The hospital hallway felt endless.
Do-hyun had stopped counting how many times he had walked from one end of it to the other.
He would pace.
Stop.
Look at the delivery-room doors.
Then start again.
Every few minutes, his eyes moved toward the same closed doors, as if staring at them long enough would somehow bring Yerin back to him.
Another cry came from inside.
Do-hyun stopped immediately.
His shoulders stiffened.
He took a step forward.
Min-jae quickly caught his arm.
"Do-hyun."
Do-hyun looked at him.
"She's okay."
Another cry echoed through the hallway.
Do-hyun's jaw tightened.
"I know."
But his voice didn't sound convinced.
Ji-hoon stood nearby, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
He looked just as worried.
He had barely spoken since arriving.
Finally, he walked toward Do-hyun.
"She's strong."
Do-hyun looked at him.
Ji-hoon's expression softened.
"She's always been stubborn."
A faint smile appeared on Do-hyun's face.
"Yeah."
"She'll be fine."
Ji-hoon said it confidently.
But his eyes betrayed him.
He was scared too.
This wasn't just Do-hyun's wife behind those doors.
It was his little sister.
The person he had spent his entire life protecting.
Another cry came from inside.
Ji-hoon looked toward the door.
His expression tightened.
Min-jae quietly placed a hand on Do-hyun's shoulder.
"Just breathe."
Do-hyun took a slow breath.
Then another.
"I should be in there."
"I should be with her."
Do-hyun looked at the doors again.
"But I can't do anything."
Ji-hoon walked closer.
"You are doing something."
Do-hyun looked at him.
"You're waiting for her."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Min-jae tried to lighten the tension.
"You know, constantly checking the clock isn't going to make the baby come out faster."
Do-hyun glanced at him.
"I'm not checking the clock."
"You've checked it at least twenty times."
"Have not."
Ji-hoon looked at the clock.
"Twenty-three."
Do-hyun stared at both of them.
Despite everything, Min-jae laughed.
Ji-hoon smiled faintly.
For a few seconds, the fear in the hallway became lighter.
Then another cry came from inside.
The smiles disappeared.
Do-hyun looked toward the doors again.
Waiting.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The doors finally opened.
Everyone stood immediately.
A doctor stepped out.
Do-hyun moved forward before anyone else.
"How is she?"
The doctor smiled.
"She's safe."
Do-hyun froze.
For a second, he didn't react.
The doctor continued.
"Both mother and baby are doing well."
Do-hyun's eyes widened.
"Both?"
The doctor nodded.
"And congratulations."
A small smile appeared on the doctor's face.
"You have a beautiful baby girl."
Silence.
Do-hyun simply stared.
A daughter.
His daughter.
The words seemed to reach him slowly.
Then his expression changed.
A smile spread across his face.
His eyes immediately filled with tears.
He looked down for a moment, trying to control himself.
It didn't work.
A quiet laugh escaped him.
He wiped quickly beneath one eye.
Ji-hoon immediately stepped forward.
"Congratulations."
He pulled Do-hyun into a hug.
Do-hyun hugged him back tightly.
Ji-hoon laughed, though his own eyes were wet.
"You're a father."
Do-hyun smiled through his tears.
Min-jae came forward next.
"Congratulations, man."
He hugged Do-hyun.
Do-hyun laughed softly.
"Thank you."
His mother was next.
She wrapped her arms around her son.
"I'm so proud of you."
Do-hyun closed his eyes for a moment.
Then Yerin's mother hugged him too.
Her eyes were full of tears.
"Thank you for staying beside her."
Do-hyun nodded.
"Always."
Emily practically rushed toward him.
"You're a dad!"
Do-hyun laughed.
"Apparently."
Emily smiled.
"You're going to be terrible at this."
Ji-hoon looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because he's already overprotective."
Everyone laughed.
For the first time that night, the hallway was filled with happiness instead of fear.
A nurse soon appeared carrying a tiny bundle.
Everyone became quiet.
Do-hyun immediately looked toward her.
The nurse smiled.
"Would you like to hold her?"
Do-hyun hesitated.
Not because he didn't want to.
Because suddenly...
He was nervous.
He had faced dangerous situations without fear.
He had walked into rooms where he knew nothing about what waited inside.
But this tiny baby somehow frightened him more than anything.
He carefully extended his arms.
The nurse gently placed the baby into them.
Do-hyun looked down.
Everything around him disappeared.
She was tiny.
So small that he almost couldn't believe she was real.
His daughter.
His expression softened completely.
He adjusted his arms carefully, making sure she was comfortable.
"She's so small."
His mother smiled.
"She won't stay that small for long."
Do-hyun didn't answer.
He couldn't take his eyes away from her.
The baby moved slightly.
Do-hyun smiled.
"Hi."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'm your father."
Ji-hoon stood beside him.
His eyes became emotional again.
Do-hyun looked at him.
"You want to hold her?"
Ji-hoon nodded.
Do-hyun carefully passed the baby to him.
Ji-hoon held his niece close.
He looked down at her and smiled.
"Hey, little one."
The baby moved her tiny hand.
Ji-hoon laughed softly.
"You already have everyone wrapped around your finger."
Do-hyun smiled.
"She hasn't even done anything."
"Exactly."
Everyone laughed.
One by one, the family and their closest friends got the chance to see her.
Do-hyun's mother.
Yerin's mother.
Emily.
Min-jae.
Each person became emotional in their own way.
But Do-hyun kept looking toward the room where Yerin was.
Finally, he turned toward the doctor.
"Can I see her?"
The doctor looked at him.
"She's still unconscious from exhaustion."
Do-hyun's expression fell slightly.
"When can I?"
"Give her a little time."
He nodded.
"Okay."
He looked back toward the room.
"I'll wait."
Nearly an hour later, the doctor finally came for him.
"You can see her now."
Do-hyun immediately stood.
He walked into the room quietly.
The lights were dim.
Yerin lay peacefully on the hospital bed.
Her eyes were closed.
She looked exhausted.
Do-hyun walked toward her.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
Then he sat beside her.
He gently took her hand.
Her fingers were warm.
He looked at her face.
"You scared me."
She didn't respond.
He smiled faintly.
"You always do."
He leaned closer.
Then gently kissed her forehead.
"You did so well."
He remained beside her.
He didn't care how long she slept.
He would wait.
Just like he had waited outside.
An hour passed.
Yerin slowly opened her eyes.
Everything was blurry at first.
Then she saw him.
"Do-hyun..."
His head immediately lifted.
"You're awake."
She blinked slowly.
Her voice was weak.
"The baby?"
He smiled.
"She's safe."
Yerin's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Can I see her?"
"Of course."
Do-hyun stood.
Yerin watched him.
Then he returned with the baby carefully wrapped in a soft blanket.
Yerin stared.
"She's..."
Her voice broke.
Do-hyun smiled.
"She's a girl."
Yerin looked at him.
"A girl?"
He nodded.
"Your daughter."
Yerin smiled through her tears.
Do-hyun carefully placed the baby into her arms.
Yerin's entire expression changed.
She looked down at the tiny face.
Her fingers gently touched the baby's hand.
"She's beautiful."
Do-hyun sat beside her.
"She is."
Yerin looked at him.
"You held her first?"
He smiled.
"Yes."
She frowned playfully.
"I should've."
"You were busy."
"Excuse me?"
He smiled.
"You were busy bringing her into the world."
Yerin gave him a tired look.
Then she laughed softly.
For a while, they said nothing.
They simply looked at their daughter.
Later, once Yerin had rested, everyone was allowed inside.
Ji-hoon entered first.
He walked toward the bed.
"Look at you."
Yerin smiled.
"Don't start."
"You're a mother now."
"And you're an uncle."
Ji-hoon smiled.
"I know."
He looked at the baby.
"She's beautiful."
Yerin nodded.
"I know."
Emily came closer.
She immediately covered her mouth.
"Oh my God."
Yerin laughed softly.
"Emily."
"She's so tiny."
Min-jae stood behind her.
"You're going to scare the baby."
"I'm not!"
"You almost screamed."
"I was excited."
Everyone laughed.
Yerin's mother sat beside her daughter and gently touched the baby's head.
Tears filled her eyes.
"My beautiful granddaughter."
Do-hyun's mother stood beside her.
Both women looked at Yerin.
Then at Do-hyun.
Neither needed to say anything.
They were simply happy.
Eventually, someone asked the question everyone had been waiting for.
"So..."
Emily looked at Yerin.
"What are you naming her?"
Yerin looked at Do-hyun.
He looked back at her.
They both smiled.
Ji-hoon immediately noticed.
"Wait."
He narrowed his eyes.
"You two already decided, didn't you?"
Yerin smiled.
"Maybe."
Emily gasped.
"Tell us!"
Do-hyun shook his head.
"Not yet."
"What?"
Emily looked offended.
"Why not?"
Yerin laughed.
"We want to keep it a secret."
Ji-hoon crossed his arms.
"Until when?"
Do-hyun simply smiled.
"You'll find out when the time comes."
Emily groaned.
"That's not fair."
Min-jae laughed.
"I think they're enjoying this."
"They definitely are."
Ji-hoon looked at Yerin.
"I'll figure it out."
Yerin immediately pointed at him.
"try it, but you cant imagine it at all."
He laughed.
"Fine."
But the smile on his face made it obvious he was already thinking about it.
The name would remain a secret.
Not forever.
Just until the right moment.
Until their daughter's first celebration.
Later that night, everyone finally left them alone.
The hospital room became quiet.
Yerin rested against the pillows.
Their daughter slept peacefully beside her.
Do-hyun sat close to the bed, holding Yerin's hand.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Yerin looked at their daughter.
Then at Do-hyun.
"We really have a family now."
Do-hyun looked at the baby.
Then back at Yerin.
"Yeah."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"Our family."
Yerin smiled.
There had been a time when neither of them had wanted this marriage.
A time when they had fought every step of the way.
A time when family expectations had felt like chains.
But somehow...
They had built something that belonged only to them.
Not their fathers.
Not their families.
Not their past.
Them.
Do-hyun leaned closer and rested his forehead gently against Yerin's.
Neither said anything.
They didn't need to.
Their daughter slept peacefully beside them.
And for the first time in a very long time...
The future didn't feel frightening.
It felt like theirs.
...To Be Continued...