Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 49

Clara had fallen asleep on the flight, resting against the chest of her husband while he quietly hummed and rubbed her back. Throughout her short nap he continued to cover her head with soft kisses and fill her ears with sweet words of affection. It was only when they were getting ready to land that he woke her, needing to make sure she was safely buckled in her seat.

Namjoon and Jimin kept the boys through the landing. They were both sleeping peacefully and nobody wanted to disturb the quiet. Once again the members were going to avoid the media considering Jungkook's injury and everything else that had happened. This meant Taehyung and Clara could stay together with the full security detail which offered Clara a bit of relief.

It took a few minutes for Clara and Taehyung to get the boys strapped back into their car seats but before long they were following the others off the plane, each with a car seat in hand. Crowds had gathered at both the airport and the hotel but they made it through the swarms seamlessly. As promised, Clara was able to pick out her room only after everyone had checked in to ensure total privacy. She felt a bit shy about it knowing everyone was waiting for her, but Taehyung encouraged her to take her time. After all, they would be there for the next ten days.

Before long their bags were in their room and the boys were settled on a blanket on the floor surrounded by toys. They had become mobile enough that they rarely stayed on their blanket anymore, but it did offer a soft landing space where they could enjoy their small assortment of cups, balls, rattles, and toy animals.

Clara had gone into the bedroom to begin unpacking while a member of the security team did an additional sweep of their room. Clara knew he must be almost finished when she heard him calling for her husband.

"Taehyung-ssi?"

Clara called for Taehyung who was washing up from the long flight but he didn't answer so she went to check on the security team member who by now had called for Taehyung a second time.

"Is something wrong?" Clara asked, her anxiety beginning to spike.

The staff member gave a small chuckle and pointed toward his foot. The little cub had crawled over, attaching himself to the staff member's leg and sitting on the man's foot while the little boy babbled to himself.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, let me get him. They've become quite mobile and I sometimes forget what trouble they can cause!" Clara quickly scurried over and helped to pry the little boy off the man's leg.

"Don't worry about it. It's actually a lot of fun seeing the boys grow as the tour goes on. We spend a lot of time away from our families so I think everyone really enjoys seeing the twins."

Clara bowed in thanks for his kind words.

"Everything looks good Ms. Clara, but let me know if you need anything. I'll be just down the hall."

Clara bowed again, returning the little cub to the blanket and his brother's company. She knelt down on the blanket next to the boys, offering small tickles and covering their cheeks with kisses. She showed them how to stack their toys and cheered for them when they knocked over the small towers she made. She also continued to encourage them to make different noises, hoping they may begin staying a few words before long.

While Clara was busy chatting with their little tiger, the little cub had turned around and pulled himself up by the couch, beginning to take small steps as he held onto the furniture for balance. As soon as Clara saw him she began to shout for Taehyung.

"Tae, come quickly!"

He jogged into the room almost immediately. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, just look!" Clara pointed to their son who was talking slow, inching steps along the couch, periodically pausing to blow bubbles and hit the couch cushions with the palms of his hands. After only a few more moments he plopped back down onto his bottom and began to crawl back to the blanket.

Taehyung hurried over to scoop him up in his arms and fly him over his head like an airplane. "What a big boy you are becoming!" He beamed at the little boys in his arms while the little cub squealed in return.

Clara took the opportunity to pick up the little tiger, holding him close while she went to give their cub a kiss on the cheek.

"Tae?" Clara asked, "It seems like our cub is almost ready to walk but our little tiger has barely begun to crawl. Do you think something might be wrong?"

Taehyung moved the cub to one arm and put his other around his wife, drawing her close. "Not at all sweetheart. I think it is just their personality. The little cub is always on the move and wants to explore. Our little tiger is content playing with a toy for much longer. It's almost like he enjoys the puzzle of figuring out how things work. He kind of reminds me of Yoongi Hyung, but don't tell him I said that."

Clara started to giggle a bit. "Then who does the little cub remind you of?"

Taehyung cocked his head to look at the ceiling. "Well, sometimes maybe Hobi Hyung? Or a little bit like Kookie. Honestly I think he mostly just reminds me of me and our tiger is more like you. But most importantly both of them are ours."

Clara melted into Taehyung's arms. "Thank you, thank you for taking care of us and letting us be with you."

Taehyung kissed the top of Clara's head. "No, I should thank you for chasing me all around the world. I know it isn't easy for you and things haven't gone like we planned. But I promise I'm going to make it up to you."

"Speaking of which," Taehyung smiled at Clara, "I have a special date planned for tomorrow, what do you think?"

"Oh," Clara looked down at the carpet. "I'm, well, I'm not so sure I'm ready to go out right now."

"I know," Taehyung reassured her while rubbing her back. "We won't even need to leave the hotel, I promise."

"Ok, I guess that would work." Clara consented, but he could tell that she still felt quite nervous.

"Good. I've already arranged for the boys to be taken care of. Tomorrow I have to be gone for part of the day but I'll leave you a note with instructions before I leave, ok?"

Clara nodded and then gave a big yawn. "I'm sorry, I know I slept on the plane but I'm feeling really tired. I'm going to get the boys ready for bed and then I'm going to head to bed myself."

Taehyung responded with a soft smile and a gentle nod of his head. "I understand. Let me help you with the boys and tuck you into bed. Then I'm going to step out for just a bit to check in with the guys on the schedule for tomorrow."

Clara and Taehyung spent the next hour side by side, washing the boys, feeding them, snuggling them and covering them with kisses, and eventually tucking them into bed side by side, whispering goodnight and words of love.

A few minutes later Clara was washed up and in pajamas, crawling into bed herself. Taehyung pulled the covers up tight around her and gently kissed her temple. "Good night sweetheart. I'll be back in a little bit to crawl in next to you."

Clara just hummed in response, already starting to drift away. She was exhausted but looking forward to what a new city might bring as time marched on toward when they could go home and just be a family again.