Daddy🐰👴🏻:

Little baby,

I know you're probably asleep, but I'm having a dilemma. I've kept a voicemail on my phone that you left me a while ago. All you did was call me and tell me you loved me. I usually listen to it about 20 times a week when I miss you most.

Well, this morning, while listening to it, your dumb Uncle Jimin was blowing up my phone and I accidentally deleted your voicemail.

I AM HEARTBROKEN!💔

I want it back on my phone. Please call me and leave me another "I just wanted to say I love you" message.

P.S.

I WILL be screening your calls until I get another voicemail

Lots of love

Daddy 💕

I stare at the message and can't stop the tears that are freely flowing. I remember leaving that message a week into my trip. I was seriously homesick and called Dad even though I knew it was like three in the morning for him. I didn't want him to worry, so I rushed through a message saying something like just checking in. I miss you and love you.

That was almost a year ago; I can't believe he's listened to it so many times. I can't believe how much has happened in the past few years. Vincent graduated and we broke up amicably; both of us agreed it would not benefit either of us to try and do a long-distance relationship, especially with me wanting to do the year abroad. I spent all summer second-guessing my decision but ultimately came to terms with our choice after watching Crixus and Angie struggle in his first year of college. Crixus moved back into his old room and became super busy with class and his extracurriculars. Angie found it hard being a part-time girlfriend, and for a while, it looked like they would call it quits, but they figured it out when Crixus confessed he couldn't be without her and there wasn't a future for him where she wasn't in it.

My senior year came and went in the blink of an eye, with lots of tears and laughs. With Crixus being so busy, Ollie took his spot in our group and became a little bodyguard for us, always ensuring he was around for football games or parties we attended. He dated a girl for a little while and we were both there for him when she crushed his heart.

And then, suddenly, Dad and I were finalizing my paperwork and my whole family were at the airport to send me off on my first official trip without one of my uncles or Dad with me. Angie, Crixus,* and Ollie held on to me tightly as we said goodbye; I made sure to tell my other cousins I'd bring them back gifts before the grown-ups took over. Uncle Jin had been super adamant that it was only two semesters I was allowed to be gone and I could not just decide to stay longer. Uncle Joonie had reminded me at any time I could come home; he would make sure to get me a ticket at any point. Uncle Jimin had playfully told me not to let any foreigners steal my heart and Uncle Tae immediately elbowed him and came to my defense.

Uncle Hobi was all excited and made me promise to send him pictures of everything I got to see and do. Then Yoongs pulled me into one of his hugs, the kind that envelops me. His arms feel so strong and safe, his musk calms my nerves and the jingle of his bracelets makes me smile. A simple I love you is all he says before I'm swept into Dad's arms and we both start crying.

I was so scared to let him go and get on the plane, but he told me he knew I could do this, that I was brave like Mom and would come back even stronger than I left. I climbed onto that plane and started my journey.

I fell in love with the places and people. I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried so many new things; I went out, I met boys, I tried new foods and I even got a small tattoo that I haven't told a soul about. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, me and a few girls were walking along the ocean and they had these little shops that ran along it and we just had to go into the tattoo shop. I looked through the books it had and just was drawn to this small little jellyfish.

"That's an Irukandji or a small box jellyfish," the older tattooist says, pointing to the drawing I'm looking at.

"It's super cute," I mumble and he hums.

"There's just something about jellyfish. That one there is the smallest in the world but the most deadly. Isn't that beautiful? Doesn't matter how small they are they are so strong."

I stare at the small drawing and let his words sink in. Then I think about Mom's nickname, Jelly, and how they all joke about how tiny she was but also how strong. And before I can talk myself out of it, I'm laying on my side while he tattoos the small jelly under my side boob.

I love having the reminder of her and the double meaning of it, but the pain was terrible and I'll definitely never get another tattoo. One is enough.

"Why are you crying, Little Princess?" Uncle Jackie rushes over and dramatically engulfs me in his arms.

I giggle and wipe my eyes showing him the message Dad sent me.

"That man sure did turn into a sap after he had you," Uncle Jackie jokes and I can't help but agree with how cheesy dad is.

"You are literally going home in three days. But make sure to send him a nice voicemail," he ruffles my hair before leaving my room.

Much to Uncle Jinnie's dismay, I did extend my trip. Uncle Jackie found out I was traveling and insisted I come to spend a few weeks in China to see him and his family. I had missed him when he moved here a few years ago to take care of his mom and I would not give up the opportunity to see him.

That was all about to end because I was finally about to go home.

"Yo, shorty. Dad just said you were in here crying and that I should come cheer you up," JJ says waltzing into my room like he owns the place.

I mean, it is his house, but still. He's a typical teenage boy and feels like he's doing the whole world a favor by gracing us with his presence. He's definitely as dramatic as Uncle Jackie, so I guess it's good they share the name.

"Nah, I'm good."

"Thank God. I had no idea how to cheer up a munchkin," he says with a smirk thinking he's so funny.

"You can go now, Jackson," I say, turning my back to him and getting ready to call Dad.

"Don't call me that! It's weird," he whines and I can't stop the smirk that graces my lips.

I turn back to face him and he scowls at me.

"You know what's even weirder?"

"What?"

"That your mom's moaned your name before," I start cackling and he blanches.

"You're disgusting! I'm leaving!"

He stomps out of the room and it takes me a few moments to stop laughing.

Once I'm calm, I pull up Dad's contact and listen to it ring before his voicemail picks up.

"Hey, Daddy!

Just calling to let you know I love you.

I miss you so much and can't wait to see you soon."

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