April 2020

Mingi had woken up extra early to plan the best birthday he can for Seonghwa. He still had an hour or two before Seonghwa wakes up, but he wanted to get a few last minute items before the older did and possibly make him breakfast in bed.

He went to the store to gather some last minute breakfast items, as well as a birthday card and a box for a very special gift. Since his mother's passing, and the announcement of them becoming parents, Mingi has done some thinking.

He can't think of a life without Seonghwa and their baby. He doesn't even want to have to think of one. Seonghwa is THE one. His mother always did say that you know when you know if the person is the one you want to be with. He for sure knows Seonghwa is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with.

He had thought of a really extravagant idea for his birthday gifts, but it required the use of some of his mother's ashes. It wasn't easy getting them, but Mingi managed to grab enough in a ziplock baggie and and them to a friend of his who can do as he requests.

It was all worth it for the blonde boy who wears flower crowns and is carrying his child.

Now as he was gathering last minute birthday supplies, he passes by an area selling weeping willow saplings and his hand couldn't stop itself as he grabs one and puts it in the basket. The cashier smiles at him, "You look like you're cooking a good breakfast."

Mingi smiles, "Its for a surprise."

She arches her eyebrows as she finishes scanning the few items, telling him his total and Mingi pays, "What kind of surprise?"

Mingi takes his bags of items and winks, leaving the store to head to his friend's house to get the other two presents. When he made it back home, Seonghwa was still sleeping soundly and he couldn't help but kiss his cheek and whisper, "I love you," before heading to the kitchen and began cooking.

Cooking bacon and eggs is easy, but pancakes it took him a bit before he finally gave up and made toast instead. You can only burn so many and mess up so many before they become less enjoyable. Once breakfast is made, he wraps his gifts up and sets them on the table, deciding to give one to Seonghwa this morning while he eats breakfast.

Luckily, when he enters the room, Seonghwa was sitting up and stretching, his T-shirt exposing the small belly he was already getting. His eyes widen when he takes in the tray of breakfast and gasps, "What is this?"

"Happy birthday baby," Mingi smiles, setting the tray on the bedside table and leaning down to kiss the older. Seonghwa hums, they pull away with a loud smack before Mingi leans down and kisses his belly, "and good morning to you little one."

Seonghwa giggles, "So this was my big surprise?"

"Well sort of," Mingi laughs, showing him the food, "I attempted to make pancakes... but it didn't work out as well."

"Yeah I could kind of smell something burning," Seonghwa laughs, "That's what woke me up."

"I'm so sorry," Mingi makes a face, "Hey. at least I made you toast though."

"That you did," Seonghwa smiles, taking the tray and setting it in his lap, "It looks so good baby, thank you."

"Only the best for you," Mingi kisses him once more before backing away from the bed, "Now, time for presents!"

Seonghwa sighs, "Mingi-"

"Don't start, yes I had to get you something because it's your first birthday we're spending together and we weren't together during mine last year," Mingi winks, "You can repay me in August."

Seonghwa rolls his eyes, "I'll remember that. Just wait boy."

Mingi chuckles, grabbing the tree from behind the wall in the hallway, and revealing it to the pregnant man. Seonghwa gasps, chewing on his bacon, "Oh is that a weeping willow?! Oh Mingi those are my favorite trees!"

"I know," Mingi smiles, "I figured we could plant this in the back yard and place your other present with it."

"Mingi you didn't have to get me another present," Seonghwa sighs, brushing the leaves of the willow sapling against his fingertips before setting it on the ground.

"But this one is necessary," Mingi smiles, leaving the room once more and coming back in with a slab of concrete in his hands with ribbon tied around it. He laid it right next to Seonghwa on his side of the bed, the older tilts his head to read what it says and his jaw drops. Tears immediately follow as he covers his mouth and sobs.

Mingi smiles, "'Planted in memory of Park Mae. Forever rooted into our hearts.'"

Seonghwa sobs again as he touches with his finger tips. It even had her birthdate and death date, as well as a willow tree engraved into the slab. Underneath the tree looked as if the concrete was different. It was darker almost and gritty feeling. He looks to Mingi, "I love it, where did you get it?"

"I had a buddy of mine make it," Mingi smiles, "I even took some of her ashes and he put the ashes underneath the tree. As well as mixing some of them into the concrete."

Seonghwa sobs harder, at this point Mingi couldn't tell if he was happy or if he was extremely happy thanks to the pregnancy hormones. He couldn't even form coherent words as he sobs and cries, Mingi finally bringing the older in for a hug and Seonghwa cries into his chest. He hasn't cried this hard since the day his mother died.

"I have one more present, but I want to wait until you've calmed down before I bring it in," Mingi whispers, kissing Seonghwa's temple, nuzzling their noses together.

"I don't know if I can keep going if the next present is as sweet as the plaque," Seonghwa laughs, his voice cracking from his crying as he continues to shed more tears.

"One more, come on," Mingi laughs, standing, "I'll be right back with it."

Seonghwa nods, sniffling as he looks down at the plaque and rubs his belly. What did he do in life to deserve someone like Mingi? There must be someone up above looking out for him to make sure he's getting the best of the best. And he sure is with the man he loves with all of his heart.

Mingi comes back in, and Seonghwa smiles lovingly at him as he sets his empty tray on the bedside table. Mingi takes in a deep breath, "Now, I hope you can forgive me. But I took quite a bit of ashes and there were some left over after he made the plague," Mingi sheepishly said, looking away as if he's ready to be scolded.

But Seonghwa doesn't scold him, he instead smiles and giggles, "I'd rather her be spread out throughout the world than to be trapped in an urn on the counter Mingi. Really there's nothing to forgive." Mingi smirks and Seonghwa tilts his head, "What?"

"With the extra ashes, I had him make something else for you," Mingi finishes, clearing his throat as he continues, "Park Seonghwa. You mean the world to me. I never thought in a million years someone like yourself could find someone like me and share the same amount of love and care. I don't deserve you, I didn't deserve the kindness I got from your mother, and I most certainly don't deserve to be here in this position right now. But I wouldn't have it any other way," he clears his throat again as he felt his chest tightening and he quickly gets on one knee before he changes his mind and backs off the plan.

Seonghwa gasps, covering his mouth again as Mingi reveals his third gift out of his sweatpants pocket. He smiles when Seonghwa starts to sob again, covering his face with his hands. Gently, he removes one so Seonghwa can look at him, "Look at me baby," he whispers and Seonghwa does, his eyes were undeniably red now and sobs racked his chest, "I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you and no one else. You are THE one. I want to see your smile and your stunning blue eyes from now on until the day I take my last breath."

By now Seonghwa was a crying mess in front of Mingi and the younger smiles as he holds the present up, a tiny banded ring with a small diamond in the middle and what is his mother's ashes around the band, "Will you make me the most happiest and luckiest man ever, and marry me?"

Seonghwa doesn't hesitate to nod as he sobs out, "YES!!"

Mingi kisses the tip of his nose before slipping the ring on his finger. Then he kisses his now fiancé, Seonghwa sobs into the kiss. When Mingi pulls away, he wipes his lover's face with the blanket, Seonghwa whines, "I-I n-n-need-d to-"

"I'll wash it later," Mingi laughs, knowing Seonghwa was crying too hard to form coherent words but he knew what the older was going to say. And before Seonghwa can say anything he kisses him again before whispering, "I love you."

"I l-l-l-love you-u-u-u too," Seonghwa sniffles, trying to calm his breathing down and he laughs, "God-d I'm a m-mess." Mingi laughs, and together they spent the rest of the older's birthday cuddled with one another, and Mingi making it up to Seonghwa by spoiling him on his special day.

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