Not long after hearing from the doctor that they could start preparing pink things, a cute pink room appeared in one corner of the house.

From the diaper changing table to the baby’s wooden crib, top-quality items for the soon-to-be-born baby filled the room one by one.

It was said that because Park Yoon-hwa had only liked sons, daughters were precious in this family.

Tae-hoon, as well as Hye-yeon, took the initiative to send things busily for the new baby.

Hae-in’s mother sent hand-knitted baby hats and jackets.

When they mentioned that the puppy dream Jung-in had given her seemed to be a conception dream, Hae-in’s mother had said with teary eyes that it must be Jung-in’s baby and had started knitting that day.

Hae-in placed the baby jacket and the adorable little hat her mother had sent on the crib in the baby’s room.

Then, she stroked her belly, which was already close to full term.

It was a dreamlike pregnancy, as if compensating her for the past hardships.

Of course, it wasn’t all just joyful. Like the early morning sickness, the baby in her womb constantly troubled Hae-in physically throughout the pregnancy.

The morning sickness lasted until after her seventh month, and some days she survived on only three plums all day. Thinking back to when she would throw up even from drinking water, it was a difficult time.

Yet, it didn’t feel like a hardship in her memory because there was nothing that troubled her heart.

The helpers in the house meticulously prepared seasonal dishes tailored to Hae-in’s appetite for every meal. From the time her morning sickness subsided and she entered her eighth month of pregnancy, Hae-in began to eat little by little thanks to them.

Soo-hyun made it a point to come home early and take over putting Jun-woo to bed, even if it meant doing extra work from home. Jun-woo also seemed curious as he touched his mother’s swelling belly.

Now over two years old, Jun-woo didn’t seem to understand why his mother’s belly was getting bigger, but he would sometimes press his own full belly against his mother’s and giggle.

“Excuse me, Madam.”

The housekeeper standing at the door called Hae-in.

Hae-in, who had been looking at the hat on the baby crib, turned her head, and the housekeeper said, “The eldest Madam has arrived.”

“I’ll be right out.”

At the news of Hye-yeon’s arrival, Hae-in carefully supported her heavy body and quickly went out of the room. Several employees with shopping bags were placing items one by one beside Hye-yeon.

Hye-yeon, who had been calling Hae-in for several days asking about various things, had finally come herself today, unable to hold back any longer.

“Is it too much?”

It was no use saying that they already had more than enough baby items.

What Hye-yeon had brought today were baby clothes in beautiful colors.

“Mother, I think there are too many clothes.”

Hae-in had said that since newborns didn’t go out much, a few sets of innerwear would be enough, but the clothes Hye-yeon brought today were dresses that looked like they could only be worn around the age of one.

“Look at this, Hae-in-ah. Isn’t it so pretty? It seems baby clothes these days come out just like adult clothes.”

Hye-yeon, sitting on the sofa and holding up a piece of clothing, looked at Hae-in with sparkling eyes, holding up the dress. Hae-in decided not to say anything more and sat down beside Hye-yeon.

Hye-yeon, who had cared for Jun-woo like her own grandchild, had eagerly stepped forward to take care of Hae-in from the beginning this time as soon as she became pregnant. Hae-in knew Hye-yeon’s heart.

She was doing it because she was happy, so happy, and told Hae-in to definitely say something if it felt burdensome.

Hye-yeon would sometimes feel embarrassed, saying she seemed to be fussing too much. Seeing her like that, Hae-in would sometimes think Hye-yeon was like a young girl.

That’s why she couldn’t show any displeasure even more.

She was truly grateful for Hye-yeon’s sincere heart that cared for her and the baby.

“You’re right. Since Jun-woo is a boy, his clothes designs were rather simple.”

“Do you want to see this?”

When Hae-in agreed, Hye-yeon, excited, unpacked several shopping bags and poured out a pile of clothes.

A cute dress made of soft organic cotton with tiny pleats on the chest and embroidered with small flowers, and a bustier top with small, adorable buttons running down the rich lace, were as delicate as miniature adult clothes.

“They say this stretches really well, so even though it looks like this, it’s not at all uncomfortable for the baby to wear.”

Hye-yeon, emphasizing that she hadn’t just bought pretty clothes, smiled brightly when she met Hae-in’s eyes.

“Hae-in-ah. I’m not being too much of a burden again, am I?”

“No, Mother. I’m grateful that you’re taking care of things I should be taking care of.”

“When our Sarang is born, I’ll take responsibility for the baby food.”

Hye-yeon said firmly, as if making a vow, that she would use the best ingredients, just like she did for Jun-woo, and pray for the baby to eat well and grow strong.

“You know, I always wanted a daughter. Don’t young people these days dislike the saying that they think of their daughter-in-law as a daughter? I think so too. No matter how close a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are, they can’t be like a real mother and daughter. So all the more, if there’s anything uncomfortable, tell me right away. Don’t hold it in.”

“There’s nothing like that, Mother.”

When Hae-in shook her head and said no, Hye-yeon held Hae-in’s hand tightly.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

Hye-yeon’s gaze towards Hae-in deepened.

“Since Hae-in came into this house, I feel like I’ve become a person again. A person who breathes and lives.”

“...”

Hae-in silently listened to Hye-yeon’s words and watched Hye-yeon’s hands refold the baby clothes.

Hye-yeon, who had grown up in a wealthy family, had said that no matter what she bought or ate, she didn’t know if it was delicious. She had everything she could want, but her life was always empty, and one corner of her heart was always vacant.

“I think I know now what that emptiness was.”

“What was it?”

“Someone to give endless affection to.”

Hye-yeon said, pausing and taking a breath.

“Family. Like you, Hae-in, and Jun-woo.”

She had said that her own family wasn’t much different from the old Taesung family. That’s why, when she married Tae-hoon, she had struggled in terrible loneliness but thought her life couldn’t change.

“...So thank you.”

For giving me life.

At that moment, the baby in her womb kicked fiercely. Startled, Hae-in looked down at her belly, and Hye-yeon also looked at it with surprised eyes.

“The baby must have heard. It seems like it wants to come out quickly and meet its grandmother.”

“You cute thing. I want to see you soon too.”

Hye-yeon spoke to Hae-in’s belly and got up from her seat. Hae-in saw Hye-yeon off and came back in to organize the gifts she had received and put them in the closet.

The baby’s closet was already full of clothes.

The due date was now really approaching.

________________________________________

“Where’s Jun-woo?”

Soo-hyun, who had come home, asked Hae-in as he took off his wristwatch.

Soo-hyun had been trying to come home as early as possible lately. With Hae-in’s due date approaching, and hearing that the second child often comes early, he was making thorough preparations.

Of course, even on his way home, one side of his mind was often filled with thoughts about the committee preparations that had continued until just before leaving work, or the schedule and report contents for the next quarter’s shareholders’ meeting. He didn’t bring work home to avoid giving Hae-in the impression that he was busy and overworking in front of her. Instead, he worked until just before getting out of the car. The car would often be piled high with documents Soo-hyun had been looking at.

“Jun-woo went to play with Grandma and Grandpa today.”

“Where to?”

“Wonderland.”

To that crowded place?

When Soo-hyun looked back at Hae-in with a look that asked if it was true, Hae-in laughed.

“I heard they rented out the entire Wonderful Land.”

“That’s impressive.”

Tae-hoon and Hye-yeon, who had been very focused on their granddaughter throughout Hae-in’s second pregnancy, realized as her full term approached that Jun-woo’s birthday was two months away.

Jun-woo, who was turning three this year, didn’t know when his birthday was, but he had somehow noticed that the adults weren’t looking at him as much as before and had become a little gloomy.

Tae-hoon, not wanting to dampen his eldest grandson’s spirits like this, had made a big decision.

Tae-hoon, who was frail, had taken care of his health for several days, with Hye-yeon’s help, and that’s how today’s outing came to be.

Wonderful Land was the largest amusement park near Seoul, owned by Taesung Entertainment.

It also housed the largest zoo in the country, built on approximately twenty thousand square meters of land.

Since he was still too young for most of the rides, they decided to visit the zoo. The executive secretary had informed them that the zoo was completely closed today and various events had been prepared just for Jun-woo.

“They even sent me pictures like this from time to time.”

Hae-in showed Soo-hyun the pictures she had received from Tae-hoon’s executive secretary. The messages that had made her phone buzz every hour contained photos of Jun-woo with a big smile.

“Jun-woo can even make expressions like this?”

Soo-hyun loosened his cuff links and leaned towards Hae-in to look at the phone.

The screen showed a picture of Jun-woo feeding a parrot directly. A large parrot was perched on each of Jun-woo’s shoulders, his eyebrows raised strangely.

Jun-woo’s expression was a mix of surprise and curiosity, but he looked happy.

“Right? They said he’s done playing now and is having dinner.”

Hae-in chuckled softly as she looked at the pictures, and Soo-hyun came up behind her and hugged her.

“Hae-in-ah, you look happy.”

“Jun-woo?”

“No, you. You looked happy looking at the pictures.”

Soo-hyun rested his forehead on Hae-in’s neck and whispered softly.

“Sometimes I think all of this might be a dream.”

“Still?”

“Yeah. Still. So, I worry that suddenly one day everything will disappear and only I will be left.”

Hae-in placed her hand over Soo-hyun’s hand that was holding her shoulder and turned around.

“I’m here. Jun-woo too, and Sarang.”

“Yeah, I know. Still, the most important thing to me is you. You know that, right?”

Soo-hyun lightly kissed Hae-in’s lips and pulled away, but Hae-in’s face contorted.

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My stomach hurts.”

“Could it be?”

Soo-hyun looked at Hae-in with surprise, and Hae-in nodded.

The day when their fourth family member would be born was finally not far off.