"So You're My Dad?"

34

The afternoon light spilled through the large windows of the mansion, filling the living room with a warmth that mirrored the joy in Hyunjin's heart. It had been a whirlwind of emotions ever since the hospital called to discharge Yeji. As the car rolled smoothly along the road back home, everything seemed to fall into place.

In the backseat, Jhiye sat with Yeji cradled lovingly in her arms, the baby girl fast asleep. Hyunjin glanced at them through the rearview mirror, his heart swelling with love for his wife and daughter.

Beside him, Minsoon, his close friend and secretary, was on his phone, dealing with last-minute arrangements for the evening. But even he couldn't help but turn every now and then, glancing at the baby, a rare soft smile tugging at his lips.

"You're already thinking about work tomorrow, aren't you, Mr. Hwang?" Minsoon teased, though the fondness in his voice was clear.

"Someone has to keep you in line," Hyunjin replied with a smirk.

Minsoon let out a small chuckle, and then Minho, sitting in the passenger seat, chimed in. "Don't let him fool you, Hyunjin. You need a break. I bet Minsoon's got the whole day planned out for you already."

"Please," Minsoon scoffed, "if it weren't for me, this guy wouldn't remember half of his meetings."

The friendly bickering filled the car with an easygoing energy that Hyunjin hadn't realized he'd missed. There had been so much tension, so much darkness in his life before now. But this—this lighthearted banter, this sense of family—was something he never thought he'd experience.

Hyunjin drove, his fingers gripping the steering wheel as he threw quiet glances at Jhiye. The air was buzzing, filled with quiet joy, the kind that crept up on you when you least expected it.

As they approached their home, Hyunjin's heart swelled. He had built this life with his hands, had fought for it, bled for it. And now, for the first time, he wasn't walking into a house of solitude, but a home full of warmth.

The moment they stepped through the door, Sam couldn't contain his excitement any longer. He raced ahead, jumping up and down. "Is she here? Is my sister here?"

Jhiye smiled, kneeling down gently with Yeji in her arms, allowing Sam to approach. His small, curious fingers touched his baby sister's hand, wide eyes full of wonder. "She's so tiny..." Sam whispered, awestruck. "Will she like me?"

Hyunjin crouched beside him, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. "She already does, buddy. You're her big brother. She's lucky to have you."

Sam's eyes sparkled, full of joy, but also something deeper—a sense of belonging. It wasn't just Hyunjin who had changed. Their whole family had grown, not just in size, but in love.

As they made their way further inside, the sound of laughter echoed from the living room. The rest of the Stray Kids members were there, gathered like the family they had always been. 

 Jeongsuk, and Jisang stood together, watching with gentle smiles as Hyunjin entered, carrying the weight of a lifetime's worth of memories in his eyes.

"Hyung!" Felix grinned as he pulled Hyunjin into a hug. "The princess has arrived!"

"This is her," Hyunjin said softly, gesturing toward Baby Yeji, now nestled peacefully in her mother's arms. "Our daughter, Baby Yeji."

"Finally, the princess is home," Minho remarked, his tone playful yet full of sincerity. "She's already stealing the show."

"Of course," Minsoon added with a smirk. "She's Hyunjin's daughter, after all. What else would you expect?"