Chapter 7 (1/1)

PARK HYUNSUK'S POVChaos followed after Jiyong announced that he plans to propose to my youngest daughter, Dara. Everyone started talking in loud, excited voices complete with animated gestures.As this family patriarch, this is nothing new. In fact, I'm used to it. After all, as much as I loves my family, my wife Eunju is an expert in drama and I did raise two girls. When it gets this crazy, there's only one thing to do. Usually I have a silver whistle that I use for occasions like this but since I left it at home, I have to improvise.Seconds later, a shrill sound split the air.The whole family stopped talking and looked in my direction."Abeonim..." Seunghyun had a shocked look on his face. Although he's been married to Bom for one year and dating three years before that, I think this was the first time he's ever seen me like this.Dara, being my youngest daughter, slipped into her chair without being asked. She glances at Jiyong, with a confused look on her face. It was Jiyong's announcement that he was planning on proposing to her that got everyone excited.Eventhough it's been a while since I whistled for a family meeting, my wife and daughters have never forgotten what it meant."Yeobo..." Eunju spoke in a low tone, but loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. "This is our anniversary dinner. Can't a family meeting wait until another time?"Her warm brown eyes looked like decadent pieces of chocolate. Even after thirty years, just one look from her and I fall all over again.If only we were at home, I would have dragged Eunju up to our room, like a caveman that she sometimes turns me into. Even after all these years, she still can turn me on. But we're not home, we're at Bom & Seunghyun's place, and as head of this warm, wonderful, albeit crazy family, it's my responsibility to keep order."Mianhe jagi, but this can't wait." I shifted my gaze from my beautiful wife and settled it onto the young man who blurted out his intentions only moments before."Jiyong.""Yes abeonim." He stood up in attention."Sounds like there's something you'd like to ask my daughter.""Yeobo, no. Not now. Not like this." Eunju protested."Aniyo, abeonim is right. There is something I want to ask Dara. I was planning on doing it later but after the misunderstanding earlier tonight, I think I've waited too long."I nodded at him to proceed. I think Jiyong will be a great addition to our family."If you want to wait --" Eunju started to say. I leaned over to her and did what I've been wanting to do all night. I kissed her."Let the man say his piece, jagi." I murmured against her lips.She shuddered and I couldn't help myself. I kissed her again, longer and deeper this time until she relaxed against me and sighed.Jiyong held out his hand to Dara. The poor boy looked so nervous, it seemed like he wanted to pass out. But I saw him straighten up. He was going to do it. Finally. I see my daughter place her fingers in his. The worry lines on her face disappeared. My poor baby has been so stressed out. Jiyong finally dropped down to one knee. JIYONG'S POV"Dara..."This is it. The moment I've been waiting for. I look around the room and see all eyes on me. Bom noona & Seunghyun hyung are giving me encouraging smiles while abeonim & eomonim were giving me their approval by nodding.I look at my baby girl's eyes and the love shining in them gave me the courage I needed."The first time I saw you at Minzy's party, I thought you were the most beautiful woman on earth. I know it sounds cheesy but I thought you were an angel. Then as we started going out, the more I got to know you, the more I knew that you were beautiful inside and out."I see my Dara blinking back her tears. I hope those are happy tears."These past three years, I've been falling deeper and deeper in love with you. You're the first person I want to see when I wake up each morning and the last one I want to see before I go to sleep at night. These past week has been hard because I wanted to surprise you with a big event proposal. But I was afraid, I'll just blurt it out if I'm with you. You make my heart overflow. I want you to be the mother of our children, and the grandmother of our granchildren. I'm sorry for being the cause of all your stress lately, but I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you happy."I'm so nervous that I'm rambling. Where is that speech I wrote with all those pretty words and poetic phrases when I needed them. Oh well, everything I said came from the heart.I slipped out the box from my pocket and opened it. I hope I got the right one. This was in one of the bridal magazines she circled."I love you. I never thought it was possible to love someone was much as I love you."I see her lips curve into a smile."I love you too."I wanted to jump up and dance. But then I thought there will time for that after I put the ring on her finger. I was about to put slip the ring on when she pulled her hand back slightly."Isn't there something you want to ask me?" She whispered.I was a bit slow. For a moment, I wondered what she was talking about. Then I realized I forgot to pop the question. I couldn't help but blush. They will never let me live this down. Good thing I was still on one knee."Sandara, will you make me the happiest man on earth? Will you marry me?"I was so nervous, I didn't think she understood what I said. But it seems she didn't notice."Yes! Oh yes!"Hearing her answer, I realized I was holding my breath. I sighed. My hands were shaking as I put the ring on her finger."If you don't like it, we can--""Babo! It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. I am never taking this off." Tears were falling on her cheeks. I stood up, pulled her close and kissed her."I was planning on making this special...""It is special. I have my family here to celebrate with us. The people I love the most in one room."My father-in-law to be then spoke. "This deserves a toast." He grabs the nearest bottle of champagne and filled his wife's glass first then his. Then he passed the bottle around the table. Seunghyun filled his glass then mine and Dara's but Bom noona covered her glass and shook her head.Then abeonim stood and raised his glass up. "To Jiyong and Dara. May you be as happy together as Eunju and I have been for the past thirty years."Words of congratulations and the sounds of clinking glasses filled the air.My new bride to be giggled next to me. "Eomma...you thought I was pregnant because I wanted decaf coffee but don't you think it's odd that eunnie hasn't touched any alcohol tonight?"I saw the surprise then the realization of what my girl meant, register on my mother-in-law to be's face. She's always prided herself of being the first to know everything but she never expected this. She turned her gaze to Bom noona."Bommie, is there something you and Seunghyun want to tell us?"I see Bom noona blush. She exchanged looks with her husband and after he nodded, she said it. "Well...Seunghyun and I...we're pregnant!""Omo omo omo...a baby! Omo, I can't believe it. My two girls. They're all grown up. One is getting married. The other one is having a baby. This is a great day."Everyone seemed to agree. There were tears of joy and hugging from the ladies while there were much back slapping among the men.Questions were thrown left and right, mostly by eomonim. Bom noona finally realized that the party had gotten off track so she pulled Dara aside. "The anniversary gift. We have to give them the gift now." I hear her whisper."Arasso. I'll get it." Within a few moments, my girl comes back with a huge basket. I immediately stand to help her carry it. PARK HYUNSUK'S POVI look around the room just in time to see my youngest daughter carrying a big basket. Her new fiance immediately stood up and help carry it. I think he can't stand to be away from her. I know the feeling. I see Seunghyun standing behind my daughter Bommie, with his arms around her like he didn't want to be part from her either. My daughter Dara started to speak. "Mom and dad...all our lives you guys have shown as what love looks like.""What loving and being loved feels like." Bommie added.Dara then presented the basket with an assortment of biscotti and gourmet cappuccino mix and other items that reminded me of our honeymoon in Italy. It looked like there were travel documents too but I wasn't sure."Congratulations on thirty years of marriage.""And best wishes for thirty more," Bom and Dara said in unison, with Jiyong and Seunghyun chiming in."Omo omo omo...isn't this the best night ever, yeobo? All this good news and gifts too." My Eunju is so excited. She oohed and aahed over everything in the basket. But when she got to the tickets and guidebooks, she was silent. She looked at me, like asking if I knew anything about it. I shrugged, because truthfully, I didn't know either."It's a trip." Bom explained.I see Dara smile. "We've booked you guys on a four star vacation to Italy. So you can recreate your honeymoon. Without the mishaps. Just with comfort and style.""Omo..." I see my wife put her hand to her head and sway. I slip my arms around her shoulders to steady her."I think your eomma has had too much excitement for one day. Maybe a little too much wine?""Yah! I've only had two glasses or maybe three?" She started laughing and refocusing on our kids."Regardless, thank you for all this wonderful and thoughtful presents."I see Bom exchange a relieved glance with Dara. "We wanted to give you and appa the perfect gift to celebrate your years of happiness together."I started to get emotional too, as I glanced at my two wonderful daughters. "You already have."I shifted my gaze from Bom and Seunghyun, to Dara and Jiyong before letting it linger on my beautiful wife, Eunju. A wedding in spring. A grandbaby next summer. A wonderful woman to share all my days and nights for the rest of my life. What more could a man like me ask for? Life is sweet.