“Artery and Venous are in the lobby with mom. Do you want to see them?”

“Yeah,” Tiffany stole a quick peck on the sleeping boy’s cheek then slipped into the slippers. “How are they?”

“They miss Aorta and you. They’ve been asking you guys nonstop.” Taeyeon answered as she checked the IV line. “Did you get any sleep last night?”

“I did.” Tiffany replied from bathroom. After washing her face and put a light make up on, she changed her clothes. “Did you?”

“At dawn but sleep nonetheless.” Taeyeon approached Tiffany slowly. Tilting her head to the side, she spoke softly, “Aorta will be fine. He’ll get better.”

Tiffany nodded but said no comment. The guilt had not left her alone. If only she caught the sign earlier, Aorta didn’t have to suffer this condition. She thought his complain was nothing serious since it was not the first time. She was overconfident but her son was the one who had to pay for her inconsiderate action.

“So stop blaming yourself.”

Tiffany clenched her jaw. “Easy for you to say. You weren’t there. It’s not your fault–”

“It’s not yours either,” Taeyeon interrupted gently. “It’s okay.”

“What is?!” Tiffany hissed frustratingly. “I am his mother, Tae. I should’ve known better than to dismiss his complain like it’s not a big deal. Because it is a big deal.”

Taeyeon looked at her wife sympathetically. She touched Tiffany’s cheek and caressed it tenderly. “Babe, unexpected things happen, it’ll happen again in the future. But that doesn’t make you a bad mother. No one blames you so please stop putting everything on your shoulder. They wouldn’t ask for a better mother because you are the best.”

Tiffany enveloped Taeyeon’s hand in hers. She closed her eyes, appreciating the gesture. Tiffany sighed wearily. “I just never thought it’d come to this.”

“So did I.” The doctor pulled her wife into a warm hug. “We’ll get through this together, alright? No more guilt. He’s going to be fine.”

Tiffany didn’t argue when Taeyeon asked her to go home that night. Fatigue had finally overcome her. She’d only put more trouble should she fall sick at the moment. After Aorta was asleep, she took her leave with Artery, Venous, and Taeyeon’s parents.

Taeyeon looked up from her tablet, flashing a small smile to Yuri when the general surgeon entered the room, then locked the device. “Why are you still here at this hour?” Since the night was already late and Yuri was not the surgeon on call, she shouldn’t be in the hospital.

“I have nothing to do at home. Thought I’d visit Aorta and get you some snack.” Yuri lifted the plastic bag. A well-known fast food brand printed on it. “Should we dig in?”

“Sure.” Taeyeon grinned gratefully.

They ate in silence, engulfed in their own minds. The only sound that can be heard was the monitor beeping. Taeyeon stole a glance every now and then to the screen just in case his vital signs changed.

“Tiffany didn’t fight you tonight?”

“A little. But she’s tired. She knows it’s not the best idea if she stays.” Taeyeon her fingers, savoring the tasty treat. “Gosh, it’s been so long since the last time I eat this meal.”

“Why?”

“I have kids, Yul. I can’t just eat whatever I want now. They love junk food, too, and Tiffany is really strict with once a month, only on weekend rule.”

“What?”

“We can only eat junk food once a month on weekend,” Taeyeon clarified. “I can have some at work but whenever I’m about to walk into the restaurant, I feel like I cheat somehow like… I can imagine their eyes judging me, you know?”

“That’s nonsense but also incredible. I wish I could have what you have.”

Taeyeon watched her best friend looking at her son attentively. She could see yearn in Yuri’s eyes. She quickly finished her meal, cleaning the left over then washed her hands.

“Yul?”

“Hm?”

“I thought you’re seeing someone?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Why? Do you still have feeling for Jessica?”

Yuri snorted, “it’s been ages, Taeyeon. I’ve forgotten her long ago.”

“Then why?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged as nonchalant as she could. “I don’t know where to begin, I guess? I tried go out to date but it ended as fast as it started. All become meaningless and I feel like I’m wasting my time. I have no idea what I’m doing now. I have enough wealth but what are these for?”

“You know, my best friend once told me when I was pretty much in your position that someday I’d get over my grieve and start over with someone new as long as I keep my heart open and just believe. It took me long enough to recover, but I’m here now. You can have it, too. Whatever happened between you and Jess–”

“This is not about her–”

“It has always been about her. You don’t have to deny it. It’s always about her. I know exactly how you feel.” Taeyeon squeezed Yuri’s shoulder. “I’ve been in your shoes before.”

“I’m not getting younger, Taeng,” Yuri sank to the couch. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone.”

“Everyone has their own pace, Yul. You’re never too old or too young, too late, too fast. Give yourself freedom, settle down, let all your resentment go. See people for who they are, they’re not Jessica.”

Taking a long deep breath, she mumbled a low “okay.”

“Make peace to your soul, Yul. It’s how I manage get by.”

-----

Both Tiffany and Taeyeon had come to agreement that Taeyeon would look after Aorta at night and Tiffany would do her part at day. Fortunately, Artery and Venous didn’t seem to mind when they had to stay at hospital day care. They’d Face Time their brother anytime Aorta awake to ease the longing.

Taeyeon Aorta’s lower jaw till his mouth closed perfectly then started to the mucus out from his nose. He couldn’t blow it out by himself since it was too hard and confusing to him. There was suction catheter for another option but it’d be very much unpleasant and distressing for Aorta.

, spitted the mucous out, , spitted the mucous out… till Aorta could breath better.

Aorta scrunched his nose, rubbing it furiously.

“Better, sweet heart?”

“Aorta’s nose is a bit itchy.”

“Wait a bit,” Taeyeon went to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Done with that, she slipped under the cover beside her son and scratched his nose softly.

“Where’s mommy, momma?”

“She’s on the way here, sweet heart.”

“Can Aorta meet Venous and Artery today, momma? Can we go home?” The boy had gotten better and better each day. He had been fever free for three days. He didn’t cough that much anymore. And he also had complete his antibiotic treatment.

“We have to wait for Doctor Lee first, sweet heart. Maybe Aorta could ask him later?”

After six days of stressful circumstances, Doctor Lee finally agreed to discharge Aorta from the hospital. He had done the last test and it was all good for the little guy to go home.

While carrying Aorta and holding Ve’s hand in hers, Tiffany felt lightened. She caught a glimpse of her wife’s relieved smile at the corner of her eyes. Artery was sleeping soundly in Taeyoen’s arms. The storm had passed. She couldn’t be happier.

-----

After Aorta was discharged from the hospital, Tiffany took more days off to look after the triplets. Aorta had become clingier to his siblings. It was endearing to see how they treated each other with care and love.

As the time passed, Taeyeon and Tiffany found the pace and balance between family and work. Taeyeon had gotten better on taking care the kids by herself. Every Saturday, the triplets would spend more time with Taeyeon since she didn’t have to come to the hospital except if she had surgery for VIP patient, and Tiffany had to work half a day on that day. They either went to the park or simply stayed at home after driving Tif