vegas, baby.

champagne confetti.

~ october 11th, 2023 ~

It took three rings for her to answer the phone.

Leaning over the bathroom counter, iPhone propped up against the mirror, your lips were pressed together firmly, an unreadable expression as Sunny's bright smile popped up on the screen and fell within milliseconds, her pink glossy lips frowning. Behind her, palm trees and sunshine, a backdrop she's become accustomed to, one she belongs in front of.

"What's wrong?" she asked, squinting. Voices chattered in the background, a prominent one belonging to none other than Khloe Kardashian herself.

Taking a deep breath, you asked, "You're filming?"

"No, having dinner with the girls," she spoke fast, her eyes locked on you. "What's going on? You okay? Dae okay? I can fly back."

A small smile broke onto your lips. Nerves jittered in your veins, your heart beating a little faster than it should be. "We're okay, just finished breakfast. She's running around my room right now, she's obsessed with Kook's dirty ass song. We've had to listen to it everyday. Everyday , Sun. I hate it."

"The Jack Harlow one?" she asked, and your grimace answered for you, making her cackle.

"First Seven, now this," you said, teeth clenched. "What happened to sweet baby Jungkook?"

Sunny's laugh sounded through your phone once more, triggering the pitter patter of little footsteps to come barreling into the bathroom door. "Honey, you're funny, you know who changed that man."

Your smile grew, shaking your head because you knew damn well who changed that man. Glancing to your right down at the floor, a two year old in pastel yellow footed pajamas was watching you, holding onto the doorframe with her little hands. There were messy pigtails in her hair, black as night, the skinny rubber bands slipping out after a good night's sleep. Eyes wide, the ghost of a smile on her face, she knew who you were talking to.

"Hi," you said to her, and she giggled, her cheeks squishing her eyes like her fathers would.

"Dae?!" Sunny called, lurching forward in her seat. She excused herself from the table and hurried into whoever's house she was at, walking into a hallway grander than your own. Your daughter's lips parted, curiosity written all over the face she stole from your husband.

"Who is it?" you asked, keeping your eyes on the toddler as she walked toward you, wrapping her arms around one of your legs.

"Where's my girl?" Sunny's tone was eager, all she could see was the top of your head. Crouching down to pick Dae up, you propped her on your hip and grinned as Sunny gasped. "Hello, beautiful!"

Dae smiled, looking down at the phone, then looked at you, putting a finger between her little teeth.

"Say hi to Sunny," you nodded, brushing leftover crumbs from breakfast off of her pajamas. "Tell her you haven't brushed your hair yet today." Another dramatic gasp came out of the phone, catching Dae's attention.

"Baby, you tell your mother I blame her for that." Sunny clicked her tongue. "You can't even reach your hairbrush, it is not your fault." She squinted at the screen. "She had those rubber bands yesterday, Honey, get them out!"

Dae was laughing, Sunny's silly tone making her giggle in your arms, subsequently making you giggle along with her. "Dae," you said softly after a breath, your daughter pointing her gaze at you. "Tell Sunny we've been really busy." Your Californiacated best friend froze, her sculpted eyebrows furrowing a bit.

"Busy," Dae said, copying you, her listening ears on full alert. Her little voice soft, smooth, the words broken as she tried to pronounce everything correctly.