HEART'S SONG: 5 YEARS LATER

SAIA'S POV:

It's going to be a beautiful sunset.

The warm breeze brushes my face as I turn towards the laughter on the beach below me. I lean against the railing of the porch on my mother's house and smile as my step-father Scott, Young Saeng and step-brother CJ play with their dog. Hye Sun and my 4 year old daughter, Jin Ju, are building a sandcastle and my daughter's laughter makes me smile.

"She sure is pretty. I can't imagine what her father is going to do when she gets older and the boys start chasing after her." My mom says as she hands me a glass of iced tea.

"He already got upset when he found out I told Min Jae to hold her hand when they were crossing the street with me. They are best friends but it still upset Ji-Hoo." I laugh. She laughs with me and pushes her hair behind her ears.

"Ji-Hoo is a great father. It amazes me how he can sleep anywhere but will be at Jin's side in an instant if she's upset."

I laugh and look down at his relaxed form on a lounge chair. His face is covered by his hat but I'm sure he is asleep.

"True but I'm happy he is getting some rest. Sometimes he works way too hard."

"Says the wife that does the same thing." She pointedly says and I grimace.

My mom and I make our way down to the beach and I sit down beside Ji-Hoo on his chair.

"Omma(mom), do you see the sandcastle that Aunt Sun and I are making?" Jin Ju asks as she runs up to me.

"I do! It looks great! You will have to show your Appa(dad) when he wakes up."

"Uh-huh! I'm going to make it taller than me!" she says and runs back to working on it.

"She doesn't have to try very hard to make it taller than her." Ji-Hoo murmurs as he pulls his hat off his face. He chuckles as I hit his arm.

"She wants to impress you!"

"She does that every day. Just like her mother. She is just as pretty as her mother too. "

"Aigoo… What is with the flattery all of the sudden? You're making me nervous."

He sits up and nuzzles my ear. "If I play nice I'm hoping you will share that iced tea."

"See, I knew you wanted something!" I say with a laugh and hand him the glass.

He grins before taking a long drink of it and sets the glass down beside the chair. I don't trust that look in his eye and I don't move fast enough. He grabs me around the waist and pins me beneath him as he tickles me. I try to break free but he's too strong and my laughter is making it hard for me to push him off.

Two tiny hands start tickling Ji-Hoo's waist and it distracts him enough to exact my own revenge as I tickle him back. Leaping off the chair and away from me, I watch him run with Jin Ju chasing after him. He picks her up to swing her around in his arms and I can hear her bubbly laughter.

Watching them for a few more minutes as she shows him her sandcastle, I stand up to go back inside. All the excitement has made me tired and nauseous. I haven't been feeling well for awhile now and I know I should tell Ji-Hoo but I keep putting it off.

Soon. I'll tell him soon. Just not right now.

(^_^)

I feel a cool hand touch my face and I open my heavy eyes. It's dark outside and late from the looks of it. Ji-Hoo is looking at me with concern and I clear my scratchy throat.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"It's after 11. Omma and I let you sleep through dinner because you didn't look so good. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah I'm just tired. I'll be fine."

"Are you hungry? I can heat up some soup."

"Sure." I nod and follow him into the kitchen.

My mom looks up from her book.

"Are you feeling any better?" she asks.

"Yeah I'm fine." Though I doubt my tired voice and weak smile are convincing. Especially from the skeptical looks I get from her, Scott, and Ji-Hoo.

Ji-Hoo and Scott talk about the new Art building that Scott is designing for the city of San Diego. He's an architect and it's a very big project. I half-heartedly listen to their conversation and eat as much of the soup as I can.

Sliding out of my chair, I quietly slip away when I see they are distracted. I'm too worn out to deal with people fussing over me.

Once I'm back in bed, I quickly fall back asleep.

Hours later, I wake up because of my rolling stomach. I try to control the nausea but I'm quickly losing the battle. Doing my best not to wake Ji-Hoo, I slide out of bed and make my way into the bathroom. I barely make it inside before I'm hunched over the toilet.

So much for the soup… I realize in disappointment. I have a hard time keeping anything down these days.

Ji-Hoo's hand presses a cool wash rag against the back of my neck and I lean against his touch as my coughing fit finally ends. He gently pulls me into his arms on the floor and presses the rag against my face. It feels heavenly.

"Hey. You are not okay. What's wrong?" He asks in concern.

"I'm fine. I just need to rest." I push myself up to my feet and make my way to the sink. I can see the worry on his face as I rinse out my mouth.

Shuffling out the door, I crawl back into bed and he sits down beside me. His hand feels my face for my temperature and he feels my pulse. Grabbing his hand, I tug on his arm.

"Come back to bed." I plead.

Climbing in beside me, I can still feel him watching me.

"You need to tell me what's wrong. I can give you something to make you feel better."

Realizing that my time is up, I feel my heart flutter in a panic. I have to tell him but I'm scared of what his reaction will be.

"I'll be fine Ji-Hoo. It's just…"

"…It's just what?" he asks in concern. Grabbing his hand I place it over my flat stomach and look into his eyes.

"It's just our baby isn't letting me keep any food down right now."

His eyes go wide in shock and he looks down at his hand on my belly.

"I know we haven't talked about having another child yet Ji-Hoo but-" his mouth cuts me off as he presses his lips to mine. His kiss is sweet and gentle. He pulls away to look at me and his eyes search mine.

"Really? You're really pregnant?" he asks. I nod and his gorgeous smile spreads across his face.

"You're okay with this then?" I ask.

"Of course I am! This is amazing news!" His smile falters. "Are you not… happy?"

"I'm still surprised but yes. I'm happy. It's just…unexpected."

Ji-Hoo chuckles and pulls me close. "All the best things are unexpected, love. First you, then Jin Ju, and now this new baby. Thank you, Saia."

I smile and snuggle closer to him. Of course he would be happy.

What was I even afraid of?

(^_^)

[8 MONTHS LATER]

JI-HOO'S POV:

"Are you still mad?" I ask. Saia keeps her head turned away from me and keeps silent. I tried to sit next to her on the couch but she got up and moved to the chair. "Look. I know it's hard for you not to go to the studio right now but you can't."

"Why? Why not? Dr. Hee said it was good for me!"

"Saia, baby, you are eight months pregnant now. Even Dr. Hee says you need to take it easy."

"Of course she would take your side! All you have to do is smile at her and she will do whatever you want! It's bad enough that my back hurts, I can't see my feet anymore, and your son keeps me up all night! He is just like his father!" she thunders.

"You can't be doing ballet in your condition!" I continue, ignoring her jab at me.

"Why do you have to be such a worry wart? You act like I've never been pregnant before! I know what I can handle!" she counters and pushes herself up out of the chair. Grabbing her arms, I gently pin her against the wall to keep her from going anywhere. Looking down into her defiant face, I can't help myself.

I start to laugh.

"Yoon Ji-Hoo what is so funny?" She asks angrily.

"You are very cute when you're mad."

"…Oh really?" she says through gritted teeth. I nod and lower my head to her level so I can look into her eyes.

"Is it so wrong for me to care about the health of my wife and our unborn son?"

"Is it so hard for you to trust your wife's judgment?" she counters.

"I do trust your judgment. But I also know how stubborn you are and your hormones are not making it any easier."

"Ugh… You can be such a pain DR. YOON! It's your fault I'm like this in the first place!"

"My fault?" I laugh.

"Yes! Your fault!" She snarls. "If you would just keep your hands to yourself once in awhile-"

"You weren't exactly complaining at the time and it takes two to make a baby." I say logically.

Her eyes suddenly well up with tears and she starts crying. In a panic, I pull her into my arms and rub her back with my hands.

"You tricked me! You took me to that romantic beach and filled me up with alcohol." She says between sobs. I bite my lips to keep from laughing. She is way more emotional with this pregnancy. Her mood swings have been all over the place.

"I didn't trick you, you know that! I just wanted to do something nice for you. Is that such a crime?"

She shakes her head against my chest and I tilt her head up towards mine to give her a quick kiss.

"I love you and our children very much. I know this was unexpected but I'm happy and I hope you are too. You don't regret it do you?" I ask her. She sniffles and shakes her head.

"I bet you regret having a fat, clumsy wife though." She pouts.

"I don't have a fat, clumsy wife. I have a beautiful, pregnant wife that I adore. You are irreplaceable to me."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better so that I'll stop crying." She sniffles.

"No, my love, I'm saying it because it's true. Come and eat dinner. Okay?" I brush the tears off her cheeks and she nods her head.

"Let me just wash my face first." She heads towards the bathroom and I go back to the dining room.

Serena looks up at me with a smile. She's staying with us till after the baby is born. Saia needs her and frankly so do I.

"How is she?"

"A little better. She just went to wash her face."

"Omma's okay now?" Jin Ju asks. I nod and smile at her.

We continue to eat but I start to worry when Saia doesn't come back. It's been 10 minutes already. She should already be here.

Standing up, I make my way back to the bathroom. I hear her gasp in pain and see her crouched on the floor holding her stomach. Alarmed, I run to her side.

"What's wrong?"

"My water broke."

"What? It's too soon!"

"I know that already Ji-Hoo!" She says in a panic. Lifting her up in my arms, I make my way towards the front door.

"Omma!" I call out and Serena comes quickly to our side.

"What happened?"

"Her water broke. I need to get her to the hospital. I don't want Jin to see her in pain."

"Okay. I'll bring her with me and follow you." She says as she helps me put Saia in the car.

"Thank you."

(^_^)

I'm worried.

They took her into surgery and they won't tell me anything. This can't be good.

"Honestly Ji-Hoo, I know you're worried but could you please sit down? Your pacing is giving me a headache." Jun Pyo complains. Jan Di elbows him in the ribs and he grumbles in pain.

Boo Ki grabs my arm and looks worriedly into my face.

"What reason can they have to take her into surgery? Is it because the baby is early?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of reasons and I don't want to think about any of them." Hearing the doors open, I look up to see Dr. Hee coming towards me. I can hardly breathe and Boo Ki's grip on my arm tightens.

"They are both doing fine. Saia will be in recovery for awhile before guests will be allowed to see her. Your son is healthy but they both need to stay here for a few days for observation."

"What happened?" I ask.

"There were complications during delivery. Her body was fighting her and the baby because of the scar tissue on her uterus. I believe Dr. Park said she was stabbed 5 years ago?"

"Yes but she's had a baby since then and there were no complications that time." Boo Ki says.

"The body is a strange thing. It doesn't always act the same during every pregnancy. It decides when it wants to cooperate and when it doesn't. She's okay now. That's what counts."

"Thank you, Dr. Hee."' I sigh in relief.

"You're welcome. And Congratulations, Dr. Yoon."

(^_^)

"He's so tiny Appa." Jin Ju whispers to me. I hold her in my arms so that she can see her new brother through the glass.

"Yes he is. I bet he is going to be just like your Omma, impatient and full of surprises."

She giggles and nods her head. "When can I see Omma?"

"I'm not sure but I'll take you to her as soon as I can, okay?" I kiss her on the cheek and hand her to Yi-Jung.

"Min Jae is going to be happy you're staying the night with us." He says to her and she smiles.

Making my way down the hallway to Saia's room, I sit beside her bed and rub her cheek with the back of my hand.

"Hey." She says groggily. "We have got to stop meeting like this."

I smile and nod my head. "Agreed. I don't like seeing you in a hospital bed, even if it is for our son."

"How is he?"

"He's beautiful. We sure do make great looking kids."

"And good kids too. How did we get to be so lucky Ji-Hoo?"

"I'm not sure but I am grateful for every single day."

"Me too."

(^_^)

Feeling a tiny, soft hand pat my cheek I open my eyes and smile at Jin Ju.

"Appa? Can we make hotcakes today?"

Sitting up in bed, I stretch my arms over my head. "Sure. Where's your Omma?"

"She's with brother."

Jin Ju follows me as I make my way to the baby's room. When I open the door, I feel her grip tightly to my leg. Saia is almost asleep in a chair with Ji Sung sound asleep on her shoulder. I gently lift him out of her arms and Saia opens her eyes to watch me place him in his crib.

"Jin-ah do you want to see your brother?" She quietly asks. Jin Ju nods her head and Saia lifts her up in her arms to bring her over to the crib.

"Omma do you love brother more than me and Appa?" she whispers. Saia looks at her in surprise and shakes her head.

"No baby. I love you, Appa, and Ji Sung all the same."

"Why do you spend so much time with him then?"

"He needs me right now because he can't do everything that his big sister can."

Sliding my arm around Saia's waist, I hug them both and kiss the top of Jin Ju's head. "Your Omma loves you very much and so do I. Let's help her take care of your little brother, okay?"

She smiles and nods her head. "Are you happy Appa?"

"Yes. I never knew I could be this happy."