"Out!" 

"What I do?!" 

Despite the rain, she was and will always be his rainbow...

Baekhyun was in his office going through some files he needed for one of the meetings and trying his best to not think about yesterday’s trial. It was very emotional for all of them, especially for his mom and Areum’s mom. The two women were crying their eyes out and at some point, Areum’s mom couldn’t hold the urge to keep calm. Who could blame her, right? Dal didn’t deserve to live and breathe. He was the lowest of the lowest. He had no right to ask for Ari, he had no right to call himself a father, he was a monster, and nothing else. Baekhyun sighed and shook his head as he continued going through the papers in front of him.

Suddenly the door opened.

"May I help you?" Baekhyun asked as he turned to look at the man who had just entered his office without even knocking. 

"So you are my wife's new er?" The man smirked. "Is she good? Are you enjoying the wh*re? Anyway, I tried calling her but the b*tch wasn't answering, so do me a favor and tell her that I came back to take my daughter." 

Baekhyun hissed as he clutched his fists. The words coming out of Dal's mouth were scrapping his ears, and if there is anything in this world that Bakehyun hates is when a man disrespects a woman, especially a woman who gave birth to that man's child. 

"Out!" The latter hissed, pointing to the door. 

"Why?" Dal blinked. "What did I do? It's the truth. Besides, those little games she is playing in court won’t be of any use. Ari will be mine. Make sure to tell her that, alright?”

In a matter of seconds, Baekhyun found himself face to face with Dal, holding him by the collar, as his fist went flying into the man's face. Dal groaned in pain, but a smirk appeared on his face. He was about to say something but the door swung open and Areum came running in, followed by Chanyeol and two security guards that the latter had called. Areum ran over to the two men and looked at Baekhyun. 

"He's not worth it, Baek." She sighed, without even sparing a glance at Dal. 

Baekhyun looked at her for a second and then at Dal again who was now being held by the security.

"You will never talk about my woman like that again, or I swear to God I will skin you alive!" The man hissed, as he pushed Areum behind him. 

Dal chuckled and winked at the two. "Cute, but we'll see about that." 

Baekhyun was about to take a step toward Dal, but Areum stepped in front of him, shaking her head. She didn't want him to do anything stupid, nor did she want any scandals. Dal wasn't worth it. 

"Get him out of here," Chanyeol said as he pointed to the door. 

The security dragged him out ad the three of them were left alone in the office. Baekhyun's hands were trembling and Chanyeol was familiar with the latter's look. He was beyond furious and God knows what would have happened if they didn't arrive. 

"Calm down, dude," Chanyeol said, patting the male's shoulder. 

"I don't want him to see him near here or Areum again!" 

"And he won't," Chanyeol confirmed. "I'll make sure of it." With those words the male left the office, closing the doors behind him. 

"Calm down," Areum whispered, caressing his cheek. "He's not worth it, trust me." 

"Nobody is allowed to call you a wh*re, as for the broken nose, that should be the least of his worries! His daughter?! How dare he call her that after all, he has put her through?! Is Ari safe?" 

Areum nodded her head, as she looked into his eyes. "Ari is fine. I talked with my brother and she is safe. We are all watching out after her."

He was furious, stiff, and it felt like he was about to explode, and Areum didn't like that. She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his chest and closing her eyes. Baekhyun took a deep breath, taking in her scent, as he ran his hand through Areum's hair. 

"I'm sorry," Areum whispered. "I didn't want this to happen.” 

"People like him make me sick, and I promise you that he will never come near you or Ari, even if I have to beat the hell out of him," Baekhyun said, as he moved to look at Areum. “Seeing his ugly face is enough, and he now thinks he can appear whenever he wants? Not under my watch.”

She smiled, placing her hand on his cheek. "You will not beat anyone, because I won't allow it. That's exactly what he wants. I understand your anger, but no, Baek. No. He is here to provoke, to find reasons to get others in trouble, and I don't want you to fall into his trap. I had dealt with him before, and I will do it again." 

"You are not alone, and I refuse to let you fight alone." Baekhyun leaned his forehead against hers. "It might sound strange, but even though Ari is not my biological daughter, she is still precious to me and so are you. You both deserve better." 

"I know," She smiled. "Just calm down, okay? Let’s go get a cup of coffee and take a walk. It will help, how does that sound, huh?”

He nodded his head and took her hand, as the two of them walked out of the office and down the hallway. Baekhyun didn’t give a damn if someone was watching them holding hands or not, besides it wasn’t their business and they shouldn’t care about that. As the two approached the company restaurant Baekhyun walked over to the counter and ordered two cups of coffee to go.

While Areum waited, she leaned on one of the walls and looked out the window. She was still under the influence of yesterday’s trial. Despite that time that had passed it still wasn’t easy to talk about the hell she had gone through with Da, especially not in front of her parents and brother. Yes, Junmyeon knew many things… but not all. Something things were better left unsaid. It would only break his heart even more… but sadly he heard it yesterday… and it killed him.

***

Areum was standing next to the balcony door, looking into the garden, as her mind wandered off as she thought about everything that had happened in court. She survived but the chilling feeling of seeing him kept running through her spine.

“Are?” Junmyeon called out as he walked into the living room.

She turned around and smiled slightly as she looked at her brother. “Hey.”

“What are you doing up so late?” He asked softly as he made his way towards her.

“My brain refuses to shut off,” She confessed.

He hugged his sister, gently patting her back. “You did well today. I know it wasn’t easy to talk about it as you have been through much more than you have told us… it broke me honestly, but I am very proud of you. We all are. You are one brave woman.” He whispered.

Areum hugged her brother tightly. He had always been there for her, regardless of her state, regardless of her worries, he always knew what to say and when to say it. She knew her brother was heartbroken by what he had heard today, and she knew he wanted to take her pain away, but he couldn’t and it was killing him.

“I love you,” She smiled.

“I love you too, little sis.”

***

Baekhyun walked over to her. “Here.”

“Thank you,” She smiled as he shook her out of her thoughts.

“You are welcome,” He replied. “What’s got you so deep in thought?”

“About yesterday’s events, that’s all.”

“Want to talk about it?” He asked as the two walked out of the building.

“My family didn’t know about many of the things that I went through… as for my brother… it broke him and it worries me.”

Baekhyun wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “It broke us all, but let’s try to hang in there, huh? And once all this is over we can relax and also Christmas is approaching as well.”

She smiled and nodded her head. “Why don’t we all have a Christmas party together, huh? Friends and family?”

“I love the idea, speaking of which I need to start looking for presents for the kids,” He grinned. 

“Are you being for real now?” She asked.

“Yes,” Baekhyun said. “She is my daughter.”

Areum blinked before looking at him. She was about to say something, but Baekhyun didn’t allow her as his lips crashed on hers. She blushed but leaned into the kiss. It felt like time had stopped for them and they didn’t have a care in the world.
 

Baekhyun put on his leather jacket and looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was neatly done and fell perfectly to the side. He placed his wristwatch and picked his wallet and phone up, placing them in the inner pocket of his jacket. It was a long day for both of them, from meetings to dealing with foreign partners. Then there was Dal’s visit. Baekhyun couldn’t help but hiss at the thought of that person. He was beyond annoying and had no morals whatsoever. That was beyond Baekhyun’s understanding.

Areum’s schedule wasn’t any better. She had to work in the ATC tower and also work with the engineers over some small details. Aside from the small walk, they had and a short lunch break neither one of them had time for anything else. It was surely a hectic day for all of them, but it came to an end and it was now time to relax. Finally.

Baekhyun had prepared the beach house for them so they could have a nice time, eat, talk, listen to some music and just relax as they watched and listened to the waves crashing against each other. It was easy to make Areum happy since they both liked the same things, and simple things were her favorite. She didn’t ask for stars or the moon. She only wanted to enjoy and have a nice memory. Those small things made her happy. That’s one of many things Baekhyun loved about her… but then again, if he could he would reach the stars and get them for her.

Once he was ready, he made sure everything was in place before leaving.

*

Areum was in Ari’s room to check up on her daughter. The little girl prepared her toys since Jongin said that he would be bringing Jieun over for a sleepover and both Nari and Ari were excited about it. They loved Jieun and they already started calling her their sister. The little bundle of joy fits in perfectly with them and thanks to Ari and Nari she opened up a bit more. But that was no surprise. Both Ari and Nari were loud and it was impossible to stay shy around them. They just didn’t allow it.

“Since you girls will be up late, don’t be too loud, okay?” Areum said as reached for the Barbie Airplane that was placed on the top shelf.

“Don’t worry,” Ari grinned. “I know that JunJun has work tomorrow. Can you also reach those barbie dolls that go with the plane?”

Areum smiled and nodded before she placed the airplane down and reached for the dolls. “Here you go. Do you need anything else?”

“I prepared everything else,” Ari smiled.

“Alright and-”

Ari hugged her mom. “I promise not to be loud and listen, don’t I always?” She battled her eyes.

Areum couldn’t help but laugh at her daughter’s reactions. “You little rascal.”

“They surprise us every day, don’t they?” Eun chuckled, leaning on the doorway. “Nari is looking for toys in her room, but she will be joining you shortly.”

“They sure do,” Areum added. “It’s all fun and games with them.”

Ari got up. “I’ll go help her.”

With that, the little girl ran out of her room and down the hallway. Eun was about to say something when the doorbell was heard. Both Areum and Eun walked out of the room and went downstairs. One of the staff already opened the door and Jieun came running inside followed by Jongin and Eunji who were carrying bags. Eun and Areum looked at each other and then the