PROMPTS

In Pursuit of Happiness - 23

(Reposted)
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Park Dae-sik was in charge of finding a suit for Hoon and he did not know it would be this difficult.

"Hoon-ah, just one more pants," Dae-sik said.

"But, Appa! They all look the same!" Hoon whined, itching to run to the playground near the mall. "Can't I just wear the one last Christmas?"

Dae-sik rolled his eyes. "Those are too short now. They fall to the middle of your leg."

"Can't I wear shorts?" Hoon suggested.

"We agreed we'll have the same suit," Dae-sik reminded him.

"Yes. You can wear shorts, Appa," Hoon replied, making Dae-sik laugh, in spite of Hoon testing his patience. "Eomma says she loves you no matter what. You can wear shorts."

Dae-sik pulled Hoon onto his lap. "One more and then we're done. We'll pick a good suit that matches and wear that to the wedding, okay? Let's look handsome because I'm certain Eomma will look very pretty."

Hoon huffed. "Okay, Appa."

Ruffling his hair, Dae-sik helped Hoon fit the final pair while muttering, "Sometimes I forget that you're still a little boy."

"I'm not little! I'm 5 years old! And I grew tall," Hoon said.

"Well, yes. You're not so little anymore," Dae-sik agreed. "Don't grow up too fast. You might stop thinking that Appa is the coolest."

Hoon hugged Dae-sik and kissed his cheek. "You will always be my superhero, Appa."

Dae-sik patted Hoon and had him fit that last pair of pants. "Go on, let's see if this fits."

As Hoon grumbled but obeyed his father, Dae-sik watched in amazement. Does a father ever get tired of watching his child? he wondered. Even if today had been challenging, he found that he did not stop loving Hoon and continued to be mesmerised at everything his boy was doing.

Yet, in these moments, Dae-sik can't help but wonder, I wonder why your real mom and dad gave you up. Do they ever think about you? Do you still think of them? Do they know how much they're missing? Will you want to see them one day? Does that mean you will love me less?

Hoon noticed Dae-sik looking at him. As if Hoon knew what was running through Dae-sik's mind, Hoon rushed and hugged Dae-sik. Giving Dae-sik a huge smile, Hoon said, "I love you so much, Appa!"

One day, Dae-sik will have to deal with those questions. One day, his heart will hurt when Hoon asks to find his parents to complete the story of his life.

On that day, Dae-sik will support Hoon and do everything in his power to find answers for his son. On that day, Dae-sik will continue to love Hoon and will be happy if Hoon finds loving biological parents. On that day, if Hoon's heart breaks again because of a potentially terrible story, Dae-sik will remain to be Hoon's rock.

On this day and for all the days after, Dae-sik will love Hoon as his little boy deserved. He will love Hoon with all his heart and be a present father for this boy with the sweetest and kindest heart.

On this day and for all the days after, Dae-sik will be the best partner for Hoon's mother, Cha Mi-jo.

"Ready for the playground?" Dae-sik asked.

"YESSSSS! YAHOOOOOO!"

*

One week.

Seven more days and Cha Mi-jo will be marrying Park Dae-sik. Standing by her clinic window and taking a sip of the coffee that Dae-sik dropped off for her, Mi-jo couldn't help but grin at the simple engagement ring now resting on her finger.