Beneath The spotlight

Chapter 40: A Family Visit

It was a crisp, sunny afternoon when Joong, Dunk, and Kian arrived at the hospital to visit Gemini, Fourth, and their newborn baby. Joong, always stylish, carried a bouquet of fresh flowers, while Dunk followed close behind, carrying a squirming and excited Kian in his arms.

“Daddy, are we going to see the baby now?” Kian asked, his little hands gripping Dunk’s shoulders tightly as they walked through the hallway.

“Yes, Kian,” Dunk replied, his voice calm but holding a hint of amusement at his son’s enthusiasm. “But remember, the baby is very small, so we have to be gentle.”

Joong shot a smirk back at them. “Small doesn’t even cover it. You’ll see, Kian. Babies are like tiny dumplings.”

Kian giggled. “A dumpling baby?”

“Exactly,” Joong said with a wink, making Kian laugh even harder.

---

When they reached the hospital room, Joong knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Inside, Gemini was propped up on the hospital bed, looking radiant despite his exhaustion. Fourth sat beside him, holding baby Orion, who was wrapped snugly in a soft blue blanket.

“Look who’s here,” Joong announced as he entered, his voice warm.

Gemini’s face lit up at the sight of his brother-in-law and the rest of the group. “Finally! I was starting to think you guys forgot about me.”

“As if I could forget you,” Joong teased, stepping forward to place the flowers on the bedside table. “And don’t worry, we brought snacks. Hospital food is a crime against humanity.”

Dunk walked in next, still holding Kian, who was looking around the room curiously. His eyes landed on the baby in Fourth’s arms, and his mouth dropped open.

“Is that the baby?” Kian asked, pointing with a wide-eyed expression.

“Yup,” Fourth said with a soft smile, carefully adjusting Orion so Kian could see him better. “This is your new cousin, Orion.”

Kian wriggled in Dunk’s arms, clearly wanting to get a closer look. Dunk chuckled and set him down gently, keeping a hand on his shoulder as Kian toddled over to the bed.

“He’s so tiny,” Kian whispered, his voice full of wonder as he peered at the sleeping baby.

“That’s because he’s brand new,” Gemini said with a grin. “He hasn’t even had time to grow into his cuteness yet.”

Joong pulled up a chair beside the bed, crossing his legs as he watched the scene unfold. “He’s already adorable. Definitely gets that from me.”

Fourth rolled his eyes but smiled. “Sure, Joong. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

---

Dunk, meanwhile, stood quietly near the bed, his gaze shifting between the baby and Gemini. His cold demeanor had softened ever so slightly, though he still wasn’t the type to gush openly.

“He’s healthy?” Dunk asked, his voice low but genuine.

Fourth nodded. “Perfectly healthy. And loud when he wants to be.”

Gemini chuckled, reaching out to take Dunk’s hand in a rare gesture of gratitude. “Thanks for coming, Dunk. It means a lot.”

Dunk hesitated for a moment before squeezing Gemini’s hand briefly. “Of course. Family’s family.”

---

Kian, meanwhile, was still captivated by Orion. “Can I hold him?” he asked, looking up at Fourth with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Maybe when you’re a little older,” Fourth said gently. “For now, you can just say hi like this.” He leaned down slightly so Kian could touch Orion’s tiny hand.

The baby stirred at the contact, his little fingers curling around Kian’s. Kian gasped, his face lighting up with joy. “He’s holding my hand!”

Joong couldn’t help but snap a picture, grinning as he looked at the screen. “This is definitely going on the family group chat.”

“No embarrassing captions,” Gemini warned, though he was smiling too.

“Who, me?” Joong said innocently, already typing on his phone.

---

As the visit went on, the room filled with laughter and warmth. Joong entertained them with stories about the chaos at his latest event, while Kian proudly showed off his new “cousin” to anyone who would listen.

Dunk, though quiet, stayed close to Kian, his protective nature evident in the way he watched over his son.

At one point, Fourth caught Dunk’s eye and gave him a small nod of appreciation. It was a subtle gesture, but it spoke volumes. Despite their complicated history, there was an unspoken understanding between them—a shared respect that neither needed to put into words.

---

As they prepared to leave, Kian gave Orion one last gentle touch on the hand. “Bye, baby Orion,” he said softly. “I’ll come play with you when you’re bigger.”

Gemini smiled, his heart full as he watched Kian and Dunk head toward the door. “You’ve got a good kid there, Dunk.”

Dunk paused, looking back with a rare, faint smile. “He’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Joong, who had been pretending not to eavesdrop, nudged Dunk playfully. “And here I thought your best achievement was tolerating me.”

Dunk scoffed, but there was a hint of humor in his voice as he replied, “That’s a close second.”

The door closed behind them, leaving Fourth and Gemini alone with their little star. As they gazed down at Orion, their hearts full, they knew this was only the beginning of the next chapter of their lives.