Finally Home (KPOP Fan Fiction)

11.

I wiped the sweat that slowly began to bead on my forehead with the back of my hand. There's something about cooking I absolutely love, but then again, it's just so tiresome. All the dicing and avoiding the oil pops requires so much energy!

As I planted my hands on my hips, I heard the door by the kitchen open and following that were my kids' voices. Haru and Luna walked in the house side by side both with disgusted looks on their faces. I tilted my head and took a few steps forward until my abdomen pressed against the marble top of the island.

"How was school today, kids?" I asked them with an arched brow.

Luna let out a puffed breath, "I failed my AP Psychology test, Mom."

"I also didn't do too well in my AP Government test, either." Haru added in.

I simply grinned at them, "This is what happens when you spend more time on your phones and playing video games and don't use that time to fully indulge in your studying." They both shot me guilty looks. "I expect for both of you to spend this entire night studying and retake those tests tomorrow. Or I'll take your car away."

"You can't do that, Mom!"

"As a matter of fact, I can," I nonchalantly countered Luna. "It's registered under my name and I spent the few thousand on it. Driving is a privilege you two."

"Sorry, Mom," Luna sighed and entered the kitchen, placing her bag on a bar stool. "What's for dinner?"

"Bulgogi, Galbitang, and steamed white rice," I answered them proudly. "But get to your rooms and get to studying. Give me your phones. I will call both of you when dinner is done."

They both pulled their phones from their pockets and placed them on the island in front of me, "And Erec is coming over for dinner."

"He is?" Haru exasperated with a dimpled smile. "I haven't seen him in forever!"

"Well, hopefully sooner or later we'll all be having dinner every night. Now go upstairs to your rooms, you two."

I watched both of them tightly nod and head towards the stairs to go up to their rooms. A hot breath left my slightly chapped lips before I turned around to eye the contents being cooked on the pan. I did suggest samgyeopsal, but I decided at last minute to change because I remembered it makes Luna's stomach a bit weird. Not exactly sick, but she feels a bit queasy. I swear at times, I forget I'm not a teenager anymore. My face and body definitely not have changed whatsoever. Maybe a wrinkle or two, but nothing makeup can't cover.

About ten or so minutes passed when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I had to put down the tongs. Pulling it out, Erec's face showed on my screen and all-too-quickly did I hit the 'Call' button and held it up to my ear.

"Hey, babe," I answered the call light-heartedly. "What's up?"

"I'll be late by an hour or hour and a half for dinner," he told me. His voice sounds incredibly exhausted and I frowned. "Something came up and my boss is making me fix it all up. I'll call when I'm done."

"Don't work too hard, okay?" I told him as I turned and stared at my living.

"I'll try not to. I love you, Dara."

"Love you, too," I sighed and we both hung up. This definitely isn't the first time his boss made him work more hours or even fix all the things others can do. Erec gets things done and gets them done correctly, but at least once he deserves a break. As Haru said to me previously, he hardly ever sees Erec. I could say the same thing. It's hard for all of us, but Erec puts as much effort as possible to visit us. When I'm not busy, I visit his office. When he's not, he at least gives us a call. Today is one of those rare days when he'll do anything to visit me and the twins, and for that, I'm entirely grateful.