Chapter 25: Christmas Miracles

December 23

It's been two weeks since Jimin's week in rehab, and I have to say that his mood has dramatically improved from before. Maybe it has something to do with my first trimester turning me into a horny, sex-crazed mess. If Jimin and I are in the same room, I'm on top of him, my hands down his pants and my lips on his neck. I don't think I've had so much sex in my life, and he seems happy to oblige. Last night, he actually told me he couldn't go again after three back to back rounds of sex. So he brought me to a mind-numbing orgasm with his mouth instead. In short, December has been wonderful, despite how it started.

Jimin and I booked a month-long Euro-trip for January and we are unbelievably excited for this adventure- and of course all of the pasta that Italy has to offer. Neither of us studied abroad in college, or have done a lot of traveling for the sake of travel and exploration, so it'll be a new experience for both of us.

I'm about seven weeks along, and the baby is growing perfectly. You would think that I'm ready to go into labor with the way that Jimin has been fussing over me. He's gone with me to every appointment and gotten up with me every time I've had morning sickness and any time I even mention a food, it's sitting in front of me before I can blink. And I thought he was attentive to my needs before...

We had an appointment earlier this week, and the second that the doctor "gave mom and dad a minute alone," the tears were sliding down my cheeks as I took in the image on the monitor of the tiny human growing inside of me.

"Wow." I hear his voice right at my ear as he squeezes my hand gently. "That's... our baby."

I turn my head slightly to look at him and his gaze is fixated on the monitor. I wipe the tears from my eyes and I nod. "So tiny," I say as I press my fingertips to the screen. "I love you so much," I say, talking to the screen before turning back to the equally emotional father next to me. "And you." He finally breaks his gaze from the monitor and looks at me, the love and adoration glowing in his eyes.

"You gave me the most precious gift, Y/N." He cups my cheeks and brushes his lips against mine. "Thank you." He kisses me again, his tongue desperately seeking mine as it slides through my lips. I whimper in response as I feel the blood rushing through my veins. I was seconds from asking him if he could climb on top of the bed and have his way with me when the doctor returns.

She chuckles when she sees us break apart instantly and I feel my cheeks getting hot in response. "Nothing to be embarrassed about, first kid... I know the drill." She winks before settling in to tell us all about our baby's vitals.

I smile as I press my fingers over the small black and white picture and press a kiss to it before sliding it back into my wallet just as I feel Jimin's presence nearing. I look up to see him strolling into our bedroom and sitting next to me on our bed and pressing a kiss to my shoulder. "Baby, we have to tell them."

"Now?" I ask as I think about the "them" in question.

"We don't have to stay for Christmas Eve dinner-"

"I would prefer that we didn't."

"But I have to make an appearance."

"Have to?" I raise an eyebrow at him and he gives me a guilty smile.

Jimin had it out with his parents right after the last time they were here when Mrs. Park and I both shared our feelings. Jimin made it clear that I was here to stay and that we wanted nothing more to do with them. Since then, they'd both been calling non-stop wanting to "make amends" with both of us. I'm skeptical, but it appears as though my pregnancy has made Jimin more forgiving, loving and accepting. His parents still don't know about my pregnancy, and he wants to share that with them. Somewhere deep inside I wonder if he's so anxious to tell them because it's one thing Jimin is doing before his brother- grandchildren.

But I suppose that's a conversation for another time.

"I just think they should know. Trust me, I know how they are, but... they're trying." I know that they're trying now. Because they're desperate to get back in Jimin's good graces and I think that they've finally figured it out that you don't get Jimin without me. And I was going to be a tough one to crack.

I sigh. "I already agreed to go. I just don't see why we have to tell them about the baby now."

"You really want to wait? You told your mom," he says quietly.

"Yes, the difference is my mom actually likes me," I tell him and Jimin cocks his head to the side. "We aren't married... they probably don't even consider us really engaged and I can just see your mom insinuating that I trapped you. All while your father is drafting our prenuptial agreement in his head." I shake my head as I think about the only thing that hasn't happened this month. I look down at my naked ring finger wondering when Jimin was planning to give me the ring that I know he has.

While he was in rehab, the devil and the angel sat firmly on each shoulder pleading their cases over whether I should break into his safe for a quick peek of my future engagement ring. The angel won.

"Hey," he says as he pulls me into his lap. I wrap my legs around his back as he cups my face. "None of that is going to happen, alright? I've given my parents explicit instructions, and if they don't follow them, we're leaving. I won't let them hurt you, Y/N. I'll protect you."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I wake the morning of Christmas Eve to kisses on my face and a hand rubbing my naked belly, the hand snaking down lower and lower until I feel his hand rubbing my folds. My eyes flutter open with the biggest smile on my face as I see Jimin staring down at me. "Good morning, beautiful," he tells me before he presses a kiss to my lips. He moves the blanket off of me, exposing me to him and the cool air of the bedroom and I whimper at the immediate loss of heat.

"Jimin, it's cold!" I giggle.

"I'll warm you." He says with a devilish smirk before he moves so that he's hovering on top of me and lines his cock up with my pussy. I feel my arousal forming as he coats his dick with my cum, dragging his dick through my folds, back and forth, grazing my clit each time. I feel the tingles in my core as I feel the orgasm building from the constant contact with my sensitive bundle of nerves. He strays away from my clit, much to my disappointment and begins to push inside as his hands find mine, lacing our fingers and pulling them above my head. He continues to thrust into me, his eyes boring into mine. It's so intense I don't dare look away, I can't even blink.

"Oh God!" I moan as I feel him hit my cervix lightly and I squeeze my eyes shut in response.

"Eyes on me, baby," he demands.

My eyes fly open, to find his piercing gaze staring at me. "Let my hands go." I beg. "Please! I need to touch you."

He frees my hands from his grip and within a second, my hands find the back of his head, my nails dragging along his scalp, through his hair. "Y/N." He groans. "You. feel. so. good." I wrap my legs around him tighter and my arms around his neck as I bring his lips to mine.

"Kiss me." I plead, knowing that his lips on mine is one way to push me over the edge when I'm this close.

He attaches his lips to my neck, his tongue darting out to lick the skin behind my ear. "Come for me, baby. Let me feel your pussy pulse around my cock." He whispers sinfully in my ear.

He says these things to me every time we're intimate, and his words never fail to make me blush just like the first time.

My mind drifts back to that first time. That first Monday in May that changed my entire life. It's hard to believe that was eight months ago. Eight months ago, I jumped down the rabbit hole and I haven't looked up since.

(Flashback) Eight months ago...

"Once I have a taste I don't know that I'll be able to stop."

I look down at this man, my marriage counselor, kneeling in front of me, staring at my pussy like a starving man in line at a buffet and I do the only thing I can think of. I nod.

He smiles, a wicked gleam in his eye and I can't help but wonder if I just sold my soul to the devil. The deliciously sexy devil that is sliding my panties down my legs as we speak. "Sit." He points at the couch and I do as he says, my legs touching so as to not expose myself to him. "Open them." He tells me and I swallow, as I slowly open my legs showing him my completely bare pussy.

"You're bare," he says, his eyes never leaving the space between my legs.

"Yes." I croak out, the lust having taken over my voice completely.

"Why?" He asks and I can see the wheels in his head turning. If she's not having sex, why bother with the landscaping?

"I... just prefer not to have hair. It... itches."

He chuckles at my response before pulling me to the edge of the couch so my butt is on the edge and pushes me back gently. I feel his hands on my thighs and I almost jump feeling his fingertip draw circles into my skin. "You're so wet for me."

I nod. Do I tell him I've been fantasizing about this for months? That he's the star of every single one of my sexy fantasies? That I've named my favorite vibrator Dr. Park? No Y/N, shut the fuck up! Don't ruin this. He's going to give you an orgasm, you remember what those feel like when someone else gives them to you, right?

"You're in your head," he tells me and words fail me instantly.

"I-I-" I stammer. "Sorry." I say weakly and within a second he's hovering over me, his mouth nowhere near my pussy, but dangerously close to my lips.

"Stop. with. the. sorry." He growls and for a split second I'm slightly afraid of this much larger man, towering over me while I'm naked with the exception of my bra but I see the amusement in his eyes instantly calming me. "I'll break you of this one day."

"I look forward to it," I say and for the first time, I feel his lips against mine. It's not passionate, or consuming. It's simple, and yet I felt the spark the second his lips touched mine. It was a kiss that held so much promise. It's as if he's saying, this is the first kiss of many. I don't feel his tongue, just his lips, pressed against mine gently. When he pulls back, all of the air has left my lungs and I know the look in his eyes matches the one in mine. I think he's just as convinced that our lives just changed in that split second. "Wow," I say, and my eyes widen slightly as I hear what I just said. I press my hands to my cheeks trying to cool them as I feel the blood has rushed to them.

I feel his lips trail down my torso and belly until he's back between my spread legs. "Your body is phenomenal, Y/N. I imagined it would be but... you are so beautiful." He tells me and before I can respond I feel his lips on my pelvis, gently pressing a kiss to my pubic mound. I let out a breath I hadn't realized that I was holding as his tongue swirls around the same patch of skin. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if my cum was leaking out of me and onto his leather couch and I clench nervously.

He must notice that I've tensed slightly and he chuckles. "Don't worry, Y/N. I'll make sure not a drop of you goes to waste," he says and I feel like I could faint from his sexy words. He winks at me and then I feel it. His tongue. There.

"Oh my God!" I whimper as I feel his tongue take one long, slow lick through my folds. He looks up at me, his gray eyes staring into my soul and just like that I'm lost.

My hands find his hair as he begins to lick me aggressively, and I can safely say in all the times that Mark has done this- not that there's been a ton, it's never felt like this. It feels as if he's trying to climb inside of me through his tongue. He moves my legs to lift over his shoulders and opens me up further to him. He pulls away slightly and when I look down I see my arousal glistening all over the bottom of his face. We only make eye contact for a mere second before I feel his tongue on my clit again, his lips closing around it and I explode.

I've been wound up tighter than a wind up doll and this is the first time that there's been a mouth between my legs in over a year, I'm actually surprised that I lasted this long.

I ride out my orgasm, panting and whimpering at the assault of his mouth and when I'm finished, I feel him place a tiny kiss on my pussy and I jolt, feeling overly sensitive.

"Your pussy is so sweet." He tells me before I feel his lips on mine, his lips and tongue that taste like my arousal are on me. His tongue is probing my closed lips begging for entry, and I let him in and I immediately taste the evidence of my orgasm.

This was such a fucking head trip.

(End Flashback)

I'm brought back into the here and now by the orgasm wracking my body as the thoughts of my past come flooding back to me. "Jimin!" I moan, as my body shakes violently as it rips through me.

A beat after I feel his orgasm shooting through me. "Fuck, Y/N!" He growls as his thrusts slow and his lips press lazy kisses against my neck. "My beautiful girl." His hands move to my chest, his hands palming my breasts and rolling my nipples between his fingers. "I love you so much," he says as he pulls out of me gently.

"I love you too." I smile as I cuddle against him before I fall into a sex-induced sleep.

I'm not sure how much time has passed but when I open my eyes the room is gray. Not dark, but gray. It's almost as if... I sit up straight in bed and fling the covers off before I bolt for the window, still as naked as the day I was born. I squeal when I see the gray sky, and the snowflakes falling from it. SNOW! I bounce excitedly as I always do when it's the first snow of the season and smile even harder when I realize this means we're in for a white Christmas.

My favorite!

I reach for a blanket to wrap myself in before I take off in search of Jimin when something on his pillow catches my eye. I pick up the piece of paper and smile when I recognize the handwriting.

Will be back at noon.

Dress warmly, we're going out.

I love you

"Out in the snow?" I wonder aloud as I think about driving either of our cars around in the snow. I know it's doable, but not ideal. I shrug knowing that Jimin would never do anything risky when it came to me or our baby.

Thirty minutes later, I'm sliding my boots on when Jimin comes through the front door. "I'm surprised you're ready!"

I roll my eyes at his insinuation that I'm always running behind and hop up and do a twirl before pulling on my coat. "I can be on time, once in a while. Did you see it's snowing?" I run back to the window and bounce up and down. "Are we going to be outside?"

"Yes we are, so dress warmer than that. You and the little one need to stay warm."

I nod before heading back to our room for a scarf and a hat. "Where are we going?" I ask as I pull the hat over my head and ears.

"You'll see." He winks and immediately I'm a pile of mush. He pulls me into his arms and wraps his arms around me before he kisses my nose followed by my mouth. "You make me so happy, you know that?"

"Back at ya, Park," I tell him before I press my lips to his.

A few minutes later, we are out of the apartment and in the elevator and I'm shocked that he hasn't pressed the button for the garage. "We aren't driving?" I ask, shooting him a puzzled stare.

"You ask a lot of questions."

"And like always you never give me any answers," I sass and he wraps his arm around my hip.

"Don't tempt me in this elevator with that mouth, you're wearing too many clothes for me to get to your pussy." He growls in my ear. I can feel my heart start to race over his words and I take in a tiny breath of air as I attempt to hold my breath in this sexually charged elevator ride. The elevator dings, letting us out into the lobby and I follow him blindly, much like I've been doing the past several months.

I'd follow this man anywhere.

We're outside in the cold Seoul air, the snowflakes falling all around us and I can't help but feel that something magical is about to happen. I feel his hand lacing with mine and despite our gloves I can feel the spark between us. He pulls me down the stairs and we begin walking down the street.

I catch him looking at me and I wonder what it is this man is up to before realization dawns on me as I see what's before me. "Oh my God!" I shriek as I look at him. "Is this for us?"

He gives me a knowing grin, no doubt pleased with my enthusiastic reaction and nods before pulling me towards the horse drawn sleigh.

This man is taking me on a sleigh ride, in the snow, on Christmas Eve. How in the world did I get so lucky?

He helps me into the sleigh and reaches in front of us and pulls the blanket over our laps and wraps an arm around me. "I can't believe you did all of this," I tell him as we begin to take off slowly down the street. The streets aren't totally covered but I wonder if they'll get worse as the night goes on.

Wouldn't mind the roads being so bad that we couldn't go to Jimin's parents house tonight.

"I would do anything for you." He whispers in my ear, effectively breaking me from my thoughts about my monster in laws. I nuzzle my face into his neck and breathe deeply, letting his scent calm me before I kiss his jaw.

"We've come a long way, Y/N."

I pull away from him and cock my head to the side. "I'd say so."

"We... both did things that... hurt other people... for the sake of... you and me." My brows furrow together wondering where he's going with this. "But I'm not sorry," he tells me. "I would do it again. All of it. If it meant that I was going to get you in the end. That we'd get here, together... with the new life we created. I wouldn't change anything of what we did to get here. Maybe that makes me a terrible person-"

"It doesn't," I interrupt. "I understand what you're saying," I say as I pull off my glove so that I can touch his skin. I rub his face and give him a reassuring smile letting him know that I feel the same.

"I'll never... not want this, Y/N. I'll never take you for granted... ignore you..." he trails off before his hands find my face. "I never want to hurt you again."

My teeth find my bottom lip as I nod. "I never want to hurt you either."

He smiles before he lets my face go, and I rest my head on his shoulder as we ride through the streets of Seoul in silence.

Twenty minutes later, the driver of the sleigh turns around and looks at us. "This is your stop."

My head perks up off of Jimin's shoulder at his words and I look around, taking in the park that is currently covered in white. The sky has gotten darker just since we've been on this ride and it makes the air even grayer and more magical. He pulls me from the sleigh and we start walking along the snowy path into the park. The ground is completely covered and the snow is already piling up on the branches making for a complete winter wonderland. I pull my hat further down over my ears as the snow begins to fall a little heavier. We've been walking in silence for a few minutes when I feel his hands on me, prohibiting me from taking another step.

"Y/N," he says and my heart races out of lust hearing my name fall from his lips.

"Jimin." I can see the breath I let out, as well as his as he's breathing hard at this point.

"I don't want you to think that I'm... stealing your thunder." He smiles. "You've asked, I said yes, and when we tell our children and our grandchildren how we got engaged... we'll say that you were naked at a hotel in Busan, covered in a sheet and you asked me and I said yes."

My mouth drops open as I playfully hit him, until my brain realizes what's happening and then my mouth drops again. For a completely different reason.

"Maybe we can leave out the naked part?"

"That's what makes it so special though, right?" He chuckles. "But before you so completely shocked me once again by taking matters into your own hands, I did have some thoughts prepared for when I did pop the question." He smiles again and I feel my heart start to race. "Do you mind?" He raises an eyebrow and I shake my head back and forth having completely lost the ability to speak. He pulls his gloves off his hands and cups my face, giving me a slow kiss on my lips and despite the cold temperatures, I'm warm all over. His tongue rubs with mine, massaging it gently with his and when he pulls away I can't stop the smile from spreading across my face.

"L/N Y/N," he starts. "My favorite patient. The one that got under my skin from the start and stayed there. For so long I thought you were just burrowing your way into my mind. I spent so many nights trying to get you out of my head. So many times I tried to stop thinking about you. But it was no use, because you had burrowed your way into my heart. You are the kindest person that I've ever met in my life and I plan to spend the rest of my life proving to you that I'm worthy of you... that me and... this," he points between us and I get the point he's trying to make, "was worth... everything." He continues and at this point, I don't even try to stop the tears from streaming down my face. "For the first time in maybe my entire life, you've shown me what unconditional love feels like. You loved me even when I was at my lowest, you loved me even when the world was at our backs... when we were backed into a corner. You fought for me and for us, and I promise to do that with you for the rest of our lives. You and me against the world, baby." He pulls my gloves gently from my hands, before he brings them to his lips kissing them gently before he lowers himself to one knee. "So, since you've already asked..." he smirks. "I'll ask you in a different way. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, Y/N? Spend... forever with me?" He opens the ring box to reveal undoubtedly the most gorgeous ring I've ever seen in my life. And I have a frame of reference.

"Yes!" I scream so loud I wonder if all of Seoul heard me. He's immediately on his feet scooping me into his arms and spinning me around once before he sets me on his feet.

"I love you so much, Y/N. I am going to make you so happy."

"You already do, Jimin. We are going to be so happy together." He slides the ring on my finger and I'm in awe at the beauty of this piece of jewelry. I don't know how long I've been staring at it when I feel his lips at my temple.

"Do you like it?"

"Like it!? Jimin I'm in awe, it's so beautiful," I tell him as fresh tears find my eyes.

"You're beautiful." He murmurs in my ear and I look up to find his eyes swimming with unshed tears as well.

I press my lips to his, and I'm lost as the snowflakes and the magic of Christmas Eve surrounds a couple who fell in love against all odds.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Despite the snow from earlier, by the time dusk rolled around the snow had stopped and the plows had cleaned up the street making it so the trip to Jimin's parents' house would be easier than expected. Although I was still somewhat wary, the events from earlier had me on cloud nine. We'd made love for the majority of the afternoon, taking breaks only to discuss the future. We'd decided that we wanted to get married before the baby was born, and depending on how tonight went, we'd considered getting married while we were in Europe without anyone.

His right hand finds my left as he drives us to his parents' house and he places a kiss on my hand. "It's going to be fine. Don't worry."

"I'm not." I lie.

"You know I know when you're lying to me, Y/N."

I roll my eyes at the shrink coming out of my fiancé. "I know that you'll handle it if things get out of hand."

"Yes I will."

This would be the first time that I had been to Jimin's parents' house and somewhere deep inside of me that made me nervous. My eyes widen as I take in the size of Park Manor.. Jesus Christ, he grew up here? "This is your parents' house?"

"Yes."

"You grew up here?"

"Yes... and it was... as lonely as you'd imagine."

I narrow my eyes at him sadly as he pulls up the long driveway and parks behind Hoseok's car. I grab his hand and squeeze and for the first time I realize that Jimin may be as nervous as I am. "Hey, before we go in there..." I trail off. "Just know that you never have to feel lonely in that house ever again. I'm here," I tell him as I kiss his knuckles one by one. He pulls my face away from his hand and pulls my lips to his. We kiss for what feels like ages, feeling like teenagers as we make out in a car in front of his parents house before we go in. After a while, I pull apart, his lips now bright red from my lipstick and I know mine has to be all over my lips. After a few minutes, we're presentable as we begin our trek up the long walkway into Park Manor.

We walk through the front door and I'm not sure what I expected but it's not as cold as I expected. It's actually quite the opposite. The house is covered in decorations, there are faint sounds of Rockin Around the Christmas Tree playing and the house smells like cinnamon. It smells like Christmas. Mr. Park comes waltzing through the foyer nursing a glass of eggnog and I immediately freeze and my eyes dart to Jimin wondering if he can handle the alcohol.

"SON!" he bellows as he pulls him into a hug. "Y/N," he squeezes me tight and lifts me slightly off the ground before setting me on my feet. "You look beautiful as always. Very festive," he says referring to my maroon sweater dress. "Come, come. Your mom is just finishing dinner. She made pie." He winks at Jimin and I see a slight eye roll.

"Your mom cooks?" I whisper as Mr. Park disappears from in front of us. I did not see that coming. With a woman like Mrs. Park I would have expected there to be a cook on staff here.

"Yes, she's quite good, actually. She makes a mean apple pie. My parents give the staff off for all of the major holidays, so my parents have kind of always handled them on their own."

I'm shocked at his words, Mr. and Mrs. Park have- hearts? Who would have thought. Jimin and I walk hand in hand to the kitchen to find Hoseok sitting at the bar talking to Mrs. Park. Mrs. Park has an apron wrapped around her waist, with slippers on her feet and if I wasn't seeing it with my own two eyes I wouldn't believe it. She's so domestic. No heels?

"Oh honey!" Mrs. Park says as she makes her way over to us. "I'm so glad you came." She kisses his cheek and it's almost as if it's a completely different Mrs. Park. They're trying, Y/N.

"Y/N. You look lovely," she says, pressing a kiss to my cheek and I stiffen slightly. This is so... awkward. Are we just pretending that nothing has happened between us?

"Thank... you Mrs. Park."

"Please, Mi-jeong." Mi-jeong? Really? I don't know what it is this woman is selling, but I'm not buying it.

I look at Hoseok and he hasn't said anything to Jimin, and Jimin doesn't seem that interested in saying anything either.

"Hi Hoseok." I give a small wave and he stands and makes his way over to me.

"Y/N," he says, wrapping his arms around me and squeezing me.

Hwasa has a long standing tradition with her family for Christmas, where they go skiing, so I knew she wouldn't be here, but a part of me wonders why Hwasa didn't ask Hoseok to go with her. Maybe they aren't there yet.

The kitchen is silent, the awkwardness amongst five people, four immediate family members and one transplant almost stifling. "Ummm where's your bathroom?" I ask, wanting out of this completely tense situation, and knowing that Jimin can probably better diffuse the situation without me present.

"Down the hall to the left, baby. Do you want me to take you?"

"No, I can find it... I'm good." I smile before taking off down the hall. I close myself in the bathroom, locking the door behind me and leaning against the door. I press off the door, and drop the lid to the toilet so that I could sit, crossing my legs and putting my head in my hands.

Make the best of this situation, Y/N. They're trying. I know it's weird, but they are trying to be nice. You have a baby on the way, and they are the grandparents. Play nice. For now.

I look down at my stomach. "I'm only doing this for you, little one," I whisper. After a few minutes, I figure it's time to get back out there. I open the door to see Jimin standing in front of the entrance, his eyes boring into me.

"Are you okay?" He whispers as his hands find my hair, tucking a group of strands behind one ear.

I nod. "Are you?"

"Yes, come. I want to tell them... are you okay with that?"

"Yes, I'm ready if you are."

We make it back to the kitchen to see the three of them talking. As soon as we enter the kitchen their attention turns to us.

"Before we sit down to dinner, we want to talk to you about a few things," Jimin announces.

Mr. Park sits down at the bar next to Hoseok and Mrs. Park turns from her task and looks at us. "Y/N and I... we'll be getting married... sometime within the next year."

I see Hoseok's smile immediately. Mr. Park nods as if he knew this was coming all along and Mrs. Park gives us a forced smile.

"I think that's amazing. I'm really happy for you both," Hoseok says. "But I thought you guys have been engaged for a while now?" He smiles and I giggle at his words.

"We were, but now she has a ring." He smirks at his brother and kisses my temple.

"Yes, he did... very well," I say. One of the first things I've said since we walked in. I hold my hand up, but let it fall slowly as I realize no one here probably cares about seeing it.

"Well let's see it then," Mrs. Park says as she makes her way over and holds my hand gently. She eyes my ring before giving her son a smile. "Well done, son. I'm proud. This ring has great clarity. Did you see Mr. Song?"

I look up at Jimin in question and he chuckles. "Family jeweler. He's done a number of my mother's rings." He turns back to his mother. "I did consult with Mr. Song, yes." He smiles and his mother beams in response.

"I'm surprised he didn't tell me."

"I asked that he didn't," Jimin says. "I certainly didn't want to hear your thoughts on choosing to marry Y/N." He says and I raise my eyebrows slowly hearing the snark in his voice.

Mrs. Park looks equally shocked and for the first time I think she's at a loss for words. "Well I think that you two will have a lovely wedding. If you'd like my help with any of the preparations, please let me know. I know a lot of... people... everywhere," she says to me and I have to give her credit. She was putting on a good show.

"We should move into the living room while we wait for everything to be ready. The turkey should be ready soon." Jimin pulls me through the kitchen and through a few rooms until we hit the living room. He sits down, pulling me as close as possible to him as Hoseok sits in the adjacent loveseat and his parents sit in the two chairs across from us.

"There is something else," Jimin says and he shakes his head. "I hate that you've reduced us to this," he says after a moment. "You have my fiancé shaking like a leaf beside me because you make her so goddamn nervous." He turns to me and I'm slightly embarrassed to be put on the spot. "Baby, are you okay?" he whispers and I nod.

"I'm okay if you're okay," I whisper back and he smiles before kissing my lips.

"I'm not doing this bullshit with any of you," he says looking at his family. "I'm not bringing my family here ever again if you don't start putting in an effort. And I don't mean telling her she looks nice or calling in favors to help us with the wedding. I mean a real and valiant effort," he says. "Because... we are bringing a baby into the world and I'm not doing it amidst tension and animosity."

Hoseok smiles, having known this all along. Mr. Park's eyes widen as he somewhat chokes on his drink and Mrs. Park presses a hand to her chest.

"A... baby?" Mrs. Park asks.

"Yes, Y/N is pregnant. We- are having a baby."

"Oh my... a baby?" Mrs. Park asks again and I nod as I see her attention has turned to me.

"Wow, son... congratulations!" Mr. Park says as he stands to his feet and pulls Jimin to his feet in response. "That is wonderful news. How far along are you?" he asks me.

"About eight weeks." I say with a smile, my hand immediately going to my stomach.

"Well I think this is the best news I've heard in awhile," Hoseok says as he stands and hugs Jimin and then me. We are all standing, except for Mrs. Park whose eyes have now fixated on me. She must feel my gaze because she stands and gives me one of her signature smiles. Fake.

"That is... wonderful news. Congratulations." She hugs Jimin and gives me a cold kiss on my cheek. "I think the turkey is finished, so let me just go check on it," she says before she disappears out of the room.

I purse my lips, trying to tell myself not to cry as the rejection from my future husband's mom cuts deeper than ever before. It's not just about me anymore. She's rejecting my baby too.

I. Have. Fucking. Had. It.

"One second," I tell Jimin and I feel his hand on my arm stopping me.

"Baby..." he trails off and I shake my head.

"I'll be fine."

"Should I come-"

"No," I tell him. I press my lips to his, completely ignoring the fact that his father and brother's gazes are on me.

I make my way through the rooms and when I make it to the kitchen I am shocked to see that she isn't there. I see that the turkey has been taken from the oven but I don't see her anywhere. I make my way out of the kitchen, through the foyer and stare at the long staircase that leads to the second floor. I look around once before making my way up the stairs, knowing that there would be a long road ahead of me if I didn't end this tension between us once and for all.

I make it to the top and the sounds are unmistakable as I move closer to what I assume is the master suite. I'm frozen in place as I peek into the room to see my future mother-in-law, with her face buried in her hands as the sobs wrack her body. I take a step into the room, holding my breath wondering now that I'm here what on Earth am I going to say?

"M-Mrs. Park?" I stammer out and her eyes shoot up as if she's just been caught. She wipes her eyes and stands, wiping her hands on her apron.

"I just needed a minute."

"I didn't mean to intrude I just wanted to-"

"Tell me about myself, I assume," she says.

"Well that was the intention..." I trail off as I reluctantly move to the sofa by the window. She sits back down and I sit next to her. I reach my hand out to touch her before yanking my hand back instantly like she's a stove hot to the touch.

"Does my son hate me, Y/N?" She asks, the tears in her eyes streaking down her cheeks. "Did I ruin him?"

The words hurt my heart and I want nothing more than to tell her that she certainly didn't help. "Your son isn't ruined," I say softly. "He's brilliant, kind and wonderful. He's an amazing human. You should be proud of the man you raised." I tell her honestly.

"I'm a mother to a psychologist, I know what sidestepping a question looks like." She smiles sadly as she wipes her eyes. "This is all so very embarrassing. I shouldn't be asking you that."

"I think Jimin harbors some pain over things that have happened in the past but... Jimin doesn't hate you. In spite of any issues, he adores both you and your husband. He looks up to you."

"He does?" She asks and I nod knowing that deep down, it was the truth which is why I needed everyone on the same team.

"I thought he hated me and then..." she sniffles. "He'd never let me see my grandchild." The tears flood her eyes. "And how I've treated you... why would you want me around your baby? I wouldn't. I'd tell myself to go straight to hell."

"I think I kind of already did that once." I smile and she gives me a small smile in return.

"I had a mother-in-law from hell too." She looks at me before she looks down at the ground. "I had the last word though," she says and I can't help but chuckle at her morbid humor. "I don't expect you to want to get lunch or spend time together or... want me involved in your life but... if you could find it in your heart to forgive me for- being- my worst fear. My mother-in-law. I would really love that."

My thoughts go back to something that Hwasa had said a few months back. "Children may not fix anything, but grandchildren fix everything." I guess she was right. All it took was the promise of new life to quiet the storm.

"I... I have sonograms... If you want one."

"I would love one." She smiles before she dabs at her eyes. "I am sorry, Y/N. I know you don't think I was acting in my son's best interest, but I truly was. And now that you're a mother, I hope you can understand. I just-"

"I get it." I tell her wondering how I'd react if my son were in a similar situation. Would I trust the woman? Would I trust that her intentions were true? "But I would just like you to know, that I would never hurt Jimin. I love him with- everything I am. He's my soul mate... and I was powerless to stop what happened between us. Maybe you still need more time to trust me that I'm not going to hurt him or leave him or whatever it is that you thought. But I'm just asking that you give me a chance."

"I'll give you one if you give me a chance to make this right."

I look away from Mrs. Park towards the door and I smile. "You have to make it right with more than just me."

"I will. I'll fix everything."

"It won't happen overnight."

"I know."

I nod. "Then I think we will be just fine." We both stand and I wonder if she's going to hug me but I don't think either of us are ready for that.

"I'm going to fix my face and then I'll be right down."

"Of course, I'll give you some space," I say as I make my way out of the room.

"Y/N?" she calls after me and I turn to face her. "Welcome to the family." She gives me a small smile before she's gone and I wonder if it's possible if like the story of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Park Mi-jeong's heart grew three sizes today.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After the news of our engagement and the pregnancy calmed, the rest of the evening flowed more naturally. Jimin, Mr. Park and Hoseok seemed to be in awe of how well Mrs. Park and I were getting along all of a sudden but Jimin saw the look in my eye and knew there was something I wasn't sharing. But I would later. We are preparing to leave for the night when Hoseok pulls us both aside.

Mr. and Mrs. Park were in the kitchen out of earshot when Hoseok leans up against the wall, his arms crossed defensively.

"Jimin- what you said a few weeks back," he says looking up from the floor. "Do you really think that? Have you felt this way for... this long?" He asks and Jimin pulls me to his side as if touching me shields me from the pain he's trying to avoid.

"Hobi..."

"No, tell me the truth. Was I... that bad of a big brother?"

"No you weren't bad, Hoseok."

"But I wasn't good."

"It's complicated."

He nods and I can see the tears swimming in his eyes. "I always considered you my best friend and to hear... what you think of me... what you thought of our relationship... it crushed me," he says. "I never knew..." he shakes his head. "I never knew you felt that way about us growing up... our childhood. I never meant to hurt you, Jimin. All this time." He looks up at us, the tears moving down his face. "All this time? Why didn't you ever say anything?" He pulls at his hair as the tears are falling more rapidly down his face. "I was so happy when you were born, when mom and dad brought you home from the hospital. A little brother for me to play with. And all this time, I didn't even know how bad I fucked it up." He shakes his head. "You were supposed to look up to me, I was supposed to take care of you. And I- hurt you?"

"Hobi... " he says and I unclasp his hand and nod towards him indicating that they needed to talk and I didn't need to be present.

"No... stay," Hoseok says to me. "Jimin and I can talk some other time, but for now this involves you too."

I nod, honoring his wishes. "You have been the best thing that ever happen to my brother," he tells me. "I've never seen my brother as happy as when you came into his life. I don't give a fuck how you came into it, but I'm just so happy you did. He deserves to be happy. He deserves all the happiness he hasn't gotten at any point in his life." I look over and I see Jimin's eyes are cast down to the floor.

I move away from Jimin and wrap my arms around my future brother-in-law. "Thank you Hoseok. I plan to spend the rest of my life making him happy." I look at Jimin and he gives me a heartwarming smile.

"I got you both something. I guess you can call it a Christmas and early wedding present." He shrugs. "I was going to tell you when you got home from rehab but... then all that happened and we haven't seen each other. But... here." He hands us a small envelope and I watch as Jimin opens it slowly. I peek over the envelope and I can't even stop the tears from sliding down my cheeks as I see the printed words on the paper.

"You guys deserve that house. And Jimin when you told me you put it back on the market that night we went out I knew that it wasn't what you wanted. You'd had too much to drink, and I knew you'd regret it. I remember you telling me that house looked like Y/N. It was the place you wanted to start your family. I know that you have two years to wait before you can practice again but... don't run away. Don't leave Seoul. Don't leave us. I know we haven't been the family you deserved, but... give us a chance to try. We want to be a part of your lives. And the baby's life. All of them. Something tells me this baby won't be an only child." He smiles and I feel my heart swelling at how incredibly thoughtful this is.

"Hoseok you... you bought the house?" Jimin asks, his voice choppy and filled with emotion.

He nods. "It's yours. I couldn't let anyone else live there. You're my baby brother, and someone had to stop you from making a mistake."

"I'm... speechless," he says as he takes a step towards his brother. "Thank you." I've never seen Jimin so emotional around anyone except for me and watching him let his guard down with Hoseok makes me emotional as well. I watch as Jimin embraces his brother and my heart swells seeing the love that's been buried underneath years of tension and anger come to the surface.

"I love you, Hobi," Jimin says before he pulls away.

"I love you too, Jiminie. So just sign where it says, and she's yours."

"I'm going to pay you back for this." Jimin says and I nod my head in agreement knowing that this is one hell of a gift.

"Don't sweat it, I wanted to do this. Maybe just... name one of your little ones after me?" he jokes.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

We are back at home, sitting in front of our roaring fireplace as the last minutes of Christmas Eve come to a close. I'm sitting between his legs, my back to his front as we watch the burning embers of the fire. "Today was... something." Jimin says and I nod having been on a roller coaster of emotions since the second he slid that ring on my finger.

"I agree."

"So you're having lunch with my mother next week?"

"Indeed."

"You going to tell me what that's about?"

"We just had a... mother to mother talk."

He nods behind me. "I'm supposed to have lunch with her and my brother on Monday."

"Ah, the weekly lunch."

"They both want to talk to me." He presses his lips to my temple. "Something tells me you had something to do with that."

I turn my head to look at him and pucker my lips allowing him to kiss me. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He chuckles. "It's funny, you came to me because you needed help...you wanted change... and somehow you were the one to fix me... change me..." I turn around in his arms so that I can face him. "I had years of issues built up, and you've... somehow slowly broke down all of them."

"It's amazing what love can do." I smile, knowing that he did the same for me.

"Can you believe this time next year, we'll have a baby?"

A smile finds my face immediately. "Do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl?"

"Mmmm no." He shakes his head.

"Me either." I giggle as I snuggle closer back to him.

"I can't wait to marry you." He whispers in my ear.

"So no to eloping in Europe, right?"

"I suppose that's up to you and how lunch with my mother goes."

"She seems to be coming around..." I trail off. "But I've got my eyes open." I look at the clock under the television just as the time reaches midnight. "Merry Christmas." I turn to look at him and he looks down at me.

"Merry Christmas to you, baby." He kisses my head. "Do you want to open your gifts now?" I look at the tree that is glowing in the corner with the slew of familiar boxes underneath.

"No." I smile. "There's only one gift I'm interested in unwrapping right now." I tell him as I stand up and hold my hands out, as he follows me back into our bedroom.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Careful!" I point as Jimin and Hoseok move boxes into the house. We leave for Europe in three days and for some crazy unknown reason, we decided to move out of his apartment before we left. In January.

"Baby get inside, it's cold out here." Despite the movers we hired, Jimin  and Hoseok were still moving a fair share of our stuff as well. We'd been moving since yesterday morning, and it finally seemed like we were at the end of the tunnel. I look around the living room and there is shit everywhere. I'd hired an interior decorator that I'd be meeting with next month when we returned to help furnish some of the rooms that I had no idea what to do with. Coming from an apartment, to a large five bedroom house, clearly called for much more furniture than we already had. And now we needed a nursery.

Hours later, Jimin and I are sitting on our bed, the only piece of furniture in the whole house that we assembled. "You know this is the only room of the house we didn't christen when we were here..." He growled in my ear as I remembered that we wanted to leave something sacred.

I bounce excitedly on our new future marital bed and grin. "Are you suggesting that we change that?"

"Yes I am." He says as he begins to peel my clothes off of me slowly.

I sigh as I think about the fact that I'm here, in a new house, with the love of my life, about to embark on a new chapter of my life. I'm getting married again, and I know without a doubt this one will last a lifetime. I'm starting a family, the new life inside of me growing stronger by the day.

I had lunch with Kim Jennie last week, and I finally disclosed everything that Seokjin didn't know. She was supportive, understanding and begged me to let her know when the wedding would be. She also apologized for never telling me about her and Mark. But that was the last thing I was concerned about. On top of everything, she had actually given me some interesting news. Mark was moving too. To New York. His job had promoted him and he jumped at the opportunity to relocate. My guess is to get away from the drama of his failed marriage. Nevertheless, I was happy for him. He deserved happiness. Happiness that he couldn't find with me. My hopes is that maybe he could find it amongst the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. As much as Mark hurt me- as much as we hurt each other, if it weren't for him, there's a chance I never would have met Jimin. My happily ever after.

During my divorce, I spent so much time regretting the time that I lost with Mark, but I've realized that without my failed marriage I wouldn't have been ready for the perfect one with Jimin- my marriage counselor.

Fin

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Author's Note: and that's the end ❤️ thank you guys so much for coming on this journey with me! I've loved every minute of writing this story, and I hope you've enjoyed it as well. I can't wait to continue writing, so I will see you guys in the next series!!!

Love,

-Serendipity