"Soo Ryeon? Sweetheart, wake up. We're on the ground."

Soo Ryeon's eyes blinked open, and then squeezed shut again as she remembered where she was. One of her least favorite places—on a plane.

"Soo Ryeon," Logan said a little louder this time. He squeezed her hand, and she peeked one eye open again. "Time to wake up, pretty girl. We just landed. We're in Hawaii!"

As if needing to reassure herself that Logan was telling the truth, Soo Ryeon leaned forward to look out the cabin window. Beyond the asphalt of the runway they were taxiing on, she could see waving palm trees. She shook her head, trying to clear away the fog.

"How do you feel?" Logan asked solicitously.

"Um, pretty out of it still," she mumbled. Since the flight from Seoul to Hawaii was nearly sixteen hours long, she'd taken motion sickness medication before departure. Despite the mind-numbing stupor it induced, she'd still awakened to get sick twice during the flight.

"How's the nausea?" he asked.

"Okay for now," she answered, resting her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her forehead softly. "Hang in there, baby. We'll be at the hotel within an hour, and then you can lie down and rest until the wedding rehearsal tonight."

Soo Ryeon nodded silently and allowed her eyes to slide closed again. She hated how the medication made her feel, but it was better than spending the entire flight in the tiny bathroom or bent over an airsick bag. She hoped a short nap at the hotel would revive her so she could help Yoon Hee with rehearsal preparations. Yoon Hee and Yoon Cheol had flown to Hawaii the previous day to meet with the wedding coordinator and make final arrangements, but Soo Ryeon was sure that there would be last-minute loose ends to tie up.

The plane pulled up to the gate, and the passengers stood to collect their belongings. Logan pulled his carry-on and Soo Ryeon's purse from the overhead bin and then offered his hand to pull her up. She stood shakily, and he slid a steadying arm around her waist.

"Doing all right?" he asked. She nodded.

As they made their way toward the baggage claim area, they were greeted by colorfully-dressed Hawaiian women who draped leis around their necks. Logan and Soo Ryeon thanked them graciously, and were only a few steps past the natives when Soo Ryeon swayed. Logan grabbed her arm, fearing that she might faint, but instead she pulled the lei off her neck and shoved it towards him.

"I can't…" she told him hoarsely. "The smell…" She trailed off and looked around frantically, spotting a restroom and rushing toward it.

Logan stood and watched her retreat, his mouth agape, and then looked down at the flowers in his hand. Her sickness was most likely a lingering effect of the flight, rather than the flowers, but he dropped her lei into a nearby trash can and disposed of his as well.

When Soo Ryeon reemerged a few minutes later, her face was pink and her eyelids drooped. He pulled her into a hug, and her body relaxed into his. His hand stroked up and down her spine comfortingly, and Logan was certain that if they stood there long enough, she would go to sleep.

"Do you need to sit down?" he murmured into her hair. She shook her head against his chest. "Do you want something to drink?" Her head shook again. He gripped her shoulders and eased her away from him to look at her face. She looked miserable. "Can you make it to baggage claim, or would you rather wait here?" His head tipped in the direction they were going, indicating that they weren't far from their destination.

"I can make it," she decided, and he released her. She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm to steady herself as they started walking again.

"We'll be at the hotel soon," he reminded her. Once they got there, his number one goal was to take care of her and make sure she rested and recovered in time for the wedding.

...~«ώ»~...

Logan's number one goal went out the window half an hour later when Yoon Hee found them in the lobby of the hotel. She was near-frantic, and Soo Ryeon's dulled senses snapped to attention.

"I'm so glad you're here," Yoon Hee explained hurriedly. "My family's flight is delayed, and Yoon Cheol's family isn't due for several more hours. Yoon Cheol went surfing and he's been gone for hours. I've got all this stuff to do before the rehearsal tonight, and I'm going crazy! I need your help!"

Soo Ryeon glanced back at Logan, and then stepped forward to give Yoon Hee a tight hug. "It's going to be okay, Yoon Hee. Do you have a list of what needs to be done?" Yoon Hee nodded. "Do you know where Yoon Cheol went to surf?" Yoon Hee shook her head, and Soo Ryeon glanced at Logan again. "Okay, Logan can take our bags up to our room and then go find Yoon Cheol. Surely he asked someone around here where the best surf spots are nearby. Now, where's your list?"

Yoon Hee pulled it out of her pocket, and Soo Ryeon guided her to a plush sofa nearby. They both sat, and Soo Ryeon took the paper from Yoon Hee's hands and studied it intently. Logan finally gathered his wits and surged forward.

"Sweetie, you really need to rest…" he began.

"I'm okay, Logan," Soo Ryeon told him.

"Yoon Hee, she was really sick on the flight, and again at the airport when we landed…" he tried again.

"Logan, I'll rest later," Soo Ryeon interrupted quietly. "Yoon Hee needs me."

Yoon Hee looked uncertainly between them before her gaze returned to her friend. For the first time she noticed the weariness in Soo Ryeon's eyes and the droop of her shoulders. "Soo Ryeon, if you're not feeling well…"

"Nonsense," Soo Ryeon interrupted again. "You need my help. I'm the matron of honor, and I'm here to help you." She glanced at the list. "I think we should talk to the caterer first, and then we can check on the dancers and flowers after that." She pushed to her feet, and Yoon Hee followed her. "Logan, please call us when you find Yoon Cheol, and maybe you two can help us knock out the rest of the list."

"Soo Ryeon, I'd really feel better if you didn't…" Logan made a final attempt.

This time, she walked toward him, slipping her arms around his waist. "I'm okay, really. If we get through this list in time, I promise I'll take a nap before the rehearsal tonight."

He stared down at her uncertainly. Letting her go was against his better judgment, but if she was so determined to help… She smiled, and his heart melted. And this was the woman, he thought, who only a couple weeks before had insisted that she was selfish. Soo Ryeon routinely put others' needs before her own without a second thought, and he couldn't believe she didn't recognize how unselfish she truly was. He smiled and brushed his thumb across her cheek.

"Promise me that if you start feeling sick again, you'll stop and rest," he insisted.

"I promise," she nodded.

Yoon Hee had calmed down significantly, and she looked at Logan earnestly. "I'll enforce that promise, Logan."

Finally Logan grudgingly nodded his agreement and kissed his wife's forehead. "Alright. I'll see you soon."

...~«ώ»~...

By the time Yoon Hee and Soo Ryeon returned to the hotel, Logan had found Yoon Cheol, and Yoon Cheol's family had arrived. Logan and Yoon Cheol stood in the lobby, talking to Sun Hyuk and Lim Taek, Yoon Cheol's groomsmen.

"Whoa, who's the hottie that Yoon Hee brought with her?" Yoon Cheol's cousin Sun Hyuk suddenly asked.

Yoon Cheol and Logan glanced toward the entrance, and Logan bristled instantly. "The hottie has a name—it's Soo Ryeon," he growled. "Soo Ryeon Shim. She's my wife, and I trust that you'll treat her with the respect she deserves."

Sun Hyuk nodded mutely as Lim Taek, Yoon Cheol and Logan's former Hanyang University teammate, pushed him back a few steps, away from Logan. "Dude, trust me, the one thing you don't mess with Logan Lee about is his woman." Lim Taek glanced back at Logan, and lowered his voice. "I learned that lesson the hard way."

Sun Hyu retreated quietly as Logan and Yoon Cheol moved toward the door. They greeted the women with a kiss, and Logan brushed a curl off of Soo Ryeon's face.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Okay," she answered. He tipped his head to study her, and she sighed. "Maybe a little tired." The discoloration under her eyes indicated how much she was downplaying the truth. Logan wondered how she'd managed to remain upright for the past few hours.

"I forced her to eat some lunch," Yoon Hee reported. "She mostly picked at it, but I made sure that at least some of it found its way to her stomach."

"And stayed there," Soo Ryeon added with a small smile.

Yoon Hee turned to glare at her fiancé, hands on hips. "And you, Ha Yoon Cheol… I hope you had a great time on your surfing adventure while Soo Ryeon and I ran ourselves ragged getting ready for tonight."

He looked sheepishly at her. "Sorry, Yoon Hee. I lost track of time. The waves were amazing! I was telling Logan that we should go out in the morning while you girls are getting pampered at the spa."

Yoon Hee's expression softened somewhat. She knew how much Yoon Cheol loved surfing, but on their wedding day? "You can only go surfing in the morning if you take Logan with you. He's responsible enough to keep track of time." She glanced at her watch. "Speaking of which… You guys have your suit fittings at 5:00. Hopefully my dad and Yoon Soo will be here by then."

The men had already been fitted for tuxedos in Seoul, which they would wear to Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee's reception the following Saturday back home. For the wedding, though, they would wear sand-colored cotton suits that were more appropriate for the tropical setting.

"Got it," Yoon Cheol nodded. "And the rehearsal's at 8:00?"

"7:00!" Yoon Hee retorted. "How many times do we have to go over this?"

Yoon Cheol pulled her into his side. "Relax, babe, I was just kidding. I know the schedule upside down and backwards." He grinned at her. "Remember, I passed the quiz you gave me on the flight down here."

Logan snickered, and Yoon Hee shot him a dirty look. He held his hands up in surrender. Yoon Hee turned her attention back to her fiancé. "And make sure you wear sunscreen. I don't want you looking like a lobster in our wedding pictures."

"I'll have Logan apply it for me," Yoon Cheol teased.

"No way, man," Logan protested quickly before winking at Soo Ryeon. "If I'm rubbing lotion on anyone, it'll be a brown-haired beauty with gorgeous brown eyes, not a hairy surfer dude like you."

"Hey, he's my hairy surfer dude," Yoon Hee argued lightly.

Logan glanced at his watch. "Now that you've tracked him down, is it okay if I steal my wife for a couple hours? She's overdue for a nap, and I intend to make sure she gets one."

Yoon Cheol glanced at Yoon Hee, and then smiled at Soo Ryeon. "Go on, Soo Ryeon. I'm sorry for disappearing on you guys, but Yoon Hee and I can handle it from here. Go rest, and we'll see you at eight."

"Seven!" Yoon Hee nearly yelled.

Yoon Cheol winked at his friends before sweeping his fiancé into an exaggerated kiss. Logan seized the opportunity to escape, taking Soo Ryeon's arm and leading her up to their room.

...~«ώ»~...

That evening after the rehearsal, there was a private luau on the beach for the families and wedding party. Logan and Soo Ryeon sat at the head table with the other attendants and enjoyed the traditional food that was served. After the meal, they moved to another area nearby to watch the Polynesian dancers. There were beach chairs and cushions available, but Logan opted to sit on the sand, and Soo Ryeon settled between his knees, her back against his chest. She snuggled into him, sighing contentedly.

Logan understood how she felt. There, on the beach, he was relaxed, happy, and deeply content. The love of his life was in his arms, wearing a sexy shift dress that she probably didn't even realize was sexy. But he'd been staring at it, at her, all night. The halter top left her shoulders and back bare, and every time a breeze kicked up from the ocean, the thin fabric wrapped around her legs. Thinking about it just then, Logan realized, was not a good idea, but he would be more than happy to take it off of her when they got back to their hotel room. In the meantime, he brushed away her hair and nuzzled her neck, smiling at her hum of pleasure. She smelled good—an exotic mix of flowers and a touch of spice—a scent that was as fresh, unique, and beautiful as she was.

"I love you," he murmured against her skin.

She turned to look at him and smiled. "I love you too."

Just then, a heavy drum beat started from the stage area, and she turned back to watch, settling comfortably against him. He smiled and took in the whole experience—the tiki torches burning around them, the sound of the ocean nearby, the cool, salty breeze that whispered over them. The droning beat and the rhythmic movements of the dancers were soothing, and soon, Logan felt Soo Ryeon's body relax fully against his. Her head settled in the hollow below his shoulder, and her even breathing told him that she'd fallen asleep. He smiled tenderly and tightened his arms around her. He had to admit, despite the trials they'd endured, life with Soo Ryeon was pretty perfect.

...~«ώ»~...

Early Sunday morning, the day of the wedding, Yoon Cheol went surfing under the supervision of Logan and the other groomsmen. The women in the bridal party—Soo Ryeon, Yoon Hee's sister-in-law Bi Na, and Yoon Cheol's sisters Ahn Cheol and Lin Ah—joined Yoon Hee at the spa for a morning of pampering. Soo Ryeon was relieved that she had no lingering nausea and had finally slept off the effects of the airsick medicine. She regretted that the trip to Hawaii was so short, and that she'd spent a sizeable portion of it asleep, but she was glad that she was at her best for Yoon Hee's special day.

The women fanned out around the spa, taking their pick of which services they would indulge in. Yoon Hee and Soo Ryeon each decided to get a mani/pedi and a massage, so they ended up on side-by-side massage tables. They groaned as the massage therapists found and eased tense muscles, and giggled when they hit ticklish spots.

"So, are you ready?" Soo Ryeon asked without looking up. "In a few hours, you'll be a married woman."

"I am ready," Yoon Hee answered. She kept her face down as well, but Soo Ryeon could hear the smile in her voice. "I love Yoon Cheol so much, and I can't wait to build a life with him. He sent me a big bouquet of flowers this morning with a beautiful card." Yoon Hee paused and blushed slightly as she remembered Yoon Cheol's note. "I always said I didn't need a man to make me happy, but as cliché as it sounds, he completes me."

"I know exactly what you mean," Soo Ryeon assured her. "I feel free to be me—all of me—with Logan. I don't have to pretend or cover anything up. A lot of people say marriage is confining, but to me, it's liberating."

"Spoken like a true romantic," Yoon Hee giggled.

"Hush," Soo Ryeon teased. "You and Yoon Cheol are a great match. Before he met you, he had no interest in being tied down. But now he's settled, and committed, and happier than I've ever seen him."

"Thanks, Soo Ryeon," Yoon Hee replied softly. "That means a lot to me."

They laid in comfortable silence for awhile before Yoon Hee suddenly sat up. "Oh my gosh, Soo Ryeon, I didn't bring Yoon Cheol's ring!"

Soo Ryeon calmly glanced up at her panicked friend and smiled. "You didn't, but I did. It's back at the hotel. Remember, you gave it to me two weeks ago because you were afraid you'd forget it?"

"Oh yeah," Yoon Hee sighed and laid back down. After a few calming breaths, she spoke again. "I think a wedding ring on a man's hand is sexy, don't you? It tells the world he's taken, and it's hot that he's willing to show off his commitment to one woman."

Soo Ryeon bit her bottom lip thoughtfully. "I love Logan's ring, and you're right, it looks really sexy on him. I remember on our honeymoon, I couldn't stop staring at his hand. It took my breath away that a man like Logan made a lifelong commitment to me." She blushed slightly. "It still does sometimes."

Yoon Hee smiled. "You make it sound as if Logan is out of your league, and that's just ridiculous. Yeah, he's a great guy, but I think you're pretty great too. And what the two of you have together is magical. I hope when Yoon Cheol and I have been married four years, we'll be every bit as happy and in love as you two are. Speaking of which, any big plans for your upcoming anniversary… Thursday, right?"

"Yes, June 14th," Soo Ryeon answered. "Logan and I take turns planning dates for special occasions, so I have no idea what he has planned. He hasn't dropped any hints or anything. Maybe we'll just eat someplace nice and then spend the evening in."

Yoon Hee smiled. "That sounds good, but I bet Logan's got something up his sleeve. He loves surprising you. It's adorable."

Soo Ryeon looked over at her friend suspiciously. "Do you know something? He told you, didn't he?"

Yoon Hee laughed. "Oh my gosh, I don't think I can handle a Soo Ryeon-style interrogation today. I know nothing! Logan knows how much you torment me for hints, so he doesn't tell me when he's planning something unless he needs help. And since I will be here in paradise, thousands of miles away on my honeymoon, I am safely uninvolved."

"So he is planning something," Soo Ryeon tried again.

Yoon Hee threw a towel at her. "You are hopeless."

"I am," Soo Ryeon confessed dreamily. "Hopelessly in love."

...~«ώ»~...

By the time the men returned from surfing, the women had already left for their hair appointments. Logan noticed that Soo Ryeon's dress and makeup bag were gone from their room, since the women would be getting dressed at the ceremony site. The wedding would take place at 1:00, followed by a small reception. Most guests planned to fly back to Seoul that evening or first thing Monday morning, and would reconvene for the formal reception in Seoul the following Saturday.

Logan took a quick shower and ran a dollop of gel through his hair, and then pulled out his shaving bag and lathered his face. As the razor glided across his skin, Logan felt, acutely, the absence of his wife. In the weeks since she'd been home on summer vacation, she'd developed a habit of rising with him in the morning and fixing breakfast as he showered. She often returned to the bathroom as he shaved and snaked her arms around his waist from behind, resting her head against his bare back until he finished and turned to kiss her. She'd giggle over dabs of shaving cream left on his face, and breathe in the scent of his aftershave, which he used simply because he knew how much she liked it. It was a great way to start the day, and the warm intimacy of the encounter stayed with him throughout his work day. He hoped that they'd find a way to continue their new ritual when school resumed in the fall.

When Logan emerged from the bathroom, he glanced at his watch and decided to make a quick phone call. She picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, you," Soo Ryeon murmured down the line. "Did you have fun surfing?"

"I did, but I'm kicking myself for not getting back in time to see you before you left," he admitted. "I miss you."

"I miss you too," she replied. "Have you shaved yet?"

"Just did," he answered. "That really made me miss you. How are you feeling?"

"I feel okay, honestly, I do," she told him. He smiled at the lilt in her voice. It had been missing the day before, and its return assured him that she really was feeling better. "I'm so excited! Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee are getting married today! How's Yoon Cheol doing? He's not going to back out, is he? Because if he does, I swear I'll…"

Logan's hearty laughter interrupted her. "Yoon Cheol's fine, sweetheart. He's not going anywhere, and even if he tried, Yoon Soo would flatten him. Don't worry, we'll all be there, safe and sound, at 2:00."

"It's at one!" Soo Ryeon protested before realizing that Logan was messing with her, just like Yoon Cheol with Yoon Hee. She giggled and lowered her voice. "I'll get you for that, Logan Lee."

"I'm counting on it," he teased. Regretfully, he glanced once more at his watch. "I need to go, honey. I'm supposed to meet Yoon Cheol in the lobby in fifteen minutes, and I'm not dressed yet."

Logan could swear he heard her gulp on the other end. "You're n-naked right now?" she asked, her voice suddenly low and sultry.

He squeezed his eyes shut, fighting temptation. Under any other circumstance, they could have a very steamy conversation about this, but he really didn't have time. "Yeah, baby. I'll see you soon, okay? Love you! Bye." He heard her quick "Love you too" response before his phone clicked off, and he stood for a moment, contemplating whether he should return to the bathroom for a cold shower. Finally, he reigned in his libido, at least for the time being, and got dressed.

...~«ώ»~...

The men were scheduled to have their pictures taken before the wedding, so they arrived at the venue first. The ceremony would be held in a large gazebo at the edge of a pristine private beach. The locale allowed for their more formal attire, but still delivered the soft sounds of ocean waves cresting as a backdrop. A long walkway led from the gazebo through a massive garden, where the reception would be held, to the elegant estate where the women were getting dressed.

"This place is incredible," Logan told Yoon Cheol as they waited for the rest of the group to arrive. "How did you find it?"

"One of Yoon Hee's dad's business associates," Yoon Cheol answered. "This is their vacation home."

"Wow, if I had a place like this, I think I'd stay here 24/7," Logan said. "What kind of business is the guy in?"

"Wine," Yoon Cheol responded. "They own a vineyard in Napa Valley. Yoon Hee's dad's firm has worked with them for years."

"That's awesome," Logan nodded. He noticed Yoon Cheol fidgeting with his tie and batted Yoon Cheol's hands away to adjust the knot himself. He made eye contact with his friend. "Are you ready for this? You're not having doubts, are you?"

"No doubts," Yoon Cheol answered without hesitation. "Just nerves. Yoon Hee's family is all fancy and sophisticated. I don't want to do anything to embarrass her in front of them."

Logan patted his friend's shoulder. "This day is about you and Yoon Hee and the start of your life together. Don't worry about anyone else, just focus on the woman you love, and everything else will fall into place."

"Dude, did you have to use the word 'fall' in that sentence?" Yoon Cheol fired back.

"Hey, I'm the best man," Logan reminded him. "I've got your back. If you fall, I'll fall harder to take the heat off of you."

Yoon Cheol laughed and pulled his best friend into a manly hug. "Thanks, man. It means a lot to me that you're here. I wouldn't want anyone else standing up with me."

...~«ώ»~...

By the time the men were finished with pictures, guests were arriving, and Yoon Cheol's nervous excitement spilled over onto Logan. He was anxious to see Soo Ryeon and, after the wedding, share the surprise that he'd kept secret for so long he feared he'd burst at the seams. Music from a string quartet floated on the ocean breeze, and seagulls soared overhead.

At precisely 1:00, the music shifted to the wedding processional, and the groomsmen lined up behind Yoon Cheol in the center of the gazebo. After Yoon Cheol's parents and Yoon Hee's mom were seated, the guests turned expectantly toward the walkway between the garden and the gazebo. Logan craned his neck, hoping to catch a glimpse of the matron of honor, but the path curved just beyond the entrance of the garden, and each attendant came into view only after she stepped through the arch of the garden gate. Yoon Cheol's sister Ahn Cheo came first, followed by Lin Ah. Yoon Soo's wife Bi Na was next, flanked by Hwa Soo, the flower girl, and Min Soo, the ring bearer. Bi Na and Yoon Hee had determined at the rehearsal the night before that the kids would do best walking with their mother rather than by themselves. Hwa Soo proudly dropped rose petals as she walked, and Min Soo held tightly to his mother's hand, swinging the ring pillow at his side. The guests laughed approvingly, and Logan glanced at Yoon Soo and smiled.

Suddenly, Logan's heart leapt into his throat as Soo Ryeon stepped through the arch and start down the walkway toward him. He'd seen her walk the very same path at the rehearsal, but today, as he watched her, he could barely breathe. She was stunning in a cream-colored full-length textured crepe sheath dotted with tiny pastel embroidered flowers. The V-cut of the neckline and thin straps made her breasts look fuller, and the dress skimmed her petite curves. Her hair was styled in a classic chignon with a spray of flowers tucked into it, and she carried a small bouquet that matched the flowers on her dress. On her feet were flirty strapped sandals with slightly elevated heels. As she reached the front, she turned to the left, opposite him. She flashed him a happy smile, and he winked in return.

The music swelled and the small crowd stood, signaling that Yoon Hee and her father were on their way down the aisle, but Logan could not pull his eyes away from the incredible woman before him. She looked… different somehow, though Logan couldn't put his finger on why. There was an almost-ethereal glow around her, and she looked so radiant that he had to swallow down the emotion that kept rising in his throat. Soo Ryeon watched Yoon Hee approaching, and Logan could see the genuine love and happiness for her friend in her gaze. Yoon Hee wore an ivory strapless princess gown with a chapel-length train and fingertip veil. Her bouquet was a made with various shades of pink flowers, from blush-colored roses to dramatic star gazer lilies. When Yoon Hee reached the front, Yoon Cheol stepped forward to take her hand, and only then did Logan reluctantly pull his attention back to the wedding.

When the recitation of the vows began, Logan looked over to see Soo Ryeon staring at him intently, her eyes misty. He wanted to cross the aisle, take her in his arms, and kiss her tears away. Instead, he held her gaze, as he had at their wedding, and silently made the same promises to her that Yoon Cheol was making to Yoon Hee. When Yoon Cheol said, "I do," Logan nodded subtly at Soo Ryeon, and she smiled. Yoon Hee's vows came next, and Soo Ryeon's eyes betrayed her emotions as she silently affirmed her vows to Logan. When Yoon Hee said, "I do," Soo Ryeon also nodded toward her husband.

Logan had very little awareness of the rest of the ceremony after that—all he could think about was Soo Ryeon. At their wedding, he'd held her hand throughout the ceremony, and the inability to touch her now was, in his mind, overwhelmingly unfair. He dutifully handed Yoon Hee's ring to Yoon Cheol when the minister asked for it, and watched numbly as Soo Ryeon slid Yoon Cheol's ring off of her thumb and handed it to Yoon Hee. Logan forced his attention back to the bride and groom as the minister declared them husband and wife and encouraged them to kiss. But as they turned toward the audience and Soo Ryeon bent to straighten Yoon Hee's train, giving Logan a tantalizing view of his wife's breasts, he was a goner. Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee walked up the aisle toward the mansion, and it was only when Soo Ryeon stepped forward and took Logan's arm that he started to breathe again. He quickly recovered, covering her hand with his as they followed their friends up the aisle.

As soon as they reached the end of the walkway, Yoon Hee turned to hug her friend ecstatically, and Logan was forced to surrender the woman he wanted all to himself. He hugged Yoon Cheol, and then reached for Yoon Hee as Soo Ryeon moved on to Yoon Cheol. Finally, finally, Logan pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately. The other members of the wedding party whooped behind them, but Logan didn't care. When he finally released her, he cupped her face, stroking his thumbs across her face, and rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you," he whispered.

Her eyes conveyed the same intensity that he felt. "I love you too, Logan."

They stared at one another for a few moments, words unnecessary, before they reluctantly parted. Guests were streaming into the garden, where the reception would take place, and the photographer was already calling for bridesmaids to line up. Soo Ryeon stepped back and giggled when Logan refused to release her hand. He raised it to his mouth and kissed it before he let her go, and she blew him a kiss over her shoulder as she followed the other bridesmaids back toward the gazebo.

Soon, Logan thought with a smile as he watched her walk away. The wedding's over, and now it's time for the honeymoon.

...~«ώ»~...

After what seemed like a million photographs, the wedding party was finally able to join the reception. Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee mingled with their families and guests, looking blissful and happy and in love. Lee approached Logan and whispered something to him.

"Sweetheart, there's something I need to go help the guys with," Logan told his wife as he brushed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

She looked at him warily. "Logan, please, no pranks. Yoon Hee will kill you, and Yoon Cheol will spend his wedding night on the couch."

He chuckled. "Nothing like that, sweetie. I'll be back soon. Save me a dance, okay?"

She smiled and watched him walk away. She'd always thought he looked good in a suit, and today was no exception. Movement to her right caught her attention, and she giggled as two-year-old Min Soo turned in circles, trying to catch a butterfly. Soon his sister stepped in to help, ready to shed her flower girl decorum for a few minutes. They ran in circles as the butterfly floated on the breeze, and their carefree laughter unexpectedly caused Soo Ryeon's chest to tighten. When a waiter walked by with a tray of champagne glasses, Soo Ryeon stopped him and took one. Nearby, Yoon Hee's eyes widened and she quickly approached, pulling Soo Ryeon to an empty table a few feet away.

"What are you doing with champagne?" Yoon Hee demanded. "I haven't seen you drink alcohol in months—ever since you started trying to get pregnant."

Soo Ryeon sighed. "Well, I know I'm not pregnant, so I might as well indulge a little."

"How do you know?" Yoon Hee asked. "When did you take your last pregnancy test? You know it takes at least two weeks after conception for a pregnancy test to register a positive, so even if you get a negative result, it doesn't necessarily mean you're not pregnant, it could mean you're not pregnant enough."

"I took a test earlier this week," Soo Ryeon said to cut off Yoon Hee's rambling. "And the next day, my period started. That's pretty strong evidence."

"Was it a normal cycle?" Yoon Hee pressed.

"It was light, but Dr. Goo said to expect that for the first couple of months after surgery," Soo Ryeon told her.

Convinced, Yoon Hee covered her friend's hand. "I'm sorry for butting in. Are you okay?"

Soo Ryeon smiled and reclaimed the champagne glass from Yoon Hee's hand. "I am. I mean, I'm disappointed, but Logan's been so wonderful." She sipped her drink and gestured around them. "And it's pretty hard to be upset in a place like this."

Yoon Hee grinned. "I know, it's incredible, isn't it? And I'm married, Soo Ryeon!"

Soo Ryeon laughed. "You are! Isn't it wonderful? I'm so happy for both of you! And so jealous that you get to spend the week in paradise!"

"I know," Yoon Hee agreed. "I wish you guys could've stayed longer."

"Yeah, right," Soo Ryeon snorted. "It's your honeymoon, Yoon Hee! Enjoy the quality alone time with your husband while you can. Welcome to life as a resident's wife. I keep telling Logan we need to take a vacation, but it's tough to schedule around all the requirements in the residency program."

Yoon Hee suddenly seemed distracted, looking around as she bit her lip. Spotting Yoon Cheol, she grinned and pushed to her feet. "There's Yoon Cheol. Doesn't he look handsome? I'll talk to you a little later, okay, Soo Ryeon? My groom owes me a dance."

Soo Ryeon smiled as Yoon Hee rushed towards Yoon Cheol, understanding her friend's desire to be by her new husband's side. Soo Ryeon had felt the same way at her own wedding. She took a long sip of her champagne and arched her back in a stretch. She was worn out, though she wouldn't admit that to anyone, and she dreaded the long flight back early tomorrow morning. Warm hands settled on her shoulders, and a whisper tickled her neck.

"Madame, I believe you owe me a dance," her husband's sexy voice murmured behind her.

She took a breath to make a teasing comment, but he nipped the delicate skin behind her ear, and her brain stopped functioning. A soft moan tumbled from her lips, and an answering chuckle sounded over her shoulder.

"So is that a yes?" he asked huskily.

She nodded, and he offered his hand to pull her to her feet. They walked the short distance to the gazebo, where the string quartet played for a handful of couples, including Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee. Logan pulled Soo Ryeon close and began swaying with the music. She nuzzled her forehead into his neck, loving being in his arms.

As they danced, Logan leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear. "I have a surprise for you."

She looked up at him in confusion. "What?"

"We're not flying home in the morning," he murmured. "We're spending our anniversary in Maui."

She took a step back, staring at him in shock. "But our anniversary's not until Thursday. What about work?"

He grinned. "I took the week off."

It was too good to be true, and she couldn't help but be suspicious. "Logan, is this the joke you guys cooked up? Because if it is…"

"Soo Ryeon, it's not a joke," he assured her. "I'm completely serious. You said we needed a vacation together, and where better than the place we spent our honeymoon four years ago?"

"Oh, Logan," she gasped, finally convinced and unable to form her thoughts into words. She felt as if her heart might explode, and she threw her arms around him, laughing euphorically as he lifted her off the ground.

"Surprise, baby," he whispered again, pulling her closer. "I hope you're ready for one spectacular honeymoon!"

"It'll have to be amazing to top the first one," she murmured. Looking up at him, her eyes abruptly widened. "Logan! I don't have any clothes! How am I supposed to stay here for a week with nothing to wear?"

"I packed some things for you," he answered. "Of course, you don't need much—a couple of bikinis and some sinfully sexy lingerie. We don't even need to go out—we'll spend the week in bed."

She giggled. "So it'll be just like our first honeymoon?"

"Even better, babe," he promised with a wink.

She hugged him again, and Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee moved toward them on the dance floor.

"Geez, about time, Logan Lee," Yoon Cheol teased. "I was beginning to think I would take that secret to my grave!"

"You knew?" Soo Ryeon demanded. She turned to Yoon Hee. "And you knew too, didn't you?"

Yoon Hee laughed. "Hardest secret I've ever kept in my life! I packed some extra clothes for you too."

Soo Ryeon's eyes widened as her brain tried to work out the details. "We're not… together…are we? I mean, the stuff you were saying over there about wishing we weren't leaving so soon…?"

"We're not honeymooning together, Soo Ryeon," Yoon Hee assured her. "We're close, but we're not that close!"

Logan beamed, thrilled with his wife's reaction. "Yoon Cheol and Yoon Hee are staying here. We're taking a ferry over to Maui this evening. We have a private villa." He leaned close to whisper, "A very private villa."

"Sounds perfect," she breathed euphorically.

After all, what could be more perfect than a honeymoon in paradise?

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Note:

The next 2 chapters are really juicy. Brace yourself 🤣