Fated by 'I Do'

Chapter 58: Who wants some cookies?

Jin's kitchen smelled heavenly, the aroma of banana and strawberry cookies filling the entire Jeon mansion. The tray was already in the oven, and Jin stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at Namjoon, who stood sheepishly with a bottle of butter in hand.

"Namjoon! A whole bottle of butter for one batch? Are you trying to feed an army or give everyone cholesterol problems?" Jin scolded, snatching the bottle from him.

"I-I thought it'd make them richer in flavor," Namjoon stammered, his shoulders slumping as Bo-ah and Seok Woo snickered from the other side of the counter, clearly enjoying his predicament.

"Oh, they'll be rich, alright. Rich in grease!" Jin muttered dramatically, earning chuckles from his in-laws.

Bo-ah patted Namjoon's arm with a grin. "Don't worry, dear. Being scolded by Jin just means he loves you."

Seok Woo nodded in agreement, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "I'd be worried if he didn't say anything."

Namjoon let out a sigh but couldn't help smiling. Jin's nagging was as much a part of their love story as their shared history.

As they worked together in the kitchen, their banter filling the room, the conversation shifted to their family. "You know," Jin said, rolling out another batch of dough, "any moment now, our grandkids will burst through that door and demand my cookies. They don't even say hello first. It's always, 'jin eomma, where are the cookies?'"

Namjoon chuckled fondly. "That's because they know you'd have them ready no matter what. They're spoiled by their Eomma Jin."

Seok Woo leaned back in his chair, sighing contentedly. "We're lucky, you know. In our golden years, we're surrounded by family. Our kids never left us to fend for ourselves like so many in this generation. Instead, they brought us closer, even in their busy lives."

Bo-ah nodded, her eyes misty. "It's true. We see our sons and son-in-laws thriving, our grandchildren laughing in this very house. What more could we ask for?"

Jin smiled, his tone softening. "Not much. Money is important, sure, but at this stage, it's the time, love, and understanding from family that matters most. And we've been blessed with gems for children and in-laws."

Namjoon wiped his hands and wrapped an arm around Jin, kissing his temple. "And they've been blessed with you."

Just then, the sound of tiny feet and excited voices echoed through the hallway, followed by the loud bang of the front door. "Eomma Jin! Did you make the cookies?"

Jin threw his hands up triumphantly. "See? What did I tell you?"

The room erupted in laughter as the next generation of the Jeon and Kim families filled the kitchen, their presence a vivid reminder of the bond that kept this family strong and happy through the years. Life, indeed, was good.

Jungkook stood in the middle of the Jeon Mansion's grand living room, his hands on his hips, trying to sound stern as he called after his youngest, Kim Taekook. "Yaah, Taekook! How many times have I told you not to run inside the house? You're going to trip and fall, bub!" His voice was a mixture of exasperation and affection.

Kim Taekook, the youngest addition to the Jeon-Kim family, giggled mischievously as he dashed across the room, his tiny feet making soft thuds against the polished wooden floor. His chubby cheeks were flushed, and his big doe eyes sparkled with excitement. Jungkook couldn't help but smile despite himself. At 38, he hadn't expected to become a parent again, but Taekook was the sweetest surprise of his life.

"Mumma, catch me if you can!" Taekook yelled, his laughter echoing through the hall. Jungkook sighed but started chasing after the little one, his heart full.