Makayla POV

"Marcel, will you pay attention?" Mom nagged. "You're about to mess up my dishes! You know how long I slaved away in that damn kitchen this morning!"

"Rhonda, it wasn't even me this time!" Dad replied, gesturing to the car ahead of us. "This fool suddenly stopped out of no where!"

"No, he slowed down because the light turned yellow."

"Whatever, we could have made that." Dad sighed as their typical spat came to an end. "Kayla you packed all of the Christmas presents in the trunk before we left, right?"

"Yes, dad." I replied, though I was distracted by the last text Jackson sent me two days ago.

(Jackson): I won't be able to see you before Christmas. I'm sorry, it's work related. Let's talk when I get back.

As we traveled along the streets of my hometown Raleigh in North Carolina, I pondered out the car window while the moment Jackson learned of my revenge played in my head for what had to have been the 100th time since he bailed on our last date.

- Five Days Ago -

I watched as the mystery man that saved me this evening revealed himself, and when I saw the face beneath the helmet was no other than the man I was dating, my eyes widened.

"Jackson?" I gaped, removing my helmet this time.

"Damnit, Makayla!" He snapped as he stepped in front of me. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into?"

Dumbfounded, I stood still and let our gazes lock as I took in every emotion I was feeling.

Concern, embarrassment, and even anger.

"Wait, I'm sorry." Krystal said. "This is Jackson? As in the man you mentioned you're seeing?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked, ignoring my team lead.

"No, that's what I'm here to ask you." He sternly said. "Are you insane? I knew you could be reckless and I know that you took your friend's death hard, but this is way too far!"

"How did you find me?" I pressed, my eyebrows pulled together. "How did you know I would be here, and how the hell did you know about our rendezvous point? Did you follow me here?"

He scoffed. "By now, you have an idea about my profession. You think between the two of us, you're the only one that knows a hacker?"

My jaw clenched as I became more infuriated. "So what? You've been using resources from your top secret job to keep tabs on me?"

"I'm not the clingy type, but you were being suspicious tonight and my instincts kicked in the moment I saw you lied to me."

"What?" I breathed.

"I wasn't comfortable letting you take the subway alone so late and the more I thought about it, it wasn't like you to reject my offer to take you to work. I took the stairs to catch up to you and that's when I saw you head in the opposite direction of the subway station.

"I knew then and there you were hiding something, and when I saw you speed out of the ally beside my building on your motorcycle I knew you were up to no good. I grabbed your plate number off a glance, and my guy told me the plates were fake as soon as he looked them up.

"Luckily for me, your friend left a trail when they helped you get to the warehouse quickly and my guy found CCTV footage of you by my place as well. No worries though, he cleaned it all up and he guided me to this warehouse from there.

"When I got here, I saw you both left motorcycle tracks on the dirt ground and then you literally just blew up a fucking building. After the first explosion, I had a good idea of where you were!"

I looked to the ground in sheer embarrassment as the talented marine scolded me.

"What are you thinking?" Jackson continued. "Do you understand you almost got killed just now? If I hadn't intervened, that man would have choked you out and left you to the flames!"

"What?" Krystal questioned as I looked to her.

"Antonio's right hand man showed up." I murmured. "He almost saw who I was..."

"Even if he doesn't know your face, he definitely knows you're a woman now." Jackson said. "He may have even seen your complexion since your chin was exposed before I stepped in!"

"Holy shit..." Krystal gaped.

"Let's add it all together now." Jackson continued, his chest rising. "You're a woman, you're black, you're skilled in fighting, and you must be someone who holds a grudge against either the organization or their leader. If this has been going on for a while now, and they have been looking for you this entire time, you just did half the work for them in one night!"

I sighed and my head started spinning as I felt anxiety form in my core.

"So I am going to ask you again, what in the hell are you thinking?" Jackson inveighed. "No matter how well I have trained you, you are no match for an organization of this size! Please stop this vigilante act, and just let the real professionals do their job!"

My eyes met Jackson's gaze again and as a part of me wavered hearing his rational honesty, a massive explosion erupted from the building. We all looked to the drug warehouse that would be nothing but ashes in the coming hours, which meant this business of Antonio's would be at a standstill for quite a while...

"It's almost been a year since London's death." I said. "Not only is her killer still a free man, but he is expanding illegal businesses that are a plague to this city. That's because these so called "professionals" are either crooked themselves, or because we live in a fucked up system that does not protect the victims that actually need the most protection.

"Leave it to the professionals you say? Why should I, when I just did more in one night for this city than the police have since Antonio moved to Boston almost two years ago?"

"Makayla-..." Jackson tried.

"I'm not stopping anytime soon, which means you have one of two options." I proceeded. "You either help me, or get out of my way."

"I already told you my feelings for you will never cloud my judgement, especially when it comes to your safety. I'm not encouraging this, or helping you."

"So you choose the second path, then. Stay out of my way, and let's just act like you didn't see anything tonight."

"Are you kidding me right now? You think I'll just stand still after the danger I just witnessed you throw yourself into?"

"Then are you going to report me?" I challenged. "As you see, I just committed arson. That's a five years sentence, minimum, since I started a fire while the building was occupied and that's assuming there were no casualties as a result of it. Are you saying that you're willing to put me in prison, if it means protecting me?"

His mouth set in a straight line, Jackson's gaze challenged mine while he calculated his next move in that annoyingly brilliant mind of his.

"Take some time to think about it." I continued. "I'm at the hospital the next two days. Lets meet as planned and talk about everything before we go our separate ways for Christmas."

Torn, Jackson remained silent hearing my suggestion. I took this opportunity to walk away from the discussion and Krystal followed me towards our motorcycles.

"Makayla, what the hell just happened?" She softly panicked. "This is serious! Is everything going to be okay? Can we trust him?"

I looked ahead in silence, my heart racing as the same questions occupied my mind.

- Present Time -

"Aye, look who is finally here!" Uncle Lawrence exclaimed as my parents and I entered the popular Johnson family household.

I looked around Danny's childhood home, as it had been years since I last stepped foot inside of it. Despite their new fame, wealth, and fortune, nothing had changed at all. The house was still as warm and cozy as I remembered it to be, and the fragrant scent of Aunt Gina's cooking reminded me why I always ate dinner here whenever I could as a child.

"Kayla honey, go put the gifts under the tree." Mom commanded.

Doing as I was told, I maneuvered around the crowded first story. Danny's maternal family was here too, and her young cousins were running around and playing with their new toys, while the men from both sides of her family welcomed my father in the living room.

My mom joined the women in the kitchen while I found spaces under the tall white Christmas tree to place the gifts my family brought for tonight's white elephant gift exchange.

"Kayla!" Uncle Rodney called for me. I smiled a sincere one as I stood on my feet and walked into his open arms. "My God, it's been too long! Let me see you, girl!"

He held me out arms length, and Uncle Lawrence was standing right beside him.

"As expected, you've grown up to be such a beautiful woman!" Uncle Rodney gushed. "I heard your residency is going well too! The family is so proud of you. We really got a whole surgeon in our midst! You've done so well for yourself, Kayla Bear!"

"Thanks, Uncle Rodney!" I chimed. "Congrats to you too! You're business is really taking off! The hospital I work at is even looking into your technology to decrease administrative burden."

"Is that so?" Uncle Lawrence cackled. "You brag about how your uncle is the founder and CEO of MetV Solutions then? Hell, I sure do!"

"That's cause that contract saved your whole career since you can't win a damn case!" My dad teased, making the surrounding men crack up.

"Man, shut up! All it takes is one good break, and baby you are in there!" The lawyer replied. "So don't be ashamed! Drop your uncle's name girl!"

"No, I really try to keep my personal life to myself at work." I admitted. "I barely have one as is. Last thing I need is my job trying to use my relationship with Uncle Rodney on my days off."

"Understandable." Danny's dad said. "Just let me know if I can be of any help. Uncle Lawrence is right. I'm the first one to encourage working your hardest, but if you have a connection that can ethically accelerate your career, take advantage of it. I almost lost the opportunity of a lifetime and even my daughter being so headstrong."

"Speaking of, I heard Danny's in town." My dad said while he looked around. "I assumed Min-seok would be too. Where he at? I was hoping to see him school your butt in basketball again!"

Uncle Rodney snapped his tongue. "Don't play me like that! He got lucky back then!"

"Oh please, Rod!" Uncle Lawrence said. "That's why he's about to be your son-in-law!"

"Man, whatever." Uncle Rodney chuckled. "He didn't come with Danny and we weren't even expecting her this year either. To be honest, I think they might be fighting but Gina and I are giving her some space to tell us when she's ready."

"And that right there, is what we call growth ladies and gentlemen." Dad joked. "Congrats, Rod! You're finally accepting that your babygirl is indeed a grown ass woman."

"Oh I haven't grown that much, Marcel." Uncle Rodney admitted, smiling to me. "There was a time Danny and you were inseparable, Kayla. I know it's been a while but I'm sure she's going to be so excited to see you. Think you can help your uncle out, and see what's up with her?"

I placed a smile on my face despite my lack of confidence. "Sure, I'll do my best."

"Bless you, child!" Uncle Rodney praised. "She's been upstairs all day. You should go say hi."

I nodded, and did as he requested since I had already planned on trying to make amends with Danny when I discovered she was also visiting home this Christmas.

It was much quieter on the second floor and when I got to Danny's door, I knocked on it.

She didn't answer so I cautiously peaked into her room to find she wasn't there. However, I heard the sound of someone gagging and vomit hitting the toilet water from her bathroom.

Hearing Danny suffer, I closed the door behind me as I walked further into her room to check on her. This part of the house hadn't changed either and all the trophies, ribbons, and framed pictures mounted on her walls and shelves even reflected her perfect life.

"Danny." I called for her as I nervously knocked on the bathroom door. "It's me, Kayla. It doesn't sound too good in there. Can I get you something?"

"No, I'm fine." She whimpered.

I then heard the toilet flush before she turned on the faucet. I could guess she was rinsing out her mouth, and when she opened the door I saw just how bad her condition was.

"Oh my God, Danny. You don't look good at all. Are you okay?"

"Since when do you care about me?" Danny replied as she walked past me. "I told you that I'm fine. Don't worry, and most importantly don't bring any attention to me while you're here."

I watched as Danny sat on her bed and laid on her back. However, watching an ill person struggle just wasn't something I was capable of.

I took a seat beside her on the edge of the bed and placed my hand on her forehead.

"What are you doing?" She groaned, removing my hand.

"You don't have a fever." I replied as I placed two fingers on her palm and looked to my watch. "Your pulse is normal as well. Did you eat something bad?"

"Seriously, just do what you've been so determined to do all this time and mind your business."

"Wow, South Korea sure has changed you." I scoffed. "When did our pure little princess get such a sharp tongue?"

"Kayla, I really can't deal with your attitude right now."

"I'm not the one who started with an attitude. You are. I'm just trying to help you, Danny."

"Well I never asked for your help, so do me a favor and just leave me alone."

Shocked, I looked to Danny with parted lips as she covered her eyes with her forearm.

No matter how frustrated she may have been with me, this tone of hers was out of character.

I observed Danny's body again while she continued to ignore me.

Her typically glowing skin was pale and the latest vomiting episode had caused her to break a sweat, but other than that nothing about her appearance looked too out of the ordinary until I noticed a part of her that usually didn't stand out very much.

Mentally, I consolidated Danny's symptoms: Nausea, abnormal behavior, and swollen breasts.

I stood up from the bed and went downstairs to join the women in the kitchen, where I intended to get what I needed to confirm my cousin's condition.

"Kayla Bear!" Danny's mother chimed, as we shared a warm embrace. "Mi hermosa sobrina!"

"Tía Gina!" I enthused to the beautiful Afro-Latina. "It's so good to see you!"

"Likewise Ms. General Surgeon! I heard you're doing well at your residency, but I truly hate how hard it is for you to visit the family. It's been way too long!" She caressed my cheek and smiled to me like the nurturing auntie she has always been. "I'm so happy both you and Danny made it home this Christmas, though! It's such a blessing to our family!"

"Yeah, I am too!" I chimed.

"Yeah, right." Mom intervened. "She's barely paying her dad and I any mind. She been lookin at that phone nonstop since she got back last night."

Aunt Gina gasped. "Last Christmas when Danny came back acting like that, she had found a man."

"Girl, you know that's what I'm praying for!" Mom admitted, making all the women in the room laugh. "I'll be even more grateful if he's half as good as your soon to be son-in-law. Blessing is still not the word for the miracle that happened to my brother this past year!"

"Amen, sister!" Danny's Aunt Sofia chimed in. "I never thought there would be a day a Korean joined our family, but that man is different. She brought home a prince and he is so damn fine! Ay dios mío, got me wanting to send my girls abroad when they go to college too!"

The women were cracking up, wine already flowing through their blood since they were sipping and cooking together.

"All that to say, wish me luck ladies!" Mom continued. "Little Miss Kayla used my recipes to cook for a certain someone this past Thanksgiving!"

"What!" Aunt Gina gaped.

"It was actually for the man Danny and her fiancé introduced Kayla to!"

"Oh he one of Min-seok's friends?" Aunt Gina exclaimed. "They are all handsome and well off!"

"I know!" Mom squealed. "He's studying law at Harvard!"

My head literally fell into a face palm as all the women enthused and celebrated this non-existent relationship between Ho-seok and I.

"I already told you, mama! It's not like that!" I groaned. "He's just a friend!"

"Women do not just cook for men that are "friends." It's too much work!" Aunt Sofia countered.

"And men don't just let any woman cook for them alone in their house all day, just so they can also enjoy dinner alone together later on." Mom added, sipping her wine as she spun up the women around me even more. "Am I trippin, or does that sound like a date to ya'll too?"

I sighed, my shoulders falling as all the aunties and our grandmothers continued to laugh and pry into my love life. Little did they know, I was indeed seeing someone else but given where Jackson and I had left off I didn't see the point in mentioning it.

"Okay, okay. I know that face." Aunt Gina said, rubbing my shoulder. "Kayla will tell us more when she's ready to. Until then, what do you need dear? I can tell you came to the kitchen looking for something."

"The Pasteles." I replied. "Danny and I are catching up and thought we could snack on our favorite appetizer while we wait for dinner. Just like old times!"

"Oh, is she finally asking for them?" Aunt Gina gasped. "I think her and Min-seok are fighting. Her attitude hasn't been great and she hasn't had much of an appetite these past few days."

I nodded, though I had a feeling this fight between Danny and her fiancé was much bigger than Aunt Gina and Uncle Rodney could imagine.

"Hopefully time with me and some good food will help her open up a bit more." I proceeded.

"Say less!" Aunt Gina beamed. "I'll pull a plate together now!"

I watched her quickly fulfill my request while the other women kept preparing the Christmas meal and when Danny's mom handed me the dish, I made my way back to her bedroom.

She was still laying on her bed, protecting her eyes from the light while she took deep breaths to ease the nausea she was feeling.

I set the Pasteles on her nightstand before I grabbed one and swung it in front of her nose.

She immediately gagged as she slapped her favorite Puerto Rican wrap out of my hand.

"What the hell! Get that away from me!" She hissed, sitting up so she was seated.

She then covered her mouth before she rushed past me, and back into her bathroom.

I sighed seeing her throw up and her diagnosis was 100% confirmed.

I took a seat on the edge of her bed as she finished up another episode in front of the toilet, and after she cleaned herself up she stared at me from beneath the bathroom doorframe.

"How far along are you?" I asked, Danny's lips quivering.

"Five weeks." She uttered as those innocent tears fell from her eyes.

"And I see your parents don't know about this?" She shook her head, wiping her face down as she took her place beside me on the edge of her bed. "I don't get it. If you wanted to keep this a secret from them for the time being, why did you come home?"

"Because I just needed space to breath while I thought about it all." She confessed. "I know. You think my life in South Korea must be perfect but it's really hard being engaged to Min-seok, Kayla. I love him so much and he's so good to me, but the politics and the way people speak to me, let alone look at me, just because of my appearance - it's taking a toll on me.

"Now, I get to fit the stereotype all the people in his world have been so determined to label me as. A black foreign whore that's trapping the Nam Group heir before marriage for his money. It's embarrassing and I'm also just so pissed off.

"You know how hard I've worked to achieve my career goals! Why is this happening now? How could I get pregnant in my last year of college? I'm even on birth control for crying out loud!"

I shook my head. "Birth control is not 100% effective and I'm certain your doctor told you that. The more you risk it, the higher the chances of pregnancy. Ho-seok tells me, you and Min-seok have quite the chemistry."

Danny bit her bottom lip, confirming those two must be extremely active in bed.

"Anyways it's 2024, Danny." I proceeded. "You're halfway through your last year of college and you'll still graduate months before the baby is born so this does not impact your ability to get your degree. What are you so upset about?"

"Because, walking across that stage with a degree matters so much to me and my dad!" She cried. "When he gave Min-seok his blessing to marry me, all he asked for was that moment. Plus, you have no idea how frowned upon such a thing is in Korea. I could never walk across the stage with a baby bump. I don't even think I could go to school once I started showing."

"Wait, so you think the opinion of strangers amount to more than the birth of your first child?" I asked. "Danny, I'm really trying to understand this but I can't. You'll still get your degree, your dad will be over the moon to know his first grandchild is on the way, and your baby daddy isn't just anyone. He's your fiancé and someone who has constantly shown you're his priority.

"Ho-seok has told me a lot about your fiancé. All of the sacrifices he's made for you, the best friend he nearly gave up to be with you, the way he surprised you with a penthouse to show his commitment to you, and how far he went to convince your dad to let him marry you. He must be so thrilled to know you're carrying his kid."

Danny nodded. "Yeah, he was so happy when I told him I was pregnant but I hurt him. I was so angry and shocked that I said really harsh things to him and then I ran here. This is all just a lot of change for me and it's happening too fast, Kayla."

Danny sobbed, and this was the first time I had ever seen her in such a state. I could tell she was overwhelmed and per usual Ho-seok was right. The picture perfect life I assumed Danny had been living as Korea's foreign princess was far from a fairytale now that she was entering adulthood so far away from home. Danny had always been so level headed and sure of herself when it came to making big decisions, but she had no idea what to do right now.

"There is so much I wanted to do before having children." Danny vented. "I wanted to do my part in helping Min-seok flourish at Nam Group. I wanted to put my education to use and show all those racist jerks just how intelligent a black woman can be after how awfully they have treated me. I wanted to travel with Min-seok and make more memories with our friends. I wanted us to have a few years where our priority was just each other. All of that changes when a baby enters the picture. Our youth will really vanish and we aren't even 25-years-old yet."

"Danny, you can still do all of those things."

"How?" She questioned.

"Your fiancé is not ordinary. Because of his background you get to experience luxury, and as a mother that's being able to afford the best childcare and support there is in the snap of a finger."

Danny fell silent, and I chuckled seeing that realization appear in her eyes.

"Wow, I guess you still forget how rich you are now." I teased.

"I know, right? Even after a year, it still feels weird and surreal." She admitted, cracking a smile. "I'm sure you've been shocked seeing Ho-seok's lifestyle. It's unimaginable until you live it."

"No kidding." I scoffed. "He took me on a yacht one time, and I'm pretty sure it was the size of my entire apartment building."

Danny finally laughed with me as our gazes locked and when she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, I hugged her back as it occurred to me how much I had missed her this entire time.

"Thank you." She softly said. "I created my own prison keeping all of this to myself. I needed to talk things through with someone, and I'm glad it ended up being with you. You've always been the most rational person in my life, no matter how direct you tend to be."

I chuckled. "I'm sorry I disappeared. Last year was just really hard for me."

"I'm sorry too, Kayla. My parents told me about your friend the other night. I was so caught up adjusting to Korea last year, I had no idea what you were going through. I should have known something really bad happened to you when you started pushing everyone away so much."

I hugged my cousin tighter, closing my eyes.

"Everything is going to be okay with the baby, Danny." I assured her. "Being scared of this kind of change is normal, but this is far from the end of your youth. You have a family that supports you and you're blessed to have such a capable life-partner. Whatever decision you make it has to be one he's involved in though. Okay? Don't do anything rash while you're here."

"Of course I won't." Danny confirmed. "Despite what I said to Min-seok, the irony of it all is he is who I want to be with more than anyone right now. I miss him so much."

Danny and I froze hearing the home's doorbell ring, and when we pulled out of the hug we looked to each other with furrowed brows.

"Min-seok!" Aunt Gina exclaimed from downstairs. "What a lovely surprise! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, mom." Min-seok responded. "Mr. Johnson, I hope you've been well too."

"I know I told you to call me pops from now on!" Uncle Rodney chuckled.

Danny was much faster than me in running to her bedroom door. I followed her outside of it, and when we got to the top of the stairs she stared at her extremely handsome fiancé in awe while he was warmly greeted by the entire family.

"Wow." I softly said. "I thought you two were fighting?"

"We are." Danny uttered.

"And he just showed up here for Christmas, like he doesn't live on the other side of the world?"

"That's Min-seok for you." I glanced at Danny to see her already tearing up. "No matter how scary it can be he follows his heart, and it's always right when it comes to me."

Danny captured Min-seok's gaze and I witnessed exactly what Ho-seok had explained about their relationship many times. Despite the surrounding family, the two were in their own world and they didn't need words to know what the other was thinking or feeling.

"Jagiya, Merry Christmas." Min-seok tenderly said to Danny.

Danny didn't say anything, but she did rush down the stairs and into the tall man's arms. He embraced her tightly, his large hand caressing the back of Danny's hair as he smothered his nose in the top of her head and kissed it.

"Let's give them some space." Aunt Gina softly advised.

While the rest of the family did as Danny's mother said, I couldn't help but smile at the couple.

"I'm sorry." Danny said, looking up to her fiancé.

He caressed the side of her face as they began speaking to each other in Korean, but I didn't need to know what they were saying to see what was happening. The sincerity and love in his eyes as he intently looked into Danny's and the smile on his face as their noses brushed said it all. They were making up, and he had missed Danny as much as she was missing him.

Seeing the lovebirds share a kiss, I took that as my queue to give them space. However, as I was about to walk past them Min-seok noticed me.

"Kayla?" He said as he shifted his attention to me, but he was still holding Danny closely. "I'm Min-seok, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Likewise." I replied, though I was taken aback by how much he reminded me of Ho-seok now that I was standing closer to him.

They had the same build, his shoulders just as broad and his arms long and toned. He styled his hair like Ho-seok did too, his skin though whiter was clear and silky smooth, he smelled amazing, and his gaze was confident while his smile was insanely charming. If I didn't know they were best friends, they could have easily passed as brothers.

"I um... I guess the three of us all surprised our family this Christmas." I awkwardly proceeded after staring at my soon to be cousin-in-law for way too long.

"No kidding." Danny agreed, looking between Min-seok and I. "A Boston general surgeon, a conglomerate heir, and a daughter that has chosen to live in Korea with said conglomerate heir made it to Raleigh for Christmas. Honestly, who knows the next time this will happen again."

Min-seok chuckled. "Then we should make the most of it."

Unexpectedly feeling the Christmas spirit, Danny and I got Min-seok settled in her room before the three of us joined our family for dinner and our traditional festivities.

Despite the concerns occupying the back of my mind, I found myself having a good time. It had been nearly two years since Danny and I had gathered with the family like this, and Min-seok's presence had excited everyone.

People had so many questions meeting him for the first time, and we found out the couple was planning to have their wedding in Thailand. What really blew everyone away was finding out all expenses would be paid for outside of the plane tickets, so its safe to say Min-seok provided the best Christmas gift this year. Not just to the family, but to Danny as well.

It appeared Min-seok's presence was all the medicine and comfort that girl needed. He held her hand under the table the entire dinner, silently encouraging her to eat and whenever he spoke, she just watched him with such a proud and sincere smile.

Once we got through the gift exchange, all the adults were fairly buzzed and either laughing amongst each other or partaking in the intense rounds of Spades.

Danny, Min-seok, and I decided to excuse ourselves and hang out in the basement. As the two cuddled on the sofa, I lounged in an arm chair while a catchy K-Pop song softly played in the background.

"Man, is this what Christmas is always like here?" Min-seok asked. "It's so much fun!"

"How is Christmas in Korea?" I asked him.

"It's a good time, but a lot more formal in my household." He admitted. "My family isn't this big either and I'm the youngest."

"Ah, okay that makes sense." I chuckled thinking about one of his best friends. "I actually had a Friendsgiving with Ho-seok and he indicated it's similar for him. He loved the food I cooked, and his roommate and I taught him a few of our traditions! It was a blast!"

"I heard about that." Min-seok smirked, making me scrunch my brows. "You two seem close."

"You know I was going to say something about that." Danny chimed in. "Naekkeo, Ho-seok has told her so much about our story. Like dang, can I talk to my cousin about it first?"

We all cracked up. "You can't really blame him for that since you and I were both so occupied with our new adult lives the past few years. Talking about you and the times he spent with you both in Korea was actually quite the ice breaker for us and that ice was thick."

"He rubbed you wrong way when you first met, didn't he?" Danny chuckled.

I shrugged, twisting my lips. "Something like that."

"Sorry if he hit on you." Min-seok added. "It's just his nature. Ho-seok is quite the flirt."

"It's cool, I'm a big girl. What matters is, we met each other at the perfect time. I feel very fortunate to have a friend like him in Boston. Surprisingly, I feel like I can tell him anything."

I started smiling, thinking about the tall Korean that I was missing quite a bit right now.

"Will it be hard for you to keep the secret you found out tonight from him?" Danny asked me.

"You told her?" Min-seok gaped, as Danny looked to him over her shoulder.

"She's a doctor. She figured it out on her own." Danny chuckled, but a guilty smile crept on Min-seok's face as the smile on Danny's fell. "Oh no, who did you tell Min-seok?"

"I actually confided in Ho-seok about everything." He admitted as Danny gasped. "I'm sorry! I didn't know what to do and I panicked when you left! I needed to talk things out with someone and I thought he would be the safest person to tell since he doesn't live in Korea anymore."

"But he is there right now with everyone and no supervision!" Danny groaned.

"I trust him." Min-seok assured her. "No matter what decision you make, he'll never tell anyone and most importantly I'll support it."

Danny froze as their gazes connected, the mood turning serious as the couple addressed the topic that hadn't come up once since Min-seok arrived given all the family surrounding us.

"I'm already so grateful for all you've done to make us work." Min-seok proceeded. "I know that living so far away from your family and in a country that is quite behind when it comes to equality is hard for you. I told you that your happiness would be my priority if you agreed to marry me, and I meant it. If right now is too soon for a baby with everything else you're trying to figure out, I understand."

Danny thought about her response, though I already knew the path she would choose now that I had witnessed their relationship up close.

"Let's keep the baby, Naekkeo." She responded. "I'm sorry for even considering abandoning something so precious. I know I hurt you and I'm so sorry."

Min-seok's face turned a soft tint of pink, his eyes glistening and lips trembling as he embraced the answered he noticeably wanted to hear.

"Are you sure?" He asked. "The last thing I want is for you to be resentful down the road."

Danny cupped his cheek and brushed the lone tear he had shed with her thumb.

"I'm positive, but only because it's with you." She confirmed. "The only condition I have, is I don't want to tell anyone until we have an exam and confirm the baby is healthy. Okay?"

"Of course." He breathed, pressing his lips against Danny's as the couple celebrated their decision. "Thank you, Jagiya. I love you so so much."

The two shared a tight hug next, and though I was feeling like a third wheel it didn't matter. I was sincerely happy for my cousin, and hoped I could have a love like this someday.

Naturally, such a thought made me think about Jackson and my head fell as it occurred to me we were already starting off so poorly now that he knew about my dangerous mission outside of work and the gym.

However while I was scared of both losing Jackson and/or being exposed by him, I still wasn't willing to reconsider my revenge. Maybe that in itself told me all I needed to know. My priorities were actually quite clear and unfortunately...

It appeared I wasn't emotionally available to start dating after all.

____

Author's Note: I know it was a long chapter, but I didn't want to split this one in two!

How did you enjoy it?

Min-seok and Danny are excitedly expecting, but sadly love isn't looking so bright for Makayla and Jackson. What does this mean for the Boston couple, and how far will Makayla let this revenge of hers go the more she realizes its impact on her life?

Please remember to vote and comment! Thanks for your support!

- Zelene