Since the Day We Met

Fifteen

Jennifer's POV

After living in Seoul, Korea for nearly a month, I found myself gradually grasping the language. Harper, on the other hand, was also learning the basics, enabling her to express common courtesies and convey her love for HongJoong and me. I couldn't be more proud of my daughter at 5 years old adapting so well to this life. This whole experience has been an extraordinary journey for both of us. 

The nights we spent together were filled with passion and love, while he tirelessly dedicated himself to preparing for ATeez's upcoming tour. Everything felt perfect. However, amidst all the happiness, I couldn't shake off the occasional fear that something might go wrong.

The next day, HongJoong had a full schedule of rehearsals and interviews planned with his group. Although I wanted to stay in and spend some quality time with Harper, the maternal instincts within me urged me to ensure HongJoong was well-prepared for the upcoming events.

After getting Harper ready for her Korean language lessons, I briskly made breakfast for everyone. The aroma of fresh coffee filled our cozy apartment as I set the table, glancing at my daughter's scribbles on her notebook – she was trying to draw Korean letters perhaps mimicking her father's extensive collection of handwritten lyrics. 

Moments later, HongJoong emerged from our bedroom, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He looked exhausted yet determined to power through the day. 

"Good morning, love," he chirped groggily as he leaned in for a quick kiss on my cheek. My heart fluttered at these spontaneous expressions of affection; it was invigorating to share such profound love in our new life.

"G'morning Daddy!" exclaimed Harper excitedly as she showed him her notebook. The scribbles formed an almost perfect replica of the Korean alphabet.

"Wow! Harper, that's amazing!" HongJoong gently ruffled her hair, and his tired eyes glimmered with pride for our daughter. She beamed, absorbing the praise from her father.As we had our breakfast together at the small dining table, suspended between morning banter and sips of coffee – I couldn't imagine life being any more idyllic than this.

Soon afterward, HongJoong left for his rehearsals while I took Harper to her language class. These mornings had become our routine in Seoul – an utter contrast to what we had become accustomed to back in New York City.

The language school was only a short walk from our apartment; a stroll we enjoyed undertaking every so often. After dropping Harper off at school, my maternal instincts kicked in once more, and I realized that I should encourage HongJoong to rest as he had been working non-stop for weeks.

Upon arriving at the practice building unannounced, I spotted a perspiring yet energetic HongJoong in the midst of rehearsing an intricate dance sequence with his teammates. I couldn't help but smile at his dedication and hard work that had made him into the captivating performer he is today.

As HongJoong caught sight of me standing by the door, a mix of surprise and exhaustion washed over his face. The music stopped, and he immediately rushed towards me, concern evident in his gaze. 

"Jennifer, what are you doing here? Is everything alright with Harper?" I gently laughed, reassuring him all was well. 

"Yes, everything's fine. I just wanted to drop by and see how you were doing." My eyes wandered across the room as I took in the members' glistening foreheads and heaving chests – they were all working equally as hard.

Taking a much-needed break, HongJoong guided me to a small corner of the room where we could talk comfortably. "The tour is just around the corner– we want to make sure that each performance is perfect." His earnestness reflected his passion for not only his craft but also for his fans.

"I know how important this is for you but remember that it's okay to take rests too. You need to take care of yourself." I caressed his cheek tenderly, meeting his eyes with a mixture of worry and love.

He gave me a subdued smile and nodded in agreement, "You're right; I promise I'll take care of myself." The unspoken depth of our commitment to each other spoke volumes as we shared a moment in this small corner amidst his team's preparations.

I left HongJoong soon after, making my way back to pick up Harper from her language class. A sense of contentment filled me as I thought about our new life and the challenges we faced together – life in Seoul was far from commonplace but incredibly rewarding nonetheless.

Greeting Harper at the language school gates with a hug, she eagerly reported her progress that day. Her animated speech showed her growing fluency in Korean – our little girl was acclimating wonderfully to her new surroundings.

She had become comfortable calling Joong daddy, and he already said OUR daughter instead of my daughter. He loved her like his own. The three of us met up at home after HongJoong's practice concluded, coming together around the dinner table as a family. Harper recounted the day's adventures – from the kind "ajumma" who gave her candy to new words she had learned in class. 

HongJoong, in turn, made sure he was home at a decent time to get some much-needed rest. The following morning, our peaceful routine commenced once again. Despite HongJoong's taxing work schedule and preparations for the upcoming tour, he always managed to be present and attentive to our daughter and me. The smell of freshly brewed coffee signaled the start of another beautiful day in Seoul. 

Harper groggily entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes, much like her father did on most mornings. Her enthusiasm for learning continued to shine as she asked me to quiz her on some recently acquired vocabulary in Korean over breakfast. I complied with excitement and pride, marveling at her adaptability and unyielding spirit. 

Eventually, HongJoong joined us at the table, clad in his usual casual attire, paired with a radiant smile reserved exclusively for his family. 

"Good morning," he yawned, stretching out his arms before glancing at both Harper and me with affection in his eyes. Eagerly, Harper began to recite her newest words for her father, seeking the same gleam of admiration she received yesterday. HongJoong's pride was palpable as he attentively listened and praised her progress enthusiastically. Their bond was undeniable – my heart brimming with happiness knowing their connection transcended language barriers. 

As we were busy cleaning up after breakfast, a ringtone chimed through our humble apartment – it was a video call from my mother back in New York City. Enthusiastically, Harper picked up the call: "Hi grandma!"

My mother's warm smile greeted us through the screen as she proceeded to ask about our lives in Seoul. Eagerly sharing details about Harper's Korean classes and HongJoong's dedication to his work and family life deepened my sense of gratitude for these newfound experiences we were embracing together. 

They exchanged conversation as I washed up dishes – watching their interaction from afar filled me with nostalgia for when she used to babysit Harper while I worked part-time before we moved halfway across the globe. 

Moments later, HongJoong's manager called to inform him about a last-minute interview scheduled for that afternoon. Though my initial plan was to have him rest and spend more time together, I understood the demands of his career were challenging to navigate. With an understanding pat on his back, I sent him off with a soft kiss to his lips.

"I love you... so much," he cooed. 

"I love you too, be safe and keep hydrated..." I reminded him. he nodded and stored a couple more kisses before he had to leave.