You could feel the entire car’s eyes on you. Every single passenger, whether they were sleeping (not that they were by now, you were sure), whether they had headphones in, or just another passenger on the subway, were staring at you and your companion as you wrestled to keep the crying baby from disturbing the entire train car and balance the baby bag while he haphazardly folded the stroller.

            An elderly lady gave you a pointed look before moving out of the way, giving up her seat so you two could take up the entire three-seater. You bowed to her gratefully before turning your attention back to your son, shushing him to no avail. Junhong folded his long legs below the stroller, keeping it in place as he fumbled in the bag for a bottle.

            “Seunghong,” you pled, desperate to figure out what had made your three-month-old so fussy, “please be quiet. We’re in public.” Of course this type of logic was lost on an infant. His arms pushed away the bottle as he continued his cries.

            It was already a long, long day.  The two of you had taken your son out for his vaccination shots. He had been uncomfortable but surprisingly quiet. Now it seems like all of his pent up anger from before was exploding in public. You ran a hand through your greasy hair and felt your s sag with milk. Even though you milked this morning in preparation for a day out, it was instinctual to form milk once the baby started crying. Every flail of his arms hurt your chest and you wanted nothing more than to be home, and away from the responsibilities of being a parent in full scrutiny of the public.

            “Hey, let’s grab some food before we head back? You look exhausted.”

            You knew Junhong meant well. But when you saw how put-together he looked, a wave of resentment welled. “How about you take the pit stop and bring food home? I don’t want to go anywhere else with this screaming baby.”

            You saw his eyes widen and then he held out his arms. “Let me take him.” The moment his father held him, Seunghong fell silent. Jealousy and relief coursed through your veins. “You should have just held him from the start.”

            Relieved of the temporarily silent baby, you looked around and saw everyone averting their eyes. You knew what they must be thinking. The two of you were young; in their minds, probably way too young to be with a baby. Delinquents who can’t control themselves, children who cannot take responsibility for their actions. You could hear all their words and you forced your attention to the ceiling, where the paint was peeling.

            When you stood at your stop, you were once more handed the baby and lurched forward when the train came to a sudden stop. The movement caused him to wake up and start wailing again. A few people gathered at the doors turned to give you a disgusted look.

            “Really now. You need to learn to take care of yourself before you can think of taking care of a child.” The venomous words came from the lady who had given up her seat earlier.

            Tears sprung instantly and Junhong opened his mouth to retort angrily but you tugged on his sleeve. “Don’t.” It had been a long day. The last thing you needed was a fight. You saw him clamp down on his bottom lip and kept your head lowered as you walked up the stairs.

            Once he unlocked the door to your small studio, you immediately sat down and peeled your shirt away, allowing your son to latch onto your chest hungrily. The rhythmic was soothing, until you finally pulled his gummy lips away and winced at how dry your skin was. “Hong, can you pass me the ointment?”

            Your boyfriend reached into the drawers with skilled movements and handed the tube to you. “Let me give him a bath. You take a shower and rest up. I put in an order for takeout.”

            Emotions from earlier spilled and you looked at him gratefully. “I’m so sorry. I just don’t know what I’d do without you.”

            Junhong smiled and bent at the waist to press a small kiss to your lips. “Good thing you won’t ever need to find out.”

            Life as young parents was difficult. The two of you had realized you were expecting in your first semester of your final year of university. Suddenly plans of graduating and finding a job were derailed. You had enough time to finish the year, so at least you could have a degree but by the time interviews came, you would have been too noticeable to even pretend that you could be hired.

            An abortion was never in the question. Junhong had been adamant that you kept the baby. “I promise I can support all three of us.” He was studying computer science and music, and was poised to get a job at a top company in the video game industry. It hadn’t just been he who wanted to keep the baby. You couldn’t bear the thought of getting rid of someone you and Junhong had created.

            Needless to say, your decisions caused a lot of backlash. Your family threatened to delete you from the registry. They cut off all allowances. The school had been a little more sympathetic, but your classmates had looked at you as if you had grown three heads. “You’re going to keep it?” The question was uttered as if it were the unthinkable, as if even the thought of wanting to have a baby was absurd.

            When you walked across the stage, your gown was wrapped snugly against your tight belly and you could hear the hushed judgment from the parents who had attended. There was no ring on your finger, save for the promise ring that Junhong had given you a year prior, and your youthful appearance only made it obvious that you weren’t a post-bac.

            It hadn’t been an easy year. As the hot water ran down your back and rinsed away the soap suds, you thought of how you and Junhong had overcome all the hardships parenthood had thrown your way. Seunghong was born with breathing issues right from the start and it had been an entire month spent in the hospital, watching him through the incubator, waiting for when he could finally breathe on his own.

            It had been a taxing time with Junhong going from his work that ended sometimes at eight at night, to the hospital, then back home to shower and catch some shut eye before rushing back to another twelve-hour work day. You felt helpless, as if you couldn’t do anything to contribute but he always reassured you that having you there constantly to watch over your son was more than enough.

            As you dried yourself, you caught the date on your phone and realized that you had forgotten an important day. With your heart in your throat, you rummaged in your dresser for something nicer than the maternity nightgown that gave such easy access to your son’s hungry tendencies. When you walked down the stairs, Junhong was sprawled on the couch, legs splayed, fast asleep. Seunghong was tucked in his crooked arms, quietly on his pacifier.

            His eyes brightened when he saw you and you quickly took him before his movements could wake his father up. With a well-trained cradle against the hip, you secured him to you as you rummaged in the cupboard for some of your old baking materials. It wouldn’t be much but at least it would be something.

            Thankfully you had some leftover flour and you beat the eggs awkwardly as you managed to hold your son in one arm and the bowl in the other. Once you were satisfied with the texture, you poured the mixture into the pan, flipping it once one side turned a beautiful golden brown. Seunghong gurgled in your neck and you felt at peace.

            “Shh, it’s Daddy’s birthday, and you’ve been fussy all day. What happened to make you so happy?”

            Two arms wrapped around your waist and you had your answer. Junhong dropped a kiss on the top of your still-wet hair. “Babe, you didn’t have to.”

            “It’s just pancakes,” you whispered sheepishly. “I should have ordered a cake.”

            His fingers switched off the pan and he lifted your son away so that he could twirl you around. “But your strawberries and cream pancakes are my favorite.” He kept Seunghong firmly against his chest as he captured your lips in a kiss. “And your kisses are also my favorite.”

            You pulled away shyly and swatted his arm. “Stop. Not in front of the baby.”

            Junhong indicted the round, giggling ball in his arms. “You mean this silly one? It’s not like he realizes. He’s just happy to be the center of our little orbital. Come. The food just arrived. You’ve worked hard today, and every day. Shall we place him in the swings and let him watch us eat?”

            You followed him into the living room, admiring him as he carried out the plate of pancakes and smacked kisses on your son’s cheek as he walked. It didn’t matter what people thought of the two of you. You were both doing fantastic as parents.

            Later that night, after you placed Seunghong into his crib, you and Junhong had spent time whispering to each other. Suddenly, he picked up your hands and stared solemnly into your eyes. “I know it’s been so hard on you, and I promise that soon, I’ll be able to have a vacation, and then he will be my responsibility for the whole day. I asked around and there is translating work you can do for the company from home. That way you can have experience until you’re ready to start working on your own.”

            Tears stung in your eyes. “Thank you.”

            He reached under the pillow. “Will you marry me?” At your widening eyes, he rushed on, “I know it’s not the proposal with flowers and fireworks I had promised, but I really want to have our official family. And I don’t want to do it with anyone else but you.”

            “Junhong, it’s your birthday.”

            “Yes, and this could be the best present you can give me.”

            A smile tugged on your lips and his eyes flickered as he tried to read your expression. “Of course. I love you so much.” There was visible relief and you couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you think I would say no?”

            “I don’t know. It’s been really tough on you the last year.”

            You threaded your fingers through his, admiring the way the engagement ring now sat where the promise ring had previously been. The lights from outside sparkled onto the gem, casting a sprinkle across your bedsheets. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else but you.” The echo of his words back at him made him smile and he kissed you.

            “I’m so blessed.” There was a sharp cry and he pulled away, groaning in jest. “Oops, looks like the third family member is feeling left out.” He reluctantly pulled away from you and with a mumble, “Your dad’s getting too old to be getting out of bed all the time to pick you up,” he padded to the crib.

            “Junhong! One day and one year older doesn’t much of a difference.” But you already had the comforter thrown back, awaiting the arrival of your two favorite people.

It's been a while since I've posted a scenario here but I'm still writing!
Happy Birthday to our sweet baby maknae. You've grown to be a man that we are all proud of.