Love Wins All (Chaesoo Fluffs)

20. Surprised meet

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the elegant apartment, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. A woman in a black long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans sat comfortably in an armchair, her legs crossed and a book in her hand. She took a leisurely sip from her coffee mug, savoring the rich flavor as she turned another page. The quiet serenity of her morning was one of her cherished routines.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her peace. She glanced up, her curiosity piqued. One of the maids swiftly moved to answer the door, revealing a woman standing there with a baby in her arms. The visitor was dressed in a black flowy dress, her dark brown hair cascading in loose waves. She looked both anxious and apologetic.

The woman in the armchair set her book down and stood up, walking over to the entrance. The visitor stepped inside, holding the baby closer.

"I'm sorry to barge in like this," she began, her voice tinged with stress. "But I need you to watch over Jisoo today," the visitor said, her voice tinged with urgency. "I have a court appointment, and I can't take her with me."

The woman in the armchair glanced at the baby, who looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes. She felt a pang of nervousness; she had never really been around children before. "I... I've never taken care of a baby before," she admitted.

The visitor smiled, though her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. "I know, but I trust you. Please, just for a little while?"

Reluctantly, she nodded. "Okay, I'll do it."

The visitor handed over the baby, who immediately began to squirm. "Thank you," she said, her relief palpable. "I won't be long."

After the door closed behind the visitor, the woman in the armchair found herself alone with the baby, who continued to look at her with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. She turned to the maid, her voice a bit shaky. "What am I supposed to do with her?"

Before the maid could respond, the baby started to cry, her tiny fists flailing. The woman held the baby awkwardly, trying to soothe her. "Shh, it's okay, it's okay," she murmured, though her own panic was rising.

Over the next few hours, the woman tried her best to entertain and care for the baby. She played with her, but Jisoo threw a ball at her head, eliciting a surprised yelp. She attempted to feed her, but the baby whacked the spoon out of her hand, sending food splattering everywhere. She even tried to get the baby to take a nap, but the crying only ceased when the baby saw her face, stopping momentarily as if to reassure herself that she wasn’t alone.

Frustrated and exhausted, she complained to the maid. "How does she do this every day? This baby is relentless!"

The maid gave her a knowing look. "Well, Miss, you're the one dating someone with a baby. Tiffany has been doing this on her own every day."

The reminder struck a chord. She took a deep breath and nodded. "You're right. I need to step up."

Determined, she decided to take the baby out for a walk. They went to a nearby park, where the fresh air and change of scenery seemed to calm Jisoo. The woman pushed the stroller along the paths, talking to the baby as if she could understand. "You know, I was really nervous about meeting you," she admitted. "But you're not so bad, are you?"

Jisoo responded with a big, toothless smile, and the woman couldn’t help but smile back. The park outing seemed to be just what they both needed.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the park, she decided it was time to head back. They returned to the apartment, where she found the visitor, Tiffany, waiting, her face a picture of worry.

"I'm so sorry for leaving her with you like this," Tiffany began, her eyes red from earlier tears.

The woman, shook her head and smiled. "It's okay, really. We spent some quality time together. She was easy on me," she lied, not wanting Tiffany to feel any more guilt.

Tiffany looked down at Jisoo, now dozing peacefully in her carrier with a new stuffed white rabbit nestled beside her. She looked back at the girl, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Taeyeon. I know it was a lot to ask."

"Anytime," Taeyeon said softly. "I'll always be here for Jisoo."

Tiffany smiled warmly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "You're amazing. I don't know what I'd do without you."

As Taeyeon watched Tiffany take Jisoo from the carrier, she felt a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. This little girl was now a part of her life, and she would do everything in her power to support both Tiffany and Jisoo, no matter what challenges may lay ahead.

But for now, she just had to worry about getting baby food out of the carpet.