Y/N

A week has passed, and you're currently relaxing in a bubble bath that Namjoon insisted on drawing for you. Soft music plays from your brand-new Samsung S21. While tapping your toes to the rhythm, you have to admit the sound quality is much better than your old iPhone 12.

Joonie wanted to pay for the phone himself, but you insisted on paying for it yourself. Just like how you insisted on paying for the furniture in the new apartment. In fact, this was the subject of your first "disagreement."

Joonie is a good man, a wonderful man. He wants nothing more than to take care of his family, and you get that. You understand that he's had his hands tied the last few months, unable to protect either of you. Hell, he found out about his own child through the proverbial grapevine, so it's natural that he wants to handle everything for you. Essentially, he's trying to make up for lost time and opportunities.

While you have no problems understanding his perspective, it's much harder to articulate your own issues. Your entire life has been controlled. What you wear, who you're seen with, even who you marry has been forced on you. Upon freeing yourself from Brett the first time, the first thing you found easy to control in your life was your finances.

Since Brett controlled all of the money, you weren't allowed to use your own. You suppose now, it was so he could monitor your spending. The good thing is, that meant everything in your trust fund continued to add up. So you had everything you needed to pay for school upfront, get your own apartment and clothe yourself. Doing these things on your own also gave you the first feeling of independence.

You picked the neighborhood, the apartment, your own clothes, and furniture. It was the best feeling in the world to look around and know that everything had your name on it. Losing that again broke you almost as much as losing the one man that truly loved you. You have Namjoon back, so now it's time to get your independence back, too.

Once you were finally able to explain this to him, he backed down easily. So, the apartment will be in both our names, but you agreed to let him buy it. In exchange, you pay for the furniture and decor.

Granted, you won't be picking any of it out directly, like last time, but every purchase has to go through you. You agreed to allow Gina to handle the remodel of your new apartment. You didn't have much choice, really. You'll be returning to work until the last month of your pregnancy, following Joonie on tour as his personal stylist. You can't bring yourself to leave him so soon after finally getting him back.

At least Gina sees Namjoon as more than just the janitor now. In fact, she changed her tune fast after seeing him mentioned on the entertainment news. Mind you, that particular report questioned your virtues as a possible gold digger, but that only made Gina proud of you.

Gina's feelings toward Namjoon soared even higher once he announced that he purchased the apartment three floors below your newly acquired home. Since her bank account will be empty until her new lawyers annul the contracts she signed with the Stephensons, both you and Namjoon will be helping her financially. Considering her propensity toward high luxury living, you're thankful her lawyers have assured you it shouldn't take more than a couple of months before Gina begins receiving income from her current businesses again. Meanwhile, your mother's mansion is going on the market, too, to help add to her funds.

A gentle knock on the bathroom door interrupts your thoughts, and Joonie's head pokes into the room.

"Feeling relaxed, yet, Y/N?"

"I am, yes. Maybe a little too much. I didn't realize how cold my water got," you chuckle in response.

"It's a good thing I came to get you, then. I know you've had a busy week apartment hunting, interviews with the press, and the doctor's appointment today, so you deserved this. But, my parents are due to video chat with us in fifteen minutes, so it's time this comes to an end."

Namjoon reaches for the oversized towel he left hanging by the tub, waiting for you to stand up. Forgetting the reservations you've had over the last few days at him seeing you naked, you stand and turn on the shower to rinse off the bubbles. The angered look on Joonie's face reminded you quickly why you haven't allowed him to see you naked. There are bruises all over your arms, hips, sides, legs, and throat. You've been skillfully hiding the more prominent bruises with makeup, but that all washed off in the bath.

"Why didn't you tell me he did this to you, Y/N?"

Embarrassed, you lower your eyes and turn the water off. You reach out to snatch the towel from Namjoon's white-knuckled hand, but he pulls back before you can. He fights back his tears for you while he wraps the towel, and his arms, around you, careful not to press against any of the bruises.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I was surprised to see the bruises after all this time, is all. I'm not mad at you, I promise."

Not for the first time since your return, you cry into his chest while he rocks you back and forth. The pain returns to your chest, burning you alive with memories and regrets. You wonder if you'll ever forget the feeling of Brett's hands on you, causing the bright green bruises on your ordinarily pale skin.

"You're okay now, Y/N. You're safe with me. I know you'll talk about it when you're ready. Come on. Let's get you ready for the call."

You nod your head, recalling Dr. Simons saying similar words to you during the end of your prenatal visit this morning. You felt the need to explain to her why the father of your unborn child had to leave the room while she performed your exam. However, you didn't tell her everything. All you told her was that another man had attacked you recently and that you weren't ready for Namjoon to see you yet. Once she saw the bruises, she understood. Dr. Simons was even kind enough to refer you to a psychologist, Dr. Thornbury. According to her, you're experiencing a kind of post-traumatic stress, and this psychologist specializes in helping formerly battered women. Due to the pregnancy, Dr. Simons didn't want to prescribe you anything, but you have a video appointment with Dr. Thornbury week. Luckily, that doctor is a woman, too.

"Just come out to the living room after you're dressed, Y/N. I've laid out some pajamas for you."

With that, Joonie kisses your forehead gently and leaves the room. He's been more patient with you than you feel like you deserve. Though you've kissed and held each other close at night, that's all you've done since you're return. You know he'd never hurt you and that you're safe, but it's hard to win a battle against your own mind. In your heart, you know that you'll win the war, but you desperately want to know when or how.

Namjoon

You close the door behind you quietly, leaving Y/N to get dressed alone, and head into the living room to set your laptop up for the call. Walking in the front door is Yoongi, your wisest advisor. Next to your mother, of course. Yoongi notices the tired, stressed look on your face while removing his shoes by the door.

"You okay, Namjoon?"

"I don't know, Hyung," you say in a huff while collapsing onto the couch before you continue.

"I saw the bruises on her, Yoongi. How can they still be so dark? It's no wonder she hasn't let me see her naked until now."

"She still hasn't, huh? What happened tonight? Why now?"

"She was getting out of the bath, and I don't think she realized what she was doing. I got angry. I let her see my anger toward that monster. I think I scared her, Hyung."

"That may be. It's more likely that Y/N's embarrassed, though. You would be too if another woman beat you and...did what he did to her."

"What else can I do? How else can I show her that I still love her, that she can lean on me?"

"It'll happen. It takes time, Namjoon, you know that. Is she still having nightmares?"

"She only had one last night, so it's getting better, I think. Her doctor wouldn't prescribe anything for sleep because of the baby, but I'm looking forward to her getting a whole night's rest for once."

"Everything's good with the baby, though?"

Namjoon pulls his phone out to show Yoongi the ultrasound photos. Since Yoongi was working on a collab project for another artist's upcoming album, he wasn't here when you showed the others. After seeing the last photo, Yoongi turns to buddy with a congratulatory hug.

"Thank you, Hyung. She's 18-20 weeks along and is due August 23rd."

"That's good. Now Jimin knows his deadline for the nursery in your place back home. Let me guess, he's been on the phone all day putting a rush on the remodel and buying everything you probably don't need to fill the room with."

"You know him too well."

The brothers chuckle, then Yoongi smacks Namjoon on his thigh playfully before standing up to leave the room.

"Just be patient, Joonie. She'll come around."

With that last piece of advice, Yoongi heads toward his own room. Hobi pops his head out of the kitchen, where he had been working with Jin. They've been so helpful toward Y/N, ensuring that she's adhering to a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest. Their attentiveness has allowed you to focus on Y/N's emotional needs, so you are eternally grateful.

"He's right, Hyung. I know it's hard for you, but she knows she's safe now. The rest will follow suit."

Accepting your friend's advice and encouragement, you open your laptop to get ready for your parent's video call. Everything will be okay in due time. Seeing your parents again, knowing how much they already care for Y/N, may help her, too. You know for a fact your parents are going to be nothing short of excited once they see what you and Y/N have in store for them.

Y/N

After dressing in the sweatpants and one of Namjoon's oversized t-shirts you insist on wearing, you walk down the hall toward the living room. At the same time, Hobi emerges from the kitchen with a tray of tea and snacks for you. It looks like Jin made you sweet potato chips again. Ever since he's noticed you craving chips, he's insisted on making these for you every day in the air fryer he's become obsessed with. Apparently, they're healthier than a bag of Lay's BBQ. Who knew?

"Thank you, Uncle Hobi. Tell Uncle Jin I said thank you, too."

"You're welcome," Jin adds as he saunters into the room.

Joonie sets the laptop on the coffee table and pats the couch cushion beside him. As you take your seat, he reaches for a chip when Jin smacks his hand.

"For the baby, not you."

The guys have been trying hard to use English when you're around lately. Joonie shrugs and says it good practice for them, but you feel guilty enough that you've asked Joonie to teach you Korean. You chuckle at the familial exchange between them, then take a chip and feed it to your man. Namjoon smirks at his hyung in triumph until he hears a ringing from his open laptop. That's everyone's cue to silently leave the room.

"Appa! Eomma!"

Joonie's face lights up like a child on Christmas once he sees his parents. You admire his features, silently envying him and his relationship with his parents. However, you're also highly grateful that he's translating for you.

"Joonie! Your sister is here, too. Where's our future daughter-in-law?"

"I told you, Eomma, we aren't engaged. We don't want the media accusing us of having a forced marriage. We've been lucky that ARMY has accepted Y/N and the baby as well as they have, and we don't want to push it."

You scoot closer to Namjoon as he turns the screen, making adjustments so both of you can be seen on camera.

"Annyeonghaseyo," you butt in to change the uncomfortable subject.

You've been practicing saying a formal hello just for them. Namjoon introduced you to them the day he saw the first ultrasound photo. He wanted them to hear everything from us before seeing it second-hand on the news or social media. His parents were disappointed they didn't know you existed before then but were over the moon once they saw you.

Typically, Koreans are more traditional about marriage and children than Americans, so you were surprised by how open they were to you carrying his child. You still don't know what he told them, as you were in the shower while he did so. What you do know is, he spared you of their reaction as to why it took so long for you to be introduced.

Neither of you knew how his parents would feel about you running back to your ex while carrying their son's child. You are aware he explained the circumstances since the press would likely focus on the story's scandal aspect. Thankfully, Hybe's PR team did a remarkable job of containing any potentially damaging reports, and Joonie's parents were relieved to see their only son will be carrying on the family name, after all. Apparently, they were afraid that he would never make time to start his own family, blessing them with highly desired grandchildren.

"Y/N, this is my sister, Kim Geong Min. You're older than her, so she'll probably call you Unnie."

"What should I call her?"

"Geong Min is fine, Y/N. Or Hama," he whispers in your ear.

"Annyeongheyseo, Hama," you say proudly. That is until you see the shocked looks on his parent's faces while his sister simply glares into the camera, making you feel smaller than the fetus in your womb.

"Kim Namjoon," his father exclaims. From there, a lot of indistinguishable Korean flows from both ends of the video call.

"What did I just say, Joonie?"

"I might have taught you to say 'hippo.'"

Your eyes go wide as you gasp loudly. With your mouth in an "O," you turn to the screen.

"I am so sorry! I can't believe I did that. He told me to say it. I swear. You're beautiful. Namjoon! Tell your sister she's beautiful," you say while smacking his arm repeatedly.

"Okay. Okay. I thought it was funny," Namjoon mumbles to himself like you couldn't hear him. You smack his arm one more time for good measure.

Once the apologies were made and everyone calmed down, you were eager to direct the conversation back to its original purpose.

"Are you ready, Y/N," Namjoon asks while he interlocks his fingers with yours. Then, with your nod, he turns back to the camera with pride alight on his sweet, handsome face.

"We had...Y/N had an appointment with the prenatal doctor today. They did an ultrasound. Eomma, I'll send you the pictures so you can see it up close."

Namjoon pulls out his phone, sending the promised pictures to his mother. His parents eagerly await the arrival of their grandchild's first real pictures while his sister whines that she wants them, too. So, he laughs and obliges rapidly. You watch his fingers deftly work on the phone's screen, and, unexpectedly, you remember what those fingers can do on your body.

You squirm in your seat, squeezing your thighs together to hide your sudden discomfort. Then, clearing your throat, you return your focus to Namjoon's family on the screen. It wouldn't do for them to notice your sudden fluctuation in hormones.

On the screen, you hear them making the same exclamations Joonie's brothers gave while going through them. It's the last picture you both eagerly await their reactions for, though. You know immediately they've found it when his mother's tears flow joyously down her face.

"Does this say what I think it does, Joonie? Is it a boy? Am I going to have a grandson?"

"That's right, Eomma. It's a boy," Namjoon shamelessly beams.

The joy is contagious, even halfway around the world, and tears form in your own eyes. You look to the proud father, then at the screen toward his proud father. Comparing their features, you wonder for the first time what your son is going to look like.

"Have you picked a name, Oppa," Joonie's younger sister asks him eagerly?

"Not yet. We've toyed with including Y/N's father's name, but nothing has felt right. Any suggestions?"

A sudden thought comes to mind for you, and you reach for your phone, googling something. Once you find what you're looking for, you shyly put your hand up.

"How about Kim Myung So?"

Eyes from both sides jump between each other's while they consider the name. Namjoon is the first to speak.

"It would mean Bright Smile. How did you come up with that, Y/N?"

You hold the phone out to show him your search and its result.

"I was looking at your smile and remembered that was what drew me to you at first. You know, before I met you. Plus, looking at your parents, I see where you get your smile, and I hope our son shares it with you someday. Especially your dimples."

Namjoon's eyes tear up at your shy confession, and he raises your hand to his lips. Then, working through the sudden lump in his throat, he responds to your suggestion.

"Kim Myung So is perfect, Y/N. What do you think, Eomma?"

"I think Y/N is going to be the perfect mother for our grandson," his mother says lovingly through her tears.