Nanny Needed

Twenty-two

22. Thanksgiving

Kookie was baking and cooking. This had to be a great thanksgiving meal. He had set his mind that this was going to be perfect. It was the first time he was trying to make a proper holiday meal.

He was tired from being in the kitchen since he woke up. Literally, he was in the kitchen all day. It was proving to be too much. The children were being entertained by their papa. Kookie wanted to just throw everything away getting frustrated with the endless tasks. It seemed like when he was done doing one thing another had to be done.

Luckily, he would have a hand soon. All he needed to do was take a deep breath and exhale. He has worked too hard to throw it all away.

Lucky for him the bell rung. Signifying the person he had been waiting for was here. Meaning some of the stress and tasks could be divided amongst them. It didn't take long for Jungkook to hear his voice.

"Hello." The voice sounding like heaven to his ears. He was heaven sent. He only smiled in reply— too jumbled up in his mind to respond.

"I can't believe you're actually cooking all this. What do you need help with?" He kissed his forehead. It was clear that he didn't know where to begin.

"Just grab a knife and let's get started. And...NamJoon? Thank you." Jungkook couldn't be any more grateful to have him here.

It was going to be a long day. And tonight was sure to keep him on his toes. For one it would be the first proper holiday meal he's made. Two, NamJoon was staying for dinner. Three, Park Jimin was scheduled to come. It might be the reason—if not the only— he invited NamJoon. There was sure going to be some tense moments.

He wanted to avoid it by going home or to a friend's house but two things stopped him. One SeokJin had said no to his request for the day off. Jungkook knew it was just him being an ass. He would've left if it wasn't for the second reason. The second and most important was the children were looking forward to a holiday with him again.

"No problem. Thank you for inviting me. If not I'd be all alone today."

Okay, so maybe not the only reason NamJoon was invited. But it did help ease his mind. He wouldn't be alone. Even if it wasn't his home, Jungkook felt like it was family. They treated him as such.

The children were aware that there would be visitors. The children didn't say anything but it was clear that the idea of visitors on a holiday was foreign. Like it wasn't supposed to happen. It almost reminded Kookie how out of place he felt his first holidays with them.

"Wouldn't want to leave you all alone. Now, would we? You're too nice of a guy." Jungkook smiled at him. NamJoon smiled at him too. Except he knew there was a long time coming for him to earn a place in Jungkook's heart.

"Not to mention your boyfriend." He knew he didn't have to remind him. But maybe he needed to be reminded that he didn't have to go through it alone. Jungkook had someone by his side.

At that moment, Jungkook was thinking why did he accept to be his boyfriend. There was nothing wrong with the Doctor. He was polite, respectful, charming and even witty. Yet, it was the lack of his heart's interest, on Jungkook's behalf, that didn't make their relationship well suited. He laughed in all the right places, he talked and conversed. Jungkook was at ease with him but it was on friendly terms. Nothing more. He still didn't daydream with NamJoon in mind. There was hope that he would steal his heart.

Jungkook was attracted to him, admired him, and respected the doctor. Sure, lately he wasn't putting his all but he tried. Just the stress of having to look for a place, not knowing how to tell the children he was done there, trying to make the holidays memorable. There was time but Kookie put too much pressure on himself.

While, they worked in the kitchen the five people in the living room were sitting down looking at one another. The smallest child playing with his toys. The other two girls sitting looking at the man siting next to their papa, both filled with questions.

"You have two beautiful girls." Jimin smiled and tried to ease into a conversation. Jimin was the first to try to break the tension.

The two little girls had so many questions for the handsome man but they were told to be in their best behavior. They looked at Jimin in awe. He looked kind of like an elegant prince, with a beautiful smile, and approachable. Maybe talking and asking questions wouldn't be a bad thing.

"You're very beautiful." Jisoo complimented. "Isn't he papa? Just like appa or a prince." She regarded looking at a picture of her appa. Two different men with beauty that shown differently.

"Yes, he's very." SeokJin smiled. He didn't feel right that Jimin was compared to his husband. Physically nothing alike, mentally and emotionally no one was the same. Maybe that's why he dated him but they had similarities. There was no doubt about that. A few that he could say easily; if there was more, he hadn't taken notice.

With that small compliment the ice was broken. The girls began talking, asking Jimin questions. Nothing too embarrassing. It was mainly about getting to know Jimin and for Jimin the children. It went with such ease that it shocked them when Kookie came in declaring dinner was ready.

The dinner table was set beautifully with all the traditional dishes that Kookie remembered having every thanksgiving and those that SeokJin and Jisoo had said were on their table on thanksgiving. He wanted to please everyone. Too much food perhaps.

They all sat down thanking Kookie for his efforts. It all looked good and the presentation was symmetrically perfect. Yet, Kookie wasn't completely satisfied. The guests had to be pleased with his food. No room for error. There was someone he wanted to impress.

Jungkook let SeokJin cut the turkey and do all those things that the head of the household would do. The dinner went smoothly and with ease thanks to the guests and children, who carried a conversation without an awkward pause. As for Kookie, he was mostly quiet during the whole meal. It was like he wasn't there, merely observing. SeokJin couldn't help but make him feel out of sorts with his occasional strong stare.

No one could do anything without having to call him out. Jimin tried to get SeokJin's attention and succeeded if only for a short time. The doctor tried to cover Jungkook up with his body but it wasn't much. SeokJin and Kookie were drawn to one another.

Once they were finished they thanked Kookie once again. This time he blushed. Kookie began to pick up. Most of them too full to even move. It felt like moving might be the end of them. Too much food.

"I'll help Jungkook clean up," Jimin spoke before anyone could say anything. Before the doctor could stand up and help Kookie.

Kookie couldn't say no. It was clear that it was time to talk. NamJoon looked at him for some indication of help. Jungkook gave none. NamJoon knew it was okay for him to sit down and not interfere.

"I'll help him. You don't have to." Jin said. Still, clueless as to why Jimin wanted to help Kookie. He couldn't let his guest do work.

"No, it's fine. Maybe, he can give me a few pointers and some recipes. It's fine." Jimin's voice was clear on his intentions.

SeokJin got the message then. He wasn't to interrupt them in the kitchen. Which would also meant he would have some time with NamJoon. Potentially alone if the kids fall asleep which they already started to look tired. He wondered what Kookie would hear and what would Kookie say.

This was bound to be one interesting Thanksgiving after all. They all have something in mind. Things that needed to be cleared up. The doctor wants to know the CEO's intentions with Jungkook. While the CEO, himself, wants the doctor far away from Kookie. Then there are two in the kitchen which have just as much to talk about if not more.

So far, thanksgiving had been pleasant. Conversations that were about to take place could have a sour turn for this night. There was no way Mister Kim could remain at peace for long. Not when he didn't know how Kookie was being treated and this stranger before him was not well liked. Would it remain pleasant amongst them or would it turn out to be horrible?

March 17, 2018