When Jinki says they need to talk, Taemin plunges into worries. His mind is exhausted by all the possible things Jinki may bring up. He knows he's guilty for exceeding the grocery budget the last time he went shopping and he also splurged on some tank tops for himself and some hats for Jae Hwa. He manages to calm down when Jinki pampers him for the next two days. Jinki takes him out for date night while his parents watch the kids for a couple hours. Jinki pays for his hair rejuvenation and he absolutely loves his dirty blond shoulder length locks and Jinki being the affectionate fool that Taemin fell for. When the two days  have elapsed Taemin finds himself seated across Jinki at the dinner table. The kids are sound asleep and the night's silence unnerves him.

"How are you? " Jinki begins.

"I'm good, great actually. What's  the problem. Why are you being so serious?" Taemin's anxiety is made nervous when the words rush out of his mouth.

There's a staring match of some sort before Jinki clears his throat and continues.

"It's about Hope." Taemin's eyes widen and...Jinki thinks Kibum may be right. "How is she?"

"Shes...fine."

"Is she though? "

"I-I well I sure hope so." Taemin scratches the side of his neck. "She's a good kid. "

"Good." Jinki nods. "Let me just put this out there.  I want tolerate any unfair treatment towards her. If Jae Hwa gets something, she should too, at the same time and in the same proportion." Jinki notices his husband's panic stricken face and presses on calmly. "I'm saying this now. I’m not insinuating that you did anything but Kibum has his suspicions."

"It's almost about Kibum, huh?"

"No! Why would that even cross your mind?" Jinki exclaims, feeling exhausted. "I’m not the same person I was four years ago. If you can't see the changes I've made and the effort I’m investing in becoming a better person, then you're still blinded by the past."

Taemin hangs his head and twiddles his thumbs. He wants to cry and snap at anything, anyone but most of all he wants he's angry at himself. He knows Jinki's making the effort. God, Jinki makes it so obvious  that he's different, that he matured but what he did in the past, the hurt he caused Taemin had developed such immense insecurity with him, rupturing all his self confidence , trust and to an extent his self-worth.

Silent  tears cascade down Taemin's cheeks and there's sudden scraping of the chair's legs against  tiled floors as he rushes over to console him.

"You hurt me.." Taemin manages to choke between sobs while he shakes his head from side to side. It's of no use because the memories are as prominent as ever and he just can't forget. "You hurt me so bad. You make me feel inadequate and worthless."

The heartbreaking sight causes Jinki's guilt return full force.

"Taem.."

"No!" Taemin shouts. "I'm talking now." Jinki nods in return and Taemin continues. "I didn't get to enjoy my pregnancy because the whole period was overshadowed by your lack of affection and interest towards  me. You weren't there for the ultra sound when I heard Jae Hwa's heartbeat for the first when I found out his gender. Pregnancy is such a beautiful and transformation experience in a person's life and  you made it feel like it was a burden instead of a blessing."

Sobs rack Taemin's slender body making him unable to resume venting. Jinki places a hand on his knee and rubs the area soothingly. He's giving Taemin the opportunity to let it all out, to vent because it seems like he's on the verge of having a meltdown

"I'm sorry, Taemin. I-I haven't been with Kibum since and I don’t plan on it." Jinki takes a deep breath, reflecting on what he's just said and coming to terms if he really means. The attraction between Kibum and himself is still there but they're not acting on it. Jinki needs to save his marriage and Kibum tolerates none of  it.

"I-I feel like I have to make you want me."

"No no. I do want you. I by your side aren't I?

Taemin looks at him with red , puffy eyes. His vulnerability so pronounced that Jinki wants to protect him. He hears Taemin crying out to him. He does and he wants to make things better for the sale of their sanity and their children.

Jinki brushes a lock of hair falling in his young husband's face.

"I love you."

***

Taemin is greeted by gibberish and nonsensical babbling coming from his bedroom. He takes off his jacket makes his way over. He's exhausted with having not to respond to rude clients at the law firm. He thinks he might leave the reception area soon. Then he remembers the last time he was out of a job and Jinki cheated on him. He sighs, feeling defeated and pushes the door open. He can really use some hugs.

"Appa!" Jae Hwa shouts when Taemin reveals himself at the door.

This earns Jinki's attention, who is carefully watching the little ones jump on the bed.

"Appa!" Jae Hwa calls again with arms outstretched and Taemin rushes over and lifts into his arms.

Hope stops jumping and settles in Jinki's lap.

"I missed you today." Taemin whimpers in his son's ear, kisses his cheek and takes a seat on the bed with Jae Hwa in his lap.

"Hey  you." Jinki greets.

"Hi." Taemin smiles. The atmosphere is lighter between them since the talk a few days ago.

"Daddy.." Hope squirms in Jinki's lap and he senses sadness in her eyes.

Jinki excuses himself.

"Appa.." She starts when Jinki brings her to the patio.

"Appa is coming tomorrow, ok?" It's almost 2 weeks since his little girl last saw her appa. She must have noticed the relationship between Jae Hwa and Taemin just now Jinki thinks. He might just have a genius on  his arms. Hope’s very perceptive.

Hope picks at the embroidered flower on her purple dress in silence.

"Hey."

Hopes looks up at him. "Who's my favourite girl?"

"...me."

"Who?"

"me..."

"I can't hear you." Jinki sings.

"ME!" And just like that Hope is back to her smiley self.

Taemin can't help but smile at the heartwarming sight. He's suddenly craving a little girl of his own.