Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 18: Hayoon (Jennie 25; Rosé 28)

Jennie cradled her newborn daughter, Hayoon, in her arms, her heart swelling with a love so profound it brought tears to her eyes. As she looked down at the tiny, perfect being nestled against her chest, she marveled at the smallness of her daughter—so delicate, so fragile.

"You're perfect," Jennie whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She ran a finger gently over Hayoon's soft cheek, her heart clenching with a mixture of awe and protectiveness. This was her daughter, her flesh and blood, and the depth of her love was something she had never imagined.

Minwoo, standing beside her, gazed down at their newborn with a soft smile. "She's beautiful, just like you, Jennie," he murmured. But there was a weariness in his voice that didn't escape Jennie's notice, a fatigue that went beyond the exhaustion of new parenthood.

The days that followed were sleepless nights and endless diaper changes, the once-quiet apartment now alive with the sounds of a newborn. Jennie would be up at all hours, tending to her daughter with a patience she hadn't known she possessed. Each day brought its own set of challenges and joys, but Jennie was embracing the chaos, her love for Hayoon growing with every tiny coo and yawn.

But as the weeks passed, Jennie began to notice a shift in Minwoo. Where once he had been engaged and present, his smiles now seemed forced. He was more withdrawn, coming home late from work and retreating into silence when she asked how his day had been.

One early morning, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains of their small kitchen, casting a warm glow over the room. Jennie was up early, as usual, preparing breakfast. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of pancakes sizzling on the stove.

Minwoo wandered into the kitchen, his steps heavy, and his eyes still clouded with sleep. He offered Jennie a sleepy smile as he slumped into the chair at the breakfast table. "Good morning," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Good morning," Jennie replied brightly, setting a stack of pancakes in front of him. "How was your sleep? You got home late from work last night—I didn't even hear you come in."

"Not too bad," Minwoo said, though his voice was flat, the usual warmth missing. He glanced at the pancakes and forced a small smile. "These look great."

Jennie watched him as she poured coffee into his cup, the feeling of unease that had been growing inside her beginning to claw its way to the surface. Minwoo seemed distant, as though his mind was somewhere else, far away from their cozy kitchen and the life they had built together. There was a tension in the air that she couldn't quite put her finger on, but it bugged her, refusing to be ignored.

"Everything alright?" Jennie asked, trying to keep her voice light as she sat down across from him. "You seem a little... off."

Minwoo paused, his fork hovering over his plate. "I'm fine, just tired," he replied, but Jennie caught the flicker of something in his eyes—a shadow of worry, or perhaps stress, that he was trying to hide.

Jennie nodded, though the unease didn't fade. "If there's anything on your mind, you know you can talk to me."

Minwoo smiled weakly, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I know. It's just... it's been a lot lately. But we're okay."

Jennie returned his smile, but her heart felt heavy. She wanted to believe that everything was alright, that the distance she felt was just a result of the adjustments they were both making as new parents. But something about Minwoo's demeanor made her feel uneasy, as if there was something he wasn't telling her. The love and warmth that had once filled their home now seemed clouded by an unspoken tension, one that neither of them knew how to address.

Later that day, Jennie found herself in Hayoon's nursery, organizing baby clothes and supplies. The room was bathed in soft pastel colors, the walls adorned with delicate paintings of animals and flowers. The gentle sound of a lullaby played in the background, and Hayoon napped peacefully in her crib, her tiny fingers curled around a plush toy.

Jennie sat down in the rocking chair, watching her daughter sleep. The rhythmic creaking of the chair as she rocked back and forth was soothing, but it did little to quiet the thoughts swirling in her mind. She couldn't help but reflect on the changes that had come with motherhood.

Her thoughts drifted to Minwoo and the subtle distance that had begun to form between them. There had been no major arguments or issues, but the little signs—his distracted demeanor, his sudden quiet moments—were starting to add up. Jennie loved him and knew he was a good man, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was struggling with something he wasn't sharing with her.

"I hope everything is alright with your appa," Jennie whispered to Hayoon, her voice filled with a mix of hope and concern. She reached out to gently stroke her daughter's cheek, watching as Hayoon stirred slightly in her sleep. "I want our family to be happy and strong. I want us to be okay."

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the apartment was bathed in the soft glow of lamplight, Jennie and Minwoo prepared for bed. The quiet of the night settled around them, a contrast to the busyness of the day. Jennie reached out, taking Minwoo's hand in hers as they lay side by side.

"You know," she began softly, her voice hesitant, "if there's anything you want to talk about, I'm here. We're in this together."

Minwoo turned to look at her, his expression softening as he squeezed her hand. "I appreciate that," he said, his voice gentle. "I just... I'm trying to adjust, you know? It's a lot to take in."

Jennie nodded, her heart aching with a mixture of love and concern. "We'll figure it out," she whispered, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Minwoo smiled, a real one this time, and Jennie felt a small spark of hope. "I know," he replied. "And I'm grateful for you, Jennie."

As they lay in bed that night, the darkness wrapping around them like a comforting blanket, Jennie tried to push away the thoughts that had been clouding her mind. She wanted to focus on the love she had for her family, the bond that she and Minwoo shared. But as she drifted off, she couldn't help but wonder if this was just a passing storm or if it was the beginning of something more, something that could shake the very foundation of the life they had built together.