60 | Wedding Bells pt. 1

***

As Seohyun stirred awake, Yoona quickly set his phone aside and leaned in to check on her. “How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice soft as he gently clasped her hand. 

Seohyun blinked her eyes slowly, gradually adjusting until she could see the concern in Yoona's doe-like gaze. A small smile graced her lips. "What happened?" she inquired, shifting to sitting up. 

"You lost consciousness when we arrived at the emergency room," he began, his touch tender as he brushed her hair behind her ear, his hand trailing to give her cheek a comforting caress. “But luckily, a doctor attended to you promptly. They administered fluids since you were dehydrated.” 

"I was? Not because of other reasons?” she queried, a flicker of suspicion arising, particularly since their first intimate encounter had taken place during their trip to Busan. 

“Um, yeah, and also because of diarrhea,' Yoona admitted, settling back into his seat. He released a heavy exhale. “They conducted both blood and urine tests earlier to see the cause of your vomiting, but the doctor hasn't returned with the results yet.” His relief was palpable. “I'm just glad it wasn't something more serious.” 

"I see... Thank you. You were quick to notice,” Seohyun expressed her gratitude, gently tightening her hold on the comforting hand. 

“Yeah, that's one thing I'm thankful for too. I woke up just in time,' Yoona replied softly, his smile warm and reassuring. 'If I hadn't, I think I might have lost you.” 

"I bet you didn't go back to sleep, did you?' Seohyun observed, noticing the glow of his favorite game on his phone's screen. 

“Well, I had to stay awake to keep an eye on you,' Yoona admitted reluctantly, releasing her hand as he reached for his phone, closing the game and setting it aside once more. 'So, would you like some fruit? Or perhaps some porridge? The doctor recommended something hydrating, like watermelon.” 

"Seohyun parted her lips to respond, but before she could utter a word, Jessica and Yihyun hurried to her side. 'U-Unnie,' she managed to say, her voice weak. 

“Seohyun! What happened?' Jessica's worry was evident as she checked Seohyun's body, finding only an IV in her right hand. She gently clasped Seohyun's other hand, offering warmth and comfort. 'Where does it hurt?' she inquired; her concern palpable. 

“I'm fine, Unnie. I just need to finish the fluids, and I'll be out,' Seohyun reassured her elder sister with a determined tone." 

"Unnie, I was so worried when I found out," Yihyun added tearfully, wrapping Seohyun in a gentle embrace. 

"She was dehydrated, Noona," Yoona informed them, standing beside Seohyun with a calm demeanor, providing clarity on the situation. 

“What? How?” 

"I was feeling sick and couldn't stop vomiting. It was like hell, so I got dehydrated," Seohyun explained, recounting her ordeal. "Yoona woke up right on time, though, so I was able to get here as fast as possible." 

"Whoa, Oppa is like the Flash?" Yihyun exclaimed, pulling back from the hug and praising Yoona's quick response. 

"I was concerned too. I wasn't checking the speed. Thankfully, the road was empty, so we arrived safely," Yoona explained with an awkward smile, trying to downplay his actions. 

"Well, that's the right thing to do. And I appreciate that Yoong," Jessica praised him, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat. 

"Thanks, noona," Yoona replied gratefully. 

"Anyway, what should we buy for you? I mean, the sun has risen, you are probably hungry by now," Jessica suggested with another sweet smile directed at Seohyun. 

"Yes, and actually..." Seohyun hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I'm craving apple and pineapple. Also, watermelon, like you mentioned, Yoong. And mango, deokbokki, fish cake, and... potato chips."  

"Um, that's quite a list, baby," Yoona remarked, surprised by the extent of Seohyun's cravings. 

“Chincha? Then just—” 

"No, I'll buy them. No worries. Please look after her, Noona, Yiyi," Yoona interrupted before Seohyun could decline, then swiftly left before they could react. 

Jessica slowly took her seat next to the younger girl, agape. "Seo-Seohyun, are you pregnant?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with concern. 

"What?" Yihyun exclaimed in surprise. "When was the last time you had your period, Unnie?" she asked in a hushed tone, mindful of their surroundings in the open ward. 

"No, I doubt it," Seohyun replied with a soft chuckle. "Yoona mentioned it was purely dehydration and diarrhea, nothing else." 

"But you didn't miss your last month's period?" Jessica asked once more. 

"I..." Seohyun paused, her thoughts drifting as she pondered. "No, I didn't miss it. But we'll see about this month. It should come by next week," she replied, a sudden wave of anxiety washing over her at the thought. 

"But you just told Yoona about all the food you're craving. It's like a sign, Unnie," Yihyun couldn't help but point out, her concern evident in her voice. 

"When was the last time you made love with him?" Jessica continued the questioning, her tone filled with concern as if she were inquiring about her own daughter's pregnancy. 

"Last month, it was... our fi-first time," Seohyun stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. 

"First time?" Yihyun and Jessica exclaimed simultaneously. 

"Just one time and he could get you pregnant?" Jessica felt a twinge of offense. "I've done it so often with Yuri, but he hasn't gotten me pregnant. Dang, is there something wrong with me or him?" 

Seohyun couldn't help but smile. "You're probably taking pills." 

"No, I'm not taking any of it. Neither is he using a when we make love," Jessica countered truthfully. 

"Wow. I'm feeling so single," Yihyun remarked, amazed and speechless by the revelation.  

Both Seohyun and Jessica giggle.  

“You’ll find your lover soon, Yiyi. But while he hasn’t arrived, focus on work because we have food and home to pay.” Jessica advises earning a laugh from the younger girls. 

***

As Taeyeon lugged the weighty basket of clothes into the laundry room, his eyes widened in surprise to find Yuri already there, deftly loading clothes into the washing machine. 

"Hey there!" Yuri greeted him with a friendly smile, his hands still busy with the task at hand. 

"I thought you went with Jessica and Yihyun to check on Seohyun?" Taeyeon asked, his steps halting momentarily as he balanced the basket in front of the machine. 

"Nah," Yuri replied, glancing up from her work. "Jessica asked me to take care of the laundry. Are you pitching in too?"  

"Yes," Taeyeon confirmed with a weary sigh. "Tiffany's got me on laundry duty while she takes Da-On to the park." He began the task of loading the clothes into the machine. 

Yuri chuckled knowingly. "Remember what I said when you agreed to move in with them?" 

"We're catching up on all the chores we used to dodge," Taeyeon remarked with a grin, stealing a glance at Yuri as he deposited another armful of clothes into the machine. 

"And we'll probably be doing this even more once we tie the knot," Yuri added with a laugh, envisioning their future together. Though the thought of marriage was still abstract, the domestic routine was oddly enjoyable. 

"Getting married will definitely be a whole new adventure, but I'm game for it. After all, we're all pretty independent now, so why not embrace it?" Taeyeon mused, his tone reflective yet optimistic. 

"Absolutely," Yuri agreed, nodding in solidarity. "But I hope the girls don't start taking us for granted. I mean, I'm all for helping out, but it should go both ways, don't you think?" 

“Yeah, I agree," Taeyeon nodded, considering Yuri's words. "What if you end up getting her pregnant right after getting engaged? I mean, it could change things up. I've read that pregnant women can get pretty moody before marriage." 

Yuri chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly, I think I'm already getting a taste of it now, even without being engaged. Consider it a trial run, right?" She flashed a reassuring smile.  

"Are you ready for sleepless nights? I mean, you'll be taking care of Jessica, and once she gives birth, you'll have a newborn to look after too," Taeyeon remarked, his tone laced with a hint of concern. 

Yuri paused, her eyes widening in realization. "A newborn baby?" he repeated, the weight of the responsibility sinking in. 

"Yeah, you're going to be a dad soon, I can feel it," Taeyeon asserted with confidence, a hint of excitement in his voice. 

Yuri's expression faltered slightly, a wave of anxiety washing over her. "Well, I guess I need to start preparing for that," he murmured, the reality of parenthood suddenly looming large in his mind. 

"The wealthiest businessman in Korea stepping into fatherhood, huh? You'll be in all the headlines, and everyone will have something to say about it. How do you plan to handle all that attention?" Taeyeon teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. 

Yuri chuckled nervously, playfully swatting Taeyeon's arm. "Ah, don't stress me out with all that talk," he quipped, trying to brush off the growing sense of apprehension. 

Taeyeon softly chuckles. “You have to take challenges no matter what because you’re going to make a family with your love your life.” he remarked. 

“You’re lucky Da-On is already big.” 

“I know but I’m still feeling like I’m not a good dad because I missed half of my son’s life. So yeah, don’t consider it as a lucky.”  

"Yet, you won't be taking care for a tiny baby, who will...” Yuri paused, his imagination taking flight. “Smile, laugh, giggle, and... fart,” he chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face as he envisioned his future child. 

 "I have a feeling I won't be able to resist keeping my little one close, tucked away in my pocket for being utterly adorable," he mused, his heart already melting at the thought of the joy his child would bring. 

"I'm quite jealous." Taeyeon smiled back a little. ”But I know you're going to be a great dad." 

“Oh, if it’s a girl, I’m not going to allow any suitor until she turns 30.” 

"What?" Taeyeon laughed. "You're really serious about that?" 

"Absolutely," Yuri replied, his tone determined. "Not every guy out there is going to be as great as her dad, so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out to make sure my baby girl ends up with someone who measures up." He flashed a confident smile, a hint of protective instinct shining through. 

Just then, a phone began to ring, prompting Taeyeon to check his, only to find it wasn't his. Yuri, rising from his task, reached for his phone perched atop the laundry machine. 

"It's Jessica," he murmured softly before accepting the call. "Hey, big baby," he greeted warmly into the phone. 

[Are you done doing laundry?] 

“Um, not yet why?” 

[What?! It’s almost lunchtime! Finish it before then.] 

“I’m already doing it, don’t worry about it.” 

[If you finish it on time, I’ll make you a bibimbap.] 

"Omo, really? Alright, I'll get back to it now. See you later," Yuri exclaimed with excitement, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm. Swiftly ending the call, he crouched down to finish loading the remaining clothes into the machine. 

"What did Jessica tell you?" Taeyeon inquired; curiosity piqued. 

"She promised to whip up some bibimbap once she gets back," Yuri replied, a wide grin lighting up his face. 

"Whoa," Taeyeon exclaimed, a hint of jealousy creeping into his voice. Hastily, he checked his phone, hoping for a similar message from Tiffany, but alas, there was none. He pouted sadly, then turned back to Yuri. "Looks like I'll be going hungry as the laundry guy," he muttered with a sigh, resigning himself to his fate as he continued loading the clothes into the machine.

***

"Omma! Are you sure you know how to build a castle?" Da-On's disapproval was evident in his stare as he returned to Tiffany, unimpressed by her creation that resembled more of a mountain range than a castle.

Tiffany withdrew her hand from the sand, a quizzical expression on her face. "Well then, how would you suggest I do it?" she asked, open to her son's suggestions.

Crouching down, Da-On expertly molded the sand, breaking down the mountain-like structure with practiced ease, shaping it into the form of a castle as though it were second nature to him.

"Whoa, Da-On, when did you learn to do that?" Tiffany's amazement was palpable.

"In my old school back in Sunshine Village, we used to build castles in our park," he shared, a mischievous grin lighting up his face. With a sense of pride, he continued sculpting while Tiffany watched from the sidelines, filled with awe at her son's skill.

Suddenly, a group of kids from the swings approached them, chatting with Da-On and asking if they could join in. Da-On's smile widened as he happily welcomed them to the sandcastle-building fun.

Tiffany rose from her spot to make room for the new arrivals, eager to capture their joyful moments with her phone camera. However, her attention was drawn to Mr. Seo and three additional bodyguards standing nearby, ensuring their security. Feeling grateful for their vigilance, she hurried to a nearby stall to purchase snacks for everyone.

Approaching the bodyguards, she offered them drinks and snacks, which they gratefully accepted, exchanging smiles with Tiffany as they enjoyed the refreshments.

"Thank you all for always watching out for me and my family," she expressed her gratitude sincerely before turning back to her son.

***

Yoona was making his way back to the ward when a gentle chime emanated from his pocket, drawing his attention to the message that had just arrived.  

Mr. Seo: "Sir, I’ve already asked the club to delete the CCTV footage of you, and I also confirmed that no one was able to capture you talking with Ms. Lee." 

Relief washed over him, manifesting in a smile as he absorbed the news conveyed by Taeyeon's vigilant bodyguard. Quickly, he typed out his gratitude in response. With the capture of Soonkyu, this weighty concern could finally be laid to rest.  

Continuing on his path toward the ward, Yoona's smile returned as he noticed Seohyun still in the company of Jessica and Yihyun. However, the expressions etched on their faces betrayed a sense of concern. 

"What's wrong?" he asked as he approached them. 

"It was you who helped Taeyeon capture Soonkyu, wasn't it?" Jessica queried, sharing a photo of a startled Soonkyu in the club, captured in the moment. 

“What? I thought no paparazzi's were there?”  

“No one but Taeyeon sent a bodyguard with you that time, he sent the photo to us.” 

"Aish, Mr. Seo betrayed me?" Yoona exclaimed incredulously. "He told me there wasn't any photo of me captured." 

Seohyun shook her head. "No, I asked him about it last night because I overheard him talking with Taeyeon Oppa about a recorded conversation, which happened to involve you and Soonkyu. He clarified it using your photo." 

"Aigoo, I really couldn't keep a secret, huh?" Yoona sighed, feeling a mix of