episode_0060

“Jihoo, calm down.”

Startled, I was calmed by Jiwoon.

“I think we need to go to the hospital quickly, so please call them and have a car ready for us.”

Saying that, Jiwoon prepared a towel and continued wiping the floor.

I hurried outside to wait with the car ready.

I knew the due date was approaching, perhaps I had been too careless.

Realizing I needed to make a call while waiting for Jiwoon, I dialed the nearby maternity hospital on my smartphone.

“Hello. I think my wife is going into labor…”

After making the call, I made arrangements to head straight to the delivery room.

Now all I had to do was wait for Jiwoon to come out.

But why did I feel nervous even though Jiwoon was the one giving birth?

With shaky hands, I waited for Jiwoon to come out, knowing I had to support her.

To clear my mind, I splashed my face a few times. Jiwoon emerged wearing a pink sweater and blue pants and got into the car.

Vroom-

“Phew… Let’s go to the hospital. Did you make the call?”

“Yes. They said to come straight to the delivery room. Are you in pain?”

“Not yet? I’m fine, but there’s a bit too much amniotic fluid, so I’m a little worried.”

I felt relieved momentarily at those words.

I worried about what would happen if she suffered in the car, so I drove as fast as I could within safe limits towards the hospital.

As we were heading to the hospital,

“Stop the car in front of that car with the license plate OOO.”

A voice from behind instructed me to pull over.

Even though I was driving at my maximum speed.

Was it because I was speeding that they stopped me?

A police car pulled up next to me and rolled down the window.

I opened my window and said, “She’s in labor!”

Keeping it simple and clear.

The policeman in the car next to me exclaimed, asked where we were headed, and upon hearing the hospital name, he led the way, clearing the path for us.

We arrived safely at the hospital.

Upon arrival, Jiwoon got up from her seat, got into a nurse’s wheelchair, and headed straight to the delivery room.

As the situation calmed down a bit, I called my parents and told them.

Is it okay to call at this early hour?

Apologizing for waking my mom up, I asked if she should come to the hospital, but I insisted everything was fine and tried to put her back to sleep.

It seemed like my dad was also worried on the phone.

Feeling like I had caused unnecessary worry, I also felt sorry.

**

I felt fortunate to have contacted them beforehand.

If I had hesitated earlier, it would have taken forever.

The nurse took Jiwoon for an examination right away. I sat anxiously in a chair, hands clasped, waiting.

Please let everything be alright…

After some time, I was informed that I could meet Jiwoon again in a private room for her childbirth.

“What did they say?”

“They said the amniotic fluid broke first, but the cervix hasn’t dilated yet…”

“Is everything okay then?”

“Fortunately, there are no issues.”

After that, Jiwoon received an epidural to ease the pain of childbirth, and we decided to wait for the delivery.

About three hours passed.

Jiwoon’s expression began to falter slightly.

“Where does it hurt?”

“Well… It’s not exactly pain, but my stomach feels uneasy, making it a bit tough.”

Although I tried to empathize as a man, I didn’t quite understand, but I tried to sympathize with Jiwoon.

“Hey, isn’t that the milk they give you in the military…”

“What military are you talking about when you haven’t even served!”

I was promptly shut down.

Alright.. I haven’t even been to the military yet, but I’ve watched a lot of military circle dramas, so I know a lot..

“Anyway, just endure for a few hours…”

Saying that, Ji-won held my hand in response to my words.

“I might not look good if I frown, is that okay?”

“I’ll show our pretty kids instead.”

“Then I’ll be ugly just for today.”

Saying that, Ji-won tightly held my hand and said, “Honey, hold on tight for me.”

I don’t really know what to say to Ji-won calling me “honey.”

It’s true we filed for marriage, but when it comes down to it, I feel embarrassed.

“Honey… Hang in there..”

As I held Ji-won’s hand and spoke, Ji-won said she understood.

About an hour passed, and Ji-won’s face was so strained that it was hard to find a smile.

“… Does it hurt a lot?”

“Oh… It’s unbearable.”

With a furrowed brow, Ji-won asked me to hold her hand while trembling.

I tried to hold Ji-won’s hand as requested, but…

“Kim Ji-won, patient transfer needed.”

To transport Ji-won, they began to bring a wheelchair.

Ji-won struggled to smile while sitting in the wheelchair.

“I’ll give birth once and come back.”

It seemed like she was saying not to worry because everything would be fine.

After saying that, seeing Ji-won in the wheelchair made me start worrying.

I didn’t know what to say for a while.

I just sat nearby, clasped my hands, and started praying for everything to be okay.

I wish it were me in pain instead.

Thinking this, I worried about Ji-won for a while.

After some time had passed…

Continuing to wait for Ji-won…

“Mr. Kim Ji-won! It’s a prince! Come see!”

Saying that, I got up from my seat upon the nurse’s words and looked at the baby behind the glass.

Seeing the big, crying baby immediately relieved me.

Didn’t they mention twins?

What happened to the other one?

And…

“Is the baby’s mom okay?”

When I asked about the baby’s mom, the nurse thankfully said both the baby and the mother were fine.

Upon hearing this, I sat down hesitantly.

Relieved, my legs went weak, and I sat down.

Thank goodness everything turned out well.

Looking at my smartphone, I saw 300 messages and 50 missed calls.

They were all either from Mom or Dad.

They must be worried.

While worrying, the nurse approached me and said, “This time it’s a princess!”

Saying this, she mentioned it was a daughter this time.

I was momentarily taken aback by the news of a daughter.

I hadn’t thought it would be a girl.

Approaching Ji-won, I said, “You did well.”

I looked at Ji-won sweating and holding her hand, thanking her and giving her a gentle squeeze.

“Uh.. And the kids?”

“They’re in the incubator right now. They both look beautiful and cool like you.”

I patted Ji-won on the head, thanked her, and continued.

Upon which Ji-won looked at me and asked, “Have we decided on our kids’ names?”

Ji-won asked.

We hadn’t decided on any names.

This is bad.

It’s probably too late now to choose names at a naming agency.

I didn’t know what to say in response to Ji-won’s gaze, but the name that came to mind was…

“How about Ji-ho and Ji-yeon?”

Ji-won smiled at my suggestion.

“Yeah.. That’s good.”

Saying this, I patted Ji-won again in response to her words.

I thanked her for her hard work and then started moving Ji-won back to the hospital room.

The next day, Mom and Dad came in, worrying about Ji-won.

Our son also went through quite a bit of trouble, but aren’t you going to see him?

Mom brought seaweed soup in a thermos for Ji-won and continued to express concern for her hardships.

I’m here too.

I’m just nothing special.

Still… Since Jiwon suffered the most here, I couldn’t say anything.

My parents, who were watching Jiwon like that, approached me and spoke.

Only now they seem to be interested in me, so I got up from my seat, cleared my throat, and asked what was going on.

“Where are our grandchildren?”

Seems like they still have no interest in me…

**

Looking at Jiho and Jiyeon, my parents were asking who they resemble cutely.

“Oh~ Our son definitely didn’t inherit any of that.”

It stung my heart a bit.

But indeed, they didn’t resemble me.

Beautiful and handsome appearances.

Jiyeon’s hair resembled Jiwon’s, pink in color, while Jiho resembled me, with a hint of black mixed in his hair.

Looking at Jiho and Jiyeon like that,

I thought life ahead might get a bit tiring.

Still, because of Jiwon…

I thought it wouldn’t be so bad.

My friends that I have.

My friend since childhood. Jiwon, who’s been a pain in the ass.

Thinking that living with these kids wouldn’t be so bad, I returned to Jiwon as is.

“When you’re discharged… you’ll probably have a hard time ahead.”

Saying that, Jiwon looked at me, took my hand.

“It’s still a bit tough… just stay by my side for a little longer.”

Saying that, Jiwon looked at me and said,

“Thanks for everything, babe.”

And holding my hand tightly, continued,

“Really.. almost got fucked over there.”