Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 159

The Final Stretch

​Spring arrived in Seoul with a sudden, beautiful rush of cherry blossoms painting the streets pale pink, but the changing season brought a heavy physical reality for Aen.

At twenty-nine weeks, stepping officially into her third trimester, the daily rhythm of her administrative job at the Korea Yakult headquarters began to take its toll.

​By Thursday afternoon, sitting at her desk and wrestling with a stack of logistics spreadsheets, a profound, bone-deep exhaustion settled into her shoulders.

Her lower back ached, and the simple forty-minute ride to the office suddenly felt like a marathon.

When Yoongi arrived to pick her up as usual-waiting in the parking garage outside his sedan-he didn't even need to ask how her day went.

He took one look at her pale face and the way she rubbed her lower back as he help her climbed into the passenger seat, his mind was made up.

​"That's it, Yeobo," Yoongi said softly, reaching across the console to take her hand while keeping his eyes fixed on the steering wheel as they pulled out.

"No more office shifts, please. You look very exhausted and it's making me worry a lot. You should starting your maternity leave early."

​Aen opened her mouth to argue, ready to point out some pending reports, but the heavy ache in her lower back and the undeniable weight of the baby pressing against her ribs reminded her that he was entirely right.

She couldn't keep fighting her own body.

​She let out a long, slow breath, her shoulders sagging in instant relief, realizing she didn't even want to put up a fight.

​"Okay," she murmured, leaning her head back against the headrest.

"I think... "I think you're right. I'm ready to officially go on leave."

​Yoongi's thumb brushed reassuringly over her knuckles, a soft sigh of relief escaping him.

"Good. Let's focus on keeping you and our boy resting."

"Mmmm rest. Yeah. That would be wonderful," Aen murmured, closing her eyes as the car hummed through the evening traffic.

​When they finally got back to the quiet warmth of the house, the physical weight of the day seemed to catch up to her all at once.

The second Yoongi took off her shoes in the entryway, a deep, weary sigh slipped past her lips.

​Yoongi noticed immediately.

Without a word, he set their bags down, stepped right behind her, and gently slid his hands underneath her heavy bump, lifting the weight just a fraction to support her lower back.

​Aen let out an immediate, audible gasp of pure relief, her head instantly falling back against his shoulder as a wave of tension melted right out of her muscles.

​"Ah... God, right there," she breathed out, her eyes fluttering shut as Yoongi securely held her, taking the strain off her aching frame.

​Yoongi pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her temple, a low, rumbling chuckle vibrating against her back.

"I've got you," he whispered, his hands staying right where they were, supporting her effortlessly.

"Let's get you on the couch, and you don't need to move an inch for the rest of the night if that's what you want."

***