Haneul’s POV

“Umma, why are we not going to school today?” Tae Hyun asked me as I helped him put on his shoes.

“Yea, Umma. Why?” Ji Eun asked, playing with her socks.

“Erm… Because Junhyung Appa is free today, so we thought we take you two out. Aren’t you happy?” I asked.

“YES!!” They cheered.

“APPA!!!” They yelled, pushing pass me.

“Yah! Your shoes! Tsk~” I picked up their shoes and socks as I headed over to them.

Junhyung smiled at me as he hugged the two who was clinging onto his legs.

“It’ll be fine.” He mouthed.

I nodded.

“Smile.” He mouthed again.

I forced a smile, but he frowned.

“So fake.” He mouthed.

I flicked his forehead and smiled. It’ll be fine, I guess.

“Are you guys ready!?” Junhyung asked.

“YES!!” The two yelled in unison.

“Oh, I see. These days kids go out without shoes, hmm?” He asked, looking at their barefoot.

“I have socks!” Ji Eun said, raising her leg.

“So you’ll wear only socks?” Junhyung laughed.

“Yes! And you’ll carwy me!!” She tugged onto his shirt, trying to climb onto him.

He picked her up, snuggling his face into her neck.

“Carrying you is never a problem. But you need shoes too. Come on~” He settled her on her lap, putting on her shoes for her.

“And you?” He gestured Tae Hyun to sit on his other lap.

“Alright. All done! Go into the car and wait for us.” He said, patting their butts as they ran towards his car.

I leaned against the couch, looking at him.

“Should I put on your shoes for you too?” He asked.

“I’m not wearing shoes.” I said.

“Oh, you want me to carwy you too?” He asked.

I looked at him, smiling.

“Come on, don’t be like that. It’ll be good, okay? We’ll just enjoy today.” He said, hugging my waist.

“Whatever happens, know that you’ll still have me.” He whispered, kissing me on my chin.

“But I don’t want you.” I .

“THEN WHO DO YOU WANT!?” He pouted.

“I don’t know.” I laughed, grabbing our bags.

“Bye, Ahjumma!” I yelled as I headed out.

“Yea, take care!” She yelled from the kitchen.

“Bye, Ahjumma!” Junhyung yelled.

“Yes, yes. Have fun!” She yelled back.

“Come on! Who do you want!?” Junhyung kept asking behind me.

“Aish! Shh!” I covered his mouth.

I opened the door to the back seat to help Tae Hyun and Ji Eun buckle up, but surprisingly they were already done.

“You buckled up yourself?” I asked, surprised.

They grinned at me.

“Where are we going, Appa?” Tae Hyun asked.

“Mmm~” They waited for Junhyung’s answer.

“Not telling you!” Junhyung stuck out his tongue.

“Huh!? WHY!?” They pouted.

“It’s a surprise. You’ll see!” He started the engine and headed off to wherever his destination was. I too did not know where we were going.

“WE’RE HERE!” He announced about half an hour later.

“WAH!” The two dramatically stuck their faces at their window, looking out at the sign.

Seoul Children’s Grand Park

“Come on, we don’t have to admire from outside. We can go in!” Junhyung said, unbuckling their seatbelts.

Junhyung paid for the tickets and we headed inside.

“Where should we go first?” He asked, holding the two.

“FAIWYLAND!” Ji Eun yelled.

“MARINE!!” Tae Hyun yelled.

Junhyung looked at me.

“You two discuss and let us know.” I said.

We stood at the side, watching the two of them talk.

“Faiwyland is just there!” Ji Eun pointed to somewhere right.

Junhyung and I turned to look but saw no sign. This girl was obviously just pointing wherever.

“Marine is here!” Tae Hyun pointed to the back.

Indeed, he was right.

“Faiwyland is calling me! Can’t you hear!?” Ji Eun argued.

“I can’t hear anything.” Tae Hyun said.

“Ji Eun picked up her arguing skills from you.” Junhyung whispered.

“Shut up.” I smacked his arm, giggling at the two.

“Listen again!” Ji Eun insisted.

“THERE YOU SEE!!! IT’S CALLING ME!!” She said.

“I don’t hear anything!!” Tae Hyun stomped his foot.

“Do you think this conversation is going anywhere?” I asked.

“They’ll figure it out.” Junhyung smiled.

“Faiwylanddddddddddddd!!!” Ji Eun pouted.

“Oppa~~ Faiwyland~~” She shook Tae Hyun’s arm.

“Aigoo aigoo~ Sly tactic.” Junhyung mumbled.

“It’s called smart, alright? Who ask guys like yourself to have such a soft spot for aegyo?” I said.

“Oh, so it’s our fault?” He asked.

“Of course. Or else who?” I said.

“Ha! Fine..” He mumbled.

“Fine fine!! But we’re going to the Marine later, okay!?” Tae Hyun frowned.

“OF COURSE!” Ji Eun jumped in excitement, planting a kiss on her brother’s cheek.

“So, I think we have an answer?” Junhyung asked.

“FAIWYLAND!!” Ji Eun jumped.

Junhyung smiled at Tae Hyun who did not look too happy.

“Come on~” He poked his cheeks.

“We’ll go to the Marine later, okay? I promise you.” Junhyung said.

Tae Hyun nodded.

We headed over to Fairyland where the two ran around like crazy, and then to the gardens, playgrounds and amusement park, as well as the Marine where Tae Hyun wanted to go. We also went to the zoo where they had fun sticking their faces at the glass, mocking the tigers and other animals inside.

“Bite me!” Ji Eun said, poking the glass.

“Ji Eun ah, don’t do that.” Junhyung said.

“Bite me if you can.” She ignored Junhyung.

The tiger turned to look at her. It raised its paw but Ji Eun did not flinch.

“You can’t bite me~” She said to the tiger.

“Goodness~” I mumbled, burying my face in my palms as others laughed at that little girl’s act.

Lastly, we took them on animal riding. We walked beside them while they rode on ponies and camels.

“Appa! Make him run!” Ji Eun pouted, poking the poor pony.

“Don’t do that, Ji Eun. It’ll hurt him.” Junhyung said, catching her hand.

“Make him run.” She said.

“Calm down and enjoy the ride, Princess. Where are you rushing to?” He asked, pinching her cheek lightly.

“Ouh.” She nodded, looking around.

We were about to leave but Ji Eun did not move.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Umma, let’s bring him home!” She pointed to the pony she sat on just now.

“HUH!?” Junhyung and I looked at each other.

The keeper giggled.

“Can we?” She asked.

“We can’t, Princess.” Junhyung said.

“But why!?” She pouted.

“Because he belongs here.” He explained.

“But I want him!” She frowned.

“We can always come back.” He said, patting her head.

Ji Eun struggled free from my grip and ran towards the pony.

“Ji Eun ah!” I yelled.

She patted the pony on his head, saying something to it we all can’t hear.

“Your daughter is very brave, you know?” The keeper said.

“She is just too young to know what fear is.” I smiled.

Ji Eun ran back to us after awhile, smiling.

“Let’s go!” She said.

“What did you tell the pony?” Junhyung asked.

“I told him to wait for me to grow up, and I’ll marry him! And then I’ll bring him home.” She said proudly.

“Oh. Okay.” Junhyung mumbled.

The both of us had a hard time controlling our laughter.

“Did you all have fun?” Junhyung asked as he buckled their seatbelts.

They nodded excitedly..

“Shall we go have food now?” He asked.

They pouted and shook their heads.

“Children who don’t eat would not grow tall. Do you want to remain this height forever?” He teased them.

They looked horrified.

“Let’s eat.” Tae Hyun mumbled.

“GOOD BOY!” Junhyung smiled.

“Stop scaring them like this.” I laughed.

“It worked, didn’t it?” He smiled.

This time, they did not ask where he was taking them. They played with each other while Junhyung drove.

“We’re here!!” Junhyung announced excitedly.

Little Prince Café

It wasn’t just simply a restaurant. There was a play area too. Tae Hyun and Ji Eun’s eyes widened when they saw the playground. But before they could run off, Junhyung pulled them back.

“Umma and I will go order food now. You two can play first, but when we call for you to come and eat, you two have to come immediately without complains. And when we eat, you have to eat properly and not shove the food down your throat just because you want to play. We have a lot of time. I’ll make sure both of you will have fun before we leave. Do you understand?” He said.

They nodded, but I am pretty sure their souls were already in the playground.

“If you break your promise, we’re leaving. Okay?” He said.

They nodded obediently.

“Okay, have fun.” He said, letting them run off.

“Are you sure they heard you?” I asked, linking arms with him.

“No idea.” He laughed.

We ordered drinks for ourselves first while they played.

“When should we tell them?” I asked.

“Tonight or something.” He said, watching them play.

“Did you buy a book on parenting or something?” I asked.

“What?” He looked at me, surprised.

“How did you suddenly know how to behave like a dad?” I asked.

“Things like this, it’s inborn.” He smiled proudly.

After letting them play for about an hour, we ordered the food. It took about twenty minutes before it came. When Junhyung called out for the two, they surprisingly came over without complain. They ate slowly as promised.

“Can we go and play?” Tae Hyun asked as Junhyung wiped his mouth.

“But you just ate. If you run around now, you’ll get a tummy ache.” He said.

Tae Hyun pouted.

“Just that one!” Ji Eun pointed to the merry-go-round.

“That’s worse. You’ll puke everything out.” I said.

She frowned at me.

“Okay, okay. Just that side.” Junhyung pointed to the sand castle room.

“OKAY!” They smiled.

“No running!” He said.

We laughed as the two of them power walked over like little penguins.

“Where are we going next?” I asked.

“Shopping.” He said.

“What else did you plan?” I asked.

“Not a lot.” He said.

“It’s a lot already!” I said.

“Not enough.” He said softly.

“It never will be.” I mumbled.

“Awww don’t sulk don’t sulk!” He pinched my cheeks.

After letting them play for an hour or so, we cleaned them up before leaving. He took us shopping in Dongdaemun, buying the kids whatever toys they ask for.

“Don’t spoil them.” I said as he paid for things they ask for, again.

“It’s alright.” He said, handing his card to the cashier.

“Kids change very fast. No point spending so much money. Just let them play it here for awhile.” I said.

“Do you want something too? Go pick something.” He said.

“No~” I laughed.

After Dongdaemun, we headed to Myeongdong.

“I’ll take them for a movie while you shop around?” He asked.

“I can watch the movie too.” I said.

“Your soul is in those shops already!” He laughed.

He knows me so damn well.

“Go on, I’ll call you later when the movie is over.” He said.

“Alright. You two, be good yea.” I said.

They nodded, tugging onto Junhyung’s hand for him to walk.

“Can you handle two of them alone?” I asked.

“What do you think?” He smiled.

“Oh yea, you’re super Dad.” I laughed.

“Here.” He said, handing me his card.

“What?” I asked.

“Buy whatever you want.” He said.

“No no no~ Crazy.” I pushed his card back to him.

“Take it. Come on! What are we? This isn’t our first date or something. Don’t be shy~” He said.

“No.” I shook my head.

“I want to buy you stuff. Just take it.” He said.

“No no. Go on, quick. The show is starting.” I pushed him away.

“Alright then.” He mumbled.

I bid them goodbye before turning around to walk off. I jumped a little when I felt someone touch my . I turned around with wide eyes to see Junhyung smirking at me.

“Make sure my account is left with zero balance.” He smiled before running off with the two.

I touched my back pocket. He shoved his card into my pocket.

“YAH!” I shouted but he was already nowhere to be seen.

It wasn’t a credit card. It was debit card in which I could use either by signature or by PIN. I obviously could not forge his signature, but I knew his PIN.

I went shopping alone, buying a lot of stuff for him as well as the two of them. I kept his card in my back pocket, not using it at all.

After shopping, I went to our bookstore to wait for him. I was reading on the couch when I heard laughter. I looked up to see Tae Hyun and Ji Eun laughing heartily while Junhyung kept blabbering about something I don’t know.

“Hello. How was the movie?” I asked.

“It was good!!” Tae Hyun yelled as he continued to tell me about the movie.

“Is this your house?” Ji Eun asked Junhyung.

“My house? No no no. It’s not my house.” He laughed.

“It’s a bookstore, Princess.” He said, carrying her up.

“Bookstore? Why is there nobody?” She asked.

“Because I think your Umma closed it?” He said.

“Umma?” She looked at me.

“Yea, I closed it.” I said.

She still looked confused.

“This is your Umma’s bookstore.” Junhyung explained.

“UMMA YOU GOT A BOOKSTORE!?” They yelled.

“Apparently.” I mumbled, going to make them drinks.

“WAH!!” They ran around the bookstore, wowing themselves with everything.

“Why is this door locked?” Tae Hyun asked, trying to open the door to the basement.

Junhyung looked at me.

“Open it.” I said.

“You sure?” He asked.

“Why? Did you keep a body or something inside?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Who?” I whispered.

“Kikwang.” He said with an apologetic expression.

“Again?” I whispered back.

“I should have controlled my temper.” He looked down.

“You should.” I whispered.

“What do we do now?” He asked.

“GO AND OPEN THE DOOR!” I laughed, smacking his back.

“Ouch! Okay!” He grabbed the keys, running to the basement.

Junhyung’s POV

“WAH!!” They yelled as they jumped into the pile of cushions, just like how Haneul would do.

“HEY! Don’t ever do that again!” I scolded.

They pouted at me.

“Sorry. I don’t mean to raise my voice. It’s just… what if there isn’t a pile of cushion? You would be diving onto the wooden floor and your head would be bleeding by now.” I said

“Sorwy.” They pouted.

“Come here.” I said, letting them sit on my legs.

I told them the fun things Haneul and I did here. It was like walking down the memory lane for me.

“I want to decowate the chwistmas twee too!” Ji Eun pouted.

“We’ll do that on Christmas.” I smiled.

Haneul joined us awhile later with milk for them and tea for us.

I continued answering all their questions and reading whatever books they hand to me to them. I stopped reading when they were silent. Haneul and I looked over to find them asleep.

“Must be tired.” Haneul said, picking Ji Eun up, putting her gently down onto the blanket.

“It’s good they sleep now. Then they’ll have energy for tonight.” I said, putting Tae Hyun down gently.

After settling the kids, we went back upstairs. We sat on the couch, with her in my arms.

“Junroro…” She called out.

“Yea?” I asked, playing with her hair.

“Your card.” She said, returning the card to me.

“Is the balance zero yet?” I asked.

She just laughed and shook her head.

“Why is it not?” I frowned.

“Are you always that trusting? Just giving your card to whoever?” She asked.

“You’re not whoever. You’re my Haneul.” I said, kissing her neck.

“It’s ticklish!” She tried to avoid.

“You like it!” I said, snuggling my face deeper into her neck, tickling her.

I must have fallen asleep on her lap because when I woke up, she was smiling down at me with a book in her hand.

“Junroro is awake?” She asked, cupping my cheek.

“I fell asleep?” I asked.

“No. You just went on a short trip to lalaland.” She chuckled.

“Right…” I stuck out my tongue at her.

“Are they still asleep?” I asked, sitting up.

“NO!” Two voices yelled in unison from behind me, shocking me.

“HAHAHAHAHA!” Both the kids and Haneul laughed at me.

“Very funny huh!” I said, getting up, chasing the kids around the bookstore.

“Alright alright!! Let’s go, let’s go!” I said, stopping them from running around.

“Appa~” Ji Eun tugged onto my shirt.

“Yes, Princess?” I asked.

“Can we come back here again? I like this place.” She said.

“Why not?” I said.

“Yay!” She cheered.

I took them to N Seoul Tower that night. We went on the cable car ride, in which I was pretty worried at first thinking they might get scared but the two proved me wrong. They were jumping and shaking the entire cabin because they said ‘it is more fun like this’. Haneul and I were holding onto the sides while trying to get them to stop jumping. After that, we went to the Teddy Bear Museum where Haneul and Ji Eun literally went crazy inside. We bought a lot of bears from the gift shop as well.

“Next time, we’ll go to the one in Jeju.” I said.

“Weally!?” Ji Eun exclaimed.

“Yes.” I poked her cheek.

“Why are we here?” Haneul asked.

“Just come.” I said.

I took them up the tower, to where the Locks of Love.

“Shall we do this too?” I asked, taking out four padlocks from my pocket.

They looked at me in confusion.

“As a family. Who said only lovers can do this?” I said.

“Family?” Tae Hyun asked.

“We’re a family, aren’t we?” I said, looking at Haneul, and then the kids.

Haneul turned away. I know she did not want them to see her tears. I want to turn away and cry too, but how could I?

“Are we… really a family?” Tae Hyun asked.

“Of course.” I said, handing them the markers to write their name down onto the padlock.

While they wrote, I went to Haneul, hugging her from behind.

“Lionny~” I whispered, kissing her hair.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t spoil it.” She said, sobbing softly.

“It’s okay.” I rubbed her arm.

“APPA! WE’RE DONE!” Ji Eun yelled.

“COMING!” I yelled, wiping off my tears as I ran towards them.

“Haneul! Come~” I said.

She came to us, smiling.

We wrote our names and a small message at the other side.

‘Forever a family.’; I wrote.

‘We’re a family, no matter what.’; Haneul wrote.

We locked the four padlocks together onto the fence. I carried Tae Hyun and Ji Eun up, letting them throw the keys out.

“We’ll forever be a family, no matter what happens, okay?” I said.

They nodded, planting a kiss on my cheek as well as Haneul’s.

“I love our family!” Tae Hyun smiled as we walked down.

“Me too!” Ji Eun beamed.

Haneul and I turned to look at each other. I kissed her on her lips.

I love our family too, my precious babies.