[Doctor consultation room]
Taekyun sat across from the two doctors.
Still unable to fully process everything.
Days ago he had been preparing himself for the worst.
Now Haru was awake.
Talking.
Looking at him.
Calling him Abba again.
It still didn't feel real.
"It's alright, Mr. Taekyun."
Haru's doctor offered him a reassuring smile.
"We understand this is a lot to take in."
Beside him, the female doctor smiled softly.
"It's surprising for us too, honestly."
She glanced toward her colleague.
"I've worked alongside Doctor for many years."
Then she let out a small laugh.
"And this is the first time in my career that I've seen a patient respond this positively after the very first stage of this therapy."
Taekyun lowered his head.
"Ummmm."
"Thank you."
His voice was sincere.
He looked toward the female doctor.
"I truly appreciate everything you've done for Haru."
"Your effort, your time... all of it."
"If not for your treatment..."
His words trailed off.
The female doctor immediately shook her head.
"You don't need to thank me alone."
She smiled.
"Haru worked incredibly hard too."
"And honestly..."
She paused.
"Children often respond best when they have someone waiting for them."
Her eyes softened.
"She had that."
The main doctor nodded.
"She's right."
He folded his hands together.
"In many cases families lose hope midway."
"But you didn't."
"You made difficult decisions at the right time."
"You agreed to treatment options that many parents hesitate to try."
"And most importantly....."
He smiled.
"You stayed."
Taekyun's eyes lowered.
The doctor continued.
"When I first discussed possible outcomes with you, I remember preparing you for every scenario."
"The positive ones."
"And the painful ones."
"You listened to all of them."
Taekyun let out a small breath.
"I only managed that because you prepared me."
The doctor looked slightly surprised.
Taekyun continued quietly.
"You told me what could happen."
"You made sure I understood every possibility."
"When things became difficult..."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"I wasn't completely lost."
The doctor smiled warmly.
"Then I'm glad I did my job."
For the first time since entering the office, a faint smile appeared on Taekyun's face.
After a moment he straightened slightly.
"Can I ask about her condition?"
"Of course."
"How is she physically?"
The female doctor immediately opened Haru's file.
"Her vitals are stable."
"Her neurological responses are excellent."
"Her speech is slightly delayed at the moment, which is completely normal considering the circumstances from past as well."
"We'll continue evaluating her over the next few days."
Taekyun nodded carefully.
"What about long-term effects?"
"There may be some gaps in memory."
The doctor answered honestly.
"And she may tire more easily for a while."
"But overall we're very encouraged by what we're seeing."
His shoulders loosened slightly.
The first real relief he had felt in months.
"How long will she need to stay here?"
The two doctors exchanged a glance.
"Assuming everything continues smoothly."
The female doctor answered.
"About one week."
Taekyun immediately frowned.
"That... long?"
The doctor smiled knowingly.
"Mr. Taekyun."
"You've waited months."
"Please let us keep her for a little longer."
For a moment, Taekyun lowered his head.
A long breath escaped him.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
"One more week..... isn't much."
The doctor continued.
"Run additional scans."
"Observe her sleep patterns."
"Check cognitive responses."
"And make sure there are no complications."
Taekyun nodded.
"What should I be careful about once she's discharged?"
"Don't overwhelm her."
"Keep routines simple."
"Plenty of rest."
"Healthy meals."
"No excessive stimulation."
"And most importantly."
The doctor smiled.
"Let her be a child."
For a moment the office fell silent.
Taekyun looked down at the report in his hands.
Then slowly nodded.
"I can do that."
"You've already done far more than most parents could."
The doctor said sincerely.
The female doctor nodded in agreement.
"Today is a good day, Mr. Taekyun."
"Allow yourself to be happy."
The words hit harder than expected.
Because happiness had felt impossible for so long.
Taekyun stood from his seat.
Then bowed respectfully.
"Thank you."
The doctors stood as well.
"It was our privilege."
As he reached the door, Haru's doctor called after him.
"Mr. Taekyun."
Taekyun turned.
The doctor smiled.
"Go spend time with your daughter."
"She spent months waiting to see her father again."
For a moment Taekyun simply stood there.
Then his eyes softened.
And he nodded.
Without another word, he left the office.
His steps were lighter than they had been in months.
Because for the first time in a very long time.
He was walking toward hope.
[After a while]
After buying a few things for Haru, Taekyun finally left the hospital.
Before leaving, he had spent nearly ten minutes convincing her to stay.
Only after he promised.
"I'll bring Umma."
did Haru finally nod obediently and agree to wait.
The car stopped in front of the condo.
Taekyun entered quietly.
The living room was silent.
Haneul was asleep on the couch.
One hand rested over his stomach.
His face looked pale and fragile.
His eyelashes were still damp from crying.
Lin immediately stood.
"Sir, you're back."
Taekyun nodded.
His eyes never left Haneul.
"He's asleep."
Lin's expression softened.
"He cried a lot."
"It took a long time to calm him down."
"He kept waiting for you."
She glanced toward the couch.
"He only fell asleep a little while ago."
Taekyun stared at Haneul for several seconds.
Then quietly asked,
"Did he eat?"
Lin immediately shook her head.
"No, Sir."
"I tried."
"I practically begged him."
"But he wouldn't."
"He said he'd wait for you."
A sigh escaped Taekyun.
"Prepare something."
"He'll eat before we leave."
"Of course, Sir."
Lin hesitated.
"What about you?"
"No."
Taekyun answered softly.
"I'll change first."
Then added,
"Can you prepare something soft for Haru too?"
Lin smiled.
"I'll make egg custard and sweet pumpkin porridge."
Taekyun nodded.
"Thank you."
Walking toward the couch, he picked up a folded blanket nearby.
Carefully and gently.
He draped it over Haneul.
The movement woke him immediately.
Haneul's eyes opened.
The moment he saw Taekyun.
he grabbed his wrist.
"H-Haru....."
His voice was rough.
"L-let's go....."
"Let's see her....."
Taekyun looked at him quietly.
Then squeezed his hand.
"Lin is preparing food."
"Haneul."
"Eat first."
"I'll change."
"Then we'll go together."
Slowly, comforting pheromones filled the room.
Warm,steady,gentle and comforting.
Trying to calm the panic still trapped inside Haneul.
Taekyun adjusted the cushion behind him.
"Stay here."
"I'll be quick."
"But"
"Eat first."
His voice remained soft.
Yet impossible to argue with.
Then he disappeared into the bedroom.
A few minutes later, Lin returned carrying a tray.
She placed it in front of him.
"See?"
She folded her arms.
"You listen to him."
"But never listen to me."
Haneul looked down.
"I'm not.... hungry."
Lin sighed dramatically.
"I reheated everything."
"If you don't like it, I'll make something else."
Slowly.
Haneul picked up the spoon.
He barely ate.
Only taking tiny bites.
Eventually Lin sat beside him.
Took the bowl.
And started feeding him herself.
"If you keep doing this, it'll be difficult later."
"You need strength."
Haneul didn't argue anymore.
He simply ate.
Not long after, Taekyun returned.
Chnaged into fresh clothes.
A calmer appearance.
Though the happiness in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Haneul immediately stood.
Taekyun picked up his coat.
Then carefully helped him wear it.
Pulling it around his shoulders.
Making sure he was warm.
One hand never left his arm.
Supporting him.
Protecting him.
The entire way.
[Outside]
Lin handed over a thermal bag.
"Haru's food, Sir."
Taekyun accepted it.
"Thank you."
As he opened the car door, Lin scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Ah..."
"If you don't mind....."
"I'll go next time."
"For now, I'll stay here."
"Just in case."
Taekyun looked at her.
"You want a break?"
Lin nearly choked.
"No, Sir!"
"That's not what I meant."
She laughed awkwardly.
"I just think today should be for family."
Taekyun give a small smile.
"Stay safe."
Lin nodded.
"You too, Sir."
The drive was quiet.
Haneul sat looking out the window.
Silent.
Every now and then a shaky breath escaped him.
His eyes were swollen from crying.
Occasionally a hiccup followed.
As though his body hadn't fully recovered from the panic.
Without a word.
Taekyun held his hand the entire drive.
Firmly,gently.
Never letting go.
[At the hospital]
Taekyun immediately moved beside him.
Holding his arm.
"Walk slowly."
"The floor is slippery."
"You might fall."
Haneul nodded.
His grip tightened around Taekyun's sleeve.
Together they reached Haru's room.
The door opened.
And instantly...
"UMMA!"
A tiny voice echoed through the room.
Haneul froze.
His breath caught.
Haru was sitting on the bed.
Looking directly at him.
Eyes shining.
"Umma!"
She called again.
As though afraid he might disappear.
"Umma!"
The desperate cry of a child who had finally found her parent.
Everything blurred.
The hospital, pain,fear.
The endless months.
Nothing remained except Haru.
Awake,alive.
Calling him.
Haneul's eyes immediately filled.
His lips trembled.
Beside him, Taekyun slowly released his hand.
"You go."
His voice was gentle.
For a moment their eyes met.
Then Taekyun nodded.
"I'll be right outside."
Haneul nodded back.
And walked toward the bed.
The nurse smiled warmly.
"Welcome."
"Haru has been looking for her Umma all morning."
Then she looked toward Haru.
"Your Umma is very cute."
Haru immediately grinned proudly.
As though someone had just praised her greatest treasure.
The sight nearly broke Haneul.
The nurse quietly gathered her things.
"I'll leave you two alone."
Before leaving she glanced toward his stomach.
"Looks like someone is getting a younger sibling soon."
Haneul instinctively placed a hand over his belly.
Then nodded.
The nurse smiled.
"Congratulations."
And quietly left.
Closing the door.
"UMMA!"
The second Haneul reached the bed.
Haru threw herself into his arms.
Immediately.
Without hesitation.
Haneul caught her carefully.
The moment he felt her warmth.
he broke.
It had been months.
Months since he had held her like this.
Tears slid down his face.
Because she wasn't cold.
Wasn't unconscious.
Wasn't surrounded by machines.
She was here.
Alive and breathing.
"Haru-ah....."
His voice shattered.
"My....."
"Haru-ah."
A sob escaped him.
Haru blinked.
Then reached up.
Tiny fingers touching his cheeks.
"Umma....."
She wiped away a tear.
"Umma....Cwy?"
(Umma cry?)
Haneul laughed weakly through his tears.
Then kissed her forehead.
Again.
And again.
Trying to make up for every missed day.
Every missed hug.
Every missed kiss.
Haru giggled.
Then wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Miss....."
She smiled proudly.
"Miss..... Umma."
Those two words nearly destroyed him.
"I missed you.... too."
His voice barely existed.
"I missed you so much."
Suddenly Haru poked his stomach.
Her eyes widened.
"Ow?"
Another poke.
"Whattt.... appen?"
(What happened?)
Haneul froze.
Then smiled softly.
"Nothing happened."
Haru narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Both palms landed on his stomach.
Studying it seriously.
Like a tiny doctor.
"Huht?"
(Hurt?)
"No."
"I'm okay."
Still unconvinced
Haru leaned forward.
And planted a tiny kiss against his stomach.
"Theal."
She nodded proudly.
"Betta."
(There better )
Haneul covered his trembling lips.
Because even after everything
she was still Haru.
The same little girl.
The same child who had loved him endlessly from the moment he came to this world.
The same child who worried more about him than herself.
The same child who had lost six months of her life.
And still woke up smiling.
Unaware that Haneul carried the weight of those six months inside his heart every single day.
"Umma."
Haru tugged his sleeve.
"Look."
She pointed proudly toward her sticker book.
Then started talking excitedly.
"Abba....."
"Boutttt...ett"
(Bought it)
Words broken.
Sentences unfinished.
Jumping between topics every few seconds.
Just like always.
And Haneul listened.
To every word.
Every sound.
Every unfinished sentence.
As though they were the most precious things in the world.
His eyes never left her.
Her round eyes.
Her tiny lips.
Her long hair.
She looked beautiful.
Too beautiful.
And for a moment.
all Haneul could think was how unfair it had been.
That a child like her had suffered so much.
Just because of him.