Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 142

The Best Kept Secret

​The house felt different.

Or perhaps it was just them.

The flight had been long-hours of clouds, shifting time zones, and the quiet, shared anticipation of what they were bringing home.

By the time the front door clicked shut behind them, cutting off the bustling Seoul evening, the silence of the foyer felt like a warm embrace.

They were home.

The bags were heavy with souvenirs, but Aen felt lighter than she ever had, her hand slipping into Yoongi's, her fingers lacing through his with a quiet, grounding confidence.

​From the living room, the familiar, rhythmic sound of a television show spilled out, followed by the unmistakable sound of Carly's laughter.

​"Jin-Samchoon said the pizza place near the Dadhie's work place has the best cheese pull!" Carly's voice was bright, full of the kind of unbridled joy only a week of spoiling by six 'uncles' could produce.

​Aen and Yoongi exchanged a look, a silent, shared smile passing between them.

They hadn't told her they were coming home just yet-they wanted the surprise to be complete.

​"She sounds like she had quite the time," Yoongi murmured, his thumb brushing over Aen's knuckles.

​"She's been living her best life," Aen whispered back, her heart swelling.

​They walked slowly toward the living room, their footsteps muffled by the carpet.

Lana was there, tucked into a corner of the sofa with a book, keeping a watchful, loving eye on the girl who was currently sprawled out on the rug, surrounded by a mountain of coloring books and different kinds of trinkets bought by her uncles.

​Carly looked up, her eyes widening as she caught sight of them.

The sketchbook she was holding tumbled to the floor as she scrambled up, her face lighting up with a radiant, disbelieving grin.

​"Momhie! Dadhie!"

She didn't just walk; she sprinted across the living room.

Yoongi dropped their bags the second he saw her coming, his arms opening wide, knowing exactly what was coming.

​She launched herself at him, and he caught her with ease, swinging her up in a tight, protective embrace.

Carly squealed, burying her face into his neck for a long second, holding onto him as if she never wanted to let go.

​Then, she pulled back, her small hands resting on his broad shoulders as she looked at him, before her gaze eagerly darted over to Aen.

​"You're back," she breathed, her voice thick with sudden, overwhelming joy.

​Yoongi smiled, his eyes softening completely as he lowered her feet back to the floor but kept a steady hand on her waist.

Aen stepped closer, instantly reaching out to cup Carly's cheek, her own heart swelling to its absolute limit.

​"We're back, baby," Aen said softly, her thumb brushing over her daughter's cheek.

​"I missed you both so much!"

​"We missed you more than you could know, princess," Yoongi said whose gaze was filled with a profound, quiet strength as he watched them both.