Chapter Three:                                                                    The Beginning of Searching 

   It was the brink of dawn when he reached the banks of the province. He hadn’t got any sleep for the past hours yet he felt fully awake, very much awake than he think he can still pull some chores.

   Busan was the third province he’ll visit for the month, he had been to two provinces some few weeks ago, and though it sounds very lethargic, he wasn’t exhausted, not even once.

   His determination to gather information about her whereabouts was strong, very strong that even his peers couldn’t pull that determination off his face. He was left hanging with myriads of questions to ask her, and because of her sudden disappearance, he could not ask her any.

   Taecyeon halted into a corner, and slowly, the sun was at its peak, ready to illuminate the entire South Korea with its blinding rays. “Let her be here” he muttered under his breath. Busan is a huge province with numerous places, she could be here but his chances of seeing her is lethal, but he still clings onto that chance, he will never know not until he tries.

   He entered a small building with a marquee “Motel” to have a temporary dwelling. He didn’t intent to stay there for more than a week, no, he’ll move places to places. And he wouldn’t stop not until he saw her.

   “Does anyone know why Jung Jessica had suddenly dropped out of the class? If I’m not mistaken, she had dropped out from all of her classes.” Their professor had said as he run his finger through a brown clipboard where he reads the name of the enrolled student.

   The students just shrug their shoulders and glanced at their seatmates, wondering whether someone can answer the question. It had been a complete shock for them, for Jessica is one of the best female students in that class. She was born and raised in California, USA after all. And acing their World Literature class, which was taught using the English language, was not hard for her.

   The professor placed his clipboard down on his desk and fixed his spectacles at the bridge of his nose before gazing at the two anxious men, fidgeting their fingers at their respective seat. “Mr. Lee and Mr. Ok” he called.

   The two men, startled, had lifted their head towards the front, and visible enough, the news had brought fretfulness to their eyes. Mr. Kim, their Literature professor had shrug their contagious stares, of course he was worried, for Jessica had been a great student and far most the best in the class, and the sudden news of her quitting school is a complete enigma.

   “Do the both of you know why she quits school? Any problem she’s facing?” Mr. Kim tries to purge on casually, making sure that his intonation does not seem like he’s prying on.

   The two men just shrugged their shoulders, sighing heavily at the thought of it. But Taecyeon does not only felt worried and concern at that very moment, he was furious as well too, fuming at the sight of the man sitting a few rows in front of him. He wished to say that Jessica had faced serious problems, a problem that might cause her to drop her subjects at such extent. It was his entire fault, the man sitting his on the class, attending regularly and not minding what might be happening to her—does she eats, does she sleeps? No, and seeing him as anxious as he himself was, he can’t help but to seethe with rage. For that man, Lee Donghae, does not have any rights to be worried about her at all, it was his fault to begin with and—

   “—she’s pregnant, I think…” a voice had interrupted the whole intense silence of the class. Even Taecyeon’s train of thoughts was disturbed. All attention drew on that student, a female with long blonde hair. She was rather uncomfortable with her own statements and thus she added “…I don’t know if my speculation was right, but…” her voice trailed off, as if wavering at her own theory.

   “…I think she is” another female had added, nodding her head as she recalls some situations. “For a week, she had been pale and nausea. She will practically ask for everything there is in the cafeteria menu and when she’s about to eat, she will push her tray away…” she paused. Some students nodded, it was still cynical, and everyone can face situations just like that.

   “…and she had been constantly vomiting, I saw her once when I was at the girls’ bathroom. I asked her if she’s okay and she just smiled at me, but she was completely pale” another had added.

   Taecyeon and Donghae couldn’t help but to be at the edge of their seats, if she was pregnant, how neither one of them could have not noticed it. Taecyeon was with her every day, pulling her up off bed and persuasively dragged her into the bathroom and dragged her all the way to class, and even with that, he wasn’t able to notice at all.

   “—I don’t know if I should say this or not, but…” a younger looking female had timidly said, raising her arm slightly in the air as she tried to catch their attention—which worked. “…I was at the bathroom one day, and Jessica-shi was waiting in queue at the cubicle I was in. When I got out, she was there, and she was apprehensive during that time. I was washing my hands and applying make-up when I realized I had left my handkerchief inside the cubicle, so I waited for her to get out and that’s when I found…” she paused for a while, rummaging her bag, looking for something and when she caught sight of it, she lifted it in the air, visible for everyone to have a glimpse “…this” it was a pregnancy kit, and everyone gasped in shocked, all attention drew to two men.

   Donghae’s eyes widened, as though his eyeballs were ready to jump out of their sockets. He couldn’t believe it; everything that had been said is simply ridiculous. How could they possibly jump into a conclusion that Jessica’s pregnant, she couldn’t be, can she?

   “How’d you know it’s hers and not somebody else’s?” Donghae had shot her a sharp and brisk question, curtly cutting off the curious gaze his classmates were throwing either at him or at Taecyeon.

   “Well, for one reason, the kit wasn’t there when I used the cubicle, and when I got inside to grab my hanky, it was there. Only she and I had used the cubicle.” The female had answered indignantly.

   “I—“ Donghae was about to refute when a loud slammed on one of the desk had startled the whole class. Taecyeon had already gathered his stuffs, ready to dash out of the room any seconds now.

   “Mr. Ok, where are you going? Our class isn’t done yet, you—“

   “—I’m going to find her.”

   He remembered that moment vividly, and after exiting that room four years ago, he had not seen any of her sight again. Four years ago, he said he’ll find her, and four years had passed, yet, he couldn’t track her down.

   “Where could you be, Jessica?”

****

   The bright rays of sun had woken up the married couple, slowly and carefully, Kris had adjusted his eyes to the illuminating rays coming through the clear glass window at the side, the morning was cold, and although it was winter, the sun was up, something he considered rare.

   He turned to face the sleeping figure beside him, and he couldn’t believe that everything is real. Last night, the woman he loved had finally said the words he had long for, the three words he waited to hear for the past three years of their married life. He knew that she wasn’t ready, and marrying him was an option.

   Seeing her lying on the same bed with him, with their bodies touching, and the fact that something intimate had happened between the two of them last night, he couldn’t help to start the day with a beam, for everything is surreal—yet it was the reality.

   He kissed her forehead, slightly squeezing her shoulders as he did so, causing her to softly moan.

   She warily opened her eyes; it was a new feeling to wake up during the winter season with the sun greeting you. But her husband scent had washed away all of her questions about the weird weather outside. She doesn’t mind if it’s utterly cold yet somehow warm (thanks to the sun) outside, because right now, with the feeling she has, she thinks she can enlighten the whole world. Her happiness is simply immeasurable and indescribable.

   “I love you” she whispered, nuzzling at the crook of his neck.

   “I love you too, Sooyeon. I couldn’t believe everything is happening, it seems…surreal. If last night was a dream and if I’m still dreaming, please don’t wake me up”

   “You’re not dreaming, everything’s real Kris, I, you, we…” she was cut off when Kris’ tender lips had landed on hers, giving her a chaste morning kiss which she gladly reciprocated.

   “I’m truly happy, Sooyeon. I—“the sudden yank at the knob had startled them both.

   Kris had pushed the cover off his body whilst Jessica pulled the cover securely around her body. “Mommy! Daddy! Why is the door locked?” Luhan had shouted outside, still yanking the door as he knocks several times.

   Kris and Jessica had exchanged nervous looks. They couldn’t afford having Luhan see them in such situation, how would they explain a make love at a boy who’s merely three years old.

   Kris slipped himself at his boxers while Jessica hides herself beneath the cover, peaking one of her hands pointing he manage the whole situation.

   “Mommy! Daddy!” Luhan shouted even more, yanking the knob hastily. “Are you in there?”

   “Baby Lulu, hold on a sec”

   Kris opened the door and Luhan had run straight into the bed, ignoring the arms of his father that was spread into the air, expecting his morning hug.

  “Mommy!” He enthusiastically called, climbing up the king sized bed.

  Though fully covered by the thick comforter, Kris could tell that Jessica had stiffened when the bed had bounce, portraying that Luhan had clambered up the bed. Kris chuckled for a while, before…

   “Mommy!” Luhan called, pulling the cover down. His little hands had gripped the top of the blanket and pulled the fabric off his mother’s face. But Jessica clutches to it tightly. “Mommy, take off the blanket”. Being unsuccessful with pulling off the cover from the top, Luhan crawled and began pulling the covers from her toes. “Mommy, why—“

   Kris had pulled Luhan and sat him on his lap. “Lulu, Mommy is sleeping, why are you waking her up?” He asked, trying to calm down the latter as he tries to break free and crawled back to his mother.

   “But, I want Mommy! It’s already morning; Mommy should be up to cook breakfast!” He whined, slumping small body at his father’s laps.

   “Mommy is…” He paused for a while, he was about to say Mommy’s tired but stop himself from blurring out some adult matters. “…Mommy is sick, she caught a cold last night so let her rest”

   “Why is Mommy sick?” Luhan began being worried, glancing at his mother who had faked a cough after hearing her husband’s alibi.

   Kris couldn’t help but chuckled, how can he be stuck with two children. “November is winter season Luhan, and it’s inevitable to catch a cold during days like this one. And Mommy’s body is weak, you know she’s immune to sickness” Kris flinched as he felt a kick from the behind, apparently the so-called ‘sick’ Jessica was listening to their conversation, making his smile grew wider.

   “Oh…” Luhan said. “If Mommy got cold then why is Daddy ? Why don’t you have a shirt on Daddy?” Luhan asked innocently with a tinge of worry.

   “That is…” Kris finds it hard to answer Luhan’s question concerning Jessica’s matter and now his matter. “…well…” he stammered, what good excuse could he give Luhan now. “…I was about to wash myself when I heard you calling, so Daddy went out to open the door”

   “Oh… okay, I’ll be down in the living room, wash faster okay Daddy?” Luhan had hopped off Kris’ laps before pecking him a kiss on the cheek. He run towards the fully cladded Jessica to send her some morning kisses as well before dashing out of the room.

   When Luhan closed the doors, Kris sighed heavily while tapping Jessica’s foot. “He’s gone” he said before he got up from the bed to lock the door again.

   “That was nerve-wrecking!” Jessica said exasperated as she pulled the cover down enough to show her face. Her bed hair had been messier, but Kris couldn’t notice it at all, because right now, in his sight, Jessica is the prettiest woman on Earth.

   “It was. I love you” He said before stealing a kiss.

   “I love you too, but go and freshen up yourself and play with Luhan before he comes here again and started pulling the cover down” Jessica jovially said before pecking him at the lips as well.

   Kris nodded obediently, and with a last kiss, he went into the bathroom.

****

   “She had left this morning with her belongings” A woman who he had predicted was on her mid 60’s had said as he knocked on the door hastily.

   He whipped his head and asked desperately “To where?”

   The woman just shrugged her shoulders and he started pulling his hair off. He was panicking right now, her sudden disappearance had caused such a ruckus at one of their classes and the rumor that she was pregnant was still ringing in his head.

   “I don’t know. I just saw her left this morning with her things. I actually don’t know her so we just exchange some polite bows and she left” She answered casually, looking at him curiously. “Why is there anything that had happened between the two of you?”

   Donghae gave her a look, if she doesn’t know Jessica well then in his perspective, she doesn’t need to pry into her life or in their lives, what’s between them was none of her business.

   “If you really want to see her why don’t you ask the guy who was always with her” she said suggestively.

   “Who?” Donghae was taken aback, ‘a guy who was always with her’ that couldn’t be…

   “The tall guy with a masculine features, he’s somewhat tan and I think that’s her boyfriend” Definitely Taecyeon.”I think she moved out because…” she paused as she inch closer “…she’s pregnant”

   Donghae couldn’t believe what he was hearing, how everybody could conclude that Jessica was pregnant and if she really is then…

   “My son was passing through her door some night last week, and he told me that he heard some moans coming from her door. She, together with her boyfriend had gotten drunk that same night, maybe because they’re under the influence so both didn’t knew what they were doing” She said casually, as if the matter was simply normal for youngsters.

   Donghae was fuming with anger, fist clenched into a ball as he watch the retreating figure of the woman. Taecyeon, Taecyeon did touched her, something had happened between them, but a month ago, the same thing happened between him and Jessica and as he tries to calm himself that Jessica doesn’t feel the same—the thing is, they did it out of love and not because they’re drunk.

   And right at that moment, he dashed out of the building, starting his search for her.

   Donghae had awoken by the loud noise coming from the kitchen; it was when he noticed that it was already morning. Everything was just a dream.

   He was at Kyuhyun’s house, right after washing himself from the hotel; Donghae had left the premises, not bothering to wake the girl who was soundlessly sleeping. He just placed the money at the bedside table and heat out.

   “Finally awake, hyung?” He saw Kyuhyun asked as he sits, he apparently had slept at the couch and the way he had slept seemed rather uncomfortable giving his neck some cramps.

   “Sort of” he groaned as he felt his head throbbing with pain, massaging his temples as he rested his head at the headrest.

   “I told you to stop drinking last night, look at you” Kyuhyun nagged, flipping through the page of the newspaper he was reading.

   “Yeah, yeah, I just…” Donghae closed his eyes as he continuously massages his temples, relaxing himself a bit.

   “Here drink some water” He pushed the glass in front of him towards Donghae’s. “Yoona will be done cooking in a minute, you can have breakfast here”

   “Yeah. Thanks”

****

   Luhan was happily playing with his playmates, Seohyun and Changmin whilst the three of them were having fun with little Sehun.

   Their parents were having a nice little chat at the dining room, trying to catch up with matters especially with the pregnant Victoria.

   “So how are you?” Jessica asked as she poured some orange juice with Kris hugging her from the behind, he just would pull off.

   “Well, it’s kind of hard really, because she craves a lot of food and I have to buy everything she asked for, and talk about mood swings! She’s really—“But Nickhun was cut off when his wife had glare at him, earning him a whack at the side.

   Jessica and Kris just laughed; watching them banter is very much amusing. “I’m not really asking you Nick, I’m asking Vic”

   “Oh…” slightly embarrassed, Nickhun had got up from his seat to give his wife a hug, which she shrugs. “Why~” he whines.

   “Yah, we’re not at home so keep your hands to all to yourself” Victoria answered sharply, shaking her head as she watches her husband’s retreating figure. “Do me a favor Nick, go and check on the kids.”

   Limply, he nodded and went to the living room.

   “I’m fine really, except with the hardships of craving, I’m totally fine. I have Nickhun right under my palms” she answered jovially, rubbing her stomach.

   “I heard that Vic!” They heard Nickhun shouts from the living room and in a few seconds he’s back with Sehun in his arms and Luhan tailing behind.

   “Mommy! I want a baby brother too!” Luhan run towards his mother, who had finally break free from Kris’ grips and hugs her legs.

   “You can play with Sehun, Luhan. You can treat him as a brother” Nickhun said as he cuddles the six-month old Sehun on his arms.

   “But I want my own baby brother, the one who stays here until night!” Luhan demanded.

   “But Lulu…”

   “I guess some people must be busy doing some bed activity from now on” Nickhun teased, gaining him glares from the three adults as he whistles innocently.

   Jessica had turned beetroot red instantly, remembering what had happened just the night before. But she wished for the same thing to, to have a new baby whilst the with Luhan was only four years.

   “Mommy?” Luhan called

   “Yes baby?”

   “How do babies are made?” He asked innocently. Victoria had choked while drinking her own juice and Nickhun had immediate run to her rescue whilst Jessica and Kris exchanged unease glances.

   “Well baby…” Jessica tried to explain, but explaining that thing to a kid is simply uncomfortable “…babies were created when a male and a female were together” she said, wary of her words selection.

   “And that’s it?” Blinking his eyes towards his mother, innocently asking her if she’s done.

   Jessica nodded stiffly “Yes baby, well that’s basically is”

   Luhan nodded and a grin had crept through the contours of his cheeks before he run towards the living room shouting “Seohyun-ah, let’s create a baby!”

   Jessica and Victoria nearly face palms themselves while Nichkun had found the conversation amusing.

   “Kris?”

   “I’m on it!” He said, running towards the living room.

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[A/N] So here's another chapter. I've included some past since I'm two chapters left before we bagan backtracking ^.^ I'm sure everybody wants to know the past right? And yes, something happened between Jessica and Donghae; and Jessica and Taecyeon, so the question is.... who is Luhan's biological father right? Well you need to read to find out. Also sorry for the lack of expression, but I really needed to post this (though I'm sure it wasn't the best and I could do more if I take some time to edit it) but, school's about to start and I need to reach at least five chapters. I hope you guys don't mind if it's kind of crappy T^T For give me, I'll be better next chapter. Also, I love Luhan here~ so innocent! And yes, please imagine Jessica and Kris' face when Luhan had asked for her mother and as he pulled the cover down and when he asked them about the creation of babies. Well, yeah~ that's all. Enjoy =))