AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 31

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Hyung-Chul closes the bedroom door and heads down the hall. He stoops to scoop up the alphabet blocks scattered like landmines across the floor, then drops them in the toy bin.

 

Sun-Mi sits on the couch, legs tucked underneath her, hair pulled back into a ponytail. She is wearing a red Nine West cowlneck cable-knit sweater and gray sweatpants. Her Bible lies open, notebook balanced on her lap.

 

Crossing the room, he leans down and plants a kiss on her cheek.

 

"Aya! Can't you see I'm busy?" she complains, pushing him away.

 

"Doing what?"

 

"Tomorrow's Bible study with the ladies. I didn't have time earlier."

 

She looks up, smiling coyly.

 

"Be a dear and tidy up while I finish -- just a few minutes."

 

 

Hyung-Chul goes to the kitchen table, where two fairy cakes, each with two half-burnt candles, sit with party hats and torn gift wrapping. He takes the dishes to the sink, clears away the paper, and wipes off the table.

 

He pours a glass of Merlot and returns to the couch, settling beside Sun-Mi.

 

She closes her Bible and puts it aside, placing her notebook on top.

 

"How was bedtime?" she asks.

 

"Jae-Young was asleep in the first minute, but Mae-Young kept saying 'Again, Daddy'. I must've read "Hop On Pop" five times before she let me tuck her in." He grins. "She's just like her Mum -- with that big smile and those puppy-dog eyes. I just can't say 'No' to her."

 

Sun-Mi purses her lips. "What, 'puppy-dog eyes'? Are you saying I look like a dog?"

 

"Of course not -- never!"

 

"Better not!" she grumbles, then snuggles against the arm of his thick Burberry cardigan.

 

"Tell me about your day."

 

"You go first."

 

"No, you."

 

"Okay... I signed the contract for a new bakery. In Cheam."

 

"Why Cheam?"

 

"It's where we first met, that day I knocked you down with my car," he replies. "Since it's such a lucky place, what can go wrong?"

 

"Humph!" she snorts. "Lucky for you, maybe! But I was the one lying in the street, all banged up. I didn't feel very lucky!"

 

"Anyway... I'm considering Shin-Hee for the assistant manager there. She's doing great as a shift manager in Kensington. And she's leading the morning devotions. So I've asked her to consider taking classes part-time towards a foundation degree in business management."

 

Sun-Mi smiles. "She's such a go-getter, I knew she'd do well."

 

"Now -- your turn."

 

She straightens, turning to face him.

 

"I threw up all morning, again. Thank God for Auntie Lin! She's a lifesaver, taking care of the kids for me. Then I called Jang Mi-Jung. She brought over a stronger medicine that helped with the nausea. She said it's because the baby's probably a girl."

 

"A girl?" he crows. "I told you I had a feeling."

 

"That's easy for you to say," she frowns. "I'm the one who's really feeling it every day!"

 

He pats her leg. "Sorry. Do you want to see the doctor?"

 

"I felt much better this afternoon. I'll talk to the doctor when I go for the ultrasound next week."

 

 

Hyung-Chul swirls his wine, then sips slowly, savoring the taste.

 

"I’ve been thinking," he says. "About what you said -- that with three kids, this flat’s too small. I found a bigger place for sale, near our first home."

 

Sun-Mi shakes her head. "I don't want to live there again."

 

"I understand. There's a lot of feelings involved. But investment-wise, it's a good opportunity."

 

"I'm happy here, with Auntie Lin, the ladies in our church, our neighbors. These people are priceless to me. They mean more than money."

 

He nods. "In that case, I'll start looking for something closer to home."

 

She turns away, glancing at him from the corner of her eye.

 

"Take your time. There's no hurry. We can always squeeze a crib into our room."

 

Hyung-Chul grimaces. "No way! I'll end up on the couch just to get some sleep, with those 2 am feedings," he complains. "We need a place with a proper nursery before the baby comes, plus a playroom -- I'm tired of stepping on toys all the time."

 

Sun-Mi flicks her eyes at him.

 

"Whatever you decide, Dear..."

 

He leans in. "Don't you mean, whatever 'we' decide, Sweetie?"

 

She looks down, blushing. "Ummm...."

 

They laugh.

 

I'll call the estate agent, first thing tomorrow." He checks his watch. "Is that all?"

 

She hesitates, chewing her lower lip.

 

"Actually, Senior... there's something... um... important I need to tell you."

 

"Oh?"

 

He sets the wine glass down.

 

 

"Yesterday I spoke at the elders' meeting."

 

"About what?"

 

"A ministry for women working in the Soho dancing and strip clubs. I went with Shin-Hee."

 

"Ah... so that's why she asked for the afternoon off."

 

"We gave our personal experience about the conditions in the clubs, and the women's needs. Many are lonely and struggling without family or friends for support. And they're judged by society as unredeemable."

 

He nods. "That sounds like it's long overdue. What's the church planning to do?"

 

"Not the church -- me. I was seeking their approval and support."

 

Hyung-Chul blinks. "You? What did they say?"

 

"I can use the church as a meeting place, but since I'm married, I need your approval, too."

 

"But... you have two babies and a third coming. Your health is fragile right now. And realistically, how much can one person do?"

 

"I know. So I've asked my ladies' circle to help. Auntie Lin says she'd sit the kids any time. And Shin-Hee will go with me to the clubs, to invite the women."

 

She takes his hand.

 

"Everything's set. I just need you to agree."

 

He hesitates. "Well... you're really determined to do this?"

 

She nods.

 

"If it's the Lord's will, I want to be obedient."

 

She leans closer. Gazes at him with wide eyes, fluttering her lashes.

 

"Senior?" she says softly. "May I?"

 

She rests a hand on his thigh.

 

"Please say yes. I want to help people, like you do -- give them another chance."

 

He swallows. "I don't know. Can't it wait?"

 

"I feel the Holy Spirit's leading me to do something now. These women deserve the same chance as Shin-Hee -- to find Jesus's love and forgiveness."

 

Hyung-Chul nods. "How can I say no to that?"

 

 

Sun-Mi beams and gives him a smack on the cheek. "You're the best husband a woman could ever have!"

 

He grins. "That's because I have the best wife a man could ever have."

 

 

She puckers invitingly. He doesn't hesitate to act. She nestles into his arms.

 

Their kiss lingers.

 

 

"It's been a long day, and I've missed you," he says, "Why don't we do 'something' together?"

 

Sun-Mi's eyes brighten. A smile plays on her lips. "I know just the 'thing'!"

 

He murmurs huskily into her ear, "Then shall we go somewhere more comfortable?"

 

"Why?"

 

She leans forward and picks up the remote.

 

"I just got the DVDs of 'Dal-ja's Spring'. Let's watch it together."