If You

“You want to what?!”

“Just hear me out,” Jiyong said quickly. “It would keep paparazzi from showing up to the wedding, and it would satisfy the fans.”

“But this is our wedding, not theirs!” Emily complained. “I barely agreed to the first photoshoot, and that was when we were just dating!”

“Please?” he begged. “It'll be private, and only take an hour, tops.”

Emily resisted the urge to hurl her phone across the room. “I guess,” she grumbled. “But I'm not wearing the dress. That's where I draw the line.”

“Fair enough,” he agreed. “Have you finished packing yet?”

Emily looked around her haphazard apartment and sighed. “I wish,” she muttered. “Right now I'm trying to decide what's going to Seoul, what's going to Tennessee and what's going into storage. It's a nightmare.”

“You could just leave it and come straight here,” Jiyong suggested. “I'll buy you whatever you want if it gets you here faster.”

“Don't tempt me,” she sighed. “Have you thought more about a date?”

“I'm thinking March. You know, spring wedding?”

“Sounds good,” she said, taping another box closed. “Do you have a guest list?”

“Yeah, but I'd wish you'd add some people to it,” he replied. “Don't you have friends that you want to include?”

“Not really,” she grunted as she lifted the box onto the nearest stack. “Lisa's coming, I think, but that's about it. As long as my family is there, I'll be happy.”

“You're sure?”

“I spent the last year of my life living with you guys,” she pointed out. “You pretty much are my friends.”

“I've gotta get you out more,” he mumbled. “What about bridesmaids?”

“There's Mandie, and Dami. Do we need more?”

“I've got three groomsmen,” he reminded her. There was indistinct murmuring on the other end and Jiyong sighed. “I've gotta go.”

“Remember, my flight gets in Wednesday-”

“At four-fifteen,” he finished. “Gate D4. I'll be there.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Emily hung up and sat down on the floor, leaning against a stack of boxes. Two more days and I'll be home.


******


Jiyong stood near the gate and watched the airplanes taxi back and forth across the tarmac. He'd been there for over an hour, in case Emily's plane arrived early, but it was nearly four and everything looked to be right on schedule.

A line of fans had congregated behind him and he watched them in the window glass. There's something weird about these fans, he thought, chewing his lip as he stared at their reflections. Suddenly it hit him and he wheeled around immediately. There were at least thirty fans, yet not one of them held a phone or camera.

That's really weird, he thought to himself. “Excuse me!” he called, running over to the girl on the end, “Hi,” he said, suddenly feeling awkward. “Can I ask you something?”

The girl was stunned, but still managed a slight nod.

“Why don't any of you have your phones or cameras out?” he asked. He realized this sounded extremely self-centered and tried to amend it. “It's totally fine, it's not like I need cameras on me or anything, um…”

“It's okay, I know what you meant,” the girl said. “You're just used to it whenever you're in public.”

“Exactly,” he said, relieved. “So?”

“Well, it's just…” the girl looked at her friends, all of whom looked completely starstruck. “We heard that Emily was coming back today, and-”

“Wait, how did you know that?” Jiyong interrupted.

“We thought it was a rumor, but a bunch of message boards confirmed it,” she confessed. “There was even a picture of you together in New York.”

Jiyong tried not to let his flurry of emotions show on his face. “Okay, and?”

“Well, we knew you'd get mobbed at the airport, so we… we wanted to help. Help keep them away, I mean.” She nodded at a group of fans behind them that Jiyong hadn't noticed before now. All of them waved phones or lightsticks, and a few shrieked when they saw him looking.

“You came here just to keep other fans away?” Jiyong repeated. “No pictures, no autographs, nothing?”

“Nope,” the girl confirmed.

Jiyong was touched and had to blink back tears. “That's… that's really nice of you.”

There was a crackle over the intercom, then a woman's voice said, “United Flight 38 now arriving at gate D4.”

Jiyong felt a jolt streak through him and he couldn't help wringing his hands a little.

“Go,” the girl said encouragingly. “We've got you covered.”

Jiyong went back to the gate and saw the plane taxi up and connect to the side of the building. He didn't know what to do with himself and tried to concentrate on settling the butterflies in his stomach. Just relax. She's almost here.

A few agonizing minutes went by, then the first passengers began making their way down the corridor to the gateway. Jiyong strained to see, but couldn't spot Emily yet. A few passengers recognized him and asked for pictures, so he posed for a few selfies, all the while trying to watch for Emily. Where is she? he wondered desperately.

“Sir?”

Jiyong felt a tug on his pants and he looked down. It was a little girl, with black pigtails and large shining eyes that stared at him in awe.

Jiyong knelt down beside her. “Hello,” he said. “What's your name?”

“Haejin,” the little girl chirped. “Are you G-DRAGON?”

“Yes I am.”

Haejin pulled a necklace out from under her shirt. “I know, because I have your picture,” she said, showing it to him. It was a large locket that held a BIGBANG band picture inside. “You're my favorite,” she added.

“Thank you,” Jiyong said, giving a little bow. “You honor me.”

He glanced up at the girl's parents. Both of them were frozen in shock, looking from him to Haejin as if trying to understand how this was happening.

“This isn't mine,” Haejin said suddenly.

“No?”

“It's my sister's,” she confessed. “I… borrowed it before we went on vacation. Mama says I have to give it back when we get home.”

Jiyong smiled. “Your mom's right about that, but how about this?”

He took off the chain he was wearing and held it out to her. “May I?” he asked, looking at the parents. They both nodded, so Jiyong slipped the chain over the little girl's head. “There,” he said, “how does that feel?”

Haejin grinned at him and threw her tiny arms around his neck. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, hugging him tightly.

“You're welcome,” he said, patting her on the back. “Nice to meet you!”

Haejin walked away with her parents, clutching the chain with one small hand. Jiyong smiled and watched them disappear around the corner.

“Looks like you've got a thing for giving girls your jewelry.”

Jiyong turned around instantly. “How long have you been standing there?” he asked.

“Long enough,” Emily laughed, “but I couldn't interrupt such a precious meeting. She'll keep that necklace forever, you know.”

Jiyong pulled her into his arms and kissed her, causing the fans to erupt with cheers and applause.

“Ahem!”

Emily broke away and smiled. “Hello, Mr. Sagowa,” she said coyly.

“Welcome back to Seoul, Emily. Might I suggest we proceed back to the penthouse?”

“Feeling a little uncomfortable, Sagowa?” Jiyong teased.

“Hardly,” Sagowa sniffed. “I just think we've given your fans enough of an exhibition for one day.”

Emily glanced at the line of fans. “Hang on, why aren't they taking pictures or anything?” she wondered.

Jiyong took Emily's bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Let's call it… a gift,” he said, taking her hand.


******


Emily wiped her forehead and checked her list again. I still need a dress, flowers, a venue, food and a cake, she realized. She looked around her box-filled apartment and sighed. What I really need a miracle, she thought frustratedly.

There was a knock on the door and she sighed again before getting up to answer it.

“Emily!” Dami exclaimed. She threw her arms around her and gave her another of her breathless hugs.

“Dami? What are you doing here?” Emily wheezed.

“We wanted to come by and offer our help,” Han Bi said, following her daughter into the room. “Your wedding is in five weeks, yes?”

Emily nodded and looked around the room. “Yeah, and everything feels completely chaotic,” she said. “I just got to Seoul yesterday and I don't have anything I need for the wedding, and Jiyong's going on tour soon-”

“And we're here to help you,” Dami interrupted. “Why don't we help you tidy up, then we can go dress shopping?”

Emily nodded. “That's as good a place to start as any,” she said.

Dami and Han Bi quickly straightened up the apartment while Emily got a shower, then they headed out into the city. “Where do you want to look first?” Dami asked. “I know some designers who-”

Emily shook her head. “No offense, but I don't want anything couture,” she replied. “I want something simple and budget-friendly.”

“Isn't Jiyong paying for everything?”

“Yes, but that doesn't mean I should spend it,” Emily returned.

“Good girl,” Han Bi said approvingly. “I know a nice place nearby. Driver, take us to Blanche Neige.”

Blanche Neige turned out to be an elegant bridal shop tucked away in the southeastern part of the city. A saleswoman greeted them as they came in and took their coats. “Which of you is the bride?” she asked, hanging the coats on a rack.

“I am,” Emily said.

“American! We don't get too many of you in here,” she said delightedly. “What did you have in mind?”

“Something simple, maybe traditional,” she replied, “and not overly expensive.”

The saleswoman nodded. “We have a wide selection here,” she said, waving her hand at the dozens of dresses on display. “If I may ask, is your fianceé Korean?”

Emily nodded.

“Would you like a traditional Korean dress, or a traditional Western style?”

“Western, please,” she said, glancing at Han Bi as she spoke. She didn't seem offended by her choice, so Emily followed the saleswoman to the back of the store. The woman gave her a magazine and Emily quickly found several ones she liked. “I'll be right back,” the woman promised, disappearing around a corner.

“What did you ask for?” Dami asked, sitting beside her.

“Wait and see,” Emily replied. There was a strange feeling growing in the pit of her stomach, a dull ache that she hadn’t felt for months, but she tried to ignore it as the woman returned with several garment bags and took Emily into a spacious dressing room. “So, when's the wedding?” she asked cheerfully.

“In five weeks,” Emily replied. She lifted her arms as the saleswoman slipped the dress over her head. “What do you think?” she asked.

“Too sparkly,” Emily said immediately. “I don't want to be shedding glitter the whole time.”

She removed the dress and the saleswoman showed her several more, but none of them were right. Emily felt her frustration rise and she tried to calm down. It's only a dress, she reminded herself.

She allowed the saleswoman to slip the next dress over her head, then stared at herself in the mirror. It was a simple cut, with a snug bodice and a full skirt that ended at mid-calf. The straps were made of wide satin and crossed over each other on her exposed back.

“Beautiful,” the saleswoman breathed. “Shall we go to the three-way mirror?”

Emily nodded and the woman opened the door and led her out to the middle of the store.

“Wow!” Dami exclaimed as she stood on the pedestal in front of the mirror. “This is a great cut on you, Emily. It really shows off your back and your shoulders.”

“Very beautiful,” Han Bi agreed.

“Here we go,” the saleswoman said, tucking a veil onto Emily's head. “What do you think?”

Emily took one look in the mirror, felt her chin wobble, and burst into tears.

“Emily! What's the matter?” Dami asked in dismay. “Don't you like it?”

“Give us a moment, Dami,” Han Bi said, shooing them away. She came around and took Emily's hand. “I think I might know why you weep,” she murmured. “Is it because of your mother?”

Emily nodded and cried even harder.

“You poor thing,” Han Bi said compassionately. “Jiyong told me how you suffered when she died. No daughter should have to lose her mother so young.”

“She's supposed to be here, Han Bi!” she sobbed. “We were supposed to do this together!”

“I know, and I will make you this promise,” she whispered. “I may not be your mother, but soon you will be married to my son, and I will love you every bit as much as my own daughter. And no matter what happens, your mother is always with you, in your heart. She is here with us in this shop and she will be there on your wedding day, bursting with pride and happiness.”

The saleswoman brought over a box of tissues and Han Bi accepted it graciously. “We will honor your mother together,” she said, dabbing at Emily's cheeks. “Yes?”

Emy nodded and took a shuddering breath. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing Han Bi’s hand.

Han Bi motioned Dami back over and took a step back. “So, is this the dress?” she asked.

Emily took another look at her reflection. “Yes,” she whispered.

“Wonderful!” the saleswoman exclaimed. “A dazzling choice, miss. Would you like to schedule any fittings or alterations?”

“I can take care of that,” Dami said immediately.

The saleswoman helped Emily out of the dress and even recommended a beautiful gauzy veil to match. Soon they were back on the street and Emily held the garment bag close to her chest. “Thank you,” she said, “for going with me. Mandie won't be here until the week before, so I would've had to go alone.”

“You don't have to do any of this alone,” Dami replied, “and I mean anything. Have you and Jiyong discussed what will happen when he leaves?”

“I'll stay in Seoul and work,” she said, flagging down a taxi. “I need the time to learn and establish myself in the industry, and it will be easier for him to visit.”

They climbed into the taxi and Emily carefully laid the garment bag in her lap. “Where to?” the driver asked.

“Take us downtown,” Emily decided. “We've got a lot to do.”

Notes