8 Years [ENGV]

#11

HAEIN

I could feel Jisoo's agitation and nervousness beside me as we waited for Haeji to spend the weekend with us. Her body was shaking with the way she tapped her foot.

It was somehow uncomfortable, some parents were staring at us — probably recognizing us. I took a deep breath, YG and FNC would control everything anyway.

Children were walking down the stairs and meeting their parents, excited about the weekend. I saw Jisoo watching a child, probably Haeji's age, very excited to see her mother. I squeezed her hand and caught her attention, when she looked at me, I smiled at her, trying to give her confidence.

"Haein! Jisoo Unnie!" She shouted excitedly when she saw us. She ran towards me, and I let go of Jisoo's hand, opening my arms to welcome her. I wrapped my arms around her body and hugged her, lifting her up. "You guys came." I put her down and she walked over to Jisoo who bent down to hug her. "Am I really going with you?" Jisoo nodded. She jumped up and down happily. "Will Aunt Lisa be there?" I saw the sparkle in Jisoo's eyes fade, but she forced herself to smile.

"No, my dear, she's helping a friend of ours with a party." Haeji looked disappointed, but then smiled and looked at me.

"Haein isn't working today?" Jisoo could cry at any moment.

"No." I bent down towards her too. "Not today, not tomorrow or Sunday, I'll stay with you all weekend." Haeji clapped her hands, smiling happily.

"Shall we go?" Jisoo asked and she nodded. Staying in an apartment might not be so good for a child, especially one Haeji's age, but going out with her at this time wouldn't be good, it would open the door to arguments and rumors — and it was too early for that to happen.

However, she seemed to be having fun as she danced and jumped with Jisoo in the living room, which made me laugh happily watching them. My daughter really seemed happy to be there, and I wished we could live that every day, that that happiness, that room full of laughter, would remain forever. A safe environment from the chaos outside.

When Jisoo got tired of dancing and jumping, the activity changed and this time I was able to join in. With three magazines and coloring pencils, we sat at the kitchen table with a jar of cookies and glasses of juice.

"I like to color," Haeji said. "Haein, look at mine!" She showed me a drawing of a princess in a pink dress, brown hair, and holding colorful flowers that she had colored. "Can I see yours, Jisoo Unnie?" She asked and Jisoo showed her the drawing — a stitch painted in blue —. Haeji smiled enchanted, and I smiled seeing her look at the drawing and then at Jisoo. It was clear that our little girl admired her, the sparkle she had in her eyes when she looked at Jisoo was unique.

♡

The three of us were lying in bed, it was a little after 9 pm, Haeji was already asleep, snoring between the two of us, while Jisoo caressed and smelled her hair. She was completely hypnotized by our daughter, and I was hypnotized by both of them.

"I dreamed about this for many days." I said without meaning to, and she looked at me, her hand still caressing our daughter's hair. "I dreamed of having you close to me." I finished. She looked at me sadly.

"I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault." I said immediately, I looked at Haeji smiling. "She's here now, and that's what matters." Haeji shifted and turned, hugging Jisoo, I smiled when I saw her laugh softly and hug Haeji, closing her eyes. I wanted to freeze that image — and I did, photographing that moment.

JISOO

Dropping Haeji off at school broke my heart, but I understood that things would have to go slowly. She happily walked into school and Haein and I got back in the car, leaving there.