“Hey there!” Mia said, her voice still a bit raspy but infused with warmth. She sat up in her bed, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, and a hint of color had returned to her cheeks. Jin felt a wave of relief wash over him at the sight of her looking better.

“Hi, Mia,” he replied, stepping closer to her bedside. “How are you feeling today?”

“Much better, thank you,” she said, a soft smile gracing her lips. “I think I’ll be able to go home tomorrow.”

“That’s great to hear! We’ve been waiting for you,” Jin said, trying to keep his excitement in check. “I was thinking about our picnic dinner in the backyard, but—”

Just then, a doctor entered the room, interrupting their conversation. He greeted them with a friendly smile. “Good morning, Mia. How are we feeling today?”

“Much better, I think,” Mia replied.

“Glad to hear it. We’ll be running some final tests, but I’d like you to stay one more night for observation. You still need to rest and recover fully before going home.”

Jin’s heart sank a little at the doctor’s words, but he nodded, wanting to respect the medical advice. “Of course. We just wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

The doctor nodded and explained a few more things about Mia’s recovery, emphasizing the importance of rest and hydration. After a few minutes, he left the room, and Jin turned to Mia, who looked slightly disappointed.

“I’m so sorry, Mia,” Jin said, trying to hide his own frustration. “I was really looking forward to that picnic.”

Mia sighed softly, her eyes meeting his. “I was too. But I understand that I need to take care of myself. I don’t want to slow you and Jiwoon down.”

Jin shook his head. “It’s not about that. Your health is the most important thing. We can postpone the picnic. Instead, how about an indoor picnic? I’ll bring the food here, and we can have a cozy meal together.”

Mia’s eyes brightened at the suggestion. “That sounds perfect! As long as I get to spend time with you both, I’m happy.”

Just then, Jin heard the door open behind him. Jiwoon poked his head in, his eyes wide with excitement. “Mia! Are you feeling better?”

“I am, Jiwoon! Thank you for asking,” Mia replied, her face lighting up at the sight of Jin’s son.

“Daddy said we were going to have a picnic!” Jiwoon exclaimed, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm.

Jin crouched down beside Jiwoon, keeping his voice low. “Well, we’re still going to have a picnic, but it’s going to be indoors so Mia can rest. What do you think?”

Jiwoon’s face fell slightly but quickly turned into a bright smile. “As long as Mia comes home, I don’t mind! I want her to be better so we can play together!”

Jin felt a warmth spread through him at Jiwoon’s sincerity. “That’s the spirit! I’ll make sure everything is perfect for our indoor picnic,” he said, ruffling Jiwoon’s hair affectionately.

Mia chuckled softly, her heart swelling at the bond they shared. “You two are the best. I’ll make sure to bring my favorite snacks for our picnic too!”

As they chatted, Jin’s mind raced with ideas. He wanted to make this indoor picnic special for Mia, something that would brighten her spirits after her illness. “Okay, how about I bring some sandwiches, fruit, and your favorite dessert?” he suggested, glancing at Mia for approval.

Mia nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, that sounds amazing! I can’t wait!”

“Let’s do it! I’ll go get everything while Jiwoon keeps you company,” Jin said, standing up. “What do you want to do while I’m gone, Jiwoon?”

“Can we read stories?” Jiwoon asked, looking at Mia with eager eyes.

“Of course! I’d love that,” Mia replied, her voice filled with warmth.

As Jin stepped out of the room, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wanted to create a comforting atmosphere for Mia, something that would help her heal not just physically, but emotionally too.

---

Jin arrived at the local grocery store and moved swiftly through the aisles, gathering everything he needed for the picnic. He chose fresh bread, deli meats, assorted cheeses, and vibrant fruits. When he reached the dessert section, his eyes landed on a box of chocolate-covered strawberries, Mia’s favorite. With a small smile, he added them to his cart, thinking of how happy they would make her.

As he checked out, he couldn’t help but think about the unspoken connection he shared with Mia. After everything that had happened, he felt as though they were growing closer, and it terrified him and thrilled him at the same time. He wanted her to know that she meant more to him than just a nanny; she was someone he genuinely cared for.

After loading the car, he hurried back to the hospital, excitement bubbling in his chest. When he entered Mia’s room, he was met with a warm scene—Jiwoon was sitting cross-legged on the bed, his little hands animatedly holding a book, while Mia listened intently, laughing at Jiwoon’s expressive storytelling.

“Look who’s back!” Jin announced, holding up the bags triumphantly.

“Mia! Daddy’s back!” Jiwoon exclaimed, bouncing in place.

Mia turned to Jin, her eyes brightening. “How did it go?”

“I got everything we need for our indoor picnic,” he said, walking over to the bedside and placing the bags on the table.

“Yay! Can we eat now?” Jiwoon asked, his excitement palpable.

“Not yet! We have to set it up first,” Jin replied, a grin spreading across his face. “How about we create a cozy picnic area right here on the floor?”

Jiwoon clapped his hands in delight. “That sounds fun!”

Mia chuckled, her heart warming at the sight of Jin and Jiwoon working together. She loved the way they interacted, their bond as father and son radiating warmth.

After arranging the food on a large blanket they found in the corner of the room, Jin glanced at Mia, who had joined them on the floor. “Okay, let’s dig in!”

Jiwoon grabbed a sandwich and took a big bite, his cheeks puffed out. “Yummy! Mia, try this!” he said, handing her a piece with his sticky little fingers.

Mia laughed and accepted it, taking a bite. “Mmm! This is delicious, Jiwoon! You’re a great chef!”

Jin watched the exchange, his heart swelling with pride. Mia fit so seamlessly into their lives, and it felt as if she had always been a part of their little family.

They spent the next hour enjoying the picnic, sharing stories and laughter. Jin felt a sense of normalcy returning, a feeling he hadn’t experienced since Mina had left. He appreciated how Mia brought light into their lives, and he found himself longing for moments like this, where they could simply enjoy each other’s company.

As the meal wound down, Jin glanced at Mia, who was smiling at Jiwoon as he animatedly discussed his favorite dinosaur. “You know, Mia, I’m really glad you’re here,” he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.

Mia turned to him, her expression softening. “I’m glad too, Jin. I didn’t expect to feel so at home with you and Jiwoon.”

They shared a moment of understanding, a silence that spoke volumes about their connection. Jin’s heart raced, and he wanted to say more, to tell her how much she meant to him, but he held back, not wanting to complicate things.

Instead, they resumed their playful banter, Jiwoon giggling and getting more ice cream on his face. As the afternoon wore on, Mia began to feel the effects of her illness creeping back, but she pushed through, wanting to enjoy this time with Jin and Jiwoon.

Once the picnic was over and they had cleaned up, Jin helped Mia back to her bed. “You should rest. You’ve been through a lot, and I want you to be completely healthy before you head back home.”

Mia nodded, her eyes growing heavy. “Thank you for everything, Jin. This was the best surprise.”

“Anytime. We’ll make it a regular thing once you’re feeling better,” he said, tucking her in gently.

Jiwoon climbed up onto the bed beside Mia, resting his head on her arm. “I’ll take care of you, Mia! I’ll protect you from monsters!” he declared, making a fierce face that sent both Jin and Mia into fits of laughter.

Jin’s heart swelled with affection as he watched Jiwoon snuggle closer to Mia. “You’re in good hands, Mia. Jiwoon is a fierce protector,” he said, ruffling his son’s hair.

As Mia drifted off to sleep, Jin sat in the chair next to her bed, watching over her with a sense of devotion. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and it both excited and terrified him.

But for now, all that mattered was that Mia was recovering, and he would do everything in his power to help her feel better. The bond they were building was something he didn’t want to take for granted. He smiled to himself, determined to show Mia just how special she was to him and Jiwoon—now and in the future.