15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
Elise
Y oung Jae brushes my hair behind my ear. “I love waking up next to you every day.” His voice rumbles, still raspy from sleep.
Snuggling in, I kiss his chest. Taking a deep breath, I look up at him. “I love you.”
He smiles, his hand cupping my cheek. “Saranghae.”
The Korean for I love you caresses me. I can feel myself beaming at him.
“So, I was thinking, we need to move the rest of your stuff in here. You still go into the spare room to grab fresh clothes every day.”
Laughing, I point at his closet. “That’s because you have as many clothes as I do. Where am I supposed to put them?”
He props himself up onto his elbow. “You have forgotten I’m an architect. I was thinking we should do some minor renos, making the closet bigger. This room is unnecessarily huge, and we have the space.”
I can’t stop the smile that forms. “Let’s plan it.”
Young Jae twines his fingers with mine, falling serious. “I do have one thing I’ve been thinking. I heard Rae tell Adeline she thinks we would have cute kids. I’ve never really seen a future with children. I just realized I don’t know your thoughts on that.”
Stroking my thumb over his hand, I can feel the apprehension in his body. This is a deal breaker for so many couples.
“I’ve always been neutral about having kids. I’m happy with how our life is and wouldn’t feel like I’m missing out on anything by not having children. It’s why I got the IUD.”
“So you would be okay if we didn’t have children? I don’t want them. I love our life as it is, but we need to be on the same page.” Young Jae’s voice is firm. He needs an answer. A clear one.
“I am fine not having children. Besides, we have Kimchi. She’s enough.” I give him a gentle smile. I mean it. I don’t need to have children. As long as we have each other.
He relaxes, moving on to some other ideas he has to make the house ours rather than his house that I’ve moved into. As we talk, I am so grateful for how thoughtful he always is. He hasn’t changed how he is or who he is as we develop our relationship, still the same kind and considerate man I knew as a friend, but even more so.
Kimchi shoves herself between us, annoyed at the lack of attention she’s getting. Laughing, I pet her and coo at her.
Young Jae’s phone rings, unusual considering it’s before working hours, so he peeks at it. “It’s my mom.”
He answers in Korean, I can’t hear what she’s saying, but my name comes through the speaker and she’s talking faster than normal, which means she’s mad or excited.
They talk back and forth for a while, and I hear enough of the conversation to pick up that his mom is disappointed he didn’t tell her about us and she wants us to come for a family dinner on Saturday after I’m done work.
Young Jae looks at me, questioning. Nodding, I smile as he confirms and then hangs up.
“Well, my mom is happy I’m finally settling down and not wasting my time and ‘good looks’ being alone.” He shakes his head.
Laughing, I roll onto my stomach and run my fingers over his chest. “I’m just glad she’s happy.”
“Are you kidding? She’s your biggest fan. I had no doubt she would be happy.” He reaches for me, but his alarm goes off. Groaning, he silences it. “Well, I guess that’s a no for a morning quickie.”
Jumping out of bed, I tease, “Since it’s my day off, maybe I will just walk around the house naked. Taunt you all day.”
He throws a pillow at me but grins. “Try it, see what happens.”
We finish getting ready, eating a quick breakfast before he heads into a busy day. The grain elevator rebuild is in full swing and he is constantly assessing his plans to ensure nothing needs tweaking.
Despite it being my day off, I head to Perk Up for a coffee and to see how Mary’s visit with Morgan went. She went to see her in Thistle Creek and from the sounds of it, her life there has been a bit of an adjustment.
Perk Up is quiet when I arrive, the before work crowd is already gone. Mary is cleaning the tables when I come in.
“Aren’t you supposed to be relaxing?” she teases.
Pressing my hand into my chest, I look at her appalled. “What? I can’t come into my shop on my day off?”
Mary smirks at my fake offense. “As long as you’re still relaxing.”
“I came for coffee and treats. And to see how your visit to Thistle Creek went.” Going behind the counter, I prep what I want as she talks.
“I don’t know. She seems a little overwhelmed with school. I take it not everyone has welcomed her with open arms. And the place she’s staying, the farmer whose land it is, he’s a bit intense. Nice, but intense.” Mary’s brows pinch together. “I wonder if something is going on with them, but Morgan said no.”
Leaning against the counter, I frown. “That’s too bad the welcome isn’t warm. Hopefully they come around soon. It’s an adjustment, I know small towns do things a little differently. But Morgan has a good head on her shoulders, she will figure it out.”
Mary agrees half-heartedly and I bet it’s hard to turn off the motherly worry.
Before we can talk about it more, the bell jingles and Ari comes in.
“Elise, thank goodness. I need your insight.” She looks flustered. “Mary, I need the biggest caramel macchiato that you can make me. And anything sweet to go with it. Please.”
Mary busies herself making Ari’s drink as we head to a table.
“I’m so glad Young Jae finally got his head out of his butt and took your relationship to the next level.” She smiles at me, her expression happy but I still see the strain around her eyes. “Two older brothers and I finally get a sister.”
Mary comes to the table with her order.
“Mary, you’re a goddess. Thank you.” Ari sips at her macchiato and sighs heavily.
“I’m happy to be your sister.” Watching her face, I see the downward pull of her lips even though she tries to hide it. “What’s going on?”
It’s unusual for Ari to be anything but smiling, so her expression worries me.
She sighs, resting her chin in her palm. “My parents refuse to retire, and whenever I try to make suggestions about how we can improve the inn, they shrug it off like I’m still twenty instead of twenty-seven with a business degree. Young Jae tried to talk to Eomma, but she got mad at him. Ji Hoon was able to make a little headway, but they still won’t commit. I know it’s unfair to ask, but I was hoping you could mention retirement at dinner. In that subtle way I suck at.”
Grimacing, I set my coffee down. “I don’t know, Ari. It’s not really my place.”
“But that’s the thing, you don’t have to say anything directly about retiring. It could be something about experiences or trips. But they will know what I’m getting at if I try to bring anything like that up.” She slumps in the seat. “I’m ready to run the inn on my own. They don’t bug Young Jae about his stuff. And they’re staying out of Ji Hoon’s way, even though his mysterious business partner has yet to arrive. But despite all the things I’ve managed to implement, they won’t let go, not even to semi-retire.”
Her voice pitches higher as she talks, the stress and frustration clear.
“Let me see what I can do, but I’m not promising anything.” I sigh. What a way to jump into things with the Chois as Young Jae’s girlfriend, not just friend.
“You’re the best almost sister-in-law ever.” Ari beams at me, the strain dissipating as though I’ve magically pulled off what she wants.
“Don’t get your hopes up. All of you are stubborn and you inherit that from your parents,” I warn.
She laughs, waving me off. “No one can say no to you, especially not my mother.”
***
Saturday is busy at Perk Up, but my mind is occupied with dinner. I still haven’t figured out what to say to the Chois to help Ari out and I don’t want to involve Young Jae because he will jump down her throat. Nerves must be getting to me, because I’ve been feeling queasy all day.
After I close up, I race home to change and we arrive at the Choi’s for dinner.
“Why do you seem so nervous? You’ve been to our family dinners before.” He reaches for my hand, squeezing gently.
“It’s not the same as your girlfriend. I’m excited, but it’s different.” It’s partially the truth.
He pulls me into his arms, kissing me softly. “It will be great. You’re already family.”
We head inside, delicious smells greeting us as we come in the door, followed by his mom rushing to me.
“Elise! It’s been too long.” She switches between English and Korean as she ushers me into the house and to the dining room. Mr. Choi, Ji Hoon, and Ari are already seated at the table, but there’s still one empty spot. “We’re just waiting for Liam and then we can eat. Eat lots, I haven’t been able to cook for you in a long time.”
She eyes Young Jae who laughs and holds up his hands. “She’s busy, Eomma.”
“He’s right. I finally hired someone so I can reduce my hours. It’s going so well, I might consider hiring someone else in a year to take over the morning shifts and reduce my hours to baking and management.” I fill them in on what we’ve been doing at the coffee shop and my goal to semi-retire in five years.
Mrs. Choi listens, her expression proud. She’s watched me grow up and was always like the mom I didn’t have. I’m glad to still have that.
“That’s good. More time for you and Young Jae.” She approves.
My heart thrumming a little faster, I casually ask, “Have you and Mr. Choi thought about what you want to do when it’s time to retire? I saw a really neat tour company catering specifically to retired couples. They have a lot of options.”
Mr. Choi lights up, but doesn’t say anything as he glances at his wife. She looks over at Ari, who is busy on her phone, but I know she is attuned to the conversation.
“We have talked about it but haven’t decided when the time is right. We don’t want to abandon Ari with the inn, leaving her on her own.” Mrs. Choi watches as Ari stands up, typing on her phone.
Resting my hand on Young Jae’s leg, I tap my fingers as I try to think of the best way to encourage her without overstepping.
“I get that. My friend Adeline raves about the service she got when she stayed at the inn, she had nothing but good things to say about Ari and her experience.” Trying another approach, I feel like I’m failing.
Young Jae rests his hand on mine, linking our fingers. “I think Ari has it under control. She has great ideas. Besides, you and Appa retiring doesn’t mean she can’t ask for help if she ever needs it. We’ve all pitched in before.”
“I think we should retire. I’m tired and I want to spend time with my wife, not working,” Mr. Choi pipes up, crossing his arms as he meets Mrs. Choi’s gaze.
She frowns a moment, watching as Ari comes back in the room. “Perhaps you’re right. We can discuss this later, yeobo.”
The affectionate word softens the sharpness of her tone. Her wanting to stay on comes from a place of love, but also fear. They’ve been working so much of their lives, I can see how hard it is to let go.
Ari’s lips twitch as she tries to hold back her joy. And Mr. Choi nods, satisfied.
Before we can say anything else, the doorbell rings.
“That’ll be Liam.” Ji Hoon gets up and goes to let his friend in. “Impeccable timing, dude.”
“Sarcasm?” An Irish accented voice carries down the hall.
Ari freezes, paling a little as she turns her gaze to Ji Hoon and the tall, redheaded man following him into the room.
“This is Liam.” Ji Hoon introduces us all in turn.
No one else catches it, but I see him double take when Ji Hoon introduces Ari, his eyes going back to her as he takes a seat.
That’s interesting. Ari stares down at the table as we start eating, picking at her food until everyone is done.
“I don’t feel well, please excuse me.” She doesn’t wait for an acknowledgment before bolting out of the room.
Everyone gapes after her.
“I ran into her earlier today and she said she’s had a headache all day. I’m guessing it never went away.” I cover for her. Liam glances at her empty chair, his lips pressed into a firm line.
Ji Hoon shrugs it off, talking with Liam and his parents.
My stomach turns a bit, the nausea I’ve been fighting all day returning with a vengeance.
“You okay?” Young Jae notices my discomfort.
“Yeah, I thought I wasn’t feeling well because I was nervous, but I wonder if I’m fighting a bug.” Rubbing my stomach, I frown.
Young Jae excuses us and we head home. As he lets Kimchi out, I race to the bathroom, barely making it as I start retching.
If I’m thinking about it, my stomach has been more sensitive all week, which is really unusual. I rarely feel nauseous. I don’t even remember the last time I had a stomach flu.
Sitting back, I grab some tissues to wipe my face. Even on my period I rarely have PMS. My heart almost stops as I roughly calculate. Am I supposed to be on my period?
Panic fills me and I rush to the guest ensuite, digging into the back of the cupboard. I dig out the pregnancy test I had left over from a while back when I had a scare and quickly brush up on the instructions.
“Everything okay?” Young Jae knocks, concern filling his voice.
I finish peeing as I respond I’m fine.
Flipping it face down, I wash up as I wait for the timer to go off.
When it does, I cross my fingers it’s negative. Turning it over, I slump in relief. The single line is clear as day. Usually my periods are fairly light, but on occasion, I don’t really have one because of my IUD. This must just be one of those times.
“Thank goodness,” I mutter, burying the test in the trash. The last thing I need is to deal with an unwanted pregnancy.