“Let’s go tell your girls,” Yeo Wool slid his fingers around hers and tugged her towards the door.
“Don’t you mean…our girls?” she queried softly.
He glanced down at her as a huge grin lit up his face. “Yes, I do. That is exactly what I mean. Our girls,” he clearly savored the words.
And she sighed. Happily.
Se Ri and Se Yeon would have an appa now. Finally. A doting daddy to protect them. And adore them. To make them feel loved and secure in an uncertain world. She couldn’t give them a better gift than this man.
The path forward might not be completely clear. She might be nervous about climbing into that big bed with Yeo Wool. She might be uncomfortable with the delightful way that he made her feel. But one thing was for certain. She trusted him. She knew he was a good man. And that he loved her. And her children. And wanted to build a better life for them.
As they walked towards her mother’s house, his hand clung tightly to hers. Until she shivered. Then he released that precious hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Drawing her into his side. His arm hugged her close. And hopefully provided her with some heat.
He began to walk more briskly. She followed suit and before long they were standing in front of her mother’s house. He let go of her and reached for her hand once more.
“Let’s go. We have happy news to share!”
She was delighted to find her children waiting for them.
“Where have you been, Eomma! I wanted to tell you all about my time at Bo A’s! Unnie Soo Yeon gave her another new dolly, and Se Yeon tried to smuggle it out of their house!” She glared down at her baby sister.
Who was staring up at Sam Sook with wide eyes. Quite distressed, wide eyes.
“Se Yeon,” her mother’s voice chastised her gently. “Did you try to steal Bo A’s dolly?”
The little girl’s bottom lip suddenly made an appearance. Quivering.
Sam Sook squatted down next to the child. “Baby, you cannot take something that belongs to someone else without their permission. If Bo A says you can have one of her dolls, then it’s okay to bring it home. But if she doesn’t give it to you, then you must leave it there. No matter how fun it is to play with.”
The tiny child bobbed her head as a tear slid down her cheek. It was quickly followed by its partner.
A moment later, Yeo Wool was bending over to pick the wee girl up in his arms. “Come here, Se Yeon.”
She glanced up at him in trepidation. But when she saw his wide smile, she beamed up at him and eagerly leapt into those waiting arms. He pulled her close to him and, with his free hand, wiped away her tears.
“Your eomma and I have some exciting news,” he whispered as he stared down into her tiny face.
“What is it?” she asked.
He peered down at Se Ri too. “I have asked your eomma to marry me. And she said yes!” he announced with obvious glee.
Se Ri’s eyes flew wide open as she pivoted towards her mother jubilantly. “You’re going to marry Uncle Yeo Wool?!” She began to jump up and down. “Yes! Yes! YES!”
Yeo Wool began to chuckle. “Well, at least one of you approves.”
Se Yeon blinked up at him. “Can I call you Appa?” she asked him innocently.
And the tall man nearly burst into tears. He nodded his head as he slid his gaze towards her mother. The expression on Sam Sook’s face was priceless.
Se Ri had heard her sister’s question. She turned towards him eagerly. “It’s really okay? We can call you Appa?”
“Only if you want to, dear,” her mother’s soft voice sounded. Sam Sook was well aware that her daughter still remembered her father.
Se Ri smiled at her mother. “A girl can have more than one father, you know. I know Appa would understand.”
After all, Yeo Wool was her hero. He had saved her from the bad man. And he had made her mother happy again. Her father would approve.
Sam Sook reached out and drew Se Ri close to her, hugging her tightly. “Yes, darling, I think he would.”
She glanced up at the second good man to seek her hand in marriage. She didn’t bother to compare him to the first. The two of them were completely different men. Yet their compassionate tenderness was the same.
She had weathered many storms in her life. She’d been the target of too many men’s gross advances. But she had also been blessed to be truly adored. Three times. First, by her own appa. Then, by her first husband. And now, by a man whom she could love in equal measure. A passionate man whom she was beginning to desire outside the bounds of anything which she had ever believed possible. A tender man who understood precisely what her baby daughter had been through. And what she herself had overcome. An amazing man who would make the most wonderful of husbands. And the very best of fathers.
