Work Text:
February 11
Songhwa placed the last piece of shirt she had prepared into her suitcase before closing its zipper. She quickly scanned their room to double-check if she missed anything else.
“I think that was the last thing. I’m good to go.”
Ikjun, who is sitting on their bed with the corners of his mouth drawn downwards, “Can you bring me with you, please?” he stood up and examined her suitcase, “I think I can fit in here, actually.” Songhwa let out a heartily laugh at her sulking husband.
“Stop being dramatic, Yeobo. I’ll only be gone for three days,” Songhwa grabbed her handbag, “It’s not like I’m moving to a different country or something.”
“I should’ve also volunteered to join the conference,” Ikjun sighed dramatically. “Do you think I can still join you?”
“Yah! It’s a conference for neurosurgeons! Why would you be there? Stop being so clingy and help me carry my stuff to the car.”
Ikjun stood up and walked towards Songhwa to get her bag and carry it for her. “Are you sure you’ll be fine driving to the venue on your own?”
“Eo, it’s just a 4-hour drive. I’ll be fine, don’t worry too much.” She assured him as they both walked outside.
“Arasseo.”
Ikjun gently placed Songhwa’s luggage on the back of her car before walking her to the driver’s seat.
“Okay, let’s go grab a coffee first at the newly opened café down the street.” Songhwa merely nods as Ikjun walks towards his own car parked beside hers.
While waiting, Songhwa connected her phone to the car speakers via Bluetooth and opened her music library, but before she could press play on a song, her phone suddenly rang. Upon checking the caller ID, she raised an eyebrow and immediately glanced outside towards where Ikjun was parked.
“Something wrong?”
“Ani, I just wanted to chat with you while driving.” Ikjun giggled on the other line.
“Aigoo, why are you so clingy today?”
“Geunyang.”
Ikjun pulled out of the driveway first, followed by Songhwa. After fifteen minutes of driving and their constant exchange of stories and bickering over the phone, they arrived at a small café painted with a soft shade of pink. The outside of the building is decorated with different kinds of flowers and hanging air plants all over the windows. Ikjun turned on his turn signal before turning right to the drive-thru entrance, once again followed by Songhwa.
“I’ll end the call now. See you in three days. Drive safe! Saranghae.” As soon as the call ended, Ikjun opened his car’s window.
“Annyeonghaseyo! May I take your order?”
“Annyeonghaseyo, I’ll have a large iced vanilla latte, please.” Ikjun peeked on his rear-view mirror, which made him smile. “Oh, and please give the person in the car next to me a strawberry shortcake.”
The worker at the counter raised an eyebrow for a second but decided just to oblige to the customer’s request.
“One large iced vanilla latte and one slice of strawberry shortcake—”
“Ani, give her the whole cake. I’ll pay for everything, including whatever she gets,” Ikjun grabbed his card and handed it to the lady. “One last thing, can you please tell her that I think she’s really hot,” he smirked. “Thank you so much! Have a nice day!”
When it was Songhwa’s turn to order, she immediately noticed the plastered smile on the face of the person at the counter. What did Ikjun do this time?
“Good morning! Can I have a regular hot americano?” Songhwa grabbed her card and gave it to the lady, “Here.”
“Ma’am, the man before you already paid for your order. He also bought you a whole cake! Oh, and he wants me to tell you that he thinks you’re really hot!” The lady giggled from behind the counter. “I think he likes you, Ma’am.”
Songhwa playfully rolls her eyes as she feels the faint blush on her cheeks. “That was actually my husband.” She shyly chuckled. Ikjun-ah, I’m going to kill you.
The lady’s jaw dropped upon hearing Songhwa, “Omo! You guys are goals!” she exclaimed.
“He just loves teasing me, anyways, kamsahamnida for bearing with him!”
“No problem, ma’am! I think it’s adorable.”
February 13
Songhwa's phone buzzed.
IJ: Yeobo~
SH: Wae?
IJ: Did you know that red roses symbolize eternal love and romance? hehe
SH: Please don’t get me a bouquet of red roses tomorrow for valentine’s day.
IJ: Wae? :( Do you hate flowers? :(
SH: The opposite, actually. I love looking and smelling at flowers, but a bouquet of flowers only lasts a few days, don’t you dare waste your money on them, arachi?
IJ: Arraseo, drive back safely tomorrow! See you!
February 14
Ikjun jolted out of his seat when he heard the clicking sounds of the door’s digital lock. She’s here.
“Annyeong!” He cheerfully greeted Songhwa with his arms wide open, inviting her for a hug.
Songhwa immediately ran towards him and buried her face on his chest. “I missed you so much!” She mumbled underneath his hug. “I missed you so much too!” Ikjun gently kissed the top of her head before squeezing her tightly between his arms. I’m finally home, Songhwa thought to herself.
When Songhwa breaks their hug, Ikjun leaned on her and whispered, “Yeobo, I have a little surprise for you.” Before Songhwa could react, he placed his handkerchief that he's holding over her eyes, tying it not too tightly at the back, so she’s comfortable.
“YAH! What is happening?”
Ikjun stood behind Songhwa, holding her shoulders, “Just follow my lead, okay?” he carefully guided a blindfolded and confused Songhwa outside to their garden.
“This is making me nervous.”
“Don’t worry. We’re almost there!”
Ikjun’s steps became slow and steady until they ultimately came to a complete stop, which made Songhwa stop walking as well.
“Okay, Are you ready? I’ll remove the blindfold now.” Songhwa nodded vigorously.
Despite his excitement, Ikjun slowly lifted the handkerchief to allow Songhwa to adjust to the bright sunlight outside. Songhwa’s eyes, still adjusting to the brightness of her surroundings, started looking around her. Her line of sight was slowly filled with deep red roses covering their entire backyard aside from a clear pathway in the middle.
Songhwa gasped at the beauty surrounding her, “What is all this?” her eyes twinkling in delight.
“Well, I…” Ikjun could not hide the huge smile forming on his lips, “I’ve always wanted to give you flowers, but I know that you don’t like receiving them since according to you ‘bouquet of flowers only lasts a few days’” Ikjun mumbled in a tone mimicking Songhwa’s voice, which made her let out a chuckle. “So, being the best husband in the world, I thought I would plant you a garden of red roses instead.” Ikjun bumped Songhwa’s shoulder teasingly, “So, what do you think?”
Songhwa turned her face towards the field of roses in front of her to admire its beauty once again as tears started to form in her eyes.
“Omo, are you crying?”
“I- I love it so much! Thank you, Ikjun-ah!” Songhwa threw herself into Ikjun’s arms once more. “This is really nice and thoughtful of you.” Ikjun broke their hug to wipe away Songhwa’s tears with his thumbs.
“Songhwa-yah, I hope this covers all the flowers I owe you for over twenty years.”
“This is more than enough, Ikjun-ah. How did you even do this?”
“Remember when we were walking one time in Yulje, and I stopped to talk to our gardeners planting new plants around the hospital?”
“You also gave me a plant that time, yes, of course, how could I forget?”
“I just asked them some advice and tips in replanting bushes of roses and how to take care of them,” Ikjun explained. “Oh, and one last thing,” Ikjun looked behind Songhwa and gestures for him to join them in the garden. Songhwa turned around to look at who it was, only to find an adorable Uju running towards her. She opened her arms widely to welcome him in a huge embrace, just like how she always does. This familiar scene will never not make Ikjun smile and feel eternally grateful for having such a beautiful family.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Eomma!” Uju greeted Songhwa merrily. He then handed out the small red box that he’s been holding to her.
Songhwa’s mouth opened wide in surprise, “Omo, what is this Uju-yah?”
“Open it! Open it!” Uju insisted.
Songhwa opened the small box and took out an origami of a red rose.
“I told Appa I also wanted to give you a flower for Valentine’s Day. A flower that will never die, just like my love for you, Eomma. Saranghae!” Songhwa wants to burst into tears at Uju’s words.
“He endlessly watched a video tutorial for that,” Ikjun added.
“I also made one for Mone.” Uju smiled proudly, “Do you like it, Eomma?”
“I love it, Uju-yah! Thank you! You made Eomma really happy!” She hugged Uju once again. Songhwa can’t help but cry at the amount of love she’s continuously receiving from both Ikjun and Uju. She is forever thankful for becoming a part of their family. They are everything to her, and she feels like the luckiest person to ever exist to be able to spend the rest of her days loving and being loved by them.
February 15
Ikjun woke up to an empty space beside him the next morning. He lifted his head to peek through their bathroom door, but no signs of Songhwa. He grabbed his glasses on his nightstand and noticed a handwritten note beside it. He put on his glasses and picked up the small piece of paper to read it.
“Yeobo~ I went to Yulje early today to catch up on some work that I left when I was at the conference. I have already prepared breakfast for you and Uju. Mianhae, I didn’t make you coffee since it will not be as good anymore if not consumed within hours. Just grab a takeout from our new favorite café, okay? See you later, Saranghae!”
Ikjun grinned from ear to ear. Whatever it is that Songhwa does for her, no matter how big or small, his heart always flutters.
An hour later, Ikjun had left their apartment for work after helping Uju get ready for school. He drove on his usual route and stopped by the drive-thru at the same café he and Songhwa tried a few days ago.
“Annyeonghase- Oh, it’s you again!” Ikjun said at the familiar lady at the counter.
“Annyeonghaseyo, Sir! Here is your large iced vanilla latte courtesy of Mrs. Lee. She already ordered and paid for it earlier when she got her coffee. Have a goody, Sir!”
This time it's Ikjun’s turn to blush and get shy as he accepts his coffee, his usual order bought by his wife. He makes a mental note about how he's going to shower his wife with hugs and kisses once he sees her later today.