Hearts in chaos: Hearts Entwined book 4

53

The soft sounds of children’s breathing filled the house, the little ones finally asleep after a long evening of excitement and fun. Jin gently tucked Jiwoon under his blanket, pressing a light kiss on his forehead before quietly exiting the room. He walked through the dimly lit hallway, savoring the warm glow of Christmas lights that adorned the walls, a gentle reminder of the festive spirit that had filled the evening.

In the kitchen, the sound of laughter and clinking dishes drew him in. The ladies—Mia, Hana, Bella, and Ariana—were gathered around the counter, finishing up the last of the clean-up while chatting animatedly.

“I swear, if we keep eating cookies at this rate, I’ll need to buy a whole new wardrobe,” Mia joked, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she joined the others.

“Same here! But it’s totally worth it,” Hana laughed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I can’t remember the last time we all got together like this.”

“Exactly! It feels so good to catch up,” Bella said, placing the last plate into the drying rack. “And the kids had such a great time. They’ll remember this Christmas for sure.”

“I love it! It’s so different from my usual holidays,” Ariana chimed in, her hand resting protectively over her baby bump. “I can’t wait for our little one to join in on all this fun next year.”

“Right? There’s just something magical about Christmas,” Mia agreed, her eyes sparkling. “It’s all about family and friends.”

As they shared stories and experiences, Jin stepped into the living room, where the guys were sprawled out on the couches, each with a drink in hand. The atmosphere was light, filled with teasing remarks and playful banter.

“Look who finally emerged from the nursery,” Jimin teased, his eyes glimmering mischievously. “How’s our little family man doing?”

“Living the dream,” Jin replied, rolling his eyes good-naturedly as he settled into an armchair. “You guys have no idea how much energy those kids have.”

“Oh, we know,” Yoongi smirked, taking a sip of his drink. “You’ve been a father for a while now, Jin. You’re practically a pro.”

“Yeah, but this is the first time I’ve had to wrangle two babies at once. I feel like I’ve run a marathon,” Jin said, feigning exhaustion as he dropped his head back against the chair.

“Just wait until they’re toddlers,” Namjoon chimed in, sitting beside him. “That’s when the real fun begins.”

As laughter erupted in the room, Jin found himself surrounded by friends who had been there through every stage of his life. He cherished these moments, the camaraderie, and the light-hearted teasing that felt like home.

“Seriously, though,” Jungkook said, a playful glint in his eyes. “You’re really good with them, Jin. I think you’ve found your calling.”

Jin shrugged, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. “I just love being around Mia and Jiwoon. It’s easy when you enjoy it.”

“Look at him, all lovestruck,” Jimin said with a playful nudge. “I knew this would happen. You’re practically glowing, man.”

“Aw, come on, give him a break!” Tae interjected, a teasing smile on his face. “At least he’s happy. Not all of us are so lucky in love.”

As the laughter settled, Namjoon leaned forward, a smirk spreading across his face. “Speaking of luck, how’s the dating scene treating the three of you?” he asked, glancing at Jimin, Hobi, and yoongi.

Jimin leaned back, crossing his arms with a cocky grin. “You know I’ve got my eye on someone at the cafe. She comes in often and orders the same thing every time—she has good taste, I’ll give her that.”