Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 152

Island Skies and Sweet Interludes

​The sterile white lights of the private clinic in Seoul felt a million miles away from the chaos of the public eye, but the quiet hum of the ultrasound machine filled the small room with an entirely different kind of tension that early Wednesday morning.

​Yoongi sat rigidly in the chair beside the examination table, his fingers laced tightly with Aen's, his dark eyes glued entirely to the monitor.

​Dr. Lee smiled warmly, sliding the transducer gently across Aen's lower abdomen before tapping a button to freeze the image.

The tiny, remarkably active shape of their baby flickered clearly on the screen.

​"Everything looks textbook, Mr. and Mrs. Min," Dr. Lee assured them, her tone breezy and reassuring.

"At thirteen weeks, you've crossed right into the second trimester. The risk drops significantly, the nausea should be easing up, and as long as she stays hydrated and avoids over-exertion, the flight is completely approved."

​Yoongi let out a slow, visibly audible exhale, the rigid line of his shoulders finally dropping as he leaned forward to press a lingering kiss against the back of Aen's hand.

​"You heard the doctor," Aen murmured teasingly, shooting him an affectionate, knowing look as she sat up and adjusted her clothes.

"No more looking at me like I'm made of spun glass. I am officially cleared for takeoff."

​"I'm just thorough," Yoongi muttered, though a faint, fond smile touched the corners of his lips as he helped her down from the table.

"I know, Yeobo. But I'm perfectly okay and so is the baby, so you can relax now."

"Alright... Though if that pilot tries to fly through even a single cloud of turbulence on the way to the Philippines, I'm personally taking over the controls."

Aen chuckled, her hand coming up to lightly pinch his cheek.

"Ohhh... You're changing careers I see. Well... before that happens Captain Min let's go home first and get ready."

​Yoongi just shook his head, catching her hand in his to press a soft kiss to her knuckles before wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders as they finally left the examination room.

***

By lunchtime, the sleek interior of the private jet was quiet, save for the steady, low hum of the engines cutting through the upper atmosphere.

They had flown out right after a quick stop back home to grab their pre-packed bags, slipping past the capital's midday rush hour and climbing up into the clear blue skies.

True to his word, Yoongi had spent the first hour making sure every single plush blanket on board was draped comfortably over Aen.

​Now, with a mug of warm herbal tea resting between his hands, Yoongi had settled right beside her on the wider lounge divan, a mug of warm herbal tea resting between his hands as his gaze softened, watching her look out the window at the endless expanse of white clouds below.

​"Still nervous?" Aen asked softly, turning her head away from the glass to meet his eyes.

​Yoongi shook his head, a faint, self-deprecating smile touching his lips as he set his mug down and shifted to sit right beside her on the wider lounge seat, immediately wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

​"Not nervous. Just... impatient," he admitted, his thumb gently tracing the curve of her hip.

"I keep thinking about how fast last year went. Now we're coming back with a little extra cargo."