Seven-month-old Koo was crying uncontrollably, and not even his now five -year-old beloved Taehyungie Hyung could calm him. Koo clung tightly to Taehyung, his sobs growing louder with each passing moment. It was Taehyung's birthday, but he had no interest in celebrating while Koo had been crying since morning.
"Koo, why so warm?" Taehyung asked, his little voice filled with worry as he looked up at Auntie Hanni.
Hanni's eyes brimming with tears, quickly checked Koo's temperature. "Oh no, he's running a fever," she said, her voice shaking.
Somi, immediately grabbed her phone and called the family doctor.
Tae tried everything he could think of to soothe Koo. He cradled him gently, planting kisses on his forehead, nose cheeks multiple times but nothing seemed to work. Koo didn't giggle like he usually did. Instead, he grabbed Taehyung's fingers with his tiny, chubby hands and started chewing on them, his little face scrunched up in discomfort.
Somi watched and suddenly realized what was happening. "I think baby Koo is teething," she said, remembering how Taehyung had cried during his own teething phase.
When the doctor arrived, he confirmed their suspicions. "Yes, it looks like Koo is teething, which is why he's so upset."
The doctor offered some helpful advice:
Gently rubbing Koo's gums with a clean finger or a damp, cool cloth to provide relief.
Giving him a chilled teething ring to chew on.
If Koo's fever continued or he seemed very uncomfortable, a small dose of infant acetaminophen could help.
After giving the bitter medicine to baby Koo, he finally stopped crying and turned his gaze toward Taehyung, who had teary eyes watching the baby's breath shake.
Somi and Hanni quietly slipped out of the room to prepare some nourishment for the kids, leaving them surrounded by soft pillows on the bed.
"Baby Koo," Taehyung said softly, his voice trembling slightly, "Tae hates when you cly." .
"Tae wants baby Koo Koo to alwawy laugh," he added, patting his chest as if to convey his sincerity. Leaning in, he pressed a gentle kiss on Koo's little nose, and the baby squealed with delight, letting out an adorable, joyous sound that made Taehyung beam with happiness.
"Yeah, that's my Koo Koo," he cheered, showering the baby's cheeks with kisses. He loved to nibble on those chubby cheeks, being careful not to hurt him, then placed another soft kiss on his cheek.
"Baby Koo, Tae loves you sho sho sho sho much," he declared earnestly.
The baby squealed, his tiny hands reaching out to touch his own feet, his way of showing pure joy.
"Do you love Tae too?" Taehyung asked, eyes sparkling with hope.
"Gagagagagavvbwbejwk," the baby replied, his babbles filling the air .
"Say 'Tae Tae,'" Taehyung encouraged.
"Gagaga wjenmkk!" Jungkook squealed, his little voice ringing like music to Taehyung's ears.
"Baby Koo, when Tae grows up, then Koo and Tae will live together, and Tae will take care of Koo. Then you won't need Auntie Hanni, right?" Taehyung said, a twinge of jealousy creeping into his voice. He couldn't help but feel a bit envious of Uncle Shin and Auntie Hanni for getting to be with Koo all the time, while he had to wait until Sunday afternoons to see him.
"Ta Ta!" Jungkook exclaimed, and just then, gasps could be heard around the room. Somi and Jeon Hanni had just entered, witnessing the baby making his first word-"Tae."
