Falling for You chapter 7
(Jaejoong)
Looking down at the watch hanging from my wrist, I concluded that we had about three hours before we had to meet Seung Chu in his bedroom.
I looked around at my brothers and then at Yunho and his cousins, "I'm going to go start dinner now." I muttered.
I moved to walk past Yunho when I felt my elbow being taken in a gentle grasp, stopping me.
I bit my lip as I felt Yunho's fingers burn into my skin. I lifted my face up to the taller man, wondering if Yunho could feel the heat between us.
Yunho was smiling down at me as his hand blazed a trail up and down my arm. From my elbow down to my wrist, Yunho slowly rubbed my arm, before taking my hand into his again, squeezing gently.
"Let me help." Yunho said while smiling.
Yunho brought my hand up, turning it so that my palm was facing up.
My breath caught as Yunho took it up to his mouth.
Then I exhaled shallowly as Yunho kissed my wrist instead of my palm. I felt sure that Yunho could feel my pulse pounding under his lips.
Yunho lifted his eyes and looked deeply into mine, showing me everything that was in store for me once we were married, and I knew no matter how much I could deny or tell myself that it was just my wifely duty; I knew that being with Yunho would be so much more than I had ever dreamed.
***
The shared kiss was just a beginning of what was to come, and he knew
that if Yunho loved the same way as he kissed, he was in some serious trouble
of loosing his heart, not that he wasn't already loosing it, his heart, that is.
To Yunho.
The kiss opened his eyes in more than one way and he was a little confused
at how he could just respond to the man the way he did.
He had told himself time and again that he wouldn't fall for the man who was marrying him for money. He closed his eyes briefly, troubled by his thoughts of Yunho and love.
He wouldn't say that it wouldn't be better if he fell in love with Yunho, that it was required of him to do so but wouldn't his marriage to the man be more comfortable if he had feelings for him?
Jae retracted his hand, practically jerking it from Yunho's grip, bringing it to his chest, cradling it there with his other hand, his face blushing deep red when he saw his brothers snickering behind Yunho's shoulders.
He frowned when Yunho leaned down to his ear whispering,
"How about I help you with dinner and dessert?"
His breath fanning his ear, causing shivers to run down his neck and back.
"Um…ah… um. Yes! Okay!" Jae said shakily, stepping back from Yunho's powerful presence.
Turning, he walked from the room, but still he could feel and hear, Yunho walking behind him closely.
Jae rushed into the kitchen almost running over one of the kitchen maids.
Quickly, Jae reached out and caught the pregnant maid before she hit the floor.
"Omo! Lee Soo Yun! Are you alright!?"
Jae held the trembling girl by her shoulders as he looked over her body to make sure there was no damage done by his bump into her.
Soo Yun caught her breath and smiled at him, her eyes bright.
"Oh, Sir. Alls well. Nothing to worry about."
Jae nodded and stepped back from her dropping his hands. "Are you sure? Your only a month from delivering your bundle of joy."
Soo Yun blushed as she nodded her head, "I'm tougher than I look, Sir."
"Well, just in case, I want you to sit down for a few minutes." Jae guided the maid to a kitchen chair, making her sit and rest for a few moments.
"I want you to take it easy for the rest of your pregnancy. I really wished you'd went on maternity leave when I asked you to." Jae fussed around the woman, forgetting for a brief moment that Yunho was behind him watching in keen interest.
"You would’ve had me on maternity leave as soon as the word pregnant left my mouth.
Besides I need the money for the baby’s things." Soo Yun said as she watched the man behind her boss. She giggled at his increasing look of jealousy.
"I have told you many times that I would pay you while on leave. You really have no excuse for still working like this, except for just being stubborn. I want you to go on leave tomorrow. I'll hear no more arguments from you on this." Jae replied shaking his finger at the hardheaded girl, as he turned to walk to the kitchen.
Soo Yun got to her feet, following her boss into the kitchen, leaning against the counter.
"Please Sir. You know how much it means to me to still be working. Please at least let me do some light work." Soo Yun pleaded until Jae gave a sigh and turned to the counter to gaze at the maid, contemplating her request.
Taking a deep breath, he walked over to stand beside Soo Yun, "I'm your boss, so therefore I have to make tough decisions at times, but for you and I know how 'tough' you can be, I'll make this choice. I'll let you continue work, but only the work that I approve. I will leave a list of duties for you every morning on this counter and you are to only do those chores and nothing else. Am I understood?" Jae watched as the kitchen maid nodded eagerly.
"Good." Jae reached out and opened a drawer taking out paper and a pencil. He made a short list and gave it to the maid.
"Please go out to the greenhouse and gather these veggies for me. Take your time, because this is the last thing you’re doing today. After this, you go home and put your feet up."
Soo Yun took the list bowing repeatedly, "Thank you, Sir. Thank you."
Jae blushed, "Quit thanking me and go get the veggies."
He watched as the girl left the kitchen through the back door.
Turning, he gave a loud gasp, "Yunho!" Jae had forgotten that Yunho was in the kitchen with him.
He took a step back as he saw the glint in Yunho's eyes. To him, Yunho looked mad or maybe jealous.
For every step he took back, Yunho took one forward until his back met the counter behind him.
"So how friendly are you with the staff?" Yunho asked as he lifted a finger letting it slowly glide over his cheek.
Jae jerked back at the light contact as if it burned, "Just friends. Nothing more." He whispered, raising his hands to push Yunho back from him.
Yunho wrapped his long fingers around his wrist and pulled, causing Jae to fall into his chest, his hands going from his wrist to his waist, holding him.
"Hummm. Just friends. That's good. I hate to know that my future wife was playing around on me." Yunho smiled down at Jae. His face going from serious to playful in a second and Jae knew that Yunho had been kidding him the whole time.
Still just the idea of cheating on Yunho left a bad taste in his mouth, "Yunho, you don't have to worry about me cheating on you. I would never do that. I take my wedding vows seriously. I've never even thought of cheating on Seung Chu. It's not like I haven't had the chance, I just don't believe in that sort of thing."
Yunho tilted his back and laughed, "But you'll kiss me while you are still married to Seung Chu?" Yunho lowered his head and looked into the smaller boys eyes, seeing them widened and then his face turning red.
"Seung Chu told me to treat you like we were already married. I try, but sometimes it feels funny. Sometimes is does feel like I'm cheating on him with you." Jae lowered his eyes from Yunho. This day had been the most he's ever talked to Yunho in the whole time he's lived in his house. He was embarrassed to talk to the other man, knowing that very soon he would marry with him.
The sound of the back door opening startled Jae causing him to quickly pull out of Yunho's arms and to the other side of the room.
He looked towards the door as the maid came through holding a big basket of vegetables that he wanted to make dinner with.
His eyes widened as he remembered the dinner he has yet to start.
He walked over to the fridge, opening while talking to Yunho over his shoulder, "Yunho look in the lower cabinet to the left of the stove and remove two of the bigger cast iron skillets please." He looked behind him to make sure that Yunho had found the ones he was talking about. Smiling when Yunho gasped out at all the iron cookware found there, "You don't use Teflon? I would think it would be easier to clean than all this iron."
Jae removed the packs of steak and chicken as he answered Yunho, "Cast iron is just as easy to clean if it's seasoned right. Not only that, but I think it also gives the food cooked in it a better taste."
Jae took the meat and moved to the stove.
He looked over to the maid and tsk-ed, "Soo Yun, go home. Rest. No arguing with me this time."
Jae watched as the maid bowed one last time before she left the house to go home.
Shaking his head at the girl, he turned to the basket of veggies she set on the table.
He walked over and picked them up, moving over to the sink, he set the brightly colored offerings into the deep-set steel sink, then he glanced over to Yunho.
"Yunho, you wanted to help right? How about you wash and prep the veggies. Just cut them into thin strips. Don't cut the lettuce, tear it into bite-sized pieces, and dice the tomatoes."
Jae pulled out a drawer removing three cutting boards, one for the beef, one for the chicken and one for the veggies that Yunho was going to cut. Then reaching over to the block that held his knives, he took out a paring knife, not trusting Yunho with one of the bigger knives. He didn't want the man to cut himself. He handed the knife and the board to Yunho, to let him get started cutting.
He himself began to unwrap the meat.
He turned on two of the eyes to the stove, the blue flame leaping to life suddenly. He set the pans on the flames and added the oil, coating the bottom of the skillets.
While the oil heated he set about to cutting the steak and chicken into thin strips, then adding them to the hot oil, steak in one skillet, beef in the other.
Jaejoong smiled as the oil sizzled, the sound very much comforting to him. He knew dinner would be done quickly this night as the chicken and beef fajitas were on the menu.
After a while, Jae took a glance over at Yunho to see how he was doing.
He smirked when he saw that Yunho was still on the first orange bell pepper.
Grabbing his chef’s knife and an extra cutting board, he decided to have mercy on the struggling man who was doing a bang up job on his cutting.
Jae quickly showed Yunho how it was done. His knife flying across the board as the veggies started off in whole pieces on one side of the knife only to be left in thin strips on the other side of the knife.
Jae dealt with the veggies in a super speed, removing the seeds and membrane of the jalapenos.
By the time Yunho had one bell pepper done, Jae had gone through over half of the vegetables.
Jae looked over at Yunho grinning as he chopped away. He saw Yunho grin and wink back at him and he faltered in his chopping, his hands turning sweaty and a little shaky.
Taking a deep breath he concentrated on the vegetable at hand, trying to keep from cutting himself but jerked as Yunho's soft laughter reached his now red ears.
Finishing up with the vegetables, he added them to the meat along with the seasonings.
The tortillas warmed, the cheese grated and the red spicy sauce made, it was time to eat!
Yunho set the table while Jae put the food on serving platters bringing it to the table. Jae stood back rubbing his hands together as he turned to Yunho, "I'll go get the guys if you get the pitcher of sangria I made earlier."
At Yunho's nod, he left, strolling out of the room. Jae came upon Junsu and Yoochun in the living room talking quietly to themselves.
"Hey guys, dinners ready." Jae told them then turned to find the last two. He paused at the door before he turned back to Junsu and Yoochun, "You guys know where Kibum and Changmin are?"
Junsu stood from the couch; "Kibum took Changmin to his room earlier."
Jae nodded again, "Thanks. Well, go eat before it gets cold, ok." He said as he walked away from the room.
Going upstairs he came to Kibum's door and he knocked. He frowned when all he heard was silence and then a low moan came from the other side.
Jae knocked harder to get his brothers attention, "Kibum. Changmin. Dinner’s ready." He called through the door.
He heard a muffled, "Ok, Hyung. Be down in a few minutes."
Jae's frown deepened when he heard Kibum moan louder this time. He laid his ear against the door trying to hear more clearly what was happening on the other side of the door.
He was shocked when he heard a loud gasp, his head jerking back, staring at the door as if it had grew antennas from it's surface at Kibum’s, "Changmin, I'm cumming!"
Jaejoong let out his own loud gasp; the loud moaning from the other side of the door going quiet. No sound at all.
Jae felt his face reddened as he backed away and literally ran down the hall and down the stairs.
He slowed down at the dining room entrance, trying to steady his erratic heartbeat. He covered his hot cheeks with his cold hands trying to cool down his heated skin.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kibum and Changmin
Kibum moaned one last time, him spilling out on top Changmin’s hand. He fell back onto the bed, breathing hard as he looked over at Changmin sitting beside him.
"Why did I let you do that?" He muttered, his whole body relaxed and humming.
Changmin smiled down at his fiancé, "Because you wanted me to. Don't worry, once we’re married, you'll have to beat me off with a stick."
Kibum sat up on his elbows, "You mean you're going to make me wait until we get married before we make the bed bounce?" Kibum pouted. Since he knew that he and Changmin were getting married, he had no trouble having pre-marital sex, more so if it is with the one he's going to be spending the rest of his life with.
Then his thoughts turned to his brother.
"Changmin, do you think that he heard us?" He asked, worried.
"Who? Jaejoong? Yeah he probably did. You weren't quiet you know."
Kibum sighed; he didn't like knowing that his brother had heard them.
"I'll have to talk to him later. He will be so embarrassed, I hope he will talk to me, and not avoid me for days."
Changmin stood from the bed, and took Kibum's hand pulling him up also.
"Let's not worry about it right now. He's a big boy. I'm sure he knew what we were doing."
Kibum shook his head, "No. you don't understand Changmin. He wouldn't know. He's been protected all his life from these kinds of matters. He never took the sex ed courses, he never had friends that would talk about sex and their experiences with it with him. Even us, his brothers, kept him from knowing about the bigger, more detailed parts
of intimacy. It was one of Seung Chu's wishes."
Changmin stared at Kibum astonished at what was just told to him.
"You mean you guys kept him from learning about sex? How is that possible in this day and age? Especially with his looks, I'm surprised he hasn't been hit on a time or two."
Kibum smiled, "He has been asked out, but someone was always there to make sure that the person knew he was married. Before we met Seung Chu, we lived in the country. Not much chance there to have guys or girls coming on to you. Plus he stayed at home and didn't socialize much back then, he still doesn't. So it's not been to hard for him not to know much about sex."
Changmin just shook his head in disbelief, "Okay, if you say so. I think he knows more than you guys think he knows. There are such things as computers, cable T.V and pure old curiosity. Anyways, let's go eat, before Jae accidentally interrupts something more than a hand job."
The two made their way downstairs and into the dining room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jae
Slowly he came into the room. He saw Yoochun and Junsu at the table making their plates. Yunho was sitting there watching the two, looking up when he heard him come in.
"Jaejoong, are you alright?" Jae blushed harder at Yunho's close observation of him.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Let's eat."
Jae walked around the table taking a seat next to Yunho.
He had just finished making his fajita when Kibum and Changmin came in holding hands.
Jae looked down refusing to look at his brother. It was just to embarrassing, knowing what he had heard his brother and Changmin were doing behind the bedroom door.
Dinner went by quietly. All eating while Jae avoided looking at his brother.
Finally, Jae lifted his head and looked around. Everyone seemed to have gotten full and were just sitting and chatting with each other.
"If everyone is done, why don't we go on up and see what Seung Chu needs to tell us." All eyes had moved to him. He had been silent through the whole dinner, only answering questions when asked.
Yunho was looking at him intently. It seemed like he was studying him, and Jaejoong felt every beam that was coming his way.
He stood, making it clear to everyone that he was going up.
As he passed Kibum, he felt a hand on his arm and he glanced down.
Immediately his face tinged a color of pink as he looked up at his brother and his lover.
"Jaejoong, you know don't you?" He asked.
Jae slowly removed Kibum's hand from his arm while looking his brother in the eyes.
"Will Changmin make an honest man out of you, Kibum? Or is this just for kicks?"Jae asked in a low voice so the others could not overhear them.
Kibum smiled at him, "You should know me better than that, Jae. You know I don't play around. Anyways, we plan on asking Seung Chu for permission to marry tonight after he talks to us."
Jae smiled back at this little revelation. He was happy as long as Kibum was happy, "You are in love with him? And he you?"
He knew the answer, he could see it by the way Kibum looked at Changmin.
The way he blushes and acts all shy around him sometimes.
"Yes, we love each other."
Jae bit his lip, "As long as you love one another and plan on getting married, then I guess I can put up with the blowjobs." Jae muttered as they moved through the house and up the stairs to stand outside Seung Chu's bedroom door.
Kibum stared at his brother, shocked at what came out of his mouth.
Jae noticed Kibum’s face and smirked, "What? You didn't think I knew what you guys were doing in your room? I'm not stupid Kibum. I know all I need to know about sex even though my two very loving brothers tried to keep it away from me." Jae said a little sarcasm tinting his voice, as he knew what they were doing to him.
He kind of enjoyed throwing Kibum for a loop. Liked giving him a little wake up call. He may be more innocent than most but he was guy, and as a guy he grew more curious at what his brothers were trying to keep him from learning. What always puzzled him was why.
Why did they think he needed to be protected from sex? Didn't they think that he could say no when the time came? Didn't they know him better than to think that he would lie with just anyone?
He closed his eyes as he thought of what his family had been thinking. He was a married man for goodness sakes! He was not the type to go out whoring around!
Lost in his own world for a few minutes, he was startled when Yunho laid his hand on his shoulder, bringing him back to the moment.
Jae looked around and saw all the guys gathered around waiting for him to knock and gain entrance to the room.
After knocking, he opened the door and they all walked softly into the room, like if they were quiet then Seung Chu wouldn't get any sicker than he already was.
Jae inhaled deeply then walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. Smiling down at the man under the covers, he took his frail hand in his and raised it to his mouth, kissing the back of his hand gently, then holding it to his cheek.
"How are you feeling Husband?" Jae sought his eyes and saw pain.
He knew that Seung Chu was in never ending pain now, and it tore at his heart to see the man in this condition.
Seung Chu grinned; his eyes even though they held pain, were kind as he looked at him.
"I'm fine Jaejoong. I feel the same every day now."
Jae felt his heart hurt from the man’s words.
The same. Seung Chu felt the same as everyday. This could not be good, because everyday he felt worse and worse.
The man before him at one time was robust, full of life, now laid in bed, barely being able to move at all.
Jae knew what this meant, but he never wanted to admit it. But no matter how much he didn't want to face reality, he knew that it was coming full force towards him whether he was ready for it or not.
Seung Chu did not have much time left. He was getting weaker more and more everyday and he knew what that meant.
He would die, but when and would he be able to handle his death?
Slowly, his eyes found Yunho's across the bed and held them.
Yunho, he would have Yunho. He watched as Yunho moved to the side of the bed he was on and sat behind him. He felt his hand rest on his waist, giving a measure of comfort from his thoughts.
Jae turned back to Seung Chu when the older man started speaking to him again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seung Chu
"Jae, I have something very important to tell you and your brothers. Since you are marrying Yunho, I felt like he should hear this also."
Seung Chu closed his eyes, praying that his young wife would understand everything that was about to be told to him, and would forgive him in the end.
He opened his eyes and sat up against his pillows a bit more, removing his hand from Jae's light grip.
"I have a story to tell you all. A story of a little girl, who's father loved her more than anything in the world."
Seung Chu could tell he had their undivided attention. The room was silent, all attentive in their attempt to hear every word coming from his mouth.
He cleared his throat. He looked at his three charges.
"Tell me boys, how do you think I came to know about you?"
Junsu furrowed his forehead at the question, "Our father came to you to buy Jaejoong. We all know this?"
Seung Chu shook his head, "No, that's not how it happened."
Seung Chu's eyes sparkled when he thought of the past, his life and the lives of his loved ones.
Looking at Jaejoong, "I was married before." It was blunt, but that was the only way he knew to be.
He heard Jae's gasp, then a small stiff, "Well." as all he said about that.
Seung Chu went on with his story,
"I loved my wife. She was everything I wanted in this life. She was gentle, kind and oh so considerate of others. Always thought about me before her own well-being. She was a truly a selfless person. She was a rare gem. A diamond that sparkled brightly even in the dullest of situations."
"One day she came home smiling the brightest smile I had ever see her smile. She was excited about something and was so anxious to tell me, she was stuttering, and laughing and crying all at the same time. And to me she never looked so beautiful. Until she told me that she was expecting."
Seung Chu's eyes were filled with tears as memories poured out him.
"A baby. We were having a baby! Oh man, I still remember filling like a peacock strutting around after she told me. I hugged her so tight. I cried on her shoulders, and we both were filled with overwhelming love and joy for the unborn baby."
Seung Chu looked around and saw the unasked questions lurking in the boy’s faces. He smiled, "We had been told years before that she would never conceive, so we considered this a miracle in the making. Our own little baby. We had watched as our friends bore children while we stayed barren."
"My god did I pamper her! She never wanted for anything, and I mean anything! But I loved doing it, it felt like it brought me closer to the baby. A girl we found out later. We were ecstatic. Oh the joy of being a father to a little girl. Daddy’s little girl, that’s all I thought about."
Seung Chu's voice took on a sad tone, his eyes tearing for a different reason. The boys had tears in their eyes and he felt Jae take his hand in his again, giving him a gentle squeeze, telling him silently he could go on, that he was there for him, his beautiful and always trusting Jae.
"Her pregnancy went on with no complications at all."
"It came a shock to me, then when she was in labour that everything went bad. She had given birth, but was bleeding profusely and they couldn't get it to stop. Two hours after having our baby girl she met death, never getting to see the small life that had lived inside her for so long."
Seung Chu paused there, as tears poured down his cheeks as he thought of his beloved wife from so long ago but still held so dearly and close in his heart. It hurt to remember, but there was more to tell, more for the boys to know.
"I named the baby Lee Myung Hee, after her mother."
Seung Chu knew then by Jaejoong’s shocked gasp that they knew.
Jae looked at him intently, "Our mother. Our mother was your daughter?"
Seung Chu nodded his head, and he could see things starting to click into place for the younger boy.
"So that means you our grandfather." Jae whispered.
"Yes son. I'm your grandfather. That was one of the reason's why I would never consummate our marriage, that and I'm not gay."
"I'm sorry for all the lies Jaejoong, Kibum, Junsu." The other two had yet to say anything in regards to his revelation.
Junsu finally spoke up, "So you knew all along whom we were?"
Seung Chu nodded again, "Yes. I knew when each and everyone of you were born. I knew about your mothers death, in fact I was there that day when she was put in the ground. I had never cried so hard in my life. My little girl was gone to be with her mother"
Kibum stood up from the foot of the bed, confused, "But wait a minute here. If you knew about us then why didn't you help us. Why didn't you help mom. She could have been saved if we had had the money!"
Seung Chu glanced at the other faces present in the room,
"Your mother met your father when she was fifteen. She didn't think I knew of him, but I kept close tabs on everything she was doing. She didn't think I would approve of the man she fell in love with. He was poor. A farmer, but a very hard worker. What she didn't know was that I was planning for them to be together. I was about to offer him a job in one of the companies. Was going to make it to where she could marry him and still live the life she was accustomed to. She had my consent to marry. I was just waiting for the day to meet him, but that day never came.
Instead she ran away with him, and eloped. I didn't know for the first few years where she had gone too. It wasn't until I visited a friend in the hospital that I saw her again. She had just given birth to Jaejoong. She didn't see me, but I watched her and her little family through the crack in the door.
She looked happy, content. And I was happy to leave her with the life she choose as long as she was happy."
"I did come to them after Junsu's birth, and congratulated her on her son’s birth. I was just happy to be able to hold her again, to hold her son, my grandson. I had promised to leave them alone, and not offer any monetary support, a promise I would regret for the rest of my life it seems."
"They kept her illness a secret until it was to late. When I finally was told, it was to late, there was nothing that they could do for her. No money in the world could save her by then. I mourned her death, I still feel like I could have done more than I did."
"I kept a close eye on you guys after her death. I saw that everything was going wrong. Your father quit working and started drinking. I noticed this, but thought he was just trying to cope with her death, and would get back on track soon. But it didn't happen, and things just got worse for you guys and I knew that I had to get you out of there, if you were going to live. So, I went to your father and offered to buy Jaejoong. I told him that I would marry him. He didn't want me to take him, but I convinced him that he would be one less mouth to feed. Your fathers mind wasn't working well at the time, and he took the deal. I had every intention of just giving him money but he was a proud man, so I bought Jae. A few days later we were back to get you two." Seung Chu looked at Kibum and Junsu. And that’s how you came to live here."
Seung Chu drew in a deep breath, he still had more to say and not feeling very good about what he had to say. Jae had yet to say anything, just sitting there with his head bowed down, looking at their joined hands.
"Jae? Are you ok?"
Jae looked up and Seung Chu sighed in relief at his gentle smile. "I love you grandfather. Is it ok to call you grandfather instead of husband?"
Seung Chu laughed, "Of course child, I would be the happiest man on earth if all my grandsons called me grandfather."
Then Seung Chu's smile faltered, "Jae, there's more I need to tell you."
Jae's smile faded as he looked at me, worried.
Seung Chu reached into the bedside table; drawing out the picture frame he kept.
"Jae, I've not been faithful. I have a mistress. Choi Hea Sook. We have been together for fifteen years. She knew about you and my choice to marry you, and she was fine with it. I have been seeing her everyday since we've been married. Please forgive me; I love her, not as much as my wife, but I do love her. I want her to be able to come to my funereal when my time comes."
Seung Chu watched for Jae's reaction. He thought the boy would blow up, but instead he smiled,
"Is she the one that owns the Hea Sook clothing line?"
I nodded my head yes.
Jae's smile widened, "You think she'll give me a discount for being good and not killing her?"
Seung Chu chuckled relieved that Jae wasn't mad, "I'm sure she'd let you shop for free, Jae. She knows all about you, and just loves you to death. She says you kept me young, and I have to agree."
Jae's eyes gazed at him and he knew Jaejoong was fine with this, "I'm not mad, grandfather. Because now I know that you needed intimacy also, and with the one you love. I understand. How can I be mad, you are not gay, how can I keep you when I never had you to begin with?"
Jae smiled as he stood up, leaning forward he lightly kissed Seung Chu on the cheek "I would like to meet her though. I would like to think we would get along great."
Seung Chu grinned at this, his grandson was just to nice. As he moved to leave the now empty room, the others thinking that the married couple needed this talk in private, Seung Chu called out to him,
"Jae, the answer to your question last night: Yes. Love him. And he's not marring you for the money, he's a rich man also, he doesn't need our money. Just love him all you can, ok."
Seung Chu leaned back as Jae stood like a statue staring off into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jae
I moved from the room, dazed. He had heard me. And he said yes.
I met Yunho as I opened the door to his room.
"Jae are you ok?" Yunho was asking and all I could think was that I love this man freely without restraints.
I blushed and nodded and walked into his bedroom for the night, after giving Yunho a shy kiss on the cheek.
~*~
Later on that night, Jae sat up in bed. His heart pounding hard, sweat breaking out as lighting lit up the night sky, followed by booming thunder.
Jae whimpered as the thunder rolled again.
He was very terrified of storms and this one was bad. Lighting struck at a few second intervals, the thunder following it every time.
He reached for his teddy and held it close to him. He usually went and climbed in bed with Seung Chu. But him being this sick he knew that he couldn't disturb the man’s sleep.
Jae slowly rose from the bed tiptoeing across the room to his door.
Maybe he could...
Should he...
Another crack of lighting had him rushing from his room and across the hall in an instant.
Jae stood inside of Yunho's room. The lightening brightened the room to a bright blue for a second, letting him see Yunho's sleeping form, and then disappeared. Jae stood in the middle of his future husbands room, trying to decide if he should risk it, when more thunder made the decision for him. He lightly as he could without waking Yunho, drew the covers back and slid in beside him.
He could feel the warmth from Yunho's body seep into him, giving him comfort from the raging storm. He felt his nerves calm down, his heart gaining it's normal speed, and his pulse slowing.
And his last thought before he drifted off into a deep sleep was that he wasn't afraid any longer.
~*~
During the night, his body scooted closer to Yunho's until he turned and his body knowing it's soul mate twined itself among Yunho's limbs. Neither woke and both slept deeply in each other’s arms.
Looking down at the watch hanging from my wrist, I concluded that we had about three hours before we had to meet Seung Chu in his bedroom.
I looked around at my brothers and then at Yunho and his cousins, "I'm going to go start dinner now." I muttered.
I moved to walk past Yunho when I felt my elbow being taken in a gentle grasp, stopping me.
I bit my lip as I felt Yunho's fingers burn into my skin. I lifted my face up to the taller man, wondering if Yunho could feel the heat between us.
Yunho was smiling down at me as his hand blazed a trail up and down my arm. From my elbow down to my wrist, Yunho slowly rubbed my arm, before taking my hand into his again, squeezing gently.
"Let me help." Yunho said while smiling.
Yunho brought my hand up, turning it so that my palm was facing up.
My breath caught as Yunho took it up to his mouth.
Then I exhaled shallowly as Yunho kissed my wrist instead of my palm. I felt sure that Yunho could feel my pulse pounding under his lips.
Yunho lifted his eyes and looked deeply into mine, showing me everything that was in store for me once we were married, and I knew no matter how much I could deny or tell myself that it was just my wifely duty; I knew that being with Yunho would be so much more than I had ever dreamed.
***
The shared kiss was just a beginning of what was to come, and he knew
that if Yunho loved the same way as he kissed, he was in some serious trouble
of loosing his heart, not that he wasn't already loosing it, his heart, that is.
To Yunho.
The kiss opened his eyes in more than one way and he was a little confused
at how he could just respond to the man the way he did.
He had told himself time and again that he wouldn't fall for the man who was marrying him for money. He closed his eyes briefly, troubled by his thoughts of Yunho and love.
He wouldn't say that it wouldn't be better if he fell in love with Yunho, that it was required of him to do so but wouldn't his marriage to the man be more comfortable if he had feelings for him?
Jae retracted his hand, practically jerking it from Yunho's grip, bringing it to his chest, cradling it there with his other hand, his face blushing deep red when he saw his brothers snickering behind Yunho's shoulders.
He frowned when Yunho leaned down to his ear whispering,
"How about I help you with dinner and dessert?"
His breath fanning his ear, causing shivers to run down his neck and back.
"Um…ah… um. Yes! Okay!" Jae said shakily, stepping back from Yunho's powerful presence.
Turning, he walked from the room, but still he could feel and hear, Yunho walking behind him closely.
Jae rushed into the kitchen almost running over one of the kitchen maids.
Quickly, Jae reached out and caught the pregnant maid before she hit the floor.
"Omo! Lee Soo Yun! Are you alright!?"
Jae held the trembling girl by her shoulders as he looked over her body to make sure there was no damage done by his bump into her.
Soo Yun caught her breath and smiled at him, her eyes bright.
"Oh, Sir. Alls well. Nothing to worry about."
Jae nodded and stepped back from her dropping his hands. "Are you sure? Your only a month from delivering your bundle of joy."
Soo Yun blushed as she nodded her head, "I'm tougher than I look, Sir."
"Well, just in case, I want you to sit down for a few minutes." Jae guided the maid to a kitchen chair, making her sit and rest for a few moments.
"I want you to take it easy for the rest of your pregnancy. I really wished you'd went on maternity leave when I asked you to." Jae fussed around the woman, forgetting for a brief moment that Yunho was behind him watching in keen interest.
"You would’ve had me on maternity leave as soon as the word pregnant left my mouth.
Besides I need the money for the baby’s things." Soo Yun said as she watched the man behind her boss. She giggled at his increasing look of jealousy.
"I have told you many times that I would pay you while on leave. You really have no excuse for still working like this, except for just being stubborn. I want you to go on leave tomorrow. I'll hear no more arguments from you on this." Jae replied shaking his finger at the hardheaded girl, as he turned to walk to the kitchen.
Soo Yun got to her feet, following her boss into the kitchen, leaning against the counter.
"Please Sir. You know how much it means to me to still be working. Please at least let me do some light work." Soo Yun pleaded until Jae gave a sigh and turned to the counter to gaze at the maid, contemplating her request.
Taking a deep breath, he walked over to stand beside Soo Yun, "I'm your boss, so therefore I have to make tough decisions at times, but for you and I know how 'tough' you can be, I'll make this choice. I'll let you continue work, but only the work that I approve. I will leave a list of duties for you every morning on this counter and you are to only do those chores and nothing else. Am I understood?" Jae watched as the kitchen maid nodded eagerly.
"Good." Jae reached out and opened a drawer taking out paper and a pencil. He made a short list and gave it to the maid.
"Please go out to the greenhouse and gather these veggies for me. Take your time, because this is the last thing you’re doing today. After this, you go home and put your feet up."
Soo Yun took the list bowing repeatedly, "Thank you, Sir. Thank you."
Jae blushed, "Quit thanking me and go get the veggies."
He watched as the girl left the kitchen through the back door.
Turning, he gave a loud gasp, "Yunho!" Jae had forgotten that Yunho was in the kitchen with him.
He took a step back as he saw the glint in Yunho's eyes. To him, Yunho looked mad or maybe jealous.
For every step he took back, Yunho took one forward until his back met the counter behind him.
"So how friendly are you with the staff?" Yunho asked as he lifted a finger letting it slowly glide over his cheek.
Jae jerked back at the light contact as if it burned, "Just friends. Nothing more." He whispered, raising his hands to push Yunho back from him.
Yunho wrapped his long fingers around his wrist and pulled, causing Jae to fall into his chest, his hands going from his wrist to his waist, holding him.
"Hummm. Just friends. That's good. I hate to know that my future wife was playing around on me." Yunho smiled down at Jae. His face going from serious to playful in a second and Jae knew that Yunho had been kidding him the whole time.
Still just the idea of cheating on Yunho left a bad taste in his mouth, "Yunho, you don't have to worry about me cheating on you. I would never do that. I take my wedding vows seriously. I've never even thought of cheating on Seung Chu. It's not like I haven't had the chance, I just don't believe in that sort of thing."
Yunho tilted his back and laughed, "But you'll kiss me while you are still married to Seung Chu?" Yunho lowered his head and looked into the smaller boys eyes, seeing them widened and then his face turning red.
"Seung Chu told me to treat you like we were already married. I try, but sometimes it feels funny. Sometimes is does feel like I'm cheating on him with you." Jae lowered his eyes from Yunho. This day had been the most he's ever talked to Yunho in the whole time he's lived in his house. He was embarrassed to talk to the other man, knowing that very soon he would marry with him.
The sound of the back door opening startled Jae causing him to quickly pull out of Yunho's arms and to the other side of the room.
He looked towards the door as the maid came through holding a big basket of vegetables that he wanted to make dinner with.
His eyes widened as he remembered the dinner he has yet to start.
He walked over to the fridge, opening while talking to Yunho over his shoulder, "Yunho look in the lower cabinet to the left of the stove and remove two of the bigger cast iron skillets please." He looked behind him to make sure that Yunho had found the ones he was talking about. Smiling when Yunho gasped out at all the iron cookware found there, "You don't use Teflon? I would think it would be easier to clean than all this iron."
Jae removed the packs of steak and chicken as he answered Yunho, "Cast iron is just as easy to clean if it's seasoned right. Not only that, but I think it also gives the food cooked in it a better taste."
Jae took the meat and moved to the stove.
He looked over to the maid and tsk-ed, "Soo Yun, go home. Rest. No arguing with me this time."
Jae watched as the maid bowed one last time before she left the house to go home.
Shaking his head at the girl, he turned to the basket of veggies she set on the table.
He walked over and picked them up, moving over to the sink, he set the brightly colored offerings into the deep-set steel sink, then he glanced over to Yunho.
"Yunho, you wanted to help right? How about you wash and prep the veggies. Just cut them into thin strips. Don't cut the lettuce, tear it into bite-sized pieces, and dice the tomatoes."
Jae pulled out a drawer removing three cutting boards, one for the beef, one for the chicken and one for the veggies that Yunho was going to cut. Then reaching over to the block that held his knives, he took out a paring knife, not trusting Yunho with one of the bigger knives. He didn't want the man to cut himself. He handed the knife and the board to Yunho, to let him get started cutting.
He himself began to unwrap the meat.
He turned on two of the eyes to the stove, the blue flame leaping to life suddenly. He set the pans on the flames and added the oil, coating the bottom of the skillets.
While the oil heated he set about to cutting the steak and chicken into thin strips, then adding them to the hot oil, steak in one skillet, beef in the other.
Jaejoong smiled as the oil sizzled, the sound very much comforting to him. He knew dinner would be done quickly this night as the chicken and beef fajitas were on the menu.
After a while, Jae took a glance over at Yunho to see how he was doing.
He smirked when he saw that Yunho was still on the first orange bell pepper.
Grabbing his chef’s knife and an extra cutting board, he decided to have mercy on the struggling man who was doing a bang up job on his cutting.
Jae quickly showed Yunho how it was done. His knife flying across the board as the veggies started off in whole pieces on one side of the knife only to be left in thin strips on the other side of the knife.
Jae dealt with the veggies in a super speed, removing the seeds and membrane of the jalapenos.
By the time Yunho had one bell pepper done, Jae had gone through over half of the vegetables.
Jae looked over at Yunho grinning as he chopped away. He saw Yunho grin and wink back at him and he faltered in his chopping, his hands turning sweaty and a little shaky.
Taking a deep breath he concentrated on the vegetable at hand, trying to keep from cutting himself but jerked as Yunho's soft laughter reached his now red ears.
Finishing up with the vegetables, he added them to the meat along with the seasonings.
The tortillas warmed, the cheese grated and the red spicy sauce made, it was time to eat!
Yunho set the table while Jae put the food on serving platters bringing it to the table. Jae stood back rubbing his hands together as he turned to Yunho, "I'll go get the guys if you get the pitcher of sangria I made earlier."
At Yunho's nod, he left, strolling out of the room. Jae came upon Junsu and Yoochun in the living room talking quietly to themselves.
"Hey guys, dinners ready." Jae told them then turned to find the last two. He paused at the door before he turned back to Junsu and Yoochun, "You guys know where Kibum and Changmin are?"
Junsu stood from the couch; "Kibum took Changmin to his room earlier."
Jae nodded again, "Thanks. Well, go eat before it gets cold, ok." He said as he walked away from the room.
Going upstairs he came to Kibum's door and he knocked. He frowned when all he heard was silence and then a low moan came from the other side.
Jae knocked harder to get his brothers attention, "Kibum. Changmin. Dinner’s ready." He called through the door.
He heard a muffled, "Ok, Hyung. Be down in a few minutes."
Jae's frown deepened when he heard Kibum moan louder this time. He laid his ear against the door trying to hear more clearly what was happening on the other side of the door.
He was shocked when he heard a loud gasp, his head jerking back, staring at the door as if it had grew antennas from it's surface at Kibum’s, "Changmin, I'm cumming!"
Jaejoong let out his own loud gasp; the loud moaning from the other side of the door going quiet. No sound at all.
Jae felt his face reddened as he backed away and literally ran down the hall and down the stairs.
He slowed down at the dining room entrance, trying to steady his erratic heartbeat. He covered his hot cheeks with his cold hands trying to cool down his heated skin.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kibum and Changmin
Kibum moaned one last time, him spilling out on top Changmin’s hand. He fell back onto the bed, breathing hard as he looked over at Changmin sitting beside him.
"Why did I let you do that?" He muttered, his whole body relaxed and humming.
Changmin smiled down at his fiancé, "Because you wanted me to. Don't worry, once we’re married, you'll have to beat me off with a stick."
Kibum sat up on his elbows, "You mean you're going to make me wait until we get married before we make the bed bounce?" Kibum pouted. Since he knew that he and Changmin were getting married, he had no trouble having pre-marital sex, more so if it is with the one he's going to be spending the rest of his life with.
Then his thoughts turned to his brother.
"Changmin, do you think that he heard us?" He asked, worried.
"Who? Jaejoong? Yeah he probably did. You weren't quiet you know."
Kibum sighed; he didn't like knowing that his brother had heard them.
"I'll have to talk to him later. He will be so embarrassed, I hope he will talk to me, and not avoid me for days."
Changmin stood from the bed, and took Kibum's hand pulling him up also.
"Let's not worry about it right now. He's a big boy. I'm sure he knew what we were doing."
Kibum shook his head, "No. you don't understand Changmin. He wouldn't know. He's been protected all his life from these kinds of matters. He never took the sex ed courses, he never had friends that would talk about sex and their experiences with it with him. Even us, his brothers, kept him from knowing about the bigger, more detailed parts
of intimacy. It was one of Seung Chu's wishes."
Changmin stared at Kibum astonished at what was just told to him.
"You mean you guys kept him from learning about sex? How is that possible in this day and age? Especially with his looks, I'm surprised he hasn't been hit on a time or two."
Kibum smiled, "He has been asked out, but someone was always there to make sure that the person knew he was married. Before we met Seung Chu, we lived in the country. Not much chance there to have guys or girls coming on to you. Plus he stayed at home and didn't socialize much back then, he still doesn't. So it's not been to hard for him not to know much about sex."
Changmin just shook his head in disbelief, "Okay, if you say so. I think he knows more than you guys think he knows. There are such things as computers, cable T.V and pure old curiosity. Anyways, let's go eat, before Jae accidentally interrupts something more than a hand job."
The two made their way downstairs and into the dining room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jae
Slowly he came into the room. He saw Yoochun and Junsu at the table making their plates. Yunho was sitting there watching the two, looking up when he heard him come in.
"Jaejoong, are you alright?" Jae blushed harder at Yunho's close observation of him.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Let's eat."
Jae walked around the table taking a seat next to Yunho.
He had just finished making his fajita when Kibum and Changmin came in holding hands.
Jae looked down refusing to look at his brother. It was just to embarrassing, knowing what he had heard his brother and Changmin were doing behind the bedroom door.
Dinner went by quietly. All eating while Jae avoided looking at his brother.
Finally, Jae lifted his head and looked around. Everyone seemed to have gotten full and were just sitting and chatting with each other.
"If everyone is done, why don't we go on up and see what Seung Chu needs to tell us." All eyes had moved to him. He had been silent through the whole dinner, only answering questions when asked.
Yunho was looking at him intently. It seemed like he was studying him, and Jaejoong felt every beam that was coming his way.
He stood, making it clear to everyone that he was going up.
As he passed Kibum, he felt a hand on his arm and he glanced down.
Immediately his face tinged a color of pink as he looked up at his brother and his lover.
"Jaejoong, you know don't you?" He asked.
Jae slowly removed Kibum's hand from his arm while looking his brother in the eyes.
"Will Changmin make an honest man out of you, Kibum? Or is this just for kicks?"Jae asked in a low voice so the others could not overhear them.
Kibum smiled at him, "You should know me better than that, Jae. You know I don't play around. Anyways, we plan on asking Seung Chu for permission to marry tonight after he talks to us."
Jae smiled back at this little revelation. He was happy as long as Kibum was happy, "You are in love with him? And he you?"
He knew the answer, he could see it by the way Kibum looked at Changmin.
The way he blushes and acts all shy around him sometimes.
"Yes, we love each other."
Jae bit his lip, "As long as you love one another and plan on getting married, then I guess I can put up with the blowjobs." Jae muttered as they moved through the house and up the stairs to stand outside Seung Chu's bedroom door.
Kibum stared at his brother, shocked at what came out of his mouth.
Jae noticed Kibum’s face and smirked, "What? You didn't think I knew what you guys were doing in your room? I'm not stupid Kibum. I know all I need to know about sex even though my two very loving brothers tried to keep it away from me." Jae said a little sarcasm tinting his voice, as he knew what they were doing to him.
He kind of enjoyed throwing Kibum for a loop. Liked giving him a little wake up call. He may be more innocent than most but he was guy, and as a guy he grew more curious at what his brothers were trying to keep him from learning. What always puzzled him was why.
Why did they think he needed to be protected from sex? Didn't they think that he could say no when the time came? Didn't they know him better than to think that he would lie with just anyone?
He closed his eyes as he thought of what his family had been thinking. He was a married man for goodness sakes! He was not the type to go out whoring around!
Lost in his own world for a few minutes, he was startled when Yunho laid his hand on his shoulder, bringing him back to the moment.
Jae looked around and saw all the guys gathered around waiting for him to knock and gain entrance to the room.
After knocking, he opened the door and they all walked softly into the room, like if they were quiet then Seung Chu wouldn't get any sicker than he already was.
Jae inhaled deeply then walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. Smiling down at the man under the covers, he took his frail hand in his and raised it to his mouth, kissing the back of his hand gently, then holding it to his cheek.
"How are you feeling Husband?" Jae sought his eyes and saw pain.
He knew that Seung Chu was in never ending pain now, and it tore at his heart to see the man in this condition.
Seung Chu grinned; his eyes even though they held pain, were kind as he looked at him.
"I'm fine Jaejoong. I feel the same every day now."
Jae felt his heart hurt from the man’s words.
The same. Seung Chu felt the same as everyday. This could not be good, because everyday he felt worse and worse.
The man before him at one time was robust, full of life, now laid in bed, barely being able to move at all.
Jae knew what this meant, but he never wanted to admit it. But no matter how much he didn't want to face reality, he knew that it was coming full force towards him whether he was ready for it or not.
Seung Chu did not have much time left. He was getting weaker more and more everyday and he knew what that meant.
He would die, but when and would he be able to handle his death?
Slowly, his eyes found Yunho's across the bed and held them.
Yunho, he would have Yunho. He watched as Yunho moved to the side of the bed he was on and sat behind him. He felt his hand rest on his waist, giving a measure of comfort from his thoughts.
Jae turned back to Seung Chu when the older man started speaking to him again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seung Chu
"Jae, I have something very important to tell you and your brothers. Since you are marrying Yunho, I felt like he should hear this also."
Seung Chu closed his eyes, praying that his young wife would understand everything that was about to be told to him, and would forgive him in the end.
He opened his eyes and sat up against his pillows a bit more, removing his hand from Jae's light grip.
"I have a story to tell you all. A story of a little girl, who's father loved her more than anything in the world."
Seung Chu could tell he had their undivided attention. The room was silent, all attentive in their attempt to hear every word coming from his mouth.
He cleared his throat. He looked at his three charges.
"Tell me boys, how do you think I came to know about you?"
Junsu furrowed his forehead at the question, "Our father came to you to buy Jaejoong. We all know this?"
Seung Chu shook his head, "No, that's not how it happened."
Seung Chu's eyes sparkled when he thought of the past, his life and the lives of his loved ones.
Looking at Jaejoong, "I was married before." It was blunt, but that was the only way he knew to be.
He heard Jae's gasp, then a small stiff, "Well." as all he said about that.
Seung Chu went on with his story,
"I loved my wife. She was everything I wanted in this life. She was gentle, kind and oh so considerate of others. Always thought about me before her own well-being. She was a truly a selfless person. She was a rare gem. A diamond that sparkled brightly even in the dullest of situations."
"One day she came home smiling the brightest smile I had ever see her smile. She was excited about something and was so anxious to tell me, she was stuttering, and laughing and crying all at the same time. And to me she never looked so beautiful. Until she told me that she was expecting."
Seung Chu's eyes were filled with tears as memories poured out him.
"A baby. We were having a baby! Oh man, I still remember filling like a peacock strutting around after she told me. I hugged her so tight. I cried on her shoulders, and we both were filled with overwhelming love and joy for the unborn baby."
Seung Chu looked around and saw the unasked questions lurking in the boy’s faces. He smiled, "We had been told years before that she would never conceive, so we considered this a miracle in the making. Our own little baby. We had watched as our friends bore children while we stayed barren."
"My god did I pamper her! She never wanted for anything, and I mean anything! But I loved doing it, it felt like it brought me closer to the baby. A girl we found out later. We were ecstatic. Oh the joy of being a father to a little girl. Daddy’s little girl, that’s all I thought about."
Seung Chu's voice took on a sad tone, his eyes tearing for a different reason. The boys had tears in their eyes and he felt Jae take his hand in his again, giving him a gentle squeeze, telling him silently he could go on, that he was there for him, his beautiful and always trusting Jae.
"Her pregnancy went on with no complications at all."
"It came a shock to me, then when she was in labour that everything went bad. She had given birth, but was bleeding profusely and they couldn't get it to stop. Two hours after having our baby girl she met death, never getting to see the small life that had lived inside her for so long."
Seung Chu paused there, as tears poured down his cheeks as he thought of his beloved wife from so long ago but still held so dearly and close in his heart. It hurt to remember, but there was more to tell, more for the boys to know.
"I named the baby Lee Myung Hee, after her mother."
Seung Chu knew then by Jaejoong’s shocked gasp that they knew.
Jae looked at him intently, "Our mother. Our mother was your daughter?"
Seung Chu nodded his head, and he could see things starting to click into place for the younger boy.
"So that means you our grandfather." Jae whispered.
"Yes son. I'm your grandfather. That was one of the reason's why I would never consummate our marriage, that and I'm not gay."
"I'm sorry for all the lies Jaejoong, Kibum, Junsu." The other two had yet to say anything in regards to his revelation.
Junsu finally spoke up, "So you knew all along whom we were?"
Seung Chu nodded again, "Yes. I knew when each and everyone of you were born. I knew about your mothers death, in fact I was there that day when she was put in the ground. I had never cried so hard in my life. My little girl was gone to be with her mother"
Kibum stood up from the foot of the bed, confused, "But wait a minute here. If you knew about us then why didn't you help us. Why didn't you help mom. She could have been saved if we had had the money!"
Seung Chu glanced at the other faces present in the room,
"Your mother met your father when she was fifteen. She didn't think I knew of him, but I kept close tabs on everything she was doing. She didn't think I would approve of the man she fell in love with. He was poor. A farmer, but a very hard worker. What she didn't know was that I was planning for them to be together. I was about to offer him a job in one of the companies. Was going to make it to where she could marry him and still live the life she was accustomed to. She had my consent to marry. I was just waiting for the day to meet him, but that day never came.
Instead she ran away with him, and eloped. I didn't know for the first few years where she had gone too. It wasn't until I visited a friend in the hospital that I saw her again. She had just given birth to Jaejoong. She didn't see me, but I watched her and her little family through the crack in the door.
She looked happy, content. And I was happy to leave her with the life she choose as long as she was happy."
"I did come to them after Junsu's birth, and congratulated her on her son’s birth. I was just happy to be able to hold her again, to hold her son, my grandson. I had promised to leave them alone, and not offer any monetary support, a promise I would regret for the rest of my life it seems."
"They kept her illness a secret until it was to late. When I finally was told, it was to late, there was nothing that they could do for her. No money in the world could save her by then. I mourned her death, I still feel like I could have done more than I did."
"I kept a close eye on you guys after her death. I saw that everything was going wrong. Your father quit working and started drinking. I noticed this, but thought he was just trying to cope with her death, and would get back on track soon. But it didn't happen, and things just got worse for you guys and I knew that I had to get you out of there, if you were going to live. So, I went to your father and offered to buy Jaejoong. I told him that I would marry him. He didn't want me to take him, but I convinced him that he would be one less mouth to feed. Your fathers mind wasn't working well at the time, and he took the deal. I had every intention of just giving him money but he was a proud man, so I bought Jae. A few days later we were back to get you two." Seung Chu looked at Kibum and Junsu. And that’s how you came to live here."
Seung Chu drew in a deep breath, he still had more to say and not feeling very good about what he had to say. Jae had yet to say anything, just sitting there with his head bowed down, looking at their joined hands.
"Jae? Are you ok?"
Jae looked up and Seung Chu sighed in relief at his gentle smile. "I love you grandfather. Is it ok to call you grandfather instead of husband?"
Seung Chu laughed, "Of course child, I would be the happiest man on earth if all my grandsons called me grandfather."
Then Seung Chu's smile faltered, "Jae, there's more I need to tell you."
Jae's smile faded as he looked at me, worried.
Seung Chu reached into the bedside table; drawing out the picture frame he kept.
"Jae, I've not been faithful. I have a mistress. Choi Hea Sook. We have been together for fifteen years. She knew about you and my choice to marry you, and she was fine with it. I have been seeing her everyday since we've been married. Please forgive me; I love her, not as much as my wife, but I do love her. I want her to be able to come to my funereal when my time comes."
Seung Chu watched for Jae's reaction. He thought the boy would blow up, but instead he smiled,
"Is she the one that owns the Hea Sook clothing line?"
I nodded my head yes.
Jae's smile widened, "You think she'll give me a discount for being good and not killing her?"
Seung Chu chuckled relieved that Jae wasn't mad, "I'm sure she'd let you shop for free, Jae. She knows all about you, and just loves you to death. She says you kept me young, and I have to agree."
Jae's eyes gazed at him and he knew Jaejoong was fine with this, "I'm not mad, grandfather. Because now I know that you needed intimacy also, and with the one you love. I understand. How can I be mad, you are not gay, how can I keep you when I never had you to begin with?"
Jae smiled as he stood up, leaning forward he lightly kissed Seung Chu on the cheek "I would like to meet her though. I would like to think we would get along great."
Seung Chu grinned at this, his grandson was just to nice. As he moved to leave the now empty room, the others thinking that the married couple needed this talk in private, Seung Chu called out to him,
"Jae, the answer to your question last night: Yes. Love him. And he's not marring you for the money, he's a rich man also, he doesn't need our money. Just love him all you can, ok."
Seung Chu leaned back as Jae stood like a statue staring off into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jae
I moved from the room, dazed. He had heard me. And he said yes.
I met Yunho as I opened the door to his room.
"Jae are you ok?" Yunho was asking and all I could think was that I love this man freely without restraints.
I blushed and nodded and walked into his bedroom for the night, after giving Yunho a shy kiss on the cheek.
~*~
Later on that night, Jae sat up in bed. His heart pounding hard, sweat breaking out as lighting lit up the night sky, followed by booming thunder.
Jae whimpered as the thunder rolled again.
He was very terrified of storms and this one was bad. Lighting struck at a few second intervals, the thunder following it every time.
He reached for his teddy and held it close to him. He usually went and climbed in bed with Seung Chu. But him being this sick he knew that he couldn't disturb the man’s sleep.
Jae slowly rose from the bed tiptoeing across the room to his door.
Maybe he could...
Should he...
Another crack of lighting had him rushing from his room and across the hall in an instant.
Jae stood inside of Yunho's room. The lightening brightened the room to a bright blue for a second, letting him see Yunho's sleeping form, and then disappeared. Jae stood in the middle of his future husbands room, trying to decide if he should risk it, when more thunder made the decision for him. He lightly as he could without waking Yunho, drew the covers back and slid in beside him.
He could feel the warmth from Yunho's body seep into him, giving him comfort from the raging storm. He felt his nerves calm down, his heart gaining it's normal speed, and his pulse slowing.
And his last thought before he drifted off into a deep sleep was that he wasn't afraid any longer.
~*~
During the night, his body scooted closer to Yunho's until he turned and his body knowing it's soul mate twined itself among Yunho's limbs. Neither woke and both slept deeply in each other’s arms.