Accidental love

23.

Ming is returning from his grocery shopping while his little monster is wrapped around his chest in a cloth that covers him completely from the sun. His hands have some goods while he paces towards his home. His steps halt and the bags fall from his hands when he opens the door and sees P'Beam. He can't believe his eyes which are getting tearful while his feet are frozen in the place.

Beam is also rooted in his place when he sees a weak and pale-looking Ming at the door. He was impatiently waiting for Ming while sitting with grandma and the priest. Beam takes wide steps and engulfs Ming in a tight hug while Ming wails out loud like a small child seeing his family back. The priest and grandma also feel emotional at the sight, but silently witness Ming letting out all his hidden emotions. 

While the elders were dealing with their emotions, the long-forgotten Thorn decides to make his appearance. Thorn already woke up to the noise and felt crushed by something heavy. He tries to wiggle out but feels trapped. Beam loses the hug when he feels something moving in between. He notices Ming unwrapping the cloth and revealing a beautiful baby under the cloth who is tearful. 

Beam then realizes about Ming's pregnancy and reality strikes Beam who feels overjoyed seeing the baby. He is at the loss of words seeing the tiny bundle of joy. Ming notices the shocked P'Beam and introduces him to his baby, Thorn who doesn't care about anyone but wails out loud when his mae tries to pull him away from the hug. 'Mae is mine, why bad uncle makes mae cry. Thorn won't leave mae. Mae doesn't see baby Thorn, the baby will cry. Mae gives bewb!!' Thorn thinks. 

Beam tries to touch Thorn, but the latter squirms in his mae's neck and cries out loud that panics Beam. Ming knows his little cub is asking for his mae's attention. He reassures the panicked phi and carries the little monster inside. Beam brings the bags that were thrown at the door. They both settle along with the priest while grandma goes to prepare lunch. The priest tells Ming how his husband was on a business trip, and it led him to Beam. 

Beam explains to him that he took care of all those men and there is nothing to fear anymore. He pleads with Ming to return with him as he has suffered enough. Now it's time for him to reunite with his family. He also tells Ming that he needs to take proper care of himself and the baby given their current state. Beam feels bad seeing the ever-charming nong turning into such a weak and thin soul.

Ming thanks Beam while crying and feels relaxed after such a long time. All his fears came to an end. He doesn't have to wake up every day with the threat of being caught by his grandpa or his men one day. Thorn cries out loud seeing his mae forgetting him and hugging the ugly uncle. He glares at Beam with his teary doe eyes. 'This uncle is bad. He makes mae cry. I will hit him. My mae is mine. Bad uncle goes away.' Thorn thinks and tries to get out of Ming's hands to hit Beam. 

Ming takes the baby to another room to feed him while grandma calls others for lunch. Ming joins them after making sure that his little cub got enough attention and puts the sleeping Thorn in the cradle. Everyone feels excited for Ming and Thorn who can finally get their family back, while Ming feels overwhelmed at the thought of leaving grandma all alone back in the village. Seeing him, grandma ensures him that she will go and live with Anna. 

Ming still feels unsure until Beam tells him that he already contacted Anna while he was feeding Thorn. He tells him that Anna will be coming the next day to take grandma with her. Ming finds it amazing how Beam has taken care of everything in such a short time. He feels grateful to him for all his help. Beam shakes his head and says that Ming is not only Forth's family but his and all of their friends too. 

Beam says that he did all this not only for Ming but also for his friend who has been living like a corpse since his husband left him. Ming cries hearing about Forth's condition and struggles all this time. Beam comforts him and says that it's high time for them to be together again. To lighten the mood, Beam excitedly tells Ming and others that he didn't tell anyone about Ming and will give them a big surprise. 

Ming chuckles seeing Beam being excited like a kid while the priest and grandma just shake their heads. After lunch, grandma helps Ming to pack everything. They all share an emotional goodbye. Beam tries to carry Thorn so that he can help him settle in the car seat but gets a kick from the baby. Thorn tightens his hold on Ming and Beam shakes his head. He teases Ming that Thorn is just like his dad who won't leave Ming for a second and earns a blush from his nong.

They reach back to the city around nighttime. Beam drops the priest back at the temple first at the latter's request. Beam feels excited about seeing everyone's reaction to seeing Ming. For some reason, Ming has been silent for a while which didn't go unnoticed by Beam, so he asks the latter. Ming hesitantly asks Beam about the medical checkup that Beam talked about earlier during lunch.

Seeing Ming fidgeting, Beam ensures him that it would be a normal checkup for him and Thorn to make sure that there is nothing concerning. Also, it is important given how weak Ming looks. Moreover, Forth will be there with them, so there is nothing to worry about. Ming tells him that he is not worried about the checkup, but Forth's reaction, which confuses Beam. Ming remembers how his husband was overly protective and always on his toes during the pregnancy.

Ming requests Beam to get him checked up first before meeting Forth. If there is nothing concerning, then he will meet Forth without any worries. But if his health needs medical assistance and treatment, then he wants to take care of that first before meeting his husband. Beam feels confused that why Ming wants to delay meeting Forth further and questions him.

Ming tells him further that his husband has already been through a lot. First, because he lost his husband and their baby, and then telling the truth would shake him to his core. Ming says that Forth will already have a hard time digesting all this and somehow he will blame himself for not being able to do anything. He doesn't want to add to his stress and misery further by concerning him about his health. Ming questions Beam that how will P'Forth feel seeing his husband so weak.

Ming pleads with Beam to help him get better first. The least he could do for his husband is to not add to his worries. He won't be able to see his hubby being worried and tensed about their health. Once, he is sure that his and his baby's condition is fine completely, then he will meet him. He ensures Beam with a small smile that he has waited for his husband long enough, a few more days won't hurt.

Beam is unable to plead with Ming further. He along with his other friends has seen the strong Forth becoming distraught. He remembers how Forth was after Ming's death and how hard he has been trying to be strong again for all of them. Beam knows for sure how big would be the impact of the real truth. Moreover, seeing Ming so weak and pale won't do any good to Forth.

Ming pleads with him saying that all of them are already living considering him dead. He also has been living without them for so long. Sure, he wants to be back to his husband and his family, but seeing him like this will surely add to their stress. They will have enough already on their plate to digest once they find out about grandpa's doing. Beam sighs and gives in to the latter's request who is looking at him with pleading eyes.