A Still Day or A Hurricane | Jungkook

Part 28

Two years is a long time. It's what you tell yourself the night after you have lunch with Jungkook and then the next day when you spend it with Byeol and Namjoon and their other halves.

You didn't give yourself the chance to figure out what you felt for Jungkook when he was around and even when he was away - up until 6 months ago, at least. But with him being back, with the wave of emotions that came with him, and the time in between when you felt what it was like without him, you tell yourself you don't want to stand in the way of another kind of happiness this time.

Even Heejin's, as you recall how she spent that morning laughing at and with Jungkook who seemed to enjoy making her smile, too. You'd told your friends before that you weren't looking for a father for her, but that was a defense mechanism you had so you wouldn't bring yourself to regret a decision you made because you didn't know how to handle the consequences.

While you tell yourself that Heejin doesn't need a father because yours left when you were young, if there's a chance that someone comes around, then you don't want your daughter to miss out on that experience just because you and your siblings managed without one, especially if the potential partner is someone as great as Jungkook.

You see your mother with Jung-jae, how happy he makes her, and how happy that makes you. It's a different kind of joy seeing people you love be loved greatly, you realize.

But then again, being your partner is different from being a father altogether, and it's not as simple as just deciding you like Jungkook and wanting to be with him and him feeling the same. You and Heejin are a package, and there's so much baggage you carry that you don't know if he'll be ready for them.

"I'm sure Jungkook knows," Namjoon assured you during dinner the next week when his mom brought so much food and he had you and Byeol over. "He wouldn't have tried and stayed when you were pregnant for him to not accept what comes with being with you."

And Namjoon's right. Jungkook had always respected your wishes, your time, your boundaries, your decisions, and not once did he complain, not once did he show bitterness, or even make you feel bad for what you did.

You don't find people like that just anywhere. Life can surprise you and you'd miss out on a lot if you don't let it, they reminded you.

And you try to let it, like this whole week when you passed by the cafe for to-go drinks because of hearings and meetings, and every time, Jungkook left little notes on your cup.

Show them who's boss, okay? But don't scare them too much! :p

Good luck on your hearing today and don't forget to eat. :)

Tell Heejin her mom looked so beautiful today, I almost fainted.

That last one was yesterday after he asked if he could compliment your look and you shyly nodded.

You were donned in a blazer dress that let you exude enough confidence and power and femininity with your gold pumps and red lipstick. His message earned him a roll of your eyes, though you couldn't stop yourself from smiling the entire ride to the hotel for a business meeting, and you felt like a teenager who couldn't get over her crush telling her she's pretty.

It's mid-afternoon the next day, the start of the weekend, and you find yourself at the lone long table amidst smaller ones for the other customers at the Blue Side's rooftop for the seasonal event. You've got your whole family with you, your best friends, and your work friends.

Hobi and his team prepared a menu of sweet and savory desserts featuring fall flavors meant to make you feel warm and cozy - from sweet rice bars, to prosciutto and fruits puff pastry, roasted pears, and apple dumplings. You finally got to try the persimmon tart that Jungkook has been raving about, and marveled at his other upgraded and delicate-looking dishes like the parfait with macarons and the mille feuille he was teasing you with.