"Double Trouble"

 

 

“Alex, let Mommy see your teeth.” Jinah checked on Alex as I watched them sitting next to me at the back of the car. Alex was sitting between us; he looked to the left, facing his mother who carefully checked on his teeth. Alex has been having toothache these days, Jinah believed that’s because he’s eating too much candies while being lazy to even brush his teeth before sleep.

“Is it still hurt?” she asked him as she caressed his cheek. Alex shook his head.

“It’s okay.” He replied.

“Don’t forget to brush your teeth. Remember?”

Alex nodded in understanding. I smiled as I saw how obedient he was, reminded me of the younger version of me. I was an obedient son myself; my mother never had a hard time to make me follow what she said. I ran my fingers through Alex’s soft hair. My little boy grew up a little fast lately; I couldn’t help but noticed how time flew by. The twin almost aged 5 and I’m amazed with how much they’ve developed.

From unable to walk on their own until they able to ride their bike, Jinah and I are proud parent of these two amazing kids. Yes, every parent managed to praise their kids a lot, I got it. But it’s true. Having babies and taking care of it must have been the most outstanding job ever. You raisedò a human being, every time you looked at them, they changed, and they grew up. You couldn’t help but adoring these little cute kids. Well, maybe not every day; when they’re cranky they’re just as worst as their mother (I still need to catch up a lot with my wife, her mood changing surely worth the title of the most unpredictable things in the world).

Sitting on my lap, my baby girl leaned her head to my chest as she held my hand. This little one was having a hard time to accept that she’s going to go back to Seoul along with her mother and brother, sans me. Jaz never released my hand; she kept it close with her. But it’s another thing I love about having my babies with me, their clingy state. Alex always held my legs if he refused to go somewhere while Jaz held my hand like she would never let it go. Well, I’m the good cop here; kids surely look for me when their mother went on rage. Not often though, they surely missed Jinah like crazy when she’s not around. I really couldn’t do anything if it’s not for Jinah who took care of our kids very well.

“Jazmine, aren’t you going to sit on your own, Baby?” Jinah asked our daughter. As per usual moody term, she just shrugged while hugging me more. I placed my chin at the top of her head, smiling as I pressed it, making her struggled to release the pressure.

“Daddy...” she weakly whined.

I smiled in victory. Jaz is my little girl, she adores me so much that I felt like a hero in front of her. And I don’t think I’d be ready if one day, there’s another man in her life that she couldn’t live without. I mean... I totally got it now why Jinah’s father was so protective over her. He must have been loving Jinah as much as it was for me to Jaz. I bet it felt not good to learn that my daughter is having a boyfriend. No, Jaz wouldn’t date anyone untill she’s 25. I don’t care if she has no boyfriend, she’d be loved by me and her mother. Yes, sounds freak, I should not thinking too far.  

“She must have been missing you so much...” Jinah said, softly caressing my free hand.

“Should I just go to Seoul with you, Jaz?” I asked her; that was immediately brightened her mood.

“Really, Daddy?” she asked with such a high expectation. Wrong move, Kris. Wrong move.

I slowly shrugged before I changed her sitting direction so she could face me. “Maybe in another time?”

It took her seconds before she looked down again. I kissed her cheek, trying to get her attention but she’s just mommy’s mini-me, she completely ignored me when she’s not in the mood. “Oh come on, Jaz...” I tried to make her look at me again, but she totally didn’t buy it.

“Jaz, why are you angry?” Alex looked at his sister with his car toy.

“I’m not angry.” Jaz responded.

“You are angry.”

“I am not.”

And Jinah was just leaned to the back seat, shaking her head. “Here we go again...”

I playfully cupped their mouths before they protested and went back to their calm state. I held Jinah’s hand, just looking at her while letting out a small smile. She did nothing but intertwined our fingers while asking Alex to lean on her. I’m so going to miss the three of them.

Expanding the business, I need to stay in Shanghai for a while. I knew Jinah didn’t agree for me to go back and forth in between Shanghai and Vancouver but I’m grateful that she managed to make no big deal about it. It wasn’t easy to bring the topic about me moving around, leaving her with the kids. They’re bigger, not babies anymore, but they’re in a state where they’re growing and moving around every single time. And I know clearly how crazily these two could be when they’re feeling excited. The energy flown between them was so hard to hold; when they wanted to run, they would just run. Jinah and I usually would only sit on the side of the backyard, watching them.

“You got everything with you?” I asked Jinah when we arrived at the airport. Jinah checked on the two luggages she had with her and nodded. Traveling with kids required more luggages, even for five days travel time.

“It’s already complete.” Jinah commented, before she called on Alex. “Honey, will you sit with your sister while Mommy check on our luggage?”

“Okay, Mommy.” Alex nodded while taking Jaz’s hand. The twin seated on the bench while enjoying their evening juice.

“I really wish I could go with you...” I said as I helped Jinah with the luggage.

“Just finish everything here and go back for real. They’ve been missing your presence these days, always going to your office at home and just spending time there...” Jinah said as she linked her arm to mine, watching our little kids.

“Do you miss me?” I asked here, grinning pretty wide as I looked at her face.

“Very.” She replied as she softly rubbed on my cheek. “Come home soon, Kris.”

I brought her hand to my lips, kissing it three times. “I will. It’d be another one month and I’ll be back to Seoul.” I said, hugging her for a while before I kissed the top of her head. I’ve been enjoying her presence in Shanghai every single day, now that I have to let her go back, I’m having a hard time on my own.

“I’ll go to Seoul in the next two weeks.” I told her when we parted.

“Just make sure you tell Jaz a day before your arrival. She’s surely going to wait for you from tonight if you told her about it right now...” Jinah rolled her eyes, smiling.

Before they’re heading for immigration, I made my time with the kids. I gave them a hug and I could feel a very warm feedback from them.

“I’m going to miss you, Daddy.” Jaz said, still hugging me.

“I’m going to miss you both...” I replied. “Alex, remember what I said to you?”

Alex nodded. “I should not be naughty. I have to take care of Mommy and Jaz and I should brush my teeth.”

I smiled at him. “Very good. And how about you, Jaz?”

“I should not fight with Alex and I should follow what Mommy said...” she said while looking at me.

I kissed the kids the last time before leaving them with my wife. Never once I felt a moment of feeling like I’m going to lose them. And as I waved to them, I learned how my mother felt when she saw my back every time I left the country.

I miss them already.

 

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“Mommy can I sit on the alley?” Alex asked when we arrived at our seat. I nodded and he felt happy to sit on the alley, grinning so wide, looking like his father.

“Jaz, do you need anything from your backpack? Mommy will put it on the cabin bag.”

“I have Mr. Bunny with me, Mommy... I’m okay.” She responded, leaning to the seat while she held the rabbit doll, her forever favorite. It’s a gift from Kris’ mother, Jaz really love the doll.  

I rechecked for the last time before I sat in the middle of them. After putting the seatbelt properly, I chatted with the twins. It’s a good thing actually to introduce them to the air travel. They never cried during a flight, a short or long one was never a problem for me and Kris. It seemed like they got used to it, so whenever we have to travel with the airplane, only excitement filled the space I shared with them. In a short trip, they rarely fell asleep. Alex would be playing the games in the plane while Jaz talking with me or Kris. I found that this one really love talking.

“When Daddy will be back with us, Mommy?” she asked with her eyes locked at me.

“Daddy is working for us; he’ll be soon finishing it so he can be back together with us in Vancouver. Aren’t you happy to know it?”

“And we will stay with grandma and grandpa?”

“For this time, yes. Daddy will be busy in Shanghai, but if we stay in Seoul, it’d be easier for him to see us.”

Jaz didn’t ask anything else and played again with her doll. I softly sighed as I touched her hair, kissing the top of her head. I never imagined a life like this before. Following my hiatus from the entertainment world, I’ve dedicated my time for my family. Living in Vancouver made me very independent and matured as a woman and a mother as well. We’re still living in Vancouver, but for these two months, I moved to Seoul with my kids, staying in our house there. Kris was somehow incredibly busy while I’m not feeling comfortable to stay in Shanghai, so we chose to stay in Seoul while he moved around Shanghai and Seoul. It should be very soon for him to close the deal and finally moved back to Vancouver.

“Mommy. There’s a baby...” Alex told me while appointing the cute little baby who looked back at him. The little baby boy was smiling while Alex waved at him.

“Cute...” Alex said, waving his car toy to the baby. Once again, the baby boy smiled.

“Can he talk?” Jaz looked with interest towards the baby.

The baby mother’s noticed us and politely nodded. “He’s just a year, he couldn’t talk yet.” She explained.

“What is his name?” Jaz asked.

“Matthew. Hey, Matthew. Say hi to the brother and sister...” his mommy said. Baby Matthew looked away but then grinned towards the twins.

“Are they twins? Their faces aren’t really looking alike?” the mother asked again.

“Well, they are.”

“Are the twin always calm in a flight?” the baby mother asked me.

“They’re very calm and always look for something to do. It’s pretty easy to handle them.” I responded.

“It’s Matthew’s first flight. I’m afraid he would cry... You know, baby is unpredictable...”

“It’d be okay. Just talk with him during takeoff, make him comfortable with the change of the height, it should be okay for him once we’re settled in the air.” 

“Does Matthew want to play with Mr. Rabbit?” Jaz offered her favorite doll. I looked at her, smiled at how nice her offer was.

Matthew looked at Jaz, looked back at his mother, and said something in gibberish while pointing the doll.

“Mommy, does he want the doll?” Jaz asked me.

“Boy should play car toy, not a doll...” Alex commented. “Here, have my car toy, Matthew...” Alex offered his blue car toy. Again, Matthew just spoke gibberish.

“No, he’s fine. Thanks for offering the toy...” the mother politely refused.

When we’re finally take off, Jaz and Alex then played again sometimes talking with me, sometimes asking me for snacks, just being usual. I spotted Matthew looking at me, smiling cutely. I smiled back and waving at him, he seemed amused.

“Mommy, do you know how to talk with baby?” Alex asked.

“Hmm. I don’t think so...”

“How do you talk with us?”

As usual, my curious little boy. “I just guessed your cry...” and my answer left the kids interested.

“How do you know?” Jaz asked with a confused face.

“I don’t know. I’m your mother; you two had been living here...” I appointed my stomach. “So you two connected to me. And maybe that’s why I can tell what your cry means...”

Jaz and Alex looked at each other, seemed amazed with what I said. I couldn’t help but smiling them. I would never want to exchange them with anything in this world, no. They’re so precious, I couldn’t contain my feeling.

“Mommy is so cool.” Alex mumbled.

“Very.” Jaz added with a deep nod. I just let out a chuckle as I pinched their cheek.

“If we cry now, will you know what does it mean?” Alex asked again.

I let out a small laugh. “Of course not, Alex. Why would I know about it? Beside, you can tell me what’s wrong. No need to cry while I guess what’s wrong with you two...”

“Do you know what Matthew said, Mommy?”

I shook my head. “But I guess his mom will know it.”

The twins ended up enjoying more game and snacks given by the flight attendant. All of them must have really liked my kids since they kept going back to our seat, just to offer entertainment for the kids. Jaz was pretty happy with her apple juice; sometimes she peeked at Matthew, wondering what the baby doing. But overall, Matthew stayed calm.

“Mommy...” Alex called me.

“Yes, Alex?”

“Can I give this?” he showed me his card collection, a set of Transformers card.

“You’re going to give this? To who?”

He moved a little higher to whisper on my ear. I found it cute; I had his hand on my arm.

“The sister in pink is pretty...” he whispered.

“What?”

I looked away from Alex and found him looking at the seat next to us. A young couple seen there, talking to each other, but yes I didn’t miss the pretty girl in pink sweater that Alex meant. It’s somehow funny to see him looking at girl and he smiled when the girl looked at him, waving.

“Do you like her?” I asked Alex. He just giggled, leaning his head to my arm.

“She’s pretty, like Mommy.”

“Oh Alex...” I said as I kissed the top of his head. This one had been sweet around girls these days. He always praised his aunties, telling the grandmas they’re beautiful, and sometimes, telling his twins that she’s cute (if he’s not busy telling her to just cut her long hair because he thinks it’s annoying).

For the rest of the flight, I read some magazines while watching my kids. Jaz practically glued to the window outside, she likes the evening; it’s the time for stars to appear, her favorite thing. As for Alex, since he said the girl in pink is pretty, I watched him in silent. I’m curious with what he would do.

Alex was never a kid who felt awkward about being around people, he likes socializing and that’s probably why he’s happy to play around with the girl. She’s kind enough to play with Alex. Looking from her face, she seemed to be in college along with her boyfriend. Alex stole a glance at her, showing her his card and offering her. She followed his game, she pretended to ask him to give his card, but then Alex shook his head before he giggled on his own.

“Teasing noona?” I asked him, watching him in amusement. 

“She wants my card.”

“Will you give her?”

“Should I give her?”

I rubbed his cheek softly. “Well, you can give it to her.”

“Will she accept it?”

“She might be.”

Alex looked at the girl once again and after that, looking at me.

“Well, let’s see.”

 

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When we landed in Seoul, my kids seemed to be awakened more than ever. They didn’t look tired or sleepy at all. They chatted to each other ever since we left the plane to walk to the arrival gate. Once we’re done with the immigration, we’re waiting for our luggage. And just like that, we bumped to the young couple we saw on the airplane.

“Mommy, it’s her...” Alex said as he appointed the girl. She’s standing next to her boyfriend, waiting for the luggage as well. Unknowingly, Jaz came close to the girl who’s standing next to the conveyor belt. And just like a magnet, Alex followed. I stayed on the back, watching them.

“Where is our bag?” Jaz asked to Alex.

“I don’t know...”

“Where is your bag?” Jaz asked the girl, she was surprised and stopped talking to her boyfriend, looking at the twins.

“I haven’t seen mine as well.”

“What is your bag color?” Jaz asked again.

“Pink.”

“Me too!” Jaz responded in excitement. “My bag is pink and it is a Hello Kitty bag.”

“Really? I love Hello Kitty.” the girl replied, smiling at Jaz genuinely.

“Is your bag a Hello Kitty bag too?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s just pink.”

“Do you have sticker on your bag?”

“No, I don’t have it. Do you have sticker on your bag?”

Jaz nodded. “I have a lot of stickers, I like stickers.”

I smiled as I listened to Jaz’s answer. It’s true, she’s a sticker collector. Jaz has so many stickers; she’s been collecting it for a while.

“Really? You have a lot of stickers?” the girl asked, interested with Jaz.

“She has a lot of stickers.” Alex answered for Jaz.

“Oh. Do you like stickers too?” she asked him. Alex shook his head.

“I like cards.” He showed her his cards once again. Alex must have been really like her.

“Yeah, I saw that. What kind of cards do you like?”

“Transformers.”

“I like Transformers too...” this time, the girl’s boyfriend commented. “Which Transformers do you like? Optimus Prime or Bumblebee?” Alex suddenly looked more excited with the boyfriend than the girl.

“Prime!” Alex answered with a big grin.

“Oh no, where’s the bag?” Jaz suddenly said with her dramatic expression. Her bag was not yet seen; I bet she’s missing it a lot.

“Is that your bag?” Jaz held the girl’s hand and appointed a pink luggage.

“No, it’s not.”

“How do you know your bag?”

“Well, mine has a luggage tag. What about you?”

“It’s Hello Kitty. And I have stickers too!”

“Really? Can I have the stickers?”

Jaz crossed her hands and looked like she’s thinking. “No.” She shook her head.

“Oh, okay.” The girl seemed surprised that Jaz rejected her request.

“Well, I can give you...” she said while shrugged in ignorant. I really wanted to laugh to myself. Jaz just acted like me. I always give that shrug when I told people something is not a big deal.

The girl smiled again as she looked to Jaz. “What is your name?”

“Guess my name.”

“Yes, you should guess our name.” Alex suddenly joined.

The girl and her boyfriend smiled at the twins, looking amused.

“You are twins, right?” he asked the twins. Both of them nodded.

“Wow. Cool.” He commented. “Boy and girl twins.”

“My name starts with J.” Jaz said. I shook my head. This girl really likes to be the center of attention.

“Hmm. J? What is it?” the girl asked.

“You don’t guess...” Alex commented, making the girl’s boyfriend smiled at him. “Tell us, please.” He made a cute pleading face.

“My name is J-A-Z. Jaz.” She answered.

“Just Jaz?”

“Jazmine Wu. But you can call me Jaz.”

“You have an adorable name, Jaz.” The girl said. “And what about you?” she asked Alex.

“My name is Alexander Wu. But you can call me Alex.” He said in such a polite way, adding a small bow to the couple.

“Hi Alex. I’m Minho.” The boy gave his hand and did the handshake with Alex. It’s funny to see how Alex was not looking awkward at all. He must have been copying his dad along the way.

“And I’m Irene.” The girl introduced herself, kneeling on the floor. “You two are so cute. Can I take a picture with you?”

The twins looked at each other before they nodded a little bit shy but actually excited over it. Minho, the boyfriend, took the picture with the kids while Irene posed with them. It’s funny to see Alex and Jaz smiled to the camera excitedly, just like they did at home. Kris and I surely a fan of our kids, we kept taking their pictures; we even have a picture of them awakened in the morning. No matter how big they grew up, it’s still interesting to see their picture on my phone.

It’s not that long when the luggage finally showed up. I came to take the luggage; Minho helped me a little as well. I introduced myself to them and I couldn’t miss how surprised Irene was when she learned that the twins actually are my kids. It happened that Irene had been idolizing me for a while, so when we met at the airport, she took the moment to take a picture of us.

“I thought she likes me. Why she wants to take picture with Mommy too?” Jaz asked Alex in such a cute way while we headed to the car that’s waiting at the gate.

My dearest adorable twins never failed to make me smile, no matter what. Before we got inside the car, the twins called the baby across us. Matthew and his mother were seen there, about to get to their car too.

“Bye Matthew, take care!” Jaz said with a wide smile.

“Bye bye Matthew!” Alex followed as well, waving to the baby while the mother politely smiled and waved back.

For some reasons, I felt happy that my kids acted so polite towards other. I’m proud of them. They grew up well and I couldn’t hold the happy feeling inside me on my own, I gotta tell my husband. But of course, a moment like this didn’t stay long. Alex and Jaz already competed again; this time, they made a competition over who could arrive first to the car. Twins, forever competing to each other...

And as they started running with their small steps, I thought that maybe... maybe, if they ever had a sibling, they would make the best brother and sister ever. How sweet it would be to have Jaz and Alex playing with their sister or brother, or maybe-

“Mommy, Alex is cheating on me!” Jaz said as she pouted and appointed Alex.

“No I’m not!”

“Yes you are!”

Okay, maybe it’s too early to talk about another baby. For now, I’m a busy mommy with two kids in my hand in one time...

 

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So yes, this is the story of the twins. It may not be that long, but it’s been in my mind for a while.

As you may already know, I started another Krisx Nana story, To the Wonder. A lot of ideas came across that one while I still remembered the twins and Andrew of Perfect Timing. I’ve been catching up with my drafts of stories, a lot of them will get updated. And as To the Wonder, I’ve already had a lot of brainstorming to develop it, so I hope I can start building the puzzles and present it to you guys.

I hope you enjoy this small update.

This one story happened when they still lived in Vancouver and no appearance about Andrew yet. That little one already made appearance quite a lot.

So see you soon guys! Enjoy!

 

xoxo,

yuriyaa