"Come on, look at this!" Lily quickly tore open the beautiful wrapping of another Christmas present, eager to find out what lay beneath the beautiful Christmas paper. Taehyung sat beside her on the ground, grinning, ready to give her the next one as soon as she enjoyed the gift.
The little girl literally screams with pleasure, opening the completely realistic sewing kit for dolls, chatting enthusiastically about how she would organize a fashion show for her dolls. Taehyung laughed at the children's enthusiasm, but from time to time he looked at Mina, who was curled up in one corner of the couch, watching them from the side, holding a cup of hot cocoa in her hands.
In recent days, Mina had been somehow too silent, even for her, and that bothered him. He often found her staring at a non-existent point, in a world of hers, with a sad expression. The Christmas holidays seemed to strain her more than to make her relax and have fun. And at night, she hugged him as if he were going to disappear. Several times he had even heard her sobs when she thought he was asleep. Something was bothering her, and he didn't understand what or why. They had no problems at work, their relationship was going great, they were preparing for the Christmas holidays like a real family, but she still looked sad and distant.
Giving Lily her last present, he stood up and sat down next to her. "It's time for your present, too, Princess." he smiled and handed her a small box of black ebony with carved lotuses on it. "Lord, Tae, you shouldn't have!" she gently stroked the painted flowers. "Open it!" he invited her with a smile, and she looked at him, beaming with curiosity.
Mina set her cup on the coffee table, picked up the box, and slowly opened the lid. "Taehyung, she's beautiful!" her eyes filled with tears, and she pressed her palm to her mouth in astonishment, staring at the exquisite gold necklace.

"Do you like it?" he asked, watching her with adoration, enjoying the unfeigned joy of something so ordinary, though beautiful. "I adore her!" she exclaimed and hugged him tightly, he laughed and, tucking her hair behind her ear, stole a small kiss.
"Help me." she turned her back on him and brushed her hair away so that Taehyung could fasten the necklace around her neck. He buttoned her gentle step and, running his hands over her shoulders, leaned down gently and kissed her neck, wrapping her arms around her.
"Why are you sad, princess?" he finally decided to ask. Mina straightened her back and tried to stand up, but Taehyung wouldn't let her, pulling her into his lap. His arms locked around her, and he shook his head. "There's no point in hiding it, princess, just tell me what's bothering you?" he insisted, looking at her profile as she stared at Lily, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not sad, Tae, in fact, I'm happy, too happy." Mina surrendered and leaned against his chest, curled up like a kitten on his lap. "For someone who grew up without family and friends, this is ..." she bit her lip, and Taehyung let her calm down without spurring her on, waiting for her to decide when to continue. She continued to watch Lily humming merrily as she played on the floor in front of the Christmas tree with her new toys. "To be always alone, with no one to talk to, no one to notice that you are sad, or to share your joys and successes ..." she looked at him, her eyes full of tears and love. "It's just that lately I feel like I'm going to wake up one morning and it's all going to be a dream," she sighed, lowering her head.
Taehyung understood her, he himself had felt that way after his divorce, but the boys had helped him somewhere, and when she came into his life, even when he was just watching her, that feeling was gone. And now that she was always by his side, even the memory of that time was gone. But for Mina, it was a way of life, and the months with them seemed unreal to her, and holidays like Christmas, when everyone was home, with their families, always challenged people to reveal their deepest emotions.
"It's not a dream, princess." she looked at him, and he wiped away a tear that threatened to wet her beautiful face. "Look," he took her hand and placed it on his chest, where his heart was beating. "I'm real, Lily is real, it's all real." Taehyung hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. "It's also true that Lily and I love you so much!" he whispered, and she took a sharp breath, raising her head, Taehyung smiling softly at her, his hand caressing her thigh soothingly. "Besides, it's a real fact that you're going to be Mrs. Kim soon!" Taehyung grinned devilishly and she giggled, blushing. "I love you too, Tae, I love you both!" her eyes gleamed, this time with happy tears, and Taehyung couldn't help but kiss her sharply.
"Come on, future Mrs. Kim, let's get ready, because in a little while a whole series of uncles will be pouring in here, who will be piling up the little lunatic with presents, and it's not right to be in our pajamas!" she laughed, and he got up with Mina in his arms, heading for the bedroom, leaving Lily to her happiness.
Just as Taehyung had predicted, the two had just finished their morning routine when the doorbell rang and they heard the joyful screams of Lily trying to hold everything Namjoon, Suga, and Jin had taken her for Christmas.
Shortly afterwards, Hoseok appeared. Mina left the men with Lily in the living room while she made breakfast and hot chocolate, at Lily's insistence.
Arranging everything on a large tray, she returned to them and left it on the coffee table. Lily immediately attacked the pancakes while arguing with Jin that as the youngest, she should have the most.
Laughing, she walked to the front door, which rang again, only to be attacked by the cheerful Jungkook and Jimin, who hugged her as if they hadn't seen her in years. She let them pass and watched with a smile as Lily, who was tossing and turning on the ground, bursting into laughter, with half a pancake hanging from her mouth as Jungkook tickled her.
"Watch out, Jungkook, you're going to strangle her!" she scolded softly as he approached them. "Yes Madam!" he trumpeted, but continued his tickling attack. Taehyung leaned back and the two crossed their eyes. He reached out and she took his hand, letting him put her in his lap again and hug her as he gently watched the happy family scene they witnessed.