6 months!

That's all it took for our relationship to take a nosedive.

I've been stressed. I'm the provider now, I mean, I know Jelly works and we split the bills evenly, but I have to make sure I take care of my family.

I took on another mural because the commission is way more than what I make in three months. But it's caused tension. I've been working early only to come home late. She doesn't even wait up for me anymore. I know she's exhausted.

Bells has become her new bed partner. I crawl into bed with both of them, but it's not the same. Bells sleeps between the two of us. And I love her with everything I have, but I miss my wife. I cannot and will not let this continue.

I know I'm failing as a husband and a father right now. I know she has taken on all the responsibilities lately. There's always a meal waiting for me when I get home, she always makes sure Bells and I have everything we need for the week, the laundry is always done and, honestly, I have no idea how she gets it all done.

But today I took the day off. Today she won't have to do anything. At least that's what I thought...

"What do you mean you didn't pick them up, Kookie?! I'm tired, I just wanted to come home after my shift, not stop at the store!" I can hear the tiredness in her voice over the phone.

"I'm sorry, me and the guys got distracted and it just slipped my mind. She will be good for the night, I'll just go get some in the morning" I say trying to appease her.

"No, I'll just go. I should have known better" she sighs over the phone. My heart clenches hearing her voice laced with disappointment.

"Babe, stop it's not that big of a deal!" I try to calm her again.

Then she coughs and I can tell she doesn't feel well. Ugh, today was not supposed to go this way. I had a plan. The phone goes dead and I know she's hung up rather than continuing to argue with me.

I don't even know how I forgot to pick up the diapers and formula. I said it in my head a few million times to remind myself. But when I got to the store with the guys and we started grabbing everything we would need for tonight, it just totally slipped my mind. I've fucked up...

I'll fix it!

I run my fingers through my hair and shake off my nervousness. She's the love of my life and I won't continue to let her down. I pull open the oven, checking on the food Jin had left warming, and set the table. I run to our room and make sure all her favorite snacks are on the bed, I even remembered her beloved fruit punch Caprisuns.

Annabelle is already loaded up on the TV, paused and ready for her. I've laid out my favorite hoodie for her and my favorite black lingerie. If everything goes right, I'd love to see it on her later in the evening. I talked to the guys and they will be keeping Bells until 11, which gives me more than enough time to make up with my wife.

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I hear her walking up to the door, my heart is racing, I showered, but I feel sweaty. I'm nervously standing by the front door, holding her favorite flowers. I hear her cough on the other side of the door again and frown. Instead of waiting, I decided to open the door and help her.

A there she is, my small, feisty, and beautiful as hell wife. She's carrying several bags and a box of diapers. She looks more than a little disheveled, lots of her curly hair has escaped her bun and hangs around her face, her mascara slightly smudged and her big eyes staring up at me surprised.

"Hi Baby," I manage to choke out.

I quickly grab the items from her hands and give her the lilies.

"I've got dinner ready and a nice hot bath is waiting for you! Bells is with the guys until later, so go hop in the tub. I left some clothes by the sink for you and, when you're ready, come down to eat okay?" I say and I give her a quick kiss and walk into the house to put the things away.

"Kookie, I'm really tired today and not hungry," she says softly.

I see it, the way her eyes are barely staying open, how the shadows take over her face. Hell, I can hear it, her breaths sound labored and forced. She's not well. I place all the items on the counter and pull her into my embrace. I press a kiss to her forehead and feel her slightly warm. I decide to scrap the plan.

I scoop her up into my arms causing her to squeal a little as she wraps her arms around my neck. I push open our bedroom door with my foot and I watch her eyes dart to the bed that's covered in snacks. Her eyes light up and a huge smile is plastered on her face.

"Are we having a bedroom picnic?!" she questions happily.

"Yes, but first," I walk us into the bathroom placing her gently on the tile as I start to unbutton her work shirt.

"What are you doing, Mr. Jeon?" She giggles cutely.

"I'm about to give my baby a bath," I say stepping away from her to go grab a towel.

"I thought you said Bells was with the guys?" She asks confused.

"She is. But you will always be my first baby" I say as I walk back into the bathroom watching her climb into the tub.

She lets out a soft hum as she sinks into the water. I kneel beside the tub and gently take her hair out of her bun, my hands run through her silky strands trying to untangle them before I start shampooing her hair.

"Thank you, I'm sorry I hung up on you earlier, Kookie," she says looking into my eyes as I continue to massage her scalp.

"No, Baby, I'm sorry. I know I haven't been the greatest lately. I know work has kept me busy and I haven't been around for you or Bells" I say as I start to run the loofa down her body.

"I just want you to know how much I appreciate you, how much I love you. I know that everything gets done around the house because of you, I know our daughter is taken care of because of you, that you work hard to take care of both of us." I say and I see tears swimming in her eyes.

"I love you and I'll be better, I'll do better. I won't continue to let you do everything by yourself. We are partners, your troubles are my troubles, your joy is my joy. I might be forgetful, but please, be patient, I will get it. I won't keep letting you down"

She's full-on crying now as I reach over to let the water out. I stand her up and gently wrap the towel around her before taking the extra towel and drying her hair.

"Kookie..." she says stopping my hands.

"You don't let me down. You are everything I could ever want and need. You are a great husband and father. I love you so much." She holds my gaze, her eyes showing all the truth of her words.

"I'm just...I don't know what's going on. I feel like something bad is about to happen and I can't shake it, but you are not the problem. Kookie, I'm sorry I made you feel like that." Coughs wrack her body again and I stare down at her worriedly.

"We'll go straight to the clinic first thing in the morning okay?"

She nods and then I grab the clothes off the counter. I decide against the black set I picked out and instead go to the room and grab her some comfy boy shorts to put on under my hoodie. She walks into the room drowning in my hoodie as I pass her the underwear. Once dressed, I scoop her back up and move the snacks to the side of the bed. I tuck her in under the blankets and run downstairs to grab some medicine for her.

After she takes a dose, I climb in behind her and pull her against my chest.

"Do you want something to eat?" I whisper as I feel her relax against me.

"No, I'm actually very sleepy. I'm sorry...I know you had all this planned"

"It's okay, baby, rest we have lots of time! We can do this another day. Rest, I'll get Bells when the guys come back," I say as I pull her closer to me, our legs intertwining.

I lean down slightly and press my lips to hers, stopping all arguments. Not caring that I might catch her cold. Her hand comes between us as she cups my cheek. I smile through our kiss and press a few more light pecks before I pull away. Her lips are swollen and a content smile is on her face.

"Okay, but please wake me in the middle of the night to try and breastfeed," she says quietly, her eyes drooping closed as she snuggles against me.

She's knocked out before I can even reply. Her soft breaths hit my bare chest as I run my fingers through her damp hair. This is the spot she's meant to be in. Safe in my arms.

I feel my eyes grow tired, but decided against taking a nap. I watch my wife peacefully sleep in my arms, she smiles in her sleep as I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and my heart swells with the love it holds for her.

"I love you, Jillian. It's you and me forever and always" I whisper.

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