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Hyejoo had been preparing all day for their Christmas dinner. Waking up early she had marinated the turkey as well as stuffing it leaving it in the freezer as she prepared the other food. Googie had woken up to the loss of his mother’s embraces as well as the sound of pots and pans being washed. Hyejoo dried the dishes she had just washed before preparing to make the pies. Hyejoo put down the ingredients to make her sons breakfast who was still rubbing his eyes to remove tiredness. After he had breakfast, he sat in the living room watching Christmas movies waiting for Hyejoo so he could get dressed.
It wasn’t until past lunch where Googie had got tired of waiting going to the kitchen to complain to his mother. “Mama I want to get dressed now, everyone will be coming soon.” He crossed his arms trying to master a serious face. “Okay Babybun lets get you dressed.” She smiled, washing her hands and taking off her apron. She walked behind Googie who happily walked to his room waiting for his mother to get out his outfit.
Hyejoo had picked a white shirt and beige coloured trousers, to top it off she had bough him a light navy blue sweater vest which had a Criss-cross pattern on it. When Googie had got dressed Hyejoo combed his hair, kissing his head when she was done. “Mama what about my perfume.” He pointed to the still unopened perfume Jimin had bought him. Hyejoo got up opening it for him spraying the perfume in the air which Googie ran through like superman.
Hyejoo had continued to cook when Minnie and Jimin came over. When she was finally finished and had placed the turkey in the oven to roast slowly, she took off her apron and went to get ready. Hyejoo walked out wearing a light navy blue knitted body con dress matching her sons outfit. A pearl choker and earrings to make it look like she had put in some effort since she didn’t bother getting out fancy shoes staying in her fluffy slippers. “Dang girl.” Jimin whistled making Hyejoo laugh at his antics. Googie ran to hug his mama, asking if they could take a polaroid later.
The four of them were happily chatting as the turkey cooked while they waited for Taehyung. The doorbell rang and Googie jumped up and down in excitement that Taetae was finally here. Hyejoo opened the door surprised. “Taehyung?” she furrowed her eyebrows as she focussed her eyes at Taehyungs now long brown locks which were permed instead of his usual black mullet.
“Yea.” He gave off an awkward chuckle rubbing the back of his neck hoping he looked good. “You look great. Come in.” she smiled opening the door wider for him to enter. Taehyung gave her a shy ‘thankyou’ before following her into the living room. He placed his gift bags under the Christmas tree as instructed by Googie before sitting on the sofa, Googie making himself comfortable in the elders lap.
Taehyung looked amazing and Hyejoo couldn’t help but take many quick glances at him so she wouldn’t be caught staring. He wore a white sweatshirt, brown trousers and a warm plaid corduroy jacket with a fluffy collar. His hair matched his personality well, fluffy and Hyejoo just wanted to play with it. Jimin nudged her slightly making her immediately look away. Googie asked his mother if they could now open gifts since Taehyung was here to which she nodded. They all got their presents ready to give it to the others.
Jimin started by handing his first gift to the one and only Googie. Then passing Hyejoo, Aunt Minnie and Taehyung theirs apologising to Taehyung that the gift wasn’t that great since he didn’t know him that well. Taehyung shook his head saying it was no problem thankful for the gift anyway. In this way they continued to give their gifts. Taehyung thanking Googie for the frame the younger child had made for him.
When Hyejoo opened her present from Tae she couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her hand in awe. “Tae, its beautiful.” She smiled tears forming in her eyes at the gift he had gotten her. A silver necklace which had a charm on it, the charm was of a large bunny holding a smaller baby one. As she put it on Jimin patted Taehyungs shoulder telling him he had done well. Hyejoo couldn’t help but hug Taehyung thanking him for the gift she loved it. Jimin winked at Tae as he saw the younger man freeze at the sudden contact, until he wrapped his arms around her too.
Jimin then helped Hyejoo set the table telling Taehyung he shouldn’t help since it was his first Christmas dinner with them. As Jimin placed down the plates, Hyejoo began setting some of the food down. Googie sat beside his mother having to place a pillow on his seat as he was too small. Hyejoo's hard work had paid off, her dinner being delicious. The dinner was so elegant yet so homely and Taehyung had never felt so welcomed in his life.
After diner Minnie had insisted on helping not taking Hyejoo’s no for an answer. “I’m old not incapable, I’m as fit as fox.” She said, wiping the dishes Hyejoo washed. Aunt Minnie watched as Hyejoo looked over her shoulder seeing Googie have fun with the two older men. Googie was on Taes shoulder and Jimin pretended to try and grab the smaller child like he was a predator.
“He would make a great dad for Googie wouldn’t he… and a great husband for you.” Aunt Minnie speak out of the blue making Hyejoo choke on her spit. “Darling we aren’t forcing you, just telling you to take a leap of faith. Me and jiminie like him too.” She smiled at the younger woman who had become a daughter to her stroking her hair. Hyejoo nodded mumbling she wasn’t sure yet.
Once they had cleaned up Hyejoo and Minnie served the pies and hot drinks. Jimin preparing the card and board games he had bought. “Uno! I won again suckers.” Hyejoo jumped in the air as Googie shook his head in disappointment. Hyejoo shrugged her shoulders before sipping her coffee. Aunt Minnie had already gone home feeling tired of losing and had a long day. “Shall we play again?” Hyejoo asked preparing the cards to which Jimin looked at his watch. “Actually I have to pick Anna up, we gonna spend tonight together as well as tomorrow cause we spend Christmas with our own families.” He smiled getting up.
Hyejoo got up to get some left-over food he could have tomorrow telling Jimin to wait. “Tae have some fun but don’t be too loud, Googie will be asleep in the room next door.” Jimin whispered to Tae the poor teachers eyes widened as he shook his head in denial. “I’m not gonna, we aren’t gonna.” He stuttered as Hyejoo walked in confused. “When can I meet anna?” Hyejoo asked wanting to meet the girl her best friend was head over heels for. “We both busy and barely get time to be alone but soon.” He smiled and left.
The rest of the evening Hyejoo, Tae and Googie continued to play board games. Taehyung and Googie had formed an alliance to end Hyejoo’s reign of triumph which they did successfully making Hyejoo scoff saying, “Its just a game.” Googie soon felt tired and asked Tae to tuck him in, making Hyejoo gasp in jealousy. “its okay mama you get to cuddle with me.” He reassured her with a kiss on the cheek and took Tae with him.
Tae and Hyejoo sat quietly. Silence: but it was comforting. There was no awkwardness they had changed from acquaintances to friends. Soon Taehyung started a convo about how he was thankful for being invited. The conversation continued to flow and the two ended up talking about random childhood memories. The clock struck past twelve and Taehyung said he should get home before he wont be able to drive himself home.
