Chapter Text
“Ikjun-ah, I’m on call tonight,” Songhwa said to Ikjun just as they finished eating their lunch.
“Ya, you were on call yesterday too. Isn’t it supposed to be the other professor’s turn?” Ikjun replied, clearly concerned that his wife had to take another night shift.
“He can’t make it, his daughter is sick and from what he told me, his wife is also working the night shift. She’s a doctor too, at Kangwoon,” she said, “besides, you’re not on call too, so you can be home for Uju tonight,” she continued.
Ikjun took his phone to check his schedule, then nodded to confirm that he is indeed not on call for the night. How can she know my schedule so well?
“ Arasso, I’ll try to go home as quickly as I can tonight,” he said as he cleaned the food packages off her table.
The day went by as usual, with Ikjun finishing his surgery rather early, allowing him to be home just in time to cook dinner for Uju. His son was definitely delighted to see even one of his parents at home during dinner time -- most nights their housekeeper would cook for Uju, although they had made it work to ensure that one of them is always home before Uju goes to bed.
Or most of the time, that is, because being a doctor means that they have to be willing to drop everything to run back to the hospital whenever their skills and expertise is needed.
Today was one of those nights.
Ikjun was already in his pajamas, lying down beside Uju on his bed. Days like this, when Songhwa is on call and has to stay overnight at the hospital, Ikjun hates sleeping in their room. It reminded him of the past -- before Songhwa came into the picture -- when he had to juggle being a single father, a full-time doctor and a friend to many.
That night, he finished reading the storybook Uju had chosen for his bedtime story. Just as Uju drifted off to sleep, he heard a familiar ringtone, prompting him to move quietly to take his phone from the night stand.
“Professor, there is an emergency patient that needs a liver transplant. He was involved in a car crash and his liver is severely lacerated. His wife is being tested right now, but it looks like she is a good candidate for a living-donor liver transplant,” Gyeoul explained, her voice worried.
Ikjun moved as quickly as he could, while trying his best not to wake Uju up. As he finished changing his clothes, he came out to see his housekeeper getting ready to leave.
“Imo-nim, is it okay for you to stay for the night? Songhwa had to take another night shift today, and I have to go back to the hospital to do an emergency surgery,” he said as he took his bag and car key off the dining table.
“You can take this weekend off, both me and Songhwa will clear our schedule so that we can take care of Uju,” he continued as he bowed slightly, feeling apologetic towards their housekeeper.
“It’s fine, Professor, I’ll be happy to take care of Uju for you. You take care,” she said, “and take care of your wife too,” she said, smiling.
Ten minutes later, Ikjun had arrived at the hospital. He had hastily parked his car in front of the ER lobby, after seeing the mess through the glass doors that surrounds the ER.
“Professor, the OR is being prepared right now,” Gyeoul said as he entered the ER.
“What happened?” he said, half-running as they both headed towards the operating unit.
“There was a chain car crash not far from the hospital,” she said, “Three cars were involved, so there are a lot of casualties. Children included,” she further explained as he gets himself ready to operate.
“Are you assisting me?” he asked, wondering who else will be available to assist him this late at night.
“No, Professor Kwon will,” she continued, “he’s the on call GS professor tonight. I’ll be assisting Professor Ahn’s surgery.”
Ikjun smiled smugly at her, knowing the ultimate reason why she had chosen to assist Jeongwon instead of him.
“Okay, future pediatric surgeon, I’ll let you go and get ready for your surgery,” he said as he made his way to the operating room.
Gyeoul was left dumbfounded for a minute, before she left to get ready, a smile plastered on her face.
“Good work everyone,” Ikjun said as he headed out of the operating room. He was completely exhausted, completely unprepared to take a night shift let alone do a surgery at midnight. His legs seemed to move on its own, automatically making its way to his wife’s office.
“Ikjun-ah,” he heard a familiar voice calling from behind him. As he looked back, his exhaustion immediately melted away. She looked tired as well, but no matter how tired she looked, she is always beautiful. The fact that she had worked hard only adds on to her beauty , he thought to himself.
“Let’s go into your office,” he said as he held her hand, too tired to talk.
Inside, he found himself sitting on the sofa while she lied down next to him, her head resting on his lap.
“Did you come back because of the victims of the car crash?” Songhwa asked him, eyes half opened.
“Mhm,” he nodded, “I had to do an emergency liver transplant. How about you? You look like you just got out of surgery as well,” he continued, head rested on the cushion of the sofa.
“One of the victims had a head injury, so yes, I also just finished mine,” she continued, voice getting softer as she drifted off to sleep.
Ikjun didn’t reply to her, not wanting to engage in any more conversation as he knew how tired she must be. Instead, he looked at her as she slowly curled her body, positioning herself to sleep comfortably on the sofa, her head still rested on his lap. He was completely tired as well, but at that moment, he enjoyed soaking in her beauty, something he still doesn’t get tired of despite knowing her and loving her for more than 20 years.
He rested his elbow on the sofa, and put his head on his hand, trying to find the best possible position while not moving his lower body. The empty camp bed beside him was very tempting, yet he knew that if he moved, she would wake up. He also knows how she usually can’t fall asleep as easily if she were to be woken up in the middle of her sleep, so he tried his best to accommodate her sleeping on his lap.
Not that he hates it. He loves it even, wishing that she could stay that close to him forever. So he holds her hand, rests his head on his other hand, and falls asleep.