Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

36

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a soft golden hue throughout the living room, the fort they had built became a cozy haven. Jin watched Jiwoon as he played, his little hands busy arranging stuffed animals and blankets in a makeshift display of domestic bliss. The sound of giggles and delighted exclamations filled the air, a stark contrast to the tension that had been hanging over Jin’s life just a few weeks ago.

However, the vibrant energy of the moment was soon tempered by a soothing calm. Mia, nestled comfortably against Jin’s side, had drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful. Jin looked down at her, a soft smile creeping across his face. There was something beautiful about the way she seemed so at ease, resting against him. He felt a protective urge wash over him, wanting to shield her from the troubles that had plagued both of them.

Jiwoon’s play continued unabated until he suddenly fell silent. Jin turned to see his son staring wide-eyed at Mia, his little brow furrowed in concern. The sight of Mia asleep seemed to shift something in Jiwoon, and he shifted his attention from his toys to the woman who had become such an integral part of their lives.

“Daddy,” Jiwoon said softly, breaking the comfortable silence that had enveloped them. His voice was barely above a whisper, as if he didn’t want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

“Yeah, buddy?” Jin replied, instinctively lowering his voice to match Jiwoon’s.

“I really want Mia to be my mommy,” Jiwoon said, his tone earnest and filled with a sincerity that tugged at Jin’s heart. He looked up at Jin, his little eyes shining with determination. “Everyone else has a mommy, and I don’t.”

Jin felt a pang in his chest at the raw honesty of Jiwoon’s words. He had known that his son was grappling with the absence of Mina, and now it was laid bare before him. “I know, Jiwoon,” he replied, his voice gentle. “It’s hard not having someone like that, isn’t it?”

Jiwoon nodded vigorously. “Mia is nice and funny, and she takes care of me. She makes me feel happy,” he confessed, his small hands clutching a stuffed bear tightly. “I like when she reads me stories and plays with me. I want her to be my mommy, Daddy!”

Jin’s heart raced as he absorbed Jiwoon’s words. He looked down at Mia, who was still peacefully sleeping against him, and felt a mixture of emotions flood through him. It was clear that Jiwoon had developed a strong attachment to Mia, and Jin couldn’t deny that he, too, felt a profound connection to her. Yet the thought of suggesting anything permanent felt like a daunting leap into unknown waters.

“Buddy, I understand how you feel,” Jin said, choosing his words carefully. “Mia is really special, and she cares about you a lot.” He paused, searching for the right way to express his thoughts. “But you know, it’s important for people to want to be in a family together. We can’t just make someone a mommy because we want them to be.”

Jiwoon’s brow furrowed in thought, clearly processing what Jin was saying. “But she already takes care of me! She makes me food and plays with me,” he insisted, his little voice filled with a mixture of frustration and hope. “I think she would be a great mommy.”

Jin sighed softly, feeling the weight of his son’s words. It was easy to see why Jiwoon felt that way. Mia had stepped into the role seamlessly, pouring her heart into caring for him. But Jin also knew that being a mother was about more than just caring for someone’s physical needs; it was a deep emotional commitment that required both people to feel it was right.

“Jiwoon, you’re a really smart kid,” Jin said, kneeling down to his son’s eye level. “But becoming a family is a big decision. We can’t rush into it just because it feels nice. We need to think about how Mia feels, too.”

Jiwoon nodded, but the disappointment was evident on his little face. “But what if she wants to? She likes me!” he said, his voice rising slightly with eagerness. “I could ask her!”

Jin chuckled softly at Jiwoon’s enthusiasm. “You can’t just ask her that right now. She’s asleep, remember? And we need to give her time to get better.”

Jiwoon pouted slightly but then glanced at Mia again, his expression softening. “Okay,” he said reluctantly. “But I really want her to be my mommy.”

“I know you do, and it’s okay to feel that way,” Jin reassured him, gently brushing a hand through Jiwoon’s hair. “We’ll talk about it more when she wakes up. For now, how about we let her rest and we can play some more together?”

“Okay!” Jiwoon said, his spirits lifting again. “Can we play house? I can be the daddy and you can be the big brother!” he suggested, eyes shining with mischief.

Jin couldn’t help but laugh at Jiwoon’s creative spirit. “Sure, I can be the big brother, but I don’t know if I’m a very good one.”

Jiwoon giggled, his earlier disappointment forgotten as he jumped back into his game. “You’ll be the best big brother!” he exclaimed, picking up his toys and continuing to set up their imaginary house.

As the evening wore on, Jin felt a warmth in his heart that he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Watching Jiwoon engage with his toys, so fully invested in the game, made him feel hopeful. It was a reminder of the joy that could be found in the simplest of moments.

Mia stirred slightly, waking up to the sounds of Jiwoon’s laughter and chatter. As her eyes fluttered open, she looked around, momentarily confused until she spotted Jin and Jiwoon in their makeshift fort. A soft smile spread across her face, and she stretched, her hair falling in gentle waves around her shoulders.

“Hey, sleepyhead!” Jin greeted, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight of her. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel better, I think,” Mia said, rubbing her eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Jiwoon wants to play house! I’m being the big brother!” Jin announced, gesturing towards his son, who was now animatedly arranging the stuffed animals in a circle.

Mia’s smile widened. “That sounds fun! Can I be the mom?” she asked playfully, looking between the two of them.

Jiwoon’s eyes lit up. “Yes! You can be the best mommy ever!” he exclaimed, his voice full of excitement.

Jin’s heart skipped a beat at Jiwoon’s words, the innocent sincerity behind them tugging at something deep within him. As Mia settled into the fort, joining the game with Jiwoon, Jin felt a sense of hope stir in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, they could build something beautiful together.

Watching the two of them interact filled Jin with a sense of warmth and possibility. He couldn’t deny that a part of him longed for the same connection Jiwoon felt, a desire for Mia to be part of their family. But for now, he would focus on nurturing this bond, letting it grow naturally.

As they played together, Jin realized that the most important thing was to create an environment where they could all feel safe and loved. For the first time in a long while, he felt like maybe they could build a future, one filled with laughter, love, and the joy of family.

And as the sun set outside, casting a warm glow over their little fort, Jin found himself smiling at the thought.