Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 156

Twenty-One Beats

The private obstetrics clinic in Gangnam was an oasis of quiet calm compared to the media storm still raging outside over Yoongi's television broadcast.

​By early February, Aen had officially reached the milestone of 21 weeks, her bump rounding out into an unmistakable, beautiful shape beneath her oversized cashmere coat.

As they stepped through the glass doors, a receptionist immediately recognized Yoongi's hooded silhouette and quietly ushered them past the public waiting area straight into a private VIP consultation suite.

​Dr. Lee, their primary OB-GYN, looked up from her tablet with a warm, knowing smile as they entered.

​"Mr. Min, Mrs. Min. Right on time," Dr. Lee greeted them, gesturing toward the examination bed.

"How are we feeling today at twenty-one weeks? Any unusual fatigue or major movement?"

​"She's sleeping enough, but sometimes she insists on staying up late finishing some administrative paperwork she brings home from the office," Yoongi chimed in immediately, shedding his coat and draping it over a chair while keeping a firm, protective hand on Aen's lower back as he guided her toward the table.

​Aen offered a soft, amused sigh, shooting him a sideways glance.

"I'm sleeping fine, Yoon. The baby is just very active at night."

​"See? Night owl. Definitely gets it from you," Dr. Lee laughed gently, handing Aen the paper gown.

"Let's get you settled so we can do the mid-pregnancy anatomy scan. This is a big one-we'll be checking the heartbeat, organ development, limb measurements, and overall growth."

​As Aen lay back on the examination table and pulled the paper drape over her lap, Yoongi pulled a chair right beside her, immediately claiming her hand in his.

His thumb began a slow, rhythmic stroke across her knuckles, his expression shifting from casual to hyper-focused the moment Dr. Lee prepped the ultrasound machine.

​"Now, before we begin," Aen said, her voice carrying a firm, preemptive note as Dr. Lee squeezed the warm ultrasound gel onto her abdomen, "remember our rule."

​Dr. Lee paused, raising an eyebrow with an amused smile.

"Ah, yes. The strict instructions: Do not reveal the gender under any circumstances. You two are still holding out for the surprise?"

​"Completely," Yoongi confirmed, his tone leaving zero room for argument.

"We don't want to know. Not a hint, not a slip of the tongue, not a coded look. Seal it, write it down in an envelope for our planner, or do whatever you have to do, but keep it between you and the screen."

​"Understood," Dr. Lee chuckled, picking up the transducer probe.

"Absolute radio silence on the gender. Your secret is safe with me."

​The room grew hushed as the cold probe pressed against Aen's skin.

A second later, a loud, rhythmic, galloping sound filled the small examination room-the rapid, strong beat of the baby's heart.
​Yoongi's shoulders visibly relaxed at the sound, his free hand moving to rest flat against Aen's upper thigh as his eyes glued themselves to the high-definition monitor.

​On the screen, a grayscale landscape materialized.

At 21 weeks, the baby was no longer just a tiny smudge; they were fully formed, moving hands and feet in a tiny aquatic acrobatics routine.

​"Look at that profile," Dr. Lee murmured, guiding the probe smoothly.

"Spine is looking straight and strong, brain structures are right on track, and look at those little legs kicking away."

​Aen let out a soft, breathy laugh, her fingers tightening around Yoongi's.

On the screen, they watched the baby stretch out an arm and give a vigorous little kick against the uterine wall, a motion Aen could distinctly feel as a gentle flutter against her palm.

​Yoongi stared at the monitor, his gaze entirely transfixed.

The sharp, cynical edge he usually wore for the outside world melted away completely, replaced by an expression of profound, quiet awe.

He looked at Aen and leaned in closer, his thumb tracing her jawline before pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

Then he looked back at the monitor.

​"Look at you," Yoongi whispered softly, his voice rough with emotion.

"Growing all that right in there."

​"Everything is measuring right on target for twenty-one weeks," Dr. Lee announced cheerfully, freezing a frame on the screen and typing out a few measurements.

"Growth is fantastic, amniotic fluid levels are perfect, and our little acrobat is completely healthy."

​As Dr. Lee began navigating toward the lower body to complete the final anatomical checks required for a 21-week scan, she suddenly gave a polite warning.

​"Alright, parents, close your eyes or look up at the ceiling monitor for the next ten seconds. I need to check the lower markers to ensure everything's developing properly, but I promise I won't peek at the secret!"

​Without missing a beat, Yoongi immediately shifted his hand, gently covering Aen's eyes with his palm while keeping his own gaze firmly turned toward the upper corner of the room, stubbornly refusing to look at the screen until Dr. Lee gave the all-clear.

​"Coast is clear," Dr. Lee laughed, saving the final file and wiping the remaining gel from Aen's stomach with a warm towel.

"I've locked the gender details into a secure digital file and forwarded it straight to your designated event planner. You are officially safe, and your secret remains intact."

​Ten minutes later, wrapped back in their winter coats and stepping out through a side exit of the clinic to bypass the lingering press, the biting Seoul wind hit them instantly.

​Yoongi wrapped his arm securely around Aen's waist, pulling her flush against his side as they walked toward their waiting car.

​"Well," Yoongi murmured, opening the car door and shielding her head as she slid into the warm leather interior.

"That's one mystery safely preserved."

​Once he climbed into the driver's seat and pulled out into traffic, he reached across the console, lacing his fingers through hers.

​"Do you want to stop by that bakery on the way back?" Yoongi asked, glancing over with a soft, lopsided smile.

"The one with the strawberry pastries you like. We earned it."

​Aen smiled, leaning her head back against the headrest as she felt another gentle, unmistakable kick from within.

"Only if you buy a dozen of it."

​"Deal," Yoongi replied, his thumb brushing over her knuckles as they drove back through the snowy twilight, keeping their little secret close to home.