"Daddy, was I an accident? Don't lie."
"Why would you think that?" Hyunjin asked, stroking Juno's hair.
"I heard Uncle Channie and Uncle Jisung talking before dinner." Juno whispered.
"And they said that? Hyunjin asked as the anger started building.
"Well, I don't really understand what they said." Juno pouted.
"Can you tell me what it sounded like?"
"Uncle Channie telled Uncle Jisung that he has to be careful because it's "really hard" when you "accidentally" have a baby when you're "too young" like you and mommy were." Juno explained.
"Oh...." Hyunjin hummed, trying to figure out what to say.
"Am I not a good thing? Did you not want me?"
"No! You're the best thing that happened to mommy and daddy! What uncle meant was something else. He just meant that we didn't know you were coming. It's like when someone gives you a gift when you're totally not expecting it! It's even more special and exciting! That's how we felt when we got you!" Hyunjin said.
"Then why did Uncle say it was hard?"
"Well, just because mommy and daddy had to work really hard. That's all."
"So I'm not a bad accident?"
"No! You were a surprise! A perfect surprise."
"But you didn't mean to have me?"
"We did. We just didn't plan it at that time. You WERE meant to be. Think of it like this: Pretend you're really really hungry."
Juno quickly sat up to rub his belly.
"And then you have to come home after school and make yourself a snack, but it takes a loooong time."
"Aweeee" Juno pouted.
"Now start over. Pretend you're really hungry."
"Okay."
"And pretend that you walk into the kitchen after school, and you see your favourite snack, sitting on the counter, already ready for you."
Juno's jaw dropped as he drooled over the pretend food.
Hyunjin laughed. "Which one is better?"
"The second one!" Juno said.
"Mmhhmm! And that's how we felt when we found out about you. We were so happy that you were there already. You're the snack Juno." Hyunjin smiled.
Juno laughed. "Are you going to eat me, daddy?"
"Maybe... If you keep looking so cute." Hyunjin teased, tickling Juno.
Juno giggled and then sleepily laid back down, and after a few minutes of Hyunjin rubbing his back, he drifted off.
When he was asleep for sure, Hyunjin moved him to the side and got up.
He walked back upstairs and instantly met Chan's eyes.
"Hyung, next time you decide to call my kid an "accident" at least do it when we're not in the same house!" Hyunjin said with a glare.
Chan's mouth fell open, realizing what happened. "Jin, I did NOT mean it like that. I swear." He said regretfully.
"It doesn't matter what you MEANT. He heard what you SAID."
"Look, I'm really sorry, okay? I am." Chan said, standing up and going over to Hyunjin.
"You didn't need to say it like that. He didn't need to know! Ever!" Hyunjin said angrily.
"You're right. But it's going to be okay-" Chan started.
"Yeah, it's okay for now because I just spent the last half hour making up illustrations about snacks and surprise gifts! And explaining to him that I DO actually want him." Hyunjin ranted.
"Hyunjin, I'm really sorry. I wasn't trying to say anything bad. But I should've been more careful, and I'll be more careful from now on." Chan said sincerely.
Hyunjin huffed. "Just don't use that word; "Accidentally"."
"I got it." Chan nodded. "Would it help if I explain to him that I didn't mean it?"
"I told him you didn't mean it already."
Chan examined Hyunjin's expression. "Okay. Jinnie, I'm sorry again. Please don't think I meant anything by it."
"I know. I know you just don't want Jisung to do something stupid." Hyunjin sighed.
Chan nodded. "And I love you. I love Juno. Really. I'm sorry."
"Okay." Hyunjin grunted... "You've said that enough. I'm going back to bed."
"Jin" Chan said, holding out his arms. "I'm sorry."
Hyunjin sighed and walked toward Chan, giving him a begrudging hug.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"I know. I wish you hadn't." Hyunjin said with narrow eyes.
Chan nodded. "Me too." He sighed, rolling his eyes.
"Anyway. What's done is done. It'll be fine."
"Is there anything I can do to make up for it?" Chan asked.
Hyunjin shook his head. "No. Goodnight." He said as he walked back downstairs.
"Have a good sleep." Chan called.
"Tsk tsk tsk" Jisung remarked. "Way to go, dad."
Chan sighed as he plopped back down on the couch. "No kidding." He said sadly. "Do you think they'll be mad at me tomorrow?"
Jisung shrugged. "Probably more like all weekend." He joked.
Chan gave Jisung an unimpressed look. "Thanks. That's really helpful."
YOU ARE READING
Our Family
General Fiction*Sequel* What would it be like to be the patriarch of a family of eight boys? Christopher knows all too well. His parents were out of the picture at a young age, and since then, he's been in charge of the family. He's raised his brothers as if they...
