The alarm buzzed at its usual time, but I was already awake, staring at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Taehyung lay peacefully beside me, his features relaxed in sleep. I brushed a strand of hair from his face, my heart swelling with quiet affection before I reluctantly got up to start my day.

Teaching had always been my passion, and as I arrived at the school, the familiar sight of kids running around the playground brought a smile to my face. My classroom was already bustling with energy when I walked in.

"Good morning, Ms. Jo!" a group of my students chorused, their bright voices echoing through the room.

"Good morning!" I replied, my smile widening as I set my bag down.

The day unfolded in its usual whirlwind. Lily finally cracked that tricky math problem she'd been struggling with, her face glowing with pride. "I did it, Ms. Jo! I did it!" she exclaimed, waving her notebook in the air.

"You sure did, Lily," I said, ruffling her hair. "I'm so proud of you."

Later, Ben showed me his latest masterpiece: a drawing of a rocket ship. "It's going to take me to the moon, Ms. Jo! And then I'll bring you back some moon rocks!" he announced with the kind of confidence only a six-year-old could have. He sometimes reminds me of our little Jae. He was such a bright sweet kid in my class back then. 

I laughed, my heart feeling light. These kids had a way of making everything seem possible. Watching them, I couldn't help but imagine my own child one day. Would they have the same bright curiosity? Would they look at me with those wide, trusting eyes? The thought sent a pang of longing through me, but it was tempered by hope. One day, I told myself. One day soon.

By the time I left school, the exhaustion of the day had set in, but I was determined to make tonight special. Taehyung had been feeling off lately, and I wanted to do something to lift his spirits.

At home, I tied my apron and got to work in the kitchen. Cooking had always been therapeutic for me, and tonight I was making Taehyung's favorite—dak galbi. As the rich aroma of spices filled the apartment, I felt a flicker of excitement.

When Taehyung walked through the door, his tired expression softened at the sight of me.

"Something smells amazing," he said, shrugging off his jacket and walking over to kiss me.

"It's your favorite," I said, grinning. "Thought you could use a little pick-me-up."

He smiled, that deep, warm smile that always made my heart flutter. "You always know just what I need."

Over dinner, we talked about our days. I told him about Lily's triumph and Ben's moon-bound rocket, the stories spilling out of me in a rush. Taehyung listened intently, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

"And how was your day?" I asked, reaching for his hand across the table.

"Busy," he admitted. "But manageable. Oh, and Namjoon called—he's planning to visit next month."

"Really? That's great! It'll be so good to see him."

"Yeah," Taehyung said, his expression softening. "And speaking of plans... we have that doctor's appointment coming up."

My heart skipped a beat. "I've been thinking about it all day," I admitted. "I just... I want everything to go well."

"It will," Taehyung said, his voice steady. "We're in this together."

After dinner, we curled up on the couch to watch a lighthearted movie, something to ease the heaviness of the past few days. Taehyung's arm was warm around me, and I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling more content than I had in weeks.

Halfway through the movie, he turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"You know," he began, his voice teasing, "we've been talking about this whole 'starting a family' thing for a while now."

I raised an eyebrow, already smiling. "And?"

"Well..." He gave me that boyish grin I loved so much. "Why don't we have a little test round for our mission? You know, just to make sure we're fully prepared."

I laughed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "Tae!"

"What?" he said, feigning innocence. "I'm just being thorough."

I shook my head, still laughing, as he leaned in to kiss me. It started softly, his lips brushing against mine, but soon deepened into something more.

"You're impossible," I murmured against his lips, my voice tinged with affection.

"And you love it," he replied, his grin evident even as he kissed me again.

The movie played on in the background, but it was long forgotten as Taehyung's hands gently traced the curve of my back, pulling me closer. We moved together with a mix of laughter and tenderness, the love between us palpable in every touch.

Afterward, we lay tangled on the couch, the glow of the TV casting soft shadows across the room. Taehyung brushed a strand of hair from my face, his expression filled with warmth.

"You're everything to me," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"And you're everything to me," I replied, my heart full.

As the credits rolled, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. My thoughts wandered. I thought about our dreams, our plans, and the life we were building together. Despite the challenges, there was a steady current of hope that carried us forward.

Taehyung's steady breathing beside me was comforting, grounding me in the moment. I turned my head slightly to look at him, his face soft and serene in the dim light. He looked so at peace with his eyes closed, and it made my heart ache with love.

"I can't wait for our future," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

He stirred slightly, his arm pulling me closer, and murmured, "Neither can I."

The weight of the day finally caught up with me, and my eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment. As I nestled deeper into his embrace, the sound of his heartbeat became a soothing lullaby.

With those comforting thoughts, my eyes fluttered shut, and soon, we drifted off to sleep together, wrapped in the quiet promise of everything yet to come.