Umma makes the best pajeon!

Previously:

“So... are you hungry?” 

Jaejoong breathed deep before pinching his daughter’s cheeks gently, seeing her now chubbier face nod to him. 

“What would you like to eat?” 

“Pajeon!...” 

Jaejoong chuckled at his daughter’s squishy sounded reply. 

“What kind?” 

“Seafood...” 

“Ok... let’s go to the big market then...” 

“Really?” 

Melody said pushing his hand’s away smiling big. 

“Yes really... let’s go...” 

**** 

Yunho smiled watching the mother daughter talk behind the slightly open office door, feeling his heart warm up more towards the other man and his little girl. 

************** 

“We have what we need... let’s head home ok?” 

Melody nodded to her mother as they walked out of the market towards their blue car. 

“Come on...” 

Jaejoong said as he carried his daughter up to Buckle her into the car seat, but something caught his eyes. 

“Umma?” 

Melody turned to where Jaejoong was looking. 

“Woaah! Christmas trees!” 

“Melody-ah... How about we go get a Christmas tree?”  

“Chommal?! We can have a Christmas tree inside!!!!” 

Melody cheered happily. 

“Yes baby...” 

“Umma! I love you! I love you!” 

Jaejoong smiled at his little girl’s excitement feeling bad for not being able to buy her a proper Christmas tree before, but now he can afford one. 

“Umma! Can we get a big one!” 

Jaejoong smiled sadly to his daughter. 

“Our home is small... we can’t get a big one... but I promise you that next Christmas I will get you a big one when we move to a bigger home! Deal” 

“Deal!” 

Jaejoong smiled at his happy daughter, swearing to himself that next year he will make that happen.  

Buying a 120 cm tall Christmas tree, they shopped for decorations and went home. 

************* 

“Oh Jaejoong-ssi! Hi!” 

“Minyoung-ssi!” 

Jaejoong smiled at his neighbor, seeing Melody run to hug her. 

“Hi Melody! How are you? I see you got a Christmas tree there!” 

“Deh! Umma said we can have a Christmas tree this year!” 

“That is Awesome! You should show me your tree when it’s finished!” 

Melody nodded happily at her. 

“Taecyeon-ssi is at work?” 

Jaejoong asked getting a frown and a nod. 

“He is working on a difficult case... I don’t think he’ll be home for a while...” 

“Oh, that’s too bad... I hope he solves the case safely...” 

Jaejoong said getting a soft smile from the other. 

“I hope so too...” 

“Minyoung-ssi... if you are going to spend the day on your own, you are more than welcome to join us... Melody and I will be happy to have you...” 

Minyoug’s face brightened. 

“Chincha?!... I mean I’d love too if you it’s alright...” 

Jaejoong smiled at her. 

“I wouldn’t have asked if so... Come on... we will be waiting for you...” 

Nodding to them, she went to her apartment to change. 

“Yaay! Ajiumma is going to stay with us!” 

Melody skipped to their door happily. 

“Yes, she will, so you better show her that you are a good girl, ok?” 

“DEh!” 

Dashing inside the condo as soon as Jaejoong opened the door. 

“Slow down, Melo!” 

Jaejoong said smiling at his happy kid, pulling the large box with a tree drawing on it with the rest of the bags inside, looking inside... the condo isn’t that big but there is a corner in the living room where the tree can fit. 

“Umma!” 

Melody came back wearing her house outfit. 

“Did you put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket?” 

Nodding to her mother, Melody helped him carry some of the light stuff into the kitchen. 

“When will we open the tree?!” 

Jaejoong chuckled at his excited girl. 

“Not now baby... we should make lunch and eat first... aren’t you hungry?” 

Melody palmed her stomach grinning at her mother. 

“Hehehehe! I am... but I forgot I was hungry!” 

“You silly... Let me go change before we make your pajeon...” 

****** 

“Come on in...” 

Jaejoong opened the door to his neighbor whom came in with blushing cheeks. 

“Thank you for inviting me over, Jaejoong-ssi...” 

“It’s nothing, we are glad to have you... did you have lunch yet?” 

Shaking her head to him. 

“Great! Because Melody and I are making lunch...” 

********** 

“WOah! That is so good! Thank you Jaejoong-ah!” 

Minyoung said munching happily. 

“Anytime...” 

Smiling to his neighbor, he didn’t expect her to be this easy-going, they talked a bit when they were preparing lunch and they found out that they are about the same age, so they dropped the formalities seeing that they became friends fast. 

“Umma makes the best pajeon!” 

Chuckling at Melody’s declaration as they ate happily. 

“He does!” 

She said nodding to the little girl before turning to the other, who just smiled at their dramatic reaction. 

“You should teach me some recipes...” 

“Sure...” 

“Tae always complains about my cooking... I think you can help me?” 

Minyoung said seeing the other smile gently at her. 

“I’m serious!” 

“I know...” 

Jaejoong said chuckling at his serious neighbor who gave him a toothy smile. 

“I’m going to show my picky husband that I can cook well!” 

Jaejoong laughed at his neighbor whom looked like a schoolboy ready for a fight, followed by Melody’s giggles.   

“So, Minyoung-ah... do you work?” 

“I used to... I moved here a few months ago with Tae... we got married this year, and I left my hometown and my job...”   

“I see... no luck with any jobs?” 

“Not really... I worked as an accountant for a small business and I don’t have a flashy resume like others...” 

Jaejoong smiled at her pout. 

“You will find something soon... don’t worry...” 

“That’s what Tae keep telling me...” 

“He is right...” 

“I hope so!” 

She said taking the empty dishes with her. 

“Minyoung-ah... you don’t have to... please let me...” 

“No Oppa, I’ll do the dishes, you made lunch let me at least help...” 

“You don’t have to-” 

“Please, I’d feel like awkward if I just sat down and you cleaned... besides I’m your student, now... let me...” 

She smiled mischievously at him making him smile, but before he could answer, Melody’s voice was heard. 

“I always help Umma!” 

“Oh, you do? What a big girl you are!” 

Minyoung said smiling wide to the happy girl. 

“Yes, Melody is the best...” 

Jaejoong chuckled ruffling his daughter’s hair gently. 

“How about we both help him today?” 

Jaejoong sighed smiling, his cheeky neighbor got Melody on her team, seeing them high-five before helping clear the table.