#and my kid spontaneously woke up at 1 a.m.

[rose-tinted-nostalgia]

.

[losingitinjersey]

Happy Saturday!!!  And for those of you also fortunate to have Monday off, happy first day of the three day weekend! 

I had a great end to my week by having a spontaneous video chat with my bff thanks to the House Party app telling me she was “in the house” so I busted in and BOOM friend time.  Definitely fueled my soul in a way I didn’t know I needed. 

Our anniversary went well!  We didn’t end up buying anything because we kept talking ourselves out of everything. We’re thankfully in a position where there’s nothing we NEED and since there’s a good chance we’re moving in a year it felt unnecessary to buy something big now just to move it.  We almost bought a dresser for the guest room but 1) The guest room is already tight with things 2) No guests are coming any time soon thanks to COVID 3) It makes more sense to buy something when we know the layout of our next place.  Instead, we decided to get the art framed that I bought Kevin for his groom’s gift four years ago. But that involves the effort of going somewhere to have it done so maybe that won’t happen either.  

Regardless, it was a good day :) We ordered take-out and while I didn’t want to ruin my great keto efforts I got a salad even though it had all the carbs from apples, raisins and candied walnuts.  Oh well.  I’m glad I didn’t stress about it and I wasn’t surprised to see my weight increase the next day but I’m super glad to see it went right back down and then some today.  

Yesterday, erp and I went out on a walk but it was hotter out than I expected so about a mile in I googled if babies can be outside on a hot day and it informed me that you should refrain from doing so if it’s over 80. It was 84! Plus humidity!  We turned around immediately and the entire rest of the walk I was terrified that I had damaged my child. She had fallen asleep so I stopped every five steps to wake her ass up. She was frustrated with me but if I could see her eyes I felt better.  I realize I was spazzing out but my brain wouldn’t calm down.  Need to do more research about how to handle hot weather life with a kid.  I want to continue to be active outside with her but only if she’s safe.  Advice?  

ALSO - little one just woke up from a FOURTEEN hour sleep.  8 p.m. to 10 a.m.  Damn girl. Well done.  

[astarlightmonbebe]

80 Questions Tag

Tagged by Ayesh- @fantasymirror -thank you so much, looks like it’s a long one :)

What was your…

1. Last drink?

Milk

2. Last phone call?

My mom lol

3. Last text?

“You still haven’t taken your clothes lol”

--->My friend left a couple of her pairs of shorts over here and hasn’t taken them back for almost two weeks.

4. Last song

One More Light by Linkin Park

5. Last time you cried?

I think I got a little teary eyed when watching something a couple of days ago,,,now I can’t remember what it was-most likely writing or a kdrama-but it was midnight so... ^^

Have you ever…

6. Dated someone twice?

I’ve never dated anyone

7. Been cheated on?

Nope, for the previous reason

8. Kissed anyone and regretted it?

My cat.  His breath was realllly bad.

9. Lost someone special?

I guess I kind of had,,,

10. Been depressed?

I’ve been sad, but not depressed.

11. Been drunk and threw up?

The most alcohol I’ve ever had is the teaspoon amount for communion.

List your three favorite colors

12.  Blue 13.  Dust/Rose Pink 14.  Silver and Black

In the last year have you…

15. Made a new friend?

Yes!

16. Fallen out out of love?

Nope :)

17. Laughed so hard that you cried?

No, but I’ve laughed so hard that I basically choked and then another time I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe, so are those equivalents?

18.Met someone who changed you?

Yeah, I think so.

19. Found out who your true friends are?

Mmmm, a little bit, most of that was a while ago though.

20. Found out someone was talking about you?

No, not in that aspect haha.

21. Kissed anyone on your FB list?

No

22. How many people do you know on your FB list?

I assume FB is Facebook, which I don’t have.

Randoms

23. Do you have any pets?

I have three cats!!!  I love and adore them :)

24. Do you want to change your name

I like my name, except for the fact that I know a couple other people in my grade with the same name, so that can be inconvenient. 

25. What did you do for your last birthday party?

Sleepover where we stayed up for Exo and then fell asleep at five a.m.  This might be why we found Kokobop completely hilarious.

26. What time did you wake up this morning?

I woke up at like seven, but then I slept until 9:30.  I didn’t get out of bed until 10, though.  

27. What were you doing at midnight last night?

I was watching episode four of Uncontrollably Fond.

28. Something you can’t wait for?

GOT7 in less than ten days!!!!  Also my birthday.

29. Last time you saw your mother?

Around ten minutes ago.

30. One thing you wish you could change about your life?

Realistically, I have nothing I would really want to change.  I can’t imagine a reality I would really want other than the one I’m in.

31. What are you listening to right now?

Universe by Exo, it’s on my Youtube mix.

32. Have you ever talked to a Tom?

I knew a Tommy, but not a Tom.

33. What’s getting on your nerves right now?

There’s nothing I can think of at the moment.

34. Most viewed webpage?

Does Google Docs count?  Besides that, either Youtube or Ao3.

35. Nickname?

My two close friends call me E at times, but otherwise I don’t have one.  

36. Relationship status?  

Single pringle without plans to mingle.

37. Zodiac sign?

Cancer

38. College?

I don’t know, I’m not there yet.

39. Hair color?

Auburn

40. Long or short?

Long, to my waist.  I’ve never had it short, but it I ever got it cut, I think it would probably be shoulder length.

41. Height?

5′6

42. Do you have a crush on someone?

Not at the moment.

43. What do you like about yourself?

My hair haha.

44. Tattoos?

Nope

45. Right or left handed?

Leftie ^ ^

46. First piercing?

My ears, when I was eight.  It was my birthday present.

47. First best friend?

My sister, though we fought a lot when we were young, now we’re the best of friends.

48. First sport you joined?

I’ve never joined a sport.  Well, I guess I did ballet for two months when I was like six.

49. First vacation?

Williamsburg, my parents have pictures.

50. Eating?

I just ate.

51. Drinking?

Not at the moment.

52. About to?

Well, after this I’m going to work on my drafts and write.

53. Listening to?

...we just did this...anyways, now it’s Polaris by Nu’est W.

Your Future…

54. Want kids?

Yeah, two or three most likely.

55. Get married?

Yes, but not for a long while.

56. Career?

I want to be a writer.  If not a straight up novelist, at least something like journalism or whatever else there is, with noveling on the side. (I’m making that a word)

Which Is Better (in a significant other)?

57. Lips or eyes?

Eyes

58.Hugs or kisses?

Hugs, I think

59. Shorter or taller?

A little bit taller, or the same height.

60. Older or younger?

I would prefer someone of the same age, and if they are younger than me, then I want them born in the same year.  For older I would do only two or three years.

61. Romantic or spontaneous?

I don’t know?

62. Nice stomach or arms?

Stomach

63. Loud or sensitive?

Sensitive, I can’t have someone who is constantly loud.

64. Hook-up or relationship?

Relationship definitely, I’m not looking for one night stands or whatever.

65. Troublemaker or hesitant?

Can there be a balance?

Have You Ever…

66. Kissed a stranger?

Never

67. Drank hard liquor?

Nope

68. Lost glasses/contacts?

I don’t have any.

69. Had sex on the first date?

Never been on a date!

70. Broken someone’s heart?

Not that I’m aware of.

71. Been arrested?

Nope!

72. Turned someone down?

There’s never been anyone to turn down.

73. Cried when someone died?

Meh, I guess.

74. Fallen for a friend?

Uhhhh,,,kind of but it was like in sixth grade so I don’t really count in.

Do You Believe In…

75. Yourself?

Some of the time

76. Miracles?

If I ever see one ^ ^

77. Heaven?

Yeah

78. Santa Claus?

No, or at least not anymore.

79. Kisses on the first date?

That’s really a scenario question, but I don’t think I would do it unless the person is really something special.

I guess 80 is tags so~~~~~ @thepowerofanimu @str4y-k1ds @tolwenjun

[citious]

CHAPTER 5

Characters

Main: Yoon Jinmyung, Park Jaehwan, Jo Eun, Seo Janghoon

Supporting: Song Jiwon, Im Sungmin, Yoo Eunjae, Jo Chungwon

Note: If you haven’t read the previous chapters you may do so here –> Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 2.5, Chapter 3, Chapter 4

In a nutshell: Long-distance relationship is indeed a difficult obstacle to overcome, but what contributes to pass that hurdle? Yoon-sunbae, Jaehwan, Eun, and Janghoon will tell us how.

Rating: T

Belle Époque

18th February 2018

9.00 a.m.

Yoon-sunbae exited the bathroom, wearing a feminine sky-blue dress. She painted her face with light makeup and let her shoulder-length hair down. She approached the fridge to check the contents. Unlike the day before, the fridge was full with home-cooked food.

She smiled and pulled out some containers from the fridge to heat them up and went over to the kitchen island to transfer some kimbap rolls she personally made early in the morning into two separate containers. Her expression showed satisfaction

10.00 a.m.

As headed out of Belle Époque’s front door, she saw Eun coming out from the room downstairs, who was making her way out as carefully as possible.

Eun jumped in shock as she was Yoon-sunbae and said,

Eun: Yoon-sunbae, you scared me!

Jinmyung: What were you doing?

Eun who got asked that, put on an awkward expression while whispering something to Yoon-sunbae’s ear.

Flashback

Belle Époque

17th February 2018

11.25 p.m.

Eun curled up on her bed, looking sullen. She was staring at her blank phone screen when a call suddenly came in,

Janghoon: Eun-ah, what are you doing?

Eun replied right away,

Eun: Nothing. Why?

Janghoon: Wanna have some snacks downstairs?

Eun agreed willingly and said,

Eun: Eo, I’ll go down now

Janghoon: Okay!

When Eun went downstairs, Janghoon guided her to the small living room in his place.

Janghoon: Let’s eat tteokbokki together!

Janghoon handed over a pair of separated bamboo chopsticks to Eun. They both started eating with silence in the air. 

After a while, Janghoon opened a conversation,

Janghoon: Eun-ah…

Eun cut Janghoon’s words and said,

Eun: I know. Just keep eating.

Eun knew. She knew Janghoon was about to tell her that he’s returning the next day. So for about 10 minutes, Eun and Janghoon ate the spicy rice cake silently. 

Eun commented,

Eun: Aaah, so delicious!

Janghoon offered her a cup of water to wash down the heat from the spice. When he saw sauce smearing all over Eun’s lips, he chuckled to himself, 

Eun: Why?

Janghoon didn’t reply and kept laughing to himself

He took a ply of tissue to wipe the sauce off her lips, but their faces were too close for them to resist each other’s lips. 

Janghoon leaned forward to kiss Eun, but Eun retracted shortly. Janghoon was confused, so he asked,

Janghoon: Is something wrong?

Eun didn’t respond to Janghoon’s question.

Janghoon who felt that something must be wrong, pulled Eun towards his body to hug her tightly. He knew all too well that Eun will miss him so much after he returns to the base.

Without notice, Janghoon carried Eun to his bed, thinking Eun might feel better if she was lying down.

Despite Janghoon’s height that’s a little shorter than Eun, he’s strong. Eun was a bit startled at Janghoon’s spontaneous act, but it all faded when she was lying on Janghoon’s soft mattress. 

The two lied down to cuddle and Eun said,

Eun: Seo Janghoon.

Janghoon: Hm?

Eun: Promise me.

Eun continued,

Eun: Promise me you’ll never forget to call me once a week. Promise me to not drool over girl group members who come to perform at the army base. Arasseo?

Janghoon who heard Eun’s cute request, just laughed and didn’t comment anything to Eun’s remarks. 

To this, Eun responded,

Eun: Why are you not saying anything?

Janghoon: Aigoo aigoo… Yes, Ma’am! PRIVATE SEO-JANG-HOON WILL ACCEPT AND EXECUTE YOUR REQUESTS.

Eun smiled brightly when Janghoon replied in his military speech style. Eun who already got comfortable with the position that she’s in, asked,

Eun: Can I sleep here just for tonight?

Janghoon was surprised to hear Eun’s question, but he replied open-endedly with a hint of shyness,

Janghoon: Well… If you want and are sure….

Eun closed her eyes to sleep, while Janghoon held her in his arms.

Janghoon murmured to himself,

Janghoon: Right. Let’s spend the night together just once.

Truthfully, Janghoon also felt extremely sad when he had to leave Eun alone for his departure to the base 5 months ago, but he kept it to himself until he even had to shed his tears during showers so that his fellow army mates wouldn’t notice that he was crying.

The thought that he had to leave Eun for the second time felt even harder, but the last 4 days that he spent with Eun – from their sweet date riding the Ferris-wheel, getting themselves a couple necklace, and now, cuddling together to sleep on his last day in Seoul, are all precious. 

It made Janghoon even surer that his feelings for Eun is only going to get stronger when he’s away later.

To end his midnight thoughts, Janghoon adjusted his position and tightened his embrace on Eun, before kissing Eun’s forehead sweetly to wish her goodnight.

Seoul Train Station

11.35 a.m.

Yoon-sunbae was waiting inside the train station to pick Jaehwan up from his train journey from Busan. 

She texted him earlier,

As Yoon-sunbae could see a tall and handsome figure in front of her, she approached and gave him a light peck before wrapping each other’s arms to walk out of the station.

Jaehwan voluntarily took the paper bags that Yoon-sunbae were carrying and asked,

Jaehwan: So, we’re going for a picnic date?

Yoon-sunbae nodded,

Jaehwan looked at the contents inside the bags and wondered,

Jaehwan: wow… you prepared all these by yourself?

Jinmyung: Eo. I woke up at 6 today to prepare all these… You’d better eat them all! Well actually, some of them are from my mom, so…

Jaehwan: Mom? You went to see her?

Jinmyung: Yup, I went home yesterday.

Jaehwan: That’s great!... Jinmyung-ah, can I ask you something?

Yoon-sunbae thought for a while first and suggested,

Jinmyung: Let’s head over to the park and talk about it over there.

Jaehwan agreed with ease on that one.

Yoon-sunbae and Jaehwan chose Banpo Hangang Park as their picnic destination. 

The view from that park was nice as they could see Namsan Tower, The Hill and Seoul Cityscape all at once.

As they sat down on the picnic mat, Jaehwan helped Yoon-sunbae to unpack the food that she brought. Yoon-sunbae asked,

Jinmyung: So, what did you wanna ask me?

Jaehwan: When… are you going to introduce me to your mom?

Yoon-sunbae looked down and smiled a little,

Jinmyung: Why?

Jaehwan: Well… you know, we’ve been together for a while now and I wanna get to know your mom more than just hearing her from your stories.

Jinmyung: Hm…. Good news, then. My mom also wants to meet up with you soon.

Jaehwan smiled sweetly and hugged Yoon-sunbae before suggesting,

Jaehwan: what about next month? When I visit you next?

Yoon-sunbae sulked a little when Jaehwan said ‘next month’ was going to be his visit. ‘1 month is a long time,’ Yoon-sunbae thought to herself. Jaehwan noticed Yoon-sunbae’s expression and said,

Jaehwan: Jinmyung-ah, how?

Yoon-sunbae came back to her senses and smiled while replying,

Jinmyung: Of course, let’s set the date!

Yoon-sunbae took a roll of cut kimbap and fed it into Jaehwan’s mouth.

Jaehwan: Hm! It’s yummy! Yeokshi, you’re so reliable.

Jaehwan complimented Yoon-sunbae’s kimbap making skills to cheer her up a little. He continued to try the side dishes that Yoon-sunbae’s mom cooked, and his eyes widened in wonder,

Jaehwan: Wah… your mom is an amazing cook! Did her skills pass down to you?

Jaehwan teased Yoon-sunbae and laughed as he realized how cringe-worthy his statement was.

Jinmyung: By the way, how’s the restaurant doing?

Jaehwan: Well, it’s doing pretty well. We have a lot of customers coming in every day, and nice words have spread about the restaurant for the handsome chef who cooks the menu.

Yoon-sunbae hit Jaehwan’s shoulder as she heard his over-confident statement, but he’s not exactly wrong, though… because he really is handsome to the point that somewhere deep inside her, she’s scared that another woman might take Jaehwan from her. 

Jaehwan uttered,

Jaehwan: Jinmyung-ah, I have something I wanted to tell you. Well, I’ve had this thought for quite some time now, but I think it’s best that I tell you now.

As Jaehwan completed his sentence, Yoon-sunbae’s heart suddenly pounded uncontrollably. She thought, 'is he gonna propose?’ but she tried not to show any excitement on her face and answered back coolly,

Jinmyung: what is it?

Jaehwan: I…

Yoon-sunbae’s expression got more serious as she tried to hold her anticipation.

 Jaehwan continued,

Jaehwan: I want to…

Just then, Yoon-sunbae couldn’t hold herself anymore and blurted,

Jinmyung: Yes, I do!

Jaehwan who didn’t understand what Yoon-sunbae was talking about, asked,

Jaehwan: Do what?

Yoon-sunbae had so many question on her mind as she replied,

Jinmyung: Weren’t you going to… propose???

Jaehwan had a good laugh and said,

Jaehwan: Hahaha, I’m so sorry… but that wasn’t what I was about to tell you.

Right at that time, Yoon sunbae could feel her cheeks getting hotter and it turned so red that it could pass as a boiled shrimp.

Jinmyung: Then what was it?!

Jaehwan: I’m planning to move back to Seoul. In June. I’m setting up a restaurant business with a colleague of mine who’s an investor mainly in publishing, but he offered me this amazing opportunity, so I think I’m gonna go for it. What do you think?

Yoon-sunbae whose cheeks were red in embarrassment, suddenly blanked out and responded,

Jinmyung: Jaehwan-ssi, are you not kidding me?

Jaehwan: Of course not. Why would I lie about such things?

It was such a good news for Yoon-sunbae. It was even more ideal than getting proposed right at that point. To properly answer Jaehwan’s question, Yoon-sunbae replied,

Jinmyung: I’m absolutely behind you back for this one. I’m putting on my full support for you.

Jaehwan’s lips stretched widely as he heard Yoon-sunbae’s reply. There’s a reason why he agreed to open his own restaurant in Seoul .Well, number one is because he wanted to make his own authentic menu and build freedom in his own kitchen kingdom, but there is one core reason underlying that – he wanted to bring his relationship with Yoon-sunbae to the next level.

Belle Époque

9.56 a.m.

Eun opened her eyes as she woke up from her good and long sleep. She noticed that the room she woke up at wasn’t hers. 

After a while, she remembered telling Janghoon that she wanted to sleep with him for the last time before he returns to the base.

Eun looked right and left, but couldn’t find Janghoon anywhere, so she headed out from Janghoon’s place to go back to her room upstairs. 

She didn’t want to be found out by anyone that she spent the night at Janghoon’s, so she carefully watched her way out.

As she closed the door and turned her back to climb the stairs, she got scared by Yoon-sunbae’s presence who looked extra pretty that morning.

Yoon-sunbae asked her what she was doing, and Eun made a white lie to save herself,

Eun: I was just checking whether Janghoon was home, I wanted to go ask him out for lunch before he goes.

Jinmyung: oooh… really? Is he inside?

Eun shook her head to respond Yoon-sunbae.

Eun: By the way, why are you dressed so prettily like that?

Jinmyung: Aah, Jaehwan-ssi is coming to Seoul today, so we’re gonna go on a picnic date.

Eun: Ah, that’s right! How can I forget about that, you told me about it before last Friday when we met outside the courtyard. Arasseo-yo! Have fun! Please tell chef-nim I said Hi.

Jinmyung: Eo, thank you. If you see Janghoon, tell him I say goodbye, ok?

Yoon-sunbae made her way out of Belle Époque and Eun exclaimed,

Eun: Arasseo-yo. Bye! Be careful on your way!

As Eun saw Yoon-sunbae disappearing from her sight, she touched her heart and sighed in relief.

Come to think of it, Eun still wondered, ‘where is Seo Janghoon?’

Before giving up to return to the share house upstairs, someone shouted Eun’s name. She knew whose voice it was. Janghoon’s.

Janghoon: Eun-ah!

As Eun turned back, she could see Janghoon holding a few plastic bags. She asked,

Eun: What are those bags?

Janghoon: These? I just went to the market to buy some ingredients to make lunch.

Eun: Make lunch? You can cook?

Janghoon felt a little offended, but he didn’t take it seriously,

Janghoon: Eo, of course I can. How do you think I survived all these time living alone downstairs? And do you know we have cooking duties at the army base? One of the reasons why I got awarded this precious holiday is because of my cooking. My seniors loved it so much.

Eun who just found out about Janghoon’s hidden talent, nodded in acknowledgement,

Eun: Arasseo. So, what are we having for lunch?

Janghoon replied with a smile,

Janghoon: Budae-jjigae

Eun scoffed after hearing Janghoon’s reply,

Eun: Yeokshi. What else can you cook

Janghoon, who felt irritated, ruffled Eun’s hair and said,

Janghoon: Euuugh, is that what you have to say to your boyfriend who’s returning to his base in a couple of hours? Let’s go!

Eun who heard Janghoon’s sensitive reply, commented while laughing,

Eun: I know I know, I was just joking!

As the atmosphere brightened, the two went inside Janghoon’s place to start cooking.

Eun helped Janghoon unpack the ingredients from the plastic bags. Her eyes widened as the things she took out from the bags didn’t seem to come to an end. Eun blurted,

Eun: Why are there some many things in here? How can you remember all these ingredients?

Janghoon: Why? Are you amazed?

Eun scoffed,

Eun: ANI! Why do you have to answer it like that?

Janghoon was taken aback and said,

Janghoon: Eun-ah… what’s wrong with you today?

Eun didn’t say anything and proceeded to the basin to wash the ingredient she took out.

Honestly, she couldn’t stop thinking about having to say goodbye with Janghoon in a few hours-time. She wanted to stop the time so badly, but she knew it’s impossible.

As the air was silent and both Eun and Janghoon kept quiet, Eun took a kitchen knife to cut some sausages, spam, raw vegetables, and spices for the stew. Her mind was still overwhelmed by the idea of farewell. She hated separation ever since she was young. Learning how her parents separated really traumatized Eun until now that she’s become a college student.

Eun suddenly hissed in pain as she accidentally cut her left thumb while chopping off the sausages. Janghoon who thankfully was paying attention to Eun, deftly took the first aid kit to apply some ointment and paste a plaster around Eun’s lean thumb. Eun couldn’t stand the mixture of feelings inside her and started crying. Her face was red.

Looking at this, Janghoon consoled Eun,

Janghoon: Eun-aaaah…. Be careful next time, okay? And I know you’re sad too for having to say goodbye to me. I’m sorry okay I was a little harsh on you earlier.

Eun’s sob subsided as she heard Janghoon’s comforting words.

Janghoon: Now can you wait and sit on the chair over there until I finish cooking this?

Eun nodded in response as she still didn’t have the energy to produce a sound due to the lump she felt in her throat.

In about 30 minutes, Janghoon turned off the boiling hot pot of Budae-jjigae that he successfully cooked. He tasted his cooking with a spoon and let go a sigh of satisfaction and praised himself,

Janghoon: Ahhhh, it’s perfect!

He grabbed the pot handles with a pair of mittens and brought it to the dining table. He set up the table with two bowls and two pairs of cutlery before joining Eun who was waiting since her thumb got cut.

Janghoon instructed,

Janghoon: Eun-ah, take some!

Eun scooped down the stew that was filled with numerous ingredients with a ladle and transferred it to Janghoon’s bowl first, before taking her share.

As Eun tasted the dish, her facial expression lightened up and Janghoon who noticed it smiled and started eating his own share.

Janghoon: Is it good?

Eun swallowed whatever was inside her mouth and said,

Eun: Eo. It’s amaaazing.

Inside, Janghoon felt really happy and proud that his food can bring his girlfriend happiness. ‘Yeokshi, food is the medicine to a girl’s sorrow.’

Janghoon realized how much he’s learnt about relationship, despite it being his first relationship and the fact that he had to be away from Eun to serve in the military. But without long-distance relationship as an obstacle, he wouldn’t be able to cherish every second that was given for him to return from the base.

There was one thing Janghoon wanted to tell Eun before going,

Janghoon: Eun-ah,

Eun who was slurping the tasty soup, looked up at Janghoon who called her,

Eun: Why?

Janghoon: I only want to tell you this before I go.

Eun’s gaze was still locked at Janghoon.

Janghoon: Please be a strong woman. I want to you be strong as long-distance relationship and not being able to see me whenever you want to will be a difficult hurdle to jump over. 

I want you to be strong if anyone ever hurts your feelings. I know all too well how you can put on a straight face when in fact your heart is torn into pieces. 

And I want you to be strong, in protecting the key to my heart, because without that, I wouldn’t be able to return back to you.

Eun’s eyes that still felt sore were suddenly teary again, but this time, she openly wiped it with a ply of tissue and tried to control herself. Eun then replied,

Eun: Ya Seo Janghoon. I can’t believe you can make a girl cry like this… I’ll do it. I’ll be a strong woman. But don’t you forget what you promised me, okay? What did you promise? Do you even remember???

Janghoon chuckled and pretended to forget.

Janghoon: … what were they? Uhm… aish I can’t remember.

Eun who thought Janghoon was being real, almost hit him with the back of her spoon, but before she could hit him, Janghoon shielded himself and said,

Janghoon: Call you every week and not to drool over girl group members. I remember it all, Eun-ah.

Eun repelled her motion and put the spoon down as she heard Janghoon’s answer.

As they both finished eating, Janghoon and Eun parted ways for them to get ready. 

Eun wanted to properly send him off this time. She’s not going to repeat the same mistake by staying cool like the last time.

Eun: I’ll come down when I’m ready

Janghoon: Okay. See you!

As the door closed behind Eun, she ran upstairs to pick her favorite outfit.

Jiwon and Eunjae who were enjoying the food that Jiwon’s parents delivered the day before, had their eyes on Eun who seemed to be ecstatic.

Jiwon asked eunjae a random question,

Jiwon: What date is it today?

Eunjae peeked at her phone before she answered,

Eunjae: 18 February.

Jiwon: 18 February… 18 February?!

Eunjae nodded.

Jiwon: Isn’t Janghoon supposed to return to his base today?

Eunjae: Oh ya! How can I forget about that?

Jiwon: But how strange, how come Eun looked so cheerful?

Eunjae who wondered the same thing, shrugged and shook her head at the same time.

Jiwon and Eunjae got shocked when Eun suddenly barged out of her room, asking,

Eun: Jiwon-sunbae, Eunjae-ya… Do you want to come and accompany me to send Janghoon off?

Jiwon and Eunjae shared a glance and Jiwon said in a shock state,

Jiwon: Eo… alright, I’ll go I’ll go

Eun looked over to Eunjae and expected an answer from her,

Eunjae: Yeah… I’ll go too.

Eun looked excited as Jiwon and Eunjae agreed.

At Belle Époque’s Courtyard

12.45 p.m.

Jiwon, Eunjae and Eun went out of the main door and saw Janghoon who was ready with his bulky army backpack, dressed in his army uniform plus cap, and not to forget - the lock necklace was there, hanging under his shirt. 

Seeing this, Jiwon teased Eun,

Jiwon: Oooo, Seo Janghoon! I didn’t know you can look this cool! Eun-ah, don’t you want to kiss this boyfriend of yours every single second?

Eun who got embarrassed, said shyly,

Eun: Aniyo, Jiwon-sunbae. Please stop it!

Janghoon looked at the digital watch he was wearing on his left wrist and said,

Janghoon: Alright, let’s go! I’ll be punished if I don’t arrive by 3 p.m. today.

Janghoon reached his hand over to Eun, while Eun offered her other hand to Jiwon and Eunjae. The 4 people walked hand-in-hand as farewell this time was full of light-heartedness.

Army Bus Depot

1.10 p.m.

As Janghoon sat on the bus seat near the window, he opened the window to kiss Eun for the last time.

Jiwon and Eunjae who witnessed the scene could only imagine themselves doing it with their own partners – Sungmin and Chungwon.

Suddenly, Jiwon and Eunjae stared at each other. They couldn’t believe the crazy thought they both had in mind. They wanted to persuade their boyfriends to go to the army. Just to get the bus kiss.

As the bus went off, Eun waved goodbye at Janghoon. Jiwon and Eunjae did the same from behind.

Han River

6.22 p.m.

Yoon-sunbae and Jaehwan were having their final stroll around the Han River banks. The location was originally where many couple have their dates too, and it’s their turn to be like those other couples.

Jinmyung: Jaehwan-ssi…

Jaehwan looked over to Yoon-sunbae as she called his name,

Jaehwan: Hm?

Jinmyung: I know I shouldn’t be thinking about this, but I can’t help but to do so, because we rarely see each other.

Jaehwan: What is it?

After pausing for a while, Yoon-sunbae said whatever was inside her mind.

Jinmyung: Have your heart wavered for someone else besides me?

Suddenly, Jaehwan stopped walking. He was quite startled at Yoon-sunbae’s honest query, but he knew exactly what his feelings were.

Yoon-sunbae turned back to see Jaehwan who was standing before her. She waited patiently to get an answer from Jaehwan. 

She wanted to know his answer because whatever it is will determine whether she can trust him to be her lifetime companion.

As Yoon-sunbae and Jaehwan both looked into each other’s eyes, Jaehwan explained,

Jaehwan: Jinmyung-ah, I understand where you’re coming from. I know our long-distance relationship makes you worried a lot, but I just want you to know that there’s no other woman who can make my heart waver besides you.

I have to admit how many times the customers in my restaurant have tried to get close to me purposely, but I always rejected them and said “I have a woman that I love back in Seoul.” 

Some of them even left negative reviews about the restaurant because of that. But I personally don’t mind that a lot, because I think it’s the right thing to do.

I love you. And I always will.

Yoon-sunbae almost shed tears as she heard Jaehwan’s words, but she kept it in.

For once, the suppressed anger and confusion that she had towards the long-distance relationship with Jaehwan subdued. 

From then on, she knew that the relationship wasn’t just about mutual love, but it’s also about trust and commitment.

Jinmyung: Arasseo-yo, Jaehwan-ssi, and thank you. It must’ve been equally difficult for you too. Being away from me, although Busan and Seoul aren’t that far away.

I’m so sorry that I’ve been selfish all these time. You were the one who always visit me in Seoul, and I never once had the initiative to visit you in Busan. I know I should be happy that you’re going to move back here in a few months, but I don’t know how I can repay you back, Jaehwan-ssi-

All of a sudden, Yoon-sunbae couldn’t hold her tears anymore. Her tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to explain her complicated heart.

Jaehwan who watched Yoon-sunbae from the start, pulled her tight in his warm embrace and let the chilly night breeze of Han River calm the sorrow of his love’s heart.

Seoul Train Station

7.22 p.m.

Yoon-sunbae and Jaehwan are at the station. They were ready to say goodbye to one another, but this time, Yoon-sunbae was sure that she didn’t have to worry about her situation anymore. Everything was all clear, and she trusted Jaehwan fully.

Announcement: Passengers heading to Busan, please board the train through platform 3. Thank you.

As Jaehwan and Yoon-sunbae heard the call, Jaehwan pulled Yoon-sunbae closer for a quick peck, before he waved goodbye and uttered his parting words,

Jaehwan: I’m going first. I’ll miss you a lot. See you!

Those words of goodbye were short and sweet, but it gave Yoon-sunbae the assurance that they were gonna meet again in the future.

University Newspaper Club

Friday, 28th February 2018

2.10 p.m.

Jiwon was sitting beside Sungmin in the club room. Sungmin was trying to focus on the planning of the first quarterly newsletter of the year that will be published at the end of next month, but Jiwon’s presence hindered him from focusing.

It’s not because he couldn’t control himself from not kissing her or to simply stare at her, but Jiwon was back being herself. Completely.

Since the morning, Jiwon had been following Sungmin everywhere. She even followed him to the bathroom when he had to answer the call of nature.

Outside the restroom…

Sungmin: Jiwon-ah, why are you following me even here?!

Jiwon: Why? Why can’t I?

Sungmin: It’s seriously so weird. Please go back to the office. It won’t take long.

Jiwon: Aaaaanggg, Sungmin-ah…

Sungmin tried to ignore her to go inside the restroom, thinking that Jiwon wouldn’t follow him inside, but she did, so Sungmin headed out of the restroom and scolded,

Sungmin: Jiwon-ah. Please. It’s urgent.

Jiwon: Why can’t I follow you? I’ve seen you without anything anyway.

Sungmin: Aish!

Just then, Sungmin’s life was saved when a group of guys went inside the restroom, and Sungmin followed through. He could see Jiwon’s lips putting in disappointment.

Sungmin knew Jiwon wanted to tell him something, but he couldn’t understand why she couldn’t just say it.

At the office table…

Sungmin: Why do you keep looking at me like that? I can’t focus

Jiwon: Sungmin-ah

Sungmin: Hm? Why?

Jiwon: Can’t you go to the army?

Sungmin: What? What are you talking about? Why all of a sud-

Before he could finish his words, something came up on his mind,

Sungmin: Why? Are you tired of me already? Are you bored seeing my face already?

Jiwon shook her head.

Sungmin: Then what? Why, Jiwon-ah?

Just the, Chungwon who’s been listening in to their conversation, jumped in,

Chungwon: Isn’t it because of the bus kiss?

Sungmin who knew nothing about it, asked,

Sungmin: Bus kiss?! What the hell is that?

Chungwon: You know, hyung. It’s that cheesy thing guys do with their girlfriends before they go off to the army. They kiss their girlfriends through the bus window.

Jiwon nodded and her eyes widened.

Sungmin understood Chungwon’s explanation, but he was curious,

Sungmin: but by the way, Chungwon… you... how do you know about all these?

Chungwon sighed.

Chungwon: Because Eunjae asked me the same thing.

Hearing that, Sungmin shook his head in disbelief, but inside, he was dying of Jiwon’s cuteness. He asked Jiwon to come out for a while with a hand signal.

Outside the office…

Sungmin: is it that? You want me to go to the army because of that cheesy bus kiss?

Jiwon: what do you mean, cheesy? It’s so romantic.

Sungmin couldn’t help but smile.

Sungmin: Hey. Don’t you forget that I’m your boyfriend already? If you want to kiss me, do it, then... I thought you were always that forward.

Jiwon: I know, but it’s different.

At that moment, Sungmin sighed and grabbed Jiwon’s hand to go back to the office.

3.42 p.m.

Sungmin went home together with Jiwon. This time, they took the bus together. It was the first time, but Sungmin wanted to feel how Jiwon goes to and off campus to Belle Époque. 

Since the bus also goes to his apartment too, Jiwon told Sungmin that he didn’t have to walk her home. 

As Jiwon alighted at the bus stop to Belle Époque, she waved goodbye at Sungmin.

Just before the bus went off, Sungmin asked the driver to hold on for a while. He sled the bus window on the right side and shouted,

Sungmin: Jiwon-ah!

Jiwon who heard Sungmin’s voice, looked back.

Sungmin: Come here!

Jiwon who thought maybe she forgot something, ran back to towards the bus. 

But suddenly, Sungmin protruded his head out of the window and said,

Sungmin: This is what you want, right?

Jiwon smiled and tip-toed to touch her lips on Sungmin’s. They closed their eyes for a while and felt each other’s soft lips before the driver spoke loudly,

Driver: Young man, are you done with your business?

Sungmin who heard the driver’s words, quickly finished his job, and he waved goodbye at Jiwon once more before the bus started accelerating.

Jiwon who couldn’t believe Sungmin just fulfilled her dream kiss, grinned while touching her lips.

Back at the bus, he felt relieved for accomplishing Jiwon’s wish, but there’s one thing he didn’t realize.

His kiss with Jiwon went viral on the internet the next day, as a few passengers and people who were waiting at the bus stop took the video of the heartfelt sight. It was since then known as the ‘nation’s bus kiss’.

Glossary

Budae-jjigae = Army Base Stew

Spam = Canned ham

Thanks for reading.

Read the next chapter:

Chapter 6

[virusmnd]

60 truths tag

thank you @count-spookula

Nickname: Virus/Matt

Bias: Seungjun for kpop but lots of others for other things

Blood Type: B+ I believe if not its B something

Relationship Status: Single

Birthday: November 14

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Pronouns: He/Him

Hair Length: Currently around 7inches or so

Height: 5′8′’

A crush: No one in particular

What do you like about yourself: I guess my kind heart

Right or left handed: Right, but use both for different things

List three favorite colors: Teal, pruples, reds

Right now eating: nothing I am busy cleaning

Right now drinking: also nothing

I’m about to: Clean more

Listening to: Hellevator, stray kids

Kids: One day I would like to have some

Get married: Hopefully

Recent phone call: My aunt

Have you ever dated someone twice: Nope

Been cheated on: Yes

Kissed someone and regretted it: Yes..

Lost someone special: Yeah many times

Been depressed: Yeah

Been drunk and thrown up: Not thrown up but yes drunk

Had glasses or contacts: I wore glasses from 2nd grade till about 7th

Had sex on a first date: Yes

Broken someone’s heart: Probably

Turned someone down: Yes

Cried when someone died: Yes

Fallen for a friend: a couple times

In the last year have you made a new friend: I make new friends often but theres a only a few that I keep around

Fallen out of love: Yeah

Laughed until you cry: Many times

Met someone who changed you: All the time

Found out who your true friends were: Yes

Found out someone was talking about you: I mean this is a given

Lips or eyes: Eye, but I like lips about the same

Hugs or kisses: Kisses

Shorter or taller: Doesn’t matter to me

Romantic or spontaneous: Depends on the person but I like spontaneous a little more

Sensitive or loud: Both for sure

Hookup or relationship: Relationship

First best friend: Paul from like kindergarten

Surgery: Nope

Sports: Soccer, volleyball

Do you believe in yourself: I try to a lot

Miracles: Yeah I guess

Love at first sight: Not love but lust maybe

Heaven: I don’t believe in it, but I like learning about different versions of it

Do you have any pets: 1 dog with me and 2 that stay with my father

Do you want to change your name: Sometimes I do, but I like my name

What did you do for your last birthday: I had to work 

What time did you wake up today: 10-11 a.m.

What were you doing last night at midnight: Watching Life is Beautiful with friends after playing Overwatch

Something you can’t wait for: Peace

Last time you saw your mom: When I woke up before she left for a few days

What is the one think you wish you could change about your life: Things that are impossible to change sadly.

What’s getting on your nerves: Nothing unless something comes up but it takes a lot to get on my nerves

Tag time: @onthehuntforthatbooty @poosepics @sippinthat-xo @reneexoxo1 @whattheheckareyoutwerkingabout @mx-raven-angel @wow-a-mystical-bean @lets-make-bad-decisions-and-kpop @artsychi @jiluan @fy-kihyun @kittyminhyuk @fy-knk

[starsinursa]

Shout-out to @saminzat for tagging me! Like I needed an excuse to waste time. ;)

LAST

1) Drink:  Coffee... it’s like 10 p.m. at night, but I’m trying to stay awake to finish some work from the office (and yet I’m on tumblr doing this quiz instead, oops).

2) Phone call: A coworker called me so I’d have her new phone number.

3) Text message:  “FYI, they don’t give you the money right back, you have to wait 4 - 6  WEEKS for a check in the mail, uggggh”. I bailed the same coworker out of jail about three months ago and went to the city municipal court today to get the bail money back... turns out things aren’t that simple.

4) Song listened to:  Umm...so I’ve been listening to the Moana soundtrack pretty much non-stop for the last week. :D

5) Time you cried:  A couple of weeks ago, reading the fic “Cursed or Not” for the first time (hey, you get to chapter 18 and try not to ugly cry, okay?).

HAVE YOU EVER

6) Dated somebody twice:  Yep. Good ol’ high school.

7) Been cheated on:  Not that I know of.

8) Kissed someone and regretted it:  Yep. Good ol’ college.

9) Lost someone special:  Yes, a couple of times.

10) Been depressed:  Yep, special shout-out to my Prozac and Wellbutrin, love you guys. ;)

11) Gotten drunk and puked:  Yes, a few times, unfortunately. Again, good ol’ college (although I can’t use that excuse for the last time because I had already graduated... to whomever had to clean out that train car up in Minneapolis, MN, about 2.5 years ago: I am so, so sorry, I’ve learned my lesson about taking it easy on the Everclear, you have every right to hate me).

THREE FAVOURITE COLOURS

12) Green

13) Purple

14) Blue

IN THE LAST YEAR YOU HAVE YOU

15) Made new friends:  Kind of? Do work friends count? 

16) Fallen out of love:  Nah, gotta be in love for that

17) Laughed until you cried:  Yes, most recently was while watching “Impractical Jokers” with my aunt (they took a guy who is terrified of cats and made him teach an improv “how to bond with your cat” class, okay, I found it hilarious as a cat-owner).

18) Found out someone was gossiping about you:  Yeah, there’s a lot of gossip about everyone at my second job. Look, I’m sorry I go through all the water bottles, okay? I drink a lot of water...

19) Met someone who changed your life:  Not anyone specific in the last year that I can think of...

20) Found out who your true friends are: Meh. I’ve always kinda known.

21) Kissed someone on your Facebook list:  Nah

HOW MANY/MUCH

22) Facebook friends:  256

23) Pets:  Two! One dog, one cat, the best of both worlds.

24) Want to change your name:  Nah, I like my name.

WHAT

25) Did I get for my birthday:  Books, I always ask for books.

26) Time I woke up:  Around 8:30 a.m. this morning

27) Were you doing at midnight: Probably surfing tumblr, tbh, I am sadly predictable

28) Can’t you wait for: MY VACATION THIS NEXT WEEK

29) Was the last time you saw your mom:  A couple of weeks ago when I went home for a dentist appointment

30) Is something you wish you could change about your life:  I need to buckle down and really focus on paying off a couple of bills. It helps having a second job, but I’m just so impatient.

31) Are you listening to right now:  Nothing at the mo

32) Gets on your nerves:  Whiners. Don’t get me wrong, I love to bitch and complain as much as the next person, but people who blame the world/ everyone else for their problems? Just....yeah.

33) Talked to a person named Tom:  ...this question doesn’t make any sense. “What - talked to a person named Tom”? Also, no, I know several Tims, but no Toms.

34) Is your most visited website:  Pffft, tumblr, of course, is that even a real question

35) Elementary school/primary school:  [Name of my hometown] Elementary School

36) High School:  [Name of my hometown] Jr./ Sr. High School

37) College:  I’ve already mentioned in a couple of posts where I went to college, so I guess I’ll just say it: Kansas State University. EMAW!

38) Hair colour:  Dark brown

39) Long/short hair:  Long! It’s currently the longest it’s ever been in my entire life, I’m so excited (although holy shit, I shed a lot).

40) Crush:  Nah, not for a while. I creeped on a cute security guard a few months ago, but he turned out to be a jerk with a classic “crazy ex-girlfriend” (I put that part in quotation marks because I have no idea if she’s actually ‘crazy’ but he kept insisting she was...which is, just, y’know, a red flag on his part).

41) Do you like about yourself:  I’m actually pretty fond of my hair now, after a lifelong love/hate relationship. I also like to think I’m okay at singing sometimes.

42) Piercings: None at the moment, actually

43) Blood type: A+

44) Nickname: My family has always called me “Foo” (as in, “little bunny foo-foo”)

45) Relationship status:  Single, ayyyyy

46) Zodiac: Leo (pffft, but not really)

47) Pronouns: She/her

48) Favourite show: Supernatural (of course!), Psych, Once Upon a Time, Firefly, Scrubs, Nikita, Game of Thrones

49) Tattoos: None. I’m too fickle, I’d get one and then change my mind two weeks later.

50) Left or right handed: Right

FIRST

51) Surgery:  I had my tonsils out when I was 17 thanks to multiple bouts with strep throat. Oh my god, never wait until you’re that old to get your tonsils removed, it was absolute hell. 

52) Piercings: My ears. If we’re talking unusual piercings, I had a “nape piercing” for a while in high school.

53) Best friend:  Probably my cousin Kayla, since we grew up together

54) Sport:  I played softball for several years as a kid, until I got a bloody nose when the ball hit me in the face. Then I had to quit because I was gun-shy. To this day, I’m still afraid of balls flying at my face (hehehe).

55) Vacation:  I visited my dad in San Diego, CA for a week when I was ten years old

56) Pair of shoes:  First pair of shoes? I don’t know, I was a baby. Probably some over-priced cutesy pair that never even got any use because I was a baby.

RIGHT NOW

57) Eating: Spicy Doritos

58) Drinking:  Still drinking coffee

59) I am about to:  Sort through my tumblr “Saved Drafts” and add tags for everything, then try to get some writing done

60) Listening to:  Nothing at the mo (this is the same question at #31?)

61) Waiting for:  Saturday when I leave for vacation! *o*

62) Want to see: Honestly can’t think of anything. I’d like to watch Moana again but it’s not on DVD yet?

63) Want to get married:  Sure, someday

64) Career:  Human services/ social work-ish? Basically, I work at a non-profit agency helping adults with developmental/ intellectual disabilities to get/ maintain services. Oh, and I also have a part-time job at an adult store. Gotta make ends meet, y’know.

WHICH IS BETTER

65) Hugs/kisses:  Really depends on who they’re from. Probably hugs for the most part. :)

66) Lips/eyes: Aaagh, I don’t know... I love gorgeous eyes, but I also love me some tasty lips... y’know what, I’m gonna go with lips. Yep.

67) Taller/shorter:  Taller

68) Younger/older: Older

69) Romantic/spontaneous:  I can be romantic when I have someone to be romantic for, but I’m not the most spontaneous. :D Like, let’s just stick to the PLAN, okay?

70) Nice arms/nice stomach: Arms. I like squishy cuddly tummies anyways.

71) Sensitive/loud: ...I don’t know. Sensitive, I guess, because being around loud people wears me out pretty quickly. But sensitivity needs to have limits too...

72) Hookup/relationship:  Relationship. Been there, done the hook-up thing, not worth it. Good ol’ college.

73) Troublemaker/hesitant: At this point in my life, I’d say hesitant. Trouble-making was fun in the past, but, like, I’ve got an actual career now that I could lose if I go around trouble-making/ hanging out with trouble-makers.

HAVE YOU EVER

74) Kissed a stranger:  So, so many times. Good ol’ college.

75) Drank hard liquor:  Yep. Still love me some vodka. It just mixes with everything, y’know?

76) Lost glasses/contact lenses:  Contact lenses, yes, but luckily I’ve never lost a pair of glasses

77) Turned someone down:  Yes. I hate doing that. I’m a horrible, cowardly person who would rather “ghost” someone than have to deal with an uncomfortable confrontation. 

78) Canoodling on a first date:  Depends on the definition of “canoodling”. Are we talking cuddling or snuggling up during a movie? Sure. Making out? Maaaybe, depends. No copping a feel on the first date though, c’mon now.

79) Broken someone’s heart:  Yes. Breaking up with someone in high school is intense. 

80) Had your own heart broken:  Kind of, not really? The only person I legitimately had feelings for, I never told them how I felt, so they never really had the opportunity to break my heart but it hurt like hell anyways. Have I mentioned I’m a cowardly piece of shit? :D I mean, that was like 10 years ago in high school, but I haven’t changed that much.

81) Been arrested:  No, thank goodness. There were a couple of close calls during my partying days, I’ve definitely been luckier than I probably deserve.

82) Cried when someone died:  Yes. Doesn’t happen often, luckily.

83) Fallen for a friend: Not really? Had crushes on friends, had friends-with-benefits, yes, but never technically “fallen for” a friend.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN

84) Yourself: Depends on what we’re talking about here. In general, yeah, I like to think I do okay...

85) Miracles:  Ehhh, I can’t decide. It’s a wonderful thought but I’m also kind of a pessimist realist. You know what they say: “hope for the best but prepare for the worst”.

86) Santa Clause:  Not for many, many years

87) Kisses on a first date: Sure! End-of-the-date kisses are sweet.

88) Angels:  I...think so. 

89) Love at first sight:  I don’t know? It’s a wonderful thought but I’m just not sure. Maybe not love at first sight, per se, but I think there are definitely people out there that you can just tell right away they’re going to be special to you.

OTHER

90) Best friend’s name: None, at the mo

91) Eye colour: Brown

92) Favourite movie:  That’s a tough one... I think it depends on my mood. Do I want to laugh? Something trashy like “Sorority Boys”. Do I want to cry? Probably something steeped in existential crisis like “A.I.”. Do I want a feel-good adventure with talking animals? “Homeward Bound”.

Holy crap, that took like 1.5 hours. Anyone need an excuse to waste some time/ procrastinate/ be distracted? Tagging @magnificent-winged-beast, @helianthus21, @destielmixtape, @beesandangelkisses, @emotionally-compromised-idiot, @castielsgracex, @apritelleorai, @honeybee-and-batman, @sunshine-hunters, @waaaaaayward-assbutt, @cool-fallen-angel , and anyone else who wants to do it. :)

[kansascityhappenings]

Natural births offer moms a more connected — and more affordable — birthing experience

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — What if we told you C-sections are more preventable than you think? Or that more options exist about how you choose to bring your baby into the world?

Experts tell Fox 4 that women are really educating themselves on this topic — so much so, the popularity of “natural” births is increasing at a rate of about 1 percent per year since 2010.

This shift is big on the celebrity circuit, too.

“Bachelor in Paradise” Season 2 winners Jade and Tanner Tolbert invited Fox 4’s Dhomonique Ricks to their Kansas home to talk about this growing trend and why they chose the non-conventional route.

Jade and Tanner Tolbert with their new baby.

“There’s so much excitement and empowerment. It’s like the most beautiful thing when she comes out,” Jade Tolbert said.

Let’s go back to Aug. 17.

“I woke up at 3 a.m., and the bed was soaked, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what happened?'” Jade Tolbert said.

“So I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I wasn’t quite ready,” Tanner Tolbert said. “We didn’t have a bag packed. I wasn’t quite mentally prepared.”

Jade was in labor four weeks before her due date.

“I remember holding on to the handle on the truck, and I was just like, ‘Ooooo.'” said Jade, recounting the morning of her delivery.

“When we get to the birth center, I figure we were ready to go. I thought my job was over. I got her there. I’m in the clear!” Tanner said.

But the journey was only beginning.

Jade was 36 weeks pregnant, and the birthing center requires mothers to be at least 37 weeks to deliver in its facilities.

So off to the hospital they went with birthing center midwife Cathy Gordon in tow.

“It was a whirlwind, but it was awesome.” Jade said.

The couple are familiar faces in many homes.

The former stars of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” found love on the spin-off reality show — “Bachelor in Paradise.” Fast-forward two years and they are married, settled in Kansas and are parents to a healthy, three-month-old Emerson Avery.

Jade has an Instagram following of nearly a million people — and she has been vocal about her decision to have a natural birth.

“I didn’t want to be in a hospital where someone was going to pressure me to have an epidural or have any kind of intervention, or i was going to need a C-section because my labor was taking too long,” Jade said.

She said she wanted to fully experience birth, but her decision came with a lot of judgment.

“They would look at me like I was crazy. They’re like, ‘Girl, you’re going to want the epidural.'” Jade said.

“When Jade told me she wanted a natural birth, I was a little worried,” Tanner said. “I’m not going to lie because I was a C-section baby, so I instantly was like worried. ‘What if the worst happens, and we need to have a hospital right there?”

Tanner’s concern’s were valid, but Jade knew this was the right option for her.

“I just trusted her. I figured she knew her body better than I did,” Tanner said.

“Birth is possible without intervention.” said Cathy Gordon, certified nurse midwife and co-founder of new birth company.

Gordon delivered baby Emmy.

“Jade wanted a natural birth, and she got it. She was awesome,” Gordon said.

She called it a paradigm shift: More moms wanting to feel involved in their labor and deliveries. The co-founder of new birth centers has delivered babies in 11 countries. Her book “All Babies Are Born” chronicles her experiences.

“The birth movement changed in the mid-90s, but it really came forward when Amnesty International produced this paper called ‘Deadly Delivery,'” Gordon said.

The papers exposed deadly C-sections and bad birth outcomes, prompting women to become more involved in choosing how their babies came into the world.

“A large part of our population is women that have had births in the hospital and felt as if their voice wasn’t heard,” Gordon said.

We reached out to five popular birthing hospitals in our region to see what percentages of births are C-sections and epidurals. Three got back to us.

Starting with C-section rates, we found:

Shawnee Mission — 28 percent

University of Kansas Hospital — 25 percent

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood — 24 percent

The average C-section rate across the United States is 33 percent .

“Our C-section rate is between 2 and 5 percent,” Gordon said.

The reason Gordon’s numbers tend to skew low is that most clients who go to birthing centers are classified as “low risk” and tend to be healthier in general.

As for epidural rates:

Shawnee Mission — 85 percent

University of Kansas Hospital — 59 percent

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood — 86 percent

Cost is another big factor to take into consideration.

“The average cost of a normal, spontaneous, vaginal birth was $18,000.” said Gordon, referring to the latest Truven Health Analytics report.

That price includes maternity care, delivery fees, facility care, the price of an epidural if needed and newborn care.

Compare that to the same package at a licensed, accredited and free-standing birth center. New Birth’s price tag is $5,500.

“It’s not that we give lower-rated care: it’s that we’re focusing on normal outcomes,” Gordon said.

The $18,000 price tag at hospitals can jump anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 if complications arise and if a C-section is needed.

Keep in mind: Insurance brings the price of these services down.

“I really just wanted to have what I felt like for me was the full experience of birth as a mother.” Jade Tolbert said.

The Tolberts said they want a household of kids and plan to go the natural route again and again.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I did feel a lot of pain, but it was so incredible. it was definitely worth it.” Jade said.

“I have a lot of respect for her,” Tanner said. “I don’t know if I could have done it.”

Accredited and licensed birthing centers, like New Birth, are capable of handling medical emergencies. Certified nurse midwives are trained in the same capacity as they are in hospital settings. They also have the same certifications and medications.

from FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports http://fox4kc.com/2017/11/22/natural-births-offer-moms-a-more-connected-and-more-affordable-birthing-experience/

from Kansas City Happenings https://kansascityhappenings.wordpress.com/2017/11/23/natural-births-offer-moms-a-more-connected-and-more-affordable-birthing-experience/