PROMPTS

In Pursuit of Happiness - 21

Reposted: I am no longer reposting the parts where they went into another mission so I did some rewrites to this.

----

Cha Mi-jo met up with Jang Joo Hee in her coffee shop after work. It was mid-week and Dae-sik needed to work late at the office to wrap up the case he worked with Detective Im Cheol-Ryung and Min Tae Gu. Hoon was with Cha Mi-jo's parents spending the night.

"Why do you have such a long face?" Jang Joo Hee asked when she served her friend's coffee.

Cha Mi-jo pouted. "Because I'm annoyed with Dae-sik."

"He still won't sleep with you?" Joo Hee teased.

Mi-jo rolled her eyes. "I told you why... but yes, I'm a little annoyed about that. However, that's not my main issue."

"Then, what is?"

Cha Mi-jo crossed and uncrossed her arms, unsure how to tell her friend of her concern. "It's just... well... we already talked about getting married."

"Uh-huh?"

"Well, I haven't said anything to him because of everything that happened. But, he's better now and there's been no conversation about the wedding," Mi-jo shared.

"Have you brought it up?" Joo Hee asked.

Cha Mi-jo pouted. "I don't want to sound desperate."

Joo Hee rolled her eyes. "Aren't you desperate to marry him?"

Cha Mi-jo stayed quiet. She was, it was pointless to deny. She had fallen so deeply in love with Dae-sik that it feels like being in love for the first time. He was a good man who wanted to do good for mankind in general, and was doing great as a partner to her, and a son to his parents. Above all, he loved Hoon and was an excellent role model and a present father to her son.

Losing Chan-young and then having those few days of not knowing if Dae-sik will survive, reminded Cha Mi-jo about how fragile life is and how easily it could end so she did not waste any second more.

But, she also feared the rejection.

Maybe Dae-sik changed his mind? After all, she handled the situation with her ex so badly that it led to their breakup. Though they had discussed and improved on their relationship, she wondered if her bad decisions would still factor in their future.

Joo Hee had been staring at her long enough to see the play of emotions on her face. "He won't reject you, Mi-jo-ah. Dae-sik is as in love with you as you are with him."

Cha Mi-jo met her gaze. "Do you think so?"

Joo Hee nodded. "Why do you think he's putting so much effort in that garden of yours?"

Mi-jo couldn't help but smile, thinking of the week of effort Dae-sik had put in to building and tending to their garden that was now shaping up. He even took classes on gardening and was reading numerous books on how best to grow different kinds of plants. "We have three flowers growing already. Can you believe it? Hoon thinks it shows the three of us."

"If Hoon believes it, then I believe it," Joo Hee said.

A wistful smile crept up Cha Mi-jo's face. "Do you know that all his teachers say he's doing so well? Even our new friend, Teacher Soo-ah."

"He's doing great because you and Dae-sik are amazing parents," Joo Hee complimented loyally. "You are such an amazing mother to that boy, Cha Mi-jo."

Mi-jo touched her heart. "I love him so much, Joo Hee. Hoon makes my life complete. I'm so happy I chose a good partner to be his father."