Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 159.5

Midnight Anchors and Little Mins

Then came the music industry's peak festival and comeback season which kept Yoongi buried deep in late-night studio sessions.

The pressure was relentless, and the hours stretched endlessly under the glow of computer monitors and mixing boards.

But no matter how late it got or how exhausted he was, Yoongi made it a strict rule to be home by midnight.

​He would slip quietly into their bedroom, sliding into bed to wrap his arms securely around Aen's growing frame, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder to let her know he had made it back safe.

​In the dim glow of the bedside lamp, Aen would stir, her eyes blinking open against the heavy pull of sleep as she shifted back into the familiar warmth of his chest.

​"You're late," she murmured into the quiet, her voice a soft, sleepy scratch.

​Yoongi buried his face in her hair, pressing another lingering kiss to her temple before sliding his palm over the rounded slope of her belly.

"I know, Yeobo. I'm sorry. The final mix took longer than I thought."

​"Did you eat?"

​"A little. But I'd rather eat breakfast with you," he whispered, his thumb tracing gentle, soothing circles against her skin where Gi-an gave a sleepy little nudge in response.

"Go back to sleep, Yeobo. I'm right here."

​Aen let out a soft sigh, the last bit of residual tension melting out of her bones as she covered his hand with her own.

With him holding her, the heavy weight of the world-and the exhaustion of the late hour-finally faded away.

​Even with the overwhelming weight of his career, he never let the schedule swallow up his role at home.

​Whenever he had a rare afternoon off or a brief break between tracking sessions, he made sure Carly had his full, undivided attention as well.

​Whether it was sitting on the living room floor helping her level up in her video games-relentlessly letting her win just to hear her victorious cheering-or sitting at the kitchen island helping her prep a late-night snack, he carved out those moments with fierce intention.

​Late one evening, as he helped her pack away her game controller before bedtime, Carly looked up at him with wide, thoughtful eyes.

​"Dadhie, aren't you tired? You work in the studio all night, and then you play games with me."

​Yoongi offered a soft, tired smile, reaching out to gently flick the tip of her nose.

"Of course I'm tired, princess. But my favorite job isn't making music. It's making sure you and Momhie are happy."

​Carly's face lit up, a proud, gap-toothed grin spreading across her face as she threw her arms tightly around his neck.

"You're the best Dadhie ever."

​Yoongi's arms came around her, holding her close as a deep, genuine laugh rumbled in his chest.

"Go brush your teeth, munchkin. We have to wake up early tomorrow. Your uncles are coming by to pick you up for your special day out."

​Carly's eyes went wide with excitement.

"Oh yes! I almost forgot, Dadhie! Jimin-samchoon and Tae-samchoon said we're going to plushie hunting."

​Yoongi let out a soft, amused sigh, a fond smile touching the corners of his mouth.

"Of course they are. Those two are going to spoil you rotten before you fly home." He reached out to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

"So off to bed with you. "

​He refused to let the chaos of his career make his family feel like an afterthought, always making sure Carly knew her Dadhie was right there in her corner for her despite his busy schedule.

***

​Before they even realized how fast the weeks had slipped through their fingers, the date for Carly's departure arrived far too quickly.

Heading back to the Philippines to seamlessly transition into her new school term was bittersweet, but this departure carried an entirely different kind of magic.

Tucked safely inside Yoongi's leather briefcase were the newly finalized adoption and legal documents-the official papers declaring what their hearts had known for years: Carly was now, undeniably and forever, a Min.

​Because of that, Yoongi wasn't just sending her off; he was flying with her, exactly as he had done before.

He would never allow her to travel by herself, and crossed international borders without a guardian by herside and with her new legal status, this trip carried an even deeper significance.

With Aen now sitting firmly at thirty-six weeks pregnant, long-haul flights and airline medical clearance were completely out of the question.

She couldn't travel with them, which meant Yoongi was taking on double duty-escorting Carly home, personally handling her new school enrollment and legal documents, and then flying right back to Seoul.

​Leaving Aen behind even for a few days gnawed at him, the thought of her being vulnerable without him driving him half-mad with worry.

To ease his racing mind, he had already arranged for his mother and father to move into their home in Seoul, ensuring Aen would be surrounded by constant care, warm meals, and attentive hands while he was gone.

​The departure took place quietly and privately, far away from flashing cameras, right inside the private hangar lounge where Aen could rest comfortably.

​The atmosphere was a mix of tender goodbyes.

Aen, heavily pregnant and glowing softly, knelt in front of Carly to smooth down the collar of her jacket one last time, pressing a lingering kiss to both of her cheeks.

​"Make sure you behave for Mama and Papa, baby," Aen whispered, her voice thick with emotion, before gently pressing a hand against her own rounded belly.

"And tell Gi-an goodbye for me."

She stepped closer to Aen, gently placing her small hand right against her mother's rounded bump with a soft, affectionate smile.

​"Bye-bye, Gi-an," Carly whispered softly against Aen's belly, her expression completely tender.

"Be a good boy for Momhie, okay? I'll see you soon."

​A soft, fluttery kick answered her instantly from within, making Carly giggle before she turned to throw her arms tightly around Yoongi's waist.

​Yoongi crouched down, meeting her eye-to-eye with a soft, steady gaze.

He reached out to adjust her cap, a proud, protective smile softening his features.

"You ready, little Min?"

​"Ready, Dadhie," Carly beamed, her eyes shining with excitement.

​With a final, lingering wave to Aen, who stood safely watching from the private hangar lounge alongside Yoongi's mother and father, Yoongi took Carly's small hand in his, leading her up the steps of the jet.

As the cabin doors closed and the engines hummed to life, Yoongi pulled her close into his side, ready to handle every school form, every legal detail, and every step of her bright future as his daughter-before hurrying right back home to where his family awaited.