[Seoul restaurant — Evening]
By the time they reached the restaurant, the sky over Seoul had already turned dark.
The lights of the city reflected across the windows of the cars as everyone finally arrived after spending almost the entire day at the amusement park.
The children were tired.
But somehow, they still had enough energy to talk.
Taekyun had already arranged everything in advance.
As soon as they entered the restaurant, a staff member approached them with a polite bow.
"Mr Taekyun, everything has been prepared."
Taekyun nodded.
"Take us to the private room."
"Yes, sir."
They were led through the quiet hallway toward a spacious private dining room.
The moment they entered, Jina let out a long sigh.
"Oppa...."
She rubbed her shoulder dramatically.
"Thank you for arranging everything beforehand. I'm exhausted."
Taekyun gave her a small smile.
"You spent the entire afternoon running around with the children."
"Exactly."
Jina nodded seriously.
"I deserve compensation."
Nayeon, who was carrying a sleepy Seoah, immediately laughed.
"Your compensation is getting to eat dinner."
Jina looked at her.
"That's not enough."
Nayeon simply smiled.
"Come here."
She reached for Jina's hand.
Jina immediately took it.
The two walked toward the table together.
Meanwhile, Lihan stepped forward.
"Sir, everything has been arranged exactly as you requested."
Taekyun nodded.
"Good."
Lihan stepped aside.
Taekyun reached for Haneul's hand.
Haneul looked up at him.
Their eyes met.
Taekyun gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Come."
Haneul smiled softly.
They walked toward the table together.
Taekyun pulled out the chair for Haneul.
"Sit."
Haneul nodded.
"Thank you."
He sat down.
Taekyun took the seat beside him.
Across from them sat Jina and Nayeon.
Bora and Lihan sat nearby, while Mina took the seat beside Jina.
Haru and Taeha sat together.
And Nayeon carefully settled Seoah beside her.
Everyone looked tired.
But happy.
The children, however, seemed to have completely forgotten that they had spent the entire afternoon running around.
Haru immediately began talking.
"Taeha, you should have seen that ride again!"
She waved her hands excitedly.
"It went so high!"
Taeha frowned.
"You didn't take me."
Haru looked at him.
"Because you're still small."
"I'm not small."
Taeha puffed his cheeks.
"I'm big."
Haru shook her head.
"You're not."
"I am!"
"No, you're not."
"I am!"
Haru opened her mouth to argue again.
"Taeha."
Taekyun's calm voice immediately interrupted them.
Both children looked toward him.
"Don't argue."
Haru immediately sat back.
"Yes, Abbuji."
Taeha lowered his head.
Haru glanced at him.
Then she quietly whispered,
"But you're still small."
Taeha frowned.
Haneul couldn't help but smile softly.
Even Taekyun's lips curved slightly.
Seoah, meanwhile, was happily playing with a spoon.
She made a small sound and smiled at herself.
The atmosphere immediately became lighter.
The staff began bringing out dinner.
Soon, the table was filled with Korean dishes.
Grilled beef.
Japchae.
Seafood pancakes.
Steamed egg.
Rice.
Soup.
And several small side dishes.
Taeha's eyes widened.
"Wow."
Mina laughed.
"Taeha-nim is hungry?"
Taeha nodded seriously.
"I am tired.... and hungry."
Mina raised an eyebrow.
"You ate so many snacks."
Taeha immediately answered,
"But I'm hungry again."
Everyone laughed.
Haneul smiled as he picked up some food and placed it onto Haru's plate.
"Eat slowly."
Haru nodded.
"Yes, Umma."
Taeha quietly watched.
He looked at Haneul for a few seconds.
Then his plate slowly moved closer.
Haneul noticed.
He looked toward him.
"Do you want some?"
Taeha nodded.
"That one."
He pointed toward the grilled beef.
Haneul smiled.
"Okay."
He placed some onto Taeha's plate.
"Careful. It's hot."
Taeha nodded.
"Thank you."
Haneul's eyes softened.
"You're welcome."
Taekyun watched silently.
His hand moved beneath the table until it found Haneul's.
He gently held it.
Haneul looked toward him.
Taekyun smiled faintly.
Their fingers intertwined.
For a while, dinner continued peacefully.
Everyone talked about the amusement park.
Haru described every ride as though she had personally survived some great adventure.
Mina complained about Seoah crying during the horse ride.
"I was taking care of her!"
Lihan immediately smiled.
"You looked more frightened than Seoah."
Mina glared.
"Ya!"
Bora laughed.
"Leave her alone."
Lihan raised both hands.
"Okay, okay."
Jina looked toward Haneul.
"You enjoyed today?"
Haneul nodded.
"I did."
His eyes moved toward the children.
"They seemed happy too."
Jina smiled.
"They were."
Nayeon quietly watched Haneul.
Then her eyes moved toward Taekyun.
Taekyun met her gaze.
There was a brief understanding between them.
Nayeon smiled.
Taekyun gave the smallest nod.
Haneul didn't notice.
He was busy helping Taeha open a small packet of food.
Taeha no longer hesitated to ask him for help.
It was still a small thing.
But everyone had noticed the difference.
A month ago, Taeha wouldn't even let Haneul come near him.
Now he was sitting beside him.
Asking him for food.
Holding his hand sometimes.
Allowing Haneul to help him.
It wasn't everything.
But it was enough to make Haneul happy.
As the evening continued, the children slowly began becoming tired.
Haru leaned back in her chair.
Taeha played quietly with the little stuffed animal he had won earlier.
And Seoah eventually fell asleep.
Nayeon gently adjusted the blanket around her.
"She's completely exhausted."
Jina smiled.
"She had a busy day."
Haneul looked around the table.
Everyone was here.
Taekyun.
Haru.
Taeha.
Seoah.
Bora.
Lihan.
Mina.
Jina.
Nayeon.
His family.
His home.
His heart felt strangely full.
His fingers unconsciously tightened around Taekyun's hand.
Taekyun immediately noticed.
He turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
"What's wrong?"
Haneul shook his head.
"Nothing."
He smiled softly.
"I'm just happy."
Taekyun's expression softened.
"Me too."
He gently squeezed Haneul's hand.
"I've wanted this for a long time."
Haneul looked at him.
"For what?"
Taekyun simply smiled.
"You'll know."
Haneul became curious.
But before he could ask again, the staff began clearing the dishes.
Everyone assumed dinner was coming to an end.
Haru stretched.
"Can we go home now?"
Taekyun looked toward her.
"Not yet."
Haru blinked.
"Why?"
Taekyun didn't answer.
Instead, he slowly stood.
The movement immediately caught everyone's attention.
Jina stopped talking.
Nayeon smiled.
Bora looked toward Lihan.
Lihan quietly straightened.
Haru's eyes widened.
She remembered the plan.
Taeha simply looked at his father with curiosity.
Haneul looked up at Taekyun.
"Taekyun?"
Taekyun walked around the table.
He stopped directly in front of Haneul.
Then he held out his hand.
Haneul stared at it.
Slowly, he placed his hand into Taekyun's.
Taekyun gently helped him stand.
Haneul looked confused.
"What are you doing?"
Taekyun looked into his eyes.
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
His expression was softer than usual.
Almost nervous.
Haneul's heart began beating faster.
"Taekyun..."
Taekyun took a slow breath.
"Haneul."
"Yes?"
"There is something I've wanted to do properly."
The entire room became quiet.
Jina's eyes immediately sparkled.
Nayeon smiled softly.
Haru watched with barely contained excitement.
Lihan's lips curved upward.
Taekyun reached into his pocket.
Haneul's eyes widened.
He had a feeling.
But he couldn't quite believe it.
Then,
Taekyun slowly lowered himself onto one knee.
Haneul froze.
"Taekyun..."
Taekyun looked up at him.
He opened the small ring box in his hand.
Inside was a simple, elegant ring.
Haneul's eyes immediately filled with tears.
Taekyun gently took his hand.
"I know it's been years already."
"I know we already have children."
"And I know our lives have been connected for longer than either of us can explain."
His voice softened.
"But there is something I still want to ask you."
Haneul's fingers trembled slightly.
Taekyun looked directly into his eyes.
"These past years taught me something."
"I don't want to assume that tomorrow will simply come."
"I don't want to waste another moment believing that I have enough time."
His expression softened.
"So I want to ask you properly."
He gently held Haneul's hand.
"Haneul."
"Will you marry me?"
For several seconds, Haneul couldn't speak.
His lips trembled.
He looked at Taekyun.
Then at the ring.
Then around the room.
Everyone was watching him.
Haru was standing beside her chair.
Her eyes were shining.
Jina had both hands pressed together in excitement.
Nayeon smiled warmly.
Bora was already wiping away a tear.
Mina quietly clapped.
Lihan smiled.
Even the restaurant staff standing nearby couldn't hide their smiles.
Someone softly said,
"Say yes."
Another voice followed.
"Yes!"
Haru immediately joined.
"Umma, say yes!"
Haneul laughed through his tears.
He wiped his cheek.
"You..."
His voice trembled.
"You already knew what I would say."
Taekyun smiled.
"I did."
"Then why did you ask?"
"Because I wanted to hear it from you."
Haneul looked at him for another long moment.
Then he slowly nodded.
"I'll..."
His voice broke slightly.
He smiled.
"I'll marry you."
Taekyun's eyes softened completely.
He carefully slipped the ring onto Haneul's finger.
The moment the ring settled into place.
Everyone cheered.
Haru clapped excitedly.
Jina jumped slightly.
Mina laughed.
Lihan smiled.
Bora covered her mouth as tears slipped from her eyes.
Nayeon smiled warmly.
Taekyun stood.
He gently pulled Haneul into his arms.
Haneul immediately wrapped his arms around him.
Taekyun held him tightly.
Then he gently pressed a kiss against Haneul's forehead.
Haneul closed his eyes.
For once, the tears falling from his eyes carried nothing but happiness.
When they separated slightly, Haneul looked down at the ring.
His fingers trembled.
Taekyun noticed.
"Do you like it?"
Haneul nodded.
"I....do."
Taekyun smiled.
"Good."
Then,
A small hand tugged gently at Haneul's clothes.
Haneul looked down.
Taeha was standing there.
He stared at the ring.
Then he looked toward Taekyun.
"Abbuji..."
Taekyun lowered his gaze.
"Yes?"
Taeha hesitated.
Then he looked at Haneul again.
Taekyun's eyes softened.
Taeha looked at Haneul.
Then at his father.
Taekyun gently placed a hand over his son's head.
"He is your family too."
Taeha remained quiet.
Taekyun smiled softly.
"He's your Umma."
"Taeha....say umma...like Haru do."
The little boy's lips parted.
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
Then,
"Umma."
Everything stopped.
Haneul froze.
His eyes immediately filled with tears.
Taekyun looked at his son.
Taeha looked toward Haneul again.
"Umma."
A tear slipped downHaneul's cheek.
He slowly crouched down.
"Taeha...."
The little boy hesitated.
Then he reached for Haneul's hand.
Haneul immediately held it.
His fingers closed gently around the small hand.
"I'm here."
Taeha looked at him.
Haneul smiled through his tears.
"I'm your.... Umma."
Taeha nodded slowly.
Haneul pulled him into a gentle hug.
Taeha hesitated for only a second before wrapping his little arms around him.
Haneul closed his eyes.
Five years.
Five years of wondering whether he would ever hold his children again.
And now finally.
Haru couldn't stay out of it.
She immediately rushed forward.
"Me too!"
She wrapped her arms around both of them.
"Umma is mine too!"
Haneul laughed through his tears.
"Yes."
Taekyun watched them for a moment.
Then he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around all three.
Soon, they were standing together in one embrace.
Their family.
The family Haneul had once believed he had lost.
Across the room, Jina quietly rested her head against Nayeon's shoulder.
Nayeon gently held her hand.
Bora smiled through her tears.
Lihan leaned slightly toward her.
"Looks like the family is finally complete."
Bora nodded.
"Yes."
Mina smiled.
"It took long enough."
Jina laughed softly.
Haru's voice came from the middle of the hug.
"Abbuji!"
Taekyun looked down.
"What?"
"You have to promise something."
Taekyun raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Never make Umma disappear again."
The room became quiet.
Haneul's smile faded slightly.
Taekyun looked at him.
Then he looked back at Haru.
His voice was calm.
"I promise."
He tightened his arms around them.
"I'll protect our family."
Haneul looked up at him.
Their eyes met.
And this time, there was no fear in either of them.
Only certainty.
The day had begun with amusement-park rides.
It had been filled with laughter, childish arguments, small moments of happiness, and memories being created one after another.
And now it had ended with something even more precious.
A promise.
A ring.
A family coming together again.
For Haneul, it wasn't simply a marriage proposal.
It was proof that after everything he had lost.
he was finally allowed to build something new.
A home.
A future.
A family.
And a life he could choose to keep.
Taekyun gently held his hand.
The ring caught the warm light of the room.
Haneul looked at it.
Then he smiled.
This time,
he wasn't afraid of tomorrow.
Because tomorrow was no longer something he had to fear.
Tomorrow was something he would live.
With Taekyun.
With Haru.
With Taeha.
With everyone who had waited for him.
His family.
His home.
His forever.