**In loving memory of SHINee's Kim Jonghyun. You did well.**

Soft presses of familiar lips on his neck tickled him from unconsciousness. Keeping his eyes closed, he sighed in pleasure at the loving touches. The lips made their way from his neck up to his jaw, missing his lips, until they landed on the tip of his nose. From there, they made their way up the bridge to his closed eyelids, soft pecks planted on each of them.

Unable to keep up the pretense of sleep any longer, Woohyun’s eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry. Slowly, it cleared into the sight of his husband hovering on top of him, smiling gently.

“Morning,” Sunggyu greeted with a quick peck to Woohyun’s lips.

Returning the smile, Woohyun wound his arms around the older man’s neck and brought him downwards, wanting to kiss him properly.

“Morning, yeobo,” the younger greeted.

Sunggyu nuzzled his neck as Woohyun wrapped his arms around him.

They laid in bed for several minutes, savoring the morning’s calmness and each other’s presence. It was rare for them to be awake at the same time, but ever since Woohyun resigned from his job at the restaurant, he was able to sleep in just a little bit more. Which, of course, meant morning cuddles for his husband.

And speaking of husband, Sunggyu was once again kissing him all over like an overexcited puppy. Woohyun found himself laughing as the wet kisses tickled him and made warmth pool in his stomach… which Sunggyu was currently paying very close attention to.

“Gyu, come on, we have to get up,” he whined in between laughs.

Sunggyu’s head left his bare stomach so he could look at Woohyun with an excited grin. “Let’s make a baby,” he announced with no hint of shame.

Woohyun smacked him in the arm, playfully as he blushed. “Yah! What are you asking? I can’t have a baby, weirdo!”

But Sunggyu wasn’t listening as he attacked Woohyun’s neck again, murmuring, “Let’s make a baby” over and over again.

Woohyun shivered in delight at his husband’s ministrations. He pulled him close, loving the warmth emanating from the older. He could feel those goosebumps rising on his flushed skin and let out an involuntary moan when his husband nipped at a particularly sensitive spot under his ears.

Despite the both of them not getting any younger, Sunggyu managed to make him feel like he was still the most desirable man in his eyes.

Sunggyu’s lips left Woohyun’s neck to make contact with the younger’s own plump ones, a soft kiss that nearly melted Woohyun.

“I love you,” Sunggyu whispered.

He had been saying it a lot, lately. Not that Woohyun was complaining. He knew it was Sunggyu’s own way of reassuring him, of making it up to him. They have gone through so much this last year; saying those three words to each other multiple times a day reminded them why they continue fighting for the stability of their marriage. They had come to accept that their relationship wasn’t perfect. Woohyun believed that they had become stronger because of that.

“I love you too,” he replied before pushing against Sunggyu’s chest. “Now, get up. I have to make breakfast and you have to get ready-.”

Sunggyu began to whine again and pout, childishly. “Five more minutes?”

How could he resist those eyes? Sunggyu was a feared boss with the most frightening glare in the office but those eyes could melt Woohyun’s heart on the spot when they were begging him for something.

The chef looked at the clock. It was still pretty early. They had time to spare.

“Five minutes,” he agreed.

Sunggyu cheered before burying his cheek in Woohyun’s chest. The younger chuckled in amusement, wrapping his own arms around his husband’s waist.

They laid there in silence, Sunggyu’s cheek attached to Woohyun’s front as the younger ran fingers through his hair. Woohyun felt a wave of peace wash over him, the comforting presence of his husband chasing away any anxious thoughts. He savored the moment.

“Thank you.”

Woohyun looked down at his husband in question. “For what?”

Sunggyu looked at him with an adoring smile before sliding up to peck his lips again (how many kisses had it been now? His husband was affectionate today).

“Just… after everything… you didn’t leave me,” the older stated, looking remorseful. “I know it hasn’t been easy… but you still stayed. Woohyun, thank you for staying with this foolish husband of yours.”

Woohyun chuckled, placing a hand on his husband’s cheek. “Well, no matter how foolish this husband of mine is, he’s shown me that he’s still worth fighting for.” He then pushed against the lean shoulders. “Now, your five minutes are over. Up!”

Sunggyu groaned, but nonetheless obeyed and got up. He headed for the bathroom to start getting ready, leaving Woohyun smiling with fondness after him before he, too, got up to wake Myungsoo and make breakfast.

Now that his days started later because he didn’t have work, Woohyun could take his time with breakfast and his favorite men’s lunches. Feeling relaxed, he hummed as he made a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, and rice and laid them out on the table. Then, he got the lunchboxes ready, filling them with rice, meat, and various side dishes. He packed an extra carton of banana milk and a box of cookies for Myungsoo’s snack and some kimbap for Sunggyu.

He felt a presence behind him as he zipped the lunch boxes closed and soon enough, a kiss was planted on his cheek. He turned with a smile to see Sunggyu with his necktie around his collar, untied.

He flashed the younger a sheepish grin. “Help me?”

Sunggyu knew how to tie a tie but for some reason lately, he wanted to be babied by Woohyun. Shaking his head, the younger acquiesced and tied it for him, smoothing out some wrinkles on his husband’s shirt while he was at it and ending his task with a sweet peck to the older’s lips. Sunggyu looked quite happy as a bee.

“Papa! I’m hungry!” their little 8-year-old announce as he entered the kitchen with a pout.

“Then come eat! You’re both early today so take your time.”

“Ahhh, my husband is the best cook! Myungie-ah, we’re both lucky, right?”

“Papa is the best!”

Woohyun laughed as the two continued to rain him with compliments, but he found the gesture sweet. They must have noticed how down he had been lately due to a lack of anything to do.

Although Woohyun enjoyed the non-hectic life, he was itching to work again and be productive. But, since his and Kibum’s café is still in the building process, there wasn’t much for him to do quite yet. It was his weekly meetings with Kibum, cleaning their apartment from the inside and out, and cooking up a storm that kept him from going insane.

Hopefully, by next month, he would start getting busier as they planned to start the search for workers and train them, finalize the menu, and finish decorating the café. They hoped to open by Christmas.

When breakfast was done, Sunggyu and Myungsoo picked up their lunchboxes, kissed Woohyun good-bye on each of his cheeks, before heading out for the day. Woohyun was left home alone in his pajamas and bathrobe. But, no matter, he was meeting Kibum for lunch.

Or, rather, he was…

He had just finished cleaning up the breakfast items and was about to shower and get ready for the day when his phone rang. Kibum’s name flashed at him.

“Hey, I’m about to get ready,” he said into the phone.

“Actually, that’s what I’m calling you about.” Kibum’s voice on the other line sounded giddy. “Can we re-schedule? I can’t make it to lunch today.”

Woohyun was rather surprised at that. It was usually him who would cancel or postpone due to some reason or other and Kibum would be stuck waiting for him.

“Sure. Is something wrong?” he asked, worriedly.

In response, Kibum giggled. Yes, he actually giggled. Like a teenage girl talking about her crush.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” the blonde answered.

Woohyun felt his eyebrow raise. “You sound happy.”

“Do I?” Kibum’s tone feigned ignorance.

Now Woohyun knew something was definitely up. “Alright, what’s going on? Spill.”

Kibum giggled again. “You really want to know?”

“Yes, so tell me! Come on!” Woohyun suddenly felt like a gossip but he couldn’t help it. His curiosity was piqued.

“Well…” Kibum left him hanging for a few seconds, teasing him. “You see… I was at this bar last night… and apparently, it was open mic night… I was just having a drink before heading home…”

He trailed off again, leaving Woohyun even more curious than ever.

“And?” he pressed.

Kibum chuckled. “Well, I was about to leave when this guy came on. And when he started singing, it was like… I just couldn’t leave my seat. He had this voice that was just so… pure… and warm… like an embrace on a cold day… or an angel… Definitely like an angel.”

Woohyun’s brows practically flew up to his hairline as he listened to the poetic words that Kibum spoke. He had never heard him speak that way before… like he was… mesmerized.

“And?” Woohyun asked again. “You sound in love… Are you?”

Kibum cleared his throat. “D-Don’t be ridiculous! I just met the guy! Anyway… after he sang his set, he sat next to me at the bar and… Well… I told him he sounded great and that I liked his voice and his hair, it was this bubblegum pink color. Usually tacky on most guys but on him, it looked amazing… Next thing I knew, we were already talking for an hour and a half and I was completely sober and so was he.”

Woohyun felt himself smile at how utterly smitten his friend sounded. “So… what does the pink-haired singer from the bar have to do with us canceling our lunch meeting?”

“Actually, he’s a DJ for an evening radio show,” Kibum responded before clearing his throat. “Well… he invited me to lunch… today. So… I figured, I might as well, you know? I mean, he seems really nice and-.”

“You liiiike him, don’t you?” Woohyun teased.

“Y-Yah! That’s not it!”

“So you don’t like him?”

“No! I mean, I do. I mean… Yah!”

Woohyun laughed, amused and feeling happy for Kibum. “He sounds like a great guy already. Heck, you called him an angel! And you’re a pretty good judge of character. I mean, when was the last time you dated? I mean, seriously dated?”

Kibum was silent for a moment. “A while,” he answered with a sigh. “I just… Okay, fine… I like him. Like… Really like him. I know I’ve only known him for a day but I felt something… a connection. I just… I need to know if it was just a fluke or…”

“Or if it’s for real?” Woohyun asked, smiling.

“Y-Yeah…”

“Then, you should go for it. Opportunities like this are rare, you know. Look, you were always dating someone and it never lasted long because you keep saying that there was something off or there was something about him that you didn’t like. This is the first time I’ve heard you say you felt a connection. And, I say take a chance and go for it. Just give it a shot. You deserve to be happy too, Kibum.”

“Y-Yeah… I… I guess so… Thanks, Hyun.”

“Of course. Don’t worry about our lunch, we’ll re-schedule.”

“You’re the best!”

Woohyun laughed. “Awww, thanks. Anyway, you said this guy’s a DJ? What’s his name? Maybe I should listen to his show sometime.”

He could practically see the smile on Kibum's face as he answered him.

“Kim Jonghyun. He hosts this show called ‘Blue Night’. I listened to it last night. He can really put you at ease at the end of a long day, Hyun.”

“Well, I’m glad for that. Well, go ahead and get ready for your date-.”

“It’s not a date! It’s just lunch!”

“Your lunch date then!”

“Nam Woohyun!”

“Good luck! Bye, Kibummie!”

“Yah!”

Laughing to himself, Woohyun hung up. It was rude but he knew that Kibum wouldn’t hold it against him.

Besides, it had been a while since he could truly tease the blonde about something. It was usually the other way around. Then again, Kibum had never shown anyone else this kind of interest before. And Woohyun would be a fool to not use it to tease his friend. After all, that was what friendship was about, wasn’t it? To tease and cheer on your best friend at the same time when they had a crush.

Shaking his head, Woohyun stood in the middle room with his phone in his hand, wondering what he was supposed to do now. He was all alone for the day. He supposed he could always go out shopping by himself. Or maybe he could bother his brother. Maybe visit his mother too.

As he was contemplating, his phone rang again and he looked down at it.

The caller ID flashed, making him widen his eyes before he went ahead and answered it.

“Eunseo-shii?”

“W-Woohyun-shii.” The woman’s voice on the other line was low.

He hadn’t seen her in a month ever since they went to the amusement park for Myungsoo’s birthday. She had his number but rarely called him so this was quite a surprise.

“Are you home today?” she asked.

“I was supposed to go to lunch with a friend but he canceled so I was gonna head out and visit my mother.”

“O-Oh…” She paused. “What time will you be home?”

Woohyun furrowed his brows, confused. “Probably after lunch. I might pick up Myungsoo if I finish early.”

Because of his supposed lunch with Kibum, Sunggyu had volunteered to pick up their son from school. Woohyun figured he could do that now, instead. He made a mental note to let his husband know the new plan.

“Why?” he asked the woman.

There was another short pause and silence from the other line. “I’m… I’m outside…”

Woohyun’s eyes widened. “Outside? As in…”

“O-Outside your door… Can I… Can I come in?”

Woohyun was already walking towards the door before she had even asked. And true to her word, as soon as he opened it, she was there, phone in her ear. But, what shocked him the most was the baby bag hanging from her shoulder and Donghyun in her arms; the baby was calmly on his fingers.

When Donghyun caught sight of him, he smiled and waved his hands. Woohyun couldn’t help but smile and squish his little face with both hands.

“Hi, Donghyun-ah,” he greeted before turning to the mother. “Eunseo-shii, what are you doing here? It’s not Donghyun’s weekend with us.”

Not that he wasn’t happy to see the kid. But Sunggyu would usually pick him up at the end of the day. And they just had him last weekend.

“M-May I come in?” she asked, instead.

Woohyun obliged, stepping aside. She wasted no time in dawdling and immediately entered, not even taking her shoes off. Woohyun shut the door and followed her in.

He watched as Eunseo placed the baby bag on the couch before turning to Woohyun.

“Do you mind if I put him down for his nap?” she asked.

Again, Woohyun was surprised and confused at the woman’s behavior but nonetheless, he showed her to Myungsoo’s room, announcing that he would make them both cups of tea. Eunseo usually wasn’t quite forward with him. Neither of them was comfortable in each other’s presence but tolerated it for the sake of their children.

He finished making the tea and laid out both cups in the living room coffee table. Then, he waited.

When Eunseo emerged from Myungsoo’s room ten minutes later (the tea had gone cold by then so he had warmed it up), she looked ten years older. Her eyes were red-rimmed like she just cried, and her hair was a mess, obviously due to hands running through them several times.

Woohyun didn’t comment on her appearance as she settled next to him. Instead, he handed her the cup of tea. She thanked him as she accepted it with shaking hands.

They sat there in silence, drinking their tea.

Woohyun knew Eunseo was going through something, he could read it in her eyes and her body language. He felt himself getting worried about her state, wondering if perhaps she was stressed out and going through some kind of emotional breakdown.

He knew that some mothers went through post-partum depression sometimes, especially with their first child. He had read enough stories about it on the internet, of mothers who would end up either hating their own child, neglecting their child and spouses, or, the worst of all, taking their own life. If Eunseo was going through it, he had to help her, of course.

Depression was not something to be taken lightly.

“Woohyun-shii, can I ask you something?” Eunseo suddenly spoke up.

Though caught off-guard, Woohyun nodded.

She turned to him, her eyes watering. “Do you love my son?”

Woohyun thought about it. Did he? He was certainly very fond of Donghyun. He looked so much like a mini-Sunggyu and he couldn’t help but adore the little boy for that.

“I’m very fond of him,” he answered, honestly. “As for loving him… Well… He’s a child. They eventually grow on you and he definitely has.” He smiled, thinking about the slumbering boy in the bedroom. He thought back on the times he would play with him, take care of him, and the pure affection in the child’s eyes whenever he sang him to sleep. “Yes, I do love him. He’s a part of Sunggyu and I love my husband. So, I love his son.”

At that answer, Eunseo cracked her first smile since the moment she entered his home. But, it didn't reach her eyes.

“Then… Will you… love him for me?”

Woohyun blinked. “Excuse me?”

This time, Eunseo looked away as she put her cup back on the coffee table. Her hands were still shaking.

“I… I have to leave…” she stated, avoiding Woohyun’s eyes.

Woohyun blinked again. Leave? What did she mean leave?

“What?” was all he could say.                                                                                                   

Eunseo looked up now, tears beginning to spill from her eyes. “Please take care of him.”

And before Woohyun could move, Eunseo was grabbing her bag and quickly heading for the door. Woohyun immediately got up and followed her, managing to grasp her arm as she was about to turn the knob.

“Eunseo-shii! Wait! What do you mean you’re leaving?!”

Her tears were now falling like a waterfall. Unstoppable and continuous. It was the first time she had ever let her guard fully down in front of him.

“I can’t be his mother,” she said, staring back at Woohyun with so much pain in her eyes. “I… I can’t be a mother!”

Woohyun’s eyes flashed as anger bubbled inside him. “What do you mean you can’t be his mother?! You’ve been his mother this past year! You’re… you were doing really well! What happened?!”

But, Eunseo simply shook her head in distress. “You don’t understand. This… This wasn’t part of my plan. I didn’t want this! I didn’t…”

She didn’t want Donghyun. She wasn’t saying it but Woohyun knew.

And suddenly, he was struck by the feelings he thought he had buried long ago. The moment his father walked out their door, despite his mother and brother pleading for him to stay, the feelings of betrayal and unworthiness, all of that returned and hit him full-force. 

But, Eunseo wasn’t done. “I love my son… I love him so much.”

“If you love him, why are you leaving?!” Woohyun growled at her. He suddenly couldn’t breathe.

“Because I’m not the mother he deserves!” Eunseo wailed. “I’m an awful mother! When he cries, I can’t get him to calm down. When he’s sick, I’m at a loss and panic and I don’t know what to do. I can’t even put him to sleep properly at night.”

“You’ll learn! Every parent learns!”

“It’s been more than a year! And I still feel like my own son is a stranger! I can’t… I can’t get close to him! No matter what I do, it’s just not enough! I'm the worst mother!”

“You don’t have to be a perfect mother, Eunseo-shii!”

“But that’s what he deserves,” she replied, soft and broken. “He deserves the world… He deserves a good mother... and I can’t give that to him... I can’t give him the love he deserves. I can’t… I can’t give him myself because I’m a selfish person, Woohyun-shii." She let out a sob, her shoulders shaking. "I’m selfish for trying to take away your husband and ruin your family. I’m selfish for wanting a good life for Donghyun, a better life than I can give. I’m selfish because I’m not ready to be his mother. Not one bit.”

Throughout her confession, Woohyun had no response. He couldn’t. He had no words. He could only stare at her grief-stricken face, at the tears that refused to stop.

She was telling the truth. She loved Donghyun; she truly did. But, just like Sangmi with Myungsoo, she wasn’t ready to love him unconditionally.

“I’m so sorry for all I’ve done to you, Woohyun-shii,” she continued, full of remorse. “You’re a good person. You didn’t deserve that. And Sunggyu-shii loves you so much, more than you know, more than you can imagine. And Donghyun… My Donghyun doesn’t deserve a selfish woman like me for a mother.” She bowed low to him, her tears falling to the floor, creating a tiny puddle. “Please… I know this is too much to ask, but I’m going to be selfish once more and ask you to please take care of him… Please love him in my place… Please…”

Eunseo lifted her head to look into Woohyun’s eyes and he saw the desperation in them. But, furthermore, there was trust. She trusted him.

Without another word, Eunseo turned the knob and opened the door.

“Eunseo-shii-.”

A loud wail reached Woohyun’s ears and his head immediately turned towards the inside of the apartment, to Myungsoo’s room.

“Donghyun-ah,” he stated in worry.

Some shuffling behind him caught his attention, making him remember the situation at hand. When he turned back to Eunseo, hoping to stop her, she was already rushing down the hallway towards the elevators.

“Eunseo-shii!”

He made to grab his shoes so he could chase her but another wail stopped him in his tracks. He turned his gaze back to the inside of the apartment and then back towards the hallway. It was empty. Eunseo was gone.

He stood there at the front door, feeling torn. Part of him wanted to put on his shoes, chase after Eunseo, and drag her back into the apartment if he had to. But the other part…

Woohyun closed the door and locked it. He made his way down the hall, through the living room, and towards Myungsoo’s bedroom.

In the corner of the room was a crib and in the crib laid a crying toddler. He looked distressed, as if he knew that his mother had said goodbye and left him…

Woohyun approached the crib with sure steps and without even thinking about it, picked up Donghyun and cradled him in his arms.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” he whispered to the baby as he rocked him back and forth. “It’s okay, I got you. I’m here.”

With his head on the man’s shoulder, Donghyun’s cries began to soften as Woohyun hummed a tune, continuing his rocking. The toddler’s fist grabbed at the front of his shirt, clutching the material tightly. The chef could feel the little tears soaking his shirt, but he didn’t mind, only lightly patting Donghyun’s back to soothe him.

“I’m not leaving you,” he vowed to the child. “I’m not leaving you ever.”

When Sunggyu and Myungsoo arrived home and expressed their surprise at seeing Donghyun in his playpen in the corner of the room, it occurred to Woohyun that he never did call his husband to let him know what occurred that day. He didn't get to visit his mother either.

When Donghyun had fallen back to sleep after his crying fit, Woohyun had gone about cleaning the apartment. He took out the toddler’s things from the baby bag (diapers, bottles, bathroom necessities) and placed them in their designated places. He arranged the playpen with all of Donghyun’s toys. He prepped bottles of milk. When Donghyun woke up, he fed him and played with him. And when he got tired of playing, he placed the baby in the playpen in the presence of his toys.

“Why is Donghyun here?” Sunggyu asked, unable to keep the surprise in his voice.

Meanwhile, Myungsoo had cheered and immediately headed over to greet his brother.

“Myungsoo, you’re all dirty. Wash up first before playing with your brother,” Woohyun called to his son before turning to Sunggyu. “We need to talk.”

Sitting side-by-side while watching Donghyun play by himself while Myungsoo was in the bathroom, Woohyun narrated everything that happened that day to Sunggyu.

Kibum canceling lunch. Eunseo coming over with Donghyun. Everything that the woman said about not being a good mother, about not being ready to be a mother, about being selfish, about asking Woohyun to take care of her son.

“How could she just leave him like that?” Woohyun asked, his eyes on the toddler, who had no care in the world aside from whether the toy piano in front of him would make the sound he wanted. “She said she loved him but… she left him.”

How could anyone leave such a precious child behind? She truly was a selfish woman.

Sunggyu sat beside him, holding his hand, processing the entire thing. “I can’t believe she would do this. I thought we had an agreement. Was she really that unhappy with this arrangement?”

Woohyun sighed. “Maybe she was. You told me that she wanted the two of you and her to be a family. But, she couldn’t have that. So, maybe that’s why she chose to leave.” He swallowed. "It couldn't have been an easy decision..."

Sunggyu stood up, grabbing his phone in the process. “I’m going to call Mrs. Wang. Maybe she has an explanation and maybe she can convince Eunseo to come back here and talk to us both. She can’t just… leave him.”

Sunggyu was trying to keep it together, Woohyun could tell. So, he simply nodded in agreement. 

While Sunggyu was on the phone with the housekeeper, Woohyun picked up Donghyun from his playpen and took him to Myungsoo’s room. The 8-year-old had just gotten out of the shower and was now fresh and clean and ready to spend time with his beloved brother.

After making sure both were settled with some toddler-friendly crayons and washable markers and plenty of paper, he left the children to play on their own.

He found Sunggyu back on the couch, his phone next to him, and a pile of papers the younger had never seen before on his lap.

“What are those?” he asked, settling down next to the older.

Sunggyu looked up at him with a stunned look. “I called Mrs. Wang. Apparently, Eunseo told her that Donghyun was staying with us for the weekend so she could have the weekend off. She went back to the apartment to check on her, but she was gone. All her things too. Some of Donghyun’s stuff are still there. But she just… disappeared.” He swallowed. “And… there’s more.” He lifted one of the papers in his lap. “I found these in the pocket of Donghyun’s bag.”

He handed to Woohyun who took it, reading the professional-sounding words but he could decipher it enough.

His eyes widened in shock. When did she find the time and the lawyer to arrange these?!

He looked up in time to see Sunggyu sighing as he stated, “She relinquished her parental rights and gave me full custody of Donghyun.”

A/N: There's a reason why I avoided answering many questions and suggestions about WooGyu taking Donghyun, or at least, avoided directly answering them. Eunseo eventually leaving had been planned from the beginning! So, I didn't want to accidentally spoil it.

Many of you were correct in saying that Eunseo is not ready to be a mother. She's young and is supposed to have her entire life ahead of her! Taking care of a child, an unplanned child at that and without a partner, it takes tremendous sacrifice and dedication. One that, unfortunately, she could not do. So, she's doing the next best thing by leaving Donghyun with people she knew would be able to take care of him.

This chapter, as the title and the little note at the top said, is dedicated to SHINee's Kim Jonghyun. The title is from his song, "So Good-Bye." I really hope I did that part with him justice, even though he didn't physically show up. Honestly, the real-life JongKey really do have a beautiful connection, and you can see it in the way they interact with each other in the past 9 years. Jonghyun had called Key his soulmate before, and I have no doubt that they are. I believe that a soulmate doesn't have to be romantic; it can be platonic too. And they have one of the purest relationships I have ever seen. And I know for sure that Key will continue to treasure that relationship for the rest of his life. 

So, only one chapter left and an Epilogue! Stay tuned!

'Til the next one!