The Escort S2

Part 49: A precious moment

Taehyung's POV

Excitement surges through me as I think about hosting dad and his new lady friend Lisa. Chanyeol is also coming and hopefully it will be an opportunity for Kookie and his brother to get closer. It's a small dinner tonight as Jin and Namjoon are taking the kids out.

"Kookie, you're not wearing that!" I scorn, walking into our bedroom.

"What's wrong with this? It's comfortable and why do I have to come!?" I roll my eyes.

"Kookie, what did I tell you the last three times you asked me?"

"Uhm, you said wear something nice and I was coming. I thought maybe you might have reconsidered."

"No Kookie, I did not reconsider." I blow out an exasperated breath. "Baby why are you so uncomfortable with Chany being here? He's your brother." I slowly walk over to him.

Kookie frowns. "Tae, I don't like him and he's an asshole."

"Why can't you at least be nice to him? He's trying. Can you at least give him credit for that?"

"Ok, so I should excuse a lifetime of bad behavior?"

"A lifetime?" I question pulling my eyebrows together hearing what sounds ridiculous to me.

"Yes, it might seem petty, but I clearly remember him pushing me out of a swing when I was 3 years old." Kookie pouts.

"Really, Kookie?" I chuckle and shake my head dismissively.

"Yes, and he tried to steal my mother," Kookie says as his voice cracks a bit. Immediately my expression flattens out hearing the pain in his voice.

The room goes quiet as Kookie's anger expression smooths and turns to sadness. He clears his throat and swallows.

"I'm not sure why I said that." He explains as I take his hand and lead him to the bed where we sit.

"Kookie, you said it because you have some deep and old hurt. It's okay, baby. Tell me what you're feeling." I say softly wanting to understand and support him.

"No Tae, it's not important." He tries to rise and I pull him back down on the bed.

"Kookie, it's me. It's okay. I'm sorry I laughed. I-I didn't understand. Tell me more. Please." Kookie looks up at me and slowly nods his head.

"l don't want him to steal my dad, Tae. I just found him. And I-I want him for me. He's had him all his life and now it's my turn." My gut twists hearing his innocent vulnerability. "Is that selfish? And why do I feel like I'm 5 years old all over again?" His chin dips.

"Kookie, I'm no doctor but I have had therapy and my own trauma. We never get completely healed with an emotional injury. There are things that trigger it. I think Chany is your trigger. Your feelings are yours and they are valid. l don't think it's selfish. Your little boy misses his dad. It feels real for you." How sad. Kookie never had a real dad. The man he thought was his dad was cruel, angry, and dismissive to him. "Baby, what do you want for dad?" I ask him.

"That's easy. I want him to be happy." His head rises and a sweet smile shows on his face and in his eyes.

"Do you know when I saw dad the happiest?"

"No Tae, when?"

"At our Holiday party when he had his two boys together. He later told me that was the best gift ever and there was one other time he was that happy. When your mom told him she was pregnant with you."

"What? Really, Tae?"

"Really, Kookie." He slowly lowers his head onto my shoulder and breathes in deep breaths until he's ready to move. I place a light hand to his back and gently stroke him.