"Oh! There you are. I've dropped Aunty and Aera safely and..." Namjoon lowers the glass and looks at Joy, "Are you...crying? Why?"

Joy wipes her tears and sighs, "You knew right?"

"Knew what?" He is confused.

"That Irene unnie cannot be a mother."

Namjoon sighs and looks down, "Yes."

"Why did you not tell me? Everyone knows about it." She sniffs.

"I...I got to know from Kim Seokjin when he came to ask me to meet Ren. You remember that very day she also got to know about your pregnancy. You were already guilt-ridden and worried. I did not want to add up to your problems. It could have harmed you and Deiji. Then I could not find the right time or it did not cross my mind. Besides, it is not my place to talk about it." He sits across her.

Joy nods, "I understand. It's just today unnie shared this with me. She thought oppa had told me about her that night. I...I can never imagine what they are going through. At first, their daughter died and then this..." She sobs, covering her face.

Namjoon blinks away his tears. Even he cannot imagine that now.

"I feel so ashamed! They watch me with Deiji and how hurt they must have been?! I, though unintentionally, hurt them! They must have thought I am flaunting infront of them. But I wasn't! I could never! I had no idea!" She hiccups.

Namjoon pours her some water, "They knew that you had no idea. It is most unfortunate but it is nowhere your fault. So, stop being so hard on yourself."

"Yes. I...thank you."  She sniffs, "Oh dear, I was so excited to visit Kim Mansion again and then..."

"You are going to meet him?" Namjoon asks.

"Well, yes. Actually, Unnie came to tell that she will take Aera to their home for few days and may be to holidays later. Which is very good for that little girl, unnie and oppa. Then, she asked me and Deiji to visit and stay for few days when Aera will go there...I did not consult you. I am sorry. I accepted her inviatation."

Namjoon does not know why but he begins to feel low. He knows Joy misses her brother and Deiji should get to know her uncle but there is something making him sad and scared about it. What if they leave and never come back to this mansion?! 

"Yeah...ummm....You should go." He clears his throat.

Joy nods, "Unnie likes to spend time with Aera and Deiji. She was asking if she can come and spend some more time with Deiji, even if Aera is not around. She sounded so sad. I mean her way of requesting...it broke my heart." She sips some water, "Like now, she is with Deiji."

Namjoon is equally sad for his Ren. He has been slowly nodding. But he stops listening to Joy's last statement, "What? She is here?"

"Yes. She took Deiji to put her in bed. Why?" Joy asks.

"Nothing.You mean she is still in your room?" Namjoon frowns. He has been sitting here for quite some times now. She should have come back if she is only tucking in Deiji. 

"Yes. She would have met me if she was leaving."

He stands up, "Uhhh...I should go and check on her."

He leaves before Joy can say anything. 

Irene looks around Joy's room. She has put Deiji in her cot. She observes the photoframes on the walls. Everyone is so happy in them. Some were from Joy's baby shower, Park Jimin's wedding and Deiji's 100 days celebration. Namjoon, Aunty Noel and their friends, if Irene is not mistaken, the Lees and Yeri, all are there in different frames. There are drawings by Aera and three charts, each belongs to the girls. Things are organised but one can easily say that a small child and a baby stay in the room.

 She moves her attention to the baby again, "Your umma did a good job in turning this place warm and homely." She slowly runs her finger on the sleeping baby's head, "You got your appa's dimples, nose and forehead. Since your cheeks are so chubby, I cannot say whether they are from your umma or appa.Your lips, chin and eyes are from your umma." She sighs, "You are so cute. You know I always wonder what has changed my Namy so much? What or who has made him so responsible and matured? Now watching you closely, I got the answer." She hums, "It is so incredible as how you resemble my Namy." She frowns, "How I wish you looked only like him. No similarities with your mother. You would have been much cuter. You do not look like him completely yet he is so obsessed with you. I would have been like this if only my child looked like me or Namjoon. I wonder how you would have looked if you were my and Namjoon's child..."

"What are you talking about?!"

Irene gets startled and turns around to find Namjoon standing at the door. He marches inside with a stern expression. He has heard her complaining about Deiji having similarities with Park Sooyoung. He waits a bit so that he does not misunderstand her words. But it seems he has not.

"Namy..."

"What are you doing? What were you saying?" His tone is low and cold.

"I was just...imagining how our child would have looked...I am sorry. Today after talking to Joy about my infertility, I got a bit emotional and delusional. Please forgive me. I would have not said such things." Irene looks down, embarassed.

Namjoon shakes his head. What she had said was unusual but considering her emotional stress, it is quite possible. She is vulnerable and going through a lot.

"It is okay." He sighs and looks at his ahjusshi. He smiles a little and kisses her bald head. She rubs her eye in response.

Irene laughs softly. He turns to look at her, "What?"    

"I cannot believe I was saying such things. I feel tired and need a good nap. Joy was saying that you all are invited to Lee Cheonsa's place?"

"Yeah, we are. I dropped Aunty and Aera there."

"They live quite near. Then why did you drive them there?"

"Well, we are having bar-b-que. Everyone is bringing something from their home. There were quite some stuffs. So, I drove them there. They are preparing and we will go a bit late after Ahjusshi's daily routine is met." He smirks.

"Ahjusshi? Why you call her that?!" She laughs.

"Well, she looks like one!" He retorts back.

"You named her Deiji, right?" She asks softly.

"Yes. It was by chance but it is unique." His voice echoes his pride and happiness.

"Yeah...Well, I should get going. I did not know Jin never revealed anything to Joy. She must be devastated. Oh! Did you hear that I asked them them to visit?"

"Yeah, I did. It will be good for...everyone." He hides his insecurities.

"I know it is so absurd to say or think about it but I just had this thought. Have you ever imagined a different world where all these never happened? Where we got what we actually wanted?" She looks at him with tearful eyes.

Namjoon looks away and sighs. There is a pause between them. He stares at her eyes, "If that world does not have Aera or Deiji, I do not even want to imagine it." 

Irene looks down and nods, "Bye Namy.You two have to get ready and all. Bye."

"Ren..."

She stops her steps.

"I would not have said this but your last question made me do so. Park Sooyoung is and will always be Kim Deiji's mother. No one else. So, to have Kim Deiji in my world, Park Sooyoung also has to be there. I respect her for everything, I am grateful to her for everything."

Irene bites her lower lip and walks out of the room.

Joy is still sitting quietly at the small table in the kitchen. Namjoon walks in with their daughter. She has awaken and is in a jolly mood. Like always.

"Yah!! Don't you have to get ready?" He points at her night gown.

She looks up at him. She recalls what she has heard when she went to check on them,

"I would not have said this but your last question made me do so. Park Sooyoung is and will always be Kim Deiji's mother. No one else. So, to have Kim Deiji in my world, Park Sooyoung also has to be there. I respect her for everything, I am grateful to her for everything."

It has made her so happy. She knew he does not hate her anymore but giving her such importance. She touches the locket. Of course, he does! Or else, she would not have this around her neck. Made by him! Exclusively for HER!

"Nothing. Just a bit feeling low." She looks at Deiji, "Oh! You are awake! Let's get you a bath!" She takes her from his arms.

"Yeah! You get ready as well. I will change as well."

"I do not want to go." She is still sad from the news.

"Listen, I know you are sad. Trust me, I felt horrible as well. Still do. But it won't help. Look, they are also trying their best to move on. All we can do is support them. And sulking does not serve the purpose."

Joy nods.

"Besides, if you do not go, you will miss the croquettes and apple pies made by Yeri-sshi's umma. She is also invited, you know that. Not to forget all that food Cheonsa and Noel aunties are making."

Joy gulps at the thought. So many mouth-watering food.

Oh! I forgot! I saw Uncle Lee make some non-alcoholic sangria for you and Aera. Oh well, I guess she can have it all!"

"I will get Deiji and myself ready in 1/2 hour!" She runs to her room.

Namjoon shakes his head and laughs, "Goodness! I am actually living with 3 babies!!" He also leaves for his room to change.