"Merry Christmas!" Mrs Jeon cheers, pulling Jeongguk into a warm embrace. He allows it, resting his head on hers and in the moment they look endearing. Almost similar to the image of him as a young adult fresh out of college. The only difference between now and then is, he's a man now. A husband with a full family lined up behind him.

I watch as my mother-in-law pulls away from her son and takes in the sights of Nari and Jeongsan. Both much older and wearing expressions of shock because they've never really met their grandmother. Behind her Jeongguk passes then both a stern expression that means warning.

The drive to the Jeon holiday home was a tense trip. Instead of focusing on the falling snow and beauty of the mountainside, all the two could focus in was how we would bring them to strangers when they'd already grown.

Jeongguk had been honest in expressing that he never wanted to see his family. I had stated that though I loved his mother, his father and I never quite got off on the right foot. In conclusion, there was no better than now for the Jeons to meet their grown up grandchildren. An even better edition to the forced holiday would be my family joining in for the fun.

With promises of less business talk and snowy mountain adventure, I had managed to lure everyone in. Jeongguk didn't mind the suggestion. In face, he might have even been thankful for more personalities to ease the existing tension between him and his family.

Mrs Jeon beams at me after pulling away from the twins. Her eyes start to glisten, a sign that she's really happy at the moment. The last time she'd even seen Nari and Jeongsan was when they both still lived with us. Since then every Christmas holiday had been spent in Germany, just the four of us.

"Thank you so much for bringing everyone together." She whispers, voice sounding weak. I assume it to be because of her tears, "I've missed you all so much. You don't know how lonely Christmas has been without you."

I rub her back, aware that it must have been a lonely experience every year. Knowing how often Mr Jeon travels without her and the lack of communication between the Jeons in general, without Jeongguk, the home was probabaly dead silent.

"I know, Mom. I'm glad you invited us. We missed you too and though he might not say it, so did Jeongguk."

She pulls away, thankful smile still etched onto her face. Behind her Mr Jeon reaches for his son in a cordial handshake, a motion he continues with Jeongsan. Taking him in, I can already sense the judgement, but Jeongsan ignores it and excitedly blurts out, "Hello, Grandfather, so lovely to see you."

Taken aback, Mr Jeon jumps when he is pulled into an embrace. It startled him so much that he even hugs me with a soft smile. "Good to see you, Soa. Thank you for bringing my son home."

The rest of the morning is spent in the kitchen, Mrs Jeon sharing all the stories of Jeongguk in his younger days. Her excitement is obvious as she reiterates the stories to Jeongsan and Nari who listen attentively. From the lounge Jeongguk and I watch in amusement.

"It seems Mom has already managed to capture their hearts." He laughs, pleased that they are trying besides complaining all morning.

"Since you see that they're fine, let's go nap before the rest get here. You know there's no sleep when Taehyung is around." I smile, pulling Jeongguk to his feet.

The rooms still carry the same amount of warmth they used to when we were younger. Jeongguk's room is lined with shades of brown and a view that overlooks the snowy mountain. It's a sight worth waking up to. I him taking in the sameness of the room. Every picture still in it's position.

The pictures carry memories that are still fresh in both of our minds. "Remember how you used to kiss me under every mistletoe?" I question, finding the idea amazing even now.

He chuckles, "I remember how you used to act as if you never liked it." He pulls me towards the bed, "Always used to act so unbothered as if you weren't dying inside."

I slap his arm, "I was not dying inside. You were hardly a good kisser-"

"Then how'd you become my wife and mother of my children?"

"You had a lot of money. I just nested to remain rich."

He laughs, wrapping the both of us in under the fleece blankets his mother never let go of. It still smells the same. The smell of wood and pine is still fresh in the sheets, causing me to cuddle into Jeongguk even more. It feels like home. He feels like home.

"Thanks for this. I missed being here." He mumbles, kissing my head.

-

It's not long after falling asleep that the house is filled. Wide awake, I hear the voices of Taehyung and Jin yellin loudly at each other. Seeing as they're both married and have a clan of children each, the excitement is understandable. Mrs Jeon welcomes them with a cheery voice that causes me to chuckle. She's always been a lovely person.

Beside me Jeongguk stirs, "I swear I hear your brothers."

I smile, "Time to wake up, I guess."

He groans in response. There's something about being forced to wake up that Jeongguk despises. He can wake up early for the gym, work or any important matter, but whenever someone wakes him up, he gets a foul mood.

He doesn't pitch, instead he unwraps his arms from me and turns to the other side. It's almost as if he's telling me to go if I want to. I shift into an upright position, aware that Taehyung might burst into the room at any point. He just is like that.

My thoughts are matched with a loud knock on the door. One I roll my eyes to. "Come in, Tae."

He laughs on the other side, slowly peeking into the room. With wide eyes and long hair, my brother looks cute. I admit that. Even his outfit of choice matches the festive season. In his arms is a bundle I reach for as soon as he nears me.

"The two of you look adorable." I babble, taking in their matching sweatshirts.

Her brown eyes look at me in amusement as a smile fills her face. She looks exactly like Taehyung. Big brown eyes, thick eyelashes and eyebrows with the cutest little button nose. Taehyung chuckles as I fawn over his baby.

"You should see the rest of the clan. All decked out in Christmas gear. Why is Jeongguk sleeping?" He whispers, eyes already taking on a glint of mischief.

I shake my head, motioning him toward the door while I carry a smiling Sora. My lips meet her rosy cheeks every few seconds as I babble to her in my version of baby talk. She gurgles at everything. I squeal at her cuteness and Taehyung looks impressed and proud.

We both catch up slightly, while walking toward the common area. He tells me all about Giselle and her slight avoidance of Sora. It's something he's been worried about and I assure him that it's a normal part of motherhood after childbirth. If anything, there are enough females to give her guidance and attention throughout the stay at the Jeons.

He thanks me, planting a massive kiss on my forehead. I smile, telling him all about the plans for the week. An itenary of things that will include everyone and maybe afford us parents more moments to catch up and bond like we used to.

"Namjoon came a few minutes ago. Doesn't look happy at all." Soek Jin mumbles, walking past the both of us. He carries a suitcase of some sort. I assume it belongs to Namjoon.

Taehyung and I walk the distance to meet our older brother. Like Jin had stated, Kim Namjoon is seated with a frown on his face and his cellphone pressed against his ear. He looks tense. Beside him Yejin, wears an equally stressed out expression.

"Everything alright?" I ask, meeting his eyes.

They soften a little, "Mother and Father might get stuck in the storm ahead. They're on the road now and my kids are with them." He concludes.

I frown, pulling out my cellphone while Yejin reaches for the baby. I know how overprotective Namjoon is over his boys. Besides the fact that they're future heirs, they've also given him the opportunity to grow closer to his wife. And it only makes sense that he's be upset at the fact that they might be in danger, along with our parents.

"Has anyone contacted Jimin? He's supposed to have been here." Taehyung speaks, pulling out his cellphone.

While everyone is busy trying to contact various people who are yet to arrive, Jeongguk enters the common area, looking more refreshed and less moody than he did before. He greets everyone with hugs, making his final stop beside me. He leans onto my shoulder, eyes taking in the messages I'm sending.

Not long after hearing about the situation at hand, he offers to go meet them somewhere. It's an offer I turn down with a frown. Taehyung agrees that Jeongguk is the only one who knows the roads around here well. He also mentions the fact that he has a truck suitable for weather like this. I glare at my brother.

Jeongguk nods, already heading in the direction of the room. His mother stands with a worried expression.

"Jeongguk, there's a storm rolling in. You can't take the risk." She begs, trying her best to stop him, but he doesn't budge. Instead, he assures her with a promise to be back by dinner for the latest.

Taehyung and Namjoon volunteer to join him in the trip. Yejin and Giselle argue that it's not safe. Giselle complains that Sora won't be happy being with her for that long. At that, Jin sends me a look that I ignore. Now, is not the time for that.

Jeongguk appeases to the both of them, assuring everyone that they'll be safe. Talks about having done it before go around the room. Jeongsan and Nari stand to the side wearing equally worried expressions. He passes them smiles that don't do much.

He walks toward the bedroom. Something about changing his shoes. I follow, already wanting to pick a fight. Looking out the window at the dark clouds, I fear that this might not be the safest idea.

"Please don't go." I try, watching as he unpacks the pair of snow boots, ready to put them onto his feet.

Jeongguk sighs, "Soa, I have to. I'm the only one that knows the road around here. There's a route where it's less likely to storm, so we'll go that way." He smiles, "Don't worry about it, okay?"

I frown, "Jeonggguk they can just go to an Inn or something-"

"That's a little selfish." He interrupts, "Namjoon wants to know his kids are safe. I'm sure despite all your refusal, you want your parents here as well."

He finishes tying the laces and stands up to meet me, hands reaching for mine, "I know it sounds scary, but I promise I'll be back by dinner time, with everyone else." He smiles, kissing my cheek.

I sigh because there's no point in changing his mind. "Fine, but Taehyung stays." I demand.

Jeongguk pulls away, confused. "Sora needs him. We're thinking Giselle has postpartum depression." I inform, watching as a look of worry passes over his features.

"That's rough." He answers, agreeing to have Taehyung stay.

It's not long after a round of kisses that he leaves the mansion, Namjoon in tow. Yejin hugs her husband one last time. The imagery looks like one from a war film. Taehyung sulks at being refused, but he understands as Jeongguk explained to him why it was probably best to stay behind and look after the baby.

They leave with the promise of being back by dinner.

-

"It's getting dark, I'm starting to worry." Yejin mumbles with eyebrows pulled into her hairline, phone in hand as she tries to contact Namjoon. She's met with no connection as his phone does not even ring. I try to pass her words of encouragement. She doesn't budge and goes to her room to worry by herself.

Taehyung has long forgotten about the incoming storm and the "Rescue Mission" as he calls it. He's sat with the younger ones, most of which belong to him, playing a game of snakes and ladders. SeokJin joins in the fun, yelling every now and then to have the kids laughing.

Giselle and Mom are in the kitchen preparing dinner with the help of the Jeon Mansion family chef. It's an actuality I had no interest in participating in. Mom didn't mind, only telling me to let her know if Jeongguk had decided to reach out to me.

With Sora leaning against my shoulder, I move toward the bedroom, hoping to nap before dinner comes. The baby doesn't seem to mind as her eyes close after a few minutes of just laying there. I kiss her head, knowing she probably doesn't receive any form of comfort and affection from her
mother.

"I love you, Sora." I hum, watching as she lets out a little smile.

The plan is to sleep, but instead of closing my eyes all I can do is take in the clouds. They look dark and daunting. It's scary to think half of our family is out there trying to make it home. I just hope they make it back in time.

All afternoon I had received nothing from Jeongguk or my parents. The only form of communication was Namjoon telling Yejin he had their children with him. Mother and Father had opted to drive in their own vehicle. Jimin and his family were not far behind Jeongguk, so everyone should be back in time for dinner.

I take my focus off of the weather and take in the sleeping baby. Kim Sora lay peacefully sleeping. Her long lashes kiss her cheeks in a way that makes me fawn. If there was someone who could make beautiful babies, it was Taehyung. Every single one of his children had distinct feautures, but somehow still managed to be the exact copy and paste of him. A beautiful family they are.

-

"Kim Soa, how could you allow your husband to drive in such unsafe circumstances?" Mother reprimands as soon as she sees me. Her arms reach to pull me into a hug. Surprisingly, it's a nice squeeze, not her usual cold shoulder hugs. Taehyung melts into our mother as if he had not seen her in years.

Park Jimin enters the area, wearing a naughty smile, one that tells me he did something. Behind him Jeongguk wears a perplexed expression. If anything, he looks ready to punch the shorter man, but refrains from it. I roll my eyes at their behaviour. "Park Jimin, stop irritating my husband."

He laughs, passing me a gift bag, "A little gift for your future Jeon-"

"Soa, before anything else I want to say congratulations. You're glowing!" Erin yells, pushing Jimin out of the way.

My eyes meet Jeongguk, not really sure how I'm supposed to react. He looks guilty, passing me a sheepish grin. I deflate at the knowledge that he just revealed everything to Park Jimin of all people. Judging from the gift, he probably told him a long time ago.

Jeongsan and Nari both wear questioning gazes, wary eyes looking at the both of us. Beside them Jin wears a knowing expression. It's excited, but also shocked. Taehyung pulls me into a hug. One that's warm, but almost gives me whiplash.

"You're having a baby?" Father asks, breaking the silence.

I nod, meeting all the questioning eyes before me, "Jeongguk and I are expecting. Merry Christmas?"

Rounds of cheers go around the room. Mrs Jeon bursts into a round of tears, pulling Jeongguk into another hug. Seokjin cheers, placing fat kisses on my cheeks. Jimin does a mini dance around my still flat belly. Giselle, passes me a small smile from a distance. Yejin pulls me into a hug with haste when she has the chance to. The rounds of cheers die down when I pull Jeongguk into the he porch, wanting to have a word despite the icy cold.

He shivers, frowning at my choice of location.

I ignore his pleas for warmth, "Didn't we agree not to tell anyone until Christmas was over?"

He nods, "It slipped out when I was talking to Jimin the other day-"

"And you didn't think to tell me? Jeongsan and Nari don't look happy at all-"

"I'm sorry, baby. I was just excited and they're just a little shocked. They'll come around." He smiles, sheepish again, "Besides you looked really cute with Sora earlier. Taehyung kept telling me to make it happen."

I sigh, "I just wish you had waited for me to be ready. It's Christmas and something like this will just ruin it for everyone. I don't want all the attention to be on us again-"

"Soa, we're having a baby. They were going to find out eventually." He shrugs, "If anything, Peanut, is a Christmas miracle." He teases, pulling me closer.

"You're not naming our child Peanut." I speak, following him into the house. On the other side, everyone else greets us with another round of cheers. Maybe revealing the news now was not that bad. All the happiness seems real and genuine.

-

Dinner follows with everyone seated around the lounge and dining area. The adults are seated around the circular table, while the children are in the lounge area, eyes fixed on a movie. Seokjin had named it the ultimate distraction. Fei agreed, stating that they had both made use of that method numerous times.

Taehyung is seated beside me, happily eating the food Mom and Yejin had prepared. The Chef had taken the night off, retreating to a room within the mansion, not wanting to be a bother to the family. Jeongguk had argued that she would never be one, but the words didn't budge.

Jimin casually brings up the conversation about the future baby. His excitement could not be hidden all afternoon. Erin joins in, supporting her husband with all his ideas and statements. Jeongguk enthusiastically nods at everything. Namjoon continues eating, not really caring about the new addition to the family. Mother bubbles over with excitement everytime a girl gets mentioned. Something about having too many grandchildren.

"Can we please cut the baby talk? I just want us to focus on now-"

"Soa, you and Jeongguk have waited years to try again. We're all just excited for you." Fei smiles from across the table.

I know it is genuine. All of them are, but there's still the lingering expression Jeongsan and Nari carry that make me wallow. They didn't look happy this afternoon and they don't look happy now.

"Besides, a baby is a blessing. We might just have an heir."
Father beams and just like that, all eyes move in his direction. There's confusion at the subject of an heir when all his grandchildren of age are in the room. "If Soa and Jeongguk would want that, of course." He adds, adding a smile.

I roll my eyes. "Can we please just focus on now? We're all together for the first time in years-"

"A decision agreed upon by everyone." Namjoon cuts in, putting a pause in my sentence.

Jeongguk tenses beside me, "Hey man, let her speak."

"I don't want our baby to be the focus and highlight of this week. We have enough children to focus on and a whole lot of time to catch up on, so please let's focus on that." I end with a sheepish smile.

"Got it!" Giselle smiles, along with a grumble of agreement from Taehyung. By the time everyone agrees, the dinner is already cold and no one wants to eat anymore.

-

It's later the same evening, and all the couples are sat around the fire. A little area just outside the house where Jeongguk managed to put together a nice sitting area with the help of Taehyung and Jimin. There's hot chocolate and marshmallows, along with the clean forest air.

There's Jeongguk who clings to my side, tucking the both of us under a warm blanket he brought from the lounge. His mother didn't seem to mind. He places a kiss on my forehead when I thank him for the warmth, happy to finally have a moment away from the noise inside. Though being with the couples is not much quieter, it's more relatable.

He is involved in the conversation, cutting into every topic with ease. I sit in silence admiring my husband for the man he is. I always knew he was one of a kind back then, but to see him here now, it's a little different. Jeongguk has become a man I'm proud of. He speaks his mind, but he's never disrespectful. The way he defends our family is easy and comforting. There's no doubt that our new addition won't be comfortable and safe in his care. He's the full package.

"You okay?" He asks gently, rubbing at my back with his gloved hand. The other one holds onto his mug of hot chocolate. I nod, to which he places another peck to my forehead, "Alright, I'm just going inside to check on the twins. They looked a little iffy earlier on."

Jeongguk stands up, passing by very confused faces. His sudden departure definitely leaves a dent in the ongoing conversation. Jimin throws him with a ball of snow he managed to put together just before sitting down. Unfortunately it misses and falls to the floor with a thump.

Not long after, the conversation continues, but the topic changes this time, Taehyung had taken it upon himself to question the sex lives of all the seated couples. It's a little intimate and probably the most unfiltered thing any of us have discussed together.

I watch in amusement as Jimin and Erin waste no time in claiming to be the most active. It's something that speaks for itself. They both carry high amounts of sexual tension around like baggage. They're like two pubescent teenagers going through puberty. Taehyung argues that they don't have enough children to prove it.

"Excuse me for not trying to raise a preschool like yourself." Jimin shrugs, still thinking of himself as the most active member of the group.

Namjoon argues that his argument is invalid. "The fact that Taehyung has a preschool is proof that he's active enough and it seems to work every time."

"Are we really calling 5 kids a preschool? Women don't enjoy sex during pregnancy so for nine months, they do nothing. It just seems like every time they've been together, they somehow accidentally became pregnant." Erin counter attacks. She wears a frown on her face, meaning she's not stepping down.

"Who's women? Because Jin and I have a lot of sex when I'm pregnant." Fei buts in.

Seokjin complains that the conversation might be too personal. She shuts him up with a threat of revealing more.
My eyebrows raise at the sight of my outspoken brother becoming meek.

I sit there wondering where the hell we all garbed the courage to have such a close bond. I also wonder how we managed to stay together despite all the growing up we had to do over the years we've spent out of our family homes.
While sitting in amusement, Jeongguk returns immediately picking up on the tone of the conversation.

He hums at the points being made, "But I have to disagree on the activity there. Soa and I easily win." He shrugs, "Our children are the only ones living on their own, so that leave a lot of room for making love-"

"Or doing business. Jeongsan and Nari have nothing to do with you getting some." Jimin replies, coolly leaning into his seat.

"Jimin, you and I both know I'm more active than you. Soa has a serious amount of pent up sexual frustration-"

"Not a lie." Taehyung laughs.

"This is childish, can we change the topic?" Yejin cuts in.

The night ends with everyone wandering to their rooms with the promise of spending more time together tomorrow.