Hey guys! So this it. We have reached the end for the Long Hike. This story was a strange ride for me. Some chapters flowed easily and others were like pulling teeth to get it to come together. However, it turned out to be one of my favorite things I have worked on. So for everyone who has read this story and even remotely enjoyed it, thank you! I can't tell you how much it means to me when you review, favorite, or even just view my stories. So, I hope you enjoy the epilogue and be on the lookout for new fics coming soon. :-)

Yi Jeong opened his apartment door and was surprised to smell the scent of rich food cooking. He put down his bag and walked quietly down the entryway. He peeked around the corner and smiled at the sight of Ga Eul cooking. She was listening to music and humming while puttering around. He took special delight in the image since this was the first time he had seen her like this since the accident.

Two days after saving Ji Hoo and getting the men who attacked her arrested, Yi Jeong had moved her to Sweden. Although her doctors believed such a long flight was risky, Ga Eul desperately needed to get out of Korea and the hospital. Her mental state over her injuries was becoming bleaker the longer she sat in the hospital.

Yi Jeong knew that she couldn't relax when she was so consumed by appearing strong for her parents sake, determined not to cause any more worry for Woo Bin who was still guilt-ridden for not being with her that morning, or the ever-attentive pecking from Geum Jan Di, who meant well but didn't always know when to take a pause. The afternoon he walked in and saw her sheer white from the toll of assuring her family and constant interactions with the others was the day he signed her out.

Ji Hoo had flown with them in Gu Jun Pyo's plane to supervise her which had been the scariest plane ride of Yi Jeong's life. Even Ji Hoo whose ability to remain calm no matter what had become shaken by how painful the trip was for her. Especially when they ran into strong turbulence. The violent shakes of the plane ripped fiery shots through her abdomen. And while she tried to contain it, every tiny cry through her parched lips was enough to make Yi Jeong tremble. Once they finally landed, they sat on the runway for an hour before Ji Hoo felt like they could safely move her.

Yi Jeong was half tempted to just take her directly to the hospital here in Sweden but Ga Eul insisted on going home. There was nothing the doctors could really do except give her painkillers which Ji Hoo was able to administer, so she just wanted to be somewhere safe and quiet.

The minute they walked into his place, they both let out huge sighs of relief. Yi Jeong had tucked her into bed where she slept consistently for three days. He watched over her with nightmares, praying he had not made the wrong decision. However, once she woke up, she seemed stronger. Her body finally getting the rest it desperately needed and knowing she didn't have to put on an act with him, she didn't try to pretend everything was fine. She told him about the pain and worry that she may never be the same.

Yi Jeong assured her the best he could but he also refused to let her go too far down that line of thinking and Ga Eul had never been happier with his overconfidence since it was exactly the strength she needed to push through.

It had been almost four months now and Yi Jeong was slowly starting to go back to the studio to work instead of doing it here. Ga Eul was making strides in her physical therapy and was now able to walk without aid. She still got tired easily but on her last appointment, the doctor said Ga Eul was cleared for all activities. Which is why she had insisted he go back to his regular routine. He refused at first but she put her foot down. The first three days were nothing but panic-driven messages checking on her every five minutes and coming home after only being at the studio for a few hours.

After a few weeks though without any incidents, he was slowly relaxing. She no longer needed a nurse or painkillers. Her therapy appointments were down to once a week and this past weekend, she had been able to go out to dinner with him and eat a full meal without becoming sick on the rich food after only able to eat bland broths for so long.

So, seeing her move easily around his kitchen, her hips grooving awkwardly to the music made his heart feel a peace he had not felt since Woo Bin had called him to report that she was missing, He leaned against the doorframe with a tiny grin.

"That's a pretty picture to come home to," he called lazily. Ga Eul jumped slightly in surprise but turned to smile at him. "Hi."

"Hi."

He didn't move but only continued to stare at her and something passed between them. A heavyweight of sexual tension that had been building for the last few days. Although Yi Jeong insisted she stay in his room and he slept carefully beside her, she had been previously too ill for them to become distracted. However, now it was getting harder to ignore.

Ga Eul turned off the stove and came over to him. Her arms wrapping around his neck as she kissed him lightly. "Hi."

"Hi," he repeated with a smirk and kissed her again. "How was your day?"

"Good." Ga Eul assured him. "I went for a walk."

Yi Jeong cocked his eyebrow. "A walk? By yourself?"

She nodded. "I stayed close to the house but I managed to walk for almost an hour today."

He frowned and took her chin to look at her. "You didn't push yourself too hard, did you? You still need to be careful."

"Really, Yi Jeong," she laughed at his predictable lecture. "I'm fine. I stopped a few times if I became tired or winded but for the most part, it was easy." She beamed happily at him. "I felt normal. Not someone still in throes of recovery or someone injured. I just felt like me."

He kissed her longer this time. "You're still not allowed to hike though."

She laughed and only shook her head at his stubbornness. Even the word hike made his break out in anxious hives. While Ga Eul had every intention of picking up her hobby again at some point, if for no other reason than to remove the image of her attack from it, she knew it would take some very special persuasion tactics to convince Yi Jeong. And even if he eventually agreed, she doubted he would ever let her go without him or some form of an armed bodyguard. Not to mention that Woo Bin would probably fly to Sweden to lock her in a closet if he heard about her desire to start up again.

Especially since Song Woo Bin had officially adopted her as his sister last month. After Yi Jeong's grandfather had found out that he had taken her to Sweden, he started making a lot of threats. Not just about disowning Yi Jeong or cutting him off but also subtle manipulations with her parents. Thankfully, they reported it to Yi Jeong right away who had become furious at the news. Ga Eul's parents though stayed strong in their support over the relationship and he was humbled by their constant acceptance of him into their family. He had told his grandfather to do whatever he wanted to him but if he touched Ga Eul or her family, he would personally kill him.

Gu Jun Pyo however, decided to just take everything out the old man's hands and wrote up the paperwork to adopt her but Woo Bin beat him to it. Knowing that So Yoon Hee was more afraid of being on the wrong side of his family than his. So, with permission from his father who had always liked Chu Ga Eul, he talked to her family about his desire to give her the Song name. Her folks readily agreed since they wanted their daughter safe. So, within days the paperwork was signed and official which had infuriated So Yoon Hee but he had at least stopped with his threats. Knowing that if kept pushing, Woo Bin's father would become involved since it now involved a member of his family.

Ga Eul was beyond grateful that she could finally love Yi Jeong without the constant worry that his family would manage to break them up. Her parents were safe and visiting her aunt in the states with a new sense of freedom over not having constant phone calls or bribery attempts. Yi Jeong still refused to speak to his grandfather or his father but had begrudgingly decided not leave the family in order to continue the legacy of the museum. However, she knew that if his grandfather tried anything else, he would walk.

Now that their lives were settling down, Ga Eul was ready to simply focus on them. Without any fear or pain. So, remembering her plan she took a step back and returned to cooking.

"Did you finish your pot?"

"Mm-hmm," Yi Jeong took off his jacket with a sigh and leaped onto the counter, reminding her of the last time she had cooked for him here. "I still have some work to do on it but for the most part, it is finished."

"Can I see it?"

"No." Yi Jeong grinned at her scowl but he only shook his head. This was one piece he was determined not to let her see until the show. It was a special one that he had designed just for her based on the necklace she had worn for the two years waiting on him. The symbol of her love was one that Yi Jeong now constantly wore as a reminder to never forget how close he came to losing her.

Ga Eul had tried once to take it back but Yi Jeong refused to hand it over. In fact, he had just laughed when she first asked him for it.

"Yi Jeong," Ga Eul called from the bathroom to where he lay lounging on the bed. "Do you remember the necklace the doctors took off me at the hospital?"

"You mean this one?" Yi Jeong pulled it out from under his shirt, not even bothering to look up from the book he was reading. "What about it?"

Ga Eul frowned in confusion. "I've been looking everywhere for that." When he only continued to focus on his reading, she huffed and climbed in beside him. She held her hand out expectantly but he simply stared blankly at her. "What?"

"My necklace," she said slowly and was surprised when he only looked down at her hand and then back up to her with a small smirk. "I don't think so."

She rolled her eyes and went to remove it but he quickly knocked her hands away. "Don't even think about it."

"But it's mine." Ga Eul laughed in bewilderment. "Besides, it just a cheap little thing. One of your ties cost three times more than it."

"What's your point?"

"So why are you wearing it?" She asked slowly and he put down his book with a cocked eyebrow. "Is your memory faulty, Ga Eul Yang? I told you at the hospital this was mine now."

"You did?" She scrunched her nose and briefly recalled a conversation when she had first awakened from surgery but it was blurry. "I just thought you were holding onto it for safe-keeping."

He chuckled and grabbed her wrist to haul her gently into his lap. "It looks like I will need to refresh your memory then." He held up the tiny pot figurine with a satisfied gleam. "I told you when you first woke up that both this and you were officially mine now. And since I don't play fair and allow anyone else to touch something that belongs to me, this stays on my neck and you stay in my bed." He smiled wickedly at her blush. "Are we clear?"

"Fine," Ga Eul grumbled. "But I feel naked without it."

"Then I am really never giving it back," Yi Jeong muttered as his lips laid softly into the hollow of her throat. "And if you ever want to become more naked, just let me know. I will only be too happy to help you."

"Ha, ha." She whispered but didn't get up. And even though they both knew she was not physically strong enough yet to go there, he couldn't resist kissing along the tender side of her neck. His hands creeping up under her shirt to caress the bare skin of her ribs. Ga Eul leaned into his touch and he barely suppressed a moan. He carefully withdrew and laid his forehead onto her collarbone. His breathing hard but he still managed to reach behind her and grab the necklace she had sneakily taken off him while he was distracted.

"Nice try."

"Yi Jeong!"

The memory of the encounter made Yi Jeong smile as he watched Ga Eul stir something on the stove. Her movements easy and also remembering the last time she cooked for him during his birthday visit, he reached and drew her in between his legs. "So besides walking, did you do anything else fun today?"

She bit her lip in hesitation which struck him with curiosity. "What?"

"I did buy something." She admitted timidly and he laughed. "Ga Eul, you can buy anything you want. You know that. I've told you to just charge whatever you like to my account—"

"No. I bought it," Ga Eul said with a shake of her head. "It's a gift for you."

He blinked in surprise. "You don't have to buy me anything. And I told you to quit worrying about the money."

"I know." She said quietly. "But this was special. I wanted to be the one to get it."

"All-right." Yi Jeong grumbled, still not happy that she kept trying to pay for things. He wanted to spoil her and she was making it difficult. But realizing he was probably hurting her feelings by acting ungracious towards whatever she had picked up for him, he put on a grin. "So when do I get my present?"

"Tonight." Ga Eul said with a laugh at his mock pout. "Trust me. You will want to eat first."

"Hmm," Yi Jeong murmured and kissed her cheek. "That sounds ominous."

"But can I show you something first?" Ga Eul asked quietly and he immediately frowned at her nervousness. "Of course."

She took a deep breath before taking his hand and led him carefully to the second room which had originally served as his office. She paused at the door and looked over her shoulder at him. "Be honest, okay?"

He ran his hand over her back soothingly. "Sweetheart, what is it?"

Without answering, Ga Eul opened the door and flicked on the light. Yi Jeong's eyes widened as he saw that she set up the artist supplies he had bought for her into a small painting area. He had never asked her about painting but simply let her know they were there if she wanted them. He took a careful step inside the room and looked at the artwork on the walls.

She apparently had done quite a few and he was struck in amazement at each one. There was one of Woo Bin at the hospital. His head was down and hands folded in prayer as he sat beside her bed. The grief and protective posture of his best friend evident. The colors fading around her so your focus was simply on the young man instead of the hospital room. There was another one of Jan Di and Jun Pyo dancing in some field. Jan Di wore a simple white dress and Jun Pyo was twirling her around. And finally one of Ji Hoo standing on a bridge with his grandfather fishing. They were smiling while the figures of his parents stood behind them watching over both carefully.

"Ga Eul," He murmured in disbelief. "They are beautiful."

"Really?" Ga Eul shuffled anxiously. "You're not just saying that?"

"Of course not." Yi Jeong snapped and Ga Eul relaxed. He never liked it when she implied that he might lie or hide something from her. Feeling assured of his sincerity, she moved to the easel and withdrew the covering. It was the trail where she been injured and his eyes flew over to hers. "Ga Eul?"

"I wanted to erase it," she told him softly. "I don't want to remember them anymore. So I painted it fresh."

He looked back at the image she had created. The trail was long and bendy, the colors of the trees fading into their colors of orange and red, and the glimpse of the extravagant lodge sat up on a hill in the background. It was peaceful but yet all he could see was the image of her falling backward. The large branch piercing into her stomach and the hours of her laying on the ground slowly bleeding to death.

"I don't like this one," he admitted with a dark glare. "It's too hard for me Ga Eul to look at it and not think-"

"I know." Ga Eul interrupted quietly. "But that's my point, Yi Jeong. I survived. This didn't kill me and now… Well, it's over."

He let that sink in for a moment before nodding, his eyes still on the painting. While it would probably always be difficult for him to remember, maybe it didn't need to haunt them anymore. He took her carefully into his arms and kissed her. "I love them."

She exhaled and sank into him. "It's helped to get the images out of my head. To put them down this way."

"Hmm," Yi Jeong agreed, knowing how therapeutic it could be to put your emotions into your art. "Why didn't you tell me you were painting again?"

"I don't know… It still makes me nervous to show them to people sometimes."

"Ga Eul," he took her face firmly. "You can tell me or show me anything. No matter what." He looked at her in concern. "You know that don't you?"

She nodded and he stroked her cheeks. "You're safe with me, Ga Eul. You never have to worry that anything you share with me is not safe."

"I know that, Yi Jeong." Ga Eul rubbed his wrist that was still clutching her face. "I didn't mean that. It's just takes me a while to feel like something is good enough to show. It's me not feeling confident in myself. Not you."

"I don't like that either," Yi Jeong growled with a lingering kiss to her forehead. "One I plan on fixing." He drew back and met her gaze with a fierce gleam in his eye. "Be as shy as you want sweetheart. But don't ever hide because you think you're not good enough. Especially with this. Your talent is wonderful, Ga Eul."

"Thank you." She looked at him for a long time. Although Yi Jeong had told her he loved her over a million times, she had never felt more than she did right now. He was furious that she doubted herself and the stark amazement on his face as he looked at her artwork made her feel like a goddess.

"You know what…" Ga Eul grinned and moved away from him. "Forget dinner. I think it's time I gave you your gift now."

"You mean," he gestured to her work in confusion. "This wasn't it?"

"No." She laughed as she headed back down the hall. "Go turn everything off and meet me in the bedroom in ten minutes. I hide it in there."

"Ga Eul, what are you—" He stopped with a sigh as she only disappeared into their room. "Aish. Stubborn woman."

He turned everything off but his stomach was growling as he walked casually into the bedroom after the allotted time. "Maybe we should eat after all. I'm starving—"

Yi Jeong froze, his hunger immediately replaced with a different kind as he saw her standing in the middle of the room. She had placed numerous candles throughout the room and had turned on his fireplace to rid the space of the cold Swedish air. The color of the flames bouncing off her hair as he stood in front of him wearing nothing but a long deep red nightgown. It was held up only by thin straps and two deep slits that went clear up to her hips. The cut across her breast was low showing off her fullness.

"Can you guess what your present is?" Ga Eul called out with a grin but he only continued to stare at her.

"What are-what are you," Yi Jeong stammered and it took all her strength not to gloat at shaking up the famously smooth Casanova. "What are you wearing?" He finally managed to squeeze out.

"This?" Ga Eul looked down at her nightgown with a mischievous expression. "It's what I bought today during my walk." She took a step forward and his eyes immediately went to the long expanse of leg exposed. "Do you like it?"

He could only nod and enjoying herself immensely, she decided to tease him a little more. "Are you sure? I wasn't certain about the back…"

"The back?" Yi Jeong said dazedly. She turned slowly, moving her hair to the side and Yi Jeong moaned at the sight. The gown was completely backless and her creamy skin was highlighted by the red coloring.

"So is that a yes?"

Shaking himself out his lust induced fog, Yi Jeong drew her into his arms. His lips going to the side of her neck. "I want to both rip this off you and never let you wear anything else ever again all at the same time."

Ga Eul giggled and dipped her head back to give him better access. "I should have bought another one then."

"Buy them all." Yi Jeong mumbled, his fingers sliding under the straps over her shoulders. "I will pay for three in each color."

"Deal." She kissed his jaw and holding onto his tiny thread of control, he studied her carefully. "Ga Eul, are you sure about this? If you're not ready yet or still feel shaky—"

"Yi Jeong," Ga Eul pressed her front into him firmly. "Look at me. I'm fine. My strength has returned and my body is almost completely healed." She began to unbutton his shirt with a new determination. "I love you. And I remember a certain promise that I made that the next time I visited you here, I would not be going to your bed just to sleep."

Yi Jeong didn't respond but simply gave a quick tug on her ties and her nightgown pooled to the floor. His eyes went black with heat as he took in the sight of her bare body. His gaze traveling over every curve with a slow sensual appreciation. She gleamed like cream in the firelight, and Yi Jeong could no longer contain himself. He muttered her name as he began to walk her back to the bed. She laughed as her legs hit the mattress and he gently pushed her down, his body following her with a low predatory growl.

"I love you. And now I am going to prove it to you all night long."

"Do you promise?"

He shook his head in amusement even as his hands cupped her and she arched into his touch. "Ga Eul, you will be lucky if I let you out of this bed anytime in the foreseeable future."

"I don't want to be let out." Ga Eul told him and his eyes darkened dangerously. He slowly lowered and took her mouth ending all conversation. Consumed by the feeling of his body pressing up against her, she lost any ability to do anything but feel. Wrapping herself around him, she moaned in pleasure while he took into a sea of raw heat. For a long time, there was nothing but finally bringing their bodies together with all the emotions that had been bottled up for too long.

Eventually, Yi Jeong was able to raise his head from where he had collapsed on top of her after hours of memorizing her body and cataloging every moan or cry of pleasure which he vowed to hear every night for the rest of his life.

"I love you."

"I love you too," Ga Eul said breathlessly. He gently lifted off her and drew her to his side. Her skin was damp with sweat and he felt the primal sense of satisfaction at knowing he was the cause of it.

He kissed a tiny pattern over her shoulder and she smiled sleepily up at him. He took her waist and rolled her so she was sprawled over his chest. "Marry me?"

Her eyes widened in surprise but then her expression softened and she just nodded, to overcome with emotions to answer. He sighed in relief as he carefully sat up and took her hand with a grimace. "I have a ring for you at the studio. I was planning on asking you at the showing." Yi Jeong admitted with a laugh. "I had an extravagant speech planned and everything."

"I don't want an extravagant speech, Yi Jeong." Ga Eul whispered happily. "This is perfect."

He kissed and rubbed her left finger. "I can't wait to get that diamond on you. I want everyone to know you belong to me."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at his tone. "You didn't get me a diamond the size of a mountain did you?"

Yi Jeong grinned cockily. "No."

"Thank goodness—"

"It's bigger."

"What?" Ga Eul sputtered but he covered her mouth, halting her protests. "Not a word. I am going to spoil you rotten from now on and you're not going to say a word."

"But—"

"Nope." He pressed her lips together. "Now hush."

She glared at him through his fingers but his eyes just twinkled happily at her crushing any argument. She gave a reluctant nod signally she wouldn't argue and he slowly released her. "Good girl."

Ga Eul shook her head but leaned down to kiss him softly. "I love you."

He rolled her back underneath him with a low murmur of her name. "I love you too." He tenderly brushed her hair out of her eyes. "You're really alive. Sometimes I worry that I am going to wake up still in that hospital and find you still laying there unconscious."

"No." Ga Eul ran her hand soothingly over his chest. "I'm here. You got me through it."

"Okay," Yi Jeong agreed huskily but she doubted that fear would ever truly leave him. She fell silent for a while but not wanting him to continue along that line of thinking, she titled her head. "When?"

"When what?" Yi Jeong asked and she sighed teasingly. "When do I go from your fiancé to your wife?"

"Does tomorrow work for you?"

She nodded but he shook his head with a grin. "Nuh-uh You are getting the wedding with all the bells and whistles."

"Why?"

"Because," he dipped his mouth to her clavicle, his body responding painfully all over again at the feel of her. "I want everyone to see you. To know that you chose me and then I am going to throw it all in their faces."

"So sweet of you." Ga Eul gasped as he nipped the tender flesh of her breast. "I never claimed to be sweet." He sobered briefly and looked at her firmly. "I don't plan on waiting long to marry you but I will be damned if it's not the wedding you've always dreamed of."

"I never dreamed of a wedding," she admitted. Tears of happiness flowing down her cheeks. "I just dreamed of you."

He smiled, his own eyes a little misty. "Then I am going to marry you before you change your mind."

"Never." Ga Eul promised, somehow realizing he was half-serious. "It's only ever been you."

Yi Jeong made a contented noise as he climbed back on top of her, his face flushed with fresh desire. "Fine," he groaned huskily. "I guess tomorrow works."

He heard her laugh as his lips worked their way down her body and he decided weddings were overrated anyway.