Come back to me [SOPE]

Chapter 17

After a hundred Sundays together, Jhope stepped out of the spacious, spa-like bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. He found Suga standing by the crib, gently adoring their sleeping baby. Smiling, Jhope slipped his arms around Suga from behind and whispered, "Hyung... is she finally down?"

Suga whispered back with a sigh of relief, "Yeah, finally... We've got about two hours." He turned, planting a soft kiss on Jhope's cheek. "Go get dressed and come out; we have a lot to do."

With a smile, Jhope headed to dress, thinking about how much had changed in just a few months. It had been four months since they'd moved into their new house and brought their daughter home. The idea of adoption had come from Jhope, hoping it would solidify their life together under one roof after living back and forth between two places. After officially updating the court on the nullification of their divorce, they applied for adoption and waited with anticipation. Now, they had their little angel, just 112 days old, and they were learning quickly how tough life with a newborn could be. Between feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights, they took turns, and last night had been Suga's shift.

When Jhope stepped out into the living room, he found Suga absentmindedly stroking Evvie, who had gotten a bit fluffier over the last two years. Suga muttered, "We're taking your evening walks more seriously from now on, mister. Next vet visit, I don't want to hear another word about your weight."

Evvie, completely uninterested, lay on his side, batting a fluffy ball around lazily. Jhope chuckled and asked, "Shall we order in, hyung? I noticed the maid hasn't come for a few days."

Suga nodded, collapsing onto the couch, exhausted. Jhope ordered breakfast, then sat down by Suga's legs, massaging them gently. "Hyung... do you want to take a day off?"

Suga sighed but shook his head. "No, Hoba. I've got some work piling up, but I'll get it done as quickly as I can and come back. You'll be okay with Bora today, right?"

Jhope smiled, nodding. With his law firm doing well and bringing in solid income, he could work remotely as needed, which made things a bit easier. They finished their breakfast quietly before Suga kissed Jhope and left for work.

The day turned out tougher than Jhope expected. Bora decided she only wanted to sleep when held, and every time Jhope tried to place her in the crib, she'd start crying immediately.

"Aww, Bora... please sleep. Dada's really tired. We've been walking for hours now," he sighed, bouncing her gently.

But Bora only gave him a big, innocent stare, in no mood to sleep without being held. Jhope chuckled through his exhaustion, realizing his little angel had already learned exactly how to get her way.

When Suga returned home that evening, the house was unusually quiet—even Evvie was lounging lazily on the couch. Peeking into their bedroom, Suga found Jhope leaning back against the headboard, cradling a peacefully sleeping Bora, surrounded by a fortress of pillows for extra protection. Smiling, Suga gently lifted Bora from Jhope's arms and laid her back in her crib, then checked the diaper dispenser and found his little girl had been well-fed and taken care of, Jhope faithfully holding up his end of diaper duty. After adjusting Jhope into a more comfortable position, Suga slipped into the kitchen to prepare a quick dinner, laughing softly to himself at how much life had changed over two years—going from a divorcee to a doting papa.

Just as he finished cooking, Bora's cry filled the room, and Suga rushed to pick her up, knowing that with a newborn around, the quiet moments never lasted long.

Later that night, both Suga and Jhope lay side by side in bed, exhausted.

"Hyung, let's get a nanny," Jhope groaned. "I'm convinced our daughter is a spoiled brat."

"Agreed," Suga chuckled, "she hates it when we even try to sit down. Such a fan of the 'walking' life."

They discussed which agency to approach for a nanny until they settled on one. Just as Suga was about to fall asleep, he felt Jhope's nose brush against his neck, knowing exactly what Jhope was hoping for.

"Hoba... we agreed on a week-long break," Suga reminded, chuckling.

"Hyung... just a quickie, please," Jhope pleaded.

"You rascal. Did you already forget the weekend in the bathtub? You didn't listen to a word I said," Suga teased, shaking his head.

"Hyung, pleeaaase..."

Suga glanced over and replied sternly, "If you don't want me to add another week to that break, stay right there."

Jhope knew he was being punished for overdoing it last time, so he pouted, quietly accepting the warning. Feeling a bit sorry, Suga softened and said, "Alright, how about just a little sugar, nothing more."

Immediately, Jhope leaned in, capturing Suga's lips with surprising intensity, making it last far longer than Suga had planned. Breathless, Suga tapped Jhope's shoulder, pulling away with a smirk. "You devil, I said a little sugar—not a full-course meal!"

"Hyung... once more?" Jhope asked with that familiar grin.

With a laugh, Suga hit him playfully with a pillow and turned to his side. Jhope scooted close, back-hugging him and murmured, "Fine, just huggies, then."

Suga had a feeling the night wouldn't end with just "huggies," and he wasn't wrong. They eventually fell asleep in each other's arms, with their little daughter in her crib beside them. And with their lives just beginning as a family, that's how their love story carried on—peaceful, playful, and always together.

                                                     THE END...!