30 minutes later...

I brush my fingers past her arm, the soothing sound of the water bringing peace to my mind. I keep all my attention over her, loving how good she seems to feel in my arms, resting on me, between my legs, and feeling safe.

I dive my hands into the warm water and glide them over her skin to pass my fingers between hers and intertwine them, and I drop a kiss on her neck. Her eyes close, and she lays her head on my shoulder.

"What was the thing you heard and that bothered you?" she brings it back up, so I do not keep it to myself anymore. "It didn't bother me, it just felt weird to hear you use the word 'daddy' for him, even though I knew it was because you talked to Luna. It's stupid."

A smile forms on her face, and she moves her head up to look at me. "I'm just used to saying that when I talk to them since that's how they call their dad."

"I know, that's why I didn't want to make a big deal out of it," I rub my thumb over the nape of her neck and cup it while holding her hand. "You're my only daddy anyway, don't be worried," she laughs, softly, and I smile. "That better be the case. I'm not sharing my little girl with anyone."

"That's good because I only belong to you," she makes herself my property without even me asking. "Hm. I love to hear that a lot."

"It's the truth," she smiles, and I lift her hand towards my mouth and kiss the back of it.

— Two years later —

Friday, December 8th, 2023.

6 pm.

'YOUR P.O.V'

The time passing by at a slow pace, I take a look at my phone again, hoping to see an answer to my text, but nothing pops up, so I keep my attention on my drawing while hearing the sound of the TV play a movie.

Choco seeming in the mood for some cuddles since I came back home, he makes his way between one side of the sofa on my right and my body, and he curls up into a ball next to my hip. This big Samoyed boy, who is now way bigger and taking almost as much space as I do. I cannot ignore this or not feel anything, my heart breaks, and I pet him. We must be missing the same person.

The sound of my phone ringing startles me, and I hurry to check what it is.

< the day went well, but I'm starving, I want some food from dad or you dammit:') ]

I read Joonha's text, which I have been waiting for, but feel some grief.

[ :( I can visit you every day and bring you some home-cooked food if you want >

< you can't do that, you have to work and we're too far away from each other but thanks for the thought ]

[ I wouldn't mind yk >

< stop! You're breaking my heart! I know you miss your favorite boy but I can't be home, okay? Hate me pls:< ]

[ I can't >

< I'll be here tomorrow so just wait a few hours and I'll be here to piss you off:)♡ ]

[ well, I'm happy about it lmao >

< I know you are, but anyway, how was your day at work? And how's my baby doing? ]

[ your baby's lying next to me, he's doing good, and I had a good day >

< I'm glad to hear it. Is my dad's home yet? ]

[ no, he texted me ten minutes ago and told me he was on the way so he'll be here soon. Idk if you both talked today but he told me he had a tough day because of a student who got on his nerves again so I hope he's not in a bad mood >

< we didn't talk except to say hi and ask how it's going bcs I could barely take my phone since the exams are starting on Monday, which means I'm studying hard but wtf did this bitch do? ]

< btw can we talk on the phone and not by text? ]

I call him to do it right away and not type my answer, and he picks up in a few seconds. "Here's your answer," I smile. "It's much better. You can explain everything," he tells me, getting me to hear his voice after two weeks of speaking by text only.

"Well, he didn't tell go in detail because we were on the phone, and his colleagues were around, but apparently, she was trying to catch his attention all the time, she was making sexual remarks about his looks, and she literally never leaves him alone," I tell him what Jungkook said earlier.

"Gosh," he sighs, heavily. "I'm sick of this shit. That's why I'd never want to be a teacher, whether you're a woman or man, there's always gonna be some bitches who thirst over you and believe you're a toy or sex symbol when you're just there to teach them. I have no idea how he can keep his calm and not quit."

"He probably cares about the ones who respect and love him. He loves his job, so he tries to ignore those who have no education," I give my guess, and he exhales a 'yeah'. "Do you want to see your baby to feel better?" I change the subject so that it is not upsetting anymore. "Yes, I want to see my big boy,"

I turn the FaceTime on so that it opens my camera, and I place it right in front of Choco. "Here's your baby," I show him the one he missed. "Aw, my big boy," he grasps his attention right away, and he reacts to his master. "You're growing way too fast, I want you to stay small!" he pouts, acting cute for him. "You sound like your dad," I mention.

"I know, I realized it when I heard myself," he laughs. "I can't wait to be tomorrow. I want to hold you tight and give you all the kisses you deserve, my baby."

I let him have a conversation with him, not moving my hand so that Choco stays within sight. "I promise I'll be here tomorrow, and I'll come with your favorite treat, okay?" he uses a baby voice, and Choco barks, making me smile. "Good boy. I love you, my baby."

"He was sad now he's happy because of you," I turn the camera to show him what I see. "Wow— What the—" he chokes on his saliva after my thighs appeared on the screen. "Hey, can you not be rude?" I focus on the dog and look at the one who acted like if I had shown him something disgusting. "What?! Are you kidding? I thought you were naked and flashed me, that scared me," he gets me to cackle. "You're so dumb. Do you think I'd be on FaceTime with you if I wasn't wearing anything below?"

"Well, I don't know. Some people don't mind FaceTiming on the toilet, so I don't know what you'd do," he shares some crazy thoughts, and I shake my head but hear Jungkook come back and drive into the garage. "Stop saying such stupid things. Your dad is home."

"You can hang up if you want, I'm getting harassed with calls right now, I shouldn't wait for too long," he raises his eyebrows and brushes his thumb over his screen. "From Iseul?"

"Yeah, I haven't texted her today because I'm still mad about last night's argument, so she's been sending me a lot of texts to explain herself," he seems annoyed by her, the one he has been dating for almost a year. "It's wrong. She shouldn't do that. She literally made you jealous just to provoke you because you weren't answering her when you're busy with your studies, then she acts like a victim because you're mad. She better respect you, otherwise, I'm gonna have a talk with her," I do not keep the anger inside, not liking what she is doing to him.

"It's fine, don't worry," he smiles, but not sincerely, and Jungkook comes in. "I'm gonna talk to her tonight, I'll try to visit her this Sunday before coming back here, but yeah, I'm still mad and disappointed."

"I hope it will be solved, but don't let her treat you that way," I advise him. "Hey," Jungkook leans forward and holds the side of my throat to kiss my temple, and he looks at my screen to say hello to his son. "Hey, how are you?" Joonha smiles at him. "I'm fine, and you? How were the classes today?"

"I'm fine, just a bit tired, but the classes were great, I loved the subject a lot," he moves onto his bed to sit up. "I'm happy to hear it, make sure to eat a proper meal for dinner, alright?"

"Yeah, if I find one," he does not say anything promising, reminding me of what we said by text some minutes ago. "You better do, being healthy is the most important to have great marks, especially as a doctor. So don't disregard it," he cares for his well-being like any good father would, and Joonha's lips curve up. "I know, dad. I'm gonna have to end the call to eat and study now, so make sure to eat well too."

"We will, take care of yourself and don't overwork for your exams, I'll be proud of you no matter what," he sweetly uses the right words to encourage him, and I tell him goodbye as well. "I love you," he sends his son a kiss, and he replies with the same words but directed to us three, then he hangs up.

I already miss seeing and hearing him. Even though this has been around one year and nine months since he started, it is still difficult every day. I have not been able to get used to his absence from the house.

Jungkook does not say anything but wraps his arms around my neck and kisses my ear. "How are you, baby?"

"Good, and you? Was the ride okay? You didn't have a hard time with the snow?" I gaze up at him, and he pulls away to grip the back of the sofa. "Good too. It was a bit slippery, but not too bad."

"Be really careful these days then, it worries me a lot," I watch him undo his tie, and he pats my head. "Don't worry, baby."

He puts his tie down near my head, and I remain focused on him. "Joonha will visit us this weekend."

"Really? I can't wait to see him," he expresses some happiness, missing his son a lot since we have not seen him in three weeks. "Me too."

"What were you talking about right when I was here? I heard there was some sort of problem," he walks around the sofa to come closer, and he sits down next to me. "It's about Iseul, he's mad at her because she purposely made him jealous, and she's been harassing him with calls and texts because she regrets now that he gives her the silent treatment, which she deserves," I side with Joonha. "And why did she do that?" he makes Choco get closer to rest a part of his body on his lap, and he pets him. "Because Joonha is busy and can't give her all his attention. She's being a kid."

"She better apologize and never act that way with him again, I'm sick of those immature girls who do not treat my son well," he expresses wrath, wishing for nothing but Joonha to be loved like he deserves to be. "I know, I think the same. I hope she will realize she was wrong and act better in the future."

"Me too," he breathes out, sharply, and looks down at Choco who is having a good time on his lap. "Anyway, I'll talk to him tomorrow and see how this went," I move forth to stretch out and feel all the tension in my back go away. I let out a small moan full of satisfaction and lean towards my man to ask for some attention.

He gets comfortable on the sofa and pulls me closer, and I rest my head on his chest and hug him. I need so much physical contact with him today, I do not know why I am craving it much more than usual.

"What's wrong, my baby?" he runs his fingers through my hair, giving me and Choco some affection at the same time. "Nothing. I want to hug you."

"Are you sure that's all?" he moves my hair back to expose my neck and ear, and I nod. "Yes. I just want to be in your arms. I feel like the cold makes me want to cuddle even more."

"We can cuddle as much as you want," he drifts his hand lower to my waist and embraces me, and I close my eyes to enjoy some time against his warm body, with the sound of his heartbeat and soothing voice.

"Are we really not ever going to live with him like before again?" I cannot help but speak out, feeling some pain whenever I think about it. He rubs my side, and Choco puts his head and two paws on his lap. "He still has two years left to get the bachelor's degree. After that, he'll have to go to medical school for four years before the residency program. That means he'll be around thirty, he'll probably have settled down with someone, found a house, so...he won't be living here anymore, but I don't want you to be sad, alright? I know it's difficult to not have him around anymore, but try to think about how happy he is. He's doing all that hard work for his future, so focus on that only," he reassures me in the best way possible, but the tears have already flooded my eyes.

I do not say anything so that he does not hear the grief in my voice, but I cannot hold back from sniffling. "Aw, baby," he brings his other hand up to my face, and Choco gets up as soon as I start crying. "We'll still see him very often, don't worry. He's healthy and happy, so that's what matters the most," he wipes my tears away and strokes my cheek with his thumb, and Choco goes right against me to push his face against me but make me cry even more heavily by being so precious and trying to cheer me up. "I know, I just miss him a lot..." I pull the sleeve of my hoodie down to pass it over my face, but Choco cannot stop doing his best to comfort me. "I understand, I miss him a lot," he drops a kiss on my head, and they both help me to feel better.

— Next day —

Saturday, December 9th, 2023.

9:10 am.

I bounce my legs while sitting at the take and looking out of the window, waiting for Joonha to be here while Jungkook is giving home classes this morning. I check what time it is on my phone to have an idea of what time it should take him to be here, but as soon as I hear a car park in front of the house, I understand he is in front of the garage. I stand up without waiting, and I move towards the door, with Choco who recognizes that sound.

Even though he is not home yet, Choco already barks, so I open the door, and he runs through the snow to make a beeline for Joonha, who got out of his car. He jumps on his master to show his excitement, and Joonha squats down to hug him. "My baby, I missed you so much," he pets him and gets up, smiling broadly. He leads him towards me but fixes his red beanie, and I move forth to wrap my arms around his body right away, and he squeezes me in a clasp.

"I missed you," I speak in his chest, his cologne always reminding me of when he was always around. "I know you did," he presses a kiss on my head. "I missed you too, little brat," he cannot do it with seriousness but squeezes me in his arms, and I smile and move back to let him in. Choco goes back in, not caring about the snow he throws everywhere, so I close the door, and Joonha takes his shoes off.

"It's so fucking cold outside, I hate it," he hangs his brown long coat on the coat rack, and he puts his turtle neck properly, but seeing him in this black close-fitting top, and his tight pants worries me. He seems to have lost weight. "You look skinnier," I remark, and he bends over to give some more love to Choco. "I know, I hate it."

"I'm gonna tell your dad to cook some food for a whole week, and you'll take it, or we'll bring it to you every weekend," I do not joke, feeling concerned for him. "No need to. I'm fine. I'm just very focused on my studies and sometimes forget to eat or feel too sick."

"Sick? Why?" I watch him straighten up, and his blue eyes look into mine. "Stress. I really want to succeed, but it's hard, and the arguments with Iseul are not helping either. So yeah..." he does not seem as alright as he claims to be when we text and call each other. "But whatever. I'm gonna eat well this weekend, I'm chilling, so it's okay," he fakes a smile and goes into the kitchen, so I follow him. "Are you sure you really love and enjoy what you do? How your life is going?"

He serves himself a glass of water, turning his back to me. "I do."

"You do?" I cannot believe this answer. "Yes, I do," he turns around and drinks, but I stare at him, feeling like he is lying and not feeling good. In the beginning, he was always joyful and could not keep quiet about what he learned during the week, he seemed passionate, but the more the months pass, the more he loses all of that, the less he looks like himself.

"What's that face? You don't seem happy to see me," he puts his glass down, but I avoid talking about it. "Are you kidding me? I've been thinking about it all night long. I couldn't wait to see you."

"Aw, I feel so special," he smiles, and I mention something that bothers me. "Where's your lip ring?"

"I forgot it in my room. I had to remove it because a teacher said I should give a good image if I wanna be a doctor, and that my piercings are vulgar," he raises his eyebrows, and once again, I get another proof that this job is not for him. He has always loved engineering much more, he never liked to be forced to look a certain way for people, nor change who it is to fit in the mold, he has always talked about how much he wanted to be free to be who he is and do what he loves, and with this job, this is the whole opposite.

I sigh but do not comment, not knowing what to say anymore since I do not want him to think I am forcing him to do something else. I just hope he is honest with me and that he truly wants to become a doctor because he loves this job.

"What's all that food?" he brushes it off as if he knew and looks at what I cooked before he would be here, so I try to disregard it for now. "This is for you. It's breakfast, and it's still warm," I step forth to get the dishes out. "I'm starving, so I'm gonna eat everything," he expresses all his hunger, and I give him the pancakes. "Here, eat as much as you want," I move towards the fridge and get the whipped cream, the fruit salad, and I take the eggs and bacon to head to the table where he is, but he turns around and helps me to put everything down. "You pick whether you want sweet or salt, and I'll eat the rest."

"You're the best step-mommy ever, I love you," he sits down next to me, but I do not approve of that. "Don't you dare call me that."

"Or else what?" he already digs in as if he had not eaten in days, choosing the sweetness. I smile and throw my foot in his calf. "Or else I kick your ass."

"Oh, damn. The thought of it made me pee my pants," he mocks me, and I laugh at how dumb his words are. "But anyway, instead of threatening the poor man I am, tell me what we're eating for dinner today" he already thinks about his next meal when he barely started this on. "Your dad said you decide."

"Good, I want fried chicken with cheese that he cooks, and I want you to surprise me for dessert," he unwillingly pressures me with a task I might fail. "What? And what if you're disappointed?"

"What the fuck you're talking about? I'm literally feeling in heaven with this. I won't ever be disappointed. There are too many things I wanna eat for dessert, so I want you to pick for me," he grins and drinks the rest of the glass. "We'll see later. Do you want a hot chocolate with this?"

"Oh yes, please," he nods, so I stand up and go back to the kitchen to take care of doing it. I warm some milk up in the microwave for two minutes, and once it is done, I pour the cocoa powder into it and head back to him. I stop next to him and place the cup in front of him. "Here."

"Thank you," he takes it and already has a sip, so I sit down. "I should leave more often if that's how I'm treated when I come—"

I slap the back of his head. "Keep quiet," I do not allow him to say that, but he laughs. "I'm joking."

"Tell me if you don't wanna talk about it, but have you solved the problem with Iseul?"