Today, we made our way to my older sister’s family home for the first time in a while.
Given that she is heavily pregnant, both my father-in-law and mother-in-law have been quite worried, so I thought it might be more comfortable for her to stay here for a while.
Of course, I am at home, but when I’m working, I often can’t pay much attention to her.
In contrast, my sister’s family home always has my mother-in-law around, so my father-in-law subtly suggested that it might be better for her to stay where she can be taken care of all the time.
“I wanted to be with our husband…”
However, my sister seemed to prefer being alone in the house, as she constantly pouted and sulked since we arrived.
Honestly, I feel so sorry about it. If only I could take a break from work and spend a few days with her, that would make things easier, but realistically, that’s impossible.
I felt constant shame for putting my sister in a position of having to make choices due to my shortcomings.
“I’m sorry. It would have been okay if I had taken care of you better…”
I tried to put in the effort, but it felt like my excuses were just adding salt to the wound, so I averted my gaze with a bittersweet smile.
In response, my sister shook her head while covering my hand resting on her thigh.
“Come on, it’s not your fault. Besides, when you’re not working, you’re always right by my side.”
“Still, it’s true that I haven’t been able to be a good husband.”
“Ugh! Are you going to say that again? I’m really going to get mad!”
“Ah, I got it. I won’t say anything unnecessary.”
Not that I’m afraid of my sister getting mad, but if she got upset, it would negatively affect the baby, so I quickly smoothed things over.
At that moment, my mother-in-law, who had been slicing fruit in the kitchen, placed a dish on the table with a smile.
“Come on, what could our son-in-law not do? It’s just that as a mother, I worry about my daughter, so stop feeling guilty about it.”
“Yes, Mother-in-law.”
As I nodded and handed a strawberry from the plate to my sister, a gentle smile formed on her lips.
“Just look at that, our husband takes good care of me. Right, Mother?”
“Of course. When I hand him fruit, he’s too busy gobbling up his share!”
“Hahaha…”
I feel sorry that my innocent actions might have led my father-in-law to face some scolding while he wasn’t around. I know it’s all in jest, but still.
“By the way, are you planning to head back right away? Since you’re here, why not chat with some outsiders and take a good rest?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. I haven’t been able to visit lately… and I’m really worried about my sister.”
“Oh? You just called her ‘sister,’ didn’t you? I heard that.”
“… Ah.”
For some reason, I keep accidentally calling my wife “sister” in front of both of them.
Feeling awkward, I scratched my cheek, while my sister slightly turned her face and tapped her own cheek.
“Come on, that’s a repay.”
“… But your mother is here.”
“She won’t mind anyway.”
Well, I do mind.
However, knowing that if I hesitate more, I’d only end up increasing the repayments, I lightly pecked her cheek.
She beamed brightly and wiggled side-to-side like a little kid, making it hard to believe she’s about to become a mother.
“Aw, Seo-ha, you should feel lucky to have met Kang. Where can you find a husband who’s so willing to indulge you these days?”
I honestly expected my mother-in-law to react with jealousy at this sight or pretend not to see, but instead, she started nagging my sister.
“So, once you give birth to Joo-ha, you’re going to take better care of her, right?”
It’s impressive how my sister casually responded to that.
“Speaking of which, do you plan on having a second child?”
“The second child, you say?”
“Yes, of course, a daughter would be nice, but my small wish is to have another strong grandson.”
I never expected the second child topic to come up here.
It seems a bit premature to be talking about that since we haven’t even had our first yet, but to be honest, we do have some plans in mind.
“I’ve actually wanted two kids for a while now, so we’ve been planning it. After discussing it in advance, our opinions seem to align.”
“Right? I really want to have a son who resembles Uju.”
“Just like a daughter, she thinks just like her mother. I just want to see one grandson resembling Kang.”
It turns out my mother-in-law has similar thoughts. Honestly, I’m scared of having another person exactly like me in the world, so I’d wanted at least one more kid who mostly takes after my sister.
Suddenly, the front door opened and my father-in-law entered with a faint smile.
“Oh? You’re back already? It’s not even dinner time yet.”
“I’ve come back early, thinking about seeing my son-in-law’s face after a long time.”
With a hearty laugh, my father-in-law approached me and, just like always, reached for a handshake.
“Good to see you again. You must be quite busy lately with Seo-ha?”
“No, I’m actually sorry that I haven’t been able to care for her as much due to work.”
“It’s always tough to balance work with family. Don’t overdo it, just do what you can. I’m sure my daughter thinks the same.”
Whenever I talk to my father-in-law, I feel his extraordinary character. Every word he says carries weight.
Even what seems to be casual advice resonates profoundly within me.
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“Hmm, good. By the way, Seo-ha, are you causing too much trouble for Kang these days?”
It’s quite amazing how he can casually say such things in front of his heavily pregnant daughter.
“I think I’ve been causing quite a bit of trouble. Fortunately, Uju is so kind that he accepts everything. I even feel guilty.”
I find it fascinating that my sister can respond with a smile. It feels like the whole family is composed of such admirable people.
“Of course, there will be times when you need to rely on others, but don’t cause too much trouble. Just do what you can.”
“Don’t worry, Father.”
Nodding at my father-in-law’s advice, my sister gently grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to sit beside her.
So, without realizing, I took a seat again, and my sister snuggled up to me, wrapping her arm around mine. She seems to be getting more and more clingy, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
“Since we rarely get together, why not have a drink tonight? We just got a nice wine.”
“Yes, I actually brought some liquor for you to taste, Father-in-law.”
“Ah, only my son-in-law knows my heart.”
When I showed him the homemade liquor I brought, he beamed with delight and headed to change clothes.
Left behind, we resumed our conversation as we waited for dinner.
*
That night.
Thanks to a simple toast accompanying dinner, I fell asleep with my sister relatively early. Even though I hadn’t drunk to the point of getting tipsy, alcohol has a way of pulling me into the realm of sleep.
“Ugh, ha… ugh…!”
However, halfway into a deep sleep, I faintly heard someone beside me groaning.
Of course, the only person who should be next to me in bed would be my sister, so with sleepy eyes, I looked over.
In that instant, I woke up fully alert, as my sister’s silhouette looked quite uncomfortable in the dark.
Turning on the light to check on her, I saw she was drenched in cold sweat.
“Y-you! What’s wrong?!”
“I-I’m sorry… I went to get some water, but my stomach suddenly…”
“… Your stomach?”
Don’t tell me?
Realizing the seriousness of the situation upon hearing her reply, I paused for a moment, then picked her up and rushed out of the room.
We can’t wait for the ambulance. It’d be much faster to just take my own car straight to the emergency room.
Thud, thud!
“Kang! Why the sudden noise at this hour… Seo-ha!?”
“Mother-in-law, it seems my sister is going into labor. We need to take her to the emergency room immediately.”
“Quickly wake your father up! I’ll wait by the car!”
“Yes.”
As my mother-in-law went to wake my father-in-law, I hurriedly carried my sister toward my car parked outside.
Fortunately, while I started the engine and turned on the heater, my father-in-law and mother-in-law rushed out in simple loungewear.
“Seo-ha, stay calm! Your father and I are here, so don’t worry! Understood?!”
“Already in labor… It’s a lot earlier than expected, which is worrying.”
“Everything will be fine. So you two, don’t worry.”
Even though I was directing my words at them, I was well aware they were aimed at myself.
Yes, the timing being ahead of schedule is worrying, but surely it’ll be alright.
Just as it always has been, we will face any difficulties together.
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