Falling For You epilogue
beta-ed by moon1084
The weather was beautiful. The bright spring day perfect for a double wedding. The sun shown brightly, the breeze was soft and cool. The flowers were in full bloom, the scent wafting through the air, around the small group of guest that were congregated to celebrate two couples in love enough to make it official.
Junsu and Kibum looked wonderful in their tuxes; Junsu in light blue while Kibum in bright red. Changmin and Yoochun looking handsome as always, their tuxes matching their mates.
They stood together before their family and God and announced their everlasting love for one another. Eyes blurred with tears, hands trembled with nerves and giddiness. The priest asking if they would be true to one another until the end of their days together. Answers were said in true and loud voices that carried out over the rolling emerald green lawn.
Amongst the guest was the eldest brother to the 'brides'. His smile in full bloom as he watched as his brothers take their vows of matrimony.
Jaejoong couldn't believe how fast a year had gone by. So much had happened since the day of his and Yunho's joining.
He let his eyes wonder over the guest, his gaze settling on an elder woman in the front row. A happy smile creased her smooth face as she watched her adopted grandson's wed. Jaejoong tilted his head to the side thinking. He and Hye Sook had gotten close over the year. Her presence in his life, in his families life greatly welcomed.
Jae laughed to himself as he remembered the first time Hye Sook met Dae Joon. His small family had just arrived back to the Mansion and Dae Joon only a few months old when Hye Sook came for a visit.
Her surprise had been great and pleasant, as she snatched the baby boy from his umma's arms and cuddled him to her chest. Hye Sook coo-ed and baby talked to Dae Joon, settling his tiny body against her body, his head on her shoulder. She walked around patting his back as she talked and sung to him quietly.
Then the unthinkable happened. What is the one thing you don't do after you feed and burp a baby? Move them around to much. Why?
It happened. Hye Sook had turned away from Jae, still talking to Dae Joon when a burp sounded out. At first Jae smiled, but then it faded when a wet liquidy sound hit the floor.
Horrified, Jaejoong had watched on as Hye Sook turned to him, a big wet spot covering her shoulder and down her back.
Dae Joon had spit up all over his new grandmother.
Jaejoong had thought that Hye Sook would have gotten angry or agitated over the stain, but instead her reaction had shocked Jaejoong.
Amongst all his apologizing and calling for the nearest maid, Hye Sook had started giggling. She held Dae Joon up to her face, kissing the baby all over his face.
“It's alright Jae. This expensive designer outfit is temporary in my life, but this little fella here? Well, he's in my heart forever. He can spit up on anything he wants as long as I get to hold him and show him my love.”
Jae had remembered the warmth that flowed through his body from her words, happy that Dae Joon was so loved so soon.
As the memory faded he turned his eyes to another elder person also sitting in the front row beside Hye Sook.
Imagine the shock on his face when one day a few months after his marriage when he opened the door to find his appa standing there.
Stunned he stood there one hand on the door frame the other by his side, to shocked to speak.
His appa had spoken first, breaking the awkward, tense atmosphere.
“Hello JaeJoong.” The man's voice was clear and strong, different from the stuttering man from what he remembered.
JaeJoong found his voice, be it tight with his restraint from yelling at the man.
“What are you doing here?” The question was blunt and JaeJoong held none of his anger back. His dark eyes narrowing as he glared at the man.
Kim Han Joong sighed as he bowed his head, “I want to apologize for the way I was after your umma passed away.”
JaeJoong gave a bitter laugh, “You want to apologize now? Don't you think it's a little late?” Jae moved to fold his arms over his chest, his stance now showing his anger as it rode over him.
Han Joong nodded, “Yes, I realize that any explanation now would be useless, but please let me talk to you and the boys.” Jae's appa begged as Jae thought seriously about closing the door on the man.
JaeJoong made to do just that when he felt a hand on his. Looking up and back over his shoulder he found Yunho standing behind him.
“Just hear him out Jae.” Yunho mutterd as he moved Jae back and beckoned Han Joong into the house.
Jaejoong stood to the side, shocked as his husband led Han Joong deeper into his house. His eyes burned with anger he thought of everything that he and his two dongsengs had went through. The not having enough food. The not having enough water, heat, clothing. In JaeJoong's mind, the best thing his appa had done was sold him and his brothers to Seung Chu. Jaejoong had never regretted his marriage to the elder man, it had brought him and his siblings from the lower than the slums predicament that they had been in.
Now Jaejoong had a feeling that this man was trying to reenter their lives, and that was something that Jaejoong didn't want.
Yes, he was bitter. Very bitter, and at the same time he was grateful.
If not for his father selling him, he would have never met Seung Chu, therefore, he never would have had the chance to meet Yunho, the love of his life. He was still disappointed in his appa, he guessed that he would always be.
Slowly, Jaejoong followed Yunho and HanJoong into the parlor where Kibum, Changmin, Junsu and Yoochun were already sitting.
The four men rose to their feet as Yunho and HanJoong appeared.
Jaejoong could hear his dongsengs surprised gasps and then Junsu's shocked “Appa!”
Jaejoong stepped into the room just in time to see Junsu and Kibum embrace HanJoong, and the feel of betrayal pricked at his heart at the warm welcome his younger brothers were giving their father.
He knew that his brothers were both grown men and could make their own decisions, but he didn't think that they would have let their appa back in so quickly.
Jaejoong had felt like his dongsengs had forgotten what their lives had been like when they had been with Hanjoong; had forgotten what Seung Chu had done for them to bring them out of poverty.
Jaejoong knew that he wouldn't betray Seung Chu's memory or what the elder gentleman had done for them. He knew this, but he also knew that he wouldn't be able to accept Hanjoong until he felt like he wasn't betraying Seung Chu in his heart. Jaejoong knew that for him, he would have a hard time letting his appa back in.
At Jae clearing his throat the two step back, turning to look at him. Jae gave them a disapproving glare, and he could see the questions building up in their minds.
Jaejoong sighed and shook his head as he headed to a single leather chair in the corner furtherest from his appa. He would listen to what the man had to say and then ask him leave. For the past two and a half years they had done fine without their appa. Hanjoong hadn't attempted to contact them or anything and as far as Jae was concerned, he now had a new family in Yunho and had no use for the old man now in front of him.
“Alright Mr. Kim. Now you can talk in comfort. Please tell us what you need to say.”
Jaejoong's eyes snapped to Yunho's, his mouth set in a firm line. Yunho's gaze met his and Jae bit his lip and looked away. Yunho's eyes was begging him to listen and try for a second chance with Hanjoong.
To Jae, he didn't even have to think twice about welcoming his appa back in, to him the immediate answer had been no and he didn't think that whatever Hanjoong had to say would change his mind.
Jaejoong's attention snapped over to his appa when the first words out of his mouth were, “Seung Chu, had, after the first week you boys had left, sent me a check with a note attached that said, “For the sake of your sons, try to change. Get a better life.” The amount was great enough that I should have been able to pay off all my debts, buy food and then still not have to worry about finding a job for a long while.” Hanjoong paused here and Jae could tell that his appa didn't want to say what really happened to the money.
“Appa, what did you do with the money?” Kibum saved Jae from asking the question that he already knew the answer to.
Shame masked the mans face as he faced the three brothers and their lovers.
“I am ashamed.” Hanjoong muttered, his voice low. “I didn't do anything that would have helped to put me on the right track.” Hanjoong glanced down to his lap, and then back up meeting each of his sons eyes, Hanjoong needing them to know how sorry he was that he had wasted the money like that; money that he could have been using to better himself, better his life. He wanted his sons to know that he had changed from the man that they had known in the past.
Looking at Jaejoong, he knew that he would have some proving to do before his eldest son ever thought of accepting him again. Jae's attitude alone showed Hanjoong just what Jaejoong had thought of him. Loss of respect and maybe, and he prayed that it wasn't true, the loss if his older sons love.
Hanjoong gave a sigh, turning from piercing eyes to those of his other son's.
“Each check that Seung Chu sent he included a note. Always something encouraging, uplifting. Then in one of the notes he made the statement that JiYoung would not want me to live my life like this.” Hanjoon folded his hands in his lap to help him keep still. “And he was right. JiYoung wouldn't want to see me like that.”
The room was silent. Even Jaejoong, Hanjoong noticed with relief, looked less angry with him.
“It was hard, but I took it slow. Day by day, then week to week. Finally it had been four months since I had touched liqueur and had quite amount of money saved up from the checks that Seung Chu sent. And for the first time in what seemed like a very long time, I was able to think clearly. I started to make plans. I paid up the rent on the old shack, then packed everything and moved. I now rent a small apartment right here in Seoul. Just enough room for me. Seung Chu still sent me checks and I continued to save them. Then one day, I knew what I wanted to do with them.” Hanjoong smiled as he thought of what had happened next, “I went to Seung Chu, and was he surprised to see me. I think he thought that I was still drinking and had not took his advice. He and I sat and I told him that I wanted to start a business. An import and export business. I wanted to own the ships, have the finale word in everything from what was bought and sold. I wanted two offices, one where my ships were located and one here in the city.” Hanjoong laughed his eyes loosing the flatness of being sad. “But Seung Chu had different plans, plans that I haven't even thought of. Boy, am I glad that I talked to him. He told me that I needed offices in other places in the world. Places like Japan, United States, Europe. Can you imagine my surprise. I had wanted to start small, get use to having a business before expanding like that. But with Seung Chu's help and a few good men who knew what they were doing, that also came from Seung Chu, Kim's Imports and Exports took off with a bang and is still going strong with no signs of slowing down.”
Hanjoong's smile faded as he thought of his late wifes father, “He helped me.” He whispered, “He showed me what I needed to do. He took me under his wing and taught me what I needed to know. And you know what? He was right, everything that he showed me was right.” Kim Hanjoong sat there, his heart beating hard as he faced his sons a new man. None of the weak man he had been before was present.
~*~
Jaejoong's eyes stayed on his appa, his own heart, for some odd reason, had started beating hard. It had been a year since his appa had came back into their lives. It took Jaejoong nearly eight months to even feel like he could welcome the man into his home and not feel guilty. Took another two months to start treating Hanjoong somewhat like a father. And now he sat at his dongsengs wedding and started noticing things. Like how over the past year his father was a prouder man. He stood tall, shoulders back and head held high, like a true business man should. Jaejoong had also taken notice of his appas eyes, at how clear they were, how bright and full of life they were. He could see Hanjoongs profile from where he sat and as he watched his appa he didn't feel the usual stab of guilt he usually felt. Instead he felt a release. He didn't feel like he had to hold off from having his appa completely back in his life. Jaejoong felt relief and thats how he would describe it if he was ever asked about it.
Jaejoong let out a smile as the little body in his appas hands bounced and heard the happy laugh as he watched his uncles in front of him taking in their vows. Yes, now he could let his appa be his appa again. The past not easily forgiven, not ever forgotten. But forgiven nontheless.
A small movement to his left drew his gaze and his smile widened as he watched his bestfriends.
Boa and SeulGi had married about four months after him and Yunho and the two women were just so much in love with each other that it was evident in every move they made to each other. Boa was holding SeulGi's hand, their fingers lacing together, the heart of their palms meeting, warming, just like the hearts in their chest were warmed from each others love.
He was happy for them. He had wished them well and truly meant it. He hoped that they loved each other just as much as he and Yunho loved each other.
Jaejoong smiled towards them one last time before he turned to his right, his eyes on the wonderful view of his husband.
His eyes softened as he looked upon the strong man holding their new two week old baby girl, ChaeYun. ChaeYun was DaeJoon's sister. Their real umma had brought the infant to the orphanage as soon as it was born and then Hannah had then called them to let them know of the little baby girl.
Of course Jae and Yunho had talked about adopting another baby and it was very convenient that ChaeYun had come along.
ChaeYun was cuddled in her appa's arms. Her little pale pink and lavender blanket wrapped tightly around her small body. Jet black hair peeked out and gently lifted with the breeze.
Jaejoong loved seeing Yunho holding ChaeYun. He's so gentle with her, so tender, it made Jae's heart squeeze with his undying love. It never cease to amaze him at how much he has gained in the last three years.
The wedding ceramony was coming to an end and everyone stood to their feet clapping as Junsu and Yoochun kissed, their lips meeting gently before turning to the small gathering grinning.
This was followed by Kibum and Changmin sharing their kiss, their lips lingering, clinging onto each other,and Jaejoong was so proud of his brothers. His eyes filled as his two brothers, now wives themselves, walked down the short aisle with their arms linked to their new husband smiles shining with happiness and love.
Jaejoong with the others clapped as the wedded couples walked by heading to the rose covered pavilion where the reception was being held, all their family following in behind them.
As Jaejoong walked beside his husband, he slipped his arm around Yunho's waist, coming in closer to hug him a bit.
Their walk slowed, letting all the other guest pass them by until Jae spotted his appa passing.
Jaejoong let go of Yunho and reached out to his father, stopping his progress with the other guest.
Hanjoong gave Jae a confused look that Jae just smiled to.
Coming closer to his appa, Jaejoong took the older man into his arms being mindful of DaeJoon and held him, his mouth near Hanjoongs ear as he whispered, “Love you, appa.”
Jaejoong let go and stepped back smiling at Hanjoong who stood frozen, eyes tearing up, a loving grin splitting his face.
Reaching out his left hand, Jae took his appa by the hand that was free and held it as they walked to the reception, Jae's right arm going back around his husbands waist.
As they walked Jae felt a breeze and lifted his face smiling. All his problems solved and yes, he thought as he joined the rest of his family....
...life is good.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
a/n well here it is. the very last chapter. i just wanted to tie up a few loose ends and give yoosu and kimin their moment at the alter. i hope you guys enjoyed this fic, i know i enjoyed writing it. hopefully i will see you soon with a Runaway Love update. ^^