“Ji, what are you doing up there? You’re taking forever. It’s just a dinner date, you know.” Jonghyun groaned, obviously annoyed by the fact that Jieun had taken almost an hour preparing for the date. He’d booked an expensive, high-class (not to mention high-cost) restaurant, and he didn’t tell her that, but somehow she seemed to know that they were going somewhere special.

“I’m almost done. Just wait, okay? Besides, isn’t the reservation at seven?” Jieun yelled from upstairs, pulling up her hair into a bun and clipping all of the excess baby hair up, leaving a fringe covering half of one of her eyes. Pursing her lips, she quickly took her clutch bag and clattered downstairs.

“Yes, it’s at seven, dear, but I’m getting a teeny weeny bit impatient. What’s taking you so long?” He asked, drumming his fingers on the tabletop. Jieun let out a sigh, trying her best not to start yelling at Jonghyun. “I’m coming, Jonghyun, hold on.”

At this, Jonghyun smiled, the sound of high-heels signaling that she’d finally finished. “Finally,” he muttered, and turned to face the stairs. He was awe-struck, no doubt, his mouth agape at the beautiful girl, no, scratch that, woman, gracefully stepping down.

“Honey, be careful of them flies. They might fly in there. You do realize that, don’t you? And I believe a gentleman like you know that it’s rude to stare.” She chuckled, approaching him with light and dainty steps. A smile curved her upon her lips, a pleased gleam in her eyes. Jonghyun, of course, snapped out of it when her voice resounded in the house clearly.

He offered his arm, kissing her neck (that was the only place he could kiss without ruining her makeup) softly. “You look amazing, baby. Amazing.” Jieun giggled, feeling like she was a teenager in love. (Of course, she wasn’t a teenager, technically, but she was still in love. That, no one could deny.)

She couldn’t hide her blush that tainted her cheeks, as she said, “That tickles… And you don’t look too bad yourself. Also, baby, haven’t you ever realized that I’ve always been amazing?” She couldn’t help but bask in the moment. Jonghyun smiled too, turning towards her and carefully adjusting the side of her dress (which had fallen a little too much, and was exposing too much of her, in his opinion.) “Yes dear, I’ve always known you to be amazing.”

Jieun seemed confused as to why he was adjusting her dress, because she looked at him curiously. He carefully brushed her hair and replied, “my wife is gorgeous, but she can only be this exposed to other men. The rest of you is mine, and for my eyes only.”

She knew then, at this moment, that he was about to lean in to kiss her (passionately), because his eyes had turned darker, a tell-tale sign that he wanted her. But she refused, grinning as she stepped out. “We’re going to be late, honey.”

Her husband could only roll his eyes and follow after her. And to think everyone thought that he was going to be the dominant one in their relationship. He then adjusted his watch, and started the engine of his car.

****

Donghae rolled over on his side, ruffling his own hair. His eyes were barely open, since it was only seven in the morning and for some strange reason, he’d woken up. Perhaps it was jetlag. He shook his head, and shifted his gaze, lowering it onto his wife, who was sleeping beside him. She looked peaceful.

“Sica…” He whispered, touching her facial features one by one, his finger’s feather-light. She didn’t stir. instead, Jessica groaned and said a few words, which sounded like gibberish. He chuckled, running his fingers down the bridge of her nose, then onto her lips. It was fascinating, how her lips could still be a rosy red while she slept; usually, it would be pale and dry (for most women, but Jessica wasn’t ‘most women’).

Donghae couldn’t help but envelope her in a hug while she slept, hugging her close and patting down her hair, combing it with his fingers. “Mm… Donghae, don’t go…” She mumbled, her eyes opening slowly. He swung a leg over her body, whispering again lowly, in her ear, “I’m not going anywhere, Jess… I won’t leave you, I promise.”

“I’m so happy you’re back, dear, really, really happy.” Jessica smiled, clinging onto him like a koala. She was glad that he was finally back after so long. Honestly, every day felt like hell when he wasn’t around. She didn’t like to admit that she depended on people, but if she didn’t hear from Donghae at least once a day, she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Of course, he never knew that, but unfailingly called her everyday (even if just once) just to let her hear his voice.

And then her smile faded a little. “Hae… I’m so sorry I got mad at you last night. I shouldn’t have.” She said, a pang of guilt overwhelming her as she remembered what had happened last night. He shook his head quickly, not accepting her apology.

“No, it’s not your fault. I should be at home more often. I will. My schedule’s cleared for the whole of next month, which means no trips out of Korea at all.” Donghae watched as her eyes lit up, her eyebrows arching up high. He nodded, as if to affirm her unspoken question of whether or not it was true.

She was delighted. “That’s wonderful, Donghae, wonderful.” And then, she placed a hand on his cheek and pressed her lips onto his, slipping her tongue inside hungrily. A cheeky smirk came upon his face, but he kissed her back with equal passion. Their tongues fought a hard and long battle, but eventually Jessica won. Which, was surprising considering he’d thought that she was half-awake. He reeled back for a moment, but she pulled him and kissed him again.

It took a great deal of (more) kissing before she moved back, gasping and slightly out of breath. The kiss was of need, not lust, not force, but of pure need. He looked at her, an amused smile playing on his lips. One of his bushy eyebrows were raised. She bit her lower lip and looked a little sheepish. “My bad. I kind of… you know… needed that.”

He kissed her forehead lovingly. “I know. I needed that too.” opened to voice her reply, but was cut off when a loud knock startled them both. “Hae, could you get the door please? I really can’t be bothered to go get it.”

“Right away, princess Jung.” Donghae laughed, moving out of their interlocked position and hopping off the bed, opening the door to a grinning Alice. Her question stunned both parents greatly. “Mommy, Daddy, what were you doing just now?”

****

“KIDS!” Yoona’s yell was practically earth shattering. Both children stopped fighting immediately, their eyes filling with tears. They’d never seen their mother so agitated before. Mere anger was expected of her, of course, since she was a mother of two kids, but she’d never actually yelled at them.

Minho rushed downstairs and jumped over the couch as he ran over to the two kids, picking them up. He soothed and cooed them, while Yoona just stood there, her eyes shut. She was clearly extremely frustrated. Although Minho wasn’t sure whether it was the kids, or everything else in general, or perhaps it was just that she was upset with herself.

Once the children were finally okay again, Minho told them to go upstairs and play in their rooms, and that he’d join them once he settled something. They nodded, sniffing, and went upstairs. He watched and listened as the door closed, and then he turned to face Yoona.

“Yoong, love, a-are you okay?” He stuttered nervously. Minho knew that recently she’d been acting up a lot, and they were extreme. Her temper went out of control, and it worried him greatly. “Please tell me what’s wrong, baby…”

Slowly and steadily, Yoona pivoted. Her lower lips were quivering, and now her eyes filled with tears. For the first time in a long, long while she’d broken down. “N-no…” She spoke with despair, covering her face with her hands. Now, Minho knew that he should comfort her, but he could take it no longer.

“What is wrong with you, Yoona?” His voice was raised, eyebrows creasing, gripping her shoulders. “You’ve been acting so weird! You’re scaring the kids, and you’re scaring me! I don’t know what’s up and I’ve been trying to find out what it is but you won’t tell me and that's what’s killing me inside. I’ve been trying to hold it in, but Yoong, you can’t keep it in you forever! Will you please, please tell me what’s wrong?!”

That did it for Yoona. She pushed him with her bare hands, stepping away from him. “I’m upset with myself, okay? I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. I don’t know, okay? God knows how hard I’ve been trying to fix this. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m sick and tired of having to always clean up after you! I’m always having to clear up your messes, always having to correct our kids’ mistakes when you teach them something wrong, or I don't know, pulling Jaehwa away from the television because he’s obsessed with soccer?”

In anyone else’s eyes this might have sound really foolish and nothing to get very mad about, but her expression was one of dead seriousness. Never before had she said those words, and when Minho began to look hurt once her words set in, she touched his shoulder, whispering, “Oh God, Minho… I’m so... so sorry… That was just… I was just being stupid and I should…”

There were no words.

He gazed at her, and she gazed at him, both of them breathing heavily. The tension was heightening between them, but then Yoona broke it and turned around, grabbing her bag from the sofa. She checked her bag and nodded. Wallet, phone, basic necessities, water bottle, notebook, pen. Minho stared into her back.

She pleated her hair and adjusted her shirt, then headed for the door. “Yoong, where are you going?” Her reply was short and curt. “I’m leaving. For a while. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” In her mind, she added, or whether I’ll be back. The door closed, and he didn’t go after her. Upstairs, the children opened the door and ran downstairs frantically.

“Where’s omma?” They asked in unison.

Minho could only shake his head and reply with as much hope in his voice as possible, “Omma’s gone for a while, she has something to do… But she’ll be back.”

I hope.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
God. This is SUCH a late update.
But I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Comments are loved!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! ^^