Finest Jin

A Knock at the Door

The apartment erupted into a flurry of activity as children scrambled to get dressed, Tae and Atticus took the dogs out to pee and Brigette sat next to a resurrecting Hoseok, spoon-feeding him soup. I quickly washed up the dishes, Jin slipping next to me to dry. The door was knocked on and Jungkook and Jimin joined us. Cher turned 10 shades of red when Jimin complimented her. I just grinned. Jungkook quickly found the soup and I was glad for clean bowls and a generous amount in the pot. Shortly after, Yoongi came in; baseball cap on backwards, jeans and a baggy shirt. He had brought the long black jackets for Jin and Hoseok; a staple for the Korean winter. Every square foot of space seemed to encompass at least one person and I had to shuffle sideways to move from room to room. The noise was also quickly ramping up. I went to my bedroom to find a warmer sweater and was surprised to see a box laid on my bed. It was white, tied with a red ribbon. A little card on it read: Thank you for taking such good care of Yeontan. I think red is your colour. T.

 I tugged open the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside held an exquisite dress; long, flowing, off the shoulder, red. My fingers traced over the dazzling little jewels that were sprinkled across the fabric. A throat clear at the door drew my gaze. Taehyung was standing there, holding another box.

"Here are the shoes to go with it." He passed me the box, revealing gorgeous heels. "Change quickly. I expect to see it on you before I leave."

"Thank you!" I had no other words. I crushed him in a hug, my mouth agape with incredulousness. He grinned. 

"Clothes are kind of my thing. Tan-Ah looks very happy. Plus I am hoping if I lay it on thick, you will let him stay with you while we are on tour." 

"Of course! We love him." Tae kissed my head. 

"Get changed." As soon as he had left, I summoned Éowynn to help me and slid into the dress. It fit perfectly, as did the shoes. She tugged the zipper to the utmost position and I took a deep breath before stepping back out into the insanity that was our living room. 

"Doesn't my mom look pretty?" Éowynn introduced me. Everyone turned to look. Yoongi smiled, cat-like. Jungkook bit his knuckle, smiling. My children let their mouths fall open. Jimins' eyes narrowed approvingly. Namjoons' dimples jumped to his cheeks. Tae full-out dazzled his wide, boxy smile. Hoseok even managed a smile and nod. But the reaction I was waiting for was more than successful in the startle, then jaw drop as Jins' eyes took me in; darkening as he scanned me from top to bottom. 

"Whoa..." He voiced. We all laughed. 

"It's a little fancy for 10am." I countered. Taehyung came over to me, taking my hand and spinning me in a circle. 

"Red is your colour. Take this with you today. For dancing tonight." I looked at Jin, who was nodding. 

"Ok. Thank you again. It is beautiful."

"It certainly is." Jimin noted. Jin swatted him. There was a knock at the door. We all glanced around, confused. Namjoon drew a long pointer finger and actually counted off the boys under his breath. All 7 were present. I strode through the room to answer the door. 

"JinYoung?" I was shocked to see the teenager standing at my door. "What are you doing here?" The room behind me was silent. Impressive. The handsome lad shifted from foot to foot. 

"I came to see Cher. I think we got off to a bad start." I peeked over at Cher. She had a glass of water in her hand and was rapidly reddening. "Can I speak with her?"

"Cher? There is someone here to see you." She shot me a look. I gave her one back. She could be polite. She resigned herself and marched to the door. I caught her wrist and relieved her of the glass as she passed. 

"JinYoung. Hi. What can I do for you?" Her voice was formal but I could hear the grating irritation she was trying to withhold. 

"Give me a chance. I will be good to you."

"I have seen how mean you are to girls who reject you. That says a lot about your character. I have no interest in people with insincere hearts." The boys voice pitched to a whiny tone. 

"I am trying hard to change...For you."

"I am not interested in you. I am sorry." I watched everyone biting lips and listening intently to the scene at the door.

"Are you seeing someone?" JinYoung was getting irritated now. "That has to be it. Who are you seeing?" I could see her hands clenching the door frame. She had held it together thus far, but it was evident that Chers' patience was wearing thin. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jimin snag Yoongis' hat and add it to his own head. He pulled a face mask from his pocket and put it on.

"That is really none of your business, JinYoung." JinYoung had hit his limit too. 

"It really is! I am breaking myself here for you. There is no school until Thursday. We have time to spend together."

"Improving your grades is great; for you. Don't do it for me. Besides, these next few days; I am busy."

"You're not, Cher. I can tell that you are lying." At this, Jimin held out his own coat and came up behind my eldest daughter, draping it over her shoulders. I saw the shock register on the boys' face as the man came into view and put his arm around Cher.

"We need to get going, dear. We have a date." JinYoungs' face went white. His mouth fell open and Cher just smiled. 

"True." She gave a grateful smile to the man next to her before turning to the boy rapidly turning purple in front of her. "See you at school, JinYoung." With that, the door closed in his face. Laughter broke out. 

"Jimin! You savage!" I admonished in a whisper. He blushed. 

"She was polite. She was firm. He wasn't getting it." Yoongi high-fived the dashing hero and everyone began talking again as I went to get changed. Coats were on when I emerged, carrying the 2 boxes in my hands. Jin held my coat out to me. I retrieved my wallet.

"Let me give you guys some spending cash..."I said to the children.

"No." Hoseok was pulling a toque on his head. "It is our treat."

"Thank you. How are you feeling, Hoseok-Nim? You are welcome to stay and sleep if you wish." He shook his head and grinned down at my littlest child, whose brown eyes were locked on him joyfully, their mittened hands held together. 

"She fed me soup. I am going." He shrugged. I laughed. Brigette glowed. 

"We have three cars here." Namjoon passed keys to Jin and Yoongi, throwing an adorable wink at me. "Enjoy your day."