Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Part 9
Previous part here
**Warning: mature sexual content. 18+ ONLY! Minors, DNI!!!**
…………………………………………………………………………….
“I’ll give this to your dad, and he can sign it for you,” Y/N said as she took the slip of paper from Max while he sat in one of the barstools at her kitchen island. It was another permission slip for something, and he’d asked Y/N to sign it as he’d pulled it out of his backpack.
“Can’t you just sign it?” Max asked her.
“I would, honey,” she replied. “But only moms or dads are supposed to do that.”
“You’re kind of like our mom,” he responded without missing a beat.
Upon hearing that, Y/N had to turn away from him, sudden tears nearly escaping her eyes as she digested the incredibly sweet and innocent way he’d said that, not realizing it was such a weighted statement. The fact that Max saw her that way was unbelievably touching and also a little shocking.
Collecting herself, Y/N turned back around.
“I’ll make sure your dad signs it, ok?” she said to him.
“Ok,” he agreed, sliding off the stool and heading outside.
Now alone, Y/N’s thoughts traveled to Emmett. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their evening together at her house, or their flirtatious exchange several days later, but since then, Emmett hadn’t taken any action or said anything else to her to further hint that he was in fact interested in her that way. He wasn’t acting cold, per se, but whatever had come out during those times, he’d clearly tucked it back away, and she wondered why.
Had he simply gotten caught up in the moment, but wasn’t actually feeling what she was feeling? Or maybe he had been interested, but after further consideration, realized that she wasn’t what he wanted. She guessed that that was likely the case, and she felt the familiar pain of rejection and practiced the trademark self-criticism she put herself through often.
She reprimanded herself, telling herself that she shouldn’t be so surprised, but it didn’t make the sting any less painful. She had thought that she and Emmett were maybe going somewhere, that their connection was palpable and that maybe she could have with him what she’d always wanted.
But then again, maybe it was for the best, anyways, she thought. As unbelievably touching as it was, it could be a problem if Max and Henry were starting to see her as a mother figure, because she and Emmett weren’t in a relationship, and she didn’t want them feeling confused or for Emmett to feel like she was overstepping in any way.
Before she could give it anymore thought, her phone dinged, and she saw that she had a text message from Stacy.
Hey girl, any chance you’re interested in a set up? I know this guy from work who I think you’d hit it off with. He wants to take you out.
Y/N hesitated for a moment, surprised by the idea. Why did it feel like some sort of betrayal to Emmett if she said yes to Stacy’s offer? But then, she reminded herself that she and Emmett weren’t actually involved in any way, and since Emmett obviously wasn’t interested, why shouldn’t she try and move on? Deep down, she knew the date wouldn’t be anything that would develop – reciprocated or not, she had feelings for Emmett. But, it couldn’t hurt to try and distract herself while she worked to make those feelings go away. Before she could talk herself out of it, she sent a response to Stacy.
•.•.•.•.•
“So, what’s the latest story with you and Y/N? Anything happen there yet?”
Stacy was leaning against the bench at Emmett’s shop as she waited for him to finish the task he was currently working on. She’d dropped by to bring him something to eat during her lunch hour, something she occasionally did in order to give them a chance to catch up. As he heard her question, Emmett stopped what he was doing and looked over at her.
“Is that the real reason you came by? To stick your nose in my business?” he asked.
“I’m just trying to understand why you haven’t made a move there yet,” Stacy replied. “With this little arrangement you have, you guys are practically functioning like a couple anyways. Why not just add in the sex and make it official?”
Emmett shot her a look.
“If you think I’m going to talk to you about my sex life, you’re sorely mistaken.”
Stacy snorted.
“We’re talking about you finally having a sex life again,” she retorted. “And from the chemistry I’ve picked up on between you and Y/N, it looks like it could be damn good.”
Emmett shot her another look.
“Well, thanks for dropping by,” he said as he pointed to the door.
“Oh, come on!” Stacy said. “I’m just trying to understand why you won’t do anything about it. You clearly have feelings for her. I can tell whenever you talk about what the boys have been up to with her. And she obviously feels the same – I see it every time I run into her.”
“How much do I need to pay you for you to let this go?” Emmett asked as he washed his hands at the sink beside the counter.
“I can’t be bought off,” Stacy replied.
After moving over to the bench and leaning against it next to Stacy, Emmett crossed his arms and let out a deep breath.
“She’s fragile,” he said. “She’s been hurt and treated poorly, and it clearly still affects her. I don’t know that she’s ready for another relationship, or whatever.”
It was true. After their most recent encounters, Emmett couldn’t get Y/N off his mind. But after he’d had more time to think about it, he realized that maybe she was still too raw from her previous relationship. She still could get so defensive, and although that didn’t bother him, now that he understood why, maybe it was a sign that she wasn’t ready for anything, that she still needed more time.
“You of all people should know that self-doubt is something that’s not easy to shake,” Stacy replied. “But that doesn’t mean that someone isn’t open and available for a connection. And you two clearly have that.”
Emmett scrubbed his hand over his jaw.
“I don’t want her to do anything she’s not ready to do,” he said.
Stacy turned and looked at him.
“I think you’re underestimating her,” she said. “And you both deserve to be happy.”
After a few moments of silence, Emmett turned and grabbed the bag of food Stacy had brought with her off the bench. After looking inside, he spoke.
“What would make me happy is if you could for once get the food order right.”
•.•.•.•.•
Leaving Emmett’s shop, Stacy paused before starting her car in order to send Y/N a message. If Emmett wasn’t going to make things happen, then she’d have to step in. Of course, she admired his desire to be respectful of Y/N and not want to pressure her, but he also could be so sure that he had things figured out, when in fact, he was wrong. She also knew that Y/N had a habit of trying to distract herself when things weren’t going great – she remembered Y/N telling her about all the ridiculous hobbies she tried to pick up after she first got divorced. She was fairly certain Y/N would agree to a blind date to try and forget about Emmett, and it would be just enough for Emmett to get jealous enough to do something. Smiling to herself, Stacy sent Y/N a message, and her smile grew bigger as she read Y/N’s response.
Sure, I’m game. When and where?
________________________
A week later, Y/N was busy going over a bunch of lists of picnic supplies, potluck sign-ups, and RSVPs. The neighborhood’s annual block party was that weekend, and she had volunteered to help organize it, along with several of the other neighbors. It was yet another distraction from Emmett, which she welcomed when they’d asked her if she wanted to help.
Things between them were still friendly and positive, but they hadn’t had any more intimate interactions since the previous couple weeks. She tried not to dwell on it as she picked up her phone and began calling everyone who hadn’t yet RSVPd for the block party. Distraction was the name of the game, and if that meant figuring out how many picnic tables they’d need and how much potato salad it would take to feed 80 people, then dammit, she’d do it.
•.•.•.•.•
The day of the block party came, and everything had been going off without a hitch. Y/N and some of the other neighbors had been dashing around to make sure that everything was taken care of, and when things had finally settled after the first couple of hours and everything was flowing nicely, she finally had a chance to just relax and enjoy the company of everyone.
She and Emmett had met eyes a few times throughout the party, but they had yet to actually connect, and maybe that was for the best. She shouldn’t try to insert herself more than was natural if he wasn’t feeling what she was.
God, he made it hard, though. He was his signature charming self as she watched him talking and laughing with neighbors while also occasionally checking on Henry and Max as they ran around and played. He got roped into a game of Dads vs. Kids kickball, but it was the slow dance he was forced into with a 90-year-old neighbor lady when the music started that made Y/N unable to stop grinning. She gave him a sympathetic smile when he looked up and their eyes met across the sidewalk, and when he shrugged his shoulders at her helplessly, Y/N laughed before shaking her head and resuming her conversation at the picnic table.
Finally escaping the arms of his elderly neighbor, Emmett made his way back to the table he’d been sitting at with several other guys from the neighborhood and resumed talking. But shortly, he was distracted as he picked up his drink and saw Y/N move to another table out of the corner of his eye. She began chatting with the women at the table, and he watched her warmly smile at the others and laugh, her beautiful face glowing and her sweetness tangible. He had a hard time keeping himself from getting up and going to her.
She then shifted in her seat, and Emmett found himself unable to look away as another neighbor suddenly came up to Y/N and carefully passed her the bundled up baby she was holding in her arms. Her expression indescribable, Y/N’s entire focus shifted to the baby, and something stirred in Emmett as he watched her lovingly hold it as she kept talking to the mother. Suddenly, an image of Y/N – glowing and pregnant with his baby – entered his mind, and it took him a moment to get the picture out of his head.
Sensing someone watching her, Y/N turned her head and met Emmett’s eyes, and when she did, her heart skipped a beat as she met his smile with one of her own.
A little while later, as people were having dessert and the kids were running around the street with sparklers, Y/N grabbed a trash bag and began weaving among the tables as she collected empty soda cans and drink bottles. As she dropped a few into the bag, she suddenly heard Emmett behind her.
“Are you collecting those to use on me later?”
Smiling, Y/N turned around to face him, holding a bottle in her hand.
“Maybe,” she said, and then dramatically dropped the bottle into the bag. As it made a clinking sound, she smiled again. “Never hurts to stock up.”
Emmett smiled.
“I thought I’d finally gotten on your good side,” he teased her.
Regardless of the idea that he didn’t share her feelings, Y/N couldn’t help but to flirt back. He made it so irresistible, even if he didn’t mean anything behind it.
“Yeah, but I doubt you’ll stay there long,” she said.
Emmett was itching to grab her, but before either of them could say anything else, someone called Y/N’s name and told her they needed more napkins and plates for dessert.
“Here, make yourself useful,” Y/N said to Emmett as she passed him the trash bag. Then she gave him a final smile before heading towards her house.
Y/N ran inside her kitchen to grab more of the paper plates and napkins that had been stored at her house for the party. As she was moving around the kitchen, she heard her back door open and saw Stacy come inside as she looked up.
Stacy had come to the party with her own kids to join in on the fun, and she offered to help Y/N as she entered her kitchen. She had a little probing to do, and wanted to get confirmation straight from Y/N about her suspicions after witnessing what had just happened between her and Emmett.
“Oh, that’s ok, I’ve got it,” Y/N replied to her offer to help. “So how are you?”
“Good,” Stacy replied as she leaned against the island. “Really good. I’m so happy about you and Emmett, by the way.”
Y/N’s heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly lifted her head and looked at Stacy.
“What do you mean?” she asked, cocking her head. “What about us?”
“The two of you finally getting together,” Stacy prompted, waving her hand in the air for clarity. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to make a big deal of it; I can see that you’re keeping it quiet. But I’m so glad.”
Y/N shifted her weight to her other foot, then slowly shook her head. “Stacy, we’re not together,” she said.
“You’re not?”
“No.” Y/N shook her head again.
“Really? But you two…it seemed so obvious.”
“How so?”
“Well, just the way you behave around each other,” Stacy explained. “I noticed it a long time ago.” She smiled almost mischievously. “It’s subtle enough, but anyone looking closely can clearly see what’s between you two.”
Y/N blushed and shook her head.
“Since I started helping with the boys, Emmett and I have gotten to know each other better and, because of that, become closer. But friendship is all it is.”
She couldn’t disguise the disappointment on her face as she said that, which Stacy noticed.
“Well, you could have fooled me,” she replied. She then pushed herself off of the counter and folded her arms as she eyed Y/N quizzically.
“Can you honestly say that you don’t have feelings for him?” Stacy asked her.
Y/N drew in a breath and slowly exhaled. She looked distractedly at the countertop and mindlessly ruffled the paper napkins.
“Even if I did,” she said quietly. “I don’t think he feels the same way.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Stacy replied. “He can be stubborn, is all.”
“Well, regardless, it’s a tricky situation,” Y/N said. “Even if he did feel the same way, which I don’t think he does, I don’t want to cause any confusion for Max and Henry.”
“They’d see that you and their dad care about each other,” Stacy countered. “What’s confusing about that?”
“I’m not their mother,” Y/N replied.
“You’re more of a mother to them than their actual mother ever was.”
Y/N frowned.
“I’m sure that’s not true,” she said.
Stacy stood up straighter, not addressing her previous statement any further.
“So, there’s nothing going on between you two?” she asked.
“No,” Y/N shook her head.
“Ok, so then do you still want to meet Sam? I told him you’re free next Friday. I think you guys will hit it off.”
“Yeah, sure,” Y/N replied. She tried to look excited.
“Great! I’ll tell him it’s on.”
Heading back outside, Stacy found Emmett at one of the tables gathering empty cans, and she spoke as she walked up beside him.
“Next Friday, you can plan on the boys being at my house after camp,” she said to him. “Y/N won’t be able to watch them if you have to work late, so they can come to my house.”
Emmett turned to her.
“What do you mean? How do you know that?”
“She’s got plans; she just told me.”
“With you?” Emmett asked.
“No,” Stacy shook her head. “She’s got a date. I set her up with this guy from my work and she agreed to go out with him.”
Upon hearing that, Emmett suddenly tensed.
“You did what?” he asked as he frowned.
“I asked her if she wanted to be set up with a guy from my job, and she said yes. I figured it was fine since you guys aren’t involved. If she’s ready to date, then what’s the harm?”
Emmett felt himself getting angry, which wasn’t a frequent occurrence. The idea of another guy taking Y/N out and getting cozy with her was not something he liked at all. Clearly, if she agreed to the date, she was open to a possible relationship, and whatever was between the two of them wasn’t enough to stop her from taking Stacy up on her offer. He glared at her.
“You need to learn to mind your own business,” he said. He then shoved the trash bag he was holding into her hands and headed toward Y/N’s house.
As Emmett made his way around the back of the house, he could hear Y/N moving around in her kitchen. As he opened the door and headed up the steps, she spoke.
“Hey, Stacy, can you grab these – oh, hi.”
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Emmett standing in the doorway, and he didn’t look happy.
“Is everything ok?” she asked him as she fully turned around.
Emmett stepped further into the kitchen, still looking at her.
“It sounds like it is for you,” he answered her.
“Huh?” she furrowed her brow.
“Stacy told me about your plans next Friday,” he said. “Didn’t think to check with me first?”
Y/N looked back at him confusedly.
“Ummm, I didn’t think it’d be a problem, since she offered to come by and get the boys and watch them at her place.”
“So, you thought you could just plan that without telling me?”
Y/N eyed him warily. They weren’t involved, so what made him think he had any say in anything she did?
“I didn’t think I needed your permission to make personal plans,” she said. “Especially when they have nothing to do with you.”
Emmett glared.
“You should have asked me first.”
At that, Y/N’s expression changed to one of annoyed disbelief, and she put her hands on her hips as she spoke again.
“Last I checked, you’re not in charge of my social life.”
“Someone ought to be in charge of you,” Emmett said as he stepped closer.
Y/N’s heart rate began to speed up. Where was this coming from?
“You clearly want nothing to do with me, so what do you care?” she asked him defensively. “Why are you getting so mad?”
“Why are you being such a brat?” he replied.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
Scoffing, Y/N shook her head and pointed to the door.
“Get out,” she said to him.
“Make me,” he replied.
Narrowing her eyes, Y/N took a step closer to him and made to shove him, but when she lifted her arms, Emmett grabbed her wrists and held her still. Their eyes locked for just a second before he roughly pulled her closer and their lips crashed together in an angry kiss.
Y/N tried to pull her wrists from Emmett’s grip, but he only moved his lips more forcefully against hers and pushed her backwards, her lower back meeting the edge of the island as she made a whimpering sound. Her heart racing, she tried once more with all her strength to pull her wrists out of his grasp, and when she did, she immediately flung her arms around his neck instead, pulling him closer as he planted his hands on her hips. Leaning forward even more, Emmett inserted his knee between her legs, and he heard her make a noise as the fabric of his pants brushed against the bare skin of her thighs under her skirt. He pulled away from her mouth and their eyes met again for a moment before he raised his hands slightly higher on her sides and gripped her torso, picking her up and lifting her onto the island top in front of him. He then roughly pulled her legs apart and planted himself between them again before grabbing the back of her neck and pulling her face to his once more.
Y/N moaned as their lips met again, and her hands immediately reached for his shoulders. She gripped his shirt as he encouraged her to scoot closer to the edge of the counter, and when he violently squeezed her ass as he pulled her to him, she gripped his shoulders and sank her nails into his skin in response as a surprised and mildly pained squeak escaped her.
Emmett pulled away from her mouth, looking at her again before dropping his head in the crook of her neck and kissing her there as he spoke.
“You’re such a brat,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “Always such a Goddamn handful.” He kissed her neck again and slipped his hands under her skirt, pushing it up around her hips.
“You’re a jerk,” she replied as she lifted her hands and tried to unbutton his shirt. She only got two or three undone before Emmett grabbed her hands and pulled them down, pressing her palms against the counter and holding them there.
“Be quiet,” he told her, and then she turned her head to meet his lips once again, leaning into him as he released her hands.
Y/N glided her palms up his front and then dragged her fingers across his chest as Emmett shoved her skirt out of the way once more. He then reached up and pulled her hands away from him, forcing his own hands between them and cupping her breasts through her tank top. As he squeezed her, Y/N moaned into his mouth, grabbing the sides of his face and keeping him close as he pinched her nipples. When she whimpered again, Emmett lowered his hands from her breasts to her hips, hooking his fingers in the hem of her panties. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and quickly lifted her up to tug them off. They slid down her legs and off her, falling to the floor, and they kissed again as Y/N’s hands brushed with Emmett’s as they both fought to open his pants. Y/N could feel how hard he was as she slid her palm over him, and her heart skipped a beat as Emmett groaned at her touch. But quickly, he pushed her hand out of the way, still kissing her as he drew himself out of his briefs and then roughly pulled Y/N the last bit to the edge of the counter to bring her as close as possible. In one swift movement, he entered her, and Y/N wrenched her lips from his and released an unbelievably sexy whine before wrapping her legs around Emmett’s waist. She gripped his shoulders again and her head fell forward against him as she felt him push deeper inside her.
Emmett groaned as he felt her walls clamp around him, and the sound of her little gasps as he began to move in and out of her were so insanely sexy that he couldn’t think straight.
“Not so sassy now, are you, princess?” he said lowly as he thrusted in and out of her again. “Hmm?”
“You’re...you’re a jerk,” Y/N breathed out again as her body rocked back and forth with his. But when Emmett responded by reaching down and pinching her clit between his thumb and forefinger, she couldn’t do anything else except let out a small cry. She gripped his shoulders tighter, but he quickly pulled her away from him and pushed her back against the island instead, now fully reclined as her back met the countertop.
Gripping her hips, Emmett looked down at her and their eyes met. It didn’t last long, though, as Y/N almost immediately squeezed her eyes shut in pleasure as Emmett picked up his pace, thrusting even harder in and out of her. When she squirmed on the counter, Emmett swiped his fingers over her clit again. She immediately arched her back and her walls clamped down in response, and Emmett’s mind became even foggier as he felt her tightening around him. But it was when she said his name that he lost it completely.
“Emmett...” she breathed out in barely a whisper, and with a few final repeated strokes to her clit, she came with a silent scream, her mouth falling open but no sound escaping. Emmett wasn’t able to stay quite as quiet as he followed immediately after her, groaning as he came before finally halting his movements as he leaned forward over her on the island, bracing himself with his forearms along her thighs as he rested his forehead on her stomach.
Slowly opening her eyes, Y/N stared up at the ceiling as she tried to catch her breath, vaguely aware of the party still going on outside. She could feel Emmett’s own strained breaths against her stomach, but she had no idea how to even process what had just happened between them.
There wasn’t any time to do so, however, as she suddenly heard one of the neighbors calling for her through the open window towards the front of the house, and when they heard footsteps coming towards her back door, Y/N quickly lifted herself up and shoved Emmett aside, jumping off the island and scrambling to step back into her panties as Emmett quickly zipped up his pants. When the neighbor called to her from the door again about needing her help with something, Y/N swallowed drily and then answered.
“I’ll be right there!” she called back.
Straightening her skirt, Y/N still couldn’t even process what had just happened. Instead, she looked over her shoulder at Emmett but said nothing when their eyes met, and before he could speak, Y/N turned and went down the steps and out the back door, leaving without a word and completely avoiding him for the rest of the night.
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NEO TV # ROCKABYE (taeyong x reader) 2/?.
genre: single dad au, ceo au, fluff, slightly angst, smut.
warnings: adult language, death mentions, idk there's not a lot of warning for this one.
word count: 7k (not proofread!!!)
a/n: if you want to be in the taglist, just lemme know;) enjoy!
When Taeyong was growing up, he always carried with him the memory of the wonderful family he had, a small yet at the same time, great family. He, his mother, and his father didn't need anyone else. They were always the three of them, and it was more than enough. Sure, his family wasn't always conventional, and there were obviously mistakes here and there, but that would never mean that Taeyong wouldn't be grateful for the life and love his parents provided him.
Taeyong was always a starry-eyed boy. Passionate about everything that interested him. As a child, he went through countless phases trying to discover what he wanted for his future... Would he be the same man as his father? Or would he choose another profession? Would he be a stay-at-home dad and dedicate himself to his family?
Like the hyperactive child he was... he never knew for sure, and if there was an exact word to describe Lee Taeyong, it would surely be unpredictable.
Unpredictable because no one had the slightest idea what the boy's next step would be. Unpredictable because Taeyong changed his opinions every half an hour unless he felt one hundred percent sure about what he was doing. That was Lee Taeyong, that's how his family and friends knew him, and that's how he was formed.
Nevertheless, the boy matured at a fast pace. Without necessarily feeling it present, the pressure regarding his father's company position was looming closer and closer, not explicitly, but it wasn't necessary to be so to know what would become of him once he graduated from university. He could always hear what others said about him: 'Oh, Mrs. Lee's son is a true gentleman, surely his parents will be proud of him' ... 'Will he really take over the Lee company? He's nothing more than a spoiled child who always had everything handed to him on a silver platter.'
There were always different opinions and criticisms from different perspectives. Yes, Taeyong knew he wasn't perfect, he was more than aware of it. Taeyong was human, he had made mistakes, stumbled along the way, but he always tried to put one foot forward and rise from every stumble he had encountered.
He wasn't a relationship guy. He was sure of that. Of course, he had had some teenage romances in his high school days. He had been on a few dates during college, and yes, he had had at least one relationship that had lasted at least a year.
Although this last one was more about social pressure than simply enjoying the company of the girl who was his girlfriend at his twenty-three years. He would never blame Joy and would never speak bad about her; in the end, Joy had been someone with whom he had spent part of his growth and accompanied in various moments, which was when they decided to try some kind of relationship between them and for the good of both families according to his mother. The Lee family and the Park family had been partners for a long time, so what better than to bring together both heirs of their heritage to reinforce both businesses? However, that didn't last long. Only a year, Taeyong appreciated Joy and vice versa, but definitely didn't see any future with her. He tried, he really tried. He wanted to do his best, he wanted to do things right, but he couldn't. He simply couldn't.
And with the pressure from his family and Joy's family, nothing could be contracted.
'Taeyong, we are very happy that our daughter and you are making such great progress, we can't wait to see a ring on my daughter's finger.'
'Taeyong, time is passing and you still haven't knelt before her, you know we can't grow old without seeing you at the altar.'
'Taeyong, today Joy and I were at the mall and we saw a spectacular baby clothing store, you're taking too long! How lovely it would be to already have a little one running through the halls of the house!'
Marriage, family, commitment. It was something that Taeyong didn't think about and didn't want to have at his twenty-three years. Sure, someday he would have to settle down and form his legacy, but he wished it would be with someone he truly loved, with someone he could see his future with and grow old together, but could he ever get all that someday?"
_______________________________________________
First Month.
Week one.
For someone with enough money, Taeyong didn't usually keep his apartment constantly in undergoing renovations. Lee Taeyong was a simple man, he preferred the minimalist and the modest. Nothing extravagant, nothing ostentatious. At the end of the day, there were few times he found himself at home, its only use was just for sleeping, if he had the opportunity to do so.
However, as many things had been changing suddenly in the last few days, it was no news that his apartment would be one of the things involved in one of those changes. So his apartment was now filled with piles of boxes here and there and a few cans of paint waiting to be used.
It would be a long process.
"If someone told me that, that when I return from America, I would be assembling a crib for one of my friends' daughters, I definitely wouldn't believe it," Jaehyun said slowly as he read some instructions.
"Hard to believe, but not impossible," commented Doyoung, snatching the paper from his hands and now reading the instructions.
"It's just that I only left for two weeks! And now I'm an uncle! As far as I know, that process takes nine months," exclaimed Jaehyun exasperatedly.
A thump on his head made him stop and he brought his hand to his neck to rub it as he complained slowly and looked at the cause of that attack.
"It was a nine-month process, idiot. It's just that we didn't find out about it until a little over a week ago," Doyoung told him, looking at him disapprovingly.
After that, and quietly giving up on how to build a crib, they left the room where they were and headed to the small baby carrier that was on the couch with a very peaceful Sun Hee inside it, or at least she seemed to be peaceful.
Doyoung and Jaehyun approached her, who either looked at them or made an attempt to do so, with her eyes wide open and babbling sweetly. The heads of both boys tilted as they watched the little one and her actions, almost as if they were examining her and trying to guess what her next move would be.
May the universe take care of the little one with such uncles she has.
"She looks like Taeyong," murmured Jaehyun.
"Well, of course she looks like him, she's his daughter," Doyoung replied obviously.
"She could look like her mom, who knows," the younger shrugged and continued to watch the little one. Who would have thought that one of their friends would be a father?, who would have thought that the very Lee Taeyong, who loved freedom, would become a father? The little one remained calm for a few more moments, until Doyoung and Jaehyun's gaze that was on her may have made her uncomfortable, because without further ado and letting out a whimper, she began to cry; causing both boys to look at each other and panic as they didn't know what to do next.
"Should I pick her up?" Jaehyun asked alarmed. He had never held a baby before. "Sun Hee? Calm down... calm down Sun Hee... don't cry."
"Where's Taeyong?" asked Doyoung, and the baby's crying became even louder. "Taeyong!"
"Sun Hee, please don't cry," murmured Jaehyun as he looked around, then took the remote control and turned on the TV. "Look! Look Sun Hee, the news! That so interesting, isn't it?"
"You idiot, what does she know about the news," snapped an upset Doyoung as he lightly hit his friend's arm.
"How would I know, I've never had a daughter! Where's Taeyong? Taeyong!" they called again for the attention of the father, who was not present, and the little one began to cry more and more. "Sun Hee, don't cry because I'm also going to cry," commented a very sentimental Jaehyun.
To the misfortune of both boys, Taeyong along with Johnny had gone down to the lobby of the building for a couple of things that would be delivered for the apartment renovation.
Who else but the great Lee Taeyong would leave a baby in the care of TWO adult babies? Nobody else but him.
Doyoung quickly grabbed a toy that looked like a rattle and after seeing his friend entering a great state of panic, he began to shake it trying to get the attention of the little one who seemed not to have precisely an off button, and instead of getting distracted and stopping crying with the noise of her toy, she seemed to become more uncomfortable and start crying once again.
Both friends looked at each other again, defeated. A one-week-old baby had more power over them. They would definitely be ready to be parents in about... thirty years.
"You idiots , what have you done to my princess?" Lee Taeyong questioned once inside his apartment, leaving the boxes he was carrying on the floor and approaching his daughter, lifting her in his arms and making her cry cease once she felt the warmth of her father.
"What did we do to her? What did she do to us!" exclaimed Jaehyun, bringing his hands to his face.
"You're so dramatic, Sun Hee is a sunshine," commented Johnny, approaching his friends and stroking the cheeks of the little one in Taeyong's arms. "Aren't you? You're a very pretty sunshine, Sun Hee, I bet when you grow up you'll be so pretty that everyone will be after you," he said in a high-pitched voice while Sun Hee seemed to be very familiar with the voice of her third uncle, who was making a very small attempt at a smile.
"Look at that, it seems like Sunnie already has favoritism towards one of her uncles," Taeyong said, smiling tenderly as he saw his daughter calmer.
"Johnny her favorite uncle? I'm the godfather!" exclaimed Doyoung offended.
"He's the godfather?" Jaehyun and Johnny asked incredulously, pointing at Doyoung.
Oh no.
Taeyong looked innocently at his friends and smiled slightly once an idea lit up his head.
"Whoever manages to assemble her crib will be her godfather. Isn't that right, Sun Hee?" the little one just babbled while her eyes closed, beginning to drift off to sleep.
He didn't need to repeat his sentence before his friends ran out of the room and ran towards the place that would be Sun Hee's room.
Taeyong laughed and left his little daughter in the baby carrier while gently rocking her.
It will be a long day.
_____________________________________________
First month.
Week three.
If there's one thing people know about Lee Taeyong, it's that he's a dedicated and determined man. A workaholic perhaps, and that might be the reason behind the great success and reputation of his company. Taeyong knew what he was doing, and he was the best at it. His investments always remained clean and on a large scale; any businessman would feel honored to work with the great Lee, or even to have a minimal connection with him. He was well-known in the business world, not just because of who his father was, but because of the great work he had done on his own to achieve everything his companies obtained after his father's retirement. A young man in big business, respected by the world.
That was Lee Taeyong.
He was also a man of routine and hated when it was affected. Over the years and as he grew older, Taeyong realized that the best thing for him was to have a schedule ready for each morning so that things would go more smoothly and efficiently. His days were mostly planned, but it was obvious that there would always be some unexpected event to deal with during the day. However, Taeyong always found a way to handle it as organized as possible.
However, with the arrival of Sun Hee in his life, and what it caused to change completely, his routine had to be terribly affected. He had been aware that this would happen, at least in the first weeks – or months – of Sun Hee's life. At least until he could take her to a daycare or until he could find a nanny he could trust completely to leave the most precious thing in his life in her care.
So for now, he had to play two roles, that of being a father and that of being the CEO of one of Korea's most important companies. Although now that he could see his life from two completely different points of view, he could assure that the first role was by far more difficult than the second.
He had heard a lot about being a father, even his mother had given him a book on how to be a father, he thought it would help, but it really didn't help at all. Being a single father was hard, especially being a first-timer; his mind was in chaos. Of course, he loved Sun Hee, she was his life, his ray of sunshine, but sometimes it was too much to handle, sometimes the diapers didn't fit as nicely as a pretty nurse had taught him... Sometimes Sun Hee didn't want to drink the formula that Taeyong offered her when she was supposed to eat – and according to his mother, maybe it was because the girl needed breast milk, how the hell could Taeyong do that? – Sometimes no matter how much effort he made, Sun Hee wouldn't stop crying.
And that's where he was right now. At three in the morning, with visible dark circles under his eyes, his hair disheveled, barefoot while rocking Sun Hee back and forth in his arms, who seemed to find no peace.
"Shh, Sunnie. What's wrong? You should sleep a little, don't you want to let Daddy rest a bit?"
The day for Taeyong had been difficult; there had been some mishaps in the company that couldn't be dealt with from home, so he had to go there with Sun Hee as his company.
The confused looks from his employees had not been of much help to him at that moment.
Nor had it been of much help that Sun Hee had been whiny all day. Taeyong didn't understand what was going on with his little one, it wasn't that she needed a diaper change, it wasn't that she was hungry... she just spent the day throwing little complaints.
And that had been too much for Taeyong. The pressure of business matters and the responsibility he had as a father became too much.
Sun Hee continued to cry in his arms, and Taeyong felt like he would cry at any moment too.
"Sunnie, please. I don't want us to be kicked out of the building for bothering the neighbors," murmured a very frustrated father. "Calm down, baby, can you do that for me? Can you calm down a bit, huh? Can you do that for Daddy?"
Taeyong stroked his daughter's cheek, who seemed to stop crying and just let out a few small sobs that hopefully would stop in a few seconds.
He sighed and relaxed his body, bringing Sun Hee closer to him.
And maybe... just maybe, he spoke too quickly.
Because as soon as he was relaxed, his daughter started crying again, and this time Taeyong couldn't take it anymore and cried too. He sat on his bed with her in his arms, and a few tears fell from his eyes.
Looking at his daughter and seeing the state she was in, he couldn't help but feel his heart ache. Sun Hee looked so fragile, so small. How could he keep her safe? How could he make everything alright? Oh, how he wished he had come into the world with all the knowledge about how to be a good father in his mind.
"I wish I could know what's wrong with you, Sun Hee, but I can't read your little mind," he murmured between sobs. Obviously, his daughter didn't respond, but rather continued with her act.
His lungs would probably hurt right now with all the crying he had done, and that terrified Taeyong, who stood in his place and walked to the bedside table, where he picked up his phone and entered his contacts list. He didn't exactly know what he was doing or why, but his desperation overpowered him, and in a moment his fingers were dialing the only number he could think of, he just hoped he was doing the right thing.
One tone... two tones...
It's three in the morning, Lee Taeyong, who would answer you at this hour?
Three tones... four tones.
"Hello?" a very sleepy voice was heard on the other end of the line, and Taeyong could feel the air returning to his lungs.
"Y/N?, I'm really sorry for calling you at this hour," Lee murmured as he left his daughter in her rocker and held his phone between his shoulder and ear.
(Y/N) recognized that voice after a few seconds and recognized those cries even more, making her sit up briefly in her bed and mentally forcing herself to wake up completely.
"Taeyong? What's wrong? Is it Sun Hee the one I hear?"
Of course, it's Sun Hee, idiot! What other daughter does Lee Taeyong have?
"Yes, it's Sun Hee... and I... don't know what's going on. Sunnie has been complaining all day and hasn't stopped crying for a while. I don't know what to do, I've already changed her diaper, she's already eaten, I even sang her some lullabies, but nothing works," explained Taeyong desperately. "I don't know what to do, I'm tired, my arms hurt from carrying her so much, I've memorized all the nursery rhymes, and Sun Hee doesn't seem happy with anything."
"Oh, Taeyong..."
"You were sleeping, weren't you? Oh God, I'm so sorry, I know it's late, but calling you was the only thing I could think of, I'm really sorry..."
"Taeyong?" (Y/N) called him. "Don't worry, I told you that you could call me if you ever needed it. I have no problem helping you, even if it's three in the morning," the girl could hear the soft laugh of the nurse on the other end of the line, and this created a great contrast between the incessant cries of his daughter and the sweet laughter of (Y/N). "What can I do for you?"
"I know it's late, but I can't think of anything else, can you come? Or if you want, I can put Sun Hee in her car seat and drive over there!" Taeyong explained quickly.
"Calm down, I don't think it's the best idea for you to drive stressed and with Sun Hee crying in the back seat. Send me your address, and I'll be there in a moment."
"Thank you, (Y/N), I wouldn't be calling at this hour if I really didn't need it..."
______________________________________________
The door of Taeyong's large apartment was knocked, and this alerted the boy as he carried his baby close to his chest. Lee headed to the entrance of his house, and when he opened it, he found (Y/N) in a very different contrast than he had become accustomed to seeing her. For obvious reasons, she was not in her work clothes, and now she was wearing a black sweatshirt with cute pants covered in puppy drawings all over. Her hair slightly loose and without a drop of makeup.
Even so, she looked pretty.
Taeyong blinked a couple of times and moved aside to let the girl pass while he continued to rock his daughter.
(Y/N) entered the apartment and approached the father and the little girl.
"Can you lay her down somewhere? I'd like to give her a quick check-up,"
Taeyong nodded without hesitation, walked to the room that had been adapted for Sun Hee, and laid her down in her crib. The crib that Johnny had successfully built, opening the fight between who would truly be Sun Hee's godfather... something they would detail later.
Once the little one was in her crib, (Y/N) lifted her clothes slightly to observe Sun Hee's stomach and see a few more things. The boy simply watched in silence, resigned by his daughter's cries and giving a couple of glances to the girl beside him.
I wish the call I made had been for something else and not for this.
Taeyong and (Y/N) hadn't had contact since that time two weeks ago when the former had left the hospital. Taeyong tried to call her a couple of times, to thank her again for everything she had done for them during the time she had been Sun Hee's nurse, but for some reason, he was always busy enough with his daughter and the company, and he didn't allow himself to do it.
He would have liked to invite her for coffee sometime.
He really would have liked that.
"I'm not exactly a doctor," (Y/N) spoke. "But I've worked with many babies to see these consistent behaviors. It seems to me that Sun Hee is suffering from colic; I think it would be best to take her to the pediatrician first thing in the morning just to be sure."
Taeyong nodded without saying a word, maybe because he was too tired to formulate anything or because maybe his mind was no longer processing anything. (Y/N) smiled tenderly, regardless of the little one's whining; after all, it was something she heard daily in maternal care.
"Can I?" she asked, pointing to Sun Hee. Taeyong nodded again, and (Y/N) took the little one in her arms. "Oh Sun Hee, it's been a while since we last saw each other; you look even prettier than two weeks ago, even though you won't stop crying," she murmured, earning a small laugh from Taeyong.
"Try spending three hours listening to her cry," the visibly tired boy replied.
"I work in maternal care, remember? I hear several babies cry at the same time."
"True," Taeyong sighed, "it's just that it's tiring, you know? Particularly today was a heavy day, and it seems that Sunnie has no intention of letting me sleep tonight."
"We'll try to fix it then," (Y/N) gave him a smile, glanced around the room, and when she found a rocking chair, she went there to sit down.
She placed Sun Hee on her lap face down and began to pat her back gently, then used her fingers to give her a little massage, delicate enough for her. For a moment, the crying didn't stop, but after a few minutes, the father found himself really surprised to notice that his daughter had managed to calm down.
From the doorway of the room, with his arms crossed over his chest... Taeyong smiled.
But what a sight. (Y/N) tried not to be distracted by this and continued to massage while clearing her throat.
"The nursery is very nice," she commented, trying to look anywhere but at the boy's figure.
Taeyong nodded and approached her slightly.
If you don't see him, you won't be distracted... if you're not distracted by him, you won't think anything impure...
"Yes, we set it up the first week Sun Hee was here. The guys and I went through a moment-" Taeyong laughed as he remembered the day- "Do you remember, Doyoung? He was the one who accompanied me on the last day at the hospital," (Y/N) nodded, "Doyoung, Johnny, and Jaehyun helped me, it was chaos, but we managed to set everything up... still, Sun Hee doesn't sleep here yet."
"Really?"
"Mhmm, Sunnie sleeps with me. In a way, it's easier for her to sleep if I'm by her side; I just put some pillows around her, and she sleeps in my bed," he commented, feeling his cheeks blush. In reality, it wasn't so much that Sun Hee had gotten used to him, but rather that Taeyong rested more peacefully knowing that his daughter was by his side, so he would know that, if something happened, he could respond immediately.
"That's very sweet," she commented, "how has everything been? It's been three weeks since I heard anything from you," she continued massaging the little one's back.
"Uh, it's been good, I guess. Sometimes a bit chaotic, but I have my parents' help and Sun Hee's uncles," he replied, "... my friends, they say they're Sunnie's uncles, and I agree with them, they're like my brothers."
"It's nice to know you have someone to lean on; it would be much harder if you were alone," she took the baby in her arms and rocked her as she saw her sleepy face.
Taeyong, surprised by the immense ability of the nurse, watched the scene with tenderness, which looked too domestic. Too much for Taeyong's liking.
"Yes, it's been hard, but they've been a great help. I've been working from here, so I have to take care of the company and Sun Hee at the same time. Sometimes it gets stressful, but I have to keep doing it, at least until Sunnie gets bigger and I can get a nanny... or take her to the company. I don't know which of the two options is worse."
"You'll surely find a good nanny or daycare," (Y/N) encouraged, "you know? We have a daycare at the hospital... well, not exactly in maternal care or in the hospital itself, it's affiliated. Sometimes I cover shifts there; maybe you should consider it."
"Yes, maybe," Taeyong smiled.
Both remained silent for a few seconds, (Y/N) still gently rocking the little one to not wake her from the sleep she had fallen into, and Taeyong discreetly looking at the nurse.
Never in his life did he think he would find himself in such a situation.
But he wasn't complaining; he liked the scene. It was nice to see.
(Y/N) also discreetly contemplated the scene and thought to herself: How is it possible for Lee Taeyong to look so attractive at three in the morning? Even with dark circles under his eyes?
It wasn't news that the man seemed attractive to her, but after three weeks without hearing from him, she thought she wouldn't think of him that way. Of course, Taeyong and Sun Hee were constantly on her mind; she wanted to know about them on many occasions, but she had no way to contact with him, and the hospital, for good reasons, wouldn't give her the Lee family's private information; after all, it's the hospital's policies, and she would respect them.
However, she was grateful that Taeyong had called her, even though it had been at three in the morning on a Tuesday, to deal with Sun Hee's irritated problem.
She just hoped that if they met again, it would be in a different situation...
______________________________________________
An hour and a half later, with a deeply sleeping Sun Hee in Taeyong's bed surrounded by pillows, and the clock showing four forty-five in the morning. Lee Taeyong and Kang (Y/N) were in the living room of the apartment, not saying much.
"I think I should go," the girl commented. "I start my shift in a few hours."
Two hours and fifteen minutes to be exact.
"Oh my God, (T/N), you should have told me you had an early shift; I wouldn't have made you come here if I had known," Taeyong exclaimed alarmed.
"Don't worry, really. I told you that you could call me if you ever needed anything, and I meant it. You and Sun Hee would never be a problem. I'm glad to help," she smiled.
"Thank you very much, it means a lot to me that you did this," the boy commented. For a moment, he thought about taking the girl's hands and giving them a slight squeeze, but he held back his thoughts. "I promise to repay you soon... maybe with a coffee?" the brunette asked, feeling a surge of hope in his chest.
He saw the girl's smile widen, causing him to smile as well, and he lowered his gaze shyly.
"Rest assured that I'll say yes," she replied. "I'll be waiting for your call, even if it takes three weeks again," she joked.
"I won't take that long this time, I promise you."
"We'll see about that... in the meantime, don't forget to take Sun Hee to the pediatrician tomorrow; anything you need, you can call me, Lee Taeyong. I'd like to know how things are going with Sun Hee afterward."
"I'll let you know if anything comes up."
"Goodnight, Lee Taeyong."
"Goodnight, (Y/N)."
And so, at five in the morning, each went to bed with a small smile decorating their faces.
____________________________________________
For (Y/N), life was something she appreciated.
Perhaps that's why she chose to work in the healthcare field.
She grew up in a middle-class family. Nothing extravagant, but with everything necessary to live comfortably. Her family wasn't large either; it was just her, her two siblings, and her parents. A typical family with its ups and downs.
She was never demanding and instead tried to help with whatever she could. She liked making people feel good and enjoyed contributing whenever possible, something that made her parents proud.
She grew up as a normal girl, at least until she reached high school, where her parents' divorce took place. She never knew when it happened or what led them to make that decision, which left a scar on her heart.
Or maybe she always knew but never wanted to acknowledge it.
She must have noticed it when her parents started arguing over every little thing. She must have noticed it when her father was less present at home. Surely, she noticed it when her mother cried all day in her room when her husband spent the entire night away. Perhaps the times when her older sister was irritated and left home to hang out with people of dubious reputation were a sign of how her family was gradually falling apart.
However, she hoped it wouldn't be like that.
Still, despite how much that decision affected her, she continued with her life as best as she could, being a support to her mother and becoming the older sister when her brother failed in that task.
She became an independent woman. She didn't like relying on others for money, which is why she managed to work since she entered high school. It was a part-time job, enough for her to have her own money, and it was the job that allowed her to find her vocation and passion.
Her job wasn't complicated – or at least, it didn't feel that way because it was something she genuinely enjoyed. Every day, after finishing her last high school class, (Y/N) rushed to the Dongjak area, where on a small street, she found the daycare center that allowed her to find her path. At that time, she didn't fully interact with the children, as she lacked the experience needed and was still young for that, but she was the assistant to the caregivers there, and seeing them work excited her every day.
She didn't know if she had developed an emotional attachment there, after the conflicts that had arisen at home due to her parents' arguments.
But she enjoyed being there, she really did.
Then her sister, in an attempt to leave home and go with who she swore was the love of her life, got pregnant at a young age. It was a difficult pregnancy, and (Y/N) took part in taking care of her sister throughout the process. She appreciated everything she had learned at the daycare center, which allowed her to put it into practice once her nephew was born.
Her nephew was the apple of her eye and would always be.
She didn't blame her sister, she really didn't want to, but there were times when it seemed like she was the mother of her nephew herself. There were many occasions when she had to take care of Jisung. Her sister had to leave high school behind and get a job to cover her and her son's needs, especially after the man who swore to always be by her side had cowardly fled two months before giving birth, making the childbirth process even more difficult than it already was.
So, her nephew saw her as a pillar. Someone who took care of him, fed him, changed him, and cared for him. (Y/N) even witnessed his "firsts" before his own mother. His first steps, his first words, she even accompanied him on his first day of preschool, continuing until she had to go to university.
Having found her vocation early on made everything easier. She entered the Academy of Health and Pediatric Nursing in Seoul. Where she always got good grades and became an exemplary student, graduating with all the honors her academy could give her almost three years ago.
It wasn't difficult for her to find a job immediately, thanks to the recommendations some of her teachers had, she was able to find a nice position in the maternity and pediatric care area at Seoul General Hospital, where she couldn't feel more comfortable.
Where she was right now.
" Nurse (Y/N)!" a soft voice called from behind her, causing her to turn around and smile emotionally.
"Hello, little one," she greeted, approaching the bed of one of her patients. "How are you feeling today?"
"Very well, they told Mom that I can go home today, they say the treatment worked," the boy told her with a huge smile on his face.
"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! You'll soon be back to see your friends at school," she encouraged him.
"Yes, but I'll miss you a lot, so I made this for you," he said, pointing to the piece of paper in his hands. "It's you and me."
(Y/N) smiled tenderly and looked at the drawing Kaeyoon had made for her.
"It's very nice, Yoonie, thank you very much for your gift, I'll hang it on my fridge," she said as she high-fived the boy. Then she looked at the drawing and looked doubtful. "And who is he? Is he your dad?" she asked, pointing to another figure in the drawing.
"No, that's Doctor Yuta, and he has hearts in his eyes because he's your boyfriend!" he exclaimed happily, causing (Y/N) to widen her eyes and then release a smile.
"But Yoonie~, Doctor Yuta is not my boyfriend," she replied, still laughing.
"Then can I be your boyfriend?” he asked skillfully.
"Oh, honey, I'm afraid you're too young for me," she replied with a smile.
"And when I get bigger?"
"Maybe when you're big," (T/N) continued. "But by then, you'll surely have found another girlfriend that will have your age."
"But you're the prettiest! Besides, I have to beat Doctor Yuta," he muttered.
"What do you have to beat me in?" another voice chimed in, and (Y/N)'s body reacted to it.
"In nothing."
"In being (Y/N)'s boyfriend," Kaeyoon and (T/N) replied in unison.
Yuta opened his mouth and pretended to be surprised. "So it's a competition?"
"Yoonie's just kidding," (T/N) said with a nervous smile. "You know how kids are, doctor."
"Look, doctor! I've made a drawing for you too," Kaeyoon exclaimed, changing the subject drastically, and it was the perfect opportunity for (Y/N) to awkwardly step away from there.
She wrapped the drawing in the paper and put it in the pocket of her pants before starting to check the checklist and see which child she should attend to. She stood at the desk for a few seconds, checking and arranging things until she felt a presence beside her, one that she could easily identify.
"So you have little kids falling for you," Yuta commented with a mocking smile.
(T/N) smiled nervously. "That's how kids are. Two weeks ago, he was in love with Nurse Mina."
"But he was right to fall for you," Dr. Yuta continued, and (T/N) let out a laugh followed by him. "Would you like to go for a coffee in your next break at the hospital cafeteria? I mean, it's not the most elegant thing, but I'd like to spend some more time with you."
(Y/N)'s cheeks turned crimson, and she nodded, smiling. "Oh yes, of course. I would love to."
"Maybe I might win you over Kaeyoon," Yuta said as he walked away from the desk.
_______________________________________________
Second month.
Week one, Thursday.
(Y/N) had been right two weeks ago. Sun Hee was suffering from colic, and according to the pediatrician, it was due to the formula Taeyong had been feeding her.
Taeyong instinctively felt like a bad father; he had been feeding his daughter something her little stomach seemed unable to tolerate. But how could he have known? He had to completely discard those formula cans from his pantry and replace them with the new formula the pediatrician had recommended, and soon, Sun Hee's discomfort was diminishing.
Even now, he could sleep a little more at night.
Along with the massages he had learned the night (Y/N) had helped him and a couple of other routines, Sun Hee's colic decreased.
(Y/N)…
Although Taeyong had assured not to take three weeks again to contact her, it seemed that Taeyong really wanted to leave her waiting. Not to misinterpret, it wasn't that he didn't want to call her and invite her for a coffee, but his life was busy, and his priority was his daughter instead of throwing flirty glances around.
Although he knew that a coffee was the least Taeyong could offer her in gratitude for that time at three in the morning, he simply couldn't muster the courage to pick up his damn phone and dial a few numbers. Besides, he didn't want to misread the signs; who would want to date a dad?
"You should just call her," Johnny advised as he watched his friend from the other side of the couch.
Sun Hee rested on her father's chest as he stared at his phone incessantly.
"I don't know, John," Taeyong replied with a sigh.
"How long has it been? Two weeks? You should have called her the next day."
"I don't want to pressure anything... maybe she's not interested."
"The girl came at three in the morning on a Tuesday, do you really think she wouldn't be even slightly interested?" Johnny asked incredulously.
"It was for Sun Hee, nothing else. She said she wouldn't mind helping with Sun Hee whenever she could," the younger one confessed, stroking his daughter's back.
"You should give yourself more credit, Lee Taeyong. You're a coveted and handsome man; being a dad now doesn't change how attractive you are."
"I was hoping she would be interested, not you," he joked, and Johnny contemplated throwing a pillow at him for a moment, but after seeing his niece on his friend's chest, he stopped.
"You'll never know if she has even a little interest if you don't call her. Plus, for the favor she did you, it's the least you can do."
Taeyong fell silent and sighed.
"I know, I'm aware of that," he replied, closing his eyes momentarily. "I'll keep considering it."
"You're stubborn," Johnny commented, rolling his eyes.
"Alright, alright. Get your ass up and come with me to the supermarket; Sun Hee finished her formula, and she needs more."
"Anything for my niece."
______________________________________________
“What do you think of this?” Johnny asked as he showed Taeyong a jar of baby food.
Taeyong turned around and snorted.
“Sun Hee still can't eat those things; besides, the doctor recommended that once Sunnie started trying food, I should prepare her purees myself. It's more natural,” the father shrugged, glancing at his daughter strapped to his chest in a baby carrier.
“Wow.”
“Wow what?”
“I never in my life imagined you playing the role of a dad,” Johnny commented with a half-smile.
His friend sighed and placed a can of formula in the shopping cart before sighing again.
“I didn't either, but Sun Hee came, and I'll try to be the best father she could have,“ he replied, smiling as he looked at his daughter. “ Everything happened very quickly, but Sunnie is a ray of sunshine.”
“She is!” Johnny agreed, then cleared his throat. “When are you going back to work? At the company, I mean.”
“John, this isn't the place to talk about that,” Taeyong said, pushing the cart.
“Taeyong, you know it has to happen. At some point in your life, you have to return to your usual routine. You can't work from home your whole life. Even the day will come when you have to go out and have fun too!”
“Johnny, stop”
“You know I'm right, Taeyong.”
The younger one sighed again. "I know, John, but now isn't the time for that. Sunnie is only two months old; the day will come when I can take her to the office without her getting irritated so quickly or the day when she's big enough to leave her in daycare."
“Just promise me you won't put your life completely on hold. I know Sunnie is your priority now, and some things change when you become a father, but please, also give yourself some time. If you ever need it, you can ask your mother to take care of her, I could even be Sun Hee's babysitter for a day!”
“I'd rather leave Sunnie with Doyoung and Jaehyun than with you,” Taeyong joked.
“Hey! How could you prefer to leave my niece with those two clowns? They can't even take care of themselves!”
Taeyong chuckled and continued pushing the shopping cart while considering what groceries to bring home.
“Okay, Johnny, I really appreciate it.”
His friend kept talking beside him, but he wasn't really paying attention. Instead, he was focusing on the items on the shelves and what he should take home, gently rocking Sun Hee to prevent her from crying right there.
He stopped somewhere between the cereal aisle and the canned goods, and upon hearing a child's laughter, he turned to his right, finding a very familiar face. The girl was about twenty steps away from him, with a smile on her face as she listened to what a little boy was saying to her.
Taeyong was confused; his brow furrowed as he looked sideways at the scene. Was that girl (Y/N)? If so, who was the boy next to her? His eyes widened; could he be her son? But what about that time at three in the morning? She wouldn't leave her child alone somewhere to go help another family... What if she had a husband and left him with him? Oh no, no, no, no.
“Taeyong?“ a female voice brought him back to reality, and he focused on the girl coming towards him with a confused expression, then smiling as she recognized him.
“ (Y/N), hi” he greeted, once she and the boy holding her hand were in front of him.
“ Of all the places we could run into each other, it has to be the supermarket” she commented, laughing softly.
Taeyong smiled. "Yes, Sunnie ran out of formula, so I had to come for more," he explained, pointing at his daughter.
“ Oh, I see. How's Sun Hee? I haven't heard from you since about two weeks ago,“ she inquired.
“She's been better; she had colics because her stomach couldn't handle the formula she was drinking. Now everything's fine.”
“I'm glad to hear that,“ (Y/N) noticed how Taeyong discreetly observed Jisung and spoke, “ Oh, yes, he's Jisung*. He's my nephew; I brought him to buy his favorite cereal, and he's staying over tonight.”
The guy felt the blood rushing back through his body and smiled warmly as he leaned slightly to look at the little boy.
“Hey, hi champ. I'm Taeyong, and she” he momentarily uncovered his daughter's face “ is Sun Hee.”
“Hi, Mr. I'm Jisung, and I'm this many,“ he held up his right hand, raising five fingers and showing them to Taeyong, who smiled tenderly.
“Oh, that's a lot. You're almost catching up to me.”
“Yeah, he’s almost your age” she laughed off.
In that brief moment, Taeyong and (Y/N) exchanged a few more words. The guy was distracted by her, now seeing her in a different light. He had seen her in her work clothes, then in pajamas when he called her at three in the morning, and now he saw her in a floral dress and a thin sweater covering her, with her hair loose and slightly wavy, and a bit of gloss on her lips.
She looked phenomenal. Actually, she looked phenomenal no matter what.
In nurse's attire, in pajamas, he was sure she would even look spectacular in a sack of potatoes because she just shone in every way.
However, his little and discreet admiration was interrupted when Johnny's voice called him abruptly.
“Hey, Taeyong. Look what I found; this would look cute on my niece” Johnny spoke, lightly tapping his back as he reached his side. Then he realized the situation and smiled sideways, “Oh, I didn't know you had found someone. I'm Johnny Suh, pleased to meet you” the blonde commented, extending his hand to the girl and giving a high-five to the little boy.
“She's (Y/N),” Taeyong said, fearing the worst.
“Oh.”
“ Nice to meet you, Johnny. I'm (Y/N). I was Sun Hee's nurse while she was in the hospital” she spoke kindly.
Johnny smiled playfully and turned to look at his friend, who was looking at him barely shaking his head.
Taeyong could expect anything from his friend, and that was what he feared the most.
“Oh, so you're the nurse Yong wanted to invite for coffee?“ he innocently asked.
“Johnny.”
“Hmm, I don't know” she responded with a little laugh, “Am I?”
“Excuse my friend; he's a very busy and absent-minded man” Johnny explained, receiving a small punch in his ribs from Taeyong, who smiled falsely and continued talking to the girl, “Isn't that right, Taeyong?”
“Yes, sorry for not calling you back after that night; I've just been taking care of Sun Hee and working at the company, so I didn't find the right moment to call you” Taeyong spoke with his head slightly bowed, feeling embarrassed.
“Oh, don't worry. I figured you'd be busy. No need to apologize; I completely understand” she assured him with a smile.
“But what a lovely girl! You better invite her for coffee; otherwise, I'll do it myself” Johnny encouraged while still smiling, causing (Y/N) to laugh.
“Johnny...”
“I was just kidding,“ he raised his arms in a sign of innocence, “but I'll leave you two alone; I heard there's a sale on floral detergent. I can't miss it!“ he exclaimed so that, without further ado, he walked away from the aisle and left both guys with both children, alone.
“I'm sorry, really. Sometimes Johnny can be... extra,” Taeyong apologized quickly, shaking his head with a smile, “but what he said is true; I wanted to invite you for coffee, but I couldn't find the right moment to call you. I'm sorry for taking so long.”
She smiled sideways and nodded slightly as she placed her hand on the guy's shoulder.
“It's okay. I waited for your call after you said you wouldn't take three weeks to call me this time,” she said, laughing, “but I figured you'd be busy, so no hard feelings.
“Is it still time for me to invite you?” he asked, his big eyes shining. (Y/N) nodded with her cheeks turning red, “How about Saturday afternoon? I know of a café not far from here, and they sell amazing muffins. I'm sure you'll like the place.”
“You've convinced me with the muffins.”
“Of course” Taeyong laughed. “I'll send you the location by text... this time, I'll do it.”
“I'll wait for your message then,” she said, nodding, then staying silent for a few seconds.
Should they say goodbye now? Should he wave his hand? Or leave a kiss on her cheek? They still didn't have the confidence for that, did they? Would it be weird if he did? How complicated everything is!
“Auntie, I want to go now,” the voice of a little boy took them out of their trance, and they changed their view to the kid.
“Oh, of course, my love. Have you had your cereal?” the girl asked, and Jisung nodded, “Okay, then we’ll go,” she assured him, then turned her gaze back to the boy and the little one on his chest, “it's been nice seeing you; give Sun Hee a kiss from me, have a good night.”
“See you on Saturday.”
“See you on Saturday, Taeyong.”
______________________________________________
The boy approached his car where Johnny was leaning against it, waiting for him. Taeyong gave him a dirty look, and the blond raised his arms as he opened the back door.
“Don't look at me like that! “ he pleaded with a smile “I did you a favor, dude!”
“Just don't say anything and put the stuff in the trunk” Taeyong ordered as he placed Sunnie in her car seat.
Johnny obeyed his friend's orders and began to put everything inside the car. After a few minutes, he returned to Taeyong's side, who had already settled Sun Hee comfortably and asleep in her car seat.
“Come on, help me get rid of this thing, it's stuck,” the brunette said as he tried to open one of the zippers of his baby carrier, struggling with it.
His friend approached him even closer and tried to help in a failed attempt; the zipper was stuck, and it didn't seem to want to open even with all the force in the universe.
“Let me try, don't move,” Johnny requested as he held his friend by the back and put one of his hands on the zipper of the carrier, “why won't it come out?”
“What a beautiful family!“ the exclamation of an older lady was heard, causing both boys to look at her. She was looking at them with a tender smile as she waved at them. Then they looked at each other and at their current position, prompting Taeyong to quickly push him away with his hands, and Johnny cleared his throat as he turned around.
“You get rid of that by yourself”
I’m sorry I took too long for posting this!! 😭
Taglist is open, just lemme know if u want to be added! You can ask me something if you want here!
Taglist: @geminiml95 @zooana @cathamada
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