"Finally! At home!!" Joy sighs deeply. It has been a hectic day with all these classes and assignments. These few days before the last semester is hard. She rubs her neck tiredly. She is quite late coming from a study session with Yeri. She looks at the carrier, "Hey baby...we are home! Now let us change and get all comfy!" She enters her room to find Aera sleeping and Noel knitting.

"Hey Aunty! How was the party?" She places Deiji in her cot and changes her clothes.

"Oh! It was great! Aera had a blast and the hosts were very nice." Noel replies. They were invited to celebrate Aera's friend's younger sibling's 100 days. 

"Is it? I hope the gift was good?" Joy cannot be there due to her study sessions and homeworks.

"Why yes!! Perfect for the occasion! Oh! Namjoon was there as well!" Noel recalls.

"Namjoon, why?" Joy looks up at her.

"Yeah, he was invited due to business purposes..." To which Joy nods understandingly, "and oh! He wanted to talk to you about something and asked to meet him when you get home!"

"Okay! I will go just after I change." She enters the bathroom.   

*******************

"Yes, Nina. Make the appointment for today. Cuz we don't have time. Yes..." He puts his cellphone down and hears a very well-known knock, "Get in."

"Good evening! You wanted to talk..." Joy enters.

"Yeah, have a seat." 

"Thanks." She sits down on the bed. "Is all okay?"

"Yeah...I went to a 100 days old celebration today."

"Yes. Noel told me." She nods.

"So I just recalled that Ahjusshi is 93 days old today."

Joy blinks in surprise. Of course she remembers that but he..."Yes. She is..."

"So, she should also celebrate her 100 days. I am not asking you but telling you this. I know you are busy with your studies but on that day, do not keep any other work. My assistant has made an appointment with the event planner which will be in an hour and we need to meet her. We do not have much time...with invitation and all..." He keeps on talking and Joy keeps staring at him. He is asserting his rights as a father. Her eyes well up in tears. She knows he cares for Deiji. A lot. But today, she is sure he loves her as well. Not to forget, his use of the word, "we".

"Come! We will be late." He puts his hand on her shoulder and nudges slightly.

She looks at where his hand is resting on and smiles.

"Are you crying?" He frowns.

"Oh! No! I am just...I can't believe my baby is growing up so soon..." She makes an excuse and Namjoon buys it anyway. They get downstairs to her room to inform Noel.  

"Aunty!"

Noel looks up from her yarn," Hmm...?"

"We are going out! It may take a while." Namjoon says before Joy can utter anything.

Noel's eyebrows raise, "Yeah, sure. The girls are sleeping anyway and I can feed Deiji from the stored bottles...but where are you two going?" She cannot hide her curiosity and surprise.

"We are going to meet an event planner for Deiji's 100 days celebration party and there is only 7 days left." He looks at the sleeping girls and smiles a little, "It is getting late. Bye!"

They get into the car and Noel can hear them drive away. Now that is another "pleasant" surprise of the evening. She prays to God that this stays forever.

***********************

The meeting was successful. Joy always knew that Namjoon is diligent at whatever he does. And tonight she got to see how. From the venue to the guest list, from the decoration to the menu, everything is decided. In details. Being the mother, she is involved in all the matters and her opinions and choices got priority. The planners are famous and professional and after complete discussion, they leave.

"Okay Aunty! Bye." Joy keeps her phone down.

"So? They are okay?" Namjoon asks getting in the car.

"Yes. Sleeping soundly. Aunty told me you did not have dinner after you got back from gym?" 

"I forgot." He shrugs. He works-out in the evening.

"Oh! Then let us go home and I'll make something for both of us..." She covers her yawn with her hand.

"You didn't...? Oh right! You had just come home then!" He looks at her tired face, "Let us get something now!"

He drives off before Joy can say anything.

"So what do you want to eat?"

"I...don't know. I just want to eat!" Joy sighs.

"Okay, so how about tteokbokki?" He asks. He knows that she has no interest in fancy restaurants.

"Yes!" Her eyes shine up.

It has begun to pour. They stop infront of one of those roadside restaurants and quickly run into it.

"Ahjumma! Hello! Is it too late to order?" Namjoon asks politely. He has to park the car at some distance so while getting inside, they got wet.

" Yes, we are open till really late at night..." The old lady looks up from her notebook, " Oh no!! Look at you two! All wet!! Come dears! Let me get something for you to dry up!!" She quickly gets into the pantry area and they take a table to sit. The small eatery has no other customer except them. The lady comes back with dry clean towels.

"Here you go!!"

They thank her and she passes them the menu card.

"Ahjumma, all these look great! What would you suggest??" Namjoon cannot decide. He looks at Joy who seems to agree.

"Okay...all the food here are actually good but since it is rainy, I would suggest..." She points at the card, "Soups and Pajeons with rice wine..."

Taking her suggestions, they end up ordering kimchi noodles soup, soft tofu stew, seafood and green onion pajeon along with some rice wine. Well, they are starving.

"Listen, all the invites shall be sent by tomorrow and we will need to go and check the venue to make sure all is taking place properly." Namjoon rubs his hair and informs her. The venue is decided to be their community centre as luckily the schedule for that day was empty.

"Okay. I will accompany you then!!" Joy nods, "Need to shop for new clothes!!"

"Don't worry! My designer has been already informed. He must have learned the colour theme for the party by now! He will be getting the clothes for everyone."

"Everyone?"

"You, Ahjushi, Aunty Noel, me and Aera!! He has our measurements from the clothes he designed for Mr. Park's wedding and..." He looks at her with a bit uneasiness, "Should he design for Aunty Cheonsa, Uncle Lee and your friend Yeri? I mean...I hope they won't mind?? Like they may think I am trying to be boastful or something... trying to show off my money...WHICH I AM DEFINITELY NOT...I just thought we are like family and so all of us should..." He looks awkward.

Joy just leans back in her chair and looks at him. This was the man she had fallen so badly for. Those four months of sharing, expressing, dreaming and wishing. After knowing about all his plans and deceit, she used to look for him. She had begun to believe all was a faux to get back at her brother. But then she used to get glimpse of that man. Sometimes she thought it was her delusion and sometimes she took it as his change of mind.

But nowadays, that man keeps coming back. For longer periods. She just hopes, yes, she has begun hoping again, that he stays, forever...  

"Hey!! You okay?!" Namjoon nudges her on her arm.

Joy blinks, "Yes? Oh...you want to get them clothes as a family?" She asks softly.

"Yes. You think they will be insulted or anything...?" He knows how dignified and benevolent they are.

"Well, if you are giving them with this true intention, I believe they won't mind. On the contrary, if you tell them how and why you are doing this, they'll be pleased." She assures him.

"You sure?" He asks again.

"I am sure." She smiles.

"Okay, so I shall talk to them tomorrow. I will talk to the Lees and you can tell it to Yeri. If I take the invite personally as well, it will be good, right?" He has no idea about family etiquettes as he never had one. But now things are changing and he has to learn these things. Not everywhere one can use business formalities.

"Yes! That will be even better!! How about you do that while getting home from work tomorrow? I mean by that time you will get the invitation cards." 

"Yeah that is a good idea!" He smiles at himself.

Joy feels really happy seeing him cheerful.

"Here you are children!! Enjoy!!" The old lady comes out of the kitchen and with the help of her assistant, she puts the food on the table.

They thank her politely and starts to devour. 

"Ahjumma!! The food is amazing!!" Namjoon blows on the spoonful of hot stew.

"Yes! Everything is so delicious!!" Joy agrees.

"Why thank you dears!! Here is your wine."

The young assistant passes them the bottles when Joy shakes her head, "No! I will not drink, thank you."

"Oh! Sorry." The young man apologizes and keeps it infront of Namjoon.

After he leaves, the old lady smiles, "So you don't drink?"

"Not actually...I am feeding."

"Oh! You have a baby!" She begins to gush, "How old is...?"

"She. It is a girl! Kim Deiji. She will turn 100 days in some 7 days." Namjoon informs her. One can easily detect the contentment in his voice.

"Oh wow!! Congratulations darlings! I wish her a very happy and long life. " She blesses them more.

After talking some more, she leaves them to enjoy their meal and sits back on her chair. 

"Will the invitation include my...oppa?" She asks softly.

Namjoon stops eating and looks at her, "Of course. And I think this time, they may accept it..."

They met at Park Jimin's wedding reception where Seokjin reached late. He grew rigid seeing them there but obviously could not react badly. He talked with everyone and with Noel and Aera. Tried to look casual and avoid Namjoon and Joy. Namjoon, as usual, did not give a damn but the young woman was very sad. She missed him and was very sorry. She wanted to talk to him but he did not acknowledge her.

But their daughter Kim Deiji managed to gain his attention like she did with her father's. She laughed loudly, played and made sure her uncle knew how cute and loving she always is. Seokjin could not resist her charms and recalled his own dead daughter who would have been near her age. So by the end of the party she was in his arms, sleeping soundly. He had taken her from Irene when the aunt brought her to meet the uncle. Seokjin then passed the snoring child to Joy. They did not exchange a single word but it was their first interaction in over an year. She had whispered a thank you to her brother and got a hum in return. It was nothing yet priceless for Joy. 

"Yes. I hope so." She sighs.

"The girls must be sleeping! Or else Noel aunty would have called me..." Joy checks her phone.

"Yes. At least we got so many important works done and had dinner." Namjoon looks at the empty utensils, satisfied.

"Yep."

"Thank you Ahjumma, the food was awesome!!" He pays and they say their goodbyes.

"Good night Darlings!! Next time, Do bring your daughter..." She waves them off.

*************************

The seven days have gone in a jiffy. The guests are coming one by one. Photos are being snapped and videos are recorded. Everyone is praising all the preparations and hospitality. Everything is happening just the way they wanted. Joy smiles brightly to spot her sister-in-law but grimaces a bit to see her alone. Irene apologizes on behalf of Seokjin but they know it too well. She lets it go. But she is happy that Irene can come. It is a big progress.

They meet with everyone and receive blessings and gifts. All the guests cannot stop talking about how cute Kim Deiji is looking in her pink and white hanbok. They praise how quiet and sweet-tempered she is. Also they comment on how nice 3 of them look together as a family.

Namjoon has heard them talking and smirks. Funny how even few months back, they snarled about how bad he looks or how Park SooYoung married him for his new money. He had to invite such people only for his business and position in society. He moves to greet his employees and their family. People, who actually respect him for his hard work. Everyone has a great time and begins to leave.

After the party is completely over, the family leaves for their homes too. Cheonsa and her husband have worn the clothes Namjoon gifted them. He had explained his gesture and just like Joy had predicted they were more than happy. It is not some expensive clothes, it is an acceptance into the family. A way of welcoming which they embrace happily. The Lees and Yeri are dropped in one car safely and the rest of them arrive in other vehicles. All the servants attended the party, and they unload the gifts into the house.

Irene is also there with them as they had to use her car for the things and number of people were too many. She and Namjoon has not talked at all the whole evening. She offers to help Aera get change and ready for bed as Joy has to take care of Deiji. Also it has been such a hectic day for her.

Joy leaves the bathroom to find Irene tucking a sleeping Aera in. She smiles and walks towards the bed and kisses on the little girl's forehead. The young women smile at each other.

"Unnie can you stay here till Aunty comes?" She asks politely.

"Sure! Are you going somewhere?" Irene looks at her from the bed.

"Yes. I need to get some tea to Namjoon. He had a stressful day. So...I will see you around." She smiles and leaves the room.

Irene purses her lips and looks at the door.

***********************

"Come in." Namjoon calls out, rubbing his neck. He knows who it is.

"Hey. Thought you could use some chamomile tea." Joy raises the mug slightly and walks into the room. She puts it on the bedside table.

"Thanks! So? How was everything?" He asks, half lying on the bed. He is exhausted. He had to work the whole day and then this party. He had to take a holiday the next day. 

"It was many times better than expected!! All of us had a great time!!" Joy laughs. She is too pleased with Namjoon and herself.

"Yeah, I know. Heard it too many times already." He rolls his eyes playfully. He takes out his phone and checks. Many more messages thanking and wishing them. He scrolls throught the albums and shows Joy the pictures.

"You can check them and delete the bad ones."

"Okay. I will." She nods. He is really novice at this and a huge number of pictures which were taken during the weekend of Jimin's wedding, had to be deleted by her. Namjoon may not notice but these small things make them a very normal couple.

"So Good night and please keep all the electronic devices away." Joy bows playfully and is about to leave when he grabs her wrist.

She stops and raises her eyebrows in question. He tugs her to sit on the bed, infront of him.

"I got Ahjusshi something." He brings out a file from the drawer and gives it to Joy.

She frowns a little and reads it. Her eyes rounds in sheer surprise, "Namjoon, this..."

"Yeah, I thought I should secure her future. I mean life is too unpredictable and I just..." He gulps," I just don't want her to face things...like us." He looks down at his lap to regain his stature.

Joy bites her  lower lip. This happiness is too much to bear. How much does he care for their daughter?!

"These insurances will safeguard her future and bear all the expenses for her daily-life, education and everything. They cannot be broken to get the money for other reasons. If any such situation happens and I am no more around..."

"PLEASE NAMJOON DON'T YOU DARE!!" Joy wipes her eyes furiously, "As much as I am touched with your gesture, I will NOT hear you say another word!!"

Namjoon is quite taken aback with her outburst and clears his voice, "Okay. Sorry. I was just saying this cuz I had said I'll take care of her so..." He tries to act all cool and remind Joy about the condition he had placed after he learned about her pregnancy.

Joy just shakes her head at his futile attempt to lie. As if one cannot see how much he adores Deiji...

"Anyway, there are something else." He takes two long jewellery boxes from under his pillow, "Babies get jewellery on such occasions and Aunty Noel and Cheonsa got her some. Also some guests. So I thought I should get her...I bought them 2 days ago. See if they are good?" He mumbles and places the boxes on her hand.

Joy gaps and opens them, "Oh!!!"

"Yeah, well, How can I not get anything for Ae..." His words muffles as his lips are covered with hers.

He is shocked beyond anything. Joy just cannot control her feelings. She kisses him harshly and keeps repeating                   "I love you" throughout the whole time.

This goes on for no one knows how long and finally Joy lets him go for air. Hair tossled, swollen red lips and flushed faces are enough to tell anyone what was happening here. She rests her forehead on his. 

Namjoon is dazed and cannot think of anything clearly. He opens his mouth to say something and then closes it. They stay like that for quite some more time.

"Namjoon...You are a great father, for both Deiji and Aera." Joy breathes out.

He looks into her eyes and can figure out that she is being truthful. She kisses him again softly on his lips and caresses his hair before telling him goodnight. She takes the file and the jewellery boxes and leaves his room. She turns one last time to smile sweetly and lovingly at him.

Namjoon sits alone on his bed, trying to think clearly. He touches his lips and recalls the time when he was being thoroughly kissed. He shakes his head to soothe his vision. He realises that his cheeks are hot.

Joy loiters to her room and sighs happily. Noel asks her the reason and she shows her Namjoon's gifts. She does not reveal anything about their makeout because obviously...

Noel praises Namjoon a lot. She has been very pleased with them past some days and she believes all will be okay one day.

Amidst their talk, Joy notices Irene is not there.

"Aunty, when did unnie leave?"

"Hmm...? She did not meet you two? Well, she said she would go upstairs and say goodbye. I wonder why she didn't... She must be getting late. Anyway, good night dear." She leaves.

Joy bites her lip and shakes her head. Irene must have seen them. She rubs her face. She did not close the door. Well, she had no idea things would accelerate into something like that. She shrugs. Whatever happened was sudden but very normal. Irene should not have seen it as it was personal. Other then that, she does not care.