He stirred at the quiet giggles in the bedroom and for a moment he was confused as to where they were coming from. The shushing sound made him realise and Daniel tried to hide a smile as he rolled sleepily into his pillow some more. He wasn’t ready to wake up just yet, but for the sake of the little humans now infiltrating his room he made sure they couldn’t see he was already catching onto their plan.

“Is Daddy still asleep?”

“Of course he is, now quickly set up the presents at the end of the bed.” He knew that whispered tone to be his eldest of four children and bit at his lip at how naturally she took charge of the situation. Eunah reminded him so much of you in how organised and somewhat bossy she was. He loved that he was raising such a strong-willed young lady. He knew her two younger sisters and brother would learn a lot from her.

“Okay, what’s next, unnie?”

“We need to go help Mummy bring in his breakfast we made,” she instructed and he couldn’t help the small squeak of sound that left him when his son started to whine.

“But I wanna jump on Daddy and wake him up now!”

“No,” Eunhye instructed, sounding like Eunah in that moment. “It’s Daddy’s birthday, we don’t jump on him.”

“Not at least until we’re all set up,” Eunbyul added and the four children sniggered to themselves as they departed the room.

Feeling it safe to now roll and take a look, Daniel shifted around in the bedding and peeked through an eyelid, opening the other and smiling at the end of his bed. There was a pile of presents that he could tell were wrapped by the kids, and the family’s official birthday hat hanging off the edge of the bed frame. There were even a few balloons littered over the floor and he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by their efforts.

For Daniel, being a Dad had truly changed his world for the better. Sure, he had felt a lot of satisfaction in raising his four cats – he still did to this day. And then when he met you, everything lined up so perfectly that it felt like it was a celebration all year round. Marriage and Eunah soon followed, and over the years three more children blessed your lives. He had never felt so fulfilled as he did as a father and husband. Perhaps it was because being an only child he wanted a full, lively household and now he had that with you.

Birthdays were a huge celebration within the Kang household; Daniel loved to spoil all his kids on their magical day. He loved that the kids had now aged enough to want to share everything they received back to you and him, and he was so touched by the efforts this year already. Any remaining sleep was now gone but he dove under the covers when he heard little feet not so secretively walking their way to the door of his bedroom, attempting to rid himself of any emotion on his face as he laid peacefully in the bed.

He knew you were there now too, your small scoffing sound alerting him that you knew he was awake. It threw him off a little, and Daniel struggled to keep his lips straight and not curl up into a grin.

“Okay,” Eunah whispered to her siblings. “On my count of three, let’s all climb up onto the bed and wake Daddy.”

“Right!”

“One… two… oh, Eungwang!”

Daniel chuckled as his son’s impatience led him up onto him first but it wasn’t long until the whole bed felt like he was riding a rollercoaster, giggling, shrieking and bouncing all being too much for him to avoid behind his closed eyes. He leapt out from under the blankets and tackled two of the girls, their giggles deafening him.

“What’s this?!” he asked loudly, and the playful shrieks continued until you cleared your throat.

Such a small gesture and yet all five on the bed stopped and looked at you. You quirked an eyebrow at him and then smiled at the children. “What should we say to Daddy?”

“OPEN A PRESENT!”

“No, happy birthday!”

“Eat your food we made!”

“Did we surprise you?!”

Daniel laughed and tickled each child before addressing their statements. “How about we eat first, and then I’ll open every present and of course Daddy was very surprised, thank you my babies! Now, shall we eat?!”

The proceedings occurred in the order he had proclaimed, everyone ate the French toast and fruit happily from the serving tray you had placed down before sitting down yourself. He opened every present and exclaimed over how much he loved them, and he hugged every child before suggesting they go off to the playroom whilst he got dressed for a trip to the park.

With the promise of more play, the children all bounded out of the room, leaving you alone with him. Daniel smiled warmly at you as he took you in his arms, kissing your lips tenderly.

“You so weren’t asleep,” you teased and he chuckled.

“How could I sleep through their plotting? They might have been whispering but they certainly weren’t quiet.” Daniel then kissed your forehead and sighed in content into you. “Thank you for breakfast, it was delicious.”

“The kids helped of course!”

“Oh well that’s why it was so good,” he countered as you slapped his arm playfully. “Hey, no hitting! It’s my birthday!”

“Is that right?” you asked as you looked up at him and he nodded dramatically. “Well then birthday boy, how was the start to your special day?”

“Loud, but amazing.”

You nodded, playing with his fingers as you grabbed at his hand. You then glanced up at him. “It’s all about the children whilst the sun shines.”

“Am I going to get extra presents tonight?” he wondered with a glint of a smirk and you shrugged nonchalantly. “I haven’t received anything from you yet, baby.”

“I have a few surprises for you. We’ll have guests for dinner tonight, and I’ll give you my gift after that. As for anything else that happens tonight, well, we’ll just have to see how good of a birthday boy you’ll be.”

“Don’t worry ma’am, I’ll be on my best behaviour until I get you back in this bed tonight. Then, I can’t guarantee anything,” he assured and you blushed a little, laughing at his forwardness.

“Won’t you be tired?” you asked and he shook his head immediately.

“It’s my birthday; I’m going to make sure I get all the gifts I want today.”