Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 147

​A Taste of Tomorrow

The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of their bedroom, a stark contrast to the heavy, anxious darkness that had defined so their recent mornings.

​The bathroom was filled with the soft scent of lavender soap as Yoongi moved with a deliberate, gentle efficiency.

He didn't hover too much-he had learned the difference between protective oversight and suffocating restriction-but he was there to steady her as she stepped out, wrapping the towel around her shoulders before she could even reach for it.

​"I've got you," he murmured, his hands lingering briefly on her waist.

​Aen leaned into his touch, feeling the calm radiate off him.

"I know," she smiled, meeting his gaze in the mirror.

***

​An hour later, the dynamic shifted to the front of the Yakult Korea office.

The car engine purred softly, a quiet hum in the morning air.

Before Aen stepped out, Yoongi reached across the console, his fingers gently brushing her cheek.

​"You have everything?" he asked, his voice low.

​"Everything, Yeobo," she promised, her expression serene.

"I'll check in at lunch, and if I feel even the slightest bit off, I'll call you immediately, I promise."

​She leaned forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips-a deliberate, grounding anchor for them both.

"Go home to our girl. I'll be looking forward to you picking me up later."

​Yoongi watched her walk toward the building, the knot of tension in his chest finally unspooling.

He drove back to the house, where the atmosphere was entirely different.

***

​The living room was spread out with crayons and construction paper.

Carly was hunched over a drawing of a family-three stick figures under a bright yellow sun-her tongue poking out in intense concentration.

Beside her, Yoongi had cleared a space on the coffee table.

The legal documents for the surname change were spread out, the crisp white paper looking dauntingly formal.

​He picked up his pen, his movements slow and intentional.

Just as he was about to sign the first line, his phone buzzed against the dark wood of the table.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he saw Aen's name pop up on the screen.

​"Settling in well. My desk was exactly how I left it. The office coffee is surprisingly good today, and you know I'm not fond of it. I think the baby is already craving caffeine-I might be turning into you, Yeobo. Deep breaths. I'm doing great.❤️"

​He typed back a quick, "Take it slow. I ordered your lunch. Eat something green, okay." feeling the last remnants of his morning restlessness vanish.

Then he looked over at Carly.

​Without making a sound, he snapped a quick, candid photo of her-tongue still poking out in concentration, her small hand steadying the paper as she drew their family.

He sent it to Aen with a simple caption: "It's official in the works. She's drawing us."

She looked up, catching him in the act, and beamed at him with a gap-toothed smile.