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A/N This book is the sequel to "Party of Eight." Please read that book on my page first so that this one makes sense. 🥰 Dear Christopher,I don't know how to start this letter off.There's so much I want to say, but I'm not sure you'd want to hear it.I hope you're doing well. I hope you're living a better life than I lived.I hope my babies are okay. All of you.I know I've made a lot of mistakes, but I'm trying really hard right now to get the help I need. I promise you. I've changed.I'm taking medication for bipolar, and I'm seeing a therapist.I just want a second chance. I wish you didn't leave the way you did.I know you've had to take care of your brothers.I wanted to be able to help out. I never wanted you to be left with that burden alone. I wanted to send child support. I want to pay you back. I want to. I wish I could.I keep thinking about the day you left. It replays over and over in my mind.It broke my heart.I want to have a relationship with you. With all my children.I know I don't have the right to ask this.I know you won't want me to see Peter or Felix or Sky, but I want to have the chance to at least know them. If they want me to.Please. At least let them know that I care. Give them the chance to decide whether they want to know me or not.~~~ Chan read the letter carefully, over and over again.He crumpled it up and threw it in the garbage before walking out of the room.Then he walked back in and picked it out again.He flattened it out and put it in the drawer of his nightstand.He sighed and walked back out of the room, quickly putting it out of his mind and going to get Eden a bottle.
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AGES: CN/AM 32, JS/FL/SM 18, JN/BN 15, EN 7 Months. July 10th, 2024 Amelia paced back and forth in the bedroom. Eden fussed and cried, and no matter what Amelia did, she would just not settle down. Eden had a bit of a flu, and she was just getting over the fever she had gotten. Amelia was nearing the end of her maternity leave, and she was supposed to be starting work at the end of this month. She was desperately trying to get Eden better before then. The triplets had just turned 18 and graduated high-school, and like Seungmin had made clear, they were going to live with Minho for one year, and then come back to Canada and rent an apartment together. Whether Jisung and Felix knew what they wanted to do or not, didn't seem to matter, because when one of them decided something, they all did it. So, since Changbin was going to be in Canada visiting for 2 months, the triplets would just go home with him afterward. Jeongin and Byron were 15, and they were enjoying being big brothers for the first time. Despite Jeongin's initial disappointment about having a sister instead of a brother, he became very doting and caring towards Eden. Every day after school, Jeongin would go straight to Eden, taking her from Amelia. (Amelia didn't mind. It was kind of like a well-deserved break for her.) But it was clear that Byron was Eden's favourite. Even though Eden didn't understand a word, Byron sat beside her crib almost every night and read her princess stories. Chan and Amelia were very fortunate to have 5 very willing helpers when it came to taking care of Eden. It was clear from the day they brought her home from the hospital that she was going to be guarded like a treasure. That night, once Amelia finally got Eden to sleep, she went out to the living room and sat down beside Chan. The second she sat down, Eden started crying again. "My turn?" Chan asked. Amelia nodded her head. Chan hopped up and went to check on Eden. Chan paced back and forth, trying to calm her down. After another half an hour, Byron and Jisung appeared at the bedroom door. "Let us try!" Jisung said, holding Chan's guitar. Chan smiled, thinking this definitely wasn't going to work. He handed Eden to Byron. Byron and Jisung went and sat on Chan and Amelia's bed, while Byron held Eden in his lap. Jisung started loudly playing some made-up song, and it quickly caught Eden's attention. Byron bounced up and down enthusiastically, while clapping Eden's hands, as she stared at Jisung. Then Jeongin appeared and started singing to the song. Jisung started playing more slowly, and Byron stopped bouncing. Then after a while, Felix came with a warm bottle of milk and held it for Eden. Then Seungmin came and sat on the only empty part of the bed there was left. Chan went and got Amelia. "Baby, you have to come look at this." He said. She exhaustedly pushed herself up and they went to stand in the doorway. They both started smiling at the scene. "If she has a boyfriend in the future, they're gonna be so hard on him." Amelia said. "What boyfriend? There will be no boyfriend." Chan said. Amelia laughed. "You see those boys?! They'll never let it happen. You see the circle they've formed around her? It's not happening." Chan said. Amelia laughed again. Then she leaned into Chan. "We're really lucky." Chan nodded as they continued to watch. "I love our family." He said. Finally, Eden was falling asleep, and actually staying asleep. The boys stuck around, quietly singing songs as she slept. July 20th 2024 The house was bustling and full of life. Changbin had come from Korea and spent the first week at a hotel in Toronto, so he could visit Hyunjin and JoJo, and meet baby Juno. Then Chan was supposed to go to Toronto and pick Changbin up and bring him to London to stay with them. The way things worked out; Chan couldn't leave until after work. So, at 6:30 he left. By the time he got to Toronto, it was 8:00. Of course, he wasn't going to drive all the way there and not visit Hyunjin and JoJo. Hyunjin was still very much like his own kid, and he wanted to support him as much as possible. So, before he picked up Changbin, he stopped at Hyunjin's apartment. As soon as JoJo opened the door, Chan was met with a smile from her and Juno. "Ahh!" Chan cooed. "Juno! Uncle Channie is here!" he said, quickly taking Juno from JoJo's arms. "Hi Chris." JoJo giggled. "Hey kid." Chan said, pulling her into a side hug. "Come in." She said as she walked inside. "How was your drive? I can't believe you're driving back tonight! Are you sure you don't want to stay? You could sleep on our couch or something." JoJo said, worriedly. "Nah nah. I gotta get back. I have work tomorrow. But I needed to stop and say hi." Chan said, kissing Juno's cheeks. "Hyung!" Hyunjin called. "Are you crazy? You're gonna burn yourself out." Chan made his way to the kitchen. "I am crazy. I think." He said as Hyunjin gave him a quick hug. "You want some caffeine for the drive back?" Hyunjin asked. "Yeah." Chan said. "You look terrible by the way." "I just worked 12 hours, and I haven't slept in three days." Hyunjin smiled sarcastically. "Because of that." He said, pointing at Juno. "What?!" Chan gasped. "Don't listen to him" he said to Juno. "You're a perfect angel. Aren't you?" Hyunjin scoffed. "So, you're still doing the 12-hour shifts?" Chan asked. "Yeah. We need the money... Jo's going back to work in a couple months, but even then, we'll need to pay for part-time daycare." Hyunjin explained. "Hmm. Don't you have your own office space?" Chan asked. "Yeah." Hyunjin said. "Would it be impossible to bring him to work?" Chan asked. Hyunjin stopped making coffee and turned slowly to look at Chan with a thoughtful expression. "Hmm. I've never thought about it." He said. "Jo!" Hyunjin called. "What?" JoJo called back. She was currently using the opportunity to fold some laundry while Chan held the baby. "Could we bring Juno to work with us?" Hyunjin said. "What do you mean?" JoJo asked as she walked over. "Like instead of daycare." Hyunjin said. "He'll be in the way when we have clients." JoJo said. "But we don't have clients come in every day. I can take him to work when you meet clients, and you can take him when I meet clients." Hyunjin said. "Well, what about when he starts crawling? He'll get into stuff." JoJo said. "Well, we can think about that when he actually starts crawling." Hyunjin said. "What if our bosses don't like it?" "Well, we can at least ask." "I don't know, I'll think about it." JoJo said. "Jo, we really can't afford daycare." Hyunjin said. "I knoooow. I'll think about it." JoJo said. "Okay. Think about it. Once you start working again, if we have to pay for daycare, I'll have to be working 12-hour shifts for the next 5 years. I'd be able to work less if we didn't have to pay for daycare. I could do 10-hour, or even 8-hour days." Hyunjin said. "Okay. Let's ask then." JoJo said. "Plus, once our coworkers get attached to him, which they will, because he's cute, then they won't have a problem with him even once he's older." Hyunjin said excitedly. "Unless he's a complete terror when he's older." JoJo said. "He's not going to be allowed to be a terror." Hyunjin said. "Fine. But you ask your boss first." JoJo said. Hyunjin finished making coffee and then they sat together drinking it like the tired, sleep deprived parents they all were. It was around 9:00. Chan got a text from Amelia, asking when he was coming home. ["I'll be back in 2 hours."] - Chan ["Okay, well, I'm trying to get everything ready down here for when your brother comes, and I am trying to watch the baby, but the boys haven't come home. I told them to be back by dark, and I can't really leave to go get them. So..... If you could come back now. That'd be great."] - Amelia Chan sighed audibly as he read her message. "Well, I should get going now." He said, quickly handing Juno off and giving Hyunjin and JoJo each a hug. He quickly picked up Changbin from the hotel, hiding his internal panic as he greeted him in a big hug. Then they drove back to London. When they got back to the house, Jisung was waiting excitedly outside the front door. As soon as they pulled into the driveway, he ran over to open Changbin's door. "Hyung!!!!" Jisung called. "Jisung-ah~!" Changbin called. Chan left the two of them to have their moment, while he quickly went inside to check on everything. It was just after 11:00, but surprisingly it sounded like everyone was still up, and it sounded like they were in the kitchen. He could hear Eden fussing, and Amelia talking to the boys, sounding very frustrated. He took a moment to listen in. "We were going to come back, we just lost track of time!" Jeongin whined. "You did NOT lose track of time. I called you both 3 times!" Amelia said angrily. "But why does it matter? We're back now." Byron said. "Because! You were both supposed to be in bed an hour ago!" Amelia scolded. "It's just this once! Besides, we told you where we were! It's not like we were in danger or something!" Jeongin sassed. "You could've been. How would I know when you wouldn't answer my calls?" Amelia asked worriedly. "Mama, it's not like we were doing something wrong! We literally just went to the pool." Byron said. "Yes. And you came back almost an hour after curfew. You were told to be back before dark. How was I supposed to know that something didn't happen?!" Amelia asked. "Nothing happened!" Jeongin said angrily. Amelia sighed. "You two are both grounded!" She said. Jeongin angrily huffed. "Oh, Whatever!" He remarked as he walked away. "I'm not done talking to you." Amelia said as she tried to grab his arm with her free hand. But Jeongin forcefully pulled his arm away, making Amelia and Eden stumble. "Careful!" Byron yelled at Jeongin. Jeongin walked out of the kitchen, right into Chan. He looked up and gulped. He quickly backed away, back into the kitchen. Chan quickly came forward, following Jeongin. Jeongin backed all the way to the counter. Then he stopped. Chan stood in front of him with his arms crossed. Jeongin looked down at his feet. "Apologize. RIGHT NOW." Chan said. "Sorry Dad." Jeongin whispered. "Not to me!" Chan said. "Sorry Mama..." Jeongin said, quickly slipping away and going over to Amelia. Amelia just sighed. Clearly the problem was not solved with just an apology. "You and I are going to go downstairs and have a conversation." Chan said to Jeongin. Jeongin shuddered. "Both of you are being very disrespectful right now." Chan said. "It's not like we broke the law or something!" Byron argued. "As far as you two are concerned, what your Mama and I say IS the law." Chan said. Byron looked down, feeling somewhat guilty. Jeongin just looked panicked about his impending doom. "Like your Mama said, you're both grounded. Both of you put your phones away, and Byron, go to bed." "Fine." Byron pouted as he started to leave. "Wait." Chan said. "Is there anything else you wanted to say?" He asked Amelia. "No." She sighed, shifting Eden onto her other hip. "Okay." Chan said. The boys made their way to their parents' bedroom to put their phones away. "Why did you shove Mama?!" Byron whispered threateningly. "I didn't "shove" her!" Jeongin defended. "Did so!" "Did not!" Amelia walked into the room to try to put Eden down in the crib. "Boys! That's enough!" Amelia said, raising her voice. She was completely exhausted. "But Mama, he-" Byron started. "ENOUGH! Byron, go to bed. Jeongin, your dad is waiting for you. Hurry up." She said, ushering the boys out. As Jeongin went back out, he found Changbin and the triplets in the living room. They were all super excited and happily talking. Changbin hadn't been back "home" since Hyunjin was in the hospital, so this felt very special to everyone. Jeongin ran up to say hi and give him a hug. "Why are you you so tall?!" Changbin asked, ruffling Jeongin's hair. Jeongin smiled. "Innie, Dad's waiting for you downstairs." Seungmin said. Jeongin looked down. "I know..." he pouted. "Why?" Changbin asked. "I dunno. He just told me to go upstairs cuz he wanted to "talk" to Jeongin. Pretty sure Innie's about to get it." Seungmin said. "Jeongin!" Chan called from the basement. Jeongin quickly ran down the stairs. Chan was waiting at the bottom. Jeongin slowed down as he got to the last step, not really wanting to step down. Chan gestured for Jeongin to stand in front of him. Jeongin stepped toward Chan, standing in front of him. Chan reached up and slapped Jeongin's cheek lightly. Jeongin looked up at Chan with big, watery eyes. His bottom lip popped out, and he started sniffling. "Don't you EVER act disrespectful like that again!" Chan scolded. "You don't ever pull away like that when she's talking to you." Jeongin let out a sob. "I've taught you better than that!" Chan said. Jeongin didn't say anything. "Do you think you're all grown up and don't need to be told what to do?" Jeongin shook his head. "No. I don't think so either. I think you need to be told what to do, and I think you need to listen when you're told what to do. Right?" Jeongin nodded. "Now you guys already got in trouble for staying out past curfew. You're already grounded. How you acted afterward, is what you're in trouble for now." Chan said. "I don't ever want to hear you use that tone again. I don't ever want to see you acting like you don't have to listen to Amelia. You do. And you had BETTER NOT walk away when she's talking to you, ever again. Do you hear me?" Jeongin nodded. "Answer me properly." Chan said. "Yes Dad." Jeongin whispered. "You certainly do NOT have the right to walk away when you're getting disciplined. If you think that because you're getting big and strong, you can use your strength to get away, and not have to listen, you are very VERY wrong. If you don't listen to her, then you're going to deal with me for it. And if you EVER use your strength like that again, you're getting a whooping." Chan warned in a strict voice. Jeongin looked down nervously. "You are going to write an apology for your behavior, and give it to her tomorrow. Understood?" Chan said. "Yes." Jeongin sniffled. "I am very disappointed by your behavior. I did NOT expect you to act so rude." Chan added. "I'm sorrrrrryyy~~" Jeongin said, sobbing now. "What got into you?!" Chan asked. "I-i don't... know... I just felt mad." Jeongin cried. "You can't act like that just because you're mad." Chan scolded. "I'm soooorryy~ I didn't hurt Mama..." Jeongin cried again. "No. You didn't. But that's not the point. The point is, you have to listen to her, because she is an adult, and you are a kid. She wants what's best for you, and wants you to be safe, and she knows better than you do. She is your parent, and you will not give her that attitude. I know you didn't hurt her, or even mean to hurt her, but you have to be more careful. And you absolutely have to listen. If she tells you not to leave, you can't leave. That's that. You do as she tells you even if she can't physically make you do something. I did not raise you to have such little respect for authority." Jeongin pouted. "I didn't mean to." He whispered. "Then don't do it again." Chan said sternly. "I won't." Jeongin sniffled. "Okay. Time for bed." Chan said. "But I want to see Binnie hyung." Jeongin said. "You'll see him tomorrow. Now get in bed." Chan said. Jeongin quickly turned and ran up the stairs, making his way to his bed. He looked over at Byron angrily as he lay in the bed on the other side of the room. Then he dove into his own bed and pulled the covers over his head as he cried. He kicked at his blankets angrily. "I hate you, Byron. I hate Mama, and most of all, I hate Dad!" He mumbled under his breath angrily, as he threw his little tantrum. He sniffled again and then he heard Byron whisper. "Jeongin? Are you okay?" "No!" Jeongin whispered angrily. "Did you get in trouble?" Byron asked. Jeongin pulled the covers off his face and gritted his teeth. "What do you think?!" He said angrily. "I don't know! That's why I asked." Byron sassed back. "Do you seriously think that my dad, of all people, just called me downstairs to talk about the weather or something?!" Jeongin said with all the sass he could muster. "Whatever. It's your own fault anyway!" Byron remarked. "My fault?! It was you who wanted to stay out later than we were supposed to!" "I didn't think it would take that long to walk back! Besides, it was your idea to walk to the pool in the first place!" "Well, it was you who decided not to answer when Mama called us!" "Well, it was YOU who backtalked when mama was lecturing us!" "ME?! YOU BACKTALKED FIRST!" Jeongin yelled. "No I didn't!" "Yes you did!" "No I didn't, and I didn't shove her either. You did." "I never shoved her. I just walked away." "Well you shouldn't have! Mama almost fell!" "I didn't know she was so weak!" Jeongin yelled, not meaning for it to sound so offensive. "Mama is NOT weak! Take that back!" Byron said, jumping out of his bed. Jeongin got on the defensive. He jumped out of bed, standing face to face with Byron. "No." Chan and Amelia were sitting on the couch in the living room, visiting with Changbin when they heard a sudden thud, followed by hitting and grunting sounds. Chan jumped off the couch, quicker than flash, and ran to the boy's room, flicking on the lights. "GET OFF OF EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW!" He yelled. They both startled enough to let go of each other and look at Chan. Amelia rushed over and gasped in horror. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?" The boys had wrestled each other both to the floor. They immediately stood up. "Nothing" they said in unison. "Oh, you are BOTH asking for it now." Chan said. Jeongin and Byron looked at each other shamefully. "Why on earth are you fighting? You two are friends!" Amelia said, going to sit down on Jeongin's bed. "You two are brothers." Chan said, giving each of them a glare. "He's trying to blame me for us getting in trouble." Jeongin said, pointing at Byron. "He said Mama is weak, and he wouldn't take it back." Byron said, pointing at Jeongin. Amelia rubbed her temples. Chan sighed and sat down beside her. "Sit down boys." Chan said. Jeongin and Byron both sat down on Byron's bed. "You two know better than to fight. Do you want to ruin your relationship?" Amelia asked. "No...." they both mumbled. "But Mama, he almost pulled you over." Byron said. "Stop being dramatic. I did not almost fall over, and I certainly don't need you fighting anyone because of it." Amelia said to Byron. Byron looked at the floor. "And you." Chan said, looking at Jeongin. "You already got in trouble twice! Have you seriously not learned your lesson?" He asked. "Well, he was acting like everything was my fault!" Jeongin defended. "You're both at fault." Amelia said. Chan sat silently for a while. "I don't like this behaviour." He said, turning to Amelia. "We need to talk." Amelia nodded, and the two of them went to talk in the other room, leaving Jeongin and Byron to nervously anticipate what was next. They went into their bedroom, careful not to talk too loudly and wake up Eden. "What should we do?" Amelia asked. "Well, I think a few licks with the belt would do them each some good." Chan said honestly. "I don't think Byron would trust you anymore." Amelia said. "I don't like them thinking that they'll get some light punishment for acting like this." Chan said. "I know. I don't like it either, but I don't want them to be afraid of us." Amelia said. "Baby. They're not going to be afraid of us, they're going to be afraid of disobeying us. If they know that they won't get in trouble for doing this, they'll do it again. They're only getting older, and bigger and stronger, so we need to put an end to this now. There will be no fighting like this. Not in our house." Chan said. "How can you be sure that they won't hate you?" Amelia asked. "It's not our job to be liked. Not right now." Chan said. "I know that. But I want to be a good mom to them." "You are. You're the best mom they could possibly have." "Then why isn't talking to them working today?" She asked. Chan bit his tongue. "What?" Amelia asked. "Don't get mad." Chan said. "Fine. What is it?" "It's not working because right now, they don't need "Mommy's gentle touch." They need "Daddy's touch."" Chan said, batting his eyelashes. Amelia stared at him for a while. "But we need to make sure they feel loved." She said. "We will make sure of it. We make sure of that every day." "If you do this, how are you going make sure they feel loved after? What if they're angry?" "We'll talk. We'll hug it out. They won't feel angry, because they'll feel sorry after. They'll feel angry until they get punished. Then they'll feel better. We already have a good bond. I promise you that this isn't going to ruin that. I promise you that this will help them in the long run. I think getting the same punishment will put things into perspective for them both. We aren't two separate families anymore; we are one family. They are brothers. They're in this together. And they need to respect us as their parents." Chan said. "I don't want this to become a thing. I don't want it to happen again. I don't want them to worry about getting the belt if something happens." Amelia said. "I've never done it more than once on any of the kids. In fact, I've only used it on 2 of the kids. Ever. This is not going to be a regular occurrence. Trust me." Chan said. "I want to trust you." Amelia said. "Okay. Well, if you don't, then I won't do it. I'm not going to do anything without your permission. We can think of something else." Chan said. "I have tried thinking of other things, but I know they aren't really taking us seriously." Amelia said. "So, then what?" Chan asked. "I guess they do need something more this time." Amelia admitted. They both sat in silence for a bit. "Do you want to tell them?" Chan asked. "Yeah. I'll tell them..." She sighed. "Okay." "But you better be so careful with them. I mean SO careful. I don't want you to hurt them, I don't want you to be rough with them, I don't want you to be scary. Nothing... It's just a consequence. It's only because they fought like this. They have to know we're not mad at them!" Amelia ordered. "I will be so careful, and so loving. I promise. They will know I'm not mad. They will know that I care." Chan assured. Amelia nodded. She went back to the boys' room and sat on the bed. The boys were still giving each other the side eye. "Your dad and I are really unimpressed with your behaviour." Amelia started. "I don't think you were taking me seriously at all today." She said to Jeongin. "And I don't think either of you had any fear of potential consequences when you decided to fight each other like that. You both need a punishment. And I hope you'll think before you decide to act so unruly in the future." Amelia said. "Is Dad gonna give us a whooping?" Jeongin asked, looking down. Amelia nodded. "Both of us?!" Byron asked. Again she nodded. "No." Byron said. "Excuse you?!" Amelia said, raising her voice. "Why?!" Byron whined. "Because of your behaviour." Amelia said sternly. "You're both getting the same punishment, because you both fought, and you were both disrespectful." "But he's not even my dad." Byron pouted. "He IS your dad. Since you were 11 years old, he's been more of a parent to you than anyone besides me. You've spent enough time with him by now to know that he'll do anything for you, kid. He's taken care of you and protected you. He talks with you every day and listens to you and helps you with any problem you have. He hugs you and kisses you Every. Single. Night. He loves you so much. Stop acting disrespectful. The "he's not my dad" argument isn't going to work. He is your Dad. And you two know very well that he's not going to let you beat each other up without any consequences." She scolded. "I hate you!" Byron yelled. "It's not my job to make you like me right now." Amelia said, standing up and walking out the door. She felt so angry about Byron's attitude. But she also felt hurt hearing the "I hate you." She walked back to the bedroom where Chan was waiting. "He said he hates me." Amelia repeated. Chan pulled her into a hug. "He doesn't hate you. He hates that he's in trouble. He'll process it eventually." Amelia nodded. "I just can't believe they actually fought each other." Chan, having been a teenage boy himself once, could definitely believe it. He just hummed in reply. Jeongin and Byron looked nervously at each other. "It's not my fault." Jeongin said preemptively. "Well, it's not mine either." Byron retorted. "Why did we fight?" Jeongin asked. "Because we were mad." Byron said. "Right." Jeongin whispered. "What's going to happen?" Byron asked. "I dunno. It's never happened before." Jeongin said. "Oh." Byron sighed. Then Chan knocked on the door. He stepped in. It was well after midnight, and everyone had gone to bed but the two boys, and Chan and Amelia. Even Changbin, who was curious, decided to just stay out of it, and head to bed, figuring he would just catch up with everyone tomorrow. The boys looked at Chan nervously. Then they looked at each other. "Okay, come here. Both of you." Chan said, not wasting any time. Byron started "But Dad, wait. I'm never going to fight again!" "Me neither! I promise! Please Dad..." Jeongin begged. Chan shook his head. "No arguments. Come." Jeongin pushed himself up first, accepting the reality. Chan looked back to Byron. "Come." he said sternly. Byron looked down, and his lip started to quiver. "I'm scared." He said as he started crying. Chan went over to him, sitting down and pulling him into his embrace. "Listen my boy, it's not going to be that bad. I'm not going to be too hard on you. But you do need a punishment. Both of you do." Chan explained. "Now come, and we'll talk after." Chan stood up, holding Byron's hand, and he pulled him up gently. "Okay, both of you bend over and put your hands on the bed" he instructed. They both complied nervously. Then chan took off his belt and gave them each 2 hard smacks. "There will be no fighting like that in this house. Understood?!" Chan scolded. "Yes!" Byron said with a sniffle. "Yes Dad." Jeongin whined. Then Chan gave them each 4 more, even harder smacks. The boys squirmed and tried not to cry. But as soon as Chan told them to stand up, Jeongin came and burried his face in Chan's chest, holding around his waist and crying like a baby. Byron turned away angrily. "Okay let's sit down and talk." Chan said, patting Jeongin's back. The boys both sat on the bed. "Okay. Both of you move over a bit." Chan said. He sat down right in between them. Somehow Byron expected this to be more intimidating. Chan put an arm around each of them, and they both calmed down. "Okay. You boys aren't going to fight again. Right?" Chan asked. They both nodded. "And you're not going to disrespect Mama or me again, correct?" "Yes Dad." Jeongin said. "Yes..." Byron nodded sadly. "Then we're back on the same page." Chan said. "We're on the same team you guys. Mama and I want what's best for you two. I know sometimes it seems like we're the enemy. the opposition. But we're not. We love you more than anything. And that's why I gave you both a punishment. We know you can act better. Do you understand?" Chan asked. Jeongin nodded. "Byron, do you understand?" "I guess so." Byron whispered. "Do you have any questions?" "Well, is this what's going to happen from now on?" Byron asked, sadly looking at Chan with puppy eyes. Chan shook his head quickly. "No. This is not going to be a regular thing. I don't think either of you will ever need another whooping. Right?" Byron nodded quickly. "Right!" Jeongin said. "Now. You two need to make up." Chan said. Jeongin looked at Byron, and Byron got teary-eyed. "I'm sorry I said Mama was weak." Jeongin said as he started to sniffle. "I'm sorry I said it was your fault we got in trouble." Byron whispered. "I'm sorry I punched you." Jeongin said. "I'm sorry I tackled you." Byron said. Jeongin smiled at Byron. Then he started giggling. Then Byron snorted, looking down at his feet in embarrassment. Chan pushed himself back against the wall and watched the two of them. "Is it funny now?" He asked. "A little bit." Byron giggled. Then Jeongin started laughing. "That was stupid." Byron laughed out loud too. "We actually went at each other, bro." The two of them giggled for a bit. Amelia, despite how exhausted she was, was pacing up and down the hall the entire time. She heard both the boys cry a little. She couldn't settle down. Then she heard the boys laughing. Laughing? How is that possible? She listened by the door, not wanting to interrupt their moment. She smiled with relief as she heard their conversation. "That was embarrassing." Jeongin laughed. Byron laughed. "Yeaaaaah....." "Do you want a hug?" Jeongin asked. Byron snorted. "Sure." Then they started making fun of each other lightly. "You cried a lot, man." Byron laughed. "Yeah well, you cried before it even started." Jeongin laughed. They snickered, seemingly unbothered by the fact that Chan was sitting right beside them. Amelia was surprised yet again by how comfortable of a relationship Chan had with the boys. "Okay. Yes. It was hilarious, boys." Chan said. "Now, don't forget you both need to apologize to your Mama tomorrow." "Okay." Jeongin said. "Me too?" Byron asked. "Mmhhmm." Chan said. "Why?" "I heard that the words "I hate you" may have been thrown around tonight." Chan said. "Oh. Yeah." Byron said sadly. "I don't actually though!" He quickly defended. "I know, but still." Chan said. "Well sometimes I just get mad. Sometimes it feels unfair." Byron said. "What feels unfair?" Chan asked. "That everything changed so quickly. I didn't use to have to listen to anyone but Mama." Byron said honestly. "It is a big change. I know that's why incidents like this happen. And I know it must be hard for both of you boys." Chan said. They both nodded. Then Jeongin's curiosity got the best of him. "Do you wish you didn't come here?" "No!" Byron said confidently. "Mama always wanted me to spend time here before we lived here too, because she said I needed a good example." Byron started cutely. "And now I feel a little less scared. Cuz it's not just me and Mama anymore. Plus, I never had this many people who care about me before. And I never had a dad who loved me before. But it's different than I imagined." "What did you imagine?" Chan asked "Well, I never thought that a dad who loved me would punish me." Byron admitted. "Oh." Jeongin said. "Surprise!" Chan joked. "I love you. That's why you get disciplined." He cooed in a baby voice. Byron snorted. "I love you too, Dad." He whispered. Amelia's heart melted as she heard Byron say that. Then she heard what sounded like Chan kissing Byron's head a bunch of times in rapid succession. "Okay okay, okay!!!" Byron giggled. "Stop it." Chan laughed. Then there were more kissing sounds, probably Chan kissing Jeongin's head now. Jeongin laughed too. "Okay, Dad. Chill." Chan laughed again. They seemed to quiet down for a bit. "All right boys, do you want to hear a story or a prayer?" Chan asked. "Hmm... what kind of story?" Byron asked. "Well, I could tell you about the time I completely embarrassed myself in front of my crush in high school..." "Oooooohhhh..." Jeongin said excitedly. "Yes! Tell us!" Byron cheered. Amelia chuckled to herself as she went to make a cup of tea. She made some chamomile and went to lay in bed. After a while, Chan came into the room, still chuckling. It was after 1:00 am. Amelia smiled. "It sounds like it went well." "Yeah. I think they'll definitely survive." Chan laughed. "Are they actually going to be able to sleep after hearing that story?" Amelia asked. Chan smiled, realizing Amelia had been listening. "Not at all. They'll probably be laughing at me all night." He said, going over to his dresser to get changed. Then he leaned over the edge of the crib, kissing Eden's head. "I love you sweetheart." He whispered. Amelia smiled. Then Chan came and laid down. "I was thinking, if you think it's a good idea, we could give Hyunjin and JoJo a gift card. Maybe a few hundred dollars at Walmart or something." He said. Amelia nodded. "That's a good idea. How were they?" "They're struggling. But they'll figure it out." Chan said. "Awe. Struggling financially, or?" "Yeah. Financially. Other than that, they're good. They're cute." Chan said. "They're always cute. Are they coming down for the get together in a couple weeks?" "Yeah. Only for the weekend though. Jinnie can't take any days off work." "He's still working 12 hour shifts?" "Yeah. Until JoJo goes back to work. Or maybe even after, depending on if they have to pay for daycare." "Hmmm..." Amelia hummed. Amelia finished her tea and slid down into bed. She turned the lamp off and scooted toward Chan, laying herself directly on top of him. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Chan laughed. "I just love that you always take such good care of everyone. You always make sure you do exactly what each of the kids need, and it's always surreal to me that you actually exist." Amelia whispered. "Aweee~~" Chan cooed. "Baby, you're gonna make me cry." He said, wrapping his arms around her. Amelia smiled and gently kissed Chan's lips.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A couple weeks had passed.Amelia and Chan planned a little get together since Changbin was here.It was supposed to be a little bit of a reunion, but it was too bad that Minho had to leave a couple weeks ago already.Minho was only in Canada for a short time.He mainly stayed in Toronto to visit Hyunjin, JoJo, and Juno, but he did go down and visit everyone else in London for a few days too. Hyunjin and JoJo arrived Friday after work.Hyunjin was able to work a shorter day, so they got there just after supper time.The two of them were completely exhausted, and as soon as they walked in the door, Jeongin happily stole Juno from them.Chan ushered them both to go take a nap, and they very willingly complied.It was the first time either of them slept for more than 2 hours at a time since Juno was born.By the time they woke up, it had been 3 hours, and they were both in a much better state.They walked back up the stairs together, holding hands.Juno was being held by Jisung.He looked up at him in awe as Jisung made funny faces at him.JoJo went to the kitchen to chat with Amelia and Changbin.Changbin was holding Eden as she slept."JoJo! I'm so glad you guys could come." Amelia said, jumping up to hug her."Yeah. Me too! Sorry we didn't come to say hi earlier." She apologized."That's okay. You needed a rest. It's a long drive." Amelia said."Good to see you again Changbin." JoJo said."You too." Changbin said, also giving her a hug."So how's the work situation going? Do you think you'll have to get daycare for Juno?" Amelia asked."Well" JoJo sighed....Then the three of them started discussing life and giving each other advice.Hyunjin went over and sat beside Jisung, throwing his arm around him."Hi Sungie." He said, pinching Jisung's cheek.Jisung gave him a sarcastic smile. "Hi Jinnie" he mocked in a cute voice.Hyunjin laughed."I like your baby." Jisung said, cooing at Juno."Thanks. I like him too." Hyunjin replied.Jisung laughed.Then Hyunjin went to find the rest of his brothers."Seungmin-ah! Feeeelix! Byrrrron~" He called.Seungmin popped out of the bedroom."Hiiii!" He called excitedly.Then Byron popped out behind him. He ran to give Hyunjin a hug."Puppy, come here." Hyunjin said, forcing Seungmin to join the hug.He kissed both of their heads.Seungmin grimaced and pulled away."Where's Felix?" He asked."In the yard with Dad. They're making a fire." Byron said."Oh." Hyunjin said.Then he went through the kitchen, stopping to give Amelia a hug.He hugged Changbin too, even though he just saw him a couple weeks ago.Then he went through the patio door."FELIX!" he called.Felix came running over and jumped at Hyunjin."Oof!" Hyunjin said as he tried to catch Felix.Felix laughed at Hyunjin's pain."You're finally awake!" He said.Hyunjin laughed. "Mostly."Then he heard the familiar sound of Juno cry.He turned on his heels and went back inside.But JoJo was faster.She was already scooping Juno up from Jisung's arms.She sat on the other couch and carefully pulled her shirt down to feed Juno, making sure not to show anything.Jisung panicked. Ew. What the heck was she doing?Amelia never did this. Eden always drank from a bottle.Apparently Jisung wasn't hiding his discomfort very well.Hyunjin sat down beside Jisung again."Stop making that face. And don't stare at her." He whispered in Korean."Well it's kind of gross." Jisung said, looking away.Hyunjin gave him a glare. "Stop acting disgusted.""I wasn't trying to. It's just weird.""Why?""Cuz, it's uncomfortable. She's showing her... You know." Jisung said."Jisung, has logic completely escaped your brain? This is what boobs are for." Hyunjin said bluntly."For THIS?!" Jisung asked genuinely.Hyunjin smacked the back of Jisung's head."Ow!" Jisung yelled."What are you two doing?!" JoJo asked Hyunjin worriedly."I'm just educating him about something." Hyunjin said with a smile.JoJo shot him a dirty look.Then he turned back to Jisung and continued in Korean."How on earth did you graduate high-school? How do you not know how babies eat?" He asked."I know this is how they eat, I just didn't think about it before!" Jisung defended."Well you should try thinking more often. You'd learn a lot."Jisung squinted at Hyunjin angrily. Later that night, after putting both the babies to sleep, they all went and sat around the fire.As it got later, Hyunjin noticed that JoJo looked a bit cold."Joey, are you chilly?" Hyunjin asked sweetly."Oh. Yeah. Maybe I should go get a blanket." JoJo said as she was about to stand up."I'll get one, Jo." He said, jumping up. "Amelia do you want one?""Actually, yeah. That'd be nice." She said.Hyunjin came back out and handed one to Amelia.Then he went over to JoJo...He held up the blanket.She wasn't sure what he was doing, so she stood up to take it from him.But he quickly wrapped it around her snuggly, and then pulled her down to sit on his lap.He wrapped his arms around her, and she melted into him."Are you warmer now?" He asked.She giggled. "Yes. I'm warmer now."Chan and Amelia looked at each other and smiled, finding the two of them adorable.Jeongin laughed happily, finding it funny. "JoJo, you're like a kimbap roll." He said.Then everyone laughed. That night Hyunjin and JoJo brought Juno down and put him in his portable crib beside the pull out bed.Juno woke up, needing to be fed and changed again.JoJo fed him, and then Hyunjin changed him and rocked him, gently patting his bum until he fell asleep, just like Minho would do to him when he was little.Then he put Juno in the crib and laid down beside JoJo."Jinnie?" JoJo whispered."Yeah?" Hyunjin yawned."Do you ever stop and think-" she started."Not really." Hyunjin interrupted."That's not funny. Let me finish." JoJo said."Okay. Sorry.""Do you ever stop and think about how special your family is?" JoJo asked."Oh. Still, not really." Hyunjin laughed."Ugh." JoJo scoffed. "I'm being genuine!" She said."Alright." Hyunjin laughed. "Sometimes. Why?""Well, because. . . I just..." JoJo stopped, tearing up slightly."Joey? What's wrong?" Hyunjin asked worriedly."It's just... It's just that I wish my family liked to be together and have fun together and laugh together..." JoJo said sadly."I'm sure they do! They love each other." Hyunjin said, trying to reassure her."No. Not like this. I mean, yeah. They love each other, but we don't just sit around talking to each other and making jokes. I only really talk to my mom.""Your Dad's just quiet... He likes his space. That's all." Hyunjin said."I know, but still. It just feels like your family is so intimate and close, and mine is so rigid and boring." JoJo said."Well, maybe we can fix that. We can invite them over tomorrow." Hyunjin said."We should. But I just mean that you're really fortunate. You grew up with this. You've always had this." JoJo said."Hmm." Hyunjin hummed sleepily."Are you listening?" JoJo asked."Yes. I'm listening, I'm just trying to think of what to do about it." Hyunjin said."I don't want you to do anything about it. I just want to talk to you." JoJo said, annoyed."You just want to tell me about this while I do nothing?" Hyunjin asked."Yes!" JoJo said."Well, that's not going to solve anything." Hyunjin said."I just wanted you to listen." JoJo pouted."Why?""Because it makes me sad. I never got hugged and kissed like you did. I never sat around a fire giggling about stuff with my brother and parents. I never had that." JoJo said, turning to face the opposite direction."Okay. Wait, wait, wait." Hyunjin said, turning JoJo back to him. "Let's do this again. You tell me about this, and I'll just listen. Okay?"JoJo sniffled and nodded and started anxiously spilling all her feelings.She went on and on for a while."---And I just really wish sometimes that I had that same bond with them, but I don't. I know they love me. I know I love them, but your family tells me they love me more than my OWN family!" She cried.Hyunjin nodded and stroked her hair as she cried for a while."Joey, lovey?""What?" JoJo asked."Can I say something now?"JoJo nodded."They're not "my family." They're "our family" okay?" Hyunjin said. "And we're going to raise Juno with lots of hugs and kisses, and laughing together and crying together, and everything. Okay?"JoJo sniffled. "Okay."Hyunjin got up and went over to the diaper bag. He took out a baby wipe and went back to the bed, lying beside JoJo, and pulling her into him."Look at me." He said, reaching to wipe her nose with the baby wipe.She reached to grab the wipe from his hand.He quickly pulled it back."Ah ah ah." Hyunjin objected."I can do it myself." JoJo said, embarrassed."I know you can, but I want to, because I love you. So let me take care of you." Hyunjin said in a serious tone.JoJo froze. "Umm. Ok..." she whispered.Hyunjin held the wipe to her nose. "Blow."She looked at him like he was crazy.He rolled his eyes. "Joey, trust me. It's a bonding experience. My brother always did this for me after I cried when I was little.""Why did you cry?" She asked."Usually cuz he spanked me." Hyunjin said."Because you were a bad kid?" JoJo asked.Hyunjin laughed. "Well, maybe. But that's not the point. The point is that, when you're sad, the people who love you are supposed to take care of you. Like my brother used to do for me.""Well, I'm not a baby." JoJo said."No. Not "A" baby, MY baby..." Hyunjin said. "Now blow."JoJo blew her nose a little bit."More."JoJo blew her nose again."Good." Hyunjin said, turning over to put the wipe on the side table.Then he rolled back and pulled JoJo closer to his chest."Look at me." He said sweetly.She looked up at him with swollen eyes.He gently wiped the tear stains from her cheeks."There. All better. Right?" He asked.JoJo nodded sadly."Close your eyes." He whispered.She closed her eyes.He kissed her eyelids slowly, alternating back and forth."Hugs?" Hyunjin asked in a babyish voice.JoJo nodded, reaching around Hyunjin's neck, and pulling herself into his embrace."I love you, my Joey." He said."I love you too." She whispered."You know, a joey is a baby kangaroo." Hyunjin said."I know." JoJo laughed."And since you're my Joey, you should be in my arms all the time. Like a baby kangaroo." He said."Mmhhmm." JoJo hummed with a smile. "But then shouldn't I be in a pouch?" She asked."Well, I don't have a pouch." Hyunjin pouted. "But if I did, I'd put you in it." He joked."Right..." she said, rolling her eyes at his humour. Then they were silent for a minute."So were you actually a bad kid?" She asked.Hyunjin snorted. "No! I was just misunderstood." He laughed."Oh really?" She asked skeptically."Okay. I wasn't "bad" I just did things that got me in trouble." He said."Like what?""Like..." Hyunjin hummed as he tried to think. "Well, when I accidentally broke my brother's guitar... And got spanked...""You got spanked for an accident?""No" Hyunjin giggled. "I got spanked because Binnie hyung told me not to touch it, and then I did, and then when he found it broken, I lied and said Jisung broke it. So then Binnie hyung scolded Jisung for a long time. And then Jisung told Minho hyung, and he knew it was actually me... So, I got a spanking for lying and not listening to my older brother." Hyunjin explained."Jinnie, why would you do that?" JoJo asked.Hyunjin laughed. "I don't know. Like you never did anything bad as a kid!" He said."I didn't. I was perfect." JoJo defended."I'm having a hard time believing that." Hyunjin scoffed."I was a good kid... I didn't lie." She reiterated."So you never got spanked, ever?"JoJo laughed. "Maybe like 5 times.""For what?""Well once was because I cut my mom's hair while she was sleeping." JoJo laughed."Why would you do that?" Hyunjin mimicked. "Such a bad kid." He teased.JoJo laughed. "What about with Juno? What should we do?""Like for discipline?" Hyunjin asked.JoJo nodded."Well, what did your parents do for you?""Mmmm... Mostly time outs when I was little." JoJo said."And that worked?""Yeah. Did time-outs not work for you?""My dad tried that for a while. But I thought it was funny. I loved time out.""You loved it?""Yeah. I would just daydream and play in my imagination.""Interesting....." JoJo hummed."Anyway, if Juno's "perfect" like you, we'll only spank him 5 times in his life, and mostly give him time-outs.""What if he's like you?""Then he'll probably get spanked every 3 weeks between the ages of 3 to 10." Hyunjin laughed."That's very specific." JoJo said."Baby, I started keeping track of how long I could go without getting one, and without fail, I only lasted 3 weeks at a time." Hyunjin laughed."That's crazy... what were you doing?!" JoJo asked, bewildered.Hyunjin thought for a while. "Usually, I was being sassy. Not doing what I was told. Giving Minho hyung attitude. Not going to bed. Fighting with Jisung.""Huh.... I guess maybe you were stubborn?" JoJo asked."Not "maybe." I WAS stubborn." Hyunjin said."Then after you were 10, you didn't get spanked?" She asked."Wow. This is a very thorough discussion on this topic." Hyunjin laughed awkwardly."Are you getting embarrassed?" JoJo laughed."Kind of." Hyunjin sighed. "Anyway... No... I just got spanked a lot less.""Like, how old were you the last time?""14. . . I think." Hyunjin snickered. "Oh wait. Actually, I almost got spanked when I was 17. But I didn't!" He added."And why didn't you?""Because I apologized and did what my brother told me to." Hyunjin said, making an embarrassed face."Well you behave very well now." JoJo laughed."Thanks. I try." Hyunjin smiled."Well, goodnight." JoJo said suddenly."Woah woah woah. Not so fast. It's your turn. When was the last time you got spanked?"JoJo laughed. "I'm not telling you.""Excuse me?! Yes you are. I just told you everything." Hyunjin pointed out.JoJo sighed. "Fine. I was 13.""And what did you do????""I swore at my dad because I thought I was too old to get in trouble." JoJo said shyly."You swore?! At your Dad????!!!! Wow. I can't even imagine doing that, because I was far too respectful." Hyunjin joked. "So what happened?!"JoJo pouted. "Daddy pulled me over his knee and gave me a lickin'.""Oh. You poor baby." Hyunjin teasedJoJo yawned and nodded her head."Sleepy?" Hyunjin asked.JoJo nodded. "Yeah. But I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep." She said."Want me to put you to sleep?" He asked teasingly."Huh?" JoJo asked."I'll put you to sleep.""What does that mean? Is this like a sexual thing? Cuz I'm really tired.""What?! Jo, my little brother is on the other side of that wall. You think I'm about to do anything like that here?""Well I didn't know what you were talking about!" JoJo defended."I'll really put you to sleep! It's innocent. I swear.""Why would you do that?""Because I love you. You're my baby."JoJo laughed. "Then I guess so?""Ahh!" She squealed suddenly, as Hyunjin rolled onto his back, pulling her to lay on his chest.Hyunjin readjusted her so that she was comfortable."Ready to sleep?" He asked, playing with her hair."Yeah." She giggled."Let's pray." He said."Okay." She whispered.He prayed and then kissed her forehead."I love you." He said."I love you too" she whispered.He slid his hands down and gently rubbed her back. Then he nudged her to tilt her head up, and he kissed up and down her neck thoroughly."Go to sleep lovey." He whisperedShe closed her eyes peacefully, and Hyunjin's mission was accomplished.~~~~ Hyunjin's eyes popped open suddenly.He was filled with a sense of terror. He quickly looked at Juno in a panic.He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his little chest moving up and down.Did Juno just sleep through the night?Then he looked down at JoJo.Her blonde hair covered her face as she laid with her head propped up comfortably on his chest.He kissed her head and brushed her hair out of her face gently.Suddenly the panic came back, and he couldn't shake the feeling.What if he lost them?What if he lost everything? They mean so much to him. They're his world.What if he woke up one day and his wife and son weren't there? He kept thinking about it over and over.Slowly JoJo woke up."What's wrong?" She asked sleepily."Nothing." Hyunjin smiled."Your heart's beating so fast." She said."Oh. I just. I panicked because Juno didn't cry or anything. He actually slept through the night." He said."Oh!" She said happily, sitting up and smiling at Juno."How was your sleep?" He asked, sitting up slightly.She laid back onto his chest. "I think it was the best sleep I've had in a year." She laughed.
Hyunjin leaned over and kissed her neck. "Me too." He said.His heart was still beating fast."Are you sure you're okay?" JoJo asked again.Hyunjin nodded.She turned her head up to look at him."If you're worried about something, you'll tell me, right?" She asked.Hyunjin gulped. "Yeah... I'll tell you.""Then tell me." She said, pouting.Hyunjin sighed, leaning against the back of the couch. He began talking very slowly."It's just... I think I worry a lot about losing people. Sometimes I have this momentary panic. Like I worry about losing the people I love the most because it's happened before. And sometimes, if someone is sick or I'm separated from them, I worry that they'll leave or die. And I worried when I didn't hear Juno cry." Hyunjin explained sadly.JoJo sniffled as she listened carefully. Then a tear rolled down her cheek. "Jinnie.... You're not going to lose us. It's never going to happen.""Well, never is a strong word. It's happened before." Hyunjin said, trying to blink quickly so as not to cry.JoJo sat up and looked at him. "Don't do that." She said."What?" He asked."Don't try not to cry. Just cry.""Why?""Because your heart wants to cry." She said softly.At those words, suddenly the tears started coming, and Hyunjin couldn't stop them.He cried for a while, and JoJo sat up and pulled his head to her chest.She gently stroked his hair until he finished crying."Oh. Wait here." She said, jumping up.She quickly went to get a wipe from the diaper bag and came back to lay on the sofa bed.Hyunjin started laughing."Blow" she said, holding the tissue to his nose.He gently blew his nose, and she folded it and set it beside the other tissue on the table."Look. They're a couple." JoJo said, pointing at the tissues.Hyunjin laughed. "How romantic."JoJo nodded.Hyunjin closed his eyes again.She looked at her phone. "It's only 5:30 am. Do you wanna go back to sleep?""Yeah." Hyunjin nodded.They both laid down, and she pulled his head to her chest again."Do you feel better?" She asked.He nodded."Does this help?""Yes." He whispered, nuzzling his face into her chest.She giggled, and they both gradually fell asleep again.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
August 2024It was the day after the get together.Seungmin was searching all around for Eden's pacifier.She kept screaming and crying, but no one could find her soother.Seungmin looked all around her crib and even under Chan and Amelia's bed. He finally went to check Chan's nightstand. Maybe someone had tossed it in there.He shuffled some stuff around, and something caught his eye.He picked up a crumpled looking letter and began reading it.His heart skipped a beat as he realized who it was from.He shoved it in his pocket and quickly went to find Jisung.Jisung was in the kitchen eating cereal."Sung! Come here." He said urgently.Jisung put down his bowl and followed Seungmin to his bedroom in the basement.They sat on Seungmin's bed. "Here. Read this." He said to Jisung.Jisung's eyes widened as he read it.Then he set it down on the bed but continued staring at it as if to study it."Why didn't Dad tell us?" He asked."That's what I'm wondering." Seungmin said angrily."Well let's ask him." Jisung said."Wait. We have to show Felix." Seungmin said.They texted Felix to come down, and as soon as Felix read the letter, he asked the same question."Why did Dad hide this from us?!"Jisung and Seungmin both shrugged in reply.The triplets marched upstairs and went straight to Chan.Chan was in the kitchen, and as soon as the triplets came in, he started scolding Jisung."Jisung, how many times have I told you not to leave dirty dishes on the counter?" He asked.Jisung didn't respond.Chan turned to look at him and saw 3 angry faces."What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.Seungmin put the letter down on the counter.Chan inhaled sharply and closed his eyes in a frustrated realization."Hyung, why didn't you tell us?" Seungmin asked angrily.Chan sighed. He leaned back against the counter. "Why were you snooping in my stuff?" He asked."Answer the question, hyung." Jisung demanded.Chan widened his eyes in surprise. "What did you just say?""Hyung, you owe us an explanation." Felix defended.Chan pursed his lips. All 3 of them just called him "hyung" instead of "dad"... They were definitely mad at him."Okay. Fine. I didn't tell you because you were still 17 at the time, and I didn't want you to see her." Chan said."Why did you decide that on your own?! She said she wants to see us, and she's doing better. She said she feels bad!" Seungmin said."I know she SAYS that." Chan said."Who are you to decide that we can't see her?!" Jisung said."Why have you been keeping this from us for months?! It's your fault we don't have a relationship with her. You always hide us from her!" Felix whined, clearly upset."My fault?" Chan asked."Yes! Your fault!" The triplets all said in unison."Okay, fine. I'm the bad guy." Chan said."Yes. You are. She's our mom, and you've never even let us SEE her." Jisung whined."That was a court order. Not me!" Chan said."Until when?!" Seungmin asked."Until you were 16." Chan said, digging himself further into a hole."We turned 16 two years ago!" Felix said through gritted teeth."Okay, listen. I know that you boys are mad, but let's just talk about this calmly." Chan said."You lied to us!" Jisung yelled."I did not!" Chan said sternly. Changbin was in the other room. He found Eden's pacifier, and he was successfully putting both babies down for a nap at the same time. He was trying to earn his spot as the best uncle.Hyunjin, and JoJo started listening from the living room. "How DARE you?!" Seungmin said, stomping his foot.Chan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the letter.""We want to see her!" Jisung said."You can't tell us no. She's our mom." Felix said."I know that." Chan sighed."Then why did you want to take us away in the first place?!" Seungmin yelled."Take you?! I didn't want to take you away from her!" Chan explained."Well you did!" Seungmin argued."I'm sorry, did you want a horrible life? Because that's what you would've gotten if you lived with our mom." Chan said."It would've been better than having to do what you say all the time." Seungmin snarked, not really meaning what he said.Chan took a step back.Jisung gave Seungmin the side eye. "Dad, I'm sorry. We didn't mean to-" he started."Just forget it. I need a minute." Chan said, walking to the front door. "I'll be back before the others get home." He said to Hyunjin and JoJo awkwardly.(Amelia had gone grocery shopping with Jeongin and Byron.)The triplets all looked at each other in surprise, expecting more of a fight. They never thought Chan would "need a minute." Hyunjin got up and went to the kitchen."Have you 3 lost your collective braincell?" He asked.Jisung looked at the ground, pouting.Seungmin flopped down on the chair at the table.Felix turned to walk away."No, seriously. What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Hyunjin asked. "Felix. Come here." He said sternly.Felix turned around and stood still."Don't you have any respect? Chan hyung raised us... And THAT'S how you talk to him?" Hyunjin asked, laying on the guilt."We didn't mean to!" Felix defended."You have to apologize." Hyunjin said."But our mom sent us a letter and Hyung didn't even tell us." Seungmin said."Because he's worried! He has to be worried about you! You're his kids!" Hyunjin scolded."We'll apologize!" Jisung said."Yes. Exactly. You will...." Hyunjin said. "Bunch of little brats." He mumbled.Jisung pouted."We're sorrrrry~" Felix whined. Chan went out the front door. He was going to go for a walk. But he stopped and turned around.He got in his car and started driving without even taking a moment to think.Suddenly he was at his old apartment building.He buzzed the apartment number.He waited for a long time before a groggy voice finally answered."Hello?""Hi, mom." Chan whispered."Chris?""Yeah. It's me."The door buzzed, and Chan pulled it open.He walked up the familiar 3 flights of stairs, being met with the same old smell of Marijuana.Then he knocked on the door.There she stood, small and frail. Her hair uncombed and appearance disheveled.She wore a grey bathrobe and worn out socks."Hi" Chan said, flashing a light smile.His mom was speechless."It really is you." She said after a while.He nodded."You look nice." She said."Thanks.""You look healthy."He nodded again. "I am.""The other boys, are they-" she started"They're healthy. They're fine." Chan said."Peter too? He's okay?""He's okay."They stood awkwardly for a bit."Can I step in?" Chan asked."Oh. Yeah. Yeah." She said, backing up.He stepped in, closing the door behind him."How are you mom?" He asked."Oh. Well, I'm okay. I'm doing better. I really am." She said.He took a moment to glance around, noticing the sink full of dishes, the dirty surroundings, floors that hadn't been washed in years, laundry all over the place.He could feel the anxiety of the familiar panic creeping back. The feeling of being unsafe. The fear that felt like a heart attack when he would encounter whichever new guy his mom was with."That's good." He responded, unconvinced."Did you get my letter?" She asked."Yeah." He said."Well, I. . . I hope that you thought about it." She whispered."I did." He said."And?"He shrugged. "What do you want from it, mom?""I just want to know them.""Why?""They're my kids. I have a right to know them.""No. They're MY kids. And I need to trust you before I let you see them."She was too stunned to speak."Give me one good reason why I should let you have any relationship with them." He said."Because I'm their mother."Chan looked at her for a long time. "What do you think it means to be a mother?""To have children.""Mom, everything fell on my shoulders. Everything. I gave up EVERYTHING for them. I became their mom and dad and brother. I raised them." Chan said."You took them.""The government took them because you didn't take care of them!""You kept them from me.""I had to! Do you think that my dream in life was to spend my twenties working all day and then coming home to the kids? I worked my butt off to make sure they had everything they needed. Until the kids all got older, I had no friends. No time for my own life. I had no support after grandpa died. Nothing. No one. I gave up my entire youth in order to raise them. I let go of any dreams I had for my life, because I had no choice anymore. Suddenly I'm in my thirties, and I look back and my youth is gone. I lived entirely for them. That's what being a parent is. Not just donating your dna." Chan said tearfully.He didn't know why he was starting to cry. Was part of him honestly still hoping to be comforted by his mom? Did he really want her sympathy and apologies after all these years? Yes. He did. He wanted some acknowledgement, but he was never going to get it."Well if you hadn't left I could've been a part of their life too.""Oh please, mom. I "left" because the government made me leave. You know I would've stayed with you forever, honestly believing you would change.""Well, I have changed. And I want to pay you back.""You can't.""I can.""No. You can't. I raised them. It's done. They're almost grown now. It's too late. I would never ask you to help me. It's not fair to ask something from you that you can't do.""So then what do you want from me?" She asked."Nothing.""Then you just regret having to take care of them?""No. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.""Then what can I give you? Do you want money? I have some money.""I don't want a penny back; I just want my 20s back."She froze, realizing she could never grant such a wish."So then you don't want to let them know me? Because you're mad at me?" She asked"It doesn't matter what I want. They want to meet you." Chan admitted."Really?" She asked hopefully."Mom... Don't get the idea that you'll be close with them. They're not allowed to hang out with anyone who smokes or does drugs, and that means you too.""Says who?""Says me. And if you introduce them to that or weed or under age drinking, like you did with me when I was a kid, then I will make sure that they never see you again." Chan explained explicitly."Alright. I wasn't going to do anything like that anyway." She scoffed.They both stood in silence.The sun started to set and peak through the dirty windows.Chan began feeling nostalgic. He could imagine himself coming home at about this time and walking in to find his mom sprung out on the couch.He could practically see himself.He would go and check on her, then he would go wash his various cuts that he got from either fighting or fooling around outside.Then he'd make his way to the kitchen and make some Kraft Dinner using expired milk and margarine.For the first time ever, the memory almost felt fond to him.Somehow comforting. Somehow, it felt like home."When do you want to see them?" He asked."Well, maybe I can come to them." She said."I'll bring them here. I don't want the other kids around."She stopped for a minute, realizing what this meant. . ."Christopher, you have other kids now?""I've had other kids for a long time.""How many do you have?""I have one biologically. But legally, I have 7 kids... and I'm in the process of adopting one more." He whispered, unsure of why he was sharing this with her."Do you run some sort of program for children?" She asked.She seemed somewhat more coherent than usual, and Chan wondered if her bipolar meds really were making a difference."No. I don't. I've just been picking up the pieces of my parents' broken lives." He said."What do you mean? Who are these 7 kids that are "yours"?" She asked, confused."Three of my Father's kids; Changbin, Hyunjin, and Jeongin. Then your 3 kids; Peter, Felix, and Sky. Then my own daughter, Eden. That's 7. And I'm adopting my stepson, Byron.""Wait. You found your father?""Yeah. But I'm not here to talk about that, mom.""And you're married?"He nodded as his lips curled into a smile."Wow." She said as she started crying. She wiped her tears and turned away from him. "I guess I've missed a lot of your life. . .""Yeah. . ." He whispered as he watched her shoulders begin to shake.He couldn't stay any longer. "Mom. I have to go. Just give me your phone number, and I'll call you." He said.He quickly got his mom's contact info and then left.He thought about just driving home. He should've been back now for sure, and he had 3 missed calls from Hyunjin, Changbin and Amelia.Instead of going home, he stopped at a park.He sat on the bench, thinking of all the things he could never say to his mom. The feelings he could never express. The moments he could never share.(A/N PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO. You'll only get the full feel of the story from this song.)
Maybe he should've left all this in the past. Maybe he shouldn't have gone to see her. When Chan got home, the triplets were waiting for him by the door.He sighed as soon as he stepped in.Jisung sprung into Chan and hugged him.Chan gave him a glare."Sorry dad..." he said."We weren't mad at you; we were just mad at the situation. Ya know?" Felix explained."And Seungmin didn't mean any of the mean things he said. Right?" Jisung asked, looking at Seungmin.Seungmin rolled his eyes and then nodded.Chan kissed Jisung's cheek. "I know." He sighed.Chan was obviously still upset, but not even at them. Just at the situation in general. Changbin and Hyunjin looked from the living room..."I should really move back here. There's always so much going on..." Changbin said.Hyunjin looked at him with a smirk. "Yeah. You should. Although, if you take them to Korea, I'm sure you'll have a lot of "fun"..."Changbin raised his eyebrows. "I guess I'm bringing half the chaos home, right?"Hyunjin nodded."Yep. Are you excited?""I think so?" Changbin said skeptically. The next week, Chan planned to take the boys to meet their mom.They had been very adamant about going to meet her before they left for Korea, so Chan didn't have much choice but to do it now.It was the day they were supposed to go meet her.Unlike when they met their dad, this time they at least knew that their mom wanted to see them.Seungmin seemed strangely calm. He knew that ultimately Chan had given him enough security that it didn't really matter how this meeting went.Felix was anxious all day. He was torn between being sweet and caring or being standoffish and acting tough. He wasn't sure why he would want to act tough, but part of him wanted to show his mom that he didn't need her.Jisung on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. He stayed in his room all morning, not sure if he really wanted to come out. What if this changed his life? Or worse... What if nothing changed at all? Even though he was happy with his life, part of him did imagine that knowing his mom would somehow complete him."Boys, are you ready?" Chan called from the porch. He had told them they would leave at 12:30, and it was currently 12:45.Slowly they all shuffled out of their rooms.Chan could tell they were nervous. Normally they were always together, not off by themselves.None of them spoke."Okay, let's get in the car." Chan said.They all put their shoes on and shuffled out the door.As they were driving, Chan started talking."Don't be nervous guys. Everything is going to be okay. Nothing's going to change..." He said.No response."Alright, so let's talk about some things to keep in mind, yeah?" Chan asked."Okay." Felix responded quietly."Okay. First, please don't get your hopes up-" Chan started."Dad, we're not little kids anymore. We're not going to be all broken up and disappointed if it doesn't go well." Jisung interrupted."Okay. That's fair. I'm just saying... The other thing is; don't get too close right away. Don't trust her yet. Okay?" Chan said."Okay." Seungmin and Felix said."Yeah." Jisung said."And don't be startled by what you see. Don't act shocked. Don't be rude. And absolutely do NOT stare at anyone outside the building. You'll get mugged." Chan warned.The triplets looked at each other nervously.Finally, they pulled up to the building. The triplets had seen the outside of it before, but it looked even more run down now.Chan looked over at Felix. "Take off that watch and put it in the glove compartment."Felix gave him a weird look."Do you want someone to think you have money?" Chan asked."No?""Then take that off and hide it." Chan ordered.Felix complied.Then Chan turned to look in the backseat."Fix your hair, and button that shirt." He said to Jisung."But you said to come looking poor." Jisung remarked snidely."Poor, yes. But you are still meeting our mother, and I want you to look presentable, not like you've been living on the streets. At least act like I've been taking care of you." Chan said.Jisung had developed somewhat of an attitude toward Chan from this whole situation. He was just frustrated, and didn't know how to act.He was lost in thought, but quickly brought back to reality when Chan reached back, slapping his thigh."Ow!""Fix your damn hair, and button your shirt." Chan said, equally frustrated.Jisung pouted, but quickly did as he was told.They got out of the car, and followed Chan like little ducklings.Chan buzzed the apartment and they nervously waited."Hello?" Their mom called."Hi. We're here." Chan said.Seungmin's heart began racing. That voice was really his mom's? It wasn't how he imagined.Then they entered the building and started walking up the steps.The smell of weed hit them, and Jisung started coughing."Dad, did we actually live here?" Felix asked."Yes" Chan responded."How did we breathe?""I don't know. You get used to it."Then they stopped at the door. Chan looked them over again. "Come here" He said to Seungmin.Seungmin stood in front of him as he fixed his sweater.Chan was like a nervous parent, getting his kids ready for their first day of kindergarten."Okay." He said. *knock knock*Their mom opened the door slowly.Chan stood behind them anxiously with his arms crossed.The second she saw them, she started crying.Jisung looked back at Chan as if to ask what they should do, but Chan started to look rather teary eyed himself.Jisung gulped."Umm. Hi." He said.She sucked in a breath, and tried to respond.Then Felix chimed in. "Hi. I'm Felix." He said."Oh, yes, yes... I know who you are." She began. "And you're Sky" She said, holding Seungmin's hand. "And you're Peter." She said, touching Jisung's shoulder.The boys nodded, feeling something that they couldn't quite describe.Chan was impressed. She actually knew who was who, just by her memory of them when they were babies."Well, you all look so nice." She said, trying to stop crying."Thanks" They all said in unison."Well come in." She said.They all made their way into the apartment.Chan looked around, noticing that she had cleaned for them. The dishes were done, and the laundry was mostly gone. He couldn't help but smile a bit.She offered the couch for the boys to sit on, so they all sat down.Chan didn't follow. He just watched from the kitchen."Dad, are you coming?" Jisung asked.Their mom looked at Chan, confused as to why they called him "dad""Oh. You call him dad?" she asked in a mumble."Well," Felix began explaining "He's like a dad."She nodded."I'll just stay here." Chan said.Jisung nodded.Then they began talking. It was very slow and awkward. No one really knew what to say.But as they were leaving, their mom said something that made their meeting feel a little more worthwhile."I. . . I know you might not want to hear this from me. But I just want to say that I. . . I understand if you want nothing to do with me. I'm grateful that I got to see you. And I'm grateful that you're doing so well. I know I couldn't have given you a good life, and it's..... It's really a miracle that-" She began as she started crying again."Ummm... Can I give you a hug?" Felix asked.She looked surprised. "O-okay..." She said.Felix gave her a hug. Then Jisung did too. Then Seungmin felt weird to not hug her, so he gave her a quick hug too.She looked at Chan, not expecting a hug or anything from him, but still wishing she could be close to him again.Chan looked away sadly. He wanted to hug his mom too. But he couldn't stand to do it. There was too much pain and resentment in the way."Thank you." She said to him.Chan looked at her, feeling her sincerity.Then the tears started pooling in his eyes.He looked up at the ceiling to stop them from falling."Thank you for letting me see them." She continued. "And thank you for everything. You raised them so well." She stuttered as she cried.Chan nodded in acknowledgement, still unable to look at her.After they all left, Chan quickly shook off any emotion he had, concerned more about how the boys felt about everything."How do you think that went?" He asked."I guess it was better than I thought." Seungmin said."Yeah. It was okay. It was kind of sad though." Felix added.Jisung just sat quietly. "I feel bad for her." He said eventually. "I don't know how she got like that, you know?""Addiction will do that to you. And underlying mental health issues." Chan said.They all drove home quietly.When they got back, the three boys went to talk in their room. That night once the kids were all sleeping, Chan ranted to Amelia."It felt horrible. I felt horrible. I feel like I should've done something. Like I just abandoned her somehow.But at the same time, it makes me so grateful.I'm so grateful that we got taken away from that situation, and I'm so grateful that the no contact order was put in place, because if it wasn't, I'm sure I would've been trying to help her all this time. I'm sure I never would've been able to distance myself from her on my own.And you know what?When I was a kid, I was so upset when we came to live with my grandpa. I was so mad, and sad to lose my mom.I didn't appreciate anything that he did for me, and I never got to tell him "Thank You" or anything, and I never will get to!I didn't realize how much he did for me, and if it weren't for him... I'd never have my family. I'd never have this life.And then, you know what she said to me? She thanked me for raising them. And somehow it felt like the acknowledgement that I didn't even know I wanted.And maybe that was the only point to this whole thing, because I don't know if the kids will ever want to see her again.I'm glad they're going back to Korea with Changbin next week. I think it'll be good. It'll be better that way."Amelia nodded and listened, not having anything to say."Okay. I'm done now." Chan said.Amelia held her arms out for a hug in the same way that Chan would always do for the kids after they had a bad day.Chan smiled with a little relief and leaned into the hug.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sept 2024Minho looked the room over one last time before deciding it was finally finished.Everything looked to be in order and ready for the triplets to stay there.He thought about what happened the last time they were there."I swear. If those kids take my car again, they're dead." He whispered to himself.Minho loved his younger brothers despite all the crap they put him through.He was actually really looking forward to having them live there for a while.He missed them. He missed the chaos.But that didn't mean he was sad to be alone.He liked having his space. It was something he never got growing. Space.But it had been long enough now that he had come to like the idea of having more people around again. At least it wouldn't be boring. That's for sure.Sure, having Changbin there was nice, but Changbin was so calm. So collected. Minho almost missed having a little chaos.But, after a couple days of having them there, Minho realized that they had matured a lot.Maybe it was having a baby sister that made them grow up, or maybe it was just that it was bound to happen.Minho almost felt a little sad.None of his brothers were little anymore.Of course, he knew that. But to see it made him a bit nostalgic.He felt some sort of longing to turn back time.Maybe he should've been more present in their lives.He was just so busy with his own life, it seemed like he blinked and suddenly everything had changed.The triplets were all looking for part time jobs while they were here.Minho was able to recommend Felix at the bbq place he used to work at.Seungmin was able to do dome translation gigs for the same company Chan worked for.And Jisung wanted to do something involving music.It wasn't exactly what he was hoping for, but he got a job working at a music store selling instruments.Jisung loved the instruments.The plus side to this job was that he could take a discount if he ever wanted to buy anything. December 2024Jisung came home beaming. He ran over to Changbin's room."Hyung! Guess what I found." He said as he held a guitar behind his back."Ummm. Let me guess. It wouldn't happen to be a guitar. Would it?" He guessed.Jisung pulled it out in front of him excitedly. He held it out to Changbin.Changbin's jaw dropped."This is the same as the one I used to have in Canada! How did you find this?!" He asked."I know! Someone traded it in today! As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the same model as the one you used to have! So I got it for you." Jisung said happily.Changbin pulled Jisung into a hug."You actually got this for me?!"Jisung nodded. "Well... I remember how broken up you were about the other one getting broken. Which again.... Was not me!"Changbin laughed. "I know. I'm sorry I blamed you.""Anyway. You can use it at work, hyung." Jisung said."I definitely will." Changbin smiled, examining the guitar.Minho came home later and the two of them were still fawning over the guitar."What's that?" Minho asked, plopping himself down on the couch."A guitar." Changbin said."No duh. I meant why are you two staring at it like that?" Minho asked."Hyung, don't you recognize this?" Jisung asked.Minho shook his head."This is the one I used to have. Don't you remember? The one Hyunjin broke?" Changbin said."Ohhhhh~" Minho said. "I remember." ~~~Memory of October 2012AGES: MH 16, CB 12, HJ 9, JS 6."Hyunjin! What are you doing? You can't play with this!" Changbin scolded, pulling his guitar away and putting it back on the stand."Yes hyung." Hyunjin said obediently.But in Hyunjin's mind, he was imagining being a Rockstar.The crowd was cheering for him and everyone was disappointed that his concert suddenly ended."Go upstairs!" Changbin ordered.Hyunjin ran upstairs.He sat down at the table, colouring a picture of himself playing the guitar at his "concert."Later, Minho walked in the patio door."Where's Changbin?" He asked.Hyunjin shrugged.Minho called Changbin, and eventually Changbin came to the door."You were supposed to rake the leaves out there." Minho said."I just forgot!" Changbin defended."Well do it now." Minho ordered.Changbin went outside and started raking the leaves."That's a nice picture, Jinnie." Minho said.Hyunjin smiled. "Thanks. I'm a Rockstar." He said.Minho nodded. "Hmm. Cool." He said before walking away.Hyunjin still hadn't finished playing out his Rockstar fantasy, so while Changbin was outside, he might as well go and do it, right?He didn't want to keep the audience waiting.He quickly ran downstairs and got the guitar, carefully memorizing exactly how it was placed, so he could put it back perfectly.Then he stood on the couch (his stage) and played for everyone.The applause roared, and the audience called for an encore.Hyunjin jumped into the audience, but his foot got caught in the guitar strap, causing him to fall on the guitar.He gasped when he realized that the neck of it had broken right in half.He panicked, quickly standing it back on the base as best he could, and running back upstairs.He grabbed his picture off the table, crumpling it and throwing it away.Then he sat down and started making a new picture, just as Changbin came in.He kept his eyes down.Changbin walked by and went downstairs.In a couple seconds he heard angry steps marching back up the stairs."WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY GUITAR?!" Changbin yelled."I didn't touch it!" Hyunjin lied."Do you think I'm stupid?!" Changbin asked."I've been sitting here the whole time you were outside!" Hyunjin lied again."Then who BROKE IT?!" Changbin asked threateningly."I don't know.""Who touched it?""Jisung touched it. He probably broke it."Changbin marched away to find Jisung."JISUNG!" He yelled.Hyunjin shuddered. He could hear Jisung getting scolded in the other room."Did you touch my guitar?" Changbin asked."Umm. Yes?" Jisung said."WHY?!""Well, cuz I dust likes to play musics...." Jisung said.Hyunjin started feeling guilty."YOU BROKE IT!" Changbin scolded."But I didn't bweak it!" Jisung defended."You did. I told you not to touch it! Chan hyung gave that to me and your ruined it!" Changbin went on and on as Jisung started crying.Eventually Minho heard what was going on and went to the other room to check on them."What's going on?" He asked."I didn't bweak it!" Jisung cried."Break what?" Minho asked."The guitar..." Jisung sobbed."Changbin, what's going on?" Minho asked."He broke my guitar! I've told him to be careful with it, and he wrecked it!" Changbin said angrily."Show me." Minho said.They went downstairs and as soon as Minho saw it, he knew it was Hyunjin."You think a six year old broke it this badly just by trying to play music?" Minho asked.Changbin shrugged. "Well Hyunjin said he didn't touch it, and Jisung said he did touch it."Minho went back upstairs and straight to the table."Were you jumping around with Changbin's guitar, like in the picture you made?" He asked sternly.Hyunjin looked down."I'll take that as a yes. Come downstairs." Minho said."Noooo! It was an accident!" Hyunjin begged."Did Changbin tell you not to touch it?""Yes?""And did you blame Jisung for it and listen to him get scolded for something he didn't do?!" Minho asked angrily."Well I'm sorry!" Hyunjin said with big puppy eyes."Downstairs. Right now." Minho said.Hyunjin slid off the chair and followed Minho downstairs."Tell Changbin what happened." Minho ordered.Hyunjin looked down. "Welllllll, I slipped off the couch and fell. And since it was in my hands, it broke because I fell on it..." Hyunjin explained."It shouldn't have been in your hands! I JUST told you not to touch it!" Changbin said angrily.Minho glared at Hyunjin. "Apologize.""I'm sorry hyung. I didn't mean to break it." Hyunjin pouted."And apologize to Jisung." Minho said."Sorry for getting you in trouble Jisung." Hyunjin said.Jisung sniffled."You two go upstairs." Minho said to Changbin and Jisung.Changbin picked Jisung up, and carried him upstairs. "Sorry I yelled at you." Changbin said.Hyunjin looked up at Minho. "Am I in trouble?""Take a guess." Minho said."I think so?" Hyunjin said unsurely.Minho nodded. "You know better than to lie like that, and you know better than to be disobedient!" He scolded.Hyunjin looked at his toes and fiddled with his hands nervously.He felt guilty though, and knew it was his fault."Did you feel good listening to someone else getting in trouble for what you did?" Minho asked.Hyunjin shook his head."Come here." Minho said authoritatively.Hyunjin looked up, pouted, then looked down again and made his way over to Minho."Turn around." Minho ordered.Hyunjin obediently turned around.*SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK*"Get upstairs and put yourself in the corner!" Minho said.Hyunjin started sobbing as he ran to the corner.~~~ ____January 2025Jeongin had begged his parents to spend winter break with Hyunjin and JoJo, so Chan and Amelia were trying to work it out."I just don't want him to go by himself, and then have Byron feel left out. But Hyunjin and JoJo don't have room for both of them." Chan said as he loaded the dishwasher."Sweetie, Byron doesn't want to go to Toronto. He wants to go skiing. Which, by the way, you did say you'd take him skiing." Amelia said.Chan nodded. "I know.""So why don't you just do that, and let Jeongin go by himself?" Amelia asked."Okay. That's a good idea. The only problem is that when I said I would take Byron skiing, I said it without realizing that I don't know how to ski." Chan said awkwardly."It's never too late to learn." Amelia laughed.Jeongin and Byron were both thrilled by the plans.Chan did take Byron skiing, which was funner than he thought it would be.It was a good bonding experience for them too, since they both thoroughly embarrassed themselves.Amelia, Jeongin and Eden drove to Toronto.They had dinner with Hyunjin and JoJo and then she dropped Jeongin off with them.Jeongin was so excited.He loved Juno."Okay." Hyunjin said, guiding Jeongin to the couch. "This is where you'll sleep."Their apartment was really only one big room, but there was a small divider wall, that kind of separated Hyunjin and JoJo's bed from the living room."Okay." Jeongin said happily.It was already night time."So, is 10:00 still your bedtime?" Hyunjin asked.Jeongin nodded."Well, you can lay down. I still have to pack Juno's bag for tomorrow, so you might not be able to sleep." Hyunjin said."It's okay. I can help you. I'm not tired." Jeongin assured.Hyunjin smiled. "Do you wanna stay up and watch a movie after?" He asked.Jeongin nodded excitedly.JoJo rolled her eyes as she listened to the two of them."You're a bad influence." She said to Hyunjin."He's only here for two nights." Hyunjin defended. "Besides. He's 16. You're supposed to do stuff like this when you're 16."Jeongin nodded.JoJo laughed. "What movie should we watch?""Innie, you wanna pick?" Hyunjin asked.Jeongin quickly started browsing for a show.Hyunjin packed Juno's bag, and went back to the living room area."Did you find one?" He asked Jeongin."Yeah." Jeongin said happily.Hyunjin looked at the screen. "Gladiator?"Jeongin nodded."No way. Pick something else." Hyunjin said.JoJo walked over with Juno in her arms."Here. Take him. I'm going to go get changed." She said.Hyunjin took Juno."But you said I could pick." Jeongin argued."I thought you'd pick a Disney movie or something." Hyunjin said.Jeongin scoffed. "I'm not 12."Hyunjin rolled his eyes. "Pick something else. Something more wholesome.""But hyung, have you seen this movie?""No. And I don't want you to either.""Fine." Jeongin sighed.The next day Hyunjin took both Jeongin to work with him, and JoJo took Juno to work with her.Jeongin seemed to be quite fascinated by Hyunjin's work.He had endless questions, which was getting a little distracting.It was late afternoon."Innie, can you go find a cafe or something and bring me a coffee?" Hyunjin asked, handing Jeongin his card."Can I look around the city?" Jeongin asked."Yes. Just don't do anything stupid.""Okay!" Jeongin said happily, jumping out of his seat and running toward the door.Hyunjin chuckled, finding Jeongin cute.After a few minutes he got a text.[Hyungie, can I go in this arcade?] -JN[Did you bring your own money?] - HJ[No.😔] - JN[Then no.] - HJJeongin pouted. Would Hyunjin really notice if he used his card for one game?Maybe.Jeongin didn't risk it, and kept walking past the arcade.[Is there anything fun to do that's free?] - JN[You could go to a boardgame cafe. It's okay if you buy a snack or something. Or you could walk around the park. Or go in the art gallery or something.] - HJ[Okay.] - JNJeongin came back about 3 hours later, coffee in hand."Hi hyung." He said, handing Hyunjin the coffee."Hi. Oohh! Thank you. How was the city?""It's cool. I like it. . ." Jeongin said as he sat down. "How much longer do you have to work?" Jeongin asked."About a half hour." Hyunjin smiled._____ March 2025"Hyung? Do you like living here with just you and Changbin?" Felix asked as he and Minho sat on the couch playing games."Yeah. Why?" Minho asked."Well, I just wondered. Cuz you're like... 28... So I just wondered. Maybe you'd like to have your own family or something. I don't know cuz you never talk about it." Felix said."I never talk about it, because I don't want it." Minho said coldly."Oh... I guess that would make sense." Felix hummed."And you?" Minho asked. "You're not planning to do what Hyunjin did, and have a baby right away, right?"Felix laughed. "I wasn't planning on it. Besides. That would require a girlfriend, which I don't have.""Good. You're still not allowed to date?"Minho asked."Dad said no. Not until we're 19.""Good. Don't bother. Dating is too much work anyway." Minho said."No it's not." Changbin said, walking in from the other room. "You know what your problem is?""I bet you do." Minho said."Yes. I do. Your problem is that you care too much, but you don't know how to express it." Changbin said."That makes no sense. But thanks." Minho replied."It does. You care a lot about people, but people always end up disappointing you because they don't live up to your standards. So it's easier for you just ignore everyone around you, and focus on yourself all the time. You're scared to care about a girl, because you don't want to get hurt." Changbin said."Fine. But tell me, why does it matter to everyone else? Can't I just do what I want?" Minho asked."I suppose..." Changbin said."So how about you just drop it..." Minho said. "Better yet, why don't we talk about you instead?""Yeah." Felix said."Me?" Changbin asked."Yeah. Tell us about the girl you met at the gym..." Minho smirked."Oooooh!" Felix said.Changbin laughed."Hyuuuung. Is there something you're keeping from us?" Felix asked.Seungmin came in and plopped down beside Minho.Minho patted Seungmin's head."Hi Seungmin-ah" he said he a baby voice.Minho loved teasing Seungmin.Then Jisung followed and sat down. "Binnie hyung, are you keeping a secret?" He asked."I'm not keeping a secret. I met a girl. I got her phone number. Nothing else happened." Changbin said."Well how did you meet her?!" Jisung asked."At the gym." Changbin smiled."Obviously. What happened?" Seungmin asked."I just offered to help her. With my expertise, you know?" Changbin said."So did you text her?" Jisung asked."Not yet." Changbin said."Why not?" Felix asked."I'm waiting till I run into her in person again..." Changbin said, turning to leave the room._____ August 2025The triplets were on their way home from Korea.They already had an apartment lined up in Toronto, and now, with their little bit of work experience, it was not too hard to find jobs.The three of them found a small apartment, but it was perfect for them.None of them cared about having their own bedrooms or anything, so this place was fine.It wasn't too far from where Hyunjin lived, which was a huge relief for Chan.He didn't want the triplets galavanting around the city with no one nearby to know what they were up to.And despite Hyunjin's own busy life, he always made sure to keep an eye on his brothers too.
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CN/AM 34, JN/BN 17, EN 2April 2026"Christopher?" Amelia called, sounding annoyed."Yes dear?" Chan called back, sounding sarcastically chipper."Where did you pack the diapers?" Amelia called from the porch."In the diaper bag..." Chan said in an obvious tone.Then Jeongin ran down the hall, sliding on his socks. He stopped at the bedroom door."Dad. Why are you being sassy?" He scolded Chan."I'm not being "sassy," I'm just tired." Chan said."Yeah well, if I ever said I was "just tired" after being sassy, I'd get my phone taken away." Jeongin said.Chan was hunched over, looking for a lost toy under the bed.He turned to look at Jeongin with a scowl."I'm not being "sassy"." Chan said again."Sure sounds like it to me." Jeongin said, rolling his eyes."Where did you put the diaper bag?" Amelia called.Chan sighed. Then he spotted the toy. He reached as far as he could, and grabbed it.Then he stood up straight, and walked out of the room.Jeongin followed him.Chan rushed to the hallway where Eden was throwing a tantrum."Here. Look. I found it. Okay?" He said, trying to appease the 2 year old.She gave the toy one look, and started crying again. "Noooo!"Chan threw his head back in frustration.He gave up on finding the toy she wanted, and instead, picked her up, kicking and screaming, and brought her out to the car seat.Amelia came out, obviously frustrated by now.Again, Jeongin and Byron followed, ready to get in the car."Why are you putting her in there already? I haven't even found the bag you supposedly packed!" Amelia asked, frustrated and confused.Chan gritted his teeth."I TOLD you where it was!" He snapped angrily.Byron gave Chan a fierce look."DAD!" Jeongin yelled. "You need an attitude adjustment!" He said, obviously repeating what Chan had said to him a few times when he got snippy.Chan stopped and looked at all the upset faces surrounding him. He rubbed his forehead from the stress."I'm sorry." He said primarily to Amelia.She glared at him."Okay. Look, I'll get the bag, okay? Everyone else just get in the car please."Chan said.He could tell by the look on Amelia's face, that she would have a lot to say to him tonight once the kids were in bed. He went inside to find the bag, and even he had trouble finding it. It wasn't where he thought he left it.He came back out to the car.When he got, he looked in the back seat. The glares from Jeongin and Byron were burning right through him.Before pulling out of the driveway, he turned around in his seat."Boys, I'm really sorry for getting mad." Chan said."Then make sure mama knows that!" Byron ordered.Jeongin quickly nodded in agreement, giving Chan the side eye.Chan made an exaggerated pout."I will. I promise." He said.He turned back to start driving. They were in a hurry now.They drove to the airport to catch a flight. This was going to be Amelia's parents first time to meet their daughter, and the occasion was going to be stressful enough as it was, since Amelia didn't like to have much to do with her family. They finally got to the hotel.Jeongin and Byron were sharing one room, and then Chan and Amelia and the baby shared another.Chan went to make sure the boys were both going to bed, while Amelia put the baby to sleep.Chan knocked. Byron answered."Hi." He said grumpily."Are you still upset with me?" Chan asked, knowing the answer.Byron shrugged.Then Jeongin came out of the bathroom."Okay. I'm sorry again. I'm not perfect, but I will try harder to be better, and not do that again. And I will talk to your mom, and apologize. Okay?"Fine." Byron said."Okay. Phones away. It's time for bed." Chan said.Byron put his phone on the side table, and so did Jeongin.Chan sat down.They chatted for a bit, and then Chan figured they needed something extra before he left."Okay. Let's say prayers together. Come here." He said, calling Jeongin to come sit on Byron's bed.Then he said goodnight to both the boys, and headed back to his room. Eden was asleep in the little portable crib.Chan kissed her goodnight.Then he sat down on the bed.Amelia still looked mad at him. "Honey, I'm sorry." Chan whispered sincerely."What was wrong with you today?" She asked with a scowl."I don't know. I wasn't thinking clearly." Chan explained."I hate it when the boys see us bicker. But, today felt worse than bickering. That was rude, and embarrassing.""It's my fault. I shouldn't have raised my voice. I should've controlled myself better.""Yeah. You should have!" Amelia stated bluntly."I'll try harder next time.""I wasn't even asking you something unimportant or nagging you, I just wanted you to actually answer me about the diaper bag." Amelia explained."I know! It wasn't your fault. I was wrong." Chan said, pulling Amelia towards him.She sighed, but came closer. There was something attractive to her about how Chan always apologized when he did something wrong."I'm sorry." Chan said again."Thank you." She said.Chan pulled her in even closer, putting his forehead against hers."I love you, and I'm going to try harder." He whispered."I love you too."He gently kissed her forehead, before leaning in again and pressing lips to hers."I'm sorry." He whispered again."It's okay." She whispered back."It's not. I never want to disrespect you, Amelia."There was never any doubt in her mind as to whether Chan loved and respected her. He was the most respectful man she ever knew, and she felt safer with him than she ever had in her life."I know that." Amelia whispered. "It's okay.""Can I make it up to you?" Chan asked."Right now?" Amelia whispered."Yeah. Right now." Chan whispered back.