It Ain't Easy

다섯

QUICK CODE

Apostrophe - main spoken language is Korean.

Single Dashes - English

Back Slashes - person on the phone

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Tae spotted me first and looked around me after I put the box down at the front counter.

'Where is my nephew?!' He whined a bit until he spotted the little dozing baby in someone else's arms. 'Woah! Woah! What is this?! My nephew already has a girlfriend?'

'Shin-hye, please excuse my friend. Nothing smart comes out of his mouth.'

She giggled and shook her head. She offered me my son, but Tae took him instead. 'You are just a lady killer, my boy. Just like your uncle.'

'Don't tell him nonsense, Tae!'

He rolled his eyes completely ignoring me. With the baby in his arms and the diaper bag in tow, he went outside the baby store. Posh leaned against the counter and watched the interaction between me and Shin while he smirked. It was creepy and I kicked at him to make him go away, but he didn't and stayed.

Shin-hye was my type and her cute temperament made it even better. She seemed genuinely a nice person. I did tend to serial date between long term relationships. It's a goal of mine to marry or have a lifelong partnership, but none of the relationships I've had lasted longer than a year. Reggie who I fell completely in love with was only 8 months and took nearly that long to get over her.

After I paid for the combo-stroller, Shin-hye led us back to a small waiting room where parents wait for little ones to change. Expertly, she sliced open the box and took out the components. We didn't have to wait long. As I watched her nimble hands, I grew a great appreciation for her. This may have been just a practiced motion for her, but her skill was amazing.

- You're staring - Posh pointed out.

- Not her, per se, but her hands - I admitted and looked back toward the front of the store. I could barely see Tae, who was talking to someone. Rolling my eyes, I hiked my thumb in that direction. Posh got the clue and started laughing when he noticed.

'Our nephew doesn't stand a chance, yo..'

'You are telling me. I'm going to have to put him on brain scrubbers the days he hangs out with the both of you.' I shook my head, chuckling.

My gaze averted downward and grew fuzzy around my shoes. Thoughts of the tiny baby growing into a handsome little man, shaped and molded by us, filled my head. He would have the American brass, Thai sass, and Korean politeness - though, the passive aggressive game was no joke. I chuckled, shaking my head again.

A couple loud clicks and a sigh from Shin-hye drew my focus back to her. With a couple hands placed on her knees while she was in squat position, she used them to press herself up before coming to a full stand.

'Alright, Joonie's dad. The extra components and instructions are loaded into the cargo space here.' She pointed. 'And now where is Puppy?'

I looked at her confused. Posh added, 'The baby, Lucas.'

I looked around and didn't see Tae. 'That bastard son of a blue assed monkey.'

Posh hollered. 'Hearing you curse is always hilarious, Luc.'

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone. He answered on the second ring.

/Hello, Dad!/ he chuckled, making cooing noises to Joonie.

- Fuck you - 'Where is my baby?!'

/He is with me. Safe. Comfortable after having a massive shit. I'm fine, too, you know./

'Bring him back to the baby store. His lady friend would like to say goodbye.'

/I'm on my way. You have to cook for me. Your son peed all over me, too! Aigoo!/

I chuckled at this. 'Stop your whining. Bring the child and we can talk about your bottomless pit later.'