hearts at odds | baekyeon

26

Balloons in pastel white and blue, and streamers adorn the venue, shaping the once empty space into one that radiates a festive atmosphere. The sweet aroma of freshly baked cupcakes and desserts filled the air.

"Happy hundred days to you, baby!" Taeyeon tickles Baekho's stomach, inviting cute giggles.

Families and friends begin to stream in, bringing gifts wrapped in cute cartoons. Taeyeon's family is the first to arrive, their smiles reflecting happiness.

"You have grown so much!" The grandmother scoops his grandson up from the stroller, peppering his tiny face with kisses. The baby giggles as his tiny hand excitedly tries to yank the glasses off the face.

Soon after, more guests arrive. Surely the power of Baekho, he singlehandedly elicits squeals of delight from everyone. They all want to be the baby's favourite. The place is soon filled with joyous sounds of laughter and chatters.

The foreign faces that he has only seen once or twice in three months of life on earth might have scare him. They don't look like mommy or daddy. These sounds are not lullabies.

Overwhelmed by all the attention, he bursts into tears, wishing for the safety of his parents' arms.

Bashfully, Taeyeon cradles him close to her, her heart swelling with love as she calms the baby down, his small hand clinging onto her shirt. "It's okay sweetheart, mommy's got you."

She brings him to a quiet corner, away from the jolly atmosphere of the party. She hums a soft lullaby, her melodious voice soothing his cries.

With a warm smile, Baekhyun apologises to the guests and directs them to the table laden with an assortment of savoury food ranging from main dishes to desserts.

When the guests are mingling around, catching up with each other about their hectic lives, Baekhyun goes over to the mother and son to check on them.

"Do you need me to take over?"

Shaking her head, she smiles gratefully. "I will bring him over once he's calmer."

He cups Baekho's chubby cheek with his gigantic hands, stroking gently on his baby's soft skin. "Everyone's excited to meet you, my little prince."

Baekhyun returns back to host the guests, finding his group of friends gathered with Taeyeon's who have been watching them.

"How are you both coping?" Junmyeon, the ever-worried friend, asks.

"It was tough in the beginning when we were trying to get used to everything, but it's easier now."

They are the friends whom have known them since their teenage years. It's amusing to them that the couple who was once arguing and hating on each other like it's the end of the world have now transitioned into parents of a three months old baby boy.

"How did you get from hating Taeyeon to this?" Yuri begins with the most sought-after question.

Shyly, Baekhyun rubs the back of his neck. "It's so long, I don't even know where to start." His heart eyes glancing over at his wife and child. "In short, I guess familiarity breeds fondness."

"We should have known the fights will breed fondness," Kyungsoo chimes in, like it should have been common sense to them.

They recall the days where they'd receive daily hate texts from them grumbling about living with a new person. The arguments they had were legendarily dumb and ridiculous. Their friends were even worried about the future of their child at one point.

As Sooyoung proudly watches Taeyeon talking to the other family members, she utters, "Baekhyun, thank you, sincerely. It was a mistake, but it had forced Taeyeon to lower her very guarded personality. She looks happier and healthier now."