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Chapter 27: An Appa’s Extravagant Embrace – August 8, 2025

After a while, Haewon glanced up at Myeong.  “Do you want to hold your son?”

He grinned at her.  “Of course, I do!” 

He reached out to gather the tiny boy close to his heart. 

“Appa?  Can I go get a snack from the vending machine?” Dahui asked suddenly.

None of them had eaten dinner.

“Sure.”

“Here’s some money,” Haewon offered, slipping a few bills into her hand.  “Would you get us something too?”

The girl skipped off to find her snack.  Bada headed for the bathroom.  For a few moments, Haewon and Myeong were left alone with their son.

The proud appa gazed down at the tiny boy in his arms.  He was beaming with pride in his newborn son.

“Myeong?  Out with it,” Haewon demanded softly.  “I know you wrote him a poem.”

“You think I’ve memorized it?”

“Haven’t you?”

“No.  It’s in the binder.”

“The Poems for Haewon by Kang Myeong binder?”

“Oh, no.  This is a different binder.  Poems for My Son, Eunho.”

She quirked her dark eyebrows as her heart melted.  “Myeong?  You’ve created a new book of poems for our son?”

“But, of course.”

“Have you made one for Dahui?”

His eyes slid her way.  “Yes…”

“Have you really?”  He could hear the awed surprise in her wispy voice.  “You are such a darling man!  I must hear your Dahui poem too.  Come!  Read me your poems.”

He cleared his throat and shifted his son’s weight to only one of his arms.  “Well, I just happened to compose them on my phone…I meant to give Dahui hers on her birthday, but I didn’t get it done in time…” 

He pulled his phone from his pocket.  Once he’d opened the note containing Eunho’s poem, he began to recite it quietly to his sleeping son.

“I always wanted a son.

Then I found you were the one.

A brilliant stream of silver.

Given love, joy, and favor.

“You will be a strong child.

Clever, witty, a little wild.

Not easily tamed by your peers.

But wise beyond your few years.

“Beloved, happy, and free

Is how I hope you will be.

Wonderful, beautiful, sweet,

You’ve made our family complete.

“You came to us through a gift of grace.

I can hardly wait to see your face.

Precious, priceless, captivating.

Tender, darling, fascinating.

“Wide-eyed wonder in your gaze.

I hope you laugh all your days.

Joyful breath of hope you are,

Appa’s bright and shining star.

“Blazing like the noonday sun.

Child, you’re my favorite one.

I’ll hold you close to my heart.

You’re my precious work of art.”

“Oh, Myeong!” she exclaimed softly.  “It’s beautiful.”

He smiled faintly.  “Shall I read you Dahui’s?”

“Yes!  Please.”

“Golden child of mine.

You’re a gift so divine.

Wrapped in kindness and silk.

You’re of a sweeter ilk.

“Satin skin, softest hair.

Great, dark eyes, lovely stare.

Sweetest voice, tender touch,

I love you very much.

“Rosebud lips, silky cheek,

Delightful, mild, and meek.

You broke through my dark night.

Appa’s joy, my delight.

“Smiling, my tiny hope.

Laughing, your voice my rope,

Pulling me from despair,

Snatching away my care.

“You, my reason to live.

You, my season to give.

You are my little love.

Pure like a white dove.

“You are grace in motion.

Costly, pure devotion.

Captured me with a smile.

You make my life worthwhile.”

“Myeong,” Haewon just stared at him for a few moments. 

Eunho had given her his strong heart, but Myeong had given her his tender one.

She spoke again.  “You, my love, have such a beautiful heart.”