was tired of hiding their relationship, but Hwangbo as always was persistent. For about 10 months now they have been married and living happily together secretly. Not a soul knows, so he was shocked to hear her say that.

"Are you ashamed of me?", she pouted even more.

"Of course not, I'm just a little shocked that you want this now."

She sat up straight and faced him then rolled her cat like eyes. "Whatever. Anyway, you have no choice but to marry me in that big church we visited once in front of our parents and my friends and your friends."

Hyunjoong laughed out loud. It did not seem like her to be demanding things like that. "What's with the sudden urge to get married in a big church in front of everyone?"

"Are you going to change your mind before the big day again?", he joked. "Are you pulling a prank on me now?"

But Hwangbo's face was stern and serious. "Do you want our baby to be born into this world thinking his parents are ashamed of him that's why they secretly married? Besides, I cannot go around with a bulging stomach and have people think I have a child out of wedlock. And you know those nosy netizens and fangirls of yours thinking they are your----"

"Wait, what did you say?", he cut her off.

Hwangbo bit her lip, her cheeks turning hot red. Her eyes were smiling.

"Are you?? Are we??", Hyunjoong wanted to jump, but he had to confirm it with his Buin first.

She nodded.

"You are pregnant!! I'm gonna be a father soon? I'M GONNA BE A FATHER SOON!!!", he could not help it, he was happy and excited.

Munhee ran towards the couple, wondering what the commotion was all about.

"I'm gonna be a father. We are going to be parents!", he stood up in front of Hwangbo flailing his arms like a happy mad man.

"Uncle, I'm going to have a cousin soon??", Munhee heaved.

Hwangbo smiled at Munhee then nodded in response.

Hyunjoong went down on his knees and pulled Hwangbo and Munhee in a big hug.

"I will marry you tomorrow. Call your parents this instant...", he said excitedly.

Hwangbo pulled away from his embrace. She crossed her brows and protested, "Aniya!! I heard it takes a month to order a Vera Wang wedding gown, and our wedding has to be announced in the primetime news in all the TV stations...", she smiled wryly at him.
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