"Jungkookkie! Let's put you in your outfit now. We can't go to the station in just our diaper now can we?" I pick up the giggling baby and bounce him on my hip as I make my way to the living room. The little pink diaper bag lays open on the couch from Yoongi and I's search for a clean diaper. I put my semi-sitting up companion next to me on the couch and once again rustle through the contents. Finding a little yellow onesie patterned with carrots I begin to wrangle the wiggly Jungkook into the article of clothing. "Come on Jungkook-ah I can't help you find your mama without putting you in something warm. Did she at least leave you with a coat?" All I get is babble in response as I finally button up his onesie. It wasn't super cold, but there was a bite to the air and I didn't want him to get chilly so I slip on a pair of gray pants and socks so he has more coverage. As for a coat, all I have is the little blanket his mother had him wrapped in when she left him in my lap.
"Yoongi-ya, when you are out today Jungkookie needs a coat. It will be fine today, but I can't have him getting cold." My quiet guest mutters an affirmative as he slips his shoes on and opens the door. "I'll call you when I finish at the station and we can reconvene here!" I call and scoff as he only nods slipping out the door. "What are we gonna do with Mr. Grumpy? Huh, Jungkook-ah?" Again little laughs leave my tiny companion and I sweep him up in my arms blowing raspberries on his cheek. Making him burst with happy shrieks we make it towards the kitchen table so I can gather our belongings.
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The walk from my apartment to the police station is short but full of surprised faces as a tall man such as myself parades down the street in a long pink wool coat. Not to mention a baby perched on my left hip clutching a lapel of said coat. Upon entering the quiet station a younger officer greets me at the counter. "Hello, sir what brings you here today? If you are wanting a copy of his birth certificate the records office just a building over is what you need." His chipper smile but quick assuming rubs my conscious the wrong way.
Returning a tight-lipped smile I set Jungkook on the counter, his little legs bouncing in excitement. "Actually I am looking for his mother. This is little Jeon Jungkook and he was accidentally left in my care. His mother got off the bus we just so happened to be sharing and placed him in my arms as I slept. Now as silly as it sounds she really left and I want to get this little guy to his home." The officer looks perplexed and opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out. Waiting for the young man to get his resolve I take the pen Jungkook is attempting to eat from the curious baby's fist.
Watching me carefully the officer begins to type on his computer. "So what you are saying is that the boy's mother abandoned him on public transit. You were fortunate enough to come across the child and there is no connection of bloodline in any way?" I continue to answer the man's repetitive questions however, both myself and Jungkook were getting bored. I could keep my cool, but the six-month-old began to try and twist around to see the opposite side of the counter. In keeping him from escaping I once again held him, but Jungkook decided to instead pat at my cheeks and lips.
"Jungkookkie, hajima! Be a good boy, Jinnie is trying to find your mama." The female secretary to the right of officer 20 questions, giggled at our combined antics. In my fussing, I hadn't noticed an older woman appear beside me. She gestured towards Jungkook and I gave her a confused look. "Um, can I help you, Ma'am?" Her eyes soften and my panic subsides maybe a millimeter. Are they trying to take him from me so soon? Where will they take my Jungkook-ah?
"Mr. Kim I am a specialized pediatric doctor. I am here to give the child a look over to ensure he is a healthy baby. It won't take but 20 minutes, in the meantime Officer Hyuk wants to speak with you." The woman this time has me follow her to the door hidden just passed the row of counters. Once we reach a separation of hallways practiced hands slip him from my arms before I can protest. "See you soon Mr. Kim.." As she leaves I find myself alone in the hall feeling a pang of loss settle in my bones.
"Mr. Kim? Please follow me." Appearing almost out of nowhere an elderly officer guides me to a lounge looking sitting area. I kind of slump into a plush chair across from who I am assuming is Officer Hyuk, feeling weird without a squirmy baby encased in my arms. "So we have created a case file for you and baby Jeon. At this time we do not have any further information other than what you have already given us. I am personally taking the case. What can I say I have a soft spot for babies..." The man's easy tone brings me into conversation easily. We discuss the process moving forward, and how Jungkook will stay with me until further notice from the station. I will come back in at the end of the week unless new developments occur.
The conversation has hit a comfortable lull when I hear the unhappy wails of Jungkook. I immediately jump to my feet and attempt to save him. However, Officer Hyuk grabs my arm to settle me back into my seat. He tries to bring me back to calm conversation, but all is lost as my leg jiggles restlessly. The wailing gets steadily louder and more hysterical and my heart constricts every second I just have to sit and wait. "I promise it's not as bad as it sounds, most babies don't like to get their check up. Baby Jeon will be just fine." His reassurances fall on deaf ears as the woman who took my baby reappears with said child screaming such as I have never heard before.
I run forward and pull the tear-stricken baby from the evil doctor's arms. "Jungkookkie!" Little fists grab at my coat and sweatshirt in an attempt to get closer to my broad frame. As I coo and coddle Jungkook his tears begin to subside and he calms laying his head on my shoulder. "It's okay the evil lady won't hurt you anymore," I whisper and turn back to the aforementioned doctor and Officer Hyuk. "I think he's calm now, and I should take my leave. It has been a strenuous day on the both of us. Officer, you have my number if anything presents itself, otherwise, I'll be back Saturday."
"Mr. Kim, I in no way wanted to upset you. I simply had to ensure he was up to date with his medical records. The baby seems to be in perfect health and I have updated his profile so that you will not have trouble in the future." The lady doctor attempts to pat Jungkook on the back but he screeches and I have to step back. All I can do is a nod towards her respectfully as I reach for the diaper bag and my phone, slipping the latter into my pocket. The kind Officer Hyuk walks us back to the front and bids us adieu promising everything will be as it should soon.
The sun has made an appearance peeking out from behind the clouds and shining on our faces. The gentle breeze and warmth from the sun make it seem like the cool morn was a thing of imagination. I pull my phone from my pocket and call Yoongi, but the phone never picks up. So not as to clog the walkway I begin to walk towards the small shops further into town. "Hmm, what shall we do Jungkook-ah? Are you hungry? Come to think of it I gave you a bottle at 8 this morning and it is," I look down at the time flashing across my phone screen and gasp, "One o clock! Let's head to the cafe and I can pick up a quick lunch so I can head home and feed you."
The baby still seems shocked by the whole experience and I feel terrible making him wait so long to eat and even take a nap. He almost seems weary of people, especially when I try to shift him from one hip to the other. Jungkook gripped harder to me like he thought I was just going to pass him off again. I quickly order a sandwich, soup, and two iced Americanos and make my way back towards my apartment. Again I try to text Yoongi but no answer comes through from the out and about music major.
I have a bit of difficulty trying to open the door with a baby on one side, the other a diaper bag and hand holding the food from the cafe. Luckily the young girl from down the hall sees my struggle and unlocks the door from me. "Thank you, Daisy!" I call as she heads off to work at a fashion magazine photography center. When I first moved in she baked me cookies and has been a friendly face every once in a while. Upon entering I set the food and baby on the table, then place the diaper bag by the couch. Oddly he begins to fuss and I quickly scoop him back up.
We routinely make his bottle then I sit at the table with him resting on my legs so that I could eat as he drinks. As I am finishing my meal I notice little eyes fighting to stay open and hands loosely holding his bottle. "Oh dear, is somebody sleepy? Jungkookie I think it's nap time." Once again I lift my little companion into my arms, but this time head to the couch. I lay down and place the sleepy boy on my chest. With careful maneuvering, I pull the afghan from the back of the couch and drape the lavender colored blanket over us. Soon droopy eyes decorate both our faces and soft baby breathing lulls me to rest. Before consciousness makes his departure I place a plush kiss to Jungkook's head whispering, "Sweet dreams, Kookie..."
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"Eomma, I'm home!" The jovial shout of Yoongi returning home jars me awake. I look around blearily still cocooned with Jungkook nestled to my chest. The loud boy enters the living room with a mountain of bags from some place called Kitty Korner. The little guy begins to stir and I try to motion to Yoongi to keep quiet so not as to wake the baby, but alas my efforts are futile. "You'll never guess who I ran into at the mall today, Hyung." Rummaging can be heard as he searches the fridge for a snack. His voice carries and Jungkook begins to blink looking up into my eyes. Drinking the coffee I bought him, Yoongi saunters in and sees how we were obviously trying to nap and stands there awkwardly.
"It's okay Yoongi-ya. He's already awake. Now just how much did you buy. I know I let you use my card but this is a bit excessive." Yoongi at least has the decency to appear sheepish and shuffles his feet.
"Don't worry Eomma, I didn't charge up your card. In fact, I bought most of this..." I begin to sit up and unwrap from the blankets as he starts unloading the packages onto the coffee table. Jungkook still grips my sweatshirt but seems less upset. I feel like it is my fault, the poor kid has been through a lot of changes these last few days.
As more and more items appear both Jungkook and I get excited. "Wow, this is the cutest pattern I have ever seen!" He must have just gotten everything they had with it too. My whole apartment will be covered in blue bunny print. Heck, even the new diaper bag is lined in it. Once the bags have been emptied, we begin to organize everything into piles. Clothes, toys, food, diapers, and random cute things. As we do this I explain how the trip to the police station ended traumatically. This whole time Jungkook stays glued to my hip and won't let me put him down for even a second. Not even the toys could distract him. He must just need the reassurance of love.
We move to the couch after a while, me sitting on one cushion with the baby nestled to my side and Yoongi sprawled on the other explaining his awkward encounter with Hoseok, the boy from his dance class. As the clock strikes 6 and the younger boy jumps up like he was electrocuted. "Hyung, I have to go. Tonight my friend from the mall is coming over to spend the night." I watch as he once again scrambles to get his shoes on and head towards the door. Sadly before his grand departure, I catch his sleeve.
"What, you think you can leave without a proper goodbye?" He purses his lips but makes his way over nonetheless. Giving a sloppy goodbye he hugs me and boops Jungkook's nose. The door clicks shut and without prompt Jungkook waves at the door. "Oh look at you? A smart boy aren't you? How about I give you a bath, with new pajamas I'm sure you will feel even better huh?" Happy babbles gurgle past his lips as I give him Eskimo kisses down the hall towards the kitchen.
While at the store Yoongi bought baby soap and this flower thing that was supposed to sit in the sink so that the baby doesn't slide around. When he opened it we were surprised to find a pink one inside, apparently, the girl talked him into this kind because it was one of the safest systems, but failed to mention it was for girls. Personally, I thought it was adorable. I have never bathed a baby before so I just try my best and place it in the sink side near the faucet. Next comes the difficult part, take the clothes off of said baby. I set him on the counter laying down so I can wriggle his pants and socks off. Getting the onesie and diaper off was easier as it was just a couple of snaps and tabs.
Watching him play in the water and bubbles is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. I snatch my polaroid camera from the counter and catch him mid-giggle. Too soon the washing is through and the water runs cool. I wrap Jungkook up in one of the cotton towels my mother bought me while traveling abroad. Then I dry him off and put him in a footed sleepsuit with little crescent moons decorating the dark blue fleece. I even go so far as to fluff up his fuzzy head of hair making him look silly. Once again the little guy looks sleepy and probably is as he had to handle a lot today including an interrupted nap. Taking him to my bedroom I lay him down and side up beside him so that he can lull into sleep. Because of his state, it doesn't take long.
I take advantage of his sound sleeping to get a bit more organized. Starting with the hardest I try to find places in my pantry for the cans of formula and little jars of starter baby solid foods. Next, I take the old diaper bag and remove all its contents across the kitchen table, from this location I can see and hear Jungkook should something happen. Switching and adding items I begin to set up the new stylish bag. Yoongi picked a sturdy one made of brown leather, mature outside but baby inside. Little blue bunnies smile up at me as I stuff a few more diapers into the spacious cavern.
In my quick assessment of the contents of the pink bag, I had not seen a folded group of papers fall to the ground. If not for a pacifier trying to get away I wouldn't have seen it near my chair. Unfolding the literature it seems to be a handwritten letter. I hastily scan the note to see what it could possibly mean and tear up at its message. Ms. Jeon was a young girl not ready for such a responsibility and headed to the states for an opportunity to find herself. She left little Jungkook with me because she felt my heart was in the right place to give him a loving home. The air seems to leave my lungs and I all but collapse into the wooden chair beside me.
Traveling to the states? Me being the only choice for the young boy? My head and heart swim with all the implications of this letter. Before I can even begin to process these revelations, Jungkook must have felt my absence because he begins to whine. I stumble to his side and scoop him up cradling the tiny child to my wide embrace. Am I really the only one who loves him enough to stay? No father and now no mother, how can a college student such as myself really be the best fit?
YOU ARE READING
A Boy Named Kookie
FanfictionPacifiers and papers, things Jin never knew would occupy his mind at once. A college student in his last year of pediatric nursing, Kim Seokjin is handed a responsibility the single 24-year-old was not expecting. From littles to feuding families, he...
