𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐇 || 𝚃𝙰𝙴𝙺𝙾𝙾𝙺 ||

LXXXVII

The mansion is filled with a soft, anticipatory hum. Tae is five months pregnant now, and while her bump is still small, it's becoming more noticeable.

Kook is a picture of doting care, constantly checking on her, bringing her snacks, and generally hovering with a happy, nervous energy.

Gukk, now a curious seven-year-old, has fully embraced the idea of a new baby. He often sits beside Tae, pressing his ear to her belly.

"Mama, is the baby sleeping?" he whispers one afternoon, his voice serious as he listens intently to Tae's stomach. Tae giggles, gently running her hand over his hair. "Maybe, my love. Or maybe it's dancing!"

Suddenly, a tiny flutter, a distinct movement, makes Tae gasp softly. It's the baby kicking. Gukk immediately feels it, his eyes widening. "Mama! What was that?!" he exclaims, pulling his head away in surprise. "Did the baby kick me?"

Tae beams. "Yes, baby! The baby kicked you! It's saying hello!" gukk's face breaks into a huge grin. "Hello, baby! Don't kick so hard!" he warns the bump playfully.

He then leans in and starts talking to Tae's belly in a loud, clear voice. "Hey, baby! This is your big brother, Gukkie! I'm going to teach you how to build big towers and play hide-and-seek! But don't tell Mama and Papa our secrets, okay?"

Kook walks in just then, a plate of sliced fruit in his hand. He watches the scene, his heart swelling with warmth. "What secrets are you telling the baby, my little spy?" he teases, setting the plate down.

Gukk looks up, triumphant. "Papa! The baby kicked me! And I told it our secrets!" Kook laughs, coming closer to press a soft kiss to Tae's belly.

"Well, baby, don't listen to your big brother. Papa has even better secrets to tell you." He winks at Tae, who just shakes her head, smiling.

Later that week, gukk becomes obsessed with feeding the baby. He brings Tae tiny toy fruits, insisting she puts them on her tummy so the baby can "eat." He even tries to share his juice box with her belly, getting juice all over her shirt.

"No, Gukkie!" Tae laughs, wiping the juice. "The baby eats from Mama's food! Not your juice box!"

"But Mama, the baby must be hungry!" he insists, his concern genuine. kook watches all of this with deep affection. He sees how gukk's excitement is helping Tae, how his innocent joy brightens the path ahead.

The fear and worry that had briefly clouded his eyes after finding out about the pregnancy have slowly, beautifully, begun to fade, replaced by a profound sense of hope and happiness.

𖹭𖹭𖹭𖹭𖹭𖹭

Today is a big day. It's the five-month ultrasound appointment, a routine check-up that Tae and kook have been looking forward to.

They are holding hands, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling between them as they wait in the doctor's office.

Inside the examination room, the atmosphere is calm. The doctor applies the cool gel to Tae's belly, and the screen comes to life with blurry black and white images.

kook holds Tae's hand tightly, their eyes fixed on the monitor, searching for their baby.

"Alright, let's have a look" the doctor (Nandani) says, her voice professional and calm. She moves the probe gently. "Here's the head... and the little heart is beating beautifully."

Taekook exchange a tearful smile, their hearts full as they hear the rhythmic thump-thump-thump of their baby's heartbeat.

The doctor pauses, moving the probe slightly. Her expression changes, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, now" she says, her voice gaining a hint of surprise and delight. "It looks like your baby has a little friend in there."