Moonlight: Stars, Eclipses, & Full Moons

For You

Kyungsoo's POV

Being a parent has its somewhat...awkward phases. The baby phase, where all they really do is sleep, cry, and eat, is one of them, but the awkwardness is usually masked by sleepless nights and constant worrying. Next, the excitement kicks in when they start to move on their own, begin taking in their surroundings for the first time, and figure out that they can use sounds and words to better communicate their needs. Then, before you can get in a full blink it seems, they're walking around without any help and starting to explore independence. Before I knew it, I was sending my babies off to school for the entire day, which left me and Jongin with more alone time than we knew how to spend. He had started helping Suho more and more with pack business, which basically left me to find ways to entertain myself or twiddle my thumbs until the kids came home. 

During that time, I discovered I had quite a knack for baking. It started with watching a lot of baking shows, I suppose, and having the random thought that I could do it, too. The kids loved it and even got to take some leftover things to school, which was the catalyst for more people asking me to bake things for birthdays and other celebrations. Then, at some point, I had a small side business going that would take up all of that empty space during my weekday afternoons. It didn't bring in much money--not that we needed the extra income--but it was enough that, at some point, I didn't have to dig into our money to buy supplies and whatnot. But mostly, it was just a nice way to fill my time. 

I guess my enjoyment started to show, too, because Jongin suggested I take it a step further and make it a full-on business. Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind until he brought it up. I didn't think I'd ever want to do something like that because it was never part of my original life plan. But then again, neither was being turned into a werewolf and giving birth. Life just works out in weird ways sometimes, I guess. 

"You should obviously only do it if you want to, but I just think maybe it'd be nice for you to have something for yourself," he said to me as we cleaned up from dinner one night. "You spend all day taking care of us, and now that the kids are gone for most of the day, it seems like the perfect time."

"Yeah, but...who would look after the house? Make sure the kids get home all right? I can't stand the thought of them coming home to an empty house."

He grinned and let the hand holding a spoon fall into the water-filled sink. "Hi, my name is Jongin, and I'm applying for the role of your husband and the father of your children," he sarcastically replied, immediately making me start to chuckle. "I don't do it often, but I can cut most fruits in a somewhat aesthetically pleasing way, and I am a great door greeter, so you'd never have to worry about your kids coming home to anything but the utmost enthusiasm." I finished laughing and looked at him, a sincere smile now on his face. "I can be there for the kids when they come home, babe."

"But what about your pack business? What if it requires you to be away in the late afternoon?" I retorted.

"Then, I'm sure Xiumin or Luhan or Baek would be able to." I exhaled, still feeling hesitant to commit to the idea. He pulled me against him and rubbed my upper arm soothingly with his free hand. "I just want you to have something outside of us, something you enjoy doing besides taking care of everyone."

"I know, I know. I appreciate you worrying about stuff like that," I replied as I looked up at him and put on a smile. "I'll think about it."

"Good," he said before giving my arm one more rub and pulling away. "Until, then, I'm gonna need you to rinse a little faster. You're holding up the line here." 

I laughed again. "Yes, sir," I said. 

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And think about it I did. I thought about it a lot. I made pros and cons lists, physical ones and mental ones, and tried to imagine all of the possible impacts of going through with the idea. Of course, there was always some risk involved, but there was also the reward side of it. I'd be doing something that interested me and hopefully setting some kind of positive example for the kids. But mostly, the more I sat with it, the more the thought of having something of my own to look forward to every day excited me in ways I hadn't felt in a while. So, I figured that was all the self-validation I really needed. 

I had an appointment at the bank one afternoon, so instead of heading home, I decided to swing by the school and pick the kids up for a change. They were just leaving the building when I finished parking the car. I was a little further down in the parking lot, so I got out and started walking over to them. 

Jaehyun noticed me first and smiled a big smile. "Appa!" Lily barely had any time to react before he was taking off toward me, but it didn't take her long to catch up and follow suit. "Appa, what are you doing here? You're not the bus driver," he said, hugging my leg and looking up at me.

"Well, I am today." I laughed as ran my hand over the top of his head. "I had some chores in town today, so I thought I'd surprise you."

"I'm surprised," Lily said, making me laugh a little before I pulled her in for a side hug. They started questioning me about why I was in town after that, and before we were able to start heading back to the car, I heard someone call my name from behind me. When I turned around, I smiled faintly when I recognized one of the parents of Lily's friends.

"I was going to call you later, but I'm glad I was able to catch you in person," she said. "I wanted to ask if you'd be able to make some cupcakes for Ahreum's birthday party next weekend if it wouldn't be too much trouble? She's been going on and on about the ones Lily brought in for the last bonfire night."

I nodded my head. "Of course, I'd be happy to," I said. 

She exhaled happily in relief. "Oh, thank you so much," she replied. "She still has no idea what this year's theme will be, but I can let you know the details by this weekend. We're currently between princess and ninja."

I laughed. "That's fine. Kids can be pretty indecisive. We know plenty about that, don't we?" I said, looking specifically at Jaehyun, who just grinned cheekily in response. 

"It's just so wonderful of you to be willing to do this for so many of us. And out of your own house with two little ones running around. I commend your resilience," she added a moment later. 

"Oh, well, it's nothing. I enjoy it," I said with a head shake or two. "Actually, I'm thinking about making a business out of it. Well, a proper legal one, anyway. I'm still in the early stages, but it's been going well so far."

"Yeah, and appa said he's gonna bring us home treats sometimes," Jaehyun bragged, which is I'm pretty sure the only thing he retained from the conversation Jongin and I had with them a few nights prior.

"How exciting! You can count on at least one customer then. We'll be bothering you for every occasion, even the small ones."

I laughed, feeling a little shy from the attention but also more excited and confident about the direction I was headed. "I look forward to it."

A/N

Just three more of these left and let me tell you...I can feel the relief coming lol. I am working on some other one shot requests behind the scenes, but with it being the holiday season, I'm mostly focusing on these for now. With that, I wish everyone who celebrates happy holidays! :) xoxoxo