What's One More

Epilogue

"Damn baby gate!" You hear Jin yell from upstairs as he trips over the gate again. Crawling is a new thing with some of your babies. A few are full on crawling and a few are just scooting along, trying to catch up to their siblings.

"It's not that hard to open the gate!" Hoseok chuckles as he finishes wrestling a diaper onto your squirming son Jae Sung, his dark little tail swishing against the floor as he waves a wipe excitedly.

You bounce your snakelet Jae Eun, she's just like her biological dad, full of energy and always on the move. She's been the first one to hit all her milestones. She was rolling over first, sitting up first, now she is the one crawling first. She is currently in nothing but a diaper because she leaked through her other diaper and Jin is fetching a new onesie.

"You're so messy my little one! So stinky!" Your daughter gives a shrill giggle as you kiss along her jaw. There's another burst of laughter from two of your babies as Taehyung plays hide and seek with them. Their little legs kicking enthusiastically. Jae Rin, your fox daughter and Jae Hyuk, your shiba inu son.

You look over to Jimin next to you, who has your fifth child on his lap. She recently woke up from a nap, so Jae Soon sits quietly, her ears and tail twitching as she watches the world around her. You can make out her tiny purrs as Jimin scratches behind her ears, they sound just like a baby's rattle.

Jin comes back into the room with a new outfit, "Alright, come here little one!" He reaches for her and you hand her over.

"Daddy's home!" Jungkook calls out as he comes in the front door. He kicks his shoes off and comes straight to the living room where you are all gathered.

"Mmm, hi daddy!" Jimin teases and looks pleased when Jungkook flashes a bashful smile. He sits down on the floor and already has two babies crawling or scooting to get to him. He picks up Jae Rin and holds her high in the air. She squeals and her bushy tail wags enthusiastically. He kisses her a few times, sets her down and then picks up Jae Sung and does the same thing.

Jin sets Jae Eun free and she's on the move. "Someone watch her, I'm going to start on dinner!" He starts heading to the kitchen and Jae Eun scampers after him. Hoseok chases after her, scooping her up and pretending to eat her neck, making her laugh.

The front door opens again and Yoongi and Namjoon come in. "It passed!" Namjoon announces happily. You aren't sure what bill he's talking about because just like he predicted, once one bill got passed it was a domino effect and more and more bills are being passed. You aren't the only one confused.

"Which one?" Jimin asks. Yoongi kisses you, then Jimin, then your little exotic kitten before settling on the couch next to you. He gestures to Tae for a baby and he passes Jae Hyuk.

"Hello my little puppy!" Yoongi coos.

"Hybrids can legally enter any place of business and be served!" Namjoon looks triumphant as he announces it and woops come from all directions. Over the past few months Namjoon has been getting more and more involved in the hybrid community and hybrid rights.

It led the eight of you to start a rescue shelter for abused hybrids seeking asylum. Recent laws have made it a lot easier for hybrids to leave their owners. You didn't run the shelter on a day to day basis, but you each helped out in your own way. You and Tae teach art classes, Jimin and Hoseok teach dance classes, Jin volunteers in the kitchen several times a week, Namjoon teaches literacy classes, and Jungkook teaches basic self defense.

Yoongi's efforts might make the biggest difference though, since it's legal for hybrids to have their own bank accounts now, he helps them set them up and helps them find jobs. Since they are at the shelter, Yoongi can act as their owner and sign their paperwork giving them permission to work. Your hope is that one day hybrids will be able to get jobs without having an owner's approval.

It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Often as you are out and about, you see hybrids in need, just like you saw so many of your mates, and you discreetly give them a card. You have seen many of them show up in the shelter later. You realize you can't save everyone, but you can help a lot and use your natural gifts to do it.

The dance studio has expanded so much that Jimin and Hoseok hired two more teachers, Hoshi and Yunho, both hybrid rescues. Yoongi and Namjoon have hired a few assistants too, not all hybrids, but all hybrid friendly. Working full time and being parents took awhile to adjust, but now there seems to be a rhythm. Yoongi and Namjoon, Jimin and Hoseok, and you and Taehyung all have the flexibility to take time a day off during the week, so you all trade off.

You snuggle into Jimin and scratch behind your daughter's ears. She turns to you and reaches out silently for you. You take her and she immediately snuggles into your neck, softly purring.

You look around at your family. It is insane comparing where you are today to where you were three years ago. Just you and Yoongi in a one bedroom apartment saving up for a down payment on your little home. You remember how excited Yoongi was to decorate that home.

You remember the first day you met Namjoon and how surprised he was to get a peanut butter smoothie, so surprised to be treated as an equal. You remember how Jimin and Tae were the most vivacious flirts you have ever known, and how easy it was to fall in love with them. You remember Jungkook's doe eyes as he looked at you from underneath his fort and how his first few laughs felt like magic.

You remember the first time you saw Hoseok dance and how infectious his presence was, how much light he still brings to your home. You remember locking eyes with Jin, the incredibly strong pull you had to him from the moment you saw him and the way holding his hand felt natural and comforting to you.

So many things had changed and not every transition was smooth, but you feel grateful for every step that brought you here.

Your daughter sits up with a pout that everyone says looks just like yours. You can't help kissing her and then kissing her over and over again until she starts laughing and wiggles to get down. She crawls over to Namjoon who scoops her up and starts talking with her.

You were terrified to bring them into the world, scared of what the world might do to them, but things are changing and even if you can't change what's going on in the world, you can always give your children a safe place to come back to. A place full of love, understanding, and acceptance.

You lean over and kiss at Yoongi's neck, breathing in his familiar scent. He cups your cheek and gently kisses you,

"Thank you mama, thank you for bringing us all together." You purr at his touch and kiss him one more time. 

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I just wanted to say thank you for following this story, for your hilarious and sweet comments. It was the most amazing experience sharing this with you! I have some more stories coming out soon and I hope you guys will check them out 😊 You could follow my wattpad profile if you'd like 🙄 Haha! But I'll also add another update on this story with mini introductions to those stories. Either way, stay safe and healthy and keep being you! Borahae!

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